“Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Oh, that today you would listen as he speaks! “Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness. “There your fathers tested me and tried me, and they saw my works for forty years. “Therefore, I became provoked at that generation and said, ‘Their hearts are always wandering and they have not known my ways.’ “As I swore in my anger, ‘They will never enter my rest!’” See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has an evil, unbelieving heart that forsakes the living God. But exhort one another each day, as long as it is called “Today,” that none of you may become hardened by sin’s deception.” Hebrews 3:7-13 NET
The repeated use of the word "therefore" in these
passages draws a compelling comparison to the ancient Children of Israel and us. We
must ask ourselves why the Holy Spirit would highlight their rebellion against
God in relation to our own lives. What deeper truths is the Holy Spirit trying
to uncover about our character? To grasp this, it is essential that we delve
into the hearts of the early followers of God, revealing why they so often
strayed from God. Understanding their struggles can shed light on our own walk
with the Lord.
The children of Israel were a people in bondage in Egypt,
suffering under Pharaoh's rule. But we must consider: Why were they enslaved
when just a few generations earlier, an Israelite named Joseph stood as
second-in-command to Pharaoh? It is hard to fathom that a man of such
remarkable wisdom, who had saved Pharaoh and the entire nation from famine by
implementing a plan to store resources in granaries, could be so easily
forgotten. How could a figure of his greatness slip from the collective memory
of the Egyptians? Understanding this disconnect is crucial to grasping the
plight of the Israelites and the lessons that follow.
The story of Joseph's rise to power is not just a tale of
personal triumph; it serves as a powerful reflection of the moral struggles
within the children of Israel. Joseph, favored by his father Jacob, finds
himself the target of jealousy from his older brothers, who go so far as to
attempt to kill him by throwing him down a well. This narrative uncovers a
deeper truth about human nature—selfishness often prevails, as seen in the
children of Israel who, like many today, live by the mantra of looking out for
"number one."
While it might be easy to blame Jacob for not instilling
better values in his children, it’s crucial to recognize that he, too, was
flawed. As a deceiver, Jacob stole the blessing from his brother Esau, who
recklessly traded his birthright for a momentary meal, failing to see the
immense value of God's promises. These stories highlight the importance of
nurturing moral excellence—a lesson that remains relevant and should inspire us
all to rise above our base instincts.
What distinguishes Joseph from his brothers is his
unwavering commitment to pursuing God and His divine plan for his life. Even as
he languished in prison for a crime he did not commit, Joseph held onto his
faith, grappling with the uncertainty of how he would ever gain his freedom. He
faced mistreatment, misunderstanding, and a sense of being forgotten, yet his
trust in God never wavered. After enduring many years of captivity, God exalted
Joseph, affirming the importance of remaining faithful.
Joseph's life story is a profound reflection of the Messiah Jesus, yet his brothers failed to grasp this truth. They overlooked the
sovereign hand of God orchestrating events in Joseph's life, all the while they
reaped the benefits of his blessings. This narrative is one that should have
been shared across generations, serving as a powerful reminder that God is the
ultimate source of all blessings in every situation. Sadly, after many
generations, Joseph's legacy was lost among the Israelites and the Egyptians,
and this vital lesson was forgotten.
This brings us to the central issue: Why did the children of
Israel wander in the desert for forty years? Their wandering wasn't due to a
lack of direction; instead, God wanted them to follow Him without grumbling. He
desired to be their everything during their time of testing in the wilderness,
yet they rejected His grace. Instead of embracing the new possibilities, the
children of Israel clung to their familiar past, even if it meant living in slavery in
Egypt. This is reminiscent of what we now call Stockholm Syndrome, where
comfort in what is known outweighs the fear of the unknown.
The book of Hebrews powerfully teaches us the importance of
trusting God by faith. Our faith is anchored not in the unknown but in the
solid promises of God. We never follow blindly without a sense of hope; we choose to
follow God because we are confident in His role as our protector, provider, and
steadfast friend, regardless of what life brings. Romans 8:28 reinforces this
truth: “And we know that all things work together for good for those who
love God, who are called according to his purpose.” This passage reminds us
that nothing can hold us back from discovering God's purpose in every moment of
our lives, empowering us to embrace each day with optimism and purpose.
We are called to uplift one another daily, seizing the
present moment to fortify our faith in God. Each of us faces the temptation to
fall back on our base instincts, which are always looming. Embracing a life of
faith is an ongoing, conscious choice; we cannot simply wait for faith to manifest
because God will work in us. Philippians 2:5 (ESV) makes it clear that we must
align our minds: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ
Jesus.” This indicates that our individual minds matter, but even more so,
it emphasizes the power of the collective mindset shared among all of our
brothers and sisters in Christ.
In this passage from Hebrews, we are reminded of the
importance of supporting one another on our shared journies of faith. Let us
choose to stand together and uplift each other as we navigate this path
together.
Stephen Barnett
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