Hebrews 5
Daily Bread
Warning Against Falling Away
11We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Observation:
The author of Hebrews concludes chapter 5 with this exhortation to grow in the knowledge of God’s word by obedience to it. The first part of the passage teaches us that Jesus is a high priest in the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek is a unique figure in the Old Testament mentioned in Genesis 14, as the King of Salem and also a priest.
This was a foreshadowing of Jesus who would both be a merciful “high priest”, who mediates between God and man. Jesus is also the King of Kings and Lord of all. As such he requires our obedience as our Lord and King.
Then, the author concludes by saying that there is more to learn about these matters, but because the hearers were slow to learn he could not teach them anything else. He says at this time they ought to be teaching God’s word to others, and yet they still needed to be fed with milk rather than solid food (ie. they need to understand the basics once again).
Application:
The challenge this author felt with the early New Testament church is very similar to the challenge we face in the North American church. Just because someone has been in the church a long time, does not assure that they have become mature in their faith or understanding of the Scriptures. In fact most statistics show that most American Christians do not know their bible!
The writer uses the metaphor of a baby growing up and being able to handle solid food, which refers to this understanding and knowledge of God’s word through experience. So how does one become mature in their faith and understanding of the bible? The writer gives us the answer when he states, “For the mature who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish between good and evil.”
This is my hope through your reading of the Daily Bread, that you might become more acquainted with God’s truth and by application and constant use be able to distinguish between good and evil. And it is not only distinguishing between good and evil, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, walking in the way of truth and righteousness. This is God’s purpose and will fuel the growth of the church from within as disciples become mature and then are able to teach others these same truths!
Prayer: God help us through constant use and application of your Word given to us through Christ to become mature so that we can discern each day how we should live in this world. As we grow and mature then we can help others to follow this path as well with your help and Spirit, Amen.
Warning Against Falling Away
11We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Observation:
The author of Hebrews concludes chapter 5 with this exhortation to grow in the knowledge of God’s word by obedience to it. The first part of the passage teaches us that Jesus is a high priest in the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek is a unique figure in the Old Testament mentioned in Genesis 14, as the King of Salem and also a priest.
This was a foreshadowing of Jesus who would both be a merciful “high priest”, who mediates between God and man. Jesus is also the King of Kings and Lord of all. As such he requires our obedience as our Lord and King.
Then, the author concludes by saying that there is more to learn about these matters, but because the hearers were slow to learn he could not teach them anything else. He says at this time they ought to be teaching God’s word to others, and yet they still needed to be fed with milk rather than solid food (ie. they need to understand the basics once again).
Application:
The challenge this author felt with the early New Testament church is very similar to the challenge we face in the North American church. Just because someone has been in the church a long time, does not assure that they have become mature in their faith or understanding of the Scriptures. In fact most statistics show that most American Christians do not know their bible!
The writer uses the metaphor of a baby growing up and being able to handle solid food, which refers to this understanding and knowledge of God’s word through experience. So how does one become mature in their faith and understanding of the bible? The writer gives us the answer when he states, “For the mature who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish between good and evil.”
This is my hope through your reading of the Daily Bread, that you might become more acquainted with God’s truth and by application and constant use be able to distinguish between good and evil. And it is not only distinguishing between good and evil, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, walking in the way of truth and righteousness. This is God’s purpose and will fuel the growth of the church from within as disciples become mature and then are able to teach others these same truths!
Prayer: God help us through constant use and application of your Word given to us through Christ to become mature so that we can discern each day how we should live in this world. As we grow and mature then we can help others to follow this path as well with your help and Spirit, Amen.
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