Analysis Of The Chapter In Hebrews 3, the Jews valued their religion on many accounts. One was that it had been given by the instrumentality of distinguished prophets sent from God, and by the medium of angels. The apostle, in the previous chapters, had shown that in these respects the Christian rel... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE - That is, since Christ sustains such a character as has been stated in the previous chapter; since he is so able to succour those who need assistance; since he assumed our nature that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest, his character ought to be attentively considered, and we... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO WAS FAITHFUL - see the note, Hebrews 2:17. He performed with fidelity all the functions entrusted to him. TO HIM THAT APPOINTED HIM - Margin, “made.” The word “made,” however, is used in the sense of constituted, or appointed. The meaning is, that he was faithful to God. Perhaps Paul urges on th... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THIS MAN - The Lord Jesus. The word “man” is understood, but there can be no doubt that he is referred to. WAS COUNTED MORE WORTHY - Was more worthy; or is more worthy. The word used here does not refer to anything that had been said of him, or to any estimate which had been made of him. It mea... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR EVERY HOUSE IS BUILDED BY SOME MAN - The words in this verse are plain, and the sentiment in it clear. The only difficulty is in seeing the connection, and in understanding how it is intended to bear on what precedes, or on what follows. It is clear that every house must have a builder, and equa... [ Continue Reading ]
MOSES WAS FAITHFUL ...AS A SERVANT - Not as the head of the dispensation; not as having originated it; but as in the employ and under the direction of its great Founder and Author - the Messiah. As such a servant he deserves all the honor for fidelity which has ever been claimed for him, but it cann... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT CHRIST AS A SON OVER HIS OWN HOUSE - He is not a servant. To the whole household or family of God he sustains the same relation which a son and heir in a family does to the household. That relation is far different from that of a servant. Moses was the latter; Christ was the former. To God he su... [ Continue Reading ]
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 Psalms 95:7. This is fu... [ Continue Reading ]
HARDEN NOT YOUR HEARTS - Do not render the heart insensible to the divine voice and admonition. A hard heart is that where the conscience is seared and insensible; where truth makes no impression; where no religious effect is produced by afflictions; where preaching is listened to without interest;... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVED ME - “As if they would have made an experiment how much it was possible for me to bear.” - Doddridge. The meaning is: “they put my patience to a thorough trial.” AND SAW MY WORKS - That is, my miracles, or my interpositions in their behalf. They saw the wonders at the Red Sea, the descent on... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE I WAS GRIEVED - On the word “grieved,” see the notes at Ephesians 4:30. The word here means that he was offended with, or that he was indignant at them. THEY DO ALWAYS ERR IN THEIR HEART - Their long trial of forty years had been sufficient to show that it was a characteristic of the peopl... [ Continue Reading ]
SO I SWARE IN MY WRATH - God is often represented in the Scriptures as “swearing” - and usually as swearing by himself, or by his own existence. Of course this in figurative, and denotes a strong affirmation, or a settled and determined purpose. An oath with us implies the strongest affirmation, or... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE HEED, BRETHREN - In view of the conduct of the rebellious Jews, and of their fearful doom, be on your guard lest you also be found to have had the same feelings of rebellion and unbelief. See to it, that under the new dispensation, and in the enjoyment of the privileges of the gospel, you be no... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT EXHORT ONE ANOTHER DAILY - This is addressed to the members of the churches; and it follows, therefore: (1) That it is their duty to exhort their brethren; and, (2) That it is their duty to do it “daily;” that is, constantly; see Hebrews 10:25; 1 Thessalonians 4:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; note,... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WE ARE MADE PARTAKERS OF CHRIST - We are spiritually united to the Saviour. We become one with him. We partake of his spirit and his allotments. The sacred writers are accustomed to describe the Christian as being closely united to the Saviour, and as being one with him see the John 15:1; John 1... [ Continue Reading ]
WHILE IT IS SAID, TODAY ... - That is, persevere as long as life lasts, or as long as it can be said “today;” and by persevering in this manner you will have evidence that you are the friends of the Redeemer. This is a quotation from Psalms 95:7. Paul means, undoubtedly, to make use of this language... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR SOME - Some of the Hebrews who came out of Egypt. The truth was that a large proportion of them rebelled against God, and provoked him to indignation. It is somewhat remarkable that though “all” the Hebrews seem to have joined in the provocation - except a very small number - Paul should have us... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WITH WHOM WAS HE GRIEVED FORTY YEARS? - With whom was he angry; see the notes at Hebrews 3:10. WAS IT NOT WITH THEM THAT HAD SINNED - That had sinned in various ways - by rebellion, murmuring, unbelief. As God was angry with them for their sins, we have the same reason to apprehend that he will... [ Continue Reading ]
AND TO WHOM SWARE HE - note, Hebrews 3:11. BUT TO THEM THAT BELIEVED NOT - That did not confide in God; Deuteronomy 1:32. “Yet in this thing ye did not believe the Lord your God.” In consequence of this want of faith, God solemnly sware unto them that they should not enter into the promised land; De... [ Continue Reading ]
SO WE SEE ... - We see from the direct testimony of the Old Testament that unbelief was the reason why they were excluded from the promised land. Let us learn in view of the reasoning and exhortations here: (1) The evil of unbelief. It excluded that whole generation, consisting of many hundred thou... [ Continue Reading ]