When we examine the New Testament, we find a number of ways that our lives as disciples of our Savior are symbolized. We are at war, we are athletes in the games, we are strangers and aliens, we are ambassadors of the great King, and a few more.

But in Hebrews 3, we are introduced to another image, or symbol, that some might find a little surprising. Here, the inspired author will take us way back in time, some 3400 years to be more precise, all the way back to the story of the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. And as he does this, he will show us that our lives as followers of Jesus are very much like a journey in the wilderness. We will see that, much like the ancient Israelites, we are now on our way out of the place of bondage, headed to the place of eternal rest. Our ‘wilderness’ is a place of testing, of being strengthened, of facing opposition, of seeing the Lord work in mighty ways, and learning to trust Him as He leads us by His Word one step at a time.

But, our ‘wilderness’ is also a place of significant danger and temptation as well. And this is the larger concern expressed in Hebrews 3:7-19. In the wilderness, Israel sinned greatly against the Lord. And these same sins also threaten us now. So there is the pressing need to study what happened back then so as to avoid Israel’s mistakes.

Let me encourage you to prepare for the sermon by getting familiar with Hebrews 3:7-4:13, as well as 1 Corinthians 10:1-13.