KEEPING COMMANDMENTS

HEBREWS 13:4–8

Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral

(Hebrews 13:4).

Hebrews 13:1–7 deals with three of the Ten Commandments, concerning marriage (7th), property (8th), and leaders (5th). Hebrews 13:4 says that marriage should be honored by all. Historically, marriage has been dishonored in the church by those who claim that marriage is a necessary evil, forbidding the clergy to marry. This verse also says that the marriage bed is to be kept pure. Obviously then, it is quite possible for sexual activity in marriage to be pure.

Marriage is also dishonored by those who choose to live together without coming under the legal constraints and public responsibilities of marriage. It is dishonored by those who become involved in sinful divorces, who are promiscuous, who visit prostitutes.

Some older translations render verse 4, “the marriage bed is undefiled” instead of “let the marriage bed be undefiled.” The first translation was favored by early Protestants, who argued that sex within marriage is a good thing. While this is certainly true, the Greek favors the second translation, especially since the verse goes on to condemn adultery and fornication.

Verses 5–6 tell us to be content with our estate. The love of money and the lust for more of it greatly corrupt our peace of mind. The Jewish Christians were constantly threatened with the dispossession of their goods, often family heirlooms. They needed to steel themselves against the love of things.

In our day-to-day life, money provides security. That is why faith is sometimes compared to gold. When the crisis comes, however, we have to let God be our security. We may rejoice when we have money, and we may ask God for it so that we can use it properly, but we must never repose our trust in it.

Verse 7 tells us to remember and imitate our leaders. “Remembering” means not forgetting, of course, so that we bear in mind the godly example set by these older believers. It also, however, implies “remembering them to God in prayer.” The community of the New Jerusalem is not an anarchy, but has leaders. We need to pray for our leaders in the church, and honor them as the spiritual “parents” God has given us.

CORAM DEO

Psalms 111–114

The big idea in this passage is this: Because God is in control and Jesus does not change, we can achieve contentment in our circumstances—whatever our marital or financial status. Begin this week by asking God to renew or strengthen your contentment in whatever situation you are in.

For further study: Psalm 102:23–28 • Phil. 4:10–13 • 1 Tim. 6:6–11

tuesday

september