Heb 3:7-11 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Heb 3:7-19: 3:7-19 This passage presents, “as a warning to us” (1 Cor 10:6 ), 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 ; Deut 1:19-35 ; Ps 106:24-26 ).

Summary for Heb 3:7-19: 3:7-19 ^a This passage presents, “as a warning to us” (1 Cor 10:6 ^b), 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 ^c; Deut 1:19-35 ^d; Ps 106:24-26 ^e).
3:8 ^f Israel . . . rebelled and tested God in places such as Massah and Meribah, where there was a shortage of water (Exod 17:1-7 ^g; Num 20:2-13 ^h), and especially at Kadesh, where the disobedient Israelites refused to enter the Promised Land (Heb 3:10 ⁱ; see Num 14:1-25 ^j; Deut 1:19-46 ^k; Ps 106 ^l).
Summary for Heb 3:9-10: 3:9-10 ^m 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 ⁿ, 22 ^o). 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 ^p Rebellion has consequences.

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

• God’s oath (see Heb 6:13-20 ^t; 7:20-22 ^u, 28 ^v) was that they would never enter Canaan, the place of rest from their wanderings (Deut 1:19-46 ^w; 3:20 ^x; 12:10 ^y; Josh 1:13 ^z).