Hebrews 3 Study Notes

3:1-4:16 In these chapters the author turned from demonstrating the Son’s superiority over the angels to demonstrating that the Son is superior to Moses, the mediator of the law, and Joshua, the conqueror of the promised land. The common thread through these chapters is faithfulness. By explaining that Jesus was faithful (3:2), the author hoped to persuade the readers to hold fast (4:14) until the end.

3:1-6 The author appealed to his commonality with the readers, addressing them as holy brothers and sisters who had received the same calling from God as he. He asked them to turn their minds and hearts toward the Savior and consider Jesus. God had identified Moses as the one who was uniquely faithful . . . in all God’s household (see Nm 12:7). His faithfulness was for the sake of showing the superiority of the faithfulness of Christ, since Christ was faithful as a Son over his household. Jesus was faithful “over” the “household” of which Moses was a part. Although Moses was faithful in relaying God’s law, his appointed role was to point toward the coming Son of God. Jesus, who was faithful in his role of bringing the gospel to those under the condemnation of the law, is therefore worthy of more glory.

3:7-19 Having established the superiority of the gospel of Christ to the law of Moses, the author proceeded to explain the meaning of Ps 95. His purpose was to warn his readers that if the punishment for disobedience of the law was severe, then punishment for faithlessness to the gospel would be far worse. The judgment of God is described in Ps 95:7-11 on the disobedient Israelites in the wilderness. God did not allow that faithless generation to enter the promised land because they hardened their hearts against him. The lesson is that those who hear the voice of God should not harden their hearts against God’s Word and disobey his commands. The result of such unbelief is divine judgment. They would not enter God’s rest.