Don't Forsake The Assembly, But Why?
If you believe on Yeshua and are familiar with the Bible, no doubt you have heard and read the command in Hebrews 10:25, to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 KJV
This was one of the rallying cry Scriptures used during COVID lockdowns to get people back into the building on Shabbat and Sundays. I often hear people use this verse in a general way, using it to explain why it is a sin not to come to services. Why we assemble seems to not be as important as just making sure we do assemble.
Something I have learned about God our Father and that I truly appreciate is that He rarely, if ever, gives a command and precept just for the sake of it. With every command and precept, He is wanting to accomplish something for His will on earth, and for the good of His people.
However, for commands and precepts to not be nebulous, and thus difficult to apply to our lives, we must read and understand the command and precept in the context of how it is being used.
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 KJV
This was one of the rallying cry Scriptures used during COVID lockdowns to get people back into the building on Shabbat and Sundays. I often hear people use this verse in a general way, using it to explain why it is a sin not to come to services. Why we assemble seems to not be as important as just making sure we do assemble.
Something I have learned about God our Father and that I truly appreciate is that He rarely, if ever, gives a command and precept just for the sake of it. With every command and precept, He is wanting to accomplish something for His will on earth, and for the good of His people.
However, for commands and precepts to not be nebulous, and thus difficult to apply to our lives, we must read and understand the command and precept in the context of how it is being used.
“WHY SHOULD WE NOT FORSAKE THE ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES TOGETHER?”
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And [having] an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. Hebrews 10:19-27 KJV
Zooming out of simply quoting part of verse 25, and reading it within the verses above gives us the context of WHY the command was given to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. What if we assemble ourselves together and do none of the other commands mentioned we are to do while we are together? Are we being obedient and accomplishing God’s will just by checking the box of going to service no matter what happens or doesn’t during that service?
Zooming out of simply quoting part of verse 25, and reading it within the verses above gives us the context of WHY the command was given to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. What if we assemble ourselves together and do none of the other commands mentioned we are to do while we are together? Are we being obedient and accomplishing God’s will just by checking the box of going to service no matter what happens or doesn’t during that service?
So, what are these verses instructing us to do?
First, there is an exhortation to not waver in the faith of what the blood of Yeshua has accomplished for you and me. Cast off doubt, distractions, and reproaches that would make us feel unclean. Not only are we to not waver in the faith, but exercise our faith by drawing near to His throne to fellowship with Him. This is a wonderfully free gift that emanates from His love for us, but it only benefits us if we take advantage of the opportunity it gives us. Lastly, we are to hold fast to that profession, we should not speak in such ways that profess doubt and wonderment regarding His love, atonement, and what it accomplishes.
Now before we go any further does anyone need to repent?
I know just writing this, that although I do not forsake the assembling of myself with fellow believers, I at times have fallen short in these areas. So just take a moment and reaffirm your faith in Yeshua’s blood in repentance and thank our Father for the wonderful gift and ability to come before Him clean for fellowship.
Let’s keep moving through this. Notice that I have underlined two phrases in the verses above. These phrases sandwich the command to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Why? Because when we assemble these are the actions we should be doing that will accomplish His will in our lives and keep us on the right track.
We assemble ourselves together not just to sing songs, hear a sermon, or drink coffee and eat nosh (Yiddish for snack). Those things are great, and help us accomplish what we are instructed to do, but it is possible to do all those things and not accomplish what the assembling of ourselves is supposed to accomplish.
So why are we to not forsake the assembling of ourselves with other believers? Because when we assemble it is where we are supposed to get provoked to love God and others and to provoke each other to do good works and continue in good works. Maybe you have noticed, but when we drift from fellowship it can be easy to become uninspired to love and do good. Sometimes (oftentimes) we need something or someone outside of ourselves to get us moving and continuing in the right direction. How many times have you come into a Shabbat or Sunday morning service feeling like a spiritual slug? Be honest… But afterward, you are inspired or simply convicted to get back into action, love God and others, and resist the temptations that make you waver in your faith. Sometimes it's the music, sometimes it’s the prayer, sometimes it's the sermon, and sometimes it's just a conversation, but you walk away ready to take action.
The phrase I underlined that comes after the command to not forsake the assembling of yourselves together is that we should exhort one another at the assembly as we see the Day approaching. What Day? The Day of the Lord and the Day of Judgement. Because all who have not kept the faith in the precious blood of Yeshua will be judged without His blood! So I exhort you, don’t draw back from faith in His blood as the only way of pardon and atonement because we know that Day is coming.
These verses go on to say that if we sin willfully, that means without conscience and taking pleasure in it repeatedly and habitually without repentance, there is no more sacrifice for sins. Because we assemble, remind, and exhort each other to keep the faith, and provoke each other to love and good works rather than hatred and evil works we are less likely to stray off the path of life, eternal life.
Brothers and sisters this is not a journey to be taken lightly or alone. We need one another and we need to assemble so we can help each other stay the course and the faith as that Day approaches. Make sure you are assembling with others who understand this and practice this, because sadly these days many gathering places are assembling, but not assembling to accomplish what our Father had in mind for the assembly.
At Ammudim we can only be one place at a time, but it is our commitment to help in any way we can to continue to exhort and provoke you to love and good works as we see that Day approaching.
Let’s keep moving through this. Notice that I have underlined two phrases in the verses above. These phrases sandwich the command to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Why? Because when we assemble these are the actions we should be doing that will accomplish His will in our lives and keep us on the right track.
We assemble ourselves together not just to sing songs, hear a sermon, or drink coffee and eat nosh (Yiddish for snack). Those things are great, and help us accomplish what we are instructed to do, but it is possible to do all those things and not accomplish what the assembling of ourselves is supposed to accomplish.
So why are we to not forsake the assembling of ourselves with other believers? Because when we assemble it is where we are supposed to get provoked to love God and others and to provoke each other to do good works and continue in good works. Maybe you have noticed, but when we drift from fellowship it can be easy to become uninspired to love and do good. Sometimes (oftentimes) we need something or someone outside of ourselves to get us moving and continuing in the right direction. How many times have you come into a Shabbat or Sunday morning service feeling like a spiritual slug? Be honest… But afterward, you are inspired or simply convicted to get back into action, love God and others, and resist the temptations that make you waver in your faith. Sometimes it's the music, sometimes it’s the prayer, sometimes it's the sermon, and sometimes it's just a conversation, but you walk away ready to take action.
The phrase I underlined that comes after the command to not forsake the assembling of yourselves together is that we should exhort one another at the assembly as we see the Day approaching. What Day? The Day of the Lord and the Day of Judgement. Because all who have not kept the faith in the precious blood of Yeshua will be judged without His blood! So I exhort you, don’t draw back from faith in His blood as the only way of pardon and atonement because we know that Day is coming.
These verses go on to say that if we sin willfully, that means without conscience and taking pleasure in it repeatedly and habitually without repentance, there is no more sacrifice for sins. Because we assemble, remind, and exhort each other to keep the faith, and provoke each other to love and good works rather than hatred and evil works we are less likely to stray off the path of life, eternal life.
Brothers and sisters this is not a journey to be taken lightly or alone. We need one another and we need to assemble so we can help each other stay the course and the faith as that Day approaches. Make sure you are assembling with others who understand this and practice this, because sadly these days many gathering places are assembling, but not assembling to accomplish what our Father had in mind for the assembly.
At Ammudim we can only be one place at a time, but it is our commitment to help in any way we can to continue to exhort and provoke you to love and good works as we see that Day approaching.
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