In Chapter 1, the writer showed that Jesus, the Son of God, is better than the prophets (Verses l-3) and is better than the angels (Verses 4-14).
In Chapter 2, the writer showed that Jesus, the Son of man, is better than the angels. In this lesson, the writer began to show that Jesus, the Son of man, is better than Moses.
Next to Abraham, Moses was undoubtedly the man most greatly revered by the Jewish people. To go back to the Law meant to go back to Moses, and the recipients of the letter to the Hebrews were sorely tempted to do just that. It was important that the writer convince the readers that Jesus is greater than Moses because the entire Jewish religion came through Moses. In this section, the writer began to set forth proof of this fact.
By the use of the word "wherefore," the writer drew a conclusion from the preceding argument.
Having shown that Jesus the Son is better than the prophets and the angels, he asked his readers to consider Him in relation to Moses. He called them "holy brethren". The word "holy," as used here, does not have a particular reference to a quality of life but to a position in salvation. The Greek
"hagios," translated "holy," means "set apart for God." Therefore, the basic idea of the word is that of a "set-apart, separated position with reference to God." The term, "holy brethren" refers to the New Testament believers, the saints, the set-apart ones.
These brethren were also called "partakers of the heavenly calling." "Partakers" is translated from the same Greek word that is translated "fellows" in Chapter 1:9, and "partners" in Luke 5:7. The word speaks of one who is associated with others in a common task or condition. Here the word designates the saints as those who are associated with one another in a heavenly calling. This expression in Hebrews 3:1 speaks of the Church. Israel had an earthly calling and an earthly destiny. The Church has a heavenly calling and a heavenly destiny. There, the writer marked the Jews to whom he was writing as belonging to the Church as distinct from Israel.
42
HEBREWS GOD’S PLAN FOR SPIRITUAL MATURITY
Luke 5:7: And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship,
that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships,
so that they began to sink.
Because these people were holy brethren and partakers of the heavenly calling, they were able to give the confessions of their faith in Jesus Christ. The word translated "profession" (homologia) could better be translated "confession." The Greek word means "to speak the same thing as another." Therefore, the idea is to agree with someone else or to say the same thing as another.
The idea here is that the believer agrees with God the Father concerning the report of His Son He gave in the Bible. See 1 John 5:9-13. The word "profession" has within it the idea of bearing testimony to what one believes, but it does not have the idea of agreement with someone else on something and then testifying to one's faith in that thing.
1 John 5:9-13: 9If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater:
for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10He that
believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God
hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his
Son. 11And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life
is in his Son. 12He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of
God hath not life. 13These things have I written unto you that believe on the
name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye
may believe on the name of the Son of God.
CHRIST AS THE SON OF MAN IS GREATER THAN MOSES IN HIS PERSON
Verses 1-2
It was not Moses who did all of this for the people. It was Jesus Christ! The writer did not exhort them to consider Moses but to consider Jesus. The word "consider" (Greek katanoeo) means "to consider attentively, to fix one's eyes or mind upon." The readers of this letter needed that exhortation. They were allowing their attention to relax so far as Jesus Christ and the New Testament were concerned, and their gaze was slowly turning back upon the Old Testament sacrifices. They were called upon to give careful consideration of Who Jesus is and what He has done.
That Jesus Christ is superior to Moses is an obvious fact. Moses was a mere man, called to be a prophet and a leader, while Jesus is the Son of God sent by God the Father into the world. The title
"Apostle" means "one sent with a commission." Moses was called and commissioned by God, but Jesus Christ was sent as God's "last word" to sinful man. There are many verses in the Gospel of John where Jesus is referred to as "sent from God." See John 3:17, 34; 5:36, 38; 6:29,57; 7:29; 8:42; 10:36; 11:42; 17:3.
John 3:17, 34: 17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world;
but that the world through him might be saved….34For he whom God hath sent
speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
John 5:36, 38: 36But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works
43
HEBREWS GOD’S PLAN FOR SPIRITUAL MATURITY
which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness
of me, that the Father hath sent me…. 38And ye have not his word abiding in
you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
John 6:29, 57: 29Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God,
that ye believe on him whom he hath sent…. 57As the living Father hath sent me,
and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
John 7:29: But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.
John 8:42: Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for
I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
John 10:36: Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the
world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
John 11:42: And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people
which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
John 17:3: And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God,
and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Jesus Christ is not only the Apostle, but He is also the High Priest. Moses was a prophet who on occasions served as a priest (Psalm 99:6), but he was never a high priest. That title belonged to his brother Aaron. In fact, Jesus Christ has the title of "great high Priest," Hebrews 4:14.
Psalm 99:6: Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that
call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
Hebrews 4:14: Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into
the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
As the Apostle, Jesus Christ represented God to men. As the High Priest, Jesus now represents men to God in heaven. Moses, of course, fulfilled similar ministries. He taught Israel God's truth, and he prayed for Israel when he met God on Mount Sinai, (Exodus 32:30-32). Moses was primarily the prophet of the Law, while Jesus is the Messenger of God's grace. John 1:17, "For
the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." Moses helped prepare the way for the coming of the Savior to the earth, (Exodus 25:40; 34:20; Deuteronomy 34:10-12).
Exodus 32:30-32: 30And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the
people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD;
peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin. 31And Moses returned
unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made
them gods of gold. 32Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me,
I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
44
HEBREWS GOD’S PLAN FOR SPIRITUAL MATURITY
Exodus 25:40: And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was
shewed thee in the mount.
Exodus 34:20: But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if
thou redeem him not, then shalt thou break his neck. All the firstborn of thy sons
thou shalt redeem. And none shall appear before me empty.
Deuteronomy 34:10-12: 10And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto
Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, 11In all the signs and the wonders,
which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his
servants, and to all his land, 12And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great
terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel.
The writer of Hebrews noted that Moses and Jesus were both faithful in the work which God gave them to do, Chapter 3:2. Moses was not sinless, as was Jesus Christ, but he was faithful and obeyed God's will. (Numbers 12:3-8). This would be an encouragement to those first century Jewish believers to remain faithful to Christ, even in the midst of the tough trials they were experiencing.
Instead of going back to Moses, they should imitate Moses and be faithful in their calling.
Numbers 12:3-8: 3(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which
were upon the face of the earth.) 4And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses,
and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the
congregation. And they three came out. 5And the LORD came down in the pillar
of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and
Miriam: and they both came forth. 6And he said, Hear now my words: If there
be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a
vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. 7My servant Moses is not so, who is
faithful in all mine house. 8With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even
apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he
behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
CHRIST IS GREATER THAN MOSES IN HIS MINISTRY Verses 3-6.
The word "house" is used six times in these verses. It refers to the people of God, not to a material building. Moses ministered to Israel, the people of God under the Old Covenant. Today, Christ ministers to His Church, the people of God under the New Covenant ("whose house are we," verse 6). There is an illustration of this dual use of "house" in 2 Samuel 7. David wanted to build a temple for God, a house in which God could dwell. But God told David that He would build David's house (household) or family and make a covenant with David descendants.
The contrast between Moses and Jesus Christ is clear. Moses was a servant in the house, while Jesus Christ is the Son over the house. Moses was a member of the household, but Jesus built the house. This truth is a powerful argument for the deity of Jesus Christ. If God built all things, and Jesus Christ built God's house, then Jesus Christ must be God.
There is another factor in Christ's superiority over Moses. The Prophet Moses spoke about things 45
HEBREWS GOD’S PLAN FOR SPIRITUAL MATURITY
to come, but Jesus Christ brought the fulfillment of these things. Vs 5-6. Moses ministered "in the shadows" as it were (Hebrews 8:5; 10:1), while Jesus Christ brought the full and final light of the Gospel of the grace of God. Since Jesus Christ is better than Moses, the Testament which he inaugurated must be better than the one which Moses was instrumental in bringing before the people. The reason for this is that a superior workman turns out a superior product.
Hebrews 8:5: Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as
Moses was admonished of God when 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.
Hebrews 10:1: For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the
very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year
by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
The Greek word translated "servant," (Vs 5), is not the usual New Testament word for servant or slave. This word "therapon' carries the meaning of "a voluntary servants who acts because of affection." At the beginning of his ministry, Moses was a bit hesitant and resisted God's call. But once he surrendered, he obeyed out of a heart of love and devotion.
The "if” clause of Verse 6 needs to be understood in light of the total context, which is Moses leading Israel out of Egypt and to the Promised Land. The writer is not suggesting that we, as Christians, must keep ourselves saved. This would contradict the major themes of the book, which is the finished work of Jesus Christ, and His heavenly ministry guarantees our eternal salvation (Hebrews 7:14 ff). The writer was affirming that those who hold fast their confidence and hope are proving that they are truly born again. The writer proposed to his readers a test whereby they could tell whether the really belonged to the house of God or not, that is, whether they were really saved or not. If those Jews to whom he wrote, held fast their confidence and the rejoicing of their professed hope in Jesus Christ firm unto the end of their lives, that fact showed that they belonged to the house of God, that is, they were saved, (cf. Matthew 13:1-23). If they renounced their profession or confession and returned to the system of Levitical sacrifices, that would show that they were never saved. It is not the retention of salvation or staying saved that is in question here, but the possession of salvation is the question. Verse 6 does not say, "whose house will we continue to be" but "whose house are we." The subject of the security of the believer is not in view here.
Hebrews 7:14: For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe
Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
Matthew 13:1-23: 1The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea
side. 2And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into
a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 3And he spake many
things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4And
when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured
them up: 5Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and
forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6And when the
sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered
46
HEBREWS GOD’S PLAN FOR SPIRITUAL MATURITY
away. 7And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
8But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold,
some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 10And the
disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
11He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the
mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12For whosoever
hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever
hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13Therefore speak I
to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not,
neither do they understand. 14And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias,
which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye
shall see, and shall not perceive: 15For this people's heart is waxed gross, and
their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time
they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand
with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16But blessed
are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 17For verily I say unto
you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things
which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear,
and have not heard them. 18Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19When
any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh
the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he
which received seed by the way side. 20But he that received the seed into stony
places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21Yet
hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or
persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 22He also that
received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this
world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh
unfruitful. 23But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth
the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth,
some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
The word "confidence" (Greek parresian) means "freedom of speech, openness." The idea is one of boldness and confidence which are exhibited in freedom of speech, the unreserved, unfettered flow of language which is opposed to fear, ambiguity, and reserve. When you are free to speak, then there is no fear, and you have confidence. A believer can come boldly (same word as confidence) to the "throne of grace" (Hebrews 4:16) with openness and freedom and not be afraid.
Hebrews 4:16: Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
We have this boldness because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:19). Therefore, we should not have confidence in ourselves because we are too prone to fail, but we should have confidence in Jesus Christ Who never fails.
Hebrews 10:19: Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by
the blood of Jesus,
47
HEBREWS GOD’S PLAN FOR SPIRITUAL MATURITY
Because of this confidence in Christ and this confession of Christ, we can experience joy and hope (Verse 6). The writer exhorted those suffering saints to enjoy their spiritual experience and not simply endure it. Jesus Christ is the beloved Son over His house, and He will care for each member of the family. He is the faithful High Priest who provides all the grace we need for each demand of life. As the Great Shepherd of the sheep (Hebrews 13:20-21), Jesus Christ is using the experience in His people’s lives to equip them for service that will glorify His name.
Hebrews 13:20-21: 20Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead
our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the
everlasting covenant, 21Make you perfect in every good work to do his will,
working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to
whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
In other words, those who have trusted Jesus Christ prove this confession by their steadfastness, confidence, and joyful hope. They are not burdened by the past or threatened by the present, but they are living for the future as they await the “blessed hope” of their Lord’s return. It is this
“heavenly calling” that motivates the believers to keep on living for the Saviour, even when the going is tough.
Conclusion
Jesus Christ as the Son of Man is greater than Moses. It was Jesus Christ, not Moses, who provided salvation and eternal life. Moses was called to be a prophet and a leader, but Jesus Christ is the Son of God Who was sent by the Father into the world. Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest Who represents believers before God the Father. The Prophet Moses spoke about things to come, but Jesus brought fulfillment to these things. Living according to our confession is proof that we are believers, children of God.
Do you know Jesus Christ as your Saviour? Does your life let others know that you belong to Him?
48
HEBREWS GOD’S PLAN FOR SPIRITUAL MATURITY