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| 1 Whence, holy brethren, partners, in a heavenly calling, attentively consider the Apostle and High–priest of our confession–Jesus |
The Apostle and Hight Priest – "The Apostle Paul calls our attention in this [spiritual - site Editor] direction saying, "Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus." (Heb. 3:1.) But how few of those who read the Scriptures have ever followed the Apostle's suggestion? how few have ever considered Jesus from the standpoint suggested, --as the Church's Apostle or special teacher sent of God to specially guide and instruct the Church, and as the church's High Priest to whom the faithful occupy the relationship of under priests? Had more consideration been given by the Lord's people to these matters, a larger number would undoubtedly be much farther advanced than they are today, in the knowledge and love of God. They would have seen that if Christ is a special teacher, a special High Priest of the Church, and the Church his special pupils, brethren and under priests, then there must be, according to the Scriptures, at some future time, a still greater blessing in which both High Priests and under priests will be the agents of God in blessing all the families of the earth." - R3313:6 |
| 2 As one, faithful, to him who made him: as, Moses also, in [all] his house. |
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| 3 For, of more glory than Moses, hath, this one been counted worthy–by as much as more honour than, the house, hath, he that prepared it; |
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| 4 For, every house, is prepared by someone,–but, he that hath prepared all things, is, God. |
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| 5 Even Moses, indeed, was faithful in all his house, as an attendant, for a witness of the things which were to be spoken; |
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| 6 But, Christ, as, a Son, over his house,–whose house are, we,–if, the freedom of speech and boast of the hope, [throughout, firm,] we hold fast. |
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| 7 Wherefore,–according as saith the Holy Spirit–Today, if, unto his voice ye would hearken, do not |
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| 8 harden your hearts,–as in the embitterment, in the day of testing in the desert,
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| 9 When your fathers tested by proving, and saw my works forty years. |
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| 10 Wherefore I was sore vexed with this generation, and said, Always err they in their heart;–howbeit, they, learned not my ways: |
I – Jehovah God.
Was grieved – Because of their unbelief. Even after seeing all his wonders in their release from the slavery of Egypt.
With that generation – Those living at the time they reached the promised land - because they did not exercise enough faith in God to enter into the land. |
| 11 So I sware in mine anger–they shall not enter into my rest!– |
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| 12 Be taking heed, brethren, lest at any time, there shall be in any one of you, a wicked heart of unbelief, in revolting from a Living God. |
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| 13 But be exhorting one another, on each successive day,–while the Today is being named! lest any from among you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. |
Today – In one sense this refers to the Gospel Age, the age of sacrifice. More particularly though it refers to RIGHT NOW! Consider what Paul is saying in this context. He is comparing typical Israel, those who had already come into covenant relationship with God, and their opportunity to come into the land of promise, with us in our covenant relationship with God and our opportunity to enter into rest. If Israel had obeyed immediately, God would have driven out the inhabitants for them, little by little. But since they did not obey but instead listened to the evil report of the 10 spies, when they did come to the promised land, they had to do the battle and drive out the inhabitants themselves (though it was still with God's help.) |
| 14 For, partners of the Christ, have we become,–if, at least, the beginning of the confidence, throughout, firm, we hold fast: |
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| 15 So long as it is said–Today, if, unto his voice, ye would hearken, do not harden your hearts,–as in the embitterment. |
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| 16 For, who, though they heard, caused embitterment? Nay, indeed! did not all who come forth out of Egypt through Moses? |
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| 17 But, with whom, was be sore vexed forty years? Was it not with them who sinned, whose dead bodies fell in the desert? |
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| 18 But, unto whom, sware he, that they should not enter into his rest,–save unto them who were obstinate? |
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| 19 And we see, that they were not able to enter, because of unbelief. |
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