Hebrews
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Background
Situation
This group of Jewish Christians was facing persecution, and being tempted to return to Judaism
But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one. Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. (10:32-35)
Why would they be tempted to return to Judaism?
How might this apply in our own times and situations?
Author and Audience and Date
- Author: anonymous, but clearly a Jewish Christian. Paul? Apollos? Barnabas? - we don’t know
- Audience: also anonymous, but it is easy to deduce that they are also Jewish Christians
- Date: c. AD 65–67.
- Temple sacrifices were still taking place, ergo Temple had not yet been destroyed (AD 70) (Hebrews 10:11 NASB95)
- reference to Timothy being alive and recently released from prison (Hebrews 13:23 NASB95)
- more than 30 direct quotations from the Old Testament
- including allusions, more than 85, almost all from the Septuagint
- This is the finest literary Greek in the New Testament
This is one of the most eloquent and beautiful passages in all of Greek literature:
Πολυμερῶς καὶ πολυτρόπως πάλαι ὁ θεὸς
λαλήσας τοῖς πατράσιν ἐν τοῖς προφήταις
ἐπ’ ἐσχάτου τῶν ἡμερῶν τούτων ἐλάλησεν ἡμῖν ἐν υἱῷ,
ὃν ἔθηκεν κληρονόμον πάντων,
δι’ οὗ καὶ ἐποίησεν τοὺς αἰῶνας·ὃς ὢν ἀπαύγασμα τῆς δόξης
καὶ χαρακτὴρ τῆς ὑποστάσεως αὐτοῦ,
φέρων τε τὰ πάντα τῷ ῥήματι τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ,
καθαρισμὸν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ποιησάμενος
ἐκάθισεν ἐν δεξιᾷ τῆς μεγαλωσύνης ἐν ὑψηλοῖς,
τοσούτῳ κρείττων γενόμενος τῶν ἀγγέλων
ὅσῳ διαφορώτερον παρ’ αὐτοὺς κεκληρονόμηκεν ὄνομα.
A literal translation, seeking to preserve the poetical cadences:
At many times and in many ways long ago, God
Having spoken to the fathers by the prophets,
In these last days He spoke to us in a Son,
Whom He appointed the heir of everything,
Through Whom also He made the worlds;Who is the shining forth of the Glory,
And the perfect imprint of His person,
Bearing up everything by His powerful Word.Having accomplished the cleansing of sins,
He was seated at the right hand of majesty on high
Being made so much greater than the angels
As more excellent than them, He is made heir of a Name.
Structure
Hebrews is built like a sermon - after expounding a portion of Scripture, the author calls for a response with warnings and exhortations.
Outline
- Jesus is God’s full and final Word - Heb. 1.1-3 NASB95
- Jesus is better than the angels - Heb. 1.3-2.18 NASB95
- Warning: “Pay closer attention!” - Heb. 2.1-3 NASB95
- Jesus is better than Moses - Heb. 3.1-19 NASB95
- Warning: “Do not be unbelieving!” - Heb. 3.12-19
- Jesus is better rest than the Promised Land - Heb. 4.1-13
- Warning: “Do not harden your hearts; be diligent to enter His rest!” - Heb. 4.7,11 NASB95
- Jesus is a better than Aaron and the Levitical Priesthood - Heb 4.14-8.5 NASB95
- Warning: “Do not fall away!” - Heb. 6.1-8 NASB95
- Jesus is mediator of a better covenant - Heb. 8.6-10.39 NASB95
- Warning: “Do not go on sinning willfully!” - Heb. 10.26-39 NASB95
- Jesus is better than the fathers of the faith - Heb. 11.1-12.17 NASB95
- Warning: “Do not grow weary; receive God’s discipline” - Heb. 12.3-13 NASB95
- Encouragement, Exhortations, Warnings and Blessing - Heb. 12.18-13.25 NASB95
Theme - Jesus is better
Better than the angels
But to which of the angels has He ever said, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET”? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? (1:13-14)
(quoting Psalm 110.1 NASB95)
Better than Moses
For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house (3:3-6)
Better than the Promised Land
For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. (4:8-10)
Better than Aaron and the Levitical Priesthood
The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever. (7:23-28)
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (4:15-16)
Better Mediator of a Better Covenant with Better Promises
But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second. (8:6-7)
Highlights
The Word of God
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (4:12)
Examples of Faith in Chapter 11
- Abel Enoch Noah Abraham Sarah Isaac Jacob Joseph Moses Joshua … and more
And all these, having gained approval through their faith,did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect. (Heb. 11:39-40 NASB95)
The Warnings
For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. (2:1)
Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. (3:12)
Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience. (4:11)
Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. (10:35-36)
Conclusion
Going back to Judaism is ironically missing the point! Everything in Judaism is pointing forward to Jesus. Going back would be like returning to Elementary School after you have received you college degree.
Assignment
Preparing
- Read Hebrews 1-13
- Read chapter 19 of Introducing the New Testament (Hebrews)
- Watch The Bible Project Hebrews
Respond to the following:
Reflecting
Who is Jesus?
Carefully read these passages from Hebrews, and write down WHO JESUS IS and reflect on what this means for you! (you may write down some or all of your reflections, but it is not required for the assignment)
1.2 - Jesus is ____
1.3 - Jesus is ____
1.5 - Jesus is ____
1.10 - Jesus is ____
2.9 - Jesus is ____
2.10 - Jesus is ____
2.17 - Jesus is ____
3.1 - Jesus is ____
3.3-6 - Jesus is ____
4.14-15 - Jesus is ____
5.8-10 - Jesus is ____
6.20 - Jesus is ____
7.22 - Jesus is ____
7.25-26 - Jesus is ____
8.2 - Jesus is ____
8.6 - Jesus is ____
9.11 - Jesus is ____
9.15 - Jesus is ____
10.19-21 - Jesus is ____
12.2 - Jesus is ____
12.24 - Jesus is ____
13.8 - Jesus is ____
13.20 - Jesus is ____
