HEBREWS: Lesson 5 - The Dangers of a Hard Heart

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In this section (Chapter 3:7-19), the author warns these "brethren" not to be like the Israelites who hardened their hearts and tested God. He quotes Psalms 95:7-11 where David is referencing the Israelites and their unbelief. The author is encouraging his audience to remember God's anger, His wrath, and His harsh punishment that came upon the Israelites as a result of their "evil hearts of unbelief."

(v. 7) "Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:" This verse gives us an excellent confirmation of divine inspiration. It is the Holy Spirit that brings us the Word of God through men.

The remainder of this section addresses the warning and consequences of a hard heart.

It must be important because at three separate times the author repeats the warning: "Do not harden your hearts..." (v. 8); "...lest any of you be hardened..." (v. 13); "Do not harden your hearts..." (v. 15). A similar warning was given in Chapter 2:1 when he said, "...lest we drift away." Drifting and hardening of the heart have the same end result of moving away from God, or losing interest in the things of God (His Word, prayer, worship, fellowship with other believers, etc.) They both result from giving-in to the "deceitfulness of sin" (v. 13). In the case of the Israelites, it cost them Canaan and eventually their lives.

(vs. 16-19) The urgency of this warning is better understood when reminded of how God dealt with the Israelite's unbelief (Numbers 14:22-23). The author wanted these uncommitted Jews to act quickly. He quoted David in Psalm 95:7 when he said, "Today, if you will hear His voice..." (vs. 7, 13, 15). In other words: Act now! Don't wait until tomorrow! Do it now! He reminded them that because of their constant unbelief, God swore that His wrath would be upon them (v. 11). At the end of Chapter 12 the author quotes from Exodus 24:17 where God is described as "a consuming fire...". Bottom line: GOD HATES SIN! He hates it just as much now as He did then.

The author continues to point out the seriousness and urgency. Because of their unbelief (v. 19), not only were they not allowed to enter Canaan, their "corpses fell in the wilderness." (v. 17). They came up to the edge of Canaan and after 40 years of angering God, because of their unbelief, He wiped out the entire generation (v. 17).

Jesus warns us that not everyone who claims to be a Christian will enter the kingdom of heaven. He even said, "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord..." but He will say, "I never knew you." (Matthew 7:21-23). He warned that "...wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many who go in by it." (Matthew 7:13)

The author of Hebrews is warning these uncommitted Jews that their love of sin will slowly harden their hearts and if they continue, it will cost them everything. They must act today. "Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." (v. 15).

PARABLE OF THE SOWER (Matthew 13:18-22): In this parable, Jesus seems to be confirming how few true Christians there are among us. Based on His parable, only 25% of those who "hear" the Gospel will actually be saved. Although there is no magic formula, Jesus does make it clear that MANY will be surprised to find out that a mere intellectual belief of the Gospel was not enough to gain a place in Heaven.

Based on the parable, "When anyone hears the Word of the Kingdom..." (v. 19) they do one of four things:

1. "...does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart." (v. 19);

2. "...immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the Word, immediately he stumbles." (vs. 20-21)

3. "...the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the Word, and he becomes unfruitful." (v. 22)

4. "...understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." (v. 23)

In the first three responses, none would be considered Christians. The last response resulted in hearing the Word, understanding it, accepting it, and becoming fruit-bearing disciples of Christ--some more productive than others.

Many of those who attend church today are not saved. They might call themselves "Christians", but they are much like the intellectual Jews in Hebrews. They have turned from the world's ways (morally good) and intellectually believe the gospel, but have not yet surrendered everything to Christ.

Next week we will begin Chapter 4 which addresses what is required to enter God's Rest!