After the writer of Hebrews concludes the central section of the book (chapters 7-10:18), a fourth exhortation is given. (Generally, five exhortations are identified: 2:1-4; 3:7ff; 5:11ff; 10:19ff; 12:14.) The fourth exhortation includes five first person plural imperatives: let us draw near to God, let us profess our faith, let us consider one another, let us not quit assembling, let us encourage one another. We have focused primarily on one of these (“forsake not the assembling”) and have missed the overall point of the text.
One reason the Hebrew Christians were in danger of turning back was their failure to share the faith journey–to encourage and to be encouraged. While it is true that we can draw near to God, profess faith, consider and interact with others, and encourage each the other outside the assembly, the primary point of the writer is that these occur in assembly. Reciprocity is possible outside the assembly, but the best version of mutuality and reciprocity occurs face-to-face. To encourage each the other means you encourage me and I encourage you. In Christian worship we draw near to God. In the Supper, we profess anew our shared faith. In song, Scripture, and study we spur one another on and encourage one another.
The writer then continues (v. 26): for if we continue in deliberate sin, rejecting the grace and goodness of God and the blood of Jesus, there remains no other plan or sacrifice for sin. The point of the first half of Hebrews 10 is that Jesus provided an perfect sacrifice for eternal salvation.
We have not held one another enough accountable concerning vv. 19-26. Someone says, “I am not an assembly forsaker–I am present 51 times out of 52. I just need my fill in the blank [vacation, family time, hunting time….].” I respond by observing that such is surely assembly forsaking. Such persons attend 51 out of 52 times because they want to, not because God wants it. What is clear is that when they want to miss, they do. Such action is deliberate and contradicts vv. 19-25. Such action places one outside the will of God. Let us make it clear, beginning with church leaders. God has not made room (even temporarily) for putting anything above our allegiance to him. Let us draw near to God, never fail to profess our faith “until he comes” in the Supper, seize every opportunity for fellowship, encouragement, and mutual admonition. Let us make certain that our absence from the assemblies is absolutely unavoidable. “Providentially hindered” is not a bad phrase (although it is not in the Bible). It means I have done nothing, made no decision, have no part or role in the events that have prohibited my attendance. In fact, providentially hindered is a high standard. Perhaps we should use the phrase more often.
Let the church become more serious about fully responding to the love of God demonstrated in the blood of the covenant and the grace of God’s sacrificial gift.
[More to come: perhaps another blog, and I hope soon to complete an essay on which I am working about the book of Hebrews.]