Heb 3:4-11 | TNotes

3:6 ^a We are part of Christ’s house if we keep our courage. The author could not give unqualified assurance to those who were drifting away from Christ and the church. Those who persevere in the faith have assurance that they are part of God’s house (see 3:14 ^b; Rom 8:9 ^c, 17 ^d; 11:22 ^e; 2 Cor 13:5 ^f; Col 1:22-23 ^g).
Summary for Heb 3:7-19: 3:7-19 ^h This passage presents, “as a warning to us” (1 Cor 10:6 ⁱ), the negative example of those who wandered in the wilderness for forty years and died there. The wilderness wanderings represent disobedience to God and its consequences (see Num 32:7-11 ^j; Deut 1:19-35 ^k; Ps 106:24-26 ^l).
3:8 ^m Israel . . . rebelled and tested God in places such as Massah and Meribah, where there was a shortage of water (Exod 17:1-7 ⁿ; Num 20:2-13 ^o), and especially at Kadesh, where the disobedient Israelites refused to enter the Promised Land (Heb 3:10 ^p; see Num 14:1-25 ^q; Deut 1:19-46 ^r; Ps 106 ^s).
Summary for Heb 3:9-10: 3:9-10 ^t Despite seeing the miracles God had performed on their behalf, the people of Israel tested God’s patience by refusing to trust him in the wilderness (Num 14:11 ^u, 22 ^v). The essence of their rebellion was that their hearts always turned away from God—they did not desire to obey him. The result was that God was angry with them.
3:11 ^w Rebellion has consequences.

• God’s anger is not merely an emotional reaction; it is his just displeasure toward sin (John 3:36 ^x; Rom 1:18 ^y; 1 Thes 2:16 ^z).

• God’s oath (see Heb 6:13-20 ^aa; 7:20-22 ^ab, 28 ^ac) was that they would never enter Canaan, the place of rest from their wanderings (Deut 1:19-46 ^ad; 3:20 ^ae; 12:10 ^af; Josh 1:13 ^ag).