Hebrews 3

Hebrews 3:1

VVHerefore] At this verse the Apostle prosecutes the exhortation begunne, Chap. 2. vers. 1. and continues it to the end of the fourth Chapter.

heavenly] That is, effectuall calling, whereby they beleeved and obeyed the Gospel of Christ. Called heavenly: First, in respect of the Author, God, Philippians 3:14. Secondly, in respect of those things whereunto they were called to be partakers of, which were heavenly, 1 Thessalonians 2:12. 2 Thessalonians 2:14. 2 Timothy 1:9. 1 Pet. 2. 9. & 3. 9. & 5. 10. 2 Peter 1:3.

consider] That is, diligently, attentively: ponder with all your heart and mind his dignitie and excellencie, that so ye might adhere unto him and obey him.

Apostle] That is, whom God hath sent as his Ambassadour to make known his will unto you. See Chap. 1. 2.

high] Whom God hath ordained to make satisfaction for your sinnes. See Chap. 1. 3. and of whom the high Priest under the Law was a Type.

profession] Whom we beleeve with our hearts, and whom we confesse with our mouthes, Romans 10:10. Or of the doctrine which we beleeve and ought to confesse, Chap. 4. 14. & 10. 13. 2 Corinthians 9:13. 1 Timothy 6:12-13.

Hebrews 3:2

faithfull] That is, in discharging that office, which God had appointed to him for mans redemption: So the originall word is often used, as Matthew 24:45. & Matthew 25:21. Acts 16:15. 1 Corinthians 4:2. Ephesians 6:21. Col. 1. 7. See Chap. 2. 17. 1 Pet. 1. 20.

appointed] Or, made. See 1 Samuel 12:6. Acts 2:36.

Moses] Numbers 12:7.

house] That is, the Church of God in his time, and wherein God did dwell.

Hebrews 3:3

man was] 1 Corinthians 15:21. 1 Timothy 2:5.

Moses] As before he preferred Christ to the Angels, so here unto Moses, shewing both wherein they agreed, and wherein they differed. They agreed in that both were faithfull in their office, v. 2. They differed; first, in that Christ was the builder of the Church, whereas Moses was but a part thereof, vers. 3. secondly, in that Moses governed the Church but as a servant or steward; but Christ as a Sonne, whom his Father had made heire of all things, vers. 5, 6.

Hebrews 3:4

some man] Or, some one.

Hebrews 3:5

testimonie] That is, to be a witnesse of those things which he should in the name of God report unto the people: Or we may understand the place of those ceremonies & Types of the Old Testament set forth by Moses, to be afterwards more plainly and fully declared by Christ and his Apostles.

Hebrews 3:6

own] Christ hath a proprietie in his Church, and therefore he is ready to use all fidelitie, mercy, and power to govern and defend it.

house] Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith, Ephesians 3:17. See 1 Corinthians 3:16. 2 Corinthians 6:16. 1 Peter 2:5.

confidence] That is, the profession of our faith with boldnesse, Acts 4:29. Romans 10:10. Ephesians 6:19. 1 Thessalonians 2:2.

rejoycing] That is, glorying in those things for which we hope. Colossians 1:5. 1 Thessalonians 5:8. Titus 1:2. Or, our hope, which makes us to rejoyce, Romans 5:2.

unto the end] Matthew 10:22. & Matthew 4:13. 1 Peter 1:13. Revelation 3:10.

Hebrews 3:7

Wherefore] In as much as Gods wonders in Egypt and in the wildernesse, the conducting of his people into the land of Canaan, and their rebellious behaviour in it, were true types or shadowes of the like events in future times under the Gospel, therefore the Apostle upon good ground alleadgeth this of the Psalmist, not onely as an exhortation appliable to his times, but also as a prophecie.

holy Ghost] By David, Psalms 95:7. See 2 Samuel 23:2. Acts 1:16. 2 Peter 1:21.

to day] Psalms 95:7. The place being understood as a prophecie: by to day, we are here to understand the time of the Gospel, called the accepted time and day of salvation, 2 Corinthians 6:2. Or, understand thereby the present time, whensoever salvation is offered.

if] Or, when as Genesis 38:9. Exodus 20:25. & Exodus 22:25. Lev. 2 14. Numbers 36:4. Judg. 20 30. Matthew 5:23.

Hebrews 3:8

Harden] Contemne not his voyce, but beleeve it, cleave fast and be obedient unto it, Zech. 7. 11, 12. Acts 7:51. where resisting is opposed unto it.

provocation] That is, day of provocation: whereby understand not onely that speciall time mentioned Exodus 17:2, &c. Numbers 20:1, &c. & Deuteronomy 6:16. but the whole space, wherein they tempted God in the wildernesse. See Psal. 78. 1, &c.

Hebrews 3:9

When] Gr. Where.

tempted] When they tempted me by calling into question my presence, power and providence, Psalms 78:20.

me] That is, Christ, 1 Corinthians 10:9.

proved] Out of unbelief, notwithstanding they had experience of my power and presence with them.

and saw] Or, notwithstanding they saw.

fourtie yeers] See Psalms 95:9.

Hebrews 3:10

grieved] That is, was grievously offended. I abhorred.

known] That is, not seriously considered the course of my providence, and the waies of my commandements.

Hebrews 3:11

So I sware] Numbers 14:23.

they shall not enter] Gr. if they shall enter.

rest] That is, the land of Canaan, which was a type of the eternall rest of the faithfull in heaven, Chap. 4. 9.

Hebrews 3:12

Take heed] Here the Apostle begins to comment upon, or expound, the former passage of the Psalmist.

unbelief] Whereby is implied, that infidelitie is the originall and fountain of all disobedience.

Hebrews 3:13

exhort] Whereby understand reproofe, admonition, comfort and the like.

daily] Continually, upon all good occasions.

to day] While it is the accepted time or day of salvation, or while the Lord doth afford you opportunitie and means of grace, Psal. 32 6. Isaiah 55:6.

deceitfulnesse] Ephesians 4:22.

Hebrews 3:14

For we] This verse should be with a parenthesis.

of Christ] And all spirituall blessings in Christ.

if we hold] Colossians 1:23.

beginning] Or, that faith which we had in the beginning.

of our confidence] The Originall word signifieth a foundation or prop which upholds the building: hence faith is denoted thereby, because it is the foundation of all spirituall graces, and prop which upholds Christians in this vale of tears, Jude 1:20. Or by it we may understand [expectation] it being by faith that we certainly expect things hoped for. Chap. 11. 1. Psalms 39:7.

unto the end] See V. 6.

Hebrews 3:15

This verse coheeth with the 13.

whiles] Or, even as it is said.

carkasses] Numbers 14:29. Jude 1:5.

Hebrews 3:18

sware] Numbers 14:30. Deuteronomy 1:35.

Hebrews 3:19

So we see] Psal. 106. 24, 25, 26, 27.

unbelief] That is, because they did not trust upon Gods promises, but murmured against him in the wildernesse.