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Psa. 78: reveals that unbelief was at the bottom of this rejection of heavenly food--
"Because they believed not in God"; "Their heart was not right with Him" (verses 17, 18,
22, 25, 37). In the dealings of God with His people after salvation, the principle remains
true that "Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap . . . . . flesh . . . . . spirit"; for
in Numb. 14: 28, 29 we read:
"As ye have spoken in Mine ears, so will I do to you: your carcasses shall fall in this
wilderness . . . . . which have murmured against Me."
The very sending of the spies into the land of promise was an act of provocation to the
Lord. "We will send men before us" (Deut. 1: 22). He allowed them their own way in the
matter, but the result was that "they brought up an evil report". Ezek. 20: 6 definitely
tells us that the Lord Himself had "espied" the land for them, but Israel did not believe
Him.
It is comforting to know that while "Some, when they had heard, did provoke;
howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses" (Heb. 3: 16), for Caleb and Joshua
wholly followed the Lord and are blessed examples of those who by patience and
continuance inherit the promises. We should give earnest heed to these things, so that we
may in our turn "press according to a mark for the prize of the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3: 14).
No.25.
The Apostle and High Priest of our profession (3: 1).
pp. 172 - 178
When we quote a passage of Scripture we are not at liberty to alter its wording, lest we
appear to hold its teaching lightly or have unworthy views of its inspiration. We
therefore have quoted Heb. 3: 1 as it is written. But is the Lord Jesus Christ the High
Priest of OUR profession? Yes, surely if we are Hebrews, but does this apply to
Gentiles, and particularly Gentiles saved under the dispensation of the Mystery? We can
only answer such a question if the Scriptures, either by some positive statement, or as a
result of comparing one epistle with another, provide sufficient material.
In the calling and sphere of Hebrews, the outstanding office associated with Christ as
He sits on the right hand of God, is that of High Priest. In the calling and sphere of
Ephesians, His outstanding office as He sits on the right hand of God, is that of Head.
Are these but two names for the same thing, or do they differ? No epistle, apart from
Hebrews, uses the title "High Priest" or "Priest" as a title of Christ, yet without the
doctrine that revolves around these words, how could the teaching of Hebrews proceed?
It will be remembered that the exhortation "to draw near" that occupied our attention in
the previous article was based upon the fact that those thus exhorted have "an High Priest
over the house of God" (Heb. 10: 21).