Bobservations' Column
Titled - "The True Builder"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz
The scribe to the Hebrews addresses his fellow Jews as he opens this third chapter, and to us who have been adopted into their inheritance: “…Holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle, and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.” These words reinforce the idea that in heaven there is neither Jew, nor Gentile, bond nor free in His Kingdom, for we are all one in Christ.
God doesn’t play favorites, but He does reward obedience. And in that, we all have the same chance to exercise it. In a military unit, there are ranks to attain, and rewards with which to be honored. Within a family, there is a pecking order of authority, with The Father over the father, mother, and children.
But the Holy Spirit goes deeper today. Our families each have Marthas, and Marys, Martins and Marions (you might recall that John Wayne’s birth name was Marion. And even in my teens, Pastor worked with a man named Marion. There are natural strengths, and spiritual callings too. That is what the writer wants us to know. There is a heaven-made order in all things. He is not the author of confusion. Neither the Father is, nor the Son, nor the Holy Spirit.
We may not be aware of why He orders things one way, or another, but in hindsight, we will see His wisdom. The honor placed upon Moses among the Jews, is replaced by the honor given to Jesus in the New Testament. Servanthood is replaced with kinship; the created with the Creator. All are His.
“For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then I shall know even as also I am known.” - 1 Corinthians 13:12
Bobservations Column: Audio Version
Sunday Morning Message
Hebrews 3:1-19 - "The True Builder"
Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:
As we continue in our study of the book of Hebrews, today we are in chapter 3. This chapter is a theologically rich passage that addresses several key themes essential for understanding the message of the Epistle to the Hebrews. The superiority of Christ over Moses, the importance of faithfulness, the peril of unbelief, the promise of God's rest, and the role of Christ as the faithful high priest are all intricately woven together to encourage and exhort believers to remain steadfast in their faith.
By drawing on the example of the Israelites in the wilderness, the author provides a solemn warning against the dangers of hardening one's heart and turning away from God. At the same time, the chapter offers a message of hope and assurance, reminding believers of their identity as part of God's house and the faithfulness of Christ as the Son over the house.
In essence, Hebrews chapter 3 calls believers to a deeper commitment to faithfulness, urging them to hold firmly to their confidence and hope, to encourage one another daily, and to avoid the deceitfulness of sin. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of remaining steadfast in faith and the perils of unbelief, all while pointing to the superior and faithful ministry of Jesus Christ.
As we continue in our study of the book of Hebrews, today we are in chapter 3. This chapter is a theologically rich passage that addresses several key themes essential for understanding the message of the Epistle to the Hebrews. The superiority of Christ over Moses, the importance of faithfulness, the peril of unbelief, the promise of God's rest, and the role of Christ as the faithful high priest are all intricately woven together to encourage and exhort believers to remain steadfast in their faith.
By drawing on the example of the Israelites in the wilderness, the author provides a solemn warning against the dangers of hardening one's heart and turning away from God. At the same time, the chapter offers a message of hope and assurance, reminding believers of their identity as part of God's house and the faithfulness of Christ as the Son over the house.
In essence, Hebrews chapter 3 calls believers to a deeper commitment to faithfulness, urging them to hold firmly to their confidence and hope, to encourage one another daily, and to avoid the deceitfulness of sin. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of remaining steadfast in faith and the perils of unbelief, all while pointing to the superior and faithful ministry of Jesus Christ.
Sunday Morning Audio Message:
Key Words and Definitions with Reference:
Holy Brethren (3:1) - The phrase occurs only here and in 1 Thessalonians 5:27. The writer addresses believers who have a "heavenly calling" (cf. Philippians 3:14). They are elsewhere described as desiring a "Heavenly country" (11:16) and as coming to "the heavenly Jerusalem" (12:22). They are "holy" in the sense that they are set apart unto God and identified with the heavenly realm - citizens of heaven more than citizens of earth.
Consider (3:1) - complete attention to and diligent observation of the superiority of Jesus Christ.
Consider (3:1) - complete attention to and diligent observation of the superiority of Jesus Christ.
Apostle (3:1) - This is the only time that Christ is called an apostle (meaning literally "one who is sent"). He was sent by the Father as the Apostle of our profession (John 17:18; 20:21). This sent one has the rights, power and authority of the one who sends him.
Calling (3:1) - The reference, as always in the New Testament epistles, is to the effective summons to salvation in Christ (cf. Romans 8:30; 1 Corinthians 7:21).
Of Our Profession (3:1) - Refers to the Christian faith, confession, and acknowledged beliefs held by believers in Jesus Christ. It signifies the public acknowledgment and commitment to Christ as God's messenger and High Priest, a weighty promise that is not superficial but backed by a covenant affirmation and a comprehensive understanding of the Gospel. The context of the verse encourages believers to consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of this faith, highlighting his dignity and importance as the mediator of the new covenant.
House (3:2) - Refers to a family of people rather than a building or dwelling (cf. v. 6; 1 Tmothy 3:15). Those who were stewards of a household must above all be faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2). Both Moses (Numbers 12:7) and Christ (S:17) faithfully fulfilled their individual, divine appointments to care for the people of God.
He Who Built (3:3-4) - Moses was only part of God's household of faith, whereas Jesus was the Creator of that household (cf. 2 Samuel 7:13; Zechariah 6:12, 13; Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:4, 5) and, therefore, is greater than Moses and equal to God.
Servant . . . Son (3:5-6) - The term for servant implies a position of dignity and freedom, not slavery (cf. Exodus 14:31; Joshua 1:2). However, even as the highest-ranking servant, Moses would never hold the position of Son, which is Christ's alone (cf. John 8:35).
Spoken Afterward (3:5) - Moses was faithful primarily as a testimony to that which was to come in Christ.
If We Hold Fast (3:6)) - The Word of God provides adequate assurance of eternal salvation for every genuine believer, but no warrant for arrogant presumption.
Hope (3:6) - Hope rests in Christ Himself, whose redemptive work has accomplished our salvation.
Today (3:7) - The reference is to the present moment while the words of God are fresh in the mind. There is a sense of urgency to immediately give heed to the voice of God. This urgency is emphasized by repeating the reference to "today" from Psalm 95:7 three more times, and is the theme of the writer's exposition.
Today (3:7) - The reference is to the present moment while the words of God are fresh in the mind. There is a sense of urgency to immediately give heed to the voice of God. This urgency is emphasized by repeating the reference to "today" from Psalm 95:7 three more times, and is the theme of the writer's exposition.
My Rest (3:11) - The earthly rest which God promised to give was life in the land of Canaan which Israel would receive as their inheritance (Deuteronomy 12:9, 10; Joshua 21:44; 1 Kings 8:56). Because of rebellion against God, an entire generation of the children of Israel was prohibited from entering into that rest in the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 28:65; Lamentations 1:3). The application of this picture is to an individual's spiritual rest in the Lord, which has precedent in the OT (cf. Psalm 116:7; Isaiah 28:12). At salvation, every believer enters the true rest, the realm of spiritual promise, never again laboring to achieve through personal effort a righteousness that pleases God. God wanted both kinds of rest for that generation which was delivered from Egypt.
Brethren (3:12) - addressed to those having the same potential characteristics as the generation which perished in the wilderness without ever seeing the land of promise. They were unbelieving Jewish brethren who were in the company of the "holy brethren". They were admonished to believe and be saved before it was too late.
An Evil Heart (3:12) - All people are born with such a heart (Jeremiah 17:9). In the case of these Hebrews, that evil manifest itself in disbelief of the gospel which moved them in the opposite way from God.
Exhort One Another Daily (3:13) - Both individual accountability and corporate responsibility are intended in this admonition. As long as the distressing days were upon them and they were tempted to return to the ineffective Levitical system, they were to encourage one another to identify completely with Jesus Christ.
Exhort One Another Daily (3:13) - Both individual accountability and corporate responsibility are intended in this admonition. As long as the distressing days were upon them and they were tempted to return to the ineffective Levitical system, they were to encourage one another to identify completely with Jesus Christ.
Hardened (3:13) - Repeated rejection of the gospel concerning Jesus results in a progressive hardening of the heart and will ultimately result in outright antagonism to the gospel (6:4-6; 10:26-29; Acts 19:9).
Deceitfulness (3:13) - Sin lies and deceives, using every trickery possible (cf. Romans 7:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:10; James 1:14-16). The Hebrews deceived themselves with the reasoning that their rejection of Jesus Christ was being faithful to the older system. Their willingness to hang on to the Levitical system was really a rejection of the living Word (4:12) of the living God (v12), who through Christ had opened up a "new and living way" (10:20). Choosing the path of unbelief always leads to death (v.17; 10:26-29; Jude 5).
Today (3:15) - Applicable to any time, not just to David's time (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Provocation (3:15) - Refers to the rebellion of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah (Exodus 17:5-7; Numbers 20:7-13), when the Lord provided water out of the rock for them. The word for "provocation" in Psalm 95:8, from which this is quoted, is the Hebrew Meribah.
Carcasses (3:16) - One of the difficulties posed by skeptics is that, if a million or more Israelites perished in the wilderness during their 40 years in the desert, why have none of their graves been found by archaeologists? This verse suggest that the bodies may not have been buried at all but simply left to decay and return to dust under the desert sun. These all died "because of unbelief" (3:19), without seeing the promised land.
Carcasses (3:16) - One of the difficulties posed by skeptics is that, if a million or more Israelites perished in the wilderness during their 40 years in the desert, why have none of their graves been found by archaeologists? This verse suggest that the bodies may not have been buried at all but simply left to decay and return to dust under the desert sun. These all died "because of unbelief" (3:19), without seeing the promised land.
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