My Christian brothers. The usual New Testament meaning of this is "fellow Christians," including both men and women. WHO ALSO. God calls us through the message of the Good News (John 6:44-45). The Jews were called to a promised land here on earth; Christians are called by God to Eternity! THINK OF J... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WAS FAITHFUL. He completed the mission which God sent him to do. See John 17:4. JUST AS MOSES. This is the language of Numbers 12:7_. MacKnight_ says the point is: "As Moses was faithful in forming all parts of the Jewish church (God's _house_ at that time); just so Christ was faithful in forming... [ Continue Reading ]
A man who builds a house. Even though Jesus is similar to Moses in being faithful, still he receives more honor and glory than Moses. The next verses explain this. [Note that God's _house_ is built out of _living stones_ (Ephesians 2:20-22; Matthew 16:18).]... [ Continue Reading ]
EVERY HOUSE. _MacKnight_ words this: _"Besides, every religious society is formed by someone; But he who hath formed all_ righteous communities and religious societies, _is God;_ Who having delegated his authority to his Son, hath made him Lord of all.... [ Continue Reading ]
AS A SERVANT. Here is the real difference between Moses and Christ! Moses was a servant in the Jewish church. He accurately carried out the mission which God gave him; because the Jewish church was a prophecy of what God would say in the future; that is, in Christ's church.... [ Continue Reading ]
AS THE SON. God's _house_ is the _church_ = the religious _community_ of God's people. Moses was a servant, Christ is the Son. When Christ _superseded_ the Jewish church constructed by Moses, and built his new _gospel church_ (messianic community) which would _include_ all nations, he used his autho... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THEN. "Be warned by the example of Israel!" AS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYS. The Spirit speaks to us through the written Word. This quotation is from Psalms 95:7-11 Septuagint. IF YOU HEAR. (1) The fact that the Jewish church has been superseded does not terminate God's offer of salvation. (2) The two gr... [ Continue Reading ]
DO NOT BE STUBBORN. Compare Exodus 16:3; Exodus 17:1-7. "After seeing the _hand of God_ in Egypt, they still were stubborn and rebelled against God. Don't you make that same mistake!... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE YOUR ANCESTORS. They annoyed God by their rebellion. Even though he gave them food and water by supernormal means, they still would not love Him.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THAT REASON. God was angry and disgusted with the very people He had saved! Their attitude (heart) was bad.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WAS ANGRY. In scripture, human body-parts and human emotions are used as figures-of-speech to communicate to us His way of doing things, in a form which we can understand. GOD IS SPIRIT! THEY SHALL NEVER! The whole generation (except Joshua and Caleb) was refused entrance into Canaan! To get an id... [ Continue Reading ]
BE CAREFUL. "This example of sin and punishment should teach you a lesson. You will be sinning just as they did if you reject the gospel, or if having once accepted it, then renounce it.... [ Continue Reading ]
INSTEAD. "Instead of trying to turn each other away from Christ, you must help one another to believe!" Today. While it is "Today," God's offer of salvation is in effect. But it also implies that it may be withdrawn at any time. Sin makes a man _blind_ to the attractiveness of God's _offer!_ (Rememb... [ Continue Reading ]
PARTNERS WITH CHRIST. Compare notes on Hebrews 3:6 AT THE BEGINNING. See Hebrews 6:4-6; Hebrews 11:1; Romans 5:1-2.... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS WHAT. Psalms 95:7-8 Septuagint. See notes on Hebrews 3:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO HEARD? The answer is: _all the people._ But see notes on next verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH WHOM. Note that these people continued to rebel against God during the whole forty year's time. WHO FELL DOWN DEAD. The whole generation who escaped from Egypt in the Exodus, died in the desert! [But there were a few expections: Joshua and Caleb are mentioned by name in _Deuteronomy 1;_ Numbers... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN GOD MADE HIS SOLEMN PROMISE. Numbers 14:22-23; Psalms 95:11. "To show you the sin of rebellion, I ask you to whom did God make this solemn promise: They shall never come in and rest with me'? It was those who had seen his miracles, but because they did not believe, they refused to go into the l... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO GO IN. If _unbelief_ made it impossible for the Israelites to go into the land of Canaan, then _unbelief_ will close the gates of heaven to those who have already started on their way! They did not believe God could bring them into the promised land in spite of the fierce oppos... [ Continue Reading ]