Heb. 3:6-11, The Reason for the Warnings

Heb. 3:6 is a transition to the second warning passage in Hebrews.  This warning is the longest (3:7-4:13), and helps us see the historical context of this letter.  

Verse 6 contains a warning in itself, telling these believers that they are Christ’s house “IF” they hold fast their confidence to the end.  The “hold fast” idea is seen throughout this warning (cf. 3:14; 4:14). The same theme will appear again in Heb. 10:23 at the end of the writers’ central argument: “let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering.”  Is the writer questioning their salvation?  No. He has already concluded they were Christians (cf. 3:1).

But if the issue is not the “eternal salvation” of these believers, then what is the writer concerned about?  We believe that the answer has to do with the coming destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD.  You will find this event makes sense, not only here, but in other passages in Hebrews that often create difficulties for those who read the letter.  Consider the following reasons that lead to this conclusion.

First, the Roman destruction of Jerusalem is mentioned in the Bible, in Daniel’s prophecy (Dan. 9:26) and by our Lord Himself.  Read Luke 19:41-44 where Jesus wept for Jerusalem and Luke 21:20-24 where Jesus warned His disciples.  His description of events was exactly what happened in 70AD: the city was surrounded, besieged, destroyed, and many died.  It is not surprising that a letter was written to warn believers who were considering a return to temple worship. 

Second, consider these believers.  They are Jewish Christians being severely persecuted by their Jewish kin.  They are close enough to Jerusalem to seriously consider a return to temple worship, thinking it might help them escape persecution.  The Judean Churches fit this description.  The persecution began after the death of Stephen (Acts 8:1).  Paul spoke of the severity of this trial in 1 Thess. 2:14-16.

Third, this letter was written before 70AD (or there would have been no temple to return to).  Timothy was still alive (13:23).  And it was a time of severe persecution.  This fits the years just preceding 70AD.  Check out the timeline on the back cover of this booklet.  The offer to return to Jerusalem for Passover had a strong appeal to these believers.  But the writer knew returning would be fatal.

Lastly, the event that is the subject of Heb. 3:7-4:13 is Israel’s refusal to enter the land when they were at Kadesh Barnea (Num. 13-14).  Around 65AD the recipients of this letter got the same kind of warning as Israel did in c1445BC: “do not harden your hearts.”  Israel’s failure to trust God at Kadesh meant they would die in the wilderness, judged by God.  For these believers to return to Jerusalem would result in their death in a judgment of God upon the nation of Israel.  They needed to “hold fast” their confession, a confession which made the temple worship empty and useless, given the perfect sacrifice and ministry of our High Priest.