Hebrews 3:7-8

Hebrews 3:7-8

Do not harden your hearts

These verses, and those that follow up to verse 11, are direct quotations from Psalm 95:7-11. The warnings here are not just an appeal for persistence and dedication on the journey but also a caution against disobedience and unbelief. Notice that the Holy Spirit is described as the “speaker” here. This is not the only time that the Scriptures attribute the Word of God to the Spirit of God, Peter says clearly in his second letter, “For prophecy never had its origins in the human will,  but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:21. Paull writes to Timothy and reminds him that all Scripture is “God-breathed”.

It follows that we must take the quotations from Psalm 95 very seriously, something the Israelites failed to do! While they were being tested by God in the wilderness, they were guilty of hardening their hearts against Him, especially when He brought them to the boundaries of Canaan and they refused to believe that the Lord would go with them and allow them to take possession of the land. Time and again the people questioned the Lord’s authority and His pre-eminence as their God, and they suffered for their rebellion and disobedience. God is not mocked, He cannot be played with, our attitude to Him affects His relationship with us. Yes, we will be tested. Yes, there will be times when it feels as if we are wandering pointlessly in a wilderness, but if our hearts are softened and we listen to His voice, then victory and fulfilment will be granted in the journey. 

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