3:7-11 Where in scripture does the Holy Spirit say this and what do we learn from it?
3:7-11 Where in scripture does the Holy Spirit say this and what do we learn from it?
The writer of this epistle is quoting Psa 95:7-11 here, citing the Holy Spirit as the ultimate author (CP Psa 95:7-11). This refers to the Israelites having to wander in the wilderness for forty years for provoking God after He delivered them out of Egypt.
Because of their unbelief and continual rebellion against Him, God would not let them enter into His rest - the promised land, Canaan - which He had given to them for an inheritance, (CP He 4:2 with Nu 14:22-23; Psa 78:40-42, 56-58).
This is a warning also to New Testament Christians against hardening their hearts toward the Holy Spirit, and forfeiting their salvation (CP He 3:12 - 4:1, 11; 6:4-8; 10:26-31; 12:14-16; 2 Pe 2:20-22).
Rest for New Testament Christians refers to the quiet abode of those who will dwell with God in heaven - the eternal life that God has provided in Christ.
What befell the generation of Israelites who died in the wilderness is an Old Testament type of what will also befall New Testament Christians who fail God's grace (CP 1Cor 10:5-12 and Jude 5 with He 3:12 - 4:1, 11).
We learn here that as, despite all their blessings, an entire generation of Israelites died in the wilderness because of unbelief and so failed to enter their promised land, so New Testament Christians for their part are exhorted to take warning lest they fail also. 1Cor 10:6, 11 teaches us that what befell the Israelites is a type of what can befall us if we do not heed the warning.
The words examples in V6 and ensamples in V11, both mean type, or figure. The history of the failure of the Israelites is summed up for us in Psa 78 (CP Psa 78:1-72). See also comments on He 4:11-12, 6:4-6, 10:26-31; 2Pe 2:20-22.
In closing here it is interesting to note that during their forty years wandering in the wilderness, not one of the Israelites got sick. Their clothes and their shoes never wore out, and their feet did not swell (CP De 8:2-4; 29:5; Neh 9:21; Psa 105:37).