Hebrews 3:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years.

NIV: where your ancestors tested and tried me, though for forty years they saw what I did.

NASB: WHERE YOUR FATHERS PUT ME to the test, AND SAW MY WORKS FOR FORTY YEARS.

CSB: where your ancestors tested me, tried me,and saw my works

NLT: There your ancestors tested and tried my patience, even though they saw my miracles for forty years.

KJV: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.

NKJV: Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years.

This continues a quotation from Psalm 95. The author of Hebrews is pointing out the danger facing a Christian who does not "hold fast" to their faith when persecuted. The illustration from Psalm 95 refers to the failure of Israel in the wilderness just before they reached the Promised Land. Verse 8 mentioned "rebellion" and "testing," which are both events and the names given to certain places. In the Hebrew of Psalm 95, these are Meribah and Massah, which mean "strife" and "temptation." This was the place Israel complained against God.

This verse more specifically mentions Israel's forty years of wandering. This was an act of discipline given by God. Rather than trusting Him—"holding fast"—they responded in doubt and fear when asked to move into Canaan (Numbers 13—14). So God forced them to wander aimlessly in the wilderness for decades. The application which the author of Hebrews intends comes most clearly in Hebrews 3:12–19. Christians who lose faith in the face of persecution can expect to lose fellowship and reward. They don't lose salvation (just as Israel was not sent back to Egypt), but they will suffer a loss of their spiritual inheritance.

Hebrews 3:7–14 uses the example of Israel's forty years in the wilderness (Numbers 13—14) as a warning. This is directed at Christians who fail to ''hold fast'' their faith in God during persecution. Israel was saved from Egypt, as believers are saved from eternal death through salvation. Israel was offered the Promised Land, as believers are promised victory through our spiritual inheritance. Israel lost faith and didn't trust God against the ''giants'' of Canaan, as believers can be tempted to lose faith in the face of persecution. The ancient Israelites were not sent back to Egypt, just as God does not revoke the salvation of Christian believers. However, both can expect hardship and a loss of fellowship if they fail to trust in God.

Hebrews chapter 3 uses a reference to Israel's wandering in the desert from the story of the Exodus. In this incident, the nation of Israel came to the border of the Promised Land and then lost confidence in God. Rather than trusting Him, most of the people gave up hope. As a result, only a tiny remnant of the nation was allowed to enter into Canaan. This chapter explains that Jesus Christ is superior to Moses and all of Moses' accomplishments. Christians, therefore, need to encourage each other to fully trust in God, in order to see fulfillment of His promises.

In chapters 1 and 2, the author of Hebrews showed that Jesus was not an angel. In fact, Jesus' role as Messiah required Him to be fully human. Starting in chapter 3, the author will explain how Jesus is also superior to various Old Testament characters such as Moses. This will help to set the stage for later references to Christ's superiority. Part of the warning in this chapter extends into chapter 4. Namely, that Christians who doubt God's promises risk missing out on the victories He has in store for us.

The book of Hebrews is meant to challenge, encourage, and empower Christian believers. According to this letter, Jesus Christ is superior to all other prophets and all other claims to truth. Since God has given us Christ, we ought to listen to what He says and not move backwards. The consequences of ignoring God are dire. Hebrews is important for drawing on many portions of the Old Testament in making a case that Christ is the ultimate and perfect expression of God's plan for mankind. This book presents some tough ideas about the Christian faith, a fact the author makes specific note of.