ne method of finding the main theme of a passage of Scripture, or any book for that matter, is to locate the passage's key words and phrases. The key words are usually those which the author spends some time on, either repeating in different ways or explaining in some detail. If we review what we covered in the last issue, we see that one of the author's key words is remains. He writes: Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it . . . Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience . . . There remains therefore a rest for the people of God (Heb. 4:1,6, 9). Clearly, the author understands that God's promise of rest, given so long before, still directly applies to his readers' time and situation.
We need to have the same understanding of the permanence of God's truth that our author has, for, often when God's promises and commands are proclaimed today, they are either ignored or rejected. Some of the hidden or not so hidden objections are the following: "That was written for people long ago on the other side of the world." "He was just influenced by his culture." "That may be true for you but not for me." "This hellfire stuff doesn't fly anymore. It's so old." Fundamentally the objection is that the Word of God is dead, or at least weakened. Against this objection the author writes that the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12).
The word of God is living and powerful; it never dies of old age, nor does it wither. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever (Is. 40:8). This is because God's word, as expressed in His promises and commands, is a revelation of His unchanging nature. When God's promises and commands do change, the change is not a result of an alteration in God's nature or will, but rather that of God applying and revealing His will to man's altering condition and situation in history. This is not to say that God follows man's initiative and desires. But as God has worked throughout history, He has effected changes in man's situation which require His modifying of how His will is applied.
For example, the Lord revealed to Moses that Aaron and his sons were to perpetually minister before Him as priests. You shall anoint them as you anointed the father, that they may minister to Me as priests; for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations (Ex. 40:15). Yet today believers have no Aaronic priest ministering to God on their behalf. Why not? Because God has changed His law. For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law (Heb. 7:12). The change which God has effected is that of a new priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
Consequently, only God can alter His word, and He does so as He sees fit. But how are we to know if a specific promise or command still applies? God's word is living. Does that mean that every promise is to be understood as applying directly, and every command is to be obeyed literally as written?
We should at least begin by assuming that God's promises to His people then do apply to His people now as originally written. Do this while understanding that some promises are clearly meant for individuals alone -- a blind man today need not make a pilgrimage to the pool of Siloam. Do not do this while testing God (drinking poison is out) but trusting God, for He who promised is faithful.
Commands are a bit different. Some commands simply do not apply in the same way today; our situation is different than that of the original readers. For example, at the end of this letter the author commands us to obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account (Heb. 13:17). This obviously pertains to any believer under a local church government. But the next verse reads: Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner (Heb. 13:18-19). Do we continue to pray for the first century author of Hebrews to be restored to us? Obviously not.
But not all commands are so easy to interpret. Should our missionaries take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money (Luke 9:3). If someone takes you to court to sue you for your shirt, do you let him have your cloak also (Matt. 5:40)? Must women cover their heads to pray (1 Cor. 11:1-16)? Must men lift their hands (1 Tim. 2:8)?
Such questions are not so readily answered. But here is a rule to oversee the study of such commands: If it is possible for you to obey a command in the way that it was intended, you should do so. God's word is living and powerful, and is authoritative over you. If it is not possible to obey the command, as in our example from Heb. 13:18, you should seek to apply it indirectly, and obey it to the extent possible. You may not pray for Paul or Apollos, but you should pray for the teachers you do have, that they may live honorable lives and be freed from undue hindrances and temptations.
Keep in mind that God's revelation is progressive. You are not allowed to obey a law in a manner
which God has later superseded or modified. God's word is to be
obeyed only as God commands, with all of His revelation taken into account. Study the Scriptures, and study their context. Just because
Scripture is sometimes difficult to interpret does not mean it is impossible to interpret. As you study, and practice what you learn, your
discernment will grow (Heb. 5:14). Do not study as a scofflaw with the attitude of
how can I get away with not obeying this
command, but with holy fear, seeking an aid to more perfect obedience.
