Heard but not listened

Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.    - Hebrews 4:1-2

What Hebrews is trying to say in chapter 4 is making a correlation between the God's chosen people in the Old Testament and the Jews post-Christ, Anno Domini; when Israel was brought up out of Egypt by Moses they were a very stiff-necked people. They were rebellious and each time the Lord fostered His anger and showed them His power they would be awe-struck but they would sink right back into the same rut. All throughout the book of Numbers, it seemed every other passage, they were grumbling, complaining and rebelling against the Lord and each time they would hear but they would not listen. The Lord's anger was kindled against them and not even Moses made it into the promised land (Numbers 20:12) because he disobeyed.

The reality of the matter is that we are a stiff-necked people. We hear but we do not listen and the author of Hebrews is showing us the reality of the supremacy of Christ with His salvation and the New Covenant right alongside the despair of disobedience. I love Hebrews because it is chock-full of things we need to hear, and to listen, about our salvation. Hebrews 4:1-2 sings to the tune of surface Christianity, that is that many claim the title but do not walk the path (Matthew 7:13). Contextually it seems to be speaking to those Jews who have heard the good news but are not taking the good news of Christ to heart, we are often the same way. When we get right down into the essence of the book of Hebrews we then need to start asking ourselves, Have we truly accepted Christ in our Hearts? If so then how are we living each day likened unto Him with Him as our supreme example? He is the exact imprint of the very nature of God (Hebrews 1:3). Exactly the being each of us is to strive to be! He knows we are sinners to the very core (Jeremiah 17:9) but He expects us to search for and keep near to Him; to hold fast to our confession (Hebrews 4:14) so that we can approach the throne of God with confidence (Hebrews 4:15)! The book of Hebrews really speaks to those who believe in Jesus Christ but who aren't yet developing that relationship with Him out of true acceptance of His salvation.

I exhort my brothers and sisters in Christ to do as in Hebrews 3:13 and, if you haven't already, to begin fostering that extremely important personal relationship with God. Don't just hear the word of God but listen to it! I thank everyone who reads my blog and if you are moved by any of these posts, feel free to share them among your friends and family and to spread His good news to the ends of the earth (Psalm 19:4) (Psalm 22:27). If you'd like to dive deeper into Hebrews then look up the Inductive Bible study method from Precept Ministries. Also check out Executable Outlines for the Hebrews study guide I am doing right now (you will need a PDF reader, I recommend Foxit).