Hebrews 3

1 the heavenly calling. The call to a heavenly life.

the Apostle. Being sent of God as Moses was (Exod. iii. 10-15). And as the Father sent Him, so He sent the Twelve (John xx. 21)" (Wordsworth). Our Lord unites in Himself the offices of both Moses (iii. 1-iv. 13) and Aaron (iv. 14-x. 22).

profession. As in iv. 14; x. 23. R.V., “confession.” The meaning is, “the High Priest whom we confess or acknowledge.”

2 in all His house. Or, “household.” See note on Numb. xii. 7. The fidelity of Moses had respect to all the details of the management of God’s house. Christ’s sphere of action is the Church of God (1 Tim. iii. 15).

3. For this [man]. That is, our Lord. Moses, after all, was but part of the house in which he laboured. Our Lord Himself is not only the “founder of the household” over which He presides, but the Creator of all things: the maker must be greater than his work; and the Maker of all things must be Divine.

5 for a testimony, etc. Not only was Moses merely a servant, but his work was preparatory, to announce what should afterwards be spoken by the Son (i. 2).

6. His own house. Rather, “His house,” the house of God, as ver. 2.

7. Wherefore. This seems to be connected with ver. 12. Because our Lord is superior to Moses, the warning of the Holy Spirit in Psa. xv. should lead us to “take heed.”

if ye will hear. Rather, as R.V., “if ye shall hear.” It is the fact of hearing that is supposed, not willingness to hear.

8 the provocation . . . (the) temptation. Meribah and Massah, Exod. xvii. 7; “where your fathers,” etc., ver. 9.

11 my rest. A rest, resembling that of God at the close of the six days’ work; partially obtained in the possession of Canaan; which, however, was but typical of the believer’s rest in Christ now, and in heaven hereafter: see ch. iv. throughout.

13 the deceitfulness of sin. Sin is deceitful both as to its nature and as to its consequences (cp. Gen. iii. 4, 13, 17, 18).

16. For some, when they had heard, etc. Rather, according to the best reading, a series of questions: “Who then, when they heard, did provoke? Nay, did not all who came out of Egypt by Moses?” Two exceptions (Caleb and Joshua) out of the hosts of Israel are too few to be mentioned.

18 that believed not. R.V., “that were disobedient.”

19. So we see. Properly, “And we see”; i.e. from all this.