Hebrews 3:7-11

Summary retelling of Hebrews 3:7-11

We hear a quote from Psalm 95:7-11.  It basically says that if we should hear the voice of the Lord we should not harden our hearts.  We should not be like the wandering Hebrew people in the wilderness after the exodus.  Although they saw the work of the Lord for forty straight years, they continued to test Him.  Their actions provoked the Lord and convinced the Lord that they would always be rebellious and would never learn God’s ways.  God promised Himself that they would not enter eternal life and rest with Him.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

This whole section is on the hardening of our hearts.  I think this may be one of the most crucial conversations that two believers can have with one another.  We must be sure to help everyone understand the importance of having an open heart towards God.  We must be sure to remind people to be ready to accept what God is doing.  We should want to look for God rather than lift up our current belief or opinion.  We need to be open to God rather than closed in on ourselves.

How open are you to God?  Is there anything God could ask of you that you would refuse Him?  Is there any circumstance that you could find yourself that you would cease looking for Him?

Second Thought:

The Hebrew people did more than just doubt.  They actively tested the Lord.  They rebelled against Him.  They actively did not pursue His ways and instead pursued the desires of their own heart.  They made it difficult for Moses to lead them.  They grumbled and complained at the generosity of the Lord.

Do you ever do these things?  How do you think God feels about you when you do them?  What helps you to stop doing them once you recognize your guilt?

Third Thought:

Eventually God determined that there was no helping that generation of Hebrew people.  Eventually God was determined to let those Hebrew people go their own way and choose their own path.  The depth and frequency of their sin was enough to convince God Himself that there was no hope for them.

How sad is it to hear the depth of the sin of the Hebrew people whom God led out of Egypt?  How does it make you feel to know that God eventually washed His hands of them and let them go their own way?  What can this realization teach you about your own walk with God?

Passage for Tomorrow: Hebrews 3:12-15