What Do These Hebrews Here?
The sermon emphasizes the importance of being separate from the world and living a life that is pleasing to God.
F.B. Meyer addresses the troubling presence of Hebrews among the Philistines, emphasizing the importance of Christian separation from worldly influences. He highlights the irony of the world recognizing the need for Christians to maintain their distinctiveness, as they often blend in with ungodly practices. Meyer calls for believers to heed the call of Christ to be separate, reflecting on the dangers of compromising their faith for acceptance. He warns against the complacency of Christians who participate in worldly activities, urging them to remember their identity as those who have passed from death to life. Ultimately, he challenges the church to reflect on their position and purpose in a world that questions their presence.
Text
What do these Hebrews here? 1 Sam. xxix. 3.
IT was a very natural remark. The Philistines were going into battle with the Hebrew king and his troops, and it was very anomalous that a strong body of Hebrews should be forming part of the Philistine array. They had no business to be there. The annoyance of the chief captains and lords that surrounded Achish was natural enough. For long, probably, it had been smouldering; now it broke out into flame.
It is very terrible when the children of the world have a higher sense of Christian propriety and fitness than Christians themselves, and say to one another, "What do these Hebrews here?" The word "Hebrew" means one that has passed over ‑‑ a separatist. The death of our Lord Jesus was intended to make all his followers separatists. Through Him they have passed from death unto life; they have been delivered out of the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son. The appeal of his cross to us all is, "Come out from among them, and be ye separate." Too often, however, that call is unheeded; and, for fear of man, we mingle with the ranks of the enemies of our Lord.
If Christians attend the theatre; if Sunday‑school teachers, elders or deacons of a church, are found participating in the pleasures of the ungodly; if the young Christian man is found loosely consorting with the card‑players of the smoking‑room of an ocean steamer ‑‑ may not the sneer go round, "What do these Hebrews here? " "What doest thou here, Elijah! " is the remonstrance of God. "What do these Hebrews here? " that of the world, which not unfrequently has a truer sense of propriety than God's professing followers.
Sermon Outline
- The Anomaly of Hebrews in the Philistine Array
- The Terrible Consequences of Unseparateness
- The Call to Separateness
- The death of our Lord Jesus and its implications
- The appeal of His cross to us all
- The consequences of ignoring this call
Key Quotes
“It is very terrible when the children of the world have a higher sense of Christian propriety and fitness than Christians themselves, and say to one another, 'What do these Hebrews here?'” — F.B. Meyer
“The death of our Lord Jesus was intended to make all his followers separatists.” — F.B. Meyer
“Come out from among them, and be ye separate.” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- Christians should be mindful of their actions and ensure they are not compromising their values by mingling with the enemies of God.
- The call to be separate is not just for certain individuals, but for all Christians, as we are all called to live a life that is pleasing to God.
- Fear of man should not hold us back from obeying God's call to be separate and live a life that is holy and set apart.