Overview of Hebrews 3:1–4:13

Although the motif of Jesus’ priestly ministry has now been introduced (Heb. 2:17–18), its elaboration will be deferred to the heart of the sermon (4:14–10:31). In the meantime, the implications of the Son’s ministry of revelation will be explored. Moving from the contrast between the angels and the Son (1:4–2:18), we now come to Moses, Israel’s preeminent prophet and covenant mediator, and his relationship to Christ. Through Moses the servant and Christ the Son, God’s people have heard his voice, as will be shown from Psalm 95’s retrospective on Israel’s wilderness experience under Moses. The generation that escaped Egypt through Moses’ leadership heard but did not believe God’s voice, so they died in the desert wasteland, banned from entering the Promised Land. Their history warns those now addressed by God’s last-days speech in the Son, lest they too come short of the inheritance God promises to those who persevere in faith.