November 15

November 15

Prayer

Pray that our children obey and respect their parents.

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
(Exodus 20:12)

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Question 62

Question 62 - What are the reasons annexed to the Fourth Commandment?

The reasons annexed to the Fourth Commandment are, God's allowing us six days of the week for our own employments, His challenging a special propriety in the seventh, His own example, and His blessing the Sabbath-day.

Reformational Reading

The Westminster Larger Catechism

Question 150

Question 150 - Are all transgressions of the law of God equally heinous in themselves, and in the sight of God?

All transgressions of the law of God are not equally heinous; but some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.

Private Reading

Amos 4

1.  Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.
2.  The Lord GOD hath sworn by his holiness, that, lo, the days shall come upon you, that he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks.
3.  And ye shall go out at the breaches, every cow at that which is before her; and ye shall cast them into the palace, saith the LORD.
4.  Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years:
5.  And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
6.  And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
7.  And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered.
8.  So two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
9.  I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
10.  I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
11.  I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
12.  Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.
13.  For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name.

Commentary: Amos 4

Vs. 1-5

What is got by extortion is commonly used to provide for the flesh, and to fulfill the lusts thereof. What is got by oppression cannot be enjoyed with satisfaction. How miserable are those whose confidence in unscriptural observances only prove that they believe a lie! Let us see to it that our faith, hope, and worship, are warranted by the Divine word.

Vs. 6-13

See the folly of carnal hearts; they wander from one creature to another, seeking for something to satisfy, and labor for that which satisfies not; yet, after all, they will not incline their ear to Him in whom they might find all they can want. Preaching the gospel is as rain, and every thing withers where this rain is wanting. It were well if people were as wise for their souls as they are for their bodies; and, when they have not this rain near, would go and seek it where it is to be had. As the Israelites persisted in rebellion and idolatry, the Lord was coming against them as an adversary. Ere long, we must meet our God in judgment; but we shall not be able to stand before him, if he tries us according to our doings. If we would prepare to meet our God with comfort, at the awful period of his coming, we must now meet him in Christ Jesus, the eternal Son of the Father, who came to save lost sinners. We must seek him while he is to be found.

Psalm 148-150

1.  Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.
2.  Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
3.  Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
4.  Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
5.  Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
6.  He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
7.  Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
8.  Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
9.  Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
10.  Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
11.  Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
12.  Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
13.  Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
14.  He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.

1.  Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
2.  Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3.  Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
4.  For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
5.  Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
6.  Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;
7.  To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
8.  To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
9.  To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.

1.  Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
2.  Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3.  Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4.  Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5.  Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6.  Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

Commentary: Psalm 148-150

Vs. 1-6

We, in this dark and sinful world, know little of the heavenly world of light. But we know that there is above us a world of blessed angels. They are always praising God, therefore the psalmist shows his desire that God may be praised in the best manner; also we show that we have communion with spirits above, who are still praising him. The heavens, with all contained in them, declare the glory of God. They call on us, that both by word and deed, we glorify with them the Creator and Redeemer of the universe.

Vs. 7-14

Even in this world, dark and bad as it is, God is praised. The powers of nature, be they ever so strong, so stormy, do what God appoints them, and no more. Those that rebel against God's word, show themselves to be more violent than even the stormy winds, yet they fulfill it. View the surface of the earth, mountains and all hills; from the barren tops of some, and the fruitful tops of others, we may fetch matter for praise. And assuredly creatures which have the powers of reason, ought to employ themselves in praising God. Let all manner of persons praise God. Those of every rank, high and low. Let us show that we are his saints by praising his name continually. He is not only our Creator, but our Redeemer; who made us a people near unto him. We may by "the Horn of his people" understand Christ, whom God has exalted to be a Prince and a Savior, who is indeed the defense and the praise of all his saints, and will be so for ever. In redemption, that unspeakable glory is displayed, which forms the source of all our hopes and joys. May the Lord pardon us, and teach our hearts to love him more and praise him better.

Vs. 1-5

New mercies continually demand new songs of praise, upon earth and in heaven. And the children of Zion have not only to bless the God who made them, but to rejoice in him, as having created them in Christ Jesus unto good works, and formed them saints as well as men. The Lord takes pleasure in his people; they should rejoice in Him. When the Lord has made sinners feel their wants and unworthiness, he will adorn them with the graces of his Spirit, and cause them to bear his image, and rejoice in his happiness for ever. Let his saints employ their waking hours upon their beds in songs of praise. Let them rejoice, even upon the bed of death, assured that they are going to eternal rest and glory.

Vs. 6-9

Some of God's servants of old were appointed to execute vengeance according to his word. They did not do it from personal revenge or earthly politics, but in obedience to God's command. And the honor intended for all the saints of God, consists in their triumphs over the enemies of their salvation. Christ never intended his gospel should be spread by fire and sword, or his righteousness by the wrath of man. But let the high praises of God be in our mouths, while we wield the sword of the word of God, with the shield of faith, in warfare with the world, the flesh, and the devil. The saints shall be more than conquerors over the enemies of their souls, through the blood of the Lamb and the word of his testimony. The completing of this will be in the judgment of the great day. Then shall the judgment be executed. Behold Jesus, and his gospel church, chiefly in her millennial state. He and his people rejoice in each other; by their prayers and efforts they work with him, while he goes forth in the chariots of salvation, conquering sinners by grace, or in chariots of vengeance, to destroy his enemies.

Vs 1-6

We are here stirred up to praise God. Praise God for his sanctuary, and the privileges we enjoy by having it among us; praise him because of his power and glory in the firmament. Those who praise the Lord in heaven, behold displays of his power and glory which we cannot now conceive. But the greatest of all his mighty acts is known in his earthly sanctuary. The holiness and the love of our God are more displayed in man's redemption, than in all his other works. Let us praise our God and Savior for it. We need not care to know what instruments of music are mentioned. Hereby is meant that in serving God we should spare no cost or pains. Praise God with strong faith; praise him with holy love and delight; praise him with entire confidence in Christ; praise him with believing triumph over the powers of darkness; praise him by universal respect to all his commands; praise him by cheerful submission to all his disposals; praise him by rejoicing in his love, and comforting ourselves in his goodness; praise him by promoting the interests of the kingdom of his grace; praise him by lively hope and expectation of the kingdom of his glory. Since we must shortly breathe our last, while we have breath let us praise the Lord; then we shall breathe our last with comfort. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. Such is the very suitable end of a book inspired by the Spirit of God, written for the work of praise; a book which has supplied the songs of the church for more than three thousand years; a book which is quoted more frequently than any other by Christ and his apostles; a book which presents the loftiest ideas of God and his government, which is fitted to every state of human life, which sets forth every state of religious experience, and which bears simple and clear marks of its Divine origin.

Family Reading

1 Chronicles 5-6

1.  Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.
2.  For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's:)
3.  The sons, I say, of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were, Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
4.  The sons of Joel; Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son,
5.  Micah his son, Reaia his son, Baal his son,
6.  Beerah his son, whom Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria carried away captive: he was prince of the Reubenites.
7.  And his brethren by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was reckoned, were the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,
8.  And Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who dwelt in Aroer, even unto Nebo and Baalmeon:
9.  And eastward he inhabited unto the entering in of the wilderness from the river Euphrates: because their cattle were multiplied in the land of Gilead.
10.  And in the days of Saul they made war with the Hagarites, who fell by their hand: and they dwelt in their tents throughout all the east land of Gilead.
11.  And the children of Gad dwelt over against them, in the land of Bashan unto Salchah:
12.  Joel the chief, and Shapham the next, and Jaanai, and Shaphat in Bashan.
13.  And their brethren of the house of their fathers were, Michael, and Meshullam, and Sheba, and Jorai, and Jachan, and Zia, and Heber, seven.
14.  These are the children of Abihail the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz;
15.  Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, chief of the house of their fathers.
16.  And they dwelt in Gilead in Bashan, and in her towns, and in all the suburbs of Sharon, upon their borders.
17.  All these were reckoned by genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel.
18.  The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war.
19.  And they made war with the Hagarites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab.
20.  And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him.
21.  And they took away their cattle; of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand, and of asses two thousand, and of men an hundred thousand.
22.  For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity.
23.  And the children of the half tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land: they increased from Bashan unto Baalhermon and Senir, and unto mount Hermon.
24.  And these were the heads of the house of their fathers, even Epher, and Ishi, and Eliel, and Azriel, and Jeremiah, and Hodaviah, and Jahdiel, mighty men of valour, famous men, and heads of the house of their fathers.
25.  And they transgressed against the God of their fathers, and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land, whom God destroyed before them.
26.  And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day.

1.  The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
2.  And the sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.
3.  And the children of Amram; Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. The sons also of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
4.  Eleazar begat Phinehas, Phinehas begat Abishua,
5.  And Abishua begat Bukki, and Bukki begat Uzzi,
6.  And Uzzi begat Zerahiah, and Zerahiah begat Meraioth,
7.  Meraioth begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub,
8.  And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Ahimaaz,
9.  And Ahimaaz begat Azariah, and Azariah begat Johanan,
10.  And Johanan begat Azariah, (he it is that executed the priest's office in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem:)
11.  And Azariah begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub,
12.  And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Shallum,
13.  And Shallum begat Hilkiah, and Hilkiah begat Azariah,
14.  And Azariah begat Seraiah, and Seraiah begat Jehozadak,
15.  And Jehozadak went into captivity, when the LORD carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.
16.  The sons of Levi; Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.
17.  And these be the names of the sons of Gershom; Libni, and Shimei.
18.  And the sons of Kohath were, Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.
19.  The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. And these are the families of the Levites according to their fathers.
20.  Of Gershom; Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,
21.  Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeaterai his son.
22.  The sons of Kohath; Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son,
23.  Elkanah his son, and Ebiasaph his son, and Assir his son,
24.  Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son.
25.  And the sons of Elkanah; Amasai, and Ahimoth.
26.  As for Elkanah: the sons of Elkanah; Zophai his son, and Nahath his son,
27.  Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son.
28.  And the sons of Samuel; the firstborn Vashni, and Abiah.
29.  The sons of Merari; Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzza his son,
30.  Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son.
31.  And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after that the ark had rest.
32.  And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order.
33.  And these are they that waited with their children. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman a singer, the son of Joel, the son of Shemuel,
34.  The son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah,
35.  The son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai,
36.  The son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah,
37.  The son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah,
38.  The son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel.
39.  And his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berachiah, the son of Shimea,
40.  The son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchiah,
41.  The son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah,
42.  The son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei,
43.  The son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi.
44.  And their brethren the sons of Merari stood on the left hand: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,
45.  The son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah,
46.  The son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shamer,
47.  The son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi.
48.  Their brethren also the Levites were appointed unto all manner of service of the tabernacle of the house of God.
49.  But Aaron and his sons offered upon the altar of the burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, and were appointed for all the work of the place most holy, and to make an atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
50.  And these are the sons of Aaron; Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son,
51.  Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son,
52.  Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son,
53.  Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son.
54.  Now these are their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the lot.
55.  And they gave them Hebron in the land of Judah, and the suburbs thereof round about it.
56.  But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
57.  And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of Judah, namely, Hebron, the city of refuge, and Libnah with her suburbs, and Jattir, and Eshtemoa, with their suburbs,
58.  And Hilen with her suburbs, Debir with her suburbs,
59.  And Ashan with her suburbs, and Bethshemesh with her suburbs:
60.  And out of the tribe of Benjamin; Geba with her suburbs, and Alemeth with her suburbs, and Anathoth with her suburbs. All their cities throughout their families were thirteen cities.
61.  And unto the sons of Kohath, which were left of the family of that tribe, were cities given out of the half tribe, namely, out of the half tribe of Manasseh, by lot, ten cities.
62.  And to the sons of Gershom throughout their families out of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.
63.  Unto the sons of Merari were given by lot, throughout their families, out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.
64.  And the children of Israel gave to the Levites these cities with their suburbs.
65.  And they gave by lot out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, and out of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, these cities, which are called by their names.
66.  And the residue of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their coasts out of the tribe of Ephraim.
67.  And they gave unto them, of the cities of refuge, Shechem in mount Ephraim with her suburbs; they gave also Gezer with her suburbs,
68.  And Jokmeam with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs,
69.  And Aijalon with her suburbs, and Gathrimmon with her suburbs:
70.  And out of the half tribe of Manasseh; Aner with her suburbs, and Bileam with her suburbs, for the family of the remnant of the sons of Kohath.
71.  Unto the sons of Gershom were given out of the family of the half tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, and Ashtaroth with her suburbs:
72.  And out of the tribe of Issachar; Kedesh with her suburbs, Daberath with her suburbs,
73.  And Ramoth with her suburbs, and Anem with her suburbs:
74.  And out of the tribe of Asher; Mashal with her suburbs, and Abdon with her suburbs,
75.  And Hukok with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs:
76.  And out of the tribe of Naphtali; Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, and Hammon with her suburbs, and Kirjathaim with her suburbs.
77.  Unto the rest of the children of Merari were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs:
78.  And on the other side Jordan by Jericho, on the east side of Jordan, were given them out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer in the wilderness with her suburbs, and Jahzah with her suburbs,
79.  Kedemoth also with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs:
80.  And out of the tribe of Gad; Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, and Mahanaim with her suburbs,
81.  And Heshbon with her suburbs, and Jazer with her suburbs.

Commentary: 1 Chronicles 5-6

Vs. 1-26

This chapter gives some account of the two tribes and a half seated on the east side of Jordan. They were made captives by the king of Assyria, because they had forsaken the Lord. Only two things are here recorded concerning these tribes.

1. They all shared in a victory. Happy is that people who live in harmony together, who assist each other against the common enemies of their souls, trusting in the Lord, and calling upon him.
2. They shared in captivity. They would have the best land, not considering that it lay most exposed. The desire of earthly objects draws to a distance from God's ordinances, and prepares men for destruction.

Vs 1-81

We have an account of Levi in this chapter. The priests and Levites were more concerned than any other Israelites, to preserve their descent clear, and to be able to prove it; because all the honors and privileges of their office depended upon their descent. Now, the Spirit of God calls ministers to their work, without any limit as to the families they came from; and then, as now, though believers and ministers may be very useful to the church, none but our great High Priest can make atonement for sin, nor can any be accepted but through his atonement.

Hebrews 10

1.  For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
2.  For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
3.  But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
4.  For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
5.  Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
6.  In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
7.  Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
8.  Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
9.  Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
10.  By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11.  And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12.  But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13.  From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14.  For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
15.  Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
16.  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17.  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18.  Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
19.  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20.  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21.  And having an high priest over the house of God;
22.  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23.  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24.  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25.  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
26.  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27.  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28.  He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29.  Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30.  For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31.  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32.  But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
33.  Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
34.  For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
35.  Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
36.  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37.  For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
38.  Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39.  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Commentary: Hebrews 10

Vs. 1-10

The apostle having shown that the tabernacle, and ordinances of the covenant of Sinai, were only emblems and types of the gospel, concludes that the sacrifices the high priests offered continually, could not make the worshippers perfect, with respect to pardon, and the purifying of their consciences. But when "God manifested in the flesh," became the sacrifice, and his death upon the accursed tree the ransom, then the Sufferer being of infinite worth, his free-will sufferings were of infinite value. The atoning sacrifice must be one capable of consenting, and must of his own will place himself in the sinner's stead: Christ did so. The fountain of all that Christ has done for his people, is the sovereign will and grace of God. The righteousness brought in, and the sacrifice once offered by Christ, are of eternal power, and his salvation shall never be done away. They are of power to make all the comers thereunto perfect; they derive from the atoning blood, strength and motives for obedience, and inward comfort.

Vs. 11-18

Under the new covenant, or gospel dispensation, full and final pardon is to be had. This makes a vast difference between the new covenant and the old one. Under the old, sacrifices must be often repeated, and after all, only pardon as to this world was to be obtained by them. Under the new, one Sacrifice is enough to procure for all nations and ages, spiritual pardon, or being freed from punishment in the world to come. Well might this be called a new covenant. Let none suppose that human inventions can avail those who put them in the place of the sacrifice of the Son of God. What then remains, but that we seek an interest in this Sacrifice by faith; and the seal of it to our souls, by the sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience? So that by the law being written in our hearts, we may know that we are justified, and that God will no more remember our sins.

Vs. 19-25

The apostle having closed the first part of the epistle, the doctrine is applied to practical purposes. As believers had an open way to the presence of God, it became them to use this privilege. The way and means by which Christians enjoy such privileges, is by the blood of Jesus, by the merit of that blood which he offered up as an atoning sacrifice. The agreement of infinite holiness with pardoning mercy, was not clearly understood till the human nature of Christ, the Son of God, was wounded and bruised for our sins. Our way to heaven is by a crucified Savior; his death is to us the way of life, and to those who believe this, he will be precious. They must draw near to God; it would be contempt of Christ, still to keep at a distance. Their bodies were to be washed with pure water, alluding to the cleansings directed under the law: thus the use of water in baptism, was to remind Christians that their conduct should be pure and holy. While they derived comfort and grace from their reconciled Father to their own souls, they would adorn the doctrine of God their Savior in all things. Believers are to consider how they can be of service to each other, especially stirring up each other to the more vigorous and abundant exercise of love, and the practice of good works. The communion of saints is a great help and privilege, and a means of steadfastness and perseverance. We should observe the coming of times of trial, and be thereby quickened to greater diligence. There is a trying day coming on all men, the day of our death.

Vs. 26-31

The exhortations against apostasy and to perseverance, are urged by many strong reasons. The sin here mentioned is a total and final falling away, when men, with a full and fixed will and resolution, despise and reject Christ, the only Savior; despise and resist the Spirit, the only Sanctifier; and despise and renounce the gospel, the only way of salvation, and the words of eternal life. Of this destruction God gives some notorious sinners, while on earth, a fearful foreboding in their consciences, with despair of being able to endure or to escape it. But what punishment can be sorer than to die without mercy? We answer, to die by mercy, by the mercy and grace which they have despised. How dreadful is the case, when not only the justice of God, but his abused grace and mercy call for vengeance! All this does not in the least mean that any souls who sorrow for sin will be shut out from mercy, or that any will be refused the benefit of Christ's sacrifice, who are willing to accept these blessings. Him that cometh unto Christ, he will in no wise cast out.

Vs. 32-39

Many and various afflictions united against the early Christians, and they had a great conflict. The Christian spirit is not a selfish spirit; it puts us upon pitying others, visiting them, helping them, and pleading for them. All things here are but shadows. The happiness of the saints in heaven will last for ever; enemies can never take it away as earthly goods. This will make rich amends for all we may lose and suffer here. The greatest part of the saints' happiness, as yet, is in promise. It is a trial of the patience of Christians, to be content to live after their work is done, and to stay for their reward till God's time to give it is come. He will soon come to them at death, to end all their sufferings, and to give them a crown of life. The Christian's present conflict may be sharp, but will be soon over. God never is pleased with the formal profession and outward duties and services of such as do not persevere; but he beholds them with great displeasure. And those who have been kept faithful in great trails for the time past, have reason to hope for the same grace to help them still to live by faith, till they receive the end of their faith and patience, even the salvation of their souls. Living by faith, and dying in faith, our souls are safe for ever.

Prayer

Lord's Prayer

Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Apostle's Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.

Amen.