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Hebrews

Hebrews 
Day 
Day 84

The word which they heard did not profit them...

Text: Hebrews 4:2b

THE PREACHING OF THE WORD

The word of God does not have boundaries. It is not limited or restricted:-

1. By time (ancient history/modern history)

2. By covenants (Old and New Covenants)

THE PREACHING OF THE WORD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT PERIOD

This was faithfully proclaimed by:-

1. Noah, a preacher of righteousness (Cf. 2 Peter 2:5)

2. Moses and the writing prophets

3. Non-writing prophets (Elijah, Elisha etc)

4. Godly individuals (Psalmists, known and unknown)

THE WORD WHICH THEY HEARD DID NOT PROFIT THEM

We have another solemn observation of how people did not make appropriate response to the Word preached.

“But the word which they heard did not profit them.”
Hebrews 4:2b

1. In the days of the prophet Jeremiah

The prophet Jeremiah was one of the prophets who witnessed the fall of Jerusalem. Two things may be highlighted concerning the state of Judah in his time:-

a) The general public showed no interest in the Lord

“Neither did they say, ‘Where is the LORD,
who brought us up out of the land of Egypt.’
Jeremiah 2:6

b) The priests also showed no interest in the Lord

“The priests did not say, ‘Where is the LORD?’
And those who handle the law did not know Me.”
Jeremiah 2:8

2. The rejection of the word of God

One of the most horrifying statements about how Israel rejected God’s word may be found in the following text. The word preached did not benefit Israel indeed!

“Nevertheless they would not hear, but stiffened their necks…
and they rejected His statutes and His covenant that He had made
with their fathers, and His testimonies which He testified
against them…”
2 Kings 17:14-15