This lesson is the sequence and application of the one preceding. "They were not able to enter in because of unbelief" were the last words of the third chapter. Enter into what? The land of Canaan, to be sure. But what would that mean to them? An end of their migrations, a settled home, the realization of the promise made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as far as its earthly application went. It was this rest from their homeless wandering that they had missed when God swore in his wrath: "They shall not enter into my rest." But why did God bring the people forth from Egypt? Was it not that he might bring them into Canaan? Without the entrance into Canaan, the deliverance from Egypt meant very little, after all. And since by unbelief they failed to enter the promised land, it makes little difference that they had the initial faith to leave Egypt. (Heb. 11:29.) [51]

      It means to us just what it meant to the wavering Hebrew Christians to whom the letter was addressed; and to them it meant that if they did not hold fast the beginning of their confidence firm unto the end (3:14), they should not enter into their rest nor be partakers with Christ. And, then, what would it matter even if they did at one time have the faith to make the start and by first obedience to the gospel leave Egypt? Faith is not the spurt of a moment in which we cry out: "I believe." It is a steady principle, an habitual attitude, and must not cease, but grow stronger as we proceed and experience the faithfulness of God. But they are not few that had faith to leave Egypt and not faith enough to enter Canaan. To all such, and to those who have this tendency to stop short and revolt from, or at least cease to press on after, their Leader, the Epistle to the Hebrews is addressed. Let us not harden our hearts when we hear God's reasoning in this letter, as Israel hardened their hearts in the day of trial. Here is the good Spirit pleading with us not to grow faint, not to backslide, or (which sums up all in a word) not to let go of our faith. [52]

      Now it is essential for us to know what to fear and where to be bold. Commonly we fear the very thing we should face boldly in the name of God, and are vainly confident and indifferent where we might well tremble. There is a fear that comes of unbelief; there is another fear of which unbelief is the object. (Read Isa. 41:8-14; 43:1, 2; Jer. 1:8, 17.) That first kind of fear God wants us to dismiss. In regard to the terror and apprehensions the wicked have in times of trouble, God says: "Fear not their fear, neither be troubled." Neither are the difficulties, temptations, and dangers that beset us proper objects of fear. Read the account of Peter's walking on the water. (Matt. 14:22, 23.) Peter's fear (verse 30) was afterwards called "doubt" by the Savior (verse 31). You will notice, too, that Peter was afraid of the wrong thing. His peril was not in the wind and waves, but in taking his eyes and his mind off the Lord, who alone was able to make him stand. To distrust him was the thing to fear and shun. Likewise read the experience of Israel at the border of Canaan. (Num. 13:31.) What was their mistake and sin? Fearing the wrong thing. They trembled at the multitude and size of their enemies, at the fortified cities, at their own smallness [53] and weakness; but they were bold to distrust and disobey God. They did not understand where the danger lay.

      Now, what do we fear? Likely the wrong thing. Though, as in the case of Peter on the water, the Lord stands as our power and surety of a successful journey. He is able, he says, to keep you from stumbling (Jude 24), able to make you stand (Rom. 14:4); and all your power of standing, as in Peter's case again, lies in Christ. We are kept by the power of God, through faith. (1 Pet. 1:5.) What, then, have we to dread? Just one thing: lest we gradually or otherwise take our minds and hearts off the Lord--lest we lose faith. Connect the last verse of Hebrews 3 with the first of Hebrews 4, and you will see that unbelief is the danger to fear. Look at the context of Rom. 11:20, and see the same point there.

      I have dwelt on this at length, because it is so exceedingly important. We are all prone to forget the fact that Christ, Christ, Christ alone, is our power to uphold us; that only he will and can; that he is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, and that in him only is our boast. We look at the evils of the world, and fear; we look at obstacles and difficulties, and measure our strength, and feel either encouraged or despairing. We [54] depend on our characters; we rely on our abilities, wisdom, ingenuity in fighting the great battle against sin. All these attitudes are wrong, and end in certain defeat. But see what these wavering Hebrews needed. "Consider Jesus!" (Heb. 3:1.) Look on him, gaze on him intently as the astronomer gazes on a constellation, as the mariner on his guiding star. Jesus is held up from the beginning to the end of this Epistle. Jesus in heaven, as our High Priest, exercising continual and divine influence upon his people on earth; Jesus, all-powerful; Jesus, compassionate and gentle toward the ignorant and erring; Jesus, the perfect Sacrifice--in one word, Jesus, our Savior. "Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith." This is the keynote of the letter, as far as its practical application is concerned.

      This is lesson enough for one time. It is worth meditating on. It can transform your life of timidity and vain self-reliance into a life of trust and victory through Jesus Christ our Lord.

      Our Father in heaven, we have had faith enough to accept Jesus as our Lord, repent of our sins, confess him with our lips, and be [55] buried with him in baptism. So we have, by thy grace and through faith, been delivered from the world and become thy children. Now we need thy gentle, solemn words of warning, lest, having had faith to leave Egypt, we have not faith enough to follow unto Canaan. Show us where the real danger lies, and where the true source of success and victory. May thy faith-inspiring word become more precious in our eyes. May our minds be continually stayed on Jesus as our continued help. Forgive us our past carelessness and unbelief, for now we would hearken to thy word with hearts no longer hardened. Father, give us strength and victory, in Jesus' name. Amen.

      For the next lesson: We continue on Heb. 4:1-13. See what more you can see in it. What kind of rest was promised them? What kind to us? What have unbelief and disobedience to do with each other? Study verses 12, 13, particularly. [56]

[LOH1 51-56]