Hebrews 3:1-6: Jesus is Worthy of More Glory Than Moses
Hebrews - Jesus is Greater • Sermon • Submitted
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· 92 viewsJesus, as the faithful Son over God’s house, is worthy of more glory than Moses
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Introduction
Introduction
Paideia Commentaries on the New Testament
Hebrews The Faithfulness of Jesus Christ (3:1–6)
Here the author sets out the faithfulness of Jesus as a model for the community. Just as the comparison between Christ and the angels (1:4–14) is the basis for the exhortation not to drift away (2:1–4), the comparison between Christ and Moses (3:1–6) is the basis for the exhortation in 3:7–4:13 not to fail because of unbelief. In both units, the response to God’s word is the controlling theme (cf. 3:7, 15). The comparison has shifted from the word spoken through angels at Sinai to Moses, the one who spoke for God. Everything depends on the response to God’s word, for the greatness of salvation is accompanied by great consequences for those who hear.
Moses was, to the Jews, the greatest Israelite who ever lived. Moses was saved as a baby. He was chosen by God to free the Israelites from Egypt. He led them out of Egypt to the brink of the Promised Land. Moses spoke face-to-face with God. He received the commandments from the Lord. He had seen the very glory of God. There was none like Moses
And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.
Scripture
Scripture
1 Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. 3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 4 (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) 5 Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, 6 but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.
Outline
Outline
Hebrews 1-2 - Jesus is Greater Than the Angels
Hebrews 1-2 - Jesus is Greater Than the Angels
Hebrews 1:1-4 - God has Spoken
Hebrews 1:5-14 - The Son is Superior to the Angels
Hebrews 2:1-4 - A Warning
Hebrews 2:5-9 - Lowliness to Crowning Glory
Hebrews 2:10-18 - Jesus has Delivered His Brothers
Hebrews 3:1-6 - Jesus is Worthy of More Glory Than Moses
Hebrews 3:1-6 - Jesus is Worthy of More Glory Than Moses
Hebrews 3:1-2 - Jesus and Moses Were Faithful
Hebrews 3:3 - Jesus More Glorious Than Moses
Hebrews 3:4 - God is the Builder of all Things
Hebrews 3:5-6a - Moses’ and Jesus’ Faithfulness to God’s House
Hebrews 3:6b - Those who Persevere are God’s House
Purpose of Book
Purpose of Book
Christ, who has accomplished salvation through His atoning sacrifice, is greater than all things; therefore, persevere in true faith and encourage others to do likewise
Christ, who has accomplished salvation through His atoning sacrifice, is greater than all things; therefore, persevere in true faith and encourage others to do likewise
Main Point
Main Point
Jesus, as the faithful Son over God’s house, is worthy of more glory than Moses
Jesus, as the faithful Son over God’s house, is worthy of more glory than Moses
Hebrews 3:1-2 - Jesus and Moses Were Faithful
Hebrews 3:1-2 - Jesus and Moses Were Faithful
1 Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house.
Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling,
Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling,
Therefore - continuing the argument, not beginning a new one
17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Holy
to being dedicated or consecrated to the service of God
Made holy by Jesus
For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,
Brothers/sisters
Follow the author’s flow - Hebrews 2:10-18 Jesus’ brothers
Heavenly calling
Calling
① invitation to experience of special privilege and responsibility
Why do we have a heavenly calling?
Recall Hebrews 2:10-18 - Jesus’ becoming human, suffering, and making propitiation for sins
Who initiated the heavenly calling? God
Our calling is otherworldly, we must live with a heavenly view in mind
11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession
Consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession
As a result of Jesus being a merciful and faithful high priest, consider Jesus
Consider - Imperative
③ to think about carefully, envisage, think about
Focus one’s attention on Jesus, our sent one and intercession, and only Jesus
Trust Jesus’ ministry as the apostle and high priest of our confession
Though under persecution, the author commands his readers to take time to focus in on the person of Jesus
Apostle
① of messengers without extraordinary status delegate, envoy, messenger
Jesus is the sent one from God the Father to bring salvation
10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.
Priest
• extension, of Christ, who serves as high priest by atoning for the sins of humans
17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Confession
② statement of allegiance, as content of an action, confession, acknowledgment that one makes
Who was faithful to him who appointed him,
Who was faithful to him who appointed him,
Faithful
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
To Him - God the Father who appointed him (Jesus)
Appointed
To the task of being apostle and priest
Just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house.
Just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house.
1 Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. 2 And they said, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” And the Lord heard it. 3 Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth. 4 And suddenly the Lord said to Moses and to Aaron and Miriam, “Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting.” And the three of them came out. 5 And the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the tent and called Aaron and Miriam, and they both came forward. 6 And he said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. 7 Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house. 8 With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” 9 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them, and he departed.
Moses was faithful in God’s house - the Israelites
Exodus 35-40 - 22x Moses‘ faithfulness to God
In - Was entrusted to God’s house for a time
Hebrews 3:3 - Jesus More Glorious Than Moses
Hebrews 3:3 - Jesus More Glorious Than Moses
3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself.
Hebrews Exegesis
Moses and Jesus are not on the same level. They were both faithful to their callings, but Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses. Why is this so? The author uses an illustration from everyday life. When a house is built, honor goes to the one who built the house. No one thinks the house deserves more honor than the one who built it. The application of the illustration is evident given verse 2. Jesus as “the builder” (ὁ κατασκευάσας) of the house warrants more honor than Moses as a member of the house.
For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses —
For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses —
Like the angels in chapter 1, the author reveals how Jesus is greater than Moses
There is no intention of reducing the importance of Moses
Both are faithful, but Jesus has more glory
God has counted Jesus worthy of more glory than Moses for He crowned Jesus with glory and honor
9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
As much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself.
As much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself.
Hebrews 3:4 - God is the Builder of all Things
Hebrews 3:4 - God is the Builder of all Things
4 (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.)
(For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.)
(For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.)
1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
10 And,
“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,
and the heavens are the work of your hands;
2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
Hebrews 3:5-6a - Moses’ and Jesus’ Faithfulness to God’s House
Hebrews 3:5-6a - Moses’ and Jesus’ Faithfulness to God’s House
Hebrews 3:5–6 (ESV)
5 Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, 6 but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son.
The NET Bible First Edition Notes Notes for 3:6
7 sn The Greek makes the contrast between v. 5 and v. 6a more emphatic and explicit than is easily done in English.
Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant,
Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant,
number 12:7
7 Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house.
God’s house
Now the house of Israel called its name manna. It was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.
And Moses said to Aaron and to Eleazar and Ithamar his sons, “Do not let the hair of your heads hang loose, and do not tear your clothes, lest you die, and wrath come upon all the congregation; but let your brothers, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning that the Lord has kindled.
Servant
one who renders devoted service, esp. as an attendant in a cultic setting
A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament: The Gospel Realized
The Greek word θεράπων, translated as “servant,” differs from the term for “slave,” δοῦλος, because Moses served as God’s honored servant.
30 Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.
23 Then Israel came to Egypt;
Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
24 And the Lord made his people very fruitful
and made them stronger than their foes.
25 He turned their hearts to hate his people,
to deal craftily with his servants.
26 He sent Moses, his servant,
and Aaron, whom he had chosen.
1 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.
2 And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. 3 And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,
“Great and amazing are your deeds,
O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the nations!
4 Who will not fear, O Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
To testify to the things that were to be spoken later,
To testify to the things that were to be spoken later,
15 “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen— 16 just as you desired of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’ 17 And the Lord said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. 19 And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him. 20 But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’ 21 And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the Lord has not spoken?’— 22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.
46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”
44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,
ESV Expository Commentary
Hebrews–Revelation Comment
Hebrews will teach that regulations pertaining to the tabernacle and its sacrifices, received by Moses in the law, foreshadowed a new and better covenant and worship in a “time of reformation” (Heb. 9:6–10; 10:1), which has now come “at the end of the ages” through Christ (9:11–15, 26).
but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son.
but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son.
Christ
First time this word is used in Hebrews
Messiah/Anointed One
Christ is faithful over
35 And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever.
God’s house as a son
Christ was anointed as a Son
14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men,
6 “As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill.”
7 I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
Hebrews 3:6b - Those who Persevere are God’s House
Hebrews 3:6b - Those who Persevere are God’s House
Hebrews 3:6 (ESV)
And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.
And we are his house,
And we are his house,
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.
4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
If indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.
If indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.
Hold fast
② to adhere firmly to traditions, convictions, or beliefs, hold to, hold fast
Hope
① the looking forward to someth. with some reason for confidence respecting fulfillment, hope, expectation
If we hold fast
16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Note our “Purpose statement for Hebrews”
Christ, who has accomplished salvation through His atoning sacrifice, is greater than all things; therefore, persevere in true faith and encourage others to do likewise
“We”
Closing Quote
Closing Quote
Evangelical Biblical Theological Commentary
Hebrews Bridge
Believers in Jesus Christ must hold onto their faith until the end. It would be lamentable to revert to the revelation given through Moses, for Moses was a faithful servant of the Lord, but Jesus is God’s faithful Son. He is the apostle and high priest of our confession. Moses himself looked forward to a further word from God, to the fulfillment of what was proclaimed, and Jesus constitutes that fulfillment. The boldness to enter God’s presence through Jesus’ high priestly work would be surrendered if believers abandoned Jesus.