Hebrews 3:1-19
Those verses from Psalm 95:7-11 are also verses 7 to 11 in today’s reading. Interesting! More on Psalm 95 below.
Just a few minutes ago I had read today’s passages, but had not yet posted. For some reason I asked myself why I was posting – why I post every day? And three thoughts came to me right away. First, I post because my writing helps me to see myself better and to help me grow with God. Reading these passages is good; writing about them is even better! Second, I post to encourage you in your faith and your growth in the Lord. A few of you have told me that you do not read the day’s readings until you have received my e-mail note. Beyond that “alarm bell ministry” however, I hope to encourage you as verses touch me; then when I share those verses I hope they touch you also. Third, I post to help us to understand certain passages better. That doesn’t happen so often, but when it does I find real satisfaction from my enhanced understanding of Scripture and hopefully your own enhanced understanding.
So in today’s reading, first in the second comments below I write about how a young lady in the Washington, DC area prompted me to enjoy my Sabbath rest and how that changed my behavior and how Carol and I continue to enjoy that rest each and every Sunday. So, my personal growth… Second, I see our author offering encouragement: But encourage one another every day, as long as it is still called “today”… (v. 13a, NASB). The author of Hebrews is all about encouragement! Finally, I see a triad in verses 16, 17, and 18 – three rhetorical questions, each followed by an answer. I have spoken often of Paul’s triads and of the possibility of Paul being the author of Hebrews. Granted, triads are not uncommon in our own written words today, but these questioning triads offer for me (and you?) some greater possibility of Paul’s authorship of Hebrews. So, my posting motivations, fulfilled in today’s reading. Thank you, Lord!
See also: November 12 / Hebrews 3:1-11; November 13 / Hebrews 3:12-19