Two people walking toward a stone church beside a village cemetery
Bible, Evil, Heart, Hebrews, Scripture, Unbelief

EVIL, UNBELIEVING HEART

HEBREWS 3:12

“Take care, brothers and sisters, that there will not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.”

What makes a person evil? Is it imbedded in their DNA? Do they learn the behavior? We know that since the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden, every person born is born into sin. But there are many good, lost people. What changes them into evil human beings? In today’s verse we are able to see the cause.

The Greek literally says “an evil heart of unbelief.” Barnes says, “An unbelieving heart was the cause of ‘their’ apostasy, and what worked their ruin will produce ours. The root of their evil was ‘a want of confidence in God’ – and this is what is meant here by a heart of unbelief.” The Greek word for “evil” is poneros which is more than evil. It’s a degenerative, hurtful evil that goes totally against God’s design. And the Greek word for “unbelieving” is apistia which is the negated form of pistis (faith).

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

There is an Application to make here that tells us to guard ourselves from this evil, unbelieving heart so we don’t fall away. The Greek word for “falls away” means “instigate to revolt; usually (reflexively) to desist, desert, etc. — depart, draw (fall) away, refrain, withdraw self.” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance). It’s used fourteen times in the New Testament in a variety of ways. In 1 Timothy 4:1 we see it used in a similar way as in today’s verse. “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,…”

You see, the evil, unbelieving heart which has no confidence in God can easily be lead astray. If you do not believe in God and in the saving power of Jesus’ death and resurrection, you have no hope. Having no hope will cause you to do all sorts of things. Do you have confidence in God? Do you believe? Then rest in that and you will not fall away.

You could also list this verse as a Sin to avoid for we know that unbelief is sin. Unbelief is the surest way to find evil. Unbelief is the one sin that is unforgiveable. God cannot ignore sin. We know that. But if we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us (1 John 1:9). But the sin of unbelief puts us outside the realm of His forgiveness. We must believe in order to receive forgiveness. Aren’t you glad you believe?

Thank You, Lord, that I know I am standing on solid ground with You and am forgiven.

Standard
HIGHWAY REST STOP; CAFE, FUEL, INFORMATION, WASHROOMS
Anger, Bible, Disobedience, Hebrews, Psalms, Rest, Scripture, Wrath

NO REST

HEBREWS 3:11

“‘AS I SWORE IN MY ANGER, “THEY CERTAINLY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST.”’”

Have you ever been traveling and needed to stop at a rest stop on the highway? Those rest stops are generally placed every 50-60 miles apart to allow travelers to rest every hour, if needed. So, the next time you are on the road and miss that much needed rest stop, know there will probably be another one in about an hour (unless you’re stuck in that awesome interstate traffic, lol).

There were no rest stops in the wilderness. The rest referred to in today’s verse which is quoted from Psalm 95:11 is God’s perfect rest. God was done trying to rescue this rebellious lot, so He banned them from the promised land. Albert Barnes has a good explanation of this passage. “It is called ‘my rest’ here, meaning that it was such rest as God had provided, or such as he enjoyed. The particular ‘rest’ referred to here was that of the land of Canaan, but which was undoubtedly regarded as emblematic of the ‘rest’ in heaven. Into that rest God solemnly said they should never enter. They had been rebellious. All the means of reclaiming them had failed. God had warned and entreated them; he had caused his mercies to pass before them and had visited them with judgments in vain; and he now declares that for all their rebellion they should be excluded from the promised land.”

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

We can obviously see a Sin to avoid in this verse. Rebelling against the Lord had obvious consequences. Not a single adult, except Joshua and Caleb, entered the Promised Land after they had rebelled against the Lord. Their refusal to follow Joshua and Caleb’s report and trust in the Lord resulted in their banishment. I find it interesting that once they heard God’s judgment, they decided to go ahead and try to enter Canaan. They were immediately defeated and sent running by the enemy. That’s what happens to us, as well. When we are outside the umbrella of God’s protection, the enemy can easily defeat us.

The Greek word “rest” is katapausis which occurs nine times in the New Testament, eight of those here in Hebrews (3:11, 18; 4:1, 3 (2x), 5, 10, 11). Take a minute or two and look up all those verses to see how the word is used. I particularly like Hebrews 4:10-11. “10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. 11 Therefore let’s make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same example of disobedience.”

So, we have a choice, don’t we. We can rest in Christ, or we can have no rest. What’s your choice? I choose rest. These past couple of weeks I have been forced to rest my body to recover from an expected surgery to repair a kidney bleed that left me weak and sore. I have slept more than I have in years. But my body knew I needed that rest. I also know my spirit needs to rest. I have to allow Christ to heal my spiritual bumps and bruises. He can give me perfect peace. It’s yours for the asking as well.

Thank You, Lord, for Your perfect peace available in Jesus.

Standard
Hiker with backpack walking along a mountain ridge trail
Bible, Disobedience, Hebrews, Old Self, Scripture, Sin, Straying

GOING ASTRAY

HEBREWS 3:10

“THEREFORE I WAS ANGRY WITH THIS GENERATION, AND SAID, ‘THEY ALWAYS GO ASTRAY IN THEIR HEART, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW MY WAYS’;”

There is a spot where I go hunting on a friend’s lease that requires me to know exactly where I am going. Once I took what I thought was a shorter route to the tree stand only to wind up right in the middle of a thicket that was full of downed timber. It was practically impossible to walk through without crawling over logs and through some horrible thorny vines. Needless to say, I learned my lesson about taking my eyes off the path.

It is so easy to go astray if we take our eyes off the One Who is guiding us. The writer of Hebrews quotes verse 10 of Psalm 95 here which says, “‘For forty years I was disgusted with that generation, and said they are a people who err in their heart,

and they do not know My ways.’” These Hebrew children erred time and time again and strayed from God’s commands. But we are the same. We think we know best, right?

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

We can see an Application to make here. God is telling us to stay on the path, do not stray. The Greek word for “astray” is planáō which means “go astray, get off-course; to deviate from the correct path (circuit, course), roaming into error, wandering; (passive) be misled. Planáō is the root of the English term, planet (‘wandering body’). This term nearly always conveys the sin of roaming.” (HELPS Word-studies)

planáō which means “go astray, get off-course; to deviate from the correct path (circuit, course), roaming into error, wandering; (passive) be misled. Planáō is the root of the English term, planet (‘wandering body’). This term nearly always conveys the sin of roaming.” (HELPS Word-studies)

In Mark 12:27 we see this word used when Jesus says, “‘He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken.’” The word “mistaken” is planáō. Sometimes we go astray when we are misled by others. We may receive wrong teaching that confuses the truth. I know those teachers will receive a greater judgment.

However, often our straying is of our own doing. In James 1:14-16 we see this clearly. “14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters.” The word “deceived” is planáō. Our own sins will cause us to stray.

So, how do we combat that? Stay in the Word. Stay in prayer. Live holy lives. Confess quickly and often. Do not give the devil an inch. You know he will take a mile. Stay on the path you know – the path of righteousness.

Father God, lead me on Your path of righteousness and keep me from going astray.

Standard
Moses leads a large crowd through parted sea waters
Bible, Hebrews, Miracles, Rebellion, Rescue, Scripture, Testing

MIRACLES IN THE WILDERNESS

HEBREWS 3:9

“WHERE YOUR FATHERS PUT ME TO THE TEST, AND SAW MY WORKS FOR FORTY YEARS.”

You may have heard it said or said it yourself, “If I had seen the miracles God did in the wilderness, I would have never doubted.” Don’t come to that conclusion too quickly. How many miracles has He done in your life that you never even recognized? How many times has God come to your rescue for you only to go your own way right afterwards? Don’t judge the Hebrew children too harshly.

Depending on how you count the miracles or signs which God did during those 40 years, there are anywhere from 5 to 19 distinct events. Let’s look at the first one – parting of the Red Sea. They were even grumbling before God did this. I wonder how many of them bit their tongue as they walked through on dry ground only to see Pharoah’s army swept away by the returning water. Then there’s the manna and the quail and the pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day. Time and time again He showed up and showed out on their behalf only to see them test Him once again.

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

We have an Application to make in this verse today. We need to look around us and give praise for all He has done for us. God has sustained me through a few harrowing health experiences, one very recently. I have learned to thank Him for His interventions. I do not take them for granted. I never want to be accused of putting God “to the test.”

The Greek words used here for “put to the test” are interesting. The literal Greek reads, “where the Fathers of you tried (Me) by testing. The writer uses both dokimḗ, “a brand of what is ‘tested and true’” (HELPS Word-studies) and peirázō which can be either a positive or negative trial or test. In other words, their fathers really tested God. God even told Moses to back up because He was going to wipe them out after they refused to hear Joshua and Caleb’s report about the Promised Land. Instead, He led them into the wilderness where they wandered for 40 years.

I do believe we can ask God difficult questions. I know I have. God isn’t offended by our questions or even our lack of faith at times. However, He does expect us to obey. Have you ever done anything you didn’t want to do because you knew God said do it? Boy, I sure have. In the end I was grateful I obeyed. Don’t allow your lack of faith push you towards rebellion. Allow the difficult things to grow your faith. God may test and try you but let that be because He wants to make you more like Him. Don’t blame God for the consequences of your rebellion. That is totally on you, not Him. Amen?

Father, don’t let become a grumbler and complainer about the things You allow into my life. I trust Your Master plan even though I do not know how it will turn out.

Standard
Moses striking rock as water flows
Bible, Hard, Heart, Hebrews, Psalms, Scripture

HARD HEARTED

HEBREWS 3:8

“DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME, AS ON THE DAY OF TRIAL IN THE WILDERNESS,”

Hard hearted people are just mean and nasty. Don’t you agree? They don’t care what other people feel, and they sure don’t care how they treat them. The most famous biblical character to portray this trait had to be Pharoah. The Scripture says that God hardened his heart. In reality, God allowed his hard heartedness to be revealed. And it cost him his kingdom and his firstborn son.

We continue with the quotation from Psalm 95. Let me quote this from the Old Testament. Verse 8 says, “Do not harden your hearts as at Meribah, as on the day of Massah in the wilderness,..” Do you remember Meribah and Massah? They are the same place. This is the place where the Hebrew people complained about no water, and Moses was told to strike the rock to give them water. Moses named that spot Meribah which means “test” and Massah which means “quarrel.” That’s the definition of hard hearts.

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

The Command to Obey is clear here. Don’t do that! Pretty simple, right? Maybe not! In Acts 19:9 we see where Paul was teaching in Ephesus and this happened. “But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the people,” Some people cannot stand for others to hear the truth and will do everything they can to block access. We see that in much of the Middle East where the Gospel is banned.

In Romans 9:18 we read of God’s supreme justice which is determined by man’s response to His mercy. “So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.” Hard hearts and mercy are in direct contrast. You cannot show mercy to others and remain hard hearted. Let God’s mercy flow through you and soften your heart.

This Greek word for “hardened” is found three other times in the New Testament, all in Hebrews. We will see those later. My challenge for you today is to go to the Lord and confess any callousness that has developed in your life. Callouses deaden pain but also restrict feeling. Don’t be callous. Don’t be hard hearted. Look at all the Lord has done in your life and give Him praise. Then share that with someone else.

I praise You, Father, for taking my heart of stone and giving me a heart of flesh which You can mold into Your image.

Standard
Two women having a quiet conversation in a busy café
Bible, Hearing, Hebrews, Listening, Obedience, Scripture, Voice

IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE

HEBREWS 3:7

“Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, ‘TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE,’”

Many good intentioned Christians will tell you that God does not speak the same way He used to. May I beg to differ? God is speaking. The problem is we aren’t listening. There’s a great book by Henry and Richard Blackaby entitled “Hearing God’s Voice.” Let me encourage you to order it and read it. They take us through Scripture showing us how God spoke then and how He continues to speak to us today. You just have to have your ears tuned to the right frequency.

Today starts a long Old Testament quotation from Psalm 95:7-11. It may not be an exact quote, depending on our translation, but the message is clear. Listen to the Lord. Barnes says, “the admonition was as pertinent and important under the Christian dispensation, as it was under the Jewish. The danger of hardening the heart by neglecting to hear his voice was as great, and the consequences would be as fearful and alarming.” I agree wholeheartedly.

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

Boy, if this isn’t a Command to Obey, I have never seen one. As I said in the opening, you have to be listening to hear His voice. As is often the case, our English doesn’t fully convey the original Hebrew text which could read “Today, oh that you would hearken to (obey) His voice” or “Today, if you hearken to His voice.” The Psalmist then goes on to deliver the words of the Lord directly.

So, the question begs to be asked – are you listening? Well, Carl, how do I hear God’s voice? So glad you asked. The first and best way is to get into His Word and let Him speak through the text. God inspired every writer to pen every word. Read it as if listening directly to the voice of God. Secondly, pray. Spend voluminous amounts of time in prayer. I have never known anyone who was in tune with the Lord who didn’t do that. Prayer is the gateway to the throne of God. And thirdly, shut up and listen. Just get in a quiet spot, turn off all distractions and listen. Don’t talk. Allow the Spirit of God to speak to you about things you need to hear.

Let me close this blog by saying, if you listen He will speak. So many times He has tried to speak to me, but I was too busy. As we go through these next verses from Psalm 95, take a minute and go read the entire psalm. It’s only eleven verses. I love what verse 6 says just before we enter into our quotation in Hebrews. It says, “Come, let’s worship and bow down, Let’s kneel before the LORD our Maker.” That’s where it begins. Are you worshipping? Are you kneeling?

Speak, O Lord, I am listening. I want to hear Your voice and obey Your commands.

Standard
Bright open-plan living room, dining area, and kitchen with a dog by the window
Bible, Confidence, Family, Hebrews, Hope, Household, Scripture

HIS HOUSE

HEBREWS 3:6

“but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the boast of our hope.”

My wife maintains a beautiful home for us. Sure, I help when and where I can, but she is the one who deserves all the praise. Every picture that is hung and every pillow that is placed just so are her doings. I never fear coming home to a home that is in disarray. She is amazing. Of course, she thinks the house is always a wreck, lol. It’s not.

As the comparison between Jesus and Moses continues, we are reminded that Jesus is the “Son over His house.” He was not a servant of the house, as Moses was. That is not to put Moses in a lowly position, but he was not master of the house. Jesus is. And here once again we are called something so dear. We are told that we are His house. That means we are part of the family that makes up the household of faith. Aren’t you grateful?

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

There is a Promise to claim in our verse in a couple of spots. First, the fact that we are called His house is promise enough. Don’t you think. It reminds me of 1 Corinthians 6:19 which says, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?” We’ve already talked about how we are God’s House, His building. Now we see we are Jesus’ house. What a promise, don’t you think.

But there are two other Promises to claim at the end of the verse. Look closely. The writer says we are Jesus’ house “if we hold firmly to our confidence and the boast of our hope.” That doesn’t sound like a promise, Carl. That’s sounds like a condition. I see that, too. But the promises are the “confidence” and the “hope.” The same word for “confidence” is found in Philippians 1:20 where it is translated as “boldness.” That verse reads, “according to my eager expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”

And that “hope” is found twice in Romans 15:13. This is one of my favorite verses on hope. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Listen, we are promised that confidence and hope because of Jesus, and because we have them, we are His house. So, move over roomie.

Thank You, Father, for assuring me a spot in Your house.

Standard
Street cleaner sweeping beside red Chelsea 14 bus; “Wheee!” text above
Bible, Hebrews, Joy, Scripture, Servant, Service, Testify, Testimony

WHAT KIND OF SERVANT ARE YOU?

HEBREWS 3:5

“Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later;”

There’s a big difference between being made to serve in a capacity and choosing on your own. If you are made to do something, you will despise it. You will hate every moment. But if you choose to do it, no matter how hard it might be, you can find true joy. I had a CNA recently while I was in the hospital who came into my room every few hours to check my vitals. She was always humming a song, usually a hymn. Though her job was tedious and demanding, she put joy into it. I thanked her for that.

The writer of Hebrews continues to draw the comparison between Jesus and Moses in today’s verse. Don’t forget to whom he is writing. It is a Jewish audience. These Jews had come to Christ and were facing persecution. They highly revered Moses as part of their Jewish faith, so the writer is making sure they understand that as great as Moses was, Jesus is far greater. Let’s look at what he does in this verse. You might just miss this if you just read an English translation.

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

There is an Application to make here. First, let’s look at something. The word used here for “servant” is not either of the words we commonly see used in the New Testament. It is neither doulos (bond-slave) or diakonos (servant). It is therápōn which is only used one time here in today’s verse. The Topical Lexicon says it, “portrays a personal attendant who renders willing, often intimate service. The term is distinct from the more common doulos (bond-slave) in that it highlights voluntary devotion rather than compulsory labor. It evokes the image of one standing near his master, ever ready to act for that master’s honor.” It goes on to say, “The writer of Hebrews selects therápōn —rather than doulos or diakonos —to underscore Moses’ privileged access to God’s presence and his trustworthy stewardship of divine revelation.” I am not sure what else I could add to that, lol.

Now, how do we apply this to us? First of all, I don’t think we can call ourselves a therápōn. We are never called that anywhere in Scripture. However, we are referred to as doulos or diakonos. I hope I haven’t lost you. I don’t usually get this deep in the weeds. Bottom line – we too are called to be servants of the most high God, just in a different role. Moses’ role was unique. The writer says he was a “testimony” for things to come. In that way, so are we. We are to testify of the coming Christ to all who will listen.

Are you serving willingly or begrudgingly? Your face will tell. As you serve in your role(s) at your church or your family or your community, tell your face to show joy. Even if you are having a hard time with the task, your upturned face can change your mood.

Thank You, Father, for allowing me to serve You in the role(s) You have given me.

Standard
Workers building a timber-frame house in a rural wooded landscape
Availability, Bible, Building, Hebrews, Imperishable, Perfection, Scripture

THE BUILDER OF ALL THINGS

HEBREWS 3:4

“For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.”

I have had the privilege to travel a good bit internationally over the years, and one thing I have noticed is the very different styles of buildings in every country. Let me give you one example of two different styles. In the rural villages of Uganda, most houses are built using homemade bricks made of clay. They are large bricks but not as big as cinderblocks. However, in Kenya, you will see the larger blocks made of a grayish material. Both use the available resources to build their homes. I wonder if Ugandans would like the Kenyan style or vice versa.

The point of the verse today is that God is “the builder of all things.” The word “builder” is the same word we saw in yesterday’s blog, kataskeuazó, which is more of like the architect, the planner, rather than the physical builder. The literal Greek reads much different than our translation above. It would read, “Indeed, every house is built by someone; the One however everything having built (is) God.” The phrase “having built” is an Aorist (factual event, one time) Participle (which describes God).

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

What is the writer trying to tell us in this verse? I don’t think he is telling us not to build. He says, “For every house is built by someone.” We all have building to do. In my ministry, I am always praying for the Lord to use me to build into the lives of other men to lead them to be disciple makers so they too can build into the lives of other men. We call that generational growth. So, what do I see in this verse? An Application to make and maybe even a Command to Obey.

Another thing I notice is God is just like those Ugandans or Kenyans. He uses the available resources. 1 Corinthians 3:9 says,
“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” Now, let me ask you a question. If we are called “God’s building,” do you think He would use faulty materials? No way. He would only use the finest available. He has chosen to build us. We are even called “living stones” in 1 Peter 2:5. “you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

The next time you drive by a construction site, take a look at the materials gathered. Some builders aren’t as honest as others and will try to cut corners to save money, risking the integrity of the structure. Satan will also build things that look legit until tested. Trust the Great Architect Who builds all. I promise His building plans are perfect.

Thank You, Father, for building me into Your image which is perfect.

Standard
Architectural floor plans with drafting tools, coffee, and rolled blueprints on a wooden table
Bible, Building, Hebrews, Plan, Salvation, Scripture

THE BUILDER OF THE HOUSE

HEBREWS 3:3

“For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house.”

I have an uncle who has been drawing house plans for well over 50 years. He is 82 and still working. He has thousands of house plans on file. Some of those have been built more than once while others were a one time job. He is very detailed and still reads the state building codes as he builds. He knows every building that is built according to one of his plans must pass by all the engineering and building codes.

We see the comparison of Jesus and Moses once again. While Moses was highly revered by all Jews, he paled in comparison to Jesus. The writer says Jesus is “counted worthy of more glory than Moses.” Moses was used by God to lead the Jewish nation at a time when they were under great distress. And although he may have given them physical salvation from the slavery of Egypt, he could not offer them spiritual salvation from the slavery of sin. That job was already taken.

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

The Something new about God I see in today’s verse is the fact that Jesus is the architect of our salvation. In fact, the Greek word used here for “builder” is not the one you may expect. It’s kataskeuazó, not the normal word oikodomo, which is used for a formal, material building. The Topical Lexicon says kataskeuazó “consistently portrays purposeful preparation or construction carried out so that God’s redemptive purposes can advance unhindered. Whether the work is performed by God, by His appointed servants, or by faithful believers, each occurrence underscores His sovereign intention to ready people, places, and plans for His glory.”

In Matthew 11:10, Mark 1:2 and Luke 7:27 this word is used to describe John the Baptist by Jesus Himself. He said, “‘WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.’” We’ll see it used five more times in Hebrews 3:4; 9:2,6; 11:7. Listen, this isn’t a sword drill competition, but I encourage you to look up each of those verses. What is the Lord saying here? I believe it is clear. Jesus doesn’t not do anything without a plan. Every action He has ever taken had a purpose. We get in the way of that when we refuse to yield to His building plan. Jesus will not force us to comply.

I have often thought how much better it would be if Jesus made all my decisions for me and all I had to do was follow afterwards. He has actually done that through His Word. Every decision we face can be guided by His Word. This, however, requires us to spend time in the Word daily. Study to show thyself approved we are told. Amen?

Thank You Lord for being the wise master builder in my life. Help me point all the glory to You.

Standard