Useful Bible Studies > Hebrews Commentary > chapter 3
We have read these words already, in Hebrews 3:7-8. The author repeats them here.
Of course, people often repeat things in vain, without any proper reason or purpose (Matthew 6:7). But God’s word is never in vain. It always achieves its purpose (Isaiah 55:11). And the Bible is God’s word.
In fact, the Bible often repeats itself. The usual reason is to emphasise something. We need to recognise what is really important.
And here the author, like any good teacher, repeats his lesson. Actually, it is not his own lesson. These words originally come from Psalm 95:7-8. They are from the Bible, and it is good to think about the Bible constantly (Psalm 1:2; Psalm 119:97-99). We should repeat its words so that they fill our minds and our lives (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). God’s word will bring so many good things into our lives (Psalm 19:7-11).
So do not complain when a church leader repeats the same passage from the Bible. Instead, learn the lesson that it will teach you. God wrote his word for your benefit.
And it will benefit you, if you allow it to teach you.
Actually, the author of Hebrews has not yet finished his lesson about these words. They are such important words that he will repeat them again in Hebrews 4:7. In the meantime, we must think about the people whom these words describe. And we must think about what those people lost because of their unbelief. It is not just a lesson about history. These are words to warn us, ‘today’, as the author repeats in Hebrews 3:7, 3:13, 3:15 and twice in 4:7.
Next part: Who makes God angry? (Hebrews 3:16)
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© 2014, Keith Simons.