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Daily Devotions

Hebrews

Hebrews 
Day 
Day 62

He who built all things is God.

Text: Hebrews 3:4

THE IMAGERY OF “A HOUSE”

The imagery used by the author of Hebrews is fascinating. Let us ponder his use of “a house” in the following text.

“For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses,
inasmuch as He who built the house has more honour than
the house. For every house is built by someone, but He
who built all things is God.”
Hebrews 3:3-4

1. The idea of “a house”

a) A house could be a physical edifice.
b) A house could also be a reference to “a household”.

2. Pauline imagery of “a house”

We are indebted to the apostle Paul whose writings reflect a very similar Christology. Paul also made use of the imagery of “a house”. Let us consider two important texts that employed the “house” imagery.

a) A reference to the “household of God”

“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners,
but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household
of God,
In whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place
of God in the Spirit.”
Ephesians 2:19, 22

b) Another reference to the “house of God”

“But if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought
to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church
of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
1 Timothy 3:15

INTERPRETING THE IMAGERY OF “A HOUSE” IN HEBREWS

The whole point of focus of Hebrews 3:3-4 is the Builder of the house.

1. Moses was not described as the builder of the house. (Even though he supervised the building of the tabernacle.)

2. The Person who built the house is described as “God” (Hebrews 3:4).

3. The reference to the “house” must refer to the church, the house of God (and all who make up the household of God).