Hebrews chapter 3 warns the church that there be no one among them with “an evil, unbelieving heart.” But what exactly does that mean? How could a member of God’s church, a believer, be counted as having an evil heart that does not believe?
To better understand this condition, the writer of Hebrews references Psalm 95, where David looks back on two moments of unbelief and disobedience in Israel’s history—the waters of Meribah and Massah. Israel believed in God’s existence intellectually, but failed to believe through their actions and obedience. In that section of Hebrew history, God had already proven Himself and His power time and time again, yet Israel still doubted, argued, and complained. Considering the recipients of this letter had practiced Judaism before following Christ, they likely knew this rebellious instance very well.
In verse 7, both the Hebrews writer and the Psalmist warn the listener: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as when they provoked Me.” While today we do not hear God’s booming voice from atop mountains as Moses did, we still hear God’s voice through His inspired Word. The question is: What do we do when we hear God’s words?
Israel had seen God’s works and heard His words and commands. God had delivered them from Egypt, parted the Red Sea, and sent food from heaven to sustain them. Yet after all these incredible works and proofs of His promise and provision, Israel still did not truly know or trust God to take care of them as He said He would (v. 10). They went astray in their hearts because they saw God’s actions and heard His words—but did not obey.
This same temptation can be just as potent in Christians today as it was for ancient Israel. 1 Peter 2:8, Romans 9:33, and Isaiah 8:14 all echo that for many who do not believe, Christ would be a stumbling block. Peter says they stumble because they are disobedient to the Word and, as a result, are appointed to doom. This language is very similar to Hebrews 3 and Psalm 95, which promise that those who do not
believe will not enter God’s rest.
To be true believers and one day enter God’s perfect rest, our obedient response to His Word is paramount. Christian obedience is not acted out of obligation, but love. Complete obedience is the natural response to belief in God. The inverse implies: if we live in disobedience to God’s word, we do not truly believe. Faith and trust that His ways and His thoughts are higher than ours must shape our hearts every day.
Tommy McKee
Dalraida church of Christ is a congregation of Christians that meet in the mid-town area of Montgomery, Alabama. Our goal and purpose is to seek and follow God and His Word in everything that we do in life.