A SETTLED REBELLION!

A SETTLED REBELLION!

Heb 3:12-13

12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Heb 3:13

13 But instead warn (admonish, urge, and encourage) one another every day, as long as it is called Today, that none of you may be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [by the fraudulence, the stratagem, the trickery which the delusive glamour of his sin may play on him].

AMPLIFIED

          The Greek word which is translated “hardened” in verse 13 is skleruno and it means: “to render stubborn.” This obstinacy is derived from “an evil heart of unbelief” which the original language explains is due to a “degeneracy from original virtue.”

          Rebellion, such as the rebellion of Absalom against his father David, seems to have a righteous basis. Absalom, through wicked strategy and trickery stole the hearts of King David’s people. He promised them a more sympathetic leader and the result was that David had to flee his kingdom while Absalom partied on the rooftop! The delusive glamour of sin had played a trick on him and the success of his venture convinced him that he was right. Let me remind you that sin is fraudulent!  

          The ensuing war between David and his son cost Absalom his life even though David demanded that none touch Absalom. He was tangled by his lovely locks in a tree and his mule walked away from him leaving him dangling from an oak. He was an easy target for Joab who knew that to let Absalom live would only allow the rebellion to continue. Joab shot him through with three arrows! (See 2 Samuel 18:14) There is hope for the rebel and even hope that his rebellion may be turned but a settled rebellion such as that to which Absalom clung is fatal.

Heb 3:12

12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

Prov 4:23

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Dear Lord, help me to guard my heart against offenses and rebellion. Let me make peace quickly and make good use of your grace. AMEN