CHRIST IS SUPERIOR TO MOSES 3:1 – 4:13

III. CHRIST IS SUPERIOR TO MOSES 3:1 – 4:13

 

A.    Story of Florence Chadwick

When she looked ahead, Florence Chadwick saw nothing but a solid wall of fog. Her body was numb. She had been swimming for nearly sixteen hours.

Already she was the first woman to swim the English Channel in both directions. Now, at age 34, her goal was to become the first woman to swim from Catalina Island to the California coast.

On that Fourth of July morning in 1952, the sea was like an ice bath and the fog was so dense she could hardly see her support boats. Sharks cruised toward her lone figure, only to be driven away by rifle shots. Against the frigid grip of the sea, she struggled on – hour after hour – while millions watched on national television.

Alongside Florence in one of the boats, her mother and her trainer offered encouragement. They told her it wasn’t much farther. But all she could see was fog. They urged her not to quit. She never had . . . until then. With only a half mile to go, she asked to be pulled out.

Still thawing her chilled body several hours later, she told a reporter, “Look, I’m not excusing myself, but if I could have seen land I might have made it.” It was not fatigue or even the cold water that defeated her. It was the fog. She was unable to see her goal.

Two months later, she tried again. This time, despite the same dense fog, she swam with her faith intact and her goal clearly pictured in her mind. She knew that somewhere behind that fog was land and this time she made it! Florence Chadwick became the first woman to swim the Catalina Channel, eclipsing the men’s record by two hours!

B.     Next to Abraham, Moses was the most beloved leader of the Jewish People

 

1.      The reasons:

 

a.       Saved by his mother as a baby

b.      His youth in Pharoses household

c.       Burning bush

d.      Lead them out of Egypt

e.       Ten Commandment from God – Called the Law of Moses

f.       Author of the first five books of the Old Testament

g.      Number 12:1-8 (READ)

h.      He was buried by God.

 

2.      You might still wonder with all this background why they would be                 tempted to go back to Moses.

 

a.       They did not have a copy of the Gospels to read and be                      reminded.

b.      Ritual was comfortable and familiar

c.       There response was the same as Israel’s just outside of Egypt

 

3.      To return would bring “eternal disaster” AD 70 just around the corner!

 C.     Three ways in which Jesus is superior to Moses 3:1-4:13 1.      Christ is greater in His Person 3:1-2 

a.       “therefore” (See end of Chapter 2)

b.      “Holy brothers:

 

                                                1). This is the first time he addresses them personally.

                                                2). Note again for the record they are Christians.

 

c.       “share in the heavenly calling”

 

                                                1). NASV “partakers” Same word used in Luke 5:7                                                              describing the 4 men in partnership in the fishing business                                                    –they were in it together.

                                                2). See V:14 “share in Christ”

                                                3). Heb. 12:8 The chastisement is evidence that they are                                                       His

 

                                       d. “fix your eyes on Jesus”

 

                                                1). Not a passing glance – strong command in the original

                                                2). A steady preoccupation lit. “To give thoughtful and                                                        diligent reflection”

                                                3). The key to a faithful life in any generation is “keep your                                                 eyes on Jesus!

 

                                        f. “Apostle and High Priest”

 

                                                1). Apostle – “one sent with a commission”

                                                2). Moses was called and sent by God word – Jesus sent as                                                  God’s last Word.

                                                3). John 3:17, 34; 5:36, 38; 6:29, 57; 7:29; 8:42; 10:36;                                                         17:3

                                                4). These words would have been especially meaningful to                                                   Jewish Christians. For Jews, the highest human religious                                                      authority was the high priest. For Christians, the highest                                                           human religious authorities were the apostles. Jesus, God’s                                                             Apostle and High Priest, is the ultimate authority in the                                                             church. Both of these titles demonstrate how Jesus fulfilled                                                             the Old Testament revelation to people.

                                                5). John 1:18 “No one has ever seen God, but God the One                                                             and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.                                                 (Sent from God –as God – to explain God).

 

                                       g. “whom we confess”

 

                                                1). II Cor. 9:13 “Because of the service by which you have                                                  proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience                                                    that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ,                                                         and for your generosity in sharing with them and with                                                             everyone else.

                                                2). Heb. 4:14 “Therefore, since we have a great high priest                                                   who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,                                                    let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

                                                3). Heb. 10:23 “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we                                                     profess, for he who promised is faithful.

 

                                        h. As an Apostles – Jesus represents God to men. As a High                                                        Priest He represents men to God.

 2.      Christ is greater in His ministry 3:3-6 

a.       “house” is used 7 times in these verses (NIV)

 

                                                1). Obviously not a physical building.

                                                2). II Tim. 3:15; I Peter 2:5; Eph. 2:20

 

b.      Moses was faithful as a (lit. Honored) servant IN God’s                      House – Jesus faithful as SON OVER God’s House.

c.       The Greek word translated “servant” is not the usual New Testament word for servant or slave. This word carries the meaning of “a voluntary servant who acts because of affection.” In the New Testament, it is used only of Moses.

d.      “testified to what would be said in the future”

 

                                                1). Everything Moses wrote anticipated the coming of the                                                    Lord!

                                                2). John 1:45 “Philip found Nathaniel and told him, “We                                                      have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and                                                       about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth,                                                        the son of Joseph.”

                                                3). After the resurrection on the road to Emmaus Luke                                                         24:27 “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he                                                  explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures                                                      concerning himself.

 

e.       In considering a return to their Jewish Roots they were in                   danger of praising the house more than the builder

f.       “if we hold on”

 

                                                1). Rev. 2:10 (even if it means death, is what is implied)

                                                2). To go back is to forfeit their hope.

 3.      Christ is greater in the Rest He Gives 3:7-4:13 (Second Warning: Don’t Doubt – First was Don’t Drift. 

Background Information: The Exodus from Egypt

 

1. They had been in Egypt for 430 years
2.  Passover night: The smell of roasted lamb – Blood on door post and lintel, Dressed and ready to depart.
3. Death of the first born – man and beast
4. Pharaoh calls for Moses this time.
5. 600,000 + women and children = 1.5 to 2 million people
6. The bones of Joseph are with them according to his request.
7. They have plundered the Egyptian people.
8. Pillar of fire and cloud to lead them
9. Pharaoh’s Army pursues them – cloud moves behind the people of Israel
10. Moses stretches rod over the Red Sea and it opens – Pharaoh’s army dies trying to follow them.
11. They murmur on and on wanting to go back to Egypt – Their Tombstones could have read, “ The catastrophe of unbelief”
12. The writer of Hebrews faces a repeat performance from his audience
13.  What do these two groups share in Common?

 

a.       Both had been recipients of the mighty revelation of God.

b.      Neither could plead ignorance – they had both seen the power of and heard the revelation from the God of Heaven.

c.       Both were guilty of unbelief – not doubt, not questions – it was willful and outright rejection in the face of abundant information therefore their unbelief was rebellion!

 

a.       Let us Take Heed 3:7-19

 

                                                1). NASV “therefore” connects the following with                                                               conditional statement of verse 6 “if”

                                                2). “Holy Spirit Says”

 

                                                            a). They understood that the scripture was inspired.                                                              (See also 10:15)

                                                            b). “says” is present tense – He is still speaking

 

                                                3). Vs:7-11 from Psalm 95 quote is the from second major                                                   section of the Psalm.

 

                                                            a). Psa. 95:1-7a Was a familiar call to worship used                                                               in Synagogue worship.

                                                            b). Psa. 95:7b ff a call to Hear – Hebrew word for                                                                hear and obey is the same word.

 

                                                4). “do not harden your hearts”

 

                                                            a). Numbers 13-14 Story of the 12 spies -tell briefly

                                                            b). They were ready to kill Joshua, Caleb Moses                                                                    and Aaron.

                                                            c). This is radical unbelief – this is why it is so bad.

                                                            d). The issue here is TRUST! Israel had been                                                                         delivered from Egypt, Red Sea, etc., Hebrews,                                                                     delivered by Jesus God’s SON, lived, died, buried                                                                   and resurrected!

                                                            e). God uses difficult times in life, whether it be the                                                                         desert, persecution, or the pressures we face in life –                                                             to test our trust and obedience.

 

                                                5). V: 10 “I was angry” Lit “settled, disposition of anger”

 

                                                            a). He swore in His anger

                                                            b). We are dealing with a principle that triggers the                                                               anger of God.

                                                 6). V: 11 “declared an oath” Why an oath? He will never                                                     change His mind. “never enter my rest”- unbelief can lead                                                    to a point of NO RETURN! 

                                                7). The argument here is “from the lesser to the greater” If                                                   God acted that way toward them, how much greater to                                                        those who would reject His Son. Remember 2:2-3?

 

NOTE: While the scripture talks about the wrath of God in many places, you don’t hear allot about it today. (I.e. Pendulum swing from all negative to all positive in response). The writer IS using God’s wrath as a motivating factor in his warning. Jesus did also: John 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” Paul did: Rom. 1:18 “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness”. Wrath, or righteous indignation, is a part of the character of God in the same way that Love is. The Cross was the solution to man’s sin problem, but reject the cross, and man still has his problem—the Wrath of God. We cannot afford to over state one in favor of the other!

 

                                                8). V: 12 “see to it……turn away from the living God:

 

                                                            a). This is what they would be doing if they went                                                                 back.

                                                            b). They would not be going back to the God of the                                                                         Old Testament – You can’t worship the Father                                                                     while in denial of the Son!

 

                                                9). V: 13 The Solution? – Mutual Encouragement!

 

                                                            a). “Today” here and in Verse 7 – This is urgent!                                                                   Not tomorrow, when you get around to it—NOW!

                                                            b). Failure to encourage = “hardening by sins                                                                        deceitfulness.”

                                                            c). Avoid at all cost spiritual isolation!

                                                            d). Heb 10:24-25————–

 

                                                10). V: 14 “if we hold firmly unto the end”

 

                                                            a). Israel didn’t and missed the promised land, you                                                               go back and you will miss the rest God has for you.

                                                            b). Note: Concerning The doctrine of Eternal                                                                        Security. If the proof of the genuineness of one’s                                                                 salvation is not known until death, there is no                                                                  security in eternal security.

 

                                                11). Vs: 16-19 Critical Summation with Rhetorical                                                                           Questions.

 

                                                            a). This is a crescendo of accusations against Israel.

                                                            b). They rebelled against God – they sinned against                                                              God – they refused to obey God.

                                                            c). This is a definition of “Unbelief” V:1

 b.      “Let us fear: NASV; “be careful” NIV 

                                                1). In this chapter “Rest” is used in three different ways:

                                                            . The Rest Israel had been promised in Canaan

                                                            . God’s Rest after the creation of the Universe

                                                            . Rest experienced by Christians -  both now and the                                                            in future.

 

                                                2). “Therefore” See 3:19 – Don’t let unbelief be your                                                                        downfall too.

 

                                                3). “let us be careful” NASV says :let us fear”

 

                                                4). “for we have also had the Gospel preached to us” Just as                                                            they did!

 

                                                5). “message of no value” …because of no faith

                                                            . “combined” or NASV “united” Greek word has to                                                                         do with the digestive system” The message was not                                                              assimilated by them, therefore hearing and not                                                                      acting equals hardening of the heart.

                                                            . Heb 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to                                                                   please God, because anyone who comes to him                                                                     must believe that he exists and that he rewards those                                                         who earnestly seek him.

 

                                                6). Vs:3-5 “we……enter that rest” The rest of God from                                                        Creation.

                                                7). Vs: 6-8 God’s Rest is still available

                                                            . “Today” Ps 95 spoken 500 years after they entered                                                             the promised land. Joshua did not give them this                                                                  rest, it was only a type of the rest to come.

                                                            .But available only to believers that do not harden                                                                their hearts.

                                                            . He continues to emphasis that failure to                                                                               act…trust…equals hardening.

                                                8). Matt. 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and                                                      burdened, and I will give you rest.”

                                                            . Matt. 11:29-30 “29Take my yoke upon you and                                                                  learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,                                                              and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke                                                  is easy and my burden is light.”

                                                            . The first is “Peace with God” Rom. 5:1                                                                              “Therefore, since we have been justified through                                                                  faith, we have peace with God through our Lord                                                                     Jesus Christ,

                                                            . The second is “The Peace of God” Phil. 4:6-8 “Do                                                              not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by                                                             prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your                                                                   requests to God. And the peace of God, which                                                                         transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts                                                                         and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers,                                                                  whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is                                                                    right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever                                                             is admirable—if anything is excellent or                                                                                   praiseworthy—think about such things.”

                                                            . Through obedience of faith we enter His rest, and                                                              through surrender to His will His rest enters into us.

c.       “Let us make every Effort” NASV “give diligence” 4:9-13                                                1). V:9 “Remains a Sabbath-rest”

                                                            . Sabbath rest is one word in the Gr. Only place

                                                            . Resting on the Sabbath was a command, but the                                                                 Sabbath-rest was a promise.

                                                2). This picture of rest was so important to the Jewish                                                           Christian.

                                                            . The Jewish Nation had a history of wandering and                                                                         political turmoil and Jewish Christians also faced                                                                  hardship, the wrath of their Hebrew family and                                                                    friends and now Rome.

                                                            . To enter God’s rest would mean and end to                                                                        struggles and pain.

                                                3). Vs: 12-13 “Word of God is…”

                                                            . D.L. Moody said, “The Scriptures were not given                                                               to increase our knowledge, but to change our lives.”

                                                            . Pharisees saw the word of God as a set of Rules—                                                             Critics see the word of God as nothing more than an                                                            archival record of a nation.

                                                            . “Living and Active”

                                                            .”Sword” not a broad sword, but short side arm                                                                    sword used for close combat.

                                                            . NASV “division of Soul and spirit” The picture is                                                              penetration not division…of not from.

                                                            . I Chron. 28:9 “And you, my son Solomon,                                                                          acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him                                                                         with wholehearted devotion and with a willing                                                                     mind, for the LORD searches every heart and                                                                     understands every motive behind the thoughts. If                                                                 you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you                                                                 forsake him, he will reject you forever.”

                                                            . “laid bare” as with sacrificial animal – “to make                                                                  bare the neck for killing on the altar”…totally                                                                        venerable.

                                                            . Acts 2:37; 5:33; 7:54

                                                            . Eph. 6:17 “Take the helmet of salvation and the                                                                  sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”