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Repeat, Repeat, And Repeat

The Bible is full of repetitive phrases and terms, in order to emphasize the importance of our adhering to a principle or teaching. For example, in his letter to the Galation brethren, Paul repeats the same exhortation in just two verses, “not” to adhere to any other gospel that is presented, but the one being taught by the apostles (Gal. 1:8-9).

This same repetitiveness is found in the letter to the Hebrews in Hebrews 3:5-19 KJV. To illustrate, let us compare the following verses with one another as to content:

“But Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. Therefore (as the Holy Ghost [Spirit] saith: Today, if ye will hear His voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation ….” (Hebrews 3:6-8 KJV).

Just a few verses down, note the use of similar words, repeating the same above thought pattern:

“For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end; While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the day of provocation” (Hebrews 3:14-15 KJV).

In this section of Scripture (Hebrews 3:5-19 KJV), the Hebrew writer is emphasizing the possibility of apostasy (Hebrews 3:12 KJV; cf. Hebrews 6:6 KJV), and the means to prevent such from happening. The “means” is premised upon a condition (note that the conditional preposition “if” is repeated four times in Hebrews 3:6-7,14-15 KJV).

“if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end …. if ye will hear his voice …. if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end …. if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.”

The bottom line of the Hebrew writer’s repetitive teaching in this section of Scripture is this:

As followers of Christ, we can be a recipient of the blessings of Christ “if” we will (note the repetitive thought):

1) Maintain a steadfast faith (Hebrews 3:6,14 KJV).
2) Continue to “hear” God’s voice (Hebrews 3:7,15 KJV).

Otherwise, we will “not” enter into His rest (Hebrews 3:11,18-19 KJV).