God Does a New Thing

KEY VERSE: “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.” —Hebrews 3:1,2

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 1:1-5; 3:1-6

THIS LETTER IS addressed by Paul to those who have accepted the invitation of joint-heirship with our Lord in his spiritual kingdom. These are a special people, elsewhere referred to as a royal priesthood. They are partakers with Jesus in his sufferings and help “fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ.” (Col. 1:24) They are admonished to consider Jesus’ willing sacrifice, and also to note the faithfulness of Moses.

Jesus was tested and proven by the people and events of his day. The Pharisees and Sadducees were the religious leaders of Judaism at that time, and their influence was widespread. Their laws and customs had been made oppressive for the people of Israel, and the Master had to overcome the continuing spirit of hostility and resentment that was generated against him and his true message of love.

Our Lord also had to overcome any temptation to be a great leader among his people. With his perfect powers of intellect and reasoning he could have easily risen above the highest of them all, had he been so inclined. But he knew the Heavenly Father’s will and plan for the greater work to be accomplished at a later time, and he learned obedience by the things which he suffered. His ministry was a sacrificing of the flesh for the sins of the world, which would eventuate in the giving of his life for them according to the Father’s will.

Moses was Israel’s leader in times of old. He served as head of the fleshly house of servants, as well as mediator of the Law Covenant. There are many important typical applications in connection with his life and ministry, and he faithfully carried out the will of God as it was made known to him at that time. As God’s servant, Moses gave the Divine Law to the house of Israel. If they had faithfully carried out the terms of the agreement they would have been blessed accordingly.

A new dimension is added that includes the Lord’s people who are being called out of the world during the present Gospel Age. As Moses was of the house of servants in the fleshly sense, those who are of Christ are termed the house of sons in the spiritual sense. The apostle explains, “Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.”—Heb. 3:6

Jesus thus becomes the antitypical Moses, and in due time, the faithful class, together with our Lord, will constitute the mediatorship of a new and better covenant as represented by Moses. Those who share with the Master in his sufferings during the present age are no part of the house; of servants, as were the children of Israel, but are now shown to be a part of a much grander picture—the house of sons.

Sons have many more rights and privileges than do servants. The privilege of becoming sons of God was first given during Jesus’ earthly ministry. Those who have responded receive a measure of the Holy Spirit in Christ. Those who are faithful will share with him in the glorious spiritual kingdom in their capacity to bless all the families of the earth.

May God be praised!

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