11/03/2010

Exhort One Another Every Day (Heb. 3:13)

Heb. 3:1-10:18 is an exposition of how Jesus is superior/greater than the Mosaic Law - superior to Moses (Heb. 3:1-4:13); superior to Aaron (Heb. 4:14-7:28); and that the priestly ministry of Christ {covenant, tabernacle, blood, sacrifice} is superior (Heb. 8:1-10:18).

Jesus is Greater than Moses (Heb. 3:1-6).

The Failure of the Exodus Generation (Heb. 3:7-19). In contrast to Moses' faithfulness (Heb. 3:1-6) in leading his people in the desert, the people failed to respond to the Holy Spirit; they hardened their hearts, provoked God, and experienced God's wrath (Heb. 3:7-11). It was because their "evil, unbelieving heart" led them to "fall away from the living God" (Heb. 3:12).

In light of their failure and rebellion, Heb. 3:13 says, "But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." This is the 2nd of 6 warnings/exhortations in Hebrews. Our hearts are deceitful (Jer. 17:9). Sin lies and deceives (Rom. 7:11; 2 Thess. 2:10; Jas. 1:14-16). Satan is crafty (Gen. 3:1). Only by God's grace, we "share in Christ" and "hold our original confidence firm to the end" (Heb. 3:14). And practically we need individual and corporate accountability and responsibility to "exhort one another every day." Then the author repeats his warning again not to harden their hearts (Heb. 3:15), by reminding them of the rebellion, disobedience, and unbelief of their forefathers in the exodus generation, and the tragic consequences (Heb. 3:16-19).

It is always good to find one or more to exhort us, and also good for us to personally exhort fellow believers (Heb. 3:1; Eph. 4:15).


Posted via email from benjamintoh's posterous

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