Tag: Harden Not Your Hearts

Harden Not Your Hearts – Part 2

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Hebrews 3:7-8 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost said, To day if you will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness

Twenty-two warnings to Christians (continues): Let us labour to enter into rest, lest any man falls through unbelief (4:11). Let us hold fast to our profession (4:14). If they fall away, to renew them again unto repentance is impossible (6:4-9). Show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end (6:11). Be not slothful, but faithful and patient to inherit the promises (6:12). Lay hold upon the hope of eternal life set before us (6:18-19). Let us hold fast to the profession of our faith without wavering (10:23). If we sin wilfully we will receive judgment and fiery indignation (10:26-31). Cast not away confidence (10:35). If any man draws back from Me, My soul shall have no pleasure in him (10:38-39). Let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets us (12:1). Make straight paths for your feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed (12:13). Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; lest any become a fornicator and sell his birthright like Esau (12:15-17). See that you refuse not God. For if Israel escaped not God’s wrath when she refused Him, much more shall we not escape His wrath, if we turn away from Him (12:25). Let us have grace and serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear, for God will punish by fire (12:28-29).

‘Harden not your hearts.’ If there is no possibility of Christians failing to hear God’s voice, hardening themselves and being cut off from God as Israel was in the wilderness, why did Paul use this as a lesson to Christians (3:1, 6-14)?

‘Provocation’ [Greek: parapikrasmos] to embitter; provoke; cause bitter provocation. Used only in Hebrews 3:8, 15, 16. The provocation, and “the day of temptation in the wilderness” here and in Psalms 95:8-11 refer to the whole wilderness experience of 40 years (3:8-9, 15-17).

Harden Not Your Hearts – Part 1

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Hebrews 3:7-8 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost said, To day if you will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness 

‘Wherefore’ – For this reason – because there is a danger of failing to hold fast the hope of eternal life unto the end (3:6), the Holy Spirit here warns Christians – not sinners – to take heed, seeing to it that they do not fail God as many in Israel did and were cut off (3:7-14).

‘To day if you will hear his voice …’ This is the 11th Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (3:7-8; Ps. 95:7-11) and it is fulfilled. These words were originally a warning to Israel not to provoke God, lest they be excluded from the rest He had promised them. Paul quoted the words as a warning to Christians who could, through temptation and sin, fail to receive the eternal rest promised to them.

Twenty-two warnings to Christians: We ought to give the more earnest heed lest we slip away from the truth (2:1). How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation? (2:3). Whose house are we, if we hold fast the hope firm unto the end (3:6). Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the Living God (3:12). Exhort one another daily … lest any of you be hardened through sin (3:13). We are made partakers of Christ if we hold steadfast unto the end (3:14). Let us, therefore, fear, lest you come short of the promised rest (4:1-2).

To be continued…