Hebrews 3:1-5

 

Heb 3:1 (KJB)

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

 

Consider - Observe carefully or notice (in a spiritual sense)

Profession - Confession or acknowledgement

 

The writer now begins a comparison between the Lord Jesus Christ and Moses. Christ is called the Apostle and High Priest of our profession. First He is called “the” Apostle. An Apostle is one that is sent. The reason that Christ is being singled out as “the” Apostle, even though there were many Apostles, is because Christ was the one whom God sent to earth to bring the message of salvation and to effect that salvation by Himself on the cross. (1 John 4:10 KJV) Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. None of the earthly Apostles were involved in the sacrifice of Christ, this is why they were all scattered so none could ever claim they had part in it. It was Christ and Christ alone! (Heb 1:3 KJV) Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

 

Then He is called the High Priest. The High Priest was the one who appeared before God to present his people. In Heaven at this time Christ is our High Priest by making intercession for the Saints. (Heb 7:25 KJV) Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. The writer to the Hebrews tells us that we need to consider Christ as He is about to make a comparison between Him and Moses and will show the superiority of Christ to Moses. He calls states that Christ is of “our profession” and that means He is the one whom Christians look to. We do not look to the law of Moses as our profession but to Christ.

 

Heb 3:2 (KJB)

Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.

 

House - Household or Family

 

Here the writer make a comparison with similarities. As Moses was faithful in carrying out the duties of bringing the nation of Israel to the Jordan River. Christ was also faithful in effecting salvation for His people. The one difference in this similarity is that Moses sinned at the waters of Meribah. (Deu 32:51-52 KJV) Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel. {52} Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel. Moses was not allowed to go over the Jordan into the promised land but He was allowed to see it. Spiritually speaking Moses represented the Law and no one can go to the promised land, which is Heaven, through the law, they must come through Christ. Each was faithful in their house which was the community to which they were committed in their particular calling. The house of Moses was the nation of Israel and the house of Christ is all the believers in the world.

 

Heb 3:3 (KJB)

For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.

 

The writer continues from verse two with the reason that Christ is to receive more glory and honor than Moses. When a house or any building is built, it is usually admired for its architectural attractiveness but the reality is that the house did not build itself. Someone had to design and construct it according to plans. When Moses came on the scene the house of Israel was already built and he took over the reins of rule as their prophet and leader. The Lord Jesus Christ, through His blood, effected salvation for all believers and it was through this that His house was built and will continue to be built until the last one is saved. So as Christ is continuing to build His house, He gains the honor of constructing it with His own completed sacrifice.

 

Heb 3:4 (KJB)

For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.

 

All things - The totality of all existing things

 

As was stated in the previous verse that no house or any building builds itself. Every structure is designed and built by an outside person. The house in view here is everything in the universe, microcosm to macrocosm was designed and built by God. The Lord Jesus Christ was God’s agent in creation. (Col 1:16-17 KJV) For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: {17} And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. The entire Trinity was involved in the creation process of the earth and universe.

 

Heb 3:5 (KJB)

And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

 

A servant - A ministering servant

 

(Num 12:7-8 KJV) My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. {8} With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? Our Hebrews verse is quoted almost verbatim except in Numbers 12:7, God uses the term “mine house” and in Hebrews 3:5, He uses the term “his house.” This is because the writer was giving God’s evaluation of the ministry of Moses. Moses was not only their earthly leader but he was their ministering servant. (Luke 22:26 KJV) But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. The term “ministering servant” was not a type of servant like a slave but one of a dignified person who performs a personal service. In comparison to Christ, it is important to keep this in mind that Moses was a servant in the house of Israel. Then Moses is credited with speaking revelations from God but these revelations were of a lesser nature compared to the revelations which came from the Son, because these were the final revelations concerning salvation, which we read about in Hebrews 1:1-2. Now I don’t want anyone getting the wrong idea that one part of Scripture is less important than another. In comparing the temporal law which Moses received at Sinai to the message of eternal Grace we receive through the Lord Jesus Christ, we can conclude that the message of Grace overshadows the message of the law. No one can be saved through the law but one can be saved through Grace therefore our message to the world is the message of Christ and not Moses, yet both have equal prominence in the Scriptures. (2 Cor 4:5 KJV) For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

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