Chapter Three Verses 14-19

HEBREWS CHAPTER THREE VS. 14-19 (USING KING JAMES STUDY TEXT, STUDY BOOK WILL REFERENCE A DIFFERENT VERSION FOR READING)

Heb 3:14  For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end; 

Heb 3:15  While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. 

Heb 3:16  For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 

Heb 3:17  But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? 

Heb 3:18  And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 

Heb 3:19  So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. 

3:14-19   Main Point: This is an extension of the warning “how will you escape” (judgment). Their unbelief in Jesus will result in rejection of them by God!
             

7. What must we do to “share in Christ”? What does this mean?
Share (Partakers-KJ): 3353- Participant – Christ: 5547 anointed, that is, the Messiah --- i.e. Participants (of) the anointed messiah. The preacher points out the believer’s role as one of being active. Actively tied to the messiah, and participating in the word and its goals.
First identify the goal(s) of the messiah, then identify how they (we) are to participate in the achievement of those goals:
General salvation – Becoming “more Godly” more “Christ-like”

8. Exactly what did the Israelites do so that God would not allow them to enter Canaan? How can we apply this to ourselves?
Rebelled-3893: to embitter alongside, that is, (figuratively) to exasperate: - provoke, Sinned-264: properly to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), Disobedient –544:( ap-i-theh'-o) to disbelieve (wilfully and perversely): - not believe (root word means unpersuadable)
The above characteristics are indicative of the underlying problem:
Unbelief: 570-faithlessness
The preacher is comparing their actions to those that hear while being void of reasoning, thus lacking the positive action that God’s word has on the active hearer. Their faithlessness was exhibited in their disobedience which misses the mark (set by God)….and only tests (exasperates) God. Their disobedience (apathy) also exhibited their state of being unpersuadable.

9. Why is disobedience equated with unbelief (3:18-19)? What Do we learn?
SEE #8. Belief is demonstrated by what we do.

Additional: Importance of active hearing: God spoke (chap 1): That should transform the hearer to action(s).

The emphasis here is placed on the weight of trust (faith). Do we (they) continue to trust in those things previously heard?  If indeed it is the word of God, there needs to be evidence of that belief….obedience. Obedience is necessary, but it is not the end-game.

The illustration of those that fell in the wilderness is not used to cast judgment on the disobedient of Moses’ time. It is simply a comparative narration/warning to those who are once again not trusting God (faith).