Chapter Three
The Supremacy of Jesus Part Three: Greater than Moses
3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. 3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 4 (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) 5 Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, 6 but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.
The author now illustrates how Jesus is superior to Moses. After reading the Torah, it is easy to understand why the Jews would venerate Moses, as he spoke to God face to face, had the Tabernacle built, consecrated the Tabernacle, entered the holy of holies before there was a priesthood, consecrated the Aaronic Priesthood, led the people of Israel out of Egypt, was used by God to convey many miracles, was the receiver of God’s law, etc. Plus, many other unique, “only Moses could do,” tasks and duties that made him very special in the eyes of the Jews, certainly placing him higher than any other Jew.
This passage begins with the word ‘therefore’ (Greek ‘hothen’,[1] found only 15 times in the New Testament, six times in this epistle, meaning “from a place,” can be translated ‘whereupon’), based on what was just said, Jesus being the founder of salvation and the high priest, is the ultimate apostle (Greek ‘apostolos’,[2] one who is sent with a message) being sent by His Father, was faithful to Him. Just as Moses was faithful to God the Father in building the Tabernacle, Jesus qualifies for greater glory than Moses, more glory and honor than the Tabernacle itself. The author notes that every building has a builder, but the ultimate builder is God, as He is the builder of all things.
While Moses was indeed faithful in performing his deeds before God as a servant, playing his role as a model of things to come regarding Christ,[3] Jesus is faithful to God over His house as His Son. The Greek word ‘oikō’,[4] can refer to a house, however, it is used here to metaphorically refer to the household, the people. The author identifies believers as being that household, as long as they remain steadfast and retain confidence in the hope of their salvation through Jesus.
Stop Rebelling and Resisting, Seek His Rest Today
3:7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, 9 where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. 10 Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’ 11 As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’ ”
Using the more common term that is translated ‘therefore’ (Greek ‘dio’,[5] meaning “from which”), the author quotes Psalm 95:7-11, rightfully giving credit to the Holy Spirit (but later identifies David as the writer in the next chapter).[6] He chooses to pick up in the middle of verse seven, since this is a Messianic Psalm (which opens with a reference to “the rock of our salvation”), the person being listened to would be Jesus. The author pleas for the reader to not reject His message, like the people of Israel refused to believe God on their way to the Promised Land resulting in staying in the wilderness for forty years. Coming back to the word ‘therefore’, the author is saying that since Jesus is greater than the angels, the founder of salvation, is the High Priest, and is greater than Moses, then they should listen carefully. They should not reject His message because it may be different than what they think is true, they are to weigh the evidence without delay, the author pleas that they do it today. Jesus promised, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) The first step is to come to Him.
The profound truth of the statement, “They always go astray in their heart,” can also point to the broader problem of sin. Without Jesus, mankind can never enter and enjoy the rest God intended for them.
3:12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.
The author continues to caution readers from doubting Jesus, as that will cause them to fall away from the only true and living God. They are to exhort (Greek ‘parakaleite’,[7] to help, comfort or encourage) each other while the day is still called “today.” In other words, don’t let disbelief remain in your heart, as it can be hardened (difficult to change) by the deceitfulness of sin. Once the heart is deceived, it is extremely difficult to accept the truth (perhaps the greatest barrier to truth is thinking you already know the truth). He reminds readers that “we have come to share” (Greek ‘metochoi’,[8] to partake, participate, partner with) Christ, if indeed our beliefs in Him have not changed, and are firmly held onto until we are with Him.
3:15 As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” 16 For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? 17 And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.
Returning to Psalm 95:7-8 (see verses 7-8 above) to not reject Christ’s message of salvation, the author reminds the readers that there were those that clearly heard God’s promise at Meribah (see Exodus 17:7; Numbers 20:13), yet still rebelled, not believing they would be safe. They were the same people that left Egypt with Moses and because of their sin were condemned to die in the wilderness over the next forty years. The author concludes that due to their disobedience, that generation was not allowed to enter His rest, making them unable to enter the Promised Land because of their unbelief.
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[1] Strong’s Greek 3606.
[2] Strong’s Greek 652.
[3] See Appendix 3.
[4] Strong’s Greek 3624.
[5] Strong’s Greek 1352.
[6] See Hebrews 4:7.
[7] Strong’s Greek 3870.
[8] Strong’s Greek 3353.