The Lord Jesus and His Superior Voice

I. AN OUTLINE OF THE CHAPTER

A Doctrinal Statement, vv1-6
A Devotional Exhortation, vv7-19

II. AN OUTLINE OF THIS PORTION

The Illustration, vv7-11
The Invitation, v12
The Instruction, vv13-14
The Issue, vv15-19

III. AN OBSERVATION OF THESE PARTICULARS

The Illustration:
v7a, Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says…
a. testimony from Scripture of divine inspiration

v7b-11, Today, if you hear His voice…
a. quotes Psa 95:7-11
b. consider John's testimony as the Elijah-like prophet
i. Isa 40:3-5 (Matt 3:3; Mark 1:2; Luke 3:4-6)

The Invitation:
v12, Take care…
a. an evil, unbelieving heart (Jer 17:9)
b. fall away (ESV) or departing (KJV) from the living God (Christ)
"…renouncing the profession of the faith of Christ and returning to Judaism. Those who did so, no doubt, flattered themselves that they were not departing from, but returning to God…"
c. "This is the one thing required of us, to be faithful. And well were it for us if we laid more stress on faithfulness, and thought less of gifts and talents, or of success and results."

The Instruction:
v13, exhortation in Christ
a. daily
b. desired softness [of heart]
c. deceitfulness of sin protection

v14, continuation in Christ
a. partakers of Christ
b. persevering in Christ
i. proof of salvation from Christ

The Issue:
v15, Christ's Voice
a. Psalm applicable of Christ "Today"
b. Matt 11:28-30

v16, they heard Christ's voice
a. Ex 19:19
b. who?
- rebels, both Israelite & mixed multitude (Ex 12:38)

vv17-18, disobedient God-provokers
a. Num 14:29; 26:64-65

v19, …unable to enter because of unbelief.
a. of all the things in which Israel had sinned, they did not enter the Promised Land because of unbelief