Hebrews Home Page | Heb Rules Page | Sound of Grace
The Hebrews Commentary Project
Contents:
Hebrews 3:5,6
Hebrews 3:5-6
5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; 6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
[ Top of Page]
1. David Summerford
Hebrews 3:5-6
Here are some points worth noting in the passage before us today:
- While there are many times when a servant and a son may have their lives coincide, there is always a great distinction between the two titles. This gap exists even between the greatest of men (such as Moses) and the Son Jesus Christ.
A. Eliezer was Abraham’s servant and would have inherited Abraham’s wealth. This displeased Abraham because he wanted his inheritance to go to a son
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram
in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy
exceeding great reward. And Abram said, Lord GOD, what
wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my
house is this Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold,
to me thou hast given no seed: and,lo, one born in my house is
mine heir. (Gen. 15:1-3)
B. On many a farm the children of sharecroppers played with the children of the owners during the daylight hours. What a difference occurred in their lives when they turned and went home to supper and bed.
- Yet, Hooray for Moses!. He was a faithful servant.
A. Servanthood is the goal of greatness for a Christian.
B. Faithfulness is required of stewards
1. Moreover it is required in stewards,
that a man be found faithful. (1 Cor. 4:2)
2. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good
and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a
few things, I will make thee ruler over many things:
enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Matt. 25:21)
3. And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and
wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over
his household, to give them heir portion of meat in
due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord
when he cometh shall find so doing. ( Luke 12:42-43)
4. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath
enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting
me into the ministry; ( Luke 12:42-3)
- What is "The House"
A. The people of God called Israel (Matt. 10:6).
B. And its "antitype" the church of the firstborn (1 Pet. 2:5).
This is why in our text (Hebrews 3:5-6) Moses is IN the house and Christ was OVER the house.
- The two kinds of houses(Natural Israel vs.. Spiritual Israel) can be separate or joined. The difference is whether or not one has the Spiritual birth. This birth will be evidenced by those things by which we make our calling and election sure:
A. Obedience (our text)
B. Faith
For this is the covenant that I will make with the
house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord;
I will put my laws into their mind, and write them
in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and
they shall be to me a people: (Heb. 8:10 KJV)
- The Hebrews needed the "IF" more than the Gentiles. Only the Hebrews would have reason to assume that they were "in the house" by virtue of the blood tie to Abraham. Hebrews are reminded to look for the fruit that identifies the spiritual house.
A. The just shall live by faith as did faithful Abraham (Romans 4th Chapter).
Galatians 3:26-29
B. Faithful Moses
Num. 12:7, "My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house."
C. An Unfaithful House in the Days of Jesus:
Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily
I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come
when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name
of the Lord. ( Luke 13:35)
Notice here that IF (when) faith and obedience are added the desolation of the house is to be removed!
- Moses had a testimony for "things after."
For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me:
for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how
shall ye believe my words? (John 5:46-47)
Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things,
as Moses was admonished of en he was about to make the
tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things
according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
(Heb. 8:5 KJV)
My My My...
A. My house (Matt. 16:18)
B. My servant
C. My SonTherefore serve the God who owns you, and purchased you, and tabernacles with you.
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (1 Cor. 6:19 KJV)
In Love,
David Summerford <IXOYE><
davsum@g-net.net
[ Top of Page ]
2. James McClarty
.And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; (3:5)
The next stage of contrast between Moses and Christ leads us from their relative action (that of faithful house-building), to their relative authority within that house. Both of them were declared "faithful" by God, but Moses is not considered an "owner" or "heir" to the house. Rather, he's referred to as a servant; he served in a house which was owned by another.
Still, Moses's faith was not without its positive attributes. Even in the Old Covenant we find that righteousness is imputed to the faithful. (Rom.4:3, Hab.2:4, etc.) Chapter 11 of Hebrews will explore this concept at length. But, in this context, Moses's faith is said to be "a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after." In other words, the prophecies concerning Christ which were given to Moses were supported and held up as true sayings by the obedient faith of the servant. As well, his faithfulness before the children of Israel gave witness to the fact that God had chosen him specifically as the prophet to the nation. Still, Moses admonished Israel:
The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken. (Deut.18:15)
Similarly, God stated:
I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. (Deut.18:18-19)
Viewing it from the other end of the spectrum, in Luke 24 Jesus encountered two apostles on their way to Emmaus. Hiding His true identity from them, He listened to their tale of woe and rearranged their thinking:
Then He said unto them, "O fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken; ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?" And beginning at Moses and all the prophets he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. (vs.25-27)
When Christ revealed the gospel written in Hebrew scripture - His death, burial and resurrection - He began at Moses, showing Himself to be that very prophet of whom Moses spoke.
And, that's the testimony of all the prophets. They all point toward the Christ. They seek no notoriety of their own, rather they faithfully testify according to the words of John the Baptist - "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John3:30). That is the hallmark of Godly faith. They are but mere servants in the household of God. He is the true heir.
But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, (3:6a)
Now, there's a really remarkable declaration. I have no problem recognizing, believing, or accepting Christ's supremacy over Moses. Moses was a man, Christ was God in the flesh. It's axiomatic. It's plain and simple. God incarnate is higher, better, more worthy than any single creature, regardless of their faithfulness or ministerial work. So, yes, I'm with ya' - Christ is the son, and He stands to inherit all that His Father has...which is everything. He rules His Father's house. Got it.
But, I hesitate, I'm humbled by, I stand amazed at - "whose house are WE."
A bit of theological history: Up on Mt. Sinai God gave Moses very specific instruction about a portable tabernacle, a place of meeting. And, God dwelt with that tabernacle as He led Israel through the wilderness:
Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys. (Exod. 40:34-38)
Inside the boundaries of this tent was a small room which contained the "ark of the covenant." It was separated from the rest of the Holy Place by a veil. Once a year the High Priest of Israel would go into that small room, the "holy of holies," or the "holiest place of all," and God would descend as a pillar of smoke, filling the room.
Time passed, and once the Israelites were settled in their land and united under King David, the king decided to build a house for the Lord. But that honor was passed to his son, Solomon. Solomon told Hiram, the king of Tyre,
Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet. But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent. And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name. (I Kings 5:3-5)
And, again:
And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. (1 Chr. 28:5-6)
So, God declared that He would have a physical dwelling place in Jerusalem. And, He honored that word:
And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD. Then spake Solomon, The LORD said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever. (I Kings 8:10-13)
But, in the providence of God, this would not be His settled dwelling. He had yet another house in mind. After years of being plundered by marauding armies, the Babylonian militia of Nebuchadnezzar finally destroyed Solomon's temple in 586 B.C.
And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which is the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem: And he burnt the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great man's house burnt he with fire. (II Kings 25:8-9)
There was another temple, Herod's temple, constructed from 20 BC to 64 AD. Despite its grandeur and structural magnificence, and despite having an area designated "the holy of holies," complete with a heavy veil, the ark was noticeably absent from this "holiest place." The glory of God never occupied this building.
The historic picture is consistent - God was ever external to men. Men knew where God abode - in the tabernacle, or the temple. The high priest knew where to meet God - in the "holy of holies," But, God dwelt in a place which common men could not approach under fear of death.
Then things took a startling turn. One day God walked into Herod's temple occupying a new tabernacle of human flesh. He did not take up residence in Herod's structure; He was residing in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. As the temple merchants were selling - and the priests were continually slaughtering - sacrificial lambs, the very Lamb of God walked into the temple building, Himself being the tabernacle of the Most High, and, He drew that direct correlation:
Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. (John 2:18-21)
The body of Jesus was the dwelling, the temple, the house of God: "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily" (Col.2:9).
And, it remained "the most holy place," the central locale of God on earth, right up through the resurrection (John 7:39), but before He departed the earthly plane, Christ made a revelatory announcement:
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and SHALL BE IN YOU. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (John 14:16-18)
The promise of Christ was that the Spirit of God would, for the first time, indwell individual believers. He would take up residence in mortal men, and "abide with you for ever." It would not just be His next stopover. It would be a permanent home.
And so, we become the "house of God":
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (1Cor.6:19)
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Eph. 2:19-22)
That was all just a lengthy way of saying that we who live under the New Covenant are the first people ever spoken of as being "God's house," or "God's dwelling." And, His Son rules over His household.
Moses may have served, and we may today serve, but there is one ruler in this house. He is the "blessed and only Potentate" (1Tim. 6:15).
It's His house; He makes the rules.
...if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. (3:6b)
Now, our Arminian friends love to get hold of this phrase and try to prove there's a contingency present here. I guess they assume God can take up residence in a person, the purpose of which Christ described as "that He may abide with you forever," and then later decide we're not living up to our end of the bargain and move out. Any real permanence in the deal rests with us and our ability to stir up our faith and whip up our emotional response to the degree that the Spirit would be obligated to hang out with us.
But, I don't see it that way...and neither does Scripture. No man is able to create a confidence in God, nor would he rejoice or have any eternal hope, unless the Spirit of God had already changed his stony heart and begun the process of conforming him into the image of His Son (Rom.8:29).
Plus, knowing that
...by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast. (Eph.2:8-9)
AND,
being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. (Phil.1:6)
I'm forced to conclude that every person who God thus indwells will most certainly retain both their confidence and their rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
I'm not just playing word games here, nor am I doing an "end run" around a piece of scripture which may appear to contradict my personal belief. No, what I'm attempting to do is place the glory firmly where it belongs - at the feet of my Lord. To whatever degree we can take responsibility for our salvation, to that degree we make the cross of Christ of no effect.
He saved us completely. He is the "author and finisher of our faith" (Heb.12:2).
But, I'm getting ahead of myself.
Suffice it to say that I'm not particularly worried about that "if"; because
"if" Jesus...
- ...is everything He said He is (which He is);
- ...went to prepare a place for His elect sheep (which He did);
- ...promised to come back and get us that we may be where He is (which He did), and
- ...did all that to fulfill the promise to His father that He would bring all His brethren home and wouldn't lose a single one (which He did),
...then,
I'm quite certain that when the writer of Hebrews says "if" we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end...
we will.
CONCLUSION:
The Hebrews writer is cornering his readers. Piece by piece he is building a platform from which everyone can see the supremacy of Jesus over all forms of religious thought, practice, or philosophy. Moses, as great as he was in the Hebrew frame-of-reference, was still only a servant. He ruled over the house of Israel, which house Christ built. We, on the other hand, are the New Testament house of God. But, just as with Moses, despite our best efforts, good works, and faithful practice, we are still mere servants.
So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which was our duty to do. (Luke17:10)
He is all and in all. He is the Son and the Ruler over the household. Still, through faith in Him, and by the faith which He authored and sustains in us, we can look forward to hearing
Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." (Matt. 25:21)
May we all strive to maintain our confidence, retain our joy, and celebrate in the blessed hope. May we indeed enter into the joy of our Lord.
Jim McClarty
McClartyfam@juno.com
[ Top of Page ]
3. Jack Jeff
Hebrews 3:5-6
In dealing with verses 1-6 as a unit the second subdivision of the passage seems to be the display of Christ's faithfulness as apostle and high priest seen in the comparison and contrasting of Christ with Moses in verses 2-6a. This introduction of Moses brings the focus directly to bear on the relationship between the mediator of the Old Covenant and the mediator of the New. It would be a foregone conclusion that the author has the original readers' rapt attention now! And the author will only intensify this focus in the subsequent chapters.
The third and final subdivision of this passage is in the concluding application in verse 6b.
A brief outline of this portion (Heb. 3:2-6a) could be as follows:
What to Consider about Christ - His Faithfulness as Apostle and High Priest (Heb. 3: 2-6a)
A.. Consider Him in Comparison with Moses (3:2)
1. To whom was He faithful? "...to him that appointed him,"
2. In what realm was He faithful? "...in all his house."
B. Consider Him in Contrast with Moses (3: 3-6a)
After considering Christ in comparison to Moses in the focus and realm of their faithfulness in 3: 2, the contrast between them begins in 3: 3-4 where we are directed to consider
1. His Greater Glory "worthy of more glory" (3:3)
a. As Creator--"inasmuch as he who hath builded the house" (3:3).
b. As God-- "he that built all things [is] God" (3:4).
This brings us to our present consideration:
2. Consider His Greater Relationships (verses 5-6a)
This contrast is drawn out in connection to Christ's relationships
to the Father and to His people.
a. The Nature of His Relationship
1)"as a Son" - contrasted with Moses
2)"as a servant"
NOTE: The common element of faithfulness is repeated from verse 2, and developed into a contrast by the addition of the nature of their relationship to the Father, the one as the unique Son, and the other as a servant. This difference of relationship between Son and servant is a critical point of discontinuity between the Old and New Covenants which hinges on the very nature of the mediators themselves. This is developed elsewhere in the New Testament, eg. Rom. 8:14, and especially Gal. 4:1-7.
b. The Consequence of His Relationship
1) "over His house"
contrasted with Moses:
2) "in all his house"
NOTES: 1) This superiority of Christ as more than just another "member of the household" keys on His role as Divine Creator presented in verses 3-4.
2) This contrast with Moses makes the previous comparison that much more startling, but shows the condescension of Christ. Christ, who was over the house by virtue of His being God, by His Work of creation, and by His relationship as Son, places Himself in the house as the Apostle and High Priest of our profession. Now the author connects this thought directly back to us.
Effect of Considering Christ (verse 6b)
"...whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end."
Note: previously the house was seen as the creation, but here once again the analogy shifts, just as it did in the case of Moses, only here the shift is from the creation to the Church. In the previous analogy the individual members of the house, who were also referred to as houses, were viewed as created beings, as part of creation. Here only persevering believers are included indicating that the house is the true Church, the Bride as seen in Revelation 19, or possibly the City of Revelation 21.Verse 1 began exhorting us because of who we are, and here (in verse 6b) our attention is drawn back to our identity, i.e. whose house are we, but - there is an IF! If we hold fast!
Note: The consideration of the perseverance of the saints earmarked here must never be divorced from the faithfulness of the Son over His House as the unique Apostle and Great High Priest. His faithfulness is demonstrated precisely in the perseverance of His people unto glory!
Here's a brief synopsis of my understanding of the usages of "house" in Heb. 3:1-6.
1. Moses's house (verses 2 and 5) = Israel
2. Christ's house (verse 3) = Moses; Christ as creator/builder, notice analogous structure - Christ is to Moses as builder is to house
3. Someone's house (verse 4) = literal house
4. Christ's house (verse 6) = Church, i.e. body of believers, notice distinction made between Moses' house and Christ's house, "servant" and "son," "testimony" (in the past) and "things to be spoken after"John T. "Jack" Jeffery
jackjeff@aol.com
[ Top of Page ]
4. Kevin Hartley
Hebrews 3:5-6
From this text three pertinent questions are raised by our author in relation to our theology and might just prove definitive in our understanding of the relationship between the Old and New Covenants. We shall order this section of our commentary in this manner; first by examining the words in question (morphology and accidence), then the grammatical structure (syntax), and finally context, which shall render forth systematic conclusions. Let us then deal with each question in turn. First,
Does Christ serve in the same house as Moses?
- Morphology
The word house is used in various ways throughout the canon of Scripture. It can refer to a physical structure, specifically to the tabernacle or temple of Israel, metaphorically to refer to a group of people, or by metanomy to reference a community and family. The author defines what morphology he intends, when in the relative clause he says, 'whose house we are.' The household is metaphorically being used.
- Syntax
The word house is bound syntactically to the genitive in both clauses. Each use of the word house is embedded within a prepositional phrase and is set in contrast by the adversative conjunction. We then have the added complication of the adjective 'whole' included in the first phrase. This further adds separation to the two adjoining and contrasting phrases. Thus we see contrast between the house of Moses and the house of Christ, both in reference to their servile roles, one as a servant and one as a Son. Is the genitive here a genitive of possession? Most scholars see a clear link between Numbers 12: 7 and this reference, but in Numbers the possession is God's. Here it refers to the possession of Moses and Jesus over their perspective houses. The genitive of possession appears to have the clearest sense when we understand the possessive relationship of Moses and Christ over two houses. This then gives definition to the contrast between the two houses. The houses are defined covenantally, legally, communally, governmentally, and structurally.
- Contextual matters and conclusions
The context clearly has supported a conclusion of discontinuity between the two covenants. Clearly the author's intent in this book is to prevent any equation between the two covenants, as he clearly exalts the status of Christ and His covenant to a far higher position than the covenant of old. Thus the household of Christ can be defined in this sense, as a commonwealth, a family, a government, and a covenant. Christ the Son over His household, Moses the honorable servant over his. They cannot be equated at this time contextually, grammatically, or syntactically.
Still there is the matter of God's rule over both households. To accept the conclusion of discontinuity does not immediately demand the putting away of continuity. Clearly the household Moses served was typical of Christ's household. Thus much is similar in relation between physical and spiritual Israel, between the community of Sinai and the household of faith. Both are a covenant people, ruled by law, mediated by atonement and a priesthood. There is continuity in type, for the covenant of old is but a passing shadow of the reality of the true household of God found in Christ, but there is discontinuity in qualitative reality. It is the difference between looking at Moses and looking at Christ; one is but a man administering the law to a physical community of Israelites, the other is the God-Man administering His law to a spiritual community of heavenly Israelites.
Does Christ serve in the same manner as Moses?
- Morphology
"Sonhip" is a concept that implies liberty, uniqueness, inheritance, and preeminence. Again the concept of family and relation is stated by this term. There is also the thought of the lasting quality and nature of the relationship. A servant is but an administrator, who serves but has no claim upon the promises of the head of the house. The Son has all such due rights.
- Syntax
Notice that the matter of service here is in relation to what is spoken and transmitted to hearers. The prepositional phrase, 'to witness of the things spoken,' defines the manner in which service is referenced in this passage. Thus the author is still turning the attention of the reader to listen to the Son. "Hear Him" continues to be the applicatory intent of the author.
- Contextual matters and conclusions
The text is clear in establishing the differences between Moses and Christ in relationship to serving in their perspective houses. There is continuity in the roles of both Moses and Christ, as both serve the Father of the house. There is discontinuity between the roles of Moses and Christ, as each serve the Father in a different manner: Christ as heir and free Man, Moses as administrator and honorable servant. This concept is clearly drawn up in the epistle to the Galatians, where Paul at length expounds the differences between a servant and a Son in a household. While the author does not disparage Moses but exalts him with the use of the term "therapon" rather than "doulos," still this term does not ascend to the heights of Sonship. The author appears to go to extreme measures in this passage to maintain the special and blessed position and obedience of Moses, but never to the end of equality with Christ. For even when Moses is called 'faithful over the whole house' and the clause is preceded by the emphatic particle 'indeed,' still Moses falls far short of the position of Christ the Son of God. How interesting that the Heir of the household, Christ, was first put in subjection to the law as a servant of the house, that He might by His obedience free us from that bondage. A servant is subjugated, a Son is free from the weak and beggarly elements of the law. We then, who are in Christ, are no longer slaves but free.
Does Christ have a better house than Moses?
This question shall serve for application to the reader. Hopefully the intent of our author is clear: Rather than devaluing the lofty position of the law, the covenant of old, Moses, or the angels who served, Christ is herein exalted. The aspects of the Old Covenant were lofty and glorious, but how much more glorious is it to gaze and hear our Lord Jesus Christ? Does Christ have a better house? Who can answer such a question? For there is no comparison. Christ's house is lasting, true, eternal, and free; Moses's was passing, a shadow, temporal, and bound. Which house would you prefer to live in?
Conclusion:
Our conclusion must be the same which the author arrives at in this text. Using a third class conditional sentence, the warning of this book remains a prominent matter in the intent of the Holy Spirit, whose household we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. We could choose to delight in the demonstrated superiority of Christ in our text, but the text is written with the intent of warning and will not support such a primary application. Much like the epistle to the Galatians, the issue of devaluing Christ is perilous and of grave consequence to the reader. Now that the Son of God has come, He cannot be ignored. Now that the shadows have met with reality, the darkness should not again ebb the flow of the grace of God found in Jesus Christ our Lord. How sad and ominous it is, when our theology decreases the importance of Christ and exalts the relevance of Moses. How equally sad is it when men live as though the day of the church was but another shadow of a coming reality. How much greater the folly of any who would claim this day to be past, looking beyond the clear day in which we dwell. In every age, in every way, men have shaded their eyes from the blinding glory of Christ and His New Covenant, as loathsome insects fleeing from the hint of light. Some turned to Moses, others to another day, some changed Christ into a specter, others simply to a man; many made Him but an icon of potentiality. Ah, how the troubled soul cannot stand the glorious, unfading reality of this New Covenant, preferring the shade of shadows over Him. Systematic theologies that do not stress the vital importance of our day in Christ fail to do justice to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our eyes should not be set upon shadows of the past or the future; they must be set upon Christ today. When we read the Old Testament, we should have eyes that are gazing at the shadows to see Christ, delighting in our knowledge of the mystery revealed. When we read of His return, we must delight in our position in Him and the knowledge we have of our surety this day and not looking away too quickly that we miss Him. How pitiful is the man who would desire to leave the house built upon Christ for the crumbling house of Moses. How equally wanting is the man who lives this day neglecting the present reality and joy of our New Covenant and Covenantor, Christ Jesus our Lord.
May he show us His glory!
Kevin Hartley
kartleyk@erols.com
[ Top of Page ]
5. Michael Cruz
Hebrews 3:5-6
In verse five we are assured that Moses was true to his calling by God. He is seen as obedient in all God gave him to do. In other words, he accomplished all God had planned for him and gave prophecies that were accurate as to what would happen in the future. Of this we can be sure: Moses was counted as righteous. The author uses the example of a house, and he states that as a servant within the house of God, Moses was indeed faithful.
But verse six delivers the striking contrast that is missed by many. Here we see that Christ was faithful over the whole house of God, not merely as a servant, which surely he was, but he was faithful in ruling over the house in which Moses was a servant. And the next part of this verse is most breathtaking when we learn that we, the children of God, are the house in which Moses served and over which Christ rules. Those who persevere, by God's grace, are the redeemed house of Israel - the bride of Christ - of which Christ is the head.
Michael Cruz
a_la_cruz@technologist.com
[ Top of Page ]
6. Maurice Bergeron
Moses truly was faithful in all his house (3:5a)
If we would be so faithful! Indeed, Moses's life was a tremendous testimony to the power of God to change a person. In chapter eleven of this letter the author has provided us with a testimonial concerning God’s servant Moses.
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. (Heb. 11: 24-26, KJV)
Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? (Prov. 20:6 KJV)
...for a testimony of those things... (3:5b)
The New International Version translates this text as; “testifying to what would be said in the future.” Taken as a whole this would appear to be pointing to the present kingdom age and rule of Christ.
...which were to be spoken after; (3:5c)
Spoken by whom in the future? Other prophets? Consider the following texts and judge for yourself.
The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; (Deut.18:15, KJV)
And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:27, KJV)
And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, (Luke 24:44-45, KJV)
For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words? (John 5:46-47. KJV)
For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. (Acts 3:22, KJV)
Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. (1 Pet. 1:10-11, KJV)
But Christ as a son over his own house (3:6a)
All too often students of the Bible trip over English words that, over the years, have lost much of their original meaning. The word “house” is one such word. As used in our text, the word “house” essentially means "family." If we look to Luke’s gospel, we can see that Mary was espoused to marry Joseph, who, it is said, was of the “house” of David. It should be obvious that the Spirit of God does not have in view a wooden or brick structure.
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. (Luke 1:27, KJV)
whose house are we (3:6b)
Here the Spirit of God reveals the great and marvelous truth that the house of Christ is made up of the faithful.
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Eph. 2:19-22, KJV)
if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. (3:6c)
Any one who preaches to a mixed multitude can readily understand the concern of the writer. His desire is that no hearer or reader would include themselves in the makeup of this house unless the prerequisite of faith in Christ and hope in God be met and understood. The fruit of saving faith is the resulting strength, confidence, and joy we have in the God of our salvation. Such genuine faith endures unto the end.
Maurice Bergeron
ic@mdc.net
[ Top of Page ]
7. Murray McLellan
Hebrews 3:5-6
Moses was a faithful servant. Jesus Christ, the faithful, is a Son. Moses was a good steward. God Himself said so:
My servant Moses, He is faithful in all My house. I speak with him face to face, even plainly, and not in dark sayings. (Num. 12:7-8)
Moses had a privileged place. Not only did his face reflect the glory of the Lord for a time, but his whole life reflected, as a mirror darkly, the glory of the One to come (Deut. 18:15; Acts 3:18-26). When the Son, the Heir, came, His glory shone forth full of grace and truth. This, the very glory of the Son Himself, was the glory reflected on the servant Moses's face. However, the reflection on the face of Moses faded, for it was never intended to endure forever, but "for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward," to point us to the glorious Son of God. Moses testified to the things now realized in Jesus Christ. Moses gives us the shadow; Christ, the substance (Heb. 10:1). I would not want to hold onto my wife's shadow, when I can hold and fellowship and enjoy the warmth of her reality.
The Lord's house is not the building in which we assemble for corporate worship. His house is not a building; It is people. We are the Lord's house (Eph. 2:19-22). Moses was a servant of someone else's house (God's), but Christ, as a Son, is over His own house - His own people. Jesus Christ
gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. (Titus 2:14)
We are His own - His property! He is fitting us for His house of glory to forever be to the praise of the glory of His grace. May we be soft and supple in the Master's hands. He has made us,
His own special people, that [we] may proclaim the praises of Him who called [us] out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9)
O that we may praise Him,
who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:12-14)
We, who should have been rejected, discarded, and burned, as unprofitable building material, He has purchased for His good pleasure. That for which man was originally designed - to bring God pleasure - He has accomplished in His wisdom. Christ has become for us righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. Only the Master Builder could make something of beauty out of such good for nothing material. Who else would have such patience or ability?
O, when we stand in glory, with a beauty not our own, then won't we proclaim His praises! Let us now proclaim His praises, for when He takes us up and chooses us for His own, He finishes the work (Phil. 1:6). We can be confident of this very thing. We stand complete in Jesus Christ and one day shall be like Him. Like a jewel reflects light, we will reflect the very image of the One who is light.
This will not just be for a time, but for all eternity. What sheer delight to have such a purpose and place for being.
And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:35-36)
The freedom that Moses gave the people of God's house (Israel) was glorious. After years of slavery and bondage in Egypt, the freedom was sweet. How much more glorious is the eternal freedom found in the Son. The Owner does what a servant would never and could never do.
But the hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. (John 10:12-14)
Yes, as the One who owns the sheep, Jesus Christ lay down His life for the sheep. "And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear my voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd" (John 10:16). There will be one grand and glorious house!
Those who are truly of this house, belonging to Christ, will "hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end." If we have really seen this Son in unveiled glory, we will never leave. Other gods have lost their luster. There is but One Lord, One Savior, and One Son. To be purchased by Him - to be His own is to be free indeed! Would we run and escape to dwell in the tents of wickedness? We can have absolute confidence in the Son. It is His own house, designed for His own glory. He will take care of it. He is faithful. Our hope is certainly something to rejoice in. We who hear the Son's voice, we who have had the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ shine in our hearts, are delighted. May we rejoice in a world that is at enmity against God, for God is no longer our enemy. No, He is our Father. The Son has set us free and thus, we are free indeed. Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say rejoice!
There is complete safety in this house - for it is built on the Rock. A wise man builds his house on the rock. Who is wise like our Elder Brother? "A wise son makes a glad father" (Prov. 10:1). Oh how glad the Father must be, for Jesus is His Son! "The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand" (John 3:35). To ensure that His house will never fall, Jesus Himself became the chief cornerstone. Though we are hard pressed on every side, we who believe will endure. We're not about to leave this house, for it has foundations, and its builder and maker is God. "Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward!" (Heb. 10:35).
Moses is a faithful servant. He is a great teacher - a tutor. Let him lead you to the Son, Jesus Christ. Otherwise he will rise up and accuse you, for he faithfully taught his lessons. Jesus said in John 5:45-46,
Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you - Moses, in whom you trust. For if you believed Moses you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.
Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:24-26)
Think of it. Through the gift of faith, you are not a slave, who does not abide in the house forever, but a son who does abide forever!
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!' Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. (Gal. 4:4-7)
A son? An heir? Through Christ, this seeming impossibility is our reality! O, Abba Father! The fullness of time has come. We are the household of God. He has given us the reality of the Holy Spirit even now as the downpayment. And He has given us the assurance of His Word, in these last days, spoken to us by His Son. To be a servant in the household of God would be an exalted and undeserved position for us, who have sinned against the glorious God of heaven and earth. But no, this captain of our salvation so unites us with Himself that we are "all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call [us] brethren" (Heb. 2:11). "Behold (what an astonishing thing) what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God" (1 John 3:1). What a high and holy calling! Will we not hold fast to the One who delights our heart - the One who holds fast to us?
Murray McLellan
m.mclellan@sk.sympatico.ca
[ Top of Page ]
8. Tim Clifton
Hebrews 3:6
"IF"
May I just comment on the conditional word, 'if' in v. 6: "If...we hold fast" and "If... we hold firm unto the end."
What part does man play in the joy of being in the Son's house? In short, NONE. I suggest it is all of grace. Then why, 'through faith.' The answer of course is that it is 'not of ourselves....' This conditional 'if' seems to stick out in Hebrews like a sore thumb, and that is not a poor analogy because it is oft seen as affecting our salvation. But it is merely a way to separate true from spurious faith.
Observe,
Heb. 3:14 ... partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.
Heb. 6:11 ...every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
Heb. 10:38,39: Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
And how about Jesus Himself,
Mt. 10:22, ...but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Mt. 24:13, But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
and Paul, in Col. 1:23,
If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel...
How many will indeed satisfy this 'if', and persevere to the end? There is only one answer, "as many as have been ordained to eternal life". All that the Father gives shall not only come, but none of them will be lost. Why? He giveth more grace. He is not only the Author, but the Finisher of our faith. In other words, He not only gives saving faith, but gives enduring faith, that will last to the end. Not only Paul, but all of His sheep will someday say, 'we have finished the race,' and the conditional 'if' is met head on by the electing grace of God Almighty. Praise His Name!
In Christ, Tim Clifton
tclifton@hotmail.com
[ Top of Page ]
Go to Chapter Three Verses 7 through Chapter Four Verse 13
Hebrews Home Page | Heb Rules Page | Sound of Grace
A Friends of John Bunyan Internet Project