Once upon a time, in the era of holy brethren, bestowed with the sacred duty of being the ones who partook in the heavenly mission, it was urged amongst them all to regard the Apostles and the High Priest of their confession, Jesus Christ. He was the epitome of faithfulness to the One who anointed Him, reflecting the same loyalty as Moses did in his household, which signified God’s people’s loyalty.
Yet, it was proclaimed that Jesus had been deemed worthy of higher honor than Moses. Just as the builder of a house is given a more significant degree of respect than the house itself, the distinction between the two mirrored the same. Every house is crafted by an entity, but the universal builder, the maker of everything, is God.
In the entire household of believers, Moses had displayed immense fidelity as a dutiful servant, setting an example for the coming generations. Yet, Jesus, as God’s son, presided over His house. It was affirmed that the followers of God were members of His house, under the condition that they persist in their open profession of faith and preservation of the glorious hope they conveyed, and that they endured till the end.
It was as if the voice of the Holy Spirit could be heard cautioning everyone, “Should you hear His voice today, do not harden your hearts as you did in the past in rebellion during the trial period in the wilderness.” Their ancestors had put God’s tolerance to the test when they held questionable his wonders and works that were witnessed over forty long years. Their provocation had annoyed God to the point that He declared, “They always go astray in their hearts. They do not recognize my ways.”
God, in His wrath, swore an oath, “They will never enter my rest.” This cautionary tale was a warning to the brethren, urging them not to harbor an evil heart consumed with disbelief, that could lead them towards renunciation of the living God. Instead, they were to counsel each other daily, with the coming of each new day; lest they be influenced by the deceitful nature of sin that hardens the heart.
Unity in Christ was acclaimed for those who hold fast to the confidence they had at the start, sustained till the very end, while they echoed in unison, “Today, should you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as was done in the rebellion.”
The question then arose, who among those who heard the warnings did provoke such a response? Was it not all those who had escaped from Egypt guided by Moses? With whom did God express displeasure for forty long years? Was he not upset with those who sinned, those whose bodies fell and perished in the wilderness?
To whom did He swear they would not find rest, but to those who did not obey Him? It was then that they realized that many were unable to enter the sacred rest due to disbelief, illuminating the need to uphold faith and obedience.
