Day 344

(D) Book of Hebrews
1. Christ is better than the best of Judaism
a. Better than the prophets and angels - Hebrews 1:1-14; 2:1-18
b. Greater than Moses - Hebrews 3:1-19; 4:1-16
c. High priesthood of Christ eliminates daily sacrifices - Hebrews 5:1-14; 6:1-20; 7:1-28; 8:1-5

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. (Hebrews 2:1)

Therefore - what is the the therefore, there for?  :-D  That question has been asked by several teachers I have been privileged to sit under.  I am reminded as well, that the chapter and verse delineation in each book are of mans invention to assist in studying.  Sometimes there are unfortunate breaks which fragment the original thought of the inspired writer.

Therefore ~ earnest heed ~ heard ~ slip.  These were the words which captured my attention the most.  Therefore, what was spoken previously - :-D personally, I would say all of Chapter 1!

earnest heed - G4337 - From G4314 and G2192; (figuratively) to hold the mind (G3563 implied) towards, that is, pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to, adhere to: - (give) attend (-ance, -ance at, -ance to, unto), beware, be given to, give (take) heed (to, unto) have regard.

heard - G191 - A primary verb; to hear (in various senses): - give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), ([shall]) hear (-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand.

slip - G3901 - From G3844 and the alternate of G4482; to flow by, that is, (figuratively) carelessly pass (miss): - let slip.

What would the recipients of Hebrews have heard?  1:1 references that they would have heard God speak at various times and in divers manners to the fathers by the prophets.  This does NOT mean that there is any other avenue of salvation other than by grace through faith.  Every season of humanity, regardless of who was tasked with authority (whether individual or national) has obtained the inheritance (or the promise thereof) by grace through faith.  There are not many avenues to the Celestial City, there are not many ways, paths, etc.  Christ Jesus has from the beginning always been the only way to reconciliation and adoption by Father.

The Hebrews, and those who were attentive to the Truth, would have heard, studied, lived that which was recorded by the prophets.  All that was contained in what is now labeled as the OT.  I fear for the Bride at large, that she has forgotten from whence she sprang.  The roots which give nourishment.  This is not a call to return to a keeping of the law or rituals of Judaism, but a reflection on how poorly the Bride knows her history.

Rom 11:17  And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

Rom 11:18  Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 

Rom 11:19  Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.

Rom 11:20  Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 

Rom 11:21  For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 

We, as the Bride, ought not to be high minded, proud or puffed up against how poorly Israel received and kept the Truth.  The Bride is in tatters and not well prepared and/or ready for the return of her betrothed.  Father, You and You alone are the source and fountain of Truth, open the eyes of Your people to see how debauched we have become.  Lord, help us to repent and turn from seeking our own ways.  From desiring to please our temporary flesh in what is but a vapor of time and existence.  Help us to crave that heavenly abode, to stand before You not ashamed, having nothing to offer, nothing which will stand the test of Your fire.  O Father, how my heart weeps with the thought that I may stand before You and all that I have done this side of glory would be hay, wood and stubble.  O Father, call us to see beyond these temporal shores, to see the glimmer of light from that City, the eternal home of our King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Day 340

W. Book of Ephesians ~ cont.

2. Believer's new life in the true church ~ cont.

b. Controlled by the spirit - Ephesians 5:1-33

c. Domestic life of the believer - Ephesians 6:1-24

X. Book of Philippians

1. Christ is the believer's life - Philippians 1:1-30

2. Christ is the believer's example - Philippians 2:1-30; 3:1-21

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather of giving thanks. (Ephesians 5:3-4)

That word fornication is used repeatedly in scripture - I had thought to see how often, but do not think I completed the process.  It is interesting that when the Council of Jerusalem met to discuss what the Gentile converts should or should not do, this was one of the four admonitions.  Onward to my word study.  :-)  The word fornication is used 36x in 32 verses throughout the OT/NT - 4x in the OT, and 32X.  There are 5 different words Hebrew or Greek words translated as fornication.

H2181 - A primitive root (highly fed and therefore wanton); to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively to commit idolatry (the Jewish people being regarded as the spouse of Jehovah).

Used 93x in 82 verses. The few verses I browsed had the word translated as harlot, whore or whoring.  It appears from a very brief examination that the word is used in referring to how God's chosen people either played the harlot/whore or went a whoring after the nations around them.

H8457 - From H2181; harlotry, that is, (figuratively) idolatry.

Used 20x in 19 verses.  Fornication(s) and whoredom(s) - the actual acts themselves.  Israel and Judah could not, or would not, keep themselves from being immersed into the pagan cultures around them.  I wonder, when I look at the 'church' today, does Father see the same thing in us?

G1608 - From G1537 and G4203; to be utterly unchaste.

Used 1x in Jude 1:7 - referencing Sodom and Gomorrah and the going after strange flesh.

G4202 - From G4203; harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively idolatry.

Used 26 x in 25 verses.  Translated each time as fornication.

G4203 - From G4204; to act the harlot, that is, (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practise idolatry.

Used 8x in 7 verses.  Five of the verses are in Revelation.

Lest the Bride get puffed up, she is no different from her idolatrous sisters Israel and Judah.  Those who (hypothetically) pound their chest and puff it out in admiration of being 'born again' and 'filled with the spirit' yet look no different from the world need to examine themselves.  Father tells us, repeatedly, to come out of her (the world) to be set apart and holy.  Additionally, one may be keeping themselves 'unspotted' from the world in the physical sense.  But what about the mind?  The major battleground.  Are we taking all those thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ?  Desiring to think on those things which are honoring to Him?

A chilling thought, if we are fornicators in our minds, how does this verse apply?


1Co 6:9-10  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 

Father, help Your Bride to be cleansed and purified from the world.  To bring into captivity, EVERY thought unto the obedience in Christ Jesus.