Thursday, 14 February 2019
Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Hebrews 10:28
Here, the author cites a combination of Deuteronomy 13 and Deuteronomy 17 –
“…you shall not consent to him or listen to him, nor shall your eye pity him, nor shall you spare him or conceal him. Deuteronomy 13:8
&
“Whoever is deserving of death shall be put to death on the testimony of two or three witnesses; he shall not be put to death on the testimony of one witness.” Deuteronomy 17:6
In rejecting the law, there was to be no mercy; but for capital punishment, there were to be two or three witnesses. In this, the author is citing the law itself for one who rejects that law. As the Law of Moses actually anticipated the coming of Christ (Deuteronomy 18:15), and as recognized prophets under the law prophesied of a New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31), then for the person who is determined to reject the New Covenant and the Prophet who was prophesied by Moses to come, how much more serious is the matter concerning him! If such a person wants to remain under the Old, he has actually rejected Moses’ law and the punishment for such an act is already written within that law.
But, the punishment under the law is a temporal punishment. The punishment for rejecting the New Covenant then must be more severe than even that. The author will continue to explain this in the verses ahead.
Life application: As the Law of Moses could not bring about salvation, and as the Law of Moses – and prophets under that law – prophesied of a coming New Covenant, if man is to be saved, it has to come through this New Covenant. To reject what Christ has done, and to go back under the Law of Moses, is a self-condemning act. Be sure to pursue Christ and only Christ. Come to the cross, be reconciled to God, and enter into the surety of the salvation of your soul.
Lord, we are without excuse as to what choice we make in regards to the message of peace and reconciliation which is found in Christ Jesus. Likewise, those who haven’t heard of it stand condemned already and will face an unpleasant eternity. Therefore, turn our hearts to the need and priority of spreading Your glorious gospel. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.