HEBREWS 3:16
“For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses?”
Recently, in part of Europe we have seen some civil unrest which resulted in riots. What may have begun as a peaceful march escalated into burning buildings, looting businesses and destroying property. The authorities have traced most of this back to a certain group of agitators who provoked others into these actions. It’s amazing how a small number can have such a huge impact on a crowd that is leaning a certain way.
That is exactly what the writer of Hebrews is referring to in today’s verse. He asks a question and then answers it. Who heard God and then provoked His wrath by their disobedience? It was the whole crowd. Murmur after murmur against Moses was heard. We want water. We want bread. We want meat. God had just rescued them from 400 years of slavery and they still complained.
ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)
An Application to make is seen in our verse. We must avoid the trap of hearing but not listening. Did you catch that? It’s the difference between a cat and dog. You can call a dog by name and usually he will come to you. Cats, on the other hand, expect you to come to them. Lol. The Hebrews in the wilderness heard God when He spoke through Moses, but they refused to listen to what He said. Time and time again they bucked His commands. It’s no wonder God threatened to wipe them all away.
The Greek word translated “provoked” is only used here in the New Testament. It’s the Greek word parapikrainó from para (alongside) and pikraino (to embitter). It means to exasperate. Have you ever tried to teach someone something and they just couldn’t do it? You can easily get exasperated, can’t you? The Topical Lexicon says, “By choosing this rare verb the epistle deliberately reaches back to the Greek of Psalm 95:8 in the Septuagint, fusing Israel’s historical defiance with the present danger of Christian apostasy.” There’s our application!
Let me encourage you today to take the time to truly hear God and listen to what He is saying. As my wife and I start down this road of another physical trial in my health, we are straining to hear His voice. We only want to do what He wants us to do. It doesn’t do any good to pray to hear the Lord and then refuse the answer He gives. Accept His answer with humility. After all, the God of the universe loves you enough to talk to you. Isn’t that amazing in itself?
Speak, Lord, and help me to truly listen to Your guidance.
