works, what did they not learn?
o “They have not known My ways.”
• What did He therefore swear?
o “They shall not enter into My rest.”
• To whom did God swear that they should not enter into His rest?
o “To them that believed not.”
• Why could they not enter into rest?
o “Because of unbelief.”
Faithfulness the Essential Thing.—“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1.9. Faithfulness is the rule of His house, for even man’s lack of faith cannot make of none effect the faithfulness of God. Romans 3.3, R.V. He is true, although every man be a liar. Moses, the servant of God, was faithful in all His house, and Christ, the Son, was likewise faithful, His faithfulness is identical with that of the Father, for “if we believe not, yet He abides faithful; He cannot deny Himself.” 2 Timothy 2.13. Therefore if we would be a part of the house of God, members of His family, we must “hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” “The faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14.12), and nothing less, distinguishes the household of God. It is a “household of faith.” Galatians 6.10
“Wherefore Take Heed?”—“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith.” 2 Corinthians 13.5. Faith is that which joins us to the Lord. “An evil heart of unbelief” means, “departing from the living God, who is the sole source of the life of the house. The house is built on the living Stone; God’s presence gives life to the throne on which He sits, and to the soul in which He dwells. Departure from Him means certain death. Wherefore take heed, and keep the faith.
“An Evil Heart of Unbelief.”—It is the evil heart that disbelieves. It is the dark fog that rises from the low marshy ground of sin that obscures the sight, and makes it difficult to see the truth. It is true that unbelief is the primary cause of sin, but sin in its turn breed’s unbelief. The unbelieving heart is always evil, no matter how fair the exterior may be. As long as a man loves sin, so long will unbelief cloud his mind; but as soon as the heart turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away, and the soul rejoices in the glory of God’s sunlight. 2 Corinthians 3.16-18; 4.2-4
When Shall We Believe?—There is only one time, and that is, Today. “Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” “Exhort one another daily, while it is called Today.” Yesterday is gone; it is not in existence. Neither is there any such time as to-morrow; it is not yet in existence, and when that which men call tomorrow comes, behold, it is today. Every man has all the time there is, and that is today; no other time has God ever given to men. He saith, “I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee; behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6.2. What is the name of the day of salvation? —Today; “it is called Today.” He who rejects salvation today, rejects it forever. “Today” may seem to be a very long day, but be sure that the night is coming.
The Cause of Deafness.—“Today, if ye, will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” Here we see the effect