Near to the Heart of GodNear to the Heart of GodA Study of the Book of HebrewsA Study of the Book of Hebrews

Lesson 8Lesson 8Hebrews 3:7 – 19Hebrews 3:7 – 19

Resisting A RestResisting A Rest

I.I. IntIntroduction roduction A.A. This is a message about entering rest on a This is a message about entering rest on a

“Labor “Labor Day” weekend.Day” weekend.B.B. Where we are in Hebrews.Where we are in Hebrews.C.C. An overview of this lesson.An overview of this lesson.1.1. The backdrop to Psalm 95The backdrop to Psalm 952.2. The message of Psalm 95The message of Psalm 953.3. Psalm 95 as employed by the author of HebrewsPsalm 95 as employed by the author of Hebrews4.4. The message of Hebrews for usThe message of Hebrews for us

II.II. The Backdrop to Psalm 95The Backdrop to Psalm 95A.A. Exodus 17:1-7Exodus 17:1-7 (beginning of 40 years)(beginning of 40 years)

1.1. Israel just passed through Red SeaIsrael just passed through Red Sea2.2. Bitter water at Marah (15:22-26)Bitter water at Marah (15:22-26)3.3. Wilderness of Sin – “It was better in Egypt” God gives Wilderness of Sin – “It was better in Egypt” God gives

Bread and meat from heaven (16:1-36)Bread and meat from heaven (16:1-36)4.4. Rephidim – no water (17:1-7)Rephidim – no water (17:1-7)People quarrel with Moses: “You brought us here to kill us”People quarrel with Moses: “You brought us here to kill us”Moses struck the rock, water came outMoses struck the rock, water came outPlace named Place named MassahMassah and and MeribahMeribah

B.B. Numbers 14:20-35Numbers 14:20-351.1. Spies sent out (13:1-24)Spies sent out (13:1-24)2.2. Two reports (13:25-33)Two reports (13:25-33)3.3. Revolt against Moses and Aaron – ready to stone Revolt against Moses and Aaron – ready to stone

them and return to Egypt (14:1-10)them and return to Egypt (14:1-10)4.4. God is angry – form a new nation through Moses God is angry – form a new nation through Moses

(14:1-12)(14:1-12)5.5. Moses intercedes (14:13-19)Moses intercedes (14:13-19)6.6. God forgives their iniquity (14:20)God forgives their iniquity (14:20)7.7. This generation will not enter the land, but will die in This generation will not enter the land, but will die in

the wilderness (14:21-35).the wilderness (14:21-35).

C.C. Numbers 20:1-13 Numbers 20:1-13 (end of 40 years)(end of 40 years)1.1. Sabbath-breaker stoned (15:32-36)Sabbath-breaker stoned (15:32-36)2.2. Remember commandments – beware of your heart Remember commandments – beware of your heart

and your eyes (15:37-41)and your eyes (15:37-41)3.3. Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram – swallowed Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram – swallowed

up (16:1-35)up (16:1-35)4.4. People grumbled against Moses and Aaron – plague People grumbled against Moses and Aaron – plague

kills 14,700 (16:41-50)kills 14,700 (16:41-50)5.5. No water, people grumble (20:1-5)No water, people grumble (20:1-5)6.6. Moses told to speak to the rock, but strikes it instead Moses told to speak to the rock, but strikes it instead

(20:6-11)(20:6-11)7.7. Moses disciplinedMoses disciplined for his for his unbeliefunbelief and and disobediencedisobedience

The place is called “Meribah” (20:12-13)The place is called “Meribah” (20:12-13)

III.III. Psalm 95, the bPsalm 95, the basis of Hebrews 3 and 4asis of Hebrews 3 and 4A.A. The text of Psalm 95The text of Psalm 95

1 Come! Let’s sing for joy to the Lord! Let’s shout out 1 Come! Let’s sing for joy to the Lord! Let’s shout out praises to our protector who delivers us! 2 Let’s enter his praises to our protector who delivers us! 2 Let’s enter his presence with thanksgiving! Let’s shout out to him in presence with thanksgiving! Let’s shout out to him in celebration! 3 celebration! 3 For the Lord is a great God, a great king For the Lord is a great God, a great king who is superior to all godswho is superior to all gods. 4 . 4 The depths of the earth The depths of the earth are in his hand, and the mountain peaks belong to him. are in his hand, and the mountain peaks belong to him. 5 The sea is his, for he made it. His hands formed the 5 The sea is his, for he made it. His hands formed the dry landdry land. 6 Come! Let’s bow down and worship! Let’s . 6 Come! Let’s bow down and worship! Let’s kneel before the Lord, kneel before the Lord, our creatorour creator! 7 For he is our God; ! 7 For he is our God; we are the people of his pasture, the sheep he owns we are the people of his pasture, the sheep he owns (Psalm 95:1-7a).(Psalm 95:1-7a).

The text of Psalm 95 (cont’d)The text of Psalm 95 (cont’d)Today, if only you would obey him! 8 He says, “Do not be Today, if only you would obey him! 8 He says, “Do not be stubborn like they were at stubborn like they were at MeribahMeribah, like they were that day at , like they were that day at Massah in the wildernessMassah in the wilderness, 9 where your ancestors challenged , 9 where your ancestors challenged my authority, and tried my patience, even though they had seen my authority, and tried my patience, even though they had seen my work. 10 For forty years I was continually disgusted with that my work. 10 For forty years I was continually disgusted with that generation, and I said, ‘These people desire to go astray; they do generation, and I said, ‘These people desire to go astray; they do not obey my commands.’ 11 So I made a vow in my anger, ‘They not obey my commands.’ 11 So I made a vow in my anger, ‘They will never enter into the resting place I had set aside for them’” will never enter into the resting place I had set aside for them’” (Psalm 95:7b-11). (Psalm 95:7b-11).

B.B. Observations regarding Psalm 95Observations regarding Psalm 951.1. Verses 1-7a – a call to worship and praiseVerses 1-7a – a call to worship and praise2.2. Verses 7b-11 – exhortation and warningVerses 7b-11 – exhortation and warning3.3. Only verses 7b-11 are cited by the author of Only verses 7b-11 are cited by the author of

Hebrews, and they are the basis for the exhortation Hebrews, and they are the basis for the exhortation of chapters 3 and 4.of chapters 3 and 4.

4.4. Verses 7b-11 are an exhortation based upon the Verses 7b-11 are an exhortation based upon the failures of the nation Israel in the wilderness (over 40 failures of the nation Israel in the wilderness (over 40 years – vs. 10).years – vs. 10).

5.5. It is the failure of an entire generation, over a 40 year It is the failure of an entire generation, over a 40 year time span.time span.

6.6. Their failure: err in heart, don’t know God’s ways, Their failure: err in heart, don’t know God’s ways, rebelled against Godrebelled against God

7.7. The correction: listen, don’t harden, worshipThe correction: listen, don’t harden, worship8.8. Failing to enter rest = failure to enter landFailing to enter rest = failure to enter land9.9. Israel’s failure (unbelief and disobedience) and its Israel’s failure (unbelief and disobedience) and its

consequences (don’t enter land) included Moses consequences (don’t enter land) included Moses and Aaron (Numbers 20:12)and Aaron (Numbers 20:12)

10.10. The psalmist was doing exactly what the writer to The psalmist was doing exactly what the writer to the Hebrews is doing, and what he exhorts us to the Hebrews is doing, and what he exhorts us to do as well: gather to worship and to warn and do as well: gather to worship and to warn and exhort one another, lest any fail to hear, to exhort one another, lest any fail to hear, to believe, and to obey God.believe, and to obey God.

IV.IV. Hebrews 3:12-19Hebrews 3:12-19A.A. Verses 12-13Verses 12-13

12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has an evil, 12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has an evil, unbelieving heart that forsakes the living God. 13 But exhort unbelieving heart that forsakes the living God. 13 But exhort one another each day, as long as it is called “Today,” that noneone another each day, as long as it is called “Today,” that noneof you may become hardened by sin’s deception.of you may become hardened by sin’s deception. 1.1. Note the corporate dimensions – why?Note the corporate dimensions – why?

a.a. We are a body / our brother’s keeper.We are a body / our brother’s keeper.b.b. The needy (drifting / hard hearted / deceived by sin) may not The needy (drifting / hard hearted / deceived by sin) may not

know it.know it.c.c. We are obligated to exhort each other, so that no one becomes We are obligated to exhort each other, so that no one becomes

hardened by sin’s deception.hardened by sin’s deception.

2.2. Forsaking / departing from (apostasy) the Living God – Forsaking / departing from (apostasy) the Living God – how can we explain this?how can we explain this?

a.a. Apostasy is not the violation of a code of conduct; it is the denial Apostasy is not the violation of a code of conduct; it is the denial of faith in Jesus.of faith in Jesus.

b.b. See chart.See chart.

Sin Hard heart Unbelief

ExhortationRebuke

Removal

EternalJudgment

Apparent Belief Denial of Christ

Crisis

B.B. Verses 14-15Verses 14-1514 For we have become partners with Christ, if in fact we 14 For we have become partners with Christ, if in fact we hold our initial confidence firm until the end. 15 As it hold our initial confidence firm until the end. 15 As it says, “says, “Oh, that today you would listen as he speaks! Do Oh, that today you would listen as he speaks! Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

1.1. Saving faith is evident in the perseverance of our Saving faith is evident in the perseverance of our faith.faith.

2.2. Perseverance occurs one day at a time.Perseverance occurs one day at a time.3.3. Perseverance is promoted by hearing and heeding Perseverance is promoted by hearing and heeding

God’s Word.God’s Word.

C.C. Verses 16-18Verses 16-18

16 For which ones heard and rebelled? Was it not all who 16 For which ones heard and rebelled? Was it not all who came out of Egypt under Moses’ leadership? 17 And against came out of Egypt under Moses’ leadership? 17 And against whom was God provoked for forty years? Was it not those whom was God provoked for forty years? Was it not those who sinned, who sinned, whose dead bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 whose dead bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did he swear they would never enter into his And to whom did he swear they would never enter into his rest, except those who were disobedient? rest, except those who were disobedient? (Hebrews 3:16-(Hebrews 3:16-18)18)

1.1. Those who failed heard and saw the exodus (v. 16).Those who failed heard and saw the exodus (v. 16).2.2. Their unbelief was persistent (40 years – v. 17).Their unbelief was persistent (40 years – v. 17).3.3. Lack of perseverance leads to disobedience (verse 18).Lack of perseverance leads to disobedience (verse 18).

D.D. Verse 19Verse 19So we see that they could not enter because of unbelief So we see that they could not enter because of unbelief (Hebrews 3:19).(Hebrews 3:19).

1.1. Unbelief is the root of sin.Unbelief is the root of sin.2.2. Unbelief is the root of apostasy.Unbelief is the root of apostasy.3.3. Unbelief is the reason why people do not enter Unbelief is the reason why people do not enter

into God’s rest.into God’s rest.

V.V. ConclusionConclusionA.A. The author of Hebrews is using Psalm 95 just as The author of Hebrews is using Psalm 95 just as

psalmist did.psalmist did.B.B. The exhortations of Psalm 95 and Hebrews 2 The exhortations of Psalm 95 and Hebrews 2

and 3 are virtually identical.and 3 are virtually identical.1.1. Listen/pay attention to God’s Word (Psalm 95:7b; Listen/pay attention to God’s Word (Psalm 95:7b;

Heb. 1:1-3; 2:1-4)Heb. 1:1-3; 2:1-4)2.2. Don’t become hard hearted and Don’t become hard hearted and

disobedient/rebellious due to unbelief (Psalm disobedient/rebellious due to unbelief (Psalm 95:7-11; Hebrews 3 and 4).95:7-11; Hebrews 3 and 4).

3.3. The consequence of unbelief is failure to enter The consequence of unbelief is failure to enter into God’s rest. into God’s rest.

C.C. Failure to enter God’s rest is not yet fully Failure to enter God’s rest is not yet fully defined. Here = not entering the landdefined. Here = not entering the land

D. Elsewhere in Hebrews 2 and 3 we will find several other definitions of “rest”.1. Sabbath rest of Genesis 2:1-32. What 1st generation failed to attain3. That attained under Joshua4. A present rest offered in Psalm 955. A future, eternal, rest

E. We cannot always conclude that “failure to enter rest” = “are not believers” or “don’t make it to heaven.”

F. Note to application to that first generation who witnessed the coming of Messiah.

G. We are our brother’s keeper.H. We tend to be reactive (corrective), at best.I. We should be more proactive (preventative).J. The importance of corporate gathering for

worship and edification.

Copyright © 2008 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPointCopyright © 2008 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPointpresentation of Lesson 8 in the series, presentation of Lesson 8 in the series, Near to the Heart of God, A Study ofNear to the Heart of God, A Study ofthe Book of Hebrews the Book of Hebrews prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for August 31, 2008.prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for August 31, 2008.Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with orAnyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with orwithout credit.without credit.