DECEMBER 9 HEBREWS 3-4

December 9, 2014

Hebrews 3-4 Jesus is Better than Moses!

Moses, even more than Abraham, was greatest, most revered man in Hebrew history. Abraham was the “father” of the Jews; Moses was their savior, their liberator, their law-giver, their leader. It would be almost natural for them to sink the Messiah to some lower plane, some lesser stature, in the face of Moses’ greatness.

The author states it plainly: “Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses” (3:3). As the owner of a house is greater than the faithful servant, so Jesus is greater than Moses. The author finds support for this Psalm 95, which warned—years after Moses disappeared from the scene—that hardened hearts would not enter the Lord’s “rest.” This “rest” cannot refer to the Promised Land to which Moses led them. It must refer to a “spiritual rest,” accessible only by faith in the Messiah, Jesus. Neither Moses nor Joshua provided permanent “rest” (4:8), only Jesus makes that possible. 

NOTE: In these first four chapters of Hebrews, we find subtle support for the divine inspiration of Scripture. Look at the Old Testament quotes contained in Hebrews 1-4. The Old Testament scriptures were written by human beings, prophets, teachers, historians, and the like. Yet notice who it is that the author of Hebrews cites when he quotes the Old Testament. In chapter one, he cites “God the Father” as the speaker of David’s psalms. In chapter 2, he cites God the Son, “Jesus,” as the speaker of David’s and Isaiah’s words. In chapter 3, he cites God the “Holy Spirit” as the speaker of the psalmist’s words! The Old Testament is the Word of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Tomorrow, we read that Jesus is better than the priests of Israel!

Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,

Pastor Gary