Comments for May 31

v.9 - Is there some significance in there being this slight overlap between the two sons of Joseph - a symbolic fellowship, as it were, between brethren? ch.16:8,9.

v.4 The daughters of Zelophehad come to Joshua to remind him of what Moses said [Numbers 27:1-7]. Having received the promises from Moses about their inheritance they continue to pursue the promise like the individual in the parable [Luke 11:5-13] who made repeated request.

v.11 - Dor = "generation", Endor, which was of the overlap area mentioned above, and also the home of the spiritualist which Saul later sought = "fountain of generation".

17:14 - 18 The complaint of Joseph is how we often are. We want something but are often not willing to put the effort in to achieve it. Joshua, in saying 'If thou be a great people' (17:17) places the responsibility where it really lay.

ENCOURAGEMENT

There are times in our lives when we feel that the challenges we are faced with are too great for us. Maybe the obstacles we meet seem too big to overcome or we feel just too weak or unprepared to deal with what we are expected to do. The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh felt like that. They complained to Joshua that their portion of land was too small, so Joshua told them to clear the forested hill country where the Perrizites and Rephaites lived. And then, like we so often do, Ephraim and Manasseh said, "But!" There were problems that they felt were too big and the tribes felt too weak.

So Joshua encouraged them. He said to them, "You are numerous and very powerful. You will not have only one allotment but the forested hill country as well. Clear it and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have iron chariots and though they are strong, you can drive them out."

I would like to think that Ephraim and Manasseh were strengthened by this encouragement and went out and conquered the land, but we are not told what they did. However, we all need this sort of encouragement sometimes and there is always someone near us who needs it from us. So let's take Joshua's example and encourage each other so that we will all have the faith and strength to face the challenges before us.

:12 That the children of Manasseh could not drive out the inhabitants is echoed in Judg 1:27 So the two passages are contemporary accounts of the same time.

17:1 Whilst we learn of the 'lot' falling to Machir for Gilead and Bashan we should remember that Moses had already promised Gilead to Machir Deut 3:15 so we conclude that it was Bashan that was given to him by lot.

V.12-13 Many excuses could be used for the failure to drive out the Canaanites from the land; but , it was truly a disregard of the direction that they were provided with. This is seen in Joshua's answer to their request for additional land; V.15-18 They had failed to fulfil their responsibilities. 

It's interesting to see that Joshua told the descendants of Manasseh to cut down the trees, and use the land (Josh 17:18).  In our days this is upsetting the balance of nature, but with far fewer people in the world deforestation didn't cause any imbalance.

V.12 It seems that the Canaanites could not be dislodged, at one point, because they were stronger than Manasseh.  However, the Israelites did become stronger but then subjected the Canaanites to tribute (v.13).  If they could subject the Canaanites, they could have completely destroyed them.  However, they chose not to completely destroy the enemy but to employ them.  Perhaps this is the same rationale that Saul would later use for not completely destroying the Amalekites (1Sam 15:9-23). 

V.14-18 In Joshua's answer to the two tribes, we see the great wisdom that had been granted him. Knowing their character, he treated them accordingly, and sarcastically turned all their arguments against themselves. Thus he rebuked their unbelief and cowardice.

17:13   And so the children of Manasseh did the same as Joshua had done to the inhabitants of Gibeon – but those in the land should have been killed. So we see compromise, possibly based upon  a poor precedent. We need to be aware that the wrong decision we might make, unless resolved, might be used later to justify other wrong actions.

17:14 In complaining about being given ‘but one lot’ Joseph is actually complaining about God’s generosity. The land was not his to have, it was a gift from God – so he should have been happy to accept what God offered. How about ourselves?

17:16   In focusing on the ‘chariots of iron’ the men of Benjamin show their lack of faith in God as well as giving us an insight into the military status of the inhabitants of the land. So whilst they were disparate city kingdoms there were still well armed.

V.3 Noah (Hebrew noah) means movement. This name is not to be confused with the Noah of Ark fame (Gen 5:29). His name (Hebrew noach) means rest.

Noah’s sisters’ names mean:

Mahlah - sickness

Hoglah - partridge

Milcah - queen

Tirzah - delight

17:4 Notice that disputes were dealt with Joshua and Eleazar. It was God’s land and His representative – Eleazar – worked with his military leader, Joshua

Vs.3,4 The daughters of Zelophehad were counted as the sons of Israel. The grammar in the Hebrew text  agrees to this (see my note for Num 36, April 17).

The daughters of Zelophehad appear in Num 26:33, 27:1-11, Num 36:1-13, Josh 17:3-6, 1Chron 7:15. Theirs was an important test case for the law of Moses; and was the last case he dealt with before his death. The repercussions, it appears, were massive because in a way I don't quite understand, the Bible hints it may have led to the strife between Ephraim and Manasseh in Judges 12, where 42,000 Ephraimites died.

Josh 17:11 - "Megiddo" signifies "place of troops/crowds" while "Armageddon" means "the hill of Megiddo". Armageddon is a literal place and has an appropriate name (Rev 16:16).

17:12  That the children of Manasseh ‘could not’ drive out the inhabitants indicates that God was not with them. He is not constrained by mere men.

17:17 Joshua did not disagree with Ephraim and Manasseh, continuing his theme of ‘if you are mighty go and take more land’ he encourages them to  live up to their assessment of themselves.

17:2     The giving of inheritance to tribes might seem to be very impersonal. However here we see in a very detailed way mention of specific families – small groups of individuals. Whilst our Father is working out the large picture in the kingdom of men He is still concerned for each individual child of His.

17:4  The daughters of Zelophehad are the same daughters who came and spoke to Moses – Num 27:2– but the incident recorded her took place at least 43 years after the event in the wilderness so we might conclude that by now these daughters are probably over 50.

17:8     The detail about Tappuah is an explanation based on Josh 16:8

17:18  “though they have chariots of iron” would not be a problem to men of faith This is the point that Joshua is making.

17:2-5  In verse :5 we are told that there fell “ten portions” to Manasseh. However if we count the males – verse:2 –we find 6 names and the females in verse :3 we find 5 names. This gives us a total of 11 names.  The apparent error is resolved by realising that one of the males – Hepher is discounted and his 5 granddaughters, the daughters of his son Zelophehad, inherit the portions. Thus we see that actually there are 5 males and 5 females which gives the 10 portions.

17:3  here we are reminded of the approach that the daughters of Zelophehad had made to  Moses as recorded in Num 27:2

17:1 Whilst Manasseh was the “firstborn” he is mentioned after Ephraim –  16:5. In fact we usually read of Ephraim and Manasseh – reversing the birth order.

17:3 Doubtless Zelophehad was not the only father who had no sons to take his inheritance. The daughters are spoken of because they were faithful and saw the importance of the inheritance. Maybe others did not, or maybe they did. However the principle is laid down with these daughters which principle would be applied throughout the nation.

17:3-4 The request of the daughters of Zelophehad – Num 27:2-4 – might by some seem to have been a trivial request. However God legislated so they would not lose their inheritance. It is here repeated quite some time after the daughters made their request.

Clearly Bible principles do not change and when circumstances arise the same principles are brought into force God does not forget His principles, neither should we.

17:17-18 Joshua’s response was a wonderful way of diffusing what could have been a difficult situation. Rather than telling the house of Joseph that they should  just accept what God had promised them he appeals to their perceived greatness and laid before them a challenge.

17:14 When we read of “the children of Joseph” we should realise that it is speaking of both Ephraim and Manasseh. The extent of their inheritance has been given along with the area that marked the borders. However they viewed the inheritance as just one which was a raterh narrow understanding of “one lot” as each tribe had its own specified areas of inheritance. This is possibly the beginning of the discontent that we see in the rest of the historic Old Testament when it speaks of “Ephraim” and its complaints about various events.

v.18 seems a complete turn around from the rest of the chapter. It is showing us that God will still care for his own, whatever circumstances they find themselves in, and will bless them. This verse seems to suggest that the rewards of their wickedness might provide food and clothing for the righteous. Or is it simply referring to the way that the merchandise of Tyre was used in the building of the Temple? 2Chron.2:11-16, Psa.45:12, 72:10

23:1, 14 The linking of Tyre and Tarshish in this chapter shows that we should see them as related. This judgement is echoed later in Ezekiel (27-28).

v.1,2 - To be told to keep silence, or be still, before God is a regular feature and is designed each time to remind the reader or listener of the great salvation which God wrought when the Children of Israel passed over the Red Sea on dry land (Exo.14:13) and so escaped the slavery of Egypt - a clear symbol of the freedom in Christ which is gained by passing through the waters of baptism. Psa.46:10, Isa.41:1, 47:5, Hab.2:20

'Chittim' is 'Kittim' and is on the island of Cyprus denoting a trading link between the island of Cyprus and Tyre.

23:8 'whose ... of the earth' is quoted (Rev 18:23) to speak of Babylon so we can conclude that the trade of Tyre was not something to take pleasure in.

V.6 Nebuchadnezzar began the judgement upon Tyre, but the Greeks completed it by scraping the rock to form the causeway and drive the Tyrians over to Tarshish.

Vs.1,2 Tyre and Sidon were two Phoenician cities situated in present-day Lebanon.  Originally Sidon was the more important city, but later Tyre assumed that pre-eminent position. Tyre became a very rich and sophisticated city because of wealth derived from trading.  It became the epitome of pride, operating confidently under its own power.  Thus, Yahweh determined to bring down the pride of Tyre as a lesson for all (v.9).  This tearing down of Tyre began with the Babylonians and was completed by the Greeks.

The Phoenicians were sea-going traders who originally hailed from Chittim (Kittim), which according to Josephus, and generally recognized, is Cyprus. 

PRIDE
I remember once hearing a world champion squash player complain that she was not getting the recognition she deserved.  To be the top squash player in the world is quite a major achievement, but before she became a world champion she was just another person.  It was pride that demanded more recognition and more fame. 
 
It is interesting that the better, more skilled or more famous we become, the more our pride grows and the more we find ourselves making proud demands and setting our own agendas. This was the same problem with Tyre.  God's plan was to destroy Tyre, and the reason is given to us.  "The LORD Almighty planned it, to bring low the pride of all glory and to humble all who are renowned on the earth." (Isa 23:9)  Tyre was a great city.  They were one of the world trading centres of the day.  They were rich and had everything they wanted.  Then as their riches, wealth, greatness and worldly wisdom grew, so did their pride.
 
Pride is a very easy sin to be deceived with.  As our status and riches grow it creeps up on us without us even noticing.  But if we continually compare ourselves with the standard God sets for us, we will find ourselves humbled and in awe of the LORD who made us.  May it never be our pride that has to be brought low before the LORD Almighty.

V.1 Tyre was a great trading center and many nations made much wealth by selling their merchandise to her.  Tarshish was one of them.  The Easton Commentary says the word Tarshish is a Sanscrit or Aryan word meaning the sea coast.  Thus, the ships of Tarshish were identified with large sea-going vessels.

Some suggest that Tarshish is in Spain. Yet, others contend that it has been identified with Britain because the commodities listed in Eze 27:12 were those that came from the British Isles.  Also, v.6 hints at Britain being the location. The link between Tyre and Tarshish was so great that Tarshish is called the daughter of Tyre.  This daughter of Tyre (Britain) will bring gifts to the Lord Jesus when He is installed as king in Jerusalem (Psa 45:12).

Today we look at a chapter about Tyre, to the north of Israel.  This was a prosperous sea-faring city, but was warned not to trust in its historic glory.  “The Lord of hosts hath purposed it,” (Isa 23:9).  No-one can stand against Him.

23:15  Again Isaiah makes a specific time related prophecy – Tyre will be desolate 70 years.

23:5  The mention of both Egypt and Tyre together – two strong powers that might have been thought of as powers who might have helped against the Babylonians highlights that salvation does not come from men – no matter how powerful their kingdoms. It comes from God as Hezekiah experienced in one night.

23:15  The city of Tyre was overthrown and cast into the sea and remained desolate for 70 years before being rebuilt on an island off the coast where it remained a city until the Greeks destroyed it, again in fulfilment of Bible prophecy.

V.1 Tyre was first attacked by Nebuchadnezzar about 120 years after this prophecy was given.  But, the complete destruction of Tyre came at the hand of Alexander the Great in 312 BC, over 350 years after this prophecy was given.  For the full description of Alexander’s conquest, read Ezekiel’s prophecy in Chapters 26 and 27.

Phoenician merchant vessels were generally known as ships of Tarshish.  They brought wares from many parts of the world to Tyre which had become an internationally renowned city of commerce.  Tyre was known for its wealth and beauty. As it served the world Tyre became self-serving.  It was the epitome of pride, a quality that Yahweh detests.  

Tyre had to be destroyed as Yahweh is compelled to oppose the proud (James 4:6). The warning from the demise of Tyre is that anyone who exhibits pride, great or small, will be destroyed by Yahweh.

23:14 In this chapter the prophet is speaking of the judgements upon Tyre but speak of the ‘ships of Tarshish’ so we have good Scriptural evidence for associating Tyre with Tarshish.

23:10  In talking of Tyre and the ‘daughter or Tarshish’ we get one of the few indications in Scripture as to the relationship between Tyre and Tarshish

23:18 So Tyre’s wealth is to be given to God. In using the phrase “holiness to the Lord” we see the idea of the consecration of the Nazarite – Num 6:8– and the words on the high priest’s mitre – Exo 28:36.

23:17  ‘committed fornication ... kings’ is quoted in Rev 18:3 which, along with the way that verse 8 is quoted in Rev 18:23 – observed in an earlier comment – show that the description of Tyre is one of the basis of the description of ‘Babylon’ in Rev 18:1-23

Tyre and Babylon the Great

The language of this prophecy against Tyre is used again in Revelation 17-18 speaking of Babylon the Great. Here are some linked passages... I'm sure you can find many more! If you'd like to email me with your suggestions, I'll be happy to add them to the list.

23:3    “Sihor” is in fact the Nile as indicated in Jer 2:18 indicating that the wealth of Tyre has been achieved through some sort of alliance at some point in time with Egypt. 

23:10  In speaking of people passing through the land “as a river” we see another example of a nation being spoken of as a river. In Isa 8:7    the Assyrian is spoken of similarly.

1. Isa 23:1 - "burden"<4853>; "Tyre"<6865> means 'rock' however this rock isn't Christ but the rock of man that has great pride and loves/trusts money (1Tim 6:10); "Tarshish"<8659> was a son of Javan (Gen 10:2,4;Eze 27:13-19 ,25;Isa 66:19) and Tarshish means a precious stone or yellow Jasper and is connected with Mediterranean sea fairing such as the Gentile Phoenician merchants or Cyprus or Spain or perhaps even the UK and various other western merchants (USA? affiliates of Rome?) and their kings will obediently give presents in the millennial age (Psa 72:10); Jonah, a type of Christ, was sent to Assyrian Nineveh to help them repent but fleeing to Tarshish had his ship (symbolic of a wooden cross?) cast into the covering waters of death and like Christ was entombed for 3 days (Jon 1:1-15 which has similarities to Acts 27-28 which some connect to Christ's crucifixion and overcoming the seed of the snake); "Chittim/Kittim"<3794> was thought by Josephus to be Cyprus which currently hosts two of the biggest British naval bases in the Mediterranean and in February 2015 signed an agreement allowing Russian naval ships to use its ports which perhaps has latter day significance (Dan 11:30,Dan 11:40-45;Eze 38:13).

2. Isa 23:1-5 - Tyre and 'Zidon<6721>' were both great mercantile centers and they dominated international commerce that was not dependant on land routes; Assyria exacted heavy financial burdens on Phoenicia which Tyre and the older city Zidon passed on to their trading customers; V3 "Sihor"<7883> means dark or turbid and when unqualified refers to the Nile (Jer 2:18). 

3. Isa 23:6-9 - there was old Tyre on the coast and approx a half mile off shore the newer island of Tyre; archeological evidence suggests Sennacherib of Assyria overran Phoenicia, subjugated Zidon but did not capture the island part of Tyre; from 585 to 572BC Nebuchadnezzar beseiged but was unable to capture the island part of Tyre; in 332BC Alexander the Great took the rubble from old coastal Tyre and built a cause way 200 foot wide stretching approx 2000 feet to the island and with the aid of mobile protective structures captured the island of Tyre; V9 mentions "pride" (Prov 11:2; 16:5; 26:12;James 4:6;Jer 9:23;1John 2:16;2Tim 3:2;1Pet 5:5;1Cor 8:1;Eze 28:17;Rev 18:7;Phil 2:3-7).

4. Isa 23:6,9,12 - Tyre and Tarshish in the latter days are perhaps not confined to the land of the Phoenicians.

5. Isa 23:10;Eze 38:13;Psa 48:7 - weakened or intimidated mercantile powers in the last days (UK? USA?)?

6. Isa 23:10-14 - Judgment is upon the fortress of Tyre, but it has a negative effect on the ships of Tarshish; V14 (NIV) "Wail, you ships of Tarshish; your fortress is destroyed!"

7. Isa 23:15-17 - Peter Forbes in his 2008 comments notes the 70 years of desolation before Tyre was rebuilt; after the 70 years Tyre would return to her ways of harlotry; what are the modern day versions of Babylon and Tyre (Rev 17:1-9;Rev 18:10-24)? Warnings of religious apostasy to come (Dan 7:8;2Thess 2:3-11;2Cor 11:2-4, 13;Matt 23:9;1Tim 4:1-3); interesting comparisons made by Rob de Jongh in his 2013 comments.

8. Isa 23:18 - Tyre will be redeemed in the millennial day of rest.

23:9   Once God has decided that something will be done that act is as good as done. The way that He brought to pass the things he determined about nations in the past and then fulfilled His words should encourage us to have confidence that the things He has spoken about the future will also come to pass.

23:4  Whilst this chapter is about Tyre notice the association of Zidon also. It was the case that the two cities worked together to further their mutual wealth.

23:2-6  The mention of Tarshish is because the trading power of Tyre had been overthrown. World trade diminished. We should appreciate that when a local power like Tyre was destroyed it impacted on the wider world. The same will be true at the time of the return of Christ. Events in the Middle East will impact on the rest of the world.

WHEN EVERYTHING FALLS APART...

Nothing is as certain as what we think it might be. A sudden earthquake, health scare, terrorist attack, storm, or even power failure can happen at any moment and could completely change the world as we know it. Imagine the chaos if a solar flare or a hacker managed to permanently bring down the internet, when most of us rely on it to some degree or another - and if not us, then the people that supply our food, water and power do.

Just as Tyre was a major trade center in Isaiah's days, and the cities around Tyre were relying on her, we can't afford to get too attached to the things that we rely on in this world. Tyre was about to be brought down to nothing, and nobody was going to know what to do with themselves.

That's one good reason we need to build our lives on God. God does not change. He's not going to go away. He is a solid rock we can build on. Anything else can be taken from us in a moment like it is built on a spider web.

Let's put our faith in God, so that when everything else falls apart, our lives, our hope, our faith and our love remain intact.
 

23:17    In speaking of Tyre “committing fornication” with the kings of the earth is speaking of Tyre’s trading exploits. We might conclude, therefore, that Tyre’s trading was for her own joy, not for the benefit of others.

23:15 When Isaiah was speaking Tyre was the major trading power of the world. It would have seemed permanent – and yet Isaiah spoke of its overthrow. We might image incredulity when Isaiah spoke – yet it happened. Tyre was overthrown. There are powerful nations today that will be brought to destruction when the kingdom of God is re-established.

23:1 In readings the “burden of Tyre” we should not forget that Eze 26, Eze 27 & Eze 28 also speaks of judgments on Tyre. We should see these judgments against the background of the ay that Tyre helped David and Solomon in their day. So there is a clear indication that Tyre changed its attitude to Israel and suffered the consequences – Gen 12:3

23 Tyre, a city, had become prosperous as a conduit through which trade moved. Tyre made nothing and relied heavily on the fact that other nations needed to trade. So in that sense Tyre was very vulnerable. The collapse of trade due to other countries being overthrown impacted on Tyre before she was attacked herself. It all seemed so natural. However God’s hand was at work.  It is all too easy to see events in the world as easily explained by geopolitics and forget that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men – Dan 4:17 – even today.

23:4 All nations that lived lives in opposition to the things of God are to be “ashamed”, This will be the first step on a journey to reconciliation with God. The first example of shame being the start of reconciliation to God is seen in Adam and Eve – Gen 3:7-10

23:7  We live in a society where age and status of buildings and cities is honoured. I the UK, at least, old buildings are protected by law against change and they are preserved. Ancient archaeological sites are preserved and maintained. However what man counts as valuable is of little consequence in God’s eyes. He will sweep away all things that do not glorify Him when Christ returns.

How do we value and esteem such buildings?

3 v.5,6 - Moses, it is pointed out, of all of the people who went before, was the best example of looking after his house - in his case, almost certainly this meant the whole nation of Israel, rather than his immediate family. And yet even the best example from before, whilst foreshadowing the work of Christ for his family, did not rise to the same status - he was a servant, but Jesus was (and is) a son. ch.1:2, 4:14, Isa.9:6,7, John 3:35-36.

Ch.3 - The priesthood of Jesus is the major theme of Hebrews. Consider these occasions where Jesus is spoken of as a priest. Hebrews 2:17 3:1 4:14,15 5:5,6,10 6:20 7:15,17,20,21,26 8:1,3 8:4 9:11 10:21

Ch.4 - The refusal of Israel to enter the land the first time is the basis to the discussion of the 'rest' in this chapter. The word 'rest' [4:9] differs from all the other occurrences and carries the sense 'keeping of Sabbaths' which catches the Day of Atonement language which is another theme which runs through the letter to the Hebrews.

Ch. 5 - The contrast between Jesus and the Levitical high priest is wonderful. The Levitical high priest could certainly understand the needs of the offerer as he shared their nature. However because he shared their nature he could not 'save to the uttermost' [7:25]. On the other hand Jesus both understands our needs and can 'save to the uttermost' [7:25].

3:1-6 The invitation to compare Jesus with Moses is most helpful to the Jew, steeped in the law of Moses.

Whilst Moses was declared to be a 'servant' (Numbers 12:7) Jesus was a 'son' and so of a higher status than the servant in the house.

4:11 So entering 'rest' is hard work! The hard work is living the gospel in all its aspects. Believing that God will keep His word actually is hard work for most of us most of the time.

5:4 'honour' draws attention to 2 Chronicles 26:18 where Uzziah tried to take upon himself the Melchisedec priesthood and was struck leprous for his presumption.

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT
It is our daily duty to encourage one another in our life in Christ. The danger of being without encouragement is that we will be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. That means that we will not see sin for what it is after a while and our conscience will not hurt when we sin. It doesn't happen overnight, but day by day the things we do, we hear, we see and experience in the world around us can numb us to the purity of the truth of God. So to counteract the wearing down we get every day from the world, we need that daily encouragement to stay true to the faith we hold so dear. Of course, not only do we need to be given that encouragement ourselves, but others need us to give it to them. It must be a mutual thing that when we all encourage each other we are not just thinking of what we will get out of it, but aiming to share our encouragement.

The time to share some encouragement is Right Now! It doesn't matter what day of the week it is, as long as it is called Today. Today is the day to give our Brothers and Sisters the edge over sin. Leaving it to tomorrow may be too late and yesterday has gone. "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." (3 v 13).

MAKE YOUR PRAYERS HEARD
If we want to be sure that God hears our prayers then following the example of the Lord Jesus Christ and the way that he prayed would be a good way to go. We know that his prayers were always heard. They were not always the answers that Jesus would have liked, but they were all heard and answered.

So what was so special about the prayers of Jesus? Hebrews 5 v 7 tells us. "During the days of Jesus life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission."

We too can pray with loud cries and tears just like Jesus did, but it was his "reverent submission" that made the difference. If we are to follow his example, we too need to develop that "reverent submission" to God that Jesus had. That means that even if the answer is not the one we want, we will still abide by the will of God and not our own. It means that we will always submit to God's ways because we know that he knows best and our understanding is so limited. From now on let's pray in power by showing reverent submission to our God and creator.

ch 3 - Notice the recurring use of 'if' in this chapter
3:6, 7, 14, 15
The history of Israel's reaction to God's provision is the basis for the stark reminder of the conditional aspect of God's promises.

ch 4 - And so the 'if' continues
4:3, 5, 7,
Salvation is conditional. It is conditional on our willingness to believe that God will keep His word.

Heb 3:11 The lesson here is that we must not be a wilderness generation, and fall to sin. We must always beware that human nature is deceitful. It is a dreadful warning that is being shown to them in the first century, but we must always realize that the same thing could happen to ourselves to-day.

Heb 5:7. The writer here goes back to the first qualification of the high priest (compassion). He explains the agony Christ suffered on behalf of humanity, and Christ’s ability to understand the needs of all.

3:1 Whilst Hebrews is a closely reasoned exposition of the Law of Moses and its shortcomings it is not simply a theological argument. 'consider' is a recurring theme (here and (7:4, 10:24, 12:3). Likewise our understanding of the atonement should not just be a technical understanding of the way that the flesh was destroyed in Jesus' death. It is something we should consider in a way which will cause us to change the way we live.

4:9 'rest' 4520 means 'keeping of Sabbaths' an therefore speaks of the day of atonement (Lev 16:31) which is a major sacrifice spoken of throughout the whole of the letter to the Hebrews.

5:5-6  We saw (chapter 1) that Psalm 2 is linked with 2 Samuel 7. Here we see the same verse in the Psalm ( 2:7) linked with Psa 110:4 speaking of the priesthood of Melchisedec further developing our understanding of the promises to David. The priesthood of the order of Melchisedec is associated with the promises to David.

The parallel to the children of Israel's entering (or not entering) the Land to our own experience should be taken seriously. 

Entering the Land for the Israelites was tantamount to entering God's rest. Those of Israel who did not enter the Land, and died in the wilderness, did so because of unbelief (3:19).  This term unbelief means more than an academic non-acceptance of truth: it means an act of unfaithfulness or disobedience.  

The equivalent, for us, is entering God's Kingdom.  And so, if we wish to enter the Kingdom of God, we cannot just assent or give lip-service to the tenets of the Truth.  We must actively obey them and continue to walk in faith.

3:1  ‘Wherefore’ is not the same as ‘therefore’ in Hebrews. It might be loosely translated as ‘in like manner’ showing the relationship between the two elements mentioned on each of its occurrences. Heb 2:17, 3:1, 7:25, 8:3, 9:18, 11:16

4:4  The creation narrative is introduced – Gen 2:3 – to explain God’s plan of salvation which is developed around the concept of their being a rest which Israel had not obtain yet.

5:6 This is the first of several references to Melchisedec in Hebrews. We have already seen that Jesus is a priest – Heb 3:1 – we now learn he was not a priest after the order of Levi. A crucial point when we understand what Hebrews was written to counter.

4:2 As we have had the Word of God preached to us, likewise with the Israelites the Word was spoken to them. The Word that they heard did them no good, because they failed to pay attention to what was being said. The same message is being spoken to us through the Word that has been preserved for us. Are we listening, or maybe just hearing?

FIXED ON JESUS
 
Where have our thoughts been today? There are a million things to think about every day. Some of them are things we are forced to think about, like work, study or providing for the necessities of life. Other things we think about because they are urgent - meeting deadlines and dealing with crisis situations. But there are also times our minds are free to wander to the thoughts of our choice. Where do our thoughts go then?
 
I wonder how often our thoughts have turned to Jesus. As our Friend, Brother, Saviour, Messiah, Great High Priest and Hope, he should be on our minds far more often than we might normally find him there. The Hebrew writer urges us, "Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess." (Heb 3:1)
 
If we were to fix a nail to a wall, the nail would be stuck there permanently. It should be the same with our thoughts. They must be fixed on Jesus. It must be as if our minds are permanently attached to thoughts of him. If we could just keep our thoughts fixed on Jesus, how much easier it would be to live life and to stay free from sin! Having our minds on Christ we will live more victoriously.
 
So let's fix our thoughts on Jesus today and every day.

Heb 4:3 ..And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world.                              It is interesting to see God's view of time compared to ours:

Jesus/believers chosen before creation Eph 1:4, 1Pet 1:20/ Jesus' sacrifice & the Hope of eternal life promised before beginning of time Titus 1:2, 2Tim 1:9, 1Cor 2:7 / Jesus & his Bride the prototypes for Adam & Eve / Jesus the prototype for high priest                           ---> time/Today (Adam/Eve onwards, from our perspective)          ----> God's Rest (outside time/immortality/eternal/forever)

3:1 ‘Consider’ is a recurring theme in Hebrews (7:4, 12:3) encouraging the Hebrew priest that believed to reflect on the contrast between Jesus and the Levitical priesthood.

4:6 From the 95th Psalm the author has shown that the rest that the Israelites enjoyed in Canaan was not the rest that God intended for His people. The intended rest is a Sabbath rest, which, of course, is a direct reference to the creation account of God's rest on the seventh day. 

The letter to the Hebrews was probably written to the Jerusalem ecclesia. There weren't many years left to AD70, so the writer (probably Paul) tried very hard to impress his readers with the urgency that he felt. Our Jesus, said Paul, is greater than the prophets, the angels, Moses, Joshua (the un-translated name in Heb 4:8), Aaron and the Levitical law. “Let us therefore fear.” (Heb 4:1)

Jesus has twin roles: apostle and high priest (3:1). As an apostle, He represents God to believers, while as a high priest He represents believers to God.

Apostle: God  > Jesus  > Believers

High Priest: Believers > Jesus > God

3:6-7   Notice the twofold ‘if’. To the Jew in Jerusalem, tending to return to the law of Moses, this is just the point. Salvation through Christ is conditional upon belief in him.

BIBLE LIKE YEAST

There is something quite different about the Bible to any other book we might pick up and read. It is a bit like yeast. If we make a loaf of bread we might pick up all the ingredients and lay them out together. Putting the yeast next to the flour, salt, sugar and whatever other ingredients we may use, they all seem to have a similar generic baking ingredient quality about them. But once the yeast becomes warm and moist, it takes on a new quality. The sleeping yeast literally comes alive. It feeds on the sugar and grows, providing the rising needed for a good loaf of bread.

The Bible is similar. Looked at on the surface, it looks just like any other book - it is full of words, stories and advice. But once it begins to mix with its host, you or me once we have started to read and absorb it, it begins to live. It helps our consciences to grow, it grows our awareness of God and changes our lives in ways we would not have expected possible.

The writer to the Hebrews explains it this way: "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to the dividing of soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Heb 4:12)

Try it today. Put the Bible into your life and experience growth like you've never grown before.

5:5 The term begotten implies regeneration. When Jesus was raised from the dead, by His Father, He was regenerated to eternal life. He was the first begotten, as His faithful followers will also be regenerated to eternal life (Matt 19:28; Rev 1:5).

4:1 ‘Let us fear’ is the counter to ‘unbelief’. To the Jew it may well have been that they would see the counterpart as doing ‘works’. Heb 4:2 continues the theme from Hebrews Heb 3:19 to show that ‘faith’ was needed when reading Scripture. That is a belief that God is at work in the affairs of man

The Millennial 7th "day" of rest (or "day" of peace) happens when Christ returns and it will last 1000 years (after this Christ turns it over to his Father). During the millennium Christ will reign with the resurrected saints judged to have eternal life upon his return; in addition to those resurrected, mortal people still alive at that time who survive Armageddon will hear the word and have opportunity for salvation and a responsibility to follow Christ's ways - (see my 2009 comments on March 6th, 2Corinthians 5:10); Heb 4:4-9; 2Pet 3:8; Psa 90:4; Rev 20:4.

Toward the end of the millennium there will be a rebellion against Christ and the saints - Rev 20:7-9.

At the end of the 1000 years all those who died during the millennium will be resurrected and if they overcome and are judged worthy they will join with the already immortal saints (believers previously resurrected upon Christ's return) and not be hurt by the second death, if judged not worthy they will be destroyed in the second death - Rev 20:4-6,11-15; Psa 145:20; Rev 2:11.

When Christ destroys all enemies including death he will turn over the Kingdom to God - 1Cor 15:24-28.

First Principles>Kingdom of God>Existed in the past
8. The Wilderness Journey from Egypt to Canaan was 40 years long. Exo 16:35 Num 14:33 Num 32:13 Deut 2:7 Deut 8:2,4 Deut 29:5 Josh 5:6 Neh 9:21 Psa 95:10 Acts 7:36 Acts 13:18 Heb 3:9,17. Go to Gen 12:1-5 for more about First Principles>Kingdom of God>Existed in the past

4:12 The word of God refers to Jesus (See Rev 19:13).  It is to Him that we will have to give account at the judgment (4:13).

5:8 Jesus learned obedience by the things which he suffered.  We associate the suffering of Jesus with His death on the cross.  This was the culmination of His life's work and mission, and certainly a focus of great suffering.  However, because He had dedicated His life to the will of His Father, and lived without sin, He must have suffered throughout His life.  There would have been a constant battle between His flesh and the Spirit (Gal 5:17; 4:15). 

The opposition of those to His mission was great.  He was verbally challenged and abused (Matt 21:23; Mark 3:23); He was considered crazy by some (John 10:20); and He also operated with a death warrant hanging over His head (Matt 26:4).  It seems that even his mother and brothers did not understand His mission and did not support Him (initially).  They were needlessly concerned for His welfare and, in effect, unwittingly opposed His mission (Matt 10:36; 12:46-50). Jesus was put under tremendous personal strain as He was purposely tempted while in a weakened state (Matt 4). And so, through all these things, Yahweh perfected His Son through suffering (Heb 2:10). 

True followers of Christ can expect the same experience, as temptations (trials) will surely befall them.  But with faith in Yahweh, they can be overcome (1Cor 10:13).  Remaining faithful and patient will result in the same reward as that of Jesus. Then suffering will be no more (Isa 35:10; James 1:12).   

3:19 ‘Unbelief’ is ‘non faith’ Israel were concerned to justify themselves by works. This was a feature of the Jews in Jesus’ day. The topic of faith is now being introduced into the letter here to highlight that it was lack of faith, not lack of works that cause men to fall short of God’s plan.

DON'T LET GO!

Sharing in Christ is not a matter of doing a good deed, joining a church or attending services week after week. It is a matter of living a dedicated Christian life free from a sinful and rebellious spirit and strong in the grace of God. It is a matter of being sure of our hope no matter what pressures come on us in life, and confident that the Lord is our God, and that he will work in our lives for our best. But more than all the things we have mentioned, living a Christian life is about never giving up.

It was in order to help us hold firmly to our faith to the end that the writer to the Hebrews told us to encourage one another. "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly to the end the confidence we had at first." (Heb 3:12-14)

So let us take this advice, making sure we live as righteous and obedient children of God, doing all we can to encourage one another, and determined to hold fast to our faith for as long as it takes until Jesus returns.

5:9     ‘made perfect’ is a phrase occurring three times in Hebrews. (1Heb 5:9, 11:40, 12:23 ) and it traces a progression from Jesus being made perfect through a multitude in the past and then onto those who are now alive in Christ

4:2    Bible history is not simply speaking of other people. The things spoken about others are relevant for us. Very specifically Jesus said – Matt 22:31  - that what God said to Moses at the bush was actually spoken to those of Jesus’ day. We do well to appreciate the way in which Scripture speaks to us as well.

3:4      Whilst “He that built all things is God” could be seen as a general reference to creation it is actually a quotation from Psa 104:24 where the Psalmist praises God because of His creative work. Creation is not simply a matter of fact, though it is a matter of fact, it is a reason for praising God. In Hebrews Psa 104:4 has already been quoted –Heb 1:7,14 – to show that God cares for His children, Jesus specifically in the context of Hebrews. So the creation and God’s continual working in the lives of His children go hand in hand,.

Heb 4:12

Heb. 5:3.

The N.I.V. reads, "This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people." There is an obvious comparison in the last part of the verse of high priests under the Law and Jesus himself: both of whom offered for the sins of the people. Since Jesus had no personal sins, is the first part of the verse a comparison or contrast with other high priests? If a comparison, then how could it be said of Jesus that he sacrificed "for his own sins"?

There are 2 possible ways of interpreting this passage, it seems to me. One is to say that everything the writer is saying in regard to the Aaronic priests has a parallel with our Lord Jesus Christ. Heb 5:1 matches up as does Heb 5:2 and the last half of v. 3. So if the first half of v. 3 has a corresponding match up, one has to equate "his own sins" with "his own sin nature", since he was without any personal sins and since his own offering was for the eventual purpose of doing away with sinful human nature.

Number 2 would be to say that vv. 1,2, & 3b match up, but not v. 3a. The part that the writer picks up on to add more information about Christ in what he goes on to say in Heb 5:4-6 is v. 1 - the selection process (i.e. from God) to such a high office.

Now although there are times where the word "sin" appears to be used with the idea of that source of sin - i.e. human nature - see Rom 8:3 as one example - I don't know that the writer is doing so here. It seems logical to me that the priestly comparisons with Jesus simply don't have to include v. 3a at all. And even with the whole selection process, there are differences with the Aaronic high priests who were selected due to their relationship to Aaron and Jesus' selection since he was of the tribe of Judah - a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (v. 6). My point then is the fact that both were selected is similar, but how that came to be is different.

5:12  In saying that, by implication, the brethren in Jerusalem were ‘unskilful’ in their use of Scripture the writer gives  quite an indictment for those where many of them were priests – Acts 6:7

The peril of minimizing God's power

Here is a hard verse, yet well worth considering. I'll paraphrase it:

"Don't let yourself think that I have no power, like the Israelites who accused me of being a powerless God. I proved them wrong through forty years of having to rely on Me." Heb 3:8-9

God fixed them and it took forty years. God can fix you and me too, and perhaps He will, but wouldn't we rather do it the easy way?

4:14  The sacrifices on the Day of Atonement will form a major part of the contrast between Jesus and the Mosaic order in Heb 9 and , Heb 10. The idea of entering the most holy place is used here when, of Jesus, it is said “is passed into the heaven” – in contrast to the high priest who passed into the most holy place on the day of atonement.

4:7      Notice the precision that the writer to the Hebrews appeals to. ‘today’ is a single word in Psa 95:11 but the inspired exposition here forces us to appreciate that an argument can be based upon a single word. So precise is Scripture

5:2-3   Jesus can understand our behaviour because of his experience being tempted when on earth. In like manner Paul –Titus 3:2-33 –says that we should, for the same reason, deal gently with our fellow men.

Heb 4:8,9,11

We read in these verses that Jesus is our Sabbath rest into which we are to enter.

A reader writes: “…Wondering if you could give me comments on (at least) the first page.  This document is from a sister who withdrew fellowship about 25/30 years ago.  At the moment, she and her husband are caught up with Sabbath Keeping.  This document is a result of recently attending a Sabbath Keeping Event (sponsored by Church of xxx). Appreciate your comments.”

My reply: The Sabbath rest in Gen 2 was made into law after the Exodus, and was specifically to the Israelites and to none other (Exo 20:8-11; Deut 5:12-15). It was culturally contingent, a specific form of worship, specific to them! Breaking the Sabbath was on pain of death (Num 15:32-36)! These laws of commandments contained in ordinances were abolished – blotted out, as read in Eph 2:15; Col 2:14. The word “ordinances” in these passages deal with civil, ceremonial, and Temple laws, or dogmas (see Strong’s # <1378>). The Sabbath, falls under O.T. dogma (cf. James 2:10).

The civil, ceremonial, and ecclesiastical laws, which included the Sabbath, all pointed to Christ. The only law that was not abolished was the Moral Law of God because this did not point to Christ, but was a revelation to us of God’s character and will for us. It is how we get to know God intimately and do things in ways that please Him. This law is binding on us (cf. Rom 7:12-25). Only those laws that pointed to Christ were abolished because Christ was now manifested. Christ was the substance of the types and shadows. Christ had certain labours to perform and upon his condition to perform them in all obedience, Grace is extended to all those who rest in him! In him, he can provide not a weekly, but a permanent rest! No where do we read that Christ commanded our keeping the Sabbath (cf. Matt 28:19,20; Mark 2:28; Luke 6:5).  After all, Christ is “Lord of the Sabbath” (Matt 12:8).

Our ecclesiastical practice is the Memorial Breaking of Bread, not Sabbath keeping, which if we kept, we could not keep the command not to “forsake the assembling of ourselves” (Heb 10:25), because that involves travel, forbidden under the Sabbath Law (Exo 16:29,30; cf. Num 35:4,5; Josh 3:4,5)!  According to the Mishnah, or Oral Torah, one thousand cubits was for open land, and two thousand cubits for the Sabbath border. A Sabbath’s day journey (Acts 1:12) was allowed, but fixed at 2,000 cubits. A cubit is around 18 inches, so in all, it would be around 1 km, or 5/8 of a mile, and that’s walking!

The Sabbath along with the other components of worship under the Old Covenant, were merely shadows of spiritual truths (cf. Heb 8; Heb 10:1). Only 9 of the 10 Commandments are in effect today, the original 10 being written on stone, but the 9 repeated commands in the N.T. are to be written on our hearts and will be for the Israelites when Christ returns (Exo 31:18; Jer 31:33; Heb 8:10). Truly, this makes the New Covenant so much better than the Old!

Genesis symbolized the coming of Messiah as our Sabbath rest, as read in Heb 4. God does not need to rest! The example of God resting on the seventh day of Creation was to establish the principle of the Sabbath day rest for His people, the Israelites (Exo 20:8-11; Deut 5:12-15). Rested is the Hebrew word, shabath, # <76730>, from which we get Sabbath.  As the “Lord of the Sabbath” had come, he is the true “Sabbath rest” and the old law of the Sabbath was no longer needed or binding. “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). Because of Christ’s sacrifice in his death and resurrection, the myriad of do’s and don’ts laws having to do with their civil, ceremonial, and temple laws under the old covenant of works, were abolished being now under the new covenant of grace.

Proponents of Sabbath keeping are totally amiss, fail to understand, and do not see the beauty of the rest we have in Christ.

3:5-6    The way in which Moses being a servants and Jesus a son is designed by the holy spirit to emphasise the superiority of the risen Jesus over the things of the Law of Moses

Heb 4:2

“For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them; but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.”

MEDITATIONS-NO. 73, by A.T. Jannaway, 1930, Compromise not the Truth

“THERE is plenty of so-called faith in the world, but little of the right kind. The faith that pleases God is a wholehearted belief in the things that He has revealed. This virtue has been conspicuous by its absence in all the ages. God spake through Moses to Israel but was not believed (Heb. iv. 2; John xii. 38; Rom. x. 15-16). Christadelphians, in their witnessing for God to-day, have to face the same sad conditions. But the point which principally concerns us is this, things were not to improve but to get worse, until at the time of Christ’s advent, faith was to be well-nigh extinguished. ‘When the Son of Man cometh, shall he find (the) faith on the earth?’ Luke xviii. 8). In view of this, let us be very careful. The Truth has been providentially revived in the earth by the labours of Dr. Thomas, and our eyes have been opened to it. Let us then refuse to join hands with any who seek to hide or destroy the Truth. Our danger in this respect lies not so much with the alien, as with those who, having been in our midst, are using their influence (it may be unwittingly) to take us back to the apostasy.” (Emphasis added)

(Heb 4:2; John 12:38; Rom 10:15,16)

We need to be corrected and we need to correct. This is a God-given Biblical responsibility.  2Thess 3:15 shows that while we are correcting a disorderly brother, we are still to treat him as “a brother,” but at the same time not keep company with him socially (Rom 16:17; 1Cor 5:11; Eph 5:11; 2John 1:9,11). The goal is restoration - God's way.

When a brother or sister leaves the Truth altogether despite attempts to the contrary and joins a church, we are not to treat them as “a brother, or “a sister,” but as a “publican” and “heathen.” This is the final step (Matt 18:17).

These passages clearly forbid our mixing with the disfellowshipped, or those having left the Truth in totality, in a close, social manner, which would imply encouragement and endorsement of the evil. Should they repent and desire to return, that would be a different matter. It has been my observation, though, that these try to convert true Believers to their apostate ways, hence the admonition is very applicable and a grave warning to us!

“I’d rather have men around me that care more about me, than they do about my feelings.” I don’t know who wrote that, but there is a lot of wisdom to it.

5:11        “dull of hearing” indicates the problem of the Hebrews. In echoing Isa 6:10we are reminded of the way in which Jesus chided with the Jewish leaders of his day

Heb 3:6,7,15; 4:7

“… if we hold fast… if ye will hear his voice… “   (x3).