Hebrews 3:7

King James Version (KJV)

Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, Today - These words are quoted from Psalm 95:7; and as they were written by David, and attributed here to the Holy Ghost, it proves that David wrote, by the inspiration of God's Holy Spirit. As these words were originally a warning to the Israelites not to provoke God, lest they should be excluded from that rest which he had promised them, the apostle uses them here to persuade the Christians in Palestine to hold fast their religious privileges, and, the grace they had received, lest they should come short of that state of future glory which Christ had prepared for them. The words strongly imply, as indeed does the whole epistle, the possibility of falling from the grace of God, and perishing everlastingly; and without this supposition these words, and all such like, which make more than two-thirds of the whole of Divine revelation, would have neither sense nor meaning. Why should God entreat man to receive his mercy, if he have rendered this impossible? Why should he exhort a believer to persevere, if it be impossible for him to fall away? What contemptible quibbling have men used to maintain a false and dangerous tenet against the whole tenor of the word of God! Angels fell - Adam fell - Solomon fell - and multitudes of believers have fallen, and, for aught we know, rose no more; and yet we are told that we cannot finally lose the benefits of our conversion! Satan preached this doctrine to our first parents; they believed him, sinned, and fell; and brought a whole world to ruin!

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Wherefore - In view of the fact that the Author of the Christian dispensation has a rank far superior to that of Moses. Because Christ has claims on us far greater than those which Moses had, let us hearken to his voice, and dread his displeasure.

As the Holy Ghost saith - In Psalm 95:7-11. This is full proof that in the estimation of the author of this Epistle the writer of this Psalm was inspired. The Holy Spirit speaks through the word which he has revealed. The apostle quotes this passage and applies it to those whom he addressed, because the admonition was as pertinent and important under the Christian dispensation, as it was under the Jewish. The danger of hardening the heart by neglecting to hear his voice was as great, and the consequences would be as fearful and alarming. We should regard the solemn warnings in the Old Testament against sin, and against the danger of apostasy, as addressed by the Holy Spirit to us. They are as applicable to us as they were to those to whom they were at first addressed; and we need all the influence of such appeals, to keep us from apostasy as much as they did.

Today - Now; at present. At the very time when the command is addressed to you. It is not to be put off until tomorrow. All God‘s commands relate to “the present” - to this day - to the passing moment. He gives us no commands “about the future.” He does not require us to repent and to turn to him “tomorrow,” or 10 years hence. The reasons are obvious:

(1)Duty pertains to the present. It is our duty to turn from sin, and to love him now.

(2)we know not that we shall live to another day. A command, therefore, could not extend to that time unless it were accompanied with “a revelation” that we should live until then - and such a revelation God does not choose to give. Every one, therefore, should feel that whatever commands God addresses to him are addressed to him now. Whatever guilt he incurs by neglecting those commands is incurred now. For the present neglect and disobedience each one is to answer - and each one must give account to God for what he does today.

If ye will hear - In case you are willing to hearken to God, listen now, and do not defer it to a future period. There is much in a “willingness” to hear the voice of God. A willingness to learn is usually the precursor of great attainments in knowledge. A “willingness” to reform, is usually the precursor of reformation. Get a man “willing” to break off his habits of profaneness or intemperance, and usually all the rest is easy. The great difficulty in the mind of a sinner is in his will. He is unwilling to hear the voice of God; unwilling that he should reign over him; unwilling now to attend to religion. While this unwillingness lasts he will make no efforts, and he sees, or creates a thousand difficulties in the way of his becoming a Christian. But when that unwillingness is overcome, and he is disposed to engage in the work of religion, difficulties vanish, and the work of salvation becomes easy.

His voice - The voice of God speaking to us:

(1)in his written word;

(2)in the preached gospel;

(3)in our own consciences;

(4)in the events of his Providence;

(5)in the admonitions of our relatives and friends. Whatever conveys to us the truth of God, or is adapted to impress that on us, may be regarded as “his voice” speaking to us. He thus speaks to us “every day” in some of these ways; and every day, therefore, he may entreat us not to harden our hearts.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

Days of temptation are often days of provocation. But to provoke God, when he is letting us see that we entirely depend and live upon him, is a provocation indeed. The hardening of the heart is the spring of all other sins. The sins of others, especially of our relations, should be warnings to us. All sin, especially sin committed by God's professing, privileged people, not only provokes God, but it grieves him. God is loth to destroy any in, or for their sin; he waits long to be gracious to them. But sin, long persisted in, will make God's wrath discover itself in destroying the impenitent; there is no resting under the wrath of God. "Take heed:" all who would get safe to heaven must look about them; if once we allow ourselves to distrust God, we may soon desert him. Let those that think they stand, take heed lest they fall. Since to-morrow is not ours, we must make the best improvement of this day. And there are none, even the strongest of the flock, who do not need help of other Christians. Neither are there any so low and despised, but the care of their standing in the faith, and of their safety, belongs to all. Sin has so many ways and colours, that we need more eyes than ours own. Sin appears fair, but is vile; it appears pleasant, but is destructive; it promises much, but performs nothing. The deceitfulness of sin hardens the soul; one sin allowed makes way for another; and every act of sin confirms the habit. Let every one beware of sin.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

7. Wherefore. That is, in view of what has been said in vs. 1-6 concerning Christ as “the Apostle and High Priest of our profession” (v. 1) and of our “confidence” and “hope” in Him (v. 6).

The Holy Ghost saith. Recognition is given to the Holy Spirit as the agent of communication between God and man (see on 2 Peter 1:21), particularly with respect to Ps. 95, from which the quotation in Heb. 3:7-11 is taken, and to David as being supernaturally inspired when he wrote the psalm (cf. Heb. 4:7).

To day. See on Ps. 95:7. The “to day” to which David referred was his own time, but, guided by inspiration, the writer of Hebrews declares that the truth here stated applies with equal force in NT times (see Vol. IV, p. 37; see on Deut. 18:15). The Holy Ghost bears this same message to us today (see on Heb. 4:7-9). From generation to generation the same merciful appeal has gone forth, calling men to find “rest” of soul in Christ. Soon mercy will no longer plead and the day of salvation will close.

The thought stated in ch. 3:7-11 is repeated again and again in chs. 3 and 4 and forms the basis of the argument here presented. The conclusion drawn from the argument is that “there remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God” (ch. 4:9) and that we should “therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (v. 16).

It should be noted that the argument of chs. 3 and 4 opens with the presentation of Christ as “the Apostle and High Priest of our profession” (ch. 3:1) and closes with an appeal to come to Him in faith, in the full assurance that He can and will provide the help we need (ch. 4:14-16). Note how the expressions, “hold fast the confidence” (ch. 3:6), “hold fast our profession” (ch. 4:14), “come boldly unto the throne of grace” (v. 16), bind the line of reasoning together.

If. Gr. ean, “if,” “when,” “whenever.” Man’s free choice in accepting or rejecting God’s merciful call is here set forth in clear, unmistakable language. God has not predestined certain men to accept, and certain other men to reject, His mercy (see on John 3:17-20; Eph. 1:4-6).

Hear his voice. Obviously more is implied than hearing with the ears. Reference is to effective hearing, that is, hearing that results in appropriate action. Compare on Matt. 7:24-27; Rev. 1:3.

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Ellen G. White
The Adventist Home, 358

Oh, that now, while it is called today, you would turn to the Lord! Your every deed is making you either better or worse. If your actions are on Satan's side, they leave behind them an influence that continues to work its baleful results. Only the pure, the clean, and the holy can enter the city of God, “Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts,” but turn to the Lord, that the path you travel may not leave desolation in its track.¹³ AH 358.1

Minister to Treat Children With Kindness and Courtesy—Let the kindness and courtesy of the minister be seen in his treatment of children. He should ever bear in mind that they are miniature men and women, younger members of the Lord's family. These may be very near and dear to the Master and, if properly instructed and disciplined, will do service for Him, even in their youth. Christ is grieved with every harsh, severe, and inconsiderate word spoken to children. Their rights are not always respected, and they are frequently treated as though they had not an individual character which needs to be properly developed that it may not be warped and the purpose of God in their lives prove a failure.¹⁴ AH 358.2

Let the church take a special care of the lambs of the flock, exerting every influence in their power to win the love of the children and to bind them to the truth. Ministers and church members should second the efforts of parents to lead the children into safe paths. The Lord is calling for the youth, for He would make them His helpers to do good service under His banner.¹⁵ AH 358.3

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Ellen G. White
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 419

*****

To know oneself is great knowledge. True self-knowledge leads to a humility that will open the way for the Lord to develop the mind and mold and discipline the character. No teacher can do acceptable work who does not bear in mind his own deficiencies and does not put aside all plans that would weaken spiritual life. When teachers are willing to lay aside that which is unessential for the life eternal, then it can be said that they are working out their own salvation with fear and trembling, and that they are building wisely for eternity. CT 419.1

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Ellen G. White
God's Amazing Grace, 202.1

Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Hebrews 3:7, 8. AG 202.1

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Ellen G. White
God's Amazing Grace, 319.6

There will be no second probation. Now, while it is called today, if we will hear the voice of the Lord, and turn fully to Him, He will have mercy upon us, and abundantly pardon. AG 319.6

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