Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house (Hebrews 3:1-2).

Notice the author addresses us as holy. We have been sanctified by Messiah, set apart unto a uniquely intimate relationship with the Holy One of Israel, God himself.

He calls Jesus an apostle, the first and only time this unique designation is used of him in the New Testament.

An apostle is one sent out under a commission. For example, Jesus had his apostles, those he appointed, trained, and sent forth with his commission. Jesus, as an apostle, was faithful to the one who appointed him, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Jesus was faithful (pistos), a word based on the Greek noun for faith (pisti). It is no coincidence the author mentions the faithfulness of Jesus here alongside the faithfulness of Moses. In Exodus chapter 17, we find a story that uses the Hebrew word faith (emunah) for the first time in the Bible.

King Amalek had unjustly and without warning attacked vulnerable Israel as they began their journey from Egypt. For Israel to prevail in battle, Moses must keep the staff of God raised in his hands. As his strength falters, Aaron and Hur set him down on a rock and assist in holding up his arms. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun (Exodus 17:12).

The word steady is the Hebrew word for faith, emunah.

Emunah means firmness, steadfastness, fidelity, loyalty, and perseverance. In other words, the root meaning of the biblical word for faith is faithfulness. The root meaning of faith is not merely belief. Belief is a factor. But if you reduce faith to belief, you misunderstand Scripture, a point the Book of James emphasizes. The hands of Moses were faithful, steadfast until the going down of the sun, and Israel defeated their enemies.

For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God (3-4).

Before we consider the glory or the roles of Jesus and Moses, we must understand that God the Father is the builder of all things. As I said before and will expand on in a minute, we will misconstrue the author’s intent if we fail to see how YHWH is always at the center and on the horizon of his thought.

Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope (5-6).

Please note that notwithstanding centuries of prejudicial reading of this letter, nothing said about Moses in this passage is derogatory. Quite the opposite, he is esteemed as a role model and an exemplar of faithfulness. Later in Hebrews, we find five verses dedicated to Moses and his faithfulness, including this enigmatic comment: He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward (11:5).

Do we need more convincing? The author cites God as making this remarkable assessment: My servant Moses is faithful in all my house. With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the LORD (Numbers 12:7-8).

The first key point from Hebrews 3 is that of mutual faithfulness—Jesus and Moses.

Jesus, the second Moses (Dt 18:15), was great and honorable as a servant in God’s house also yet is worthy of even more honor because he is a son. Do you understand the difference? The servant is not being put down; the Son is being lifted up. And that is point number two.

We are God’s house, as his faithful people have always been.

That is point three. The traditional reading of Hebrews is as an apologetic, a defense for the superiority of Christ, and a polemic against Judaism and the former covenants. That is not a proper reading. If you hearken back to our earlier sessions, you will remember that the author says his purpose is to encourage followers of Jesus to be faithful and not give up. It is a word of exhortation with appropriate warnings.

And that is point four, […] we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope (6). The phrase if indeed is an unusual construction in Greek, emphasizing the conditional nature. If indeed we hold fast our confidence in our boast—that which gives us hope. There is a conditional character of this pilgrimage in the author’s mind. We must hold fast.

I will take up this subject a bit more in a later session because at least three other major instances in the letter to the Hebrews touch on this issue of so-called eternal security. Once saved, always save in modern vernacular. I will simply say that the author of Hebrews seems unacquainted with that doctrine.

Indeed, in verses seven through eleven, he transitions to a quote from Psalm 94 recounting how the children of Israel—saved from and brought forth from Egypt by their redeeming LORD—did not hold fast. They rebelled in the wilderness and, consequently, suffered the judgment. They did not enter into the Promised Land.

We are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. This preacher pleads with his audience to be faithful from beginning to end. “Look to Jesus, look to Jesus!” he says repeatedly.

The Son is the role model of faithfulness.

Look at who he was and how he lived. Carefully consider everything accomplished through him. Strive to understand that you are destined to share in his glory. But only if you keep the faith. Look to him and stay faithful! Do not let persecution and suffering push you away! In the same way the Father perfected his Son through his sufferings, he will also use your hardships to perfect you and help you be faithful as his children.

In light of these urgent appeals, I have a question for you. It is one I ask myself.

If the audience of Hebrews experienced temptations and tests like the children of Israel experienced temptations and tests, then what about us? What is causing you to drift, to fall, or to walk away?