| Jesus
vs. Judaism: The Book of Hebrews
Lesson 3 1. The Apostle and High
Priest (Heb 3:1-2) The author now
turns his attention to the superiority of Jesus over Moses. This is a delicate matter as Moses was
highly revered among the Jews for obvious reasons. But the comparison does
not cite Moses’ faults; rather, it acknowledges that “Moses was faithful in
all His house” (Heb 3:2). Like Moses,
it is affirmed that Jesus was sent with heavenly authority; viz., “the
Apostle … of our confession” (3:1).
But Jesus also fulfills Aaron’s role:
He is the “High Priest of our confession.” The writer urges his readers to “consider”
Jesus in these roles, to think soberly and carefully about their
implications. 1. In what circumstances
did God proclaim Moses faithful in Numbers 12:7? 2. Comment on the term “holy brethren” from
chapter 2.2. More Glory Than Moses (Heb 3:3-6) While Moses was a faithful servant, he was
a servant nonetheless. And while Moses
inherited a nation to lead, Jesus built His nation/house: He is “a Son over His own house” (Heb 3:6;
cf. “I will build My church …” – Mt 16:18).
This anticipates the author’s next exhortation, for as Moses was
faithful over an unfaithful people, his readers must not become like
unfaithful Israel. Christians remain the house of God only “if we hold fast
the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end” (3:6). This exhortation clearly makes salvation
conditional upon each believer maintaining his/her own faith. 3. If Jesus built His house, and “He who
built all things is God,” then Jesus is . 4. What should the builder of the house
receive? 3. The Rebellion of Israel
(Heb 3:7-11) The author has concluded his first main thesis – that Jesus
Christ is superior to all, including angels and Moses – and now exhorts and
warns his readers from Heb 3:7-4:13.
He first quotes from Ps 95 where God expresses His anger with the
persistent rebellious-ness of the Israelites. They complained about their
provisions; they challenged Moses’ leadership; and finally they refused to
take the land of promise by force. Says God, “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They
shall not enter My rest’” (Heb 3:11). The unbelief of this generation
consigned the whole congregation to forty years of arduous wandering in a
desolate wilderness where they witnessed the power of God over and over again
(3:9). This passage is similar to 1
Cor 10:1-11 where Paul reminisces about the glorious exodus of Israel from
Egypt under Moses illustrious leadership.
In spite of such a grand beginning, “with most of them God was not
well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness” (1 Cor 10:5).
The recipients of Hebrews are in danger of the same fate. 5. Who was responsible for the words in Ps
95:7-11? |
