Take Two: Hebrews 13, Proverbs 24

This concluding chapter of Hebrews moves quickly through a couple of matters and then ends with a benediction.

Heb 13:1 is an encouragement to continue in the love/devotion to the Christian community (brethren). In many ways, the community was a closer connection than even one's own natural family. This is a statement that reminds the reader to not grow weary, but to support/ encourage/love one another.

Heb 13:2 Be hospitable to strangers. This was a cultural norm for the readers but also was an exhortation to not shrink back from it. A temptation to withdraw hospitality might be normal for those who were experiencing difficulty in their circumstances (financial/persecution) etc.

Heb 13:3 Remember those in prison. This is not a general exhortation to remember prisoners who were incarcerated (which one may do). It is a reminder to not forget about those who were imprisoned for their faith and had been removed from the Christian community.

Heb 13:4 Honor the institution of marriage and do not dishonor ones spouse or defile the marriage bed. Honoring ones mate and protecting oneself from sexual immorality is a necessity for a healthy and happy marriage.

Heb 13:5-6, Trust in God, not in possessions. Do not covet and hold onto your possessions and neglect the needs around you within the community and the needs of the "Mission."

Heb 13:7 Honor those who have taught you the Word and led you. Imitate their lives so that you will experience the outcome as they have. (By the way...some of those leaders are in prison for their faith. Imitate that.) Heb 13:17 also speaks of submitting to the authority of these leaders since the leaders are watching over and protecting the people...and will give an account to God for how they have led.

Heb 13:8-9. Because Christ is unchangable...do not be carried away by the "new" idea some guy wrote about. Be strengthened by the Orthodox beliefs. Those of Salvation by grace...not in some action that brings a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Heb 13:10-16. Do not be caught up in offering sacrifices to please God. Those who worship at "that" altar have no part in the genuine worship of God. Rather, bring the sacrifice of giving thanks continually and praise to God. If you become a "reproach" to those around you...remember that Jesus was a reproach.

Heb 13:18-19. The writer, who was well known to the audience even though he is not identified here in this letter...asks the church to pray for him...since he wanted to do the "right thing" in the midst of difficulty.

Heb 13:20-25 is a closing benediction. Praise be to God!

Proverbs 24:27 is the takeaway today. Wisdom dictates that there is a "best" order in which to do things. It would be strange to meet a man who was a farmer who had a nice home and no fields. In fact, if one were insightful...much of the financial crisis in our country today is caused by violating this principle. The magnitude of "credit" and the lack of "equity" is an outcome of building ones house before one builds the source which will provide for the house. Another way of speaking of this is "delayed gratification." While it is not original to him, Don teaches in his financial principles class at our church that we should "live today like others won't, so we can live tomorrow like others can't." This is another way of articulating this principle. Who knows what the future holds? Only God. We should do what is necessary now so we can used of God greatly in the days ahead.

Tomorrow we move back tot he OT book of Amos! See you there!

Grace,