Take Two: Hebrews 3, Proverbs 14

Chapter three introduces us to a difficult theological concept...that of "falling away." It will be a recurring theme in this book, since one of the primary goals of this book is to encourage Jewish believers to stand firm in the faith that is in Christ, rather than return to the empty practice of Judaism.

At a very high level, we can see that the author desires for us recognize Jesus (and the dispensation of Grace) as superior in every way to that of Moses (the dispensation of the Law) (Heb 3:1-6). The point being made is not that Moses was unfaithful; rather, it is that Moses was a faithful builder of the "house" where Jesus is Lord (Heb 3:5-6). Ultimately, as the writer points out, God is the builder of the "house"...the system through which we relate to God. Moses was faithful in all he had to do and Jesus was faithful in all He did.

There is a subtle implication here...the writer wants it to be clear that as those who were in Moses day were required to be faithful to receive the inheritance (Heb 3:12-18), his readers are required to be faithful to Jesus in whose era they live. To walk away...is to forsake the benefit of relationship.

Now the question always comes up..."can I forsake my belief and fall away?" The Reformers thought not. I concur. Those that "fall away" were never really God's people to begin with. However, that does not change the responsibility to not only be faithful (for us), but to encourage others to be faithful (Heb 3:13-14), since to forsake the faith...is to demonstrate an evil and unbelieving heart.

Some would protest that this is unnecessary...stating that if we are at all responsible for our own "security" as recipients of God's grace...then salvation is "works based." This is not true...and I will unpack that more as we get deeper into the book.

Here is the big takeaway today...for me. We are told to "take care" not to "fall away" and to encourage other so they do not "fall away." This requires some intentionality on our part to guard ourselves and to be watchguards over others. We should take that seriously. The rest...we leave to the justice and mercy of God.

Proverbs 14:6 is the takeaway today. The scoffer (one who is unteachable and resistant to wisdom...who scoffs at it) can never discover wisdom. The reason is...he cannot see the forest for the trees. He is the one who argues, questions, and rebels against God's wisdom. To the one who "applies" knowledge (has understanding)...knowledge comes easy. God is not complicated. He is complex...but not complicated. His was are not necessarily easy...but they are simple. Those that miss God...tend to be those who "overcook the grits."