Harden Not Your Heart - Hebrews 3:7-11

THE BURDEN OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - 3:7 Wherefore: Notice the parenthetical statement in verses 7-11. Notice the exhortation in verse 12 “Wherefore...take heed brethren.

The Jews had challenged God’s sovereign authority. They had been tested by God, but had not obeyed. What would have been different, if they had obeyed at Jordan? They could have crossed over Jordan, no wandering in the wilderness, no loss of a generation, no suffering for their children, no wasted time in the desert, they could have experienced the full blessing of God and not His judgment.

(as the Holy Ghost saith - Pres Act Ind - The Holy Spirit spoke to the Jew in the wilderness and now He speaks to the Hebrew readers. He presently speaks to the heart of men saying, Today if you will hear his voice...(Quote from Psalm 95:7-11).

Prov. 27:1 Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Isa. 55:6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near.

2 Cor. 6:2 ...now is the accepted time: behold, now is the day of salvation.

THE PLEA OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - 3:8 harden not your hearts - sklrhunthte meaning harsh, stern, vehement, grievous, painful, repulsive, *obstinacy, to make stubborn intentionally.

2 Kings 17:14 Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, and did not believe in the Lord their God.

Neh. 9:16 But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments.

Prov. 28:14 Happy is the man that feareth alway; but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

provocation - Lit. To incite to bitter feelings, rebellion.

in the day of temptation in the wilderness - Trial for a beneficial purpose that is divinely permitted. I Pet. 1:6-7 - Accept His purpose by faith, but avoid unnecessary wandering due to disobedience.


THE EXAMPLE OF PAST FAILURE
3:9 When your fathers tempted me - Attempt to make proof of whether someone is acting for our benefit or harmful intent. It is really questioning God.

proved me - Prove by trial, examine God, “check Him out,” to decide upon someone’s character and motives after examination.

Psalm 78:40 How oft did they provoke him the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert.”

Matt. 4:7 Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.


THE COST OF SIN AND FAILURE

and saw my works forty years - The result of their failure at Kadesh Barnea was God’s judgment for 40 years in the wilderness. Every step they took reminded them of this failure and their unbelief. Forty years, knowing that they had failed, 40 years watching their children suffer in the wilderness because of their failure.

For 40 years viewed the very hand of God in their lives as a nation: deliverance from the bondage of Egypt, crossing the Red Sea, the provision of water at Mara, the manna and water for 40 years in one of the hottest places on earth, provisions, His presence, the tabernacle, the cloud during the day, the pillar of fire at night, clothes that did not wear out, protection from enemies, etc. All this and they did not listen. They still continued to be rebellious in the wilderness.

Today God has allowed us to see His hand in our lives. The birth of our nation, victory in 2 world wars, Korea, no loss of freedom, etc. He has revealed His Son to us, provided redemption, given the Holy Spirit to lead us - no difference between this and the Jews of the Old Testament. Why doesn’t America listen?

The Jews followed the cloud during the day and the pillar of fire by night, but still became lethargic and complacent. They got used to the idea and God became common place. America has committed the same sin of complacency God is her, but America will not listen.

THE LORD GOD’S PERSPECTIVE -
3:10 grieved with that generation - vexed, offended

and said, they do alway err in their heart - Pres Pass - to wander from the path of truth and virtue, deceived, fraud, seduction, false opinion, to be misled or deluded.

Jer. 7:24 But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went back-ward, and not forward.

and they have not known my ways - Aor Act Ind - No complete understanding, did not perceive by personal examination or come to the right conclusions regarding the work of God in their lives. They saw and experienced the greatness of God and His desire to bless them, but their minds were dulled by pride.

SIN BRINGS A LOSS OF BLESSING, PEACE, & REST - 3:11 So I sware / to promise with an oath - My Word is final!

in my wrath - anger and indignation

Mark 3:5 “and when he had looked around about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts...”

John 3:36 “...the wrath of God abideth on them”

Rom. 1:18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men...”

Rom. 5:9 “Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”

they shall not enter - Fut Ind - they shall not enjoy, partake of or enter into one’s labor or enjoyment, to be the successor of someone, to enter after someone else!

into my rest) - God’s appointed place of blessing and rest! Heb. 3:18-19; 4:3,11

CONCLUSION

Deut. 1:21 Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it...