Near to the Heart of GodNear to the Heart of GodA Study of the Book of HebrewsA Study of the Book of Hebrews

Lesson 7Lesson 7Hebrews 3:1 – 6Hebrews 3:1 – 6

Greater Than MosesGreater Than Moses

I.I. The InThe Inquisition quisition – Qu– Questions & Answers estions & Answers A.A. Do angels die?Do angels die?

B.B. Does salvation in 2:3 mean justification?Does salvation in 2:3 mean justification?

C.C. What is the nature of the “bondage” to which What is the nature of the “bondage” to which men are subject because of the fear of death in men are subject because of the fear of death in 2:14-15?2:14-15?

II.II. IntroductionIntroductionA.A. From Good to GreatFrom Good to GreatB.B. Where we are in HebrewsWhere we are in HebrewsC.C. The importance of MosesThe importance of Moses

1.1. His divine calling and protectionHis divine calling and protection2.2. At the exodus (plagues, Pharaoh)At the exodus (plagues, Pharaoh)3.3. As a mediatorAs a mediator4.4. His role in the reception of the LawHis role in the reception of the Law5.5. As a great military leaderAs a great military leader6.6. As a judge/arbitratorAs a judge/arbitrator7.7. As an author – the PentateuchAs an author – the Pentateuch8.8. As a faithful intercessor for IsraelAs a faithful intercessor for Israel9.9. As a prototype of Messiah (Deuteronomy 18:15)As a prototype of Messiah (Deuteronomy 18:15)

10.10. A divine assessment of Moses: A divine assessment of Moses:

6 The LORD said, “Hear now my words: If there is a6 The LORD said, “Hear now my words: If there is a

prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself

known to him in a vision; I will speak with him in a known to him in a vision; I will speak with him in a

dream. 7 My servant Moses is not like this; dream. 7 My servant Moses is not like this; he is he is faithfulfaithful

in all my housein all my house. 8 With him I will speak face to face, . 8 With him I will speak face to face,

openly, and not in riddles; and he will see the form ofopenly, and not in riddles; and he will see the form of

The LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speakThe LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak

against my servant Moses?” (Numbers 12:6-8)against my servant Moses?” (Numbers 12:6-8)

3 (Now the man Moses was very humble, more so than3 (Now the man Moses was very humble, more so than any man on the face of the earth.) (Numbers 12:3)any man on the face of the earth.) (Numbers 12:3)

10 No prophet ever again arose in Israel like Moses,10 No prophet ever again arose in Israel like Moses,who knew the LORD face to face. 11 He did all thewho knew the LORD face to face. 11 He did all thesigns and wonders the LORD had sent him to do in thesigns and wonders the LORD had sent him to do in theland of Egypt, to Pharaoh, all his servants, and theland of Egypt, to Pharaoh, all his servants, and thewhole land, 12 and he displayed great power andwhole land, 12 and he displayed great power andawesome might in view of all Israel (Deuteronomyawesome might in view of all Israel (Deuteronomy34:10-12).34:10-12).

11.11. Moses in the days or our LordMoses in the days or our Lorda)a)At the transfiguration – Matt. 17:3At the transfiguration – Matt. 17:3b)b)On Moses’ seat – Matt. 23:2On Moses’ seat – Matt. 23:2c)c)The one in whom they hope:The one in whom they hope:

45 “Do not suppose that I will accuse you before the 45 “Do not suppose that I will accuse you before the

Father. The one who accuses you is Moses, Father. The one who accuses you is Moses, in whom youin whom you

have placed your hopehave placed your hope. 46 If you believed Moses, you. 46 If you believed Moses, you

would believe me, because he wrote about me” (Johnwould believe me, because he wrote about me” (John

5:45-46).5:45-46).

d)d)Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the solemn truth, Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the solemn truth, it is it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heavennot Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but , but my Father is giving you the true bread from heaven (John my Father is giving you the true bread from heaven (John 6:32). 6:32).

e)e)““We are disciples of Moses”We are disciples of Moses”28 They heaped insults on him, saying, “You are his 28 They heaped insults on him, saying, “You are his

disciple! disciple! We are disciples of Moses!We are disciples of Moses! 29 We know that 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses! We do not know where this God has spoken to Moses! We do not know where this man comes from!” (John 9:28-29)man comes from!” (John 9:28-29)

III.III. The Son is Greater Than Moses – (The Son is Greater Than Moses – (33:1-:1-6a)6a)A.A. Exhortation (3:1) Exhortation (3:1)

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, partners in aTherefore, holy brothers and sisters, partners in a

heavenly calling, heavenly calling, take note of Jesustake note of Jesus, the apostle and high, the apostle and high

priest whom we confess (3:1)priest whom we confess (3:1)

1.1. Connection to context (“Therefore”)Connection to context (“Therefore”)2.2. The recipients (assumed to be saints)The recipients (assumed to be saints)

a.a.Holy brethrenHoly brethrenb.b.Partners in a heavenly callPartners in a heavenly callc.c.Whom we confess (below)Whom we confess (below)

3.3. Take note of (consider) JesusTake note of (consider) Jesusa.a.As ApostleAs Apostleb.b.As High PriestAs High Priest

B.B. Jesus Jesus comparedcompared with Moses: faithful in all his with Moses: faithful in all his house, like Moses (3:2)house, like Moses (3:2)

Who is faithful to the one who appointed him, as MosesWho is faithful to the one who appointed him, as Moseswas also in God’s house (Hebrews 3:2).was also in God’s house (Hebrews 3:2).

Jesus is compared with Moses, to show their similarities,Jesus is compared with Moses, to show their similarities,before highlighting the points of contrast.before highlighting the points of contrast.

Both Moses and Jesus were faithful.Both Moses and Jesus were faithful.

C.C. Jesus is Jesus is contrastedcontrasted with Moses (3:3-4) with Moses (3:3-4)

3 For he has come to deserve greater glory than Moses,3 For he has come to deserve greater glory than Moses,

just as the builder of a house deserves greater honorjust as the builder of a house deserves greater honor

than the house itself! 4 For every house is built bythan the house itself! 4 For every house is built by

someone, but the builder of all things is God. someone, but the builder of all things is God.

1.1. Moses = the houseMoses = the house2.2. God is the builder of everything, including the house God is the builder of everything, including the house

(thus, Jesus is God) (thus, Jesus is God)

C.C. Jesus is Jesus is contrastedcontrasted with Moses (3:5-6a) with Moses (3:5-6a) 5 Now Moses was 5 Now Moses was faithful in all God’sfaithful in all God’s househouse as a servant, as a servant, to testify to the things that would be spoken. 6 But Christ to testify to the things that would be spoken. 6 But Christ

is faithful as a son over God’s house (Hebrews 3:5-6a).is faithful as a son over God’s house (Hebrews 3:5-6a). 1.1. Moses was faithful Moses was faithful inin all his house, as a all his house, as a servantservant (3:5 – (3:5 –

cf. Numbers 12:7)cf. Numbers 12:7)2.2. ChristChrist was faithful was faithful overover His house, as a His house, as a SonSon (3:6a). (3:6a).

(“Christ” -- thus, Jesus is not only God, He is the (“Christ” -- thus, Jesus is not only God, He is the Messiah)Messiah)

IV.IV. Problem portion – Problem portion – the big “if:”the big “if:”We are of his house,We are of his house, ifif in fact we hold firmly to our in fact we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope we take pride inconfidence and the hope we take pride in (3:6b). (3:6b).

We are of his house, We are of his house, ifif in fact we hold firmly to in fact we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope we take pride inour confidence and the hope we take pride in (3:6b).(3:6b).A.A. The “ifs” are not just in HebrewsThe “ifs” are not just in Hebrews

1.1. Romans 8:9Romans 8:92.2. Romans 8:17Romans 8:173.3. Romans 11:22Romans 11:224.4. 2 Corinthians 13:5b2 Corinthians 13:5b5.5. Colossians 1:22-23Colossians 1:22-236.6. 1 Peter 2:31 Peter 2:37.7. 1 John 2:31 John 2:3

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in youif indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. . Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person does not belong to him Christ, this person does not belong to him (Romans 8:9).(Romans 8:9).

And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ) – God and also fellow heirs with Christ) – if if indeed we suffer with him so we may also be indeed we suffer with him so we may also be glorified with himglorified with him (Romans 8:17). (Romans 8:17).

Notice therefore the kindness and harshness of Notice therefore the kindness and harshness of God – harshness toward those who have fallen, God – harshness toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness toward you, but God’s kindness toward you, provided you provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you also continue in his kindness; otherwise you also will be cut offwill be cut off (Romans 11:22). (Romans 11:22).

Put yourselves to the test to see if you are in the Put yourselves to the test to see if you are in the faithfaith; examine yourselves! Or do you not ; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you – unless, indeed, you fail the test! (2 is in you – unless, indeed, you fail the test! (2 Corinthians 13:5)Corinthians 13:5)

22 But now he has reconciled you22 But now he has reconciled you by his by his physical body through death to present you physical body through death to present you holy, without blemish, and blameless before holy, without blemish, and blameless before him – him – 23 if indeed you remain in the faith, 23 if indeed you remain in the faith, established and firm, without shifting from the established and firm, without shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heardhope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel . This gospel has also been preached in all creation under has also been preached in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become its servant heaven, and I, Paul, have become its servant (Colossians 1:22-23).(Colossians 1:22-23).

1 So get rid of all evil and all deceit and 1 So get rid of all evil and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 And yearn hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 And yearn like newborn infants for pure, spiritual milk, so like newborn infants for pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up to salvation, 3 that by it you may grow up to salvation, 3 if if you you have experiencedhave experienced the Lord’s kindnessthe Lord’s kindness (1 Peter (1 Peter 2:1-3). 2:1-3).

3 Now by this we know that we have come to 3 Now by this we know that we have come to know God: know God: if we keep his commandments if we keep his commandments (1 (1 John 2:3).John 2:3).

We are of his house, We are of his house, ifif in fact we hold firmly to our in fact we hold firmly to ourconfidence and the hope we take pride inconfidence and the hope we take pride in (3:6b). (3:6b).

B.B. The author assumes the best about his readers.The author assumes the best about his readers.C.C. This epistle is written to a church (thus we This epistle is written to a church (thus we

cannot assume everyone is a believer).cannot assume everyone is a believer).D.D. This is not teaching salvation by works.This is not teaching salvation by works.E.E. This statement assumes human weaknesses.This statement assumes human weaknesses.F.F. The purpose of this epistle is not to create The purpose of this epistle is not to create

doubt, but to turn our attention to Jesus. If we doubt, but to turn our attention to Jesus. If we merely look inwardly, to ourselves, then we fail merely look inwardly, to ourselves, then we fail to do what the author exhorts us to do.to do what the author exhorts us to do.

Copyright © 2008 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPointCopyright © 2008 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPointpresentation of Lesson 7 in the series, presentation of Lesson 7 in the series, Near to the Heart of God, A Study ofNear to the Heart of God, A Study ofthe Book of Hebrews the Book of Hebrews prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for August 24, 2008.prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for August 24, 2008.Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with orAnyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with orwithout credit.without credit.