Hebrews 3:19

Thursday, 20 September 2018

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

The Greek reads, “And we see.” The author is not making a logical conclusion (So) based on the previous questions. Rather, he is issuing a statement of fact (And) that “they could not enter in.” The Hebrew people had been brought out of Egypt, they had seen marvelous signs of the Lord’s power and ability to accomplish all that He spoke, and yet every time the slightest difficulty arose, the people moaned and rebelled, acting as if the ability of the Lord to continue saving them was used up. Access to the land of Canaan was paved, but “they could not enter in because of unbelief.”

They were called out as a group of people, and as a group of people, they rebelled. In their rebellion, the Lord told them that they were barred from entering in. Only two were excepted – Joshua and Caleb. All others died along that same paved path. The Lord was not only capable of bringing them out of Egypt, but He was capable of leading them into Canaan, and of subduing the land before them. The only obstacle to the entire process was their unbelief. Because of their failure to believe, they did not obtain their promised rest.

The chapter ends on this note. It is from here that the author will explain what this means to his audience, and how they can ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated in the time set before them.

Life application: Though written to the Hebrews, the lesson to be learned does not change in regard to anyone else. God has spoken. Will we accept His word as it is written out and show faith in what it says? It is obvious that to not accept His word – be it in salvation, or in what salvation means for us into the future – is to openly demonstrate that He cannot be trusted. Let us never wring our hands in worry that even a single word will fail of His promises. He is God, and His word cannot fail.

It is so wonderful to know that we have a sure word from You, O God. And in that sure word, we can and should completely trust. Are You not God? Do You not know the end from the beginning? And is it not impossible for You to lie? As these are axioms, then why should we allow our hearts to fail when times of difficulty arise? Help us to remain steadfast that Your word is given as an everlasting guarantee. Amen.

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