An Exposition on the Epistle of Hebrews
The Epistle of Hebrews (“Hebrews”) is and has been confounded in terms of who wrote the letter and to whom it was written? And more importantly, how does it apply to you and me today? This letter was adopted into the Canon as the Word of God and continues to shine on you and me today; but was originally written possibly as a sermon or homily? The epistle is a rather unique book in the New Testament (“N. T.”) as it addresses issues related to God’s Old Testament (“O.T.”) covenant to the Jews in the N.T. Whether it was written to Jews in Jerusalem or to other parts of the world is immaterial.
My title of this exposition is, “Who needs reassurance?” Why would I suggest such a title? Well, the letter was likely written (circa 63-64) prior to the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. We know that the dispersion occurred, and Jews were living all over the then-known world. Think about it! It is almost like the people of God entering the Promised Land as foreigners! Now the Jews were likely in the minority wherever they might have located. World religions have never been in short supply. The Jews have been hanging on to their God-given laws and rules (some humanly added). The Jews were confused at best. They were trained in the O.T. covenant guidelines which suggested certain rules and regulations that were unchangeable! And as Gentiles, we too, need reassurance that our sins are forgiven in the blood of the Lamb, and that believing in Him brings life!
Times have changed! How? Christ came! The fulfillment of the O. T. prophesy. “Has God forgotten us,” the Jews thought. The Jews certainly needed reassurance. Some have been scattered into other parts of the non-Jewish world and are wondering, “Has God forgotten His promise?” The timing of this epistle is disputed but generally accepted as prior to the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD as I mentioned previously. History might describe this letter as “supersessionism” which means a fulfillment of theology or that the N. T. covenant supersedes the O. T. covenant. The newer thinking might suggest that the Christian Church has superseded the Israelites as the definitive people of God. These comments are not original, rather are the collection of theologians from times of old. The church is rather a body of believers without regard to race, gender, or nationality. We are all God’s people!
The reassurance was necessary not only to the Jewish population but to the non-Jewish people of God who were transformed by our Lord’s birth, life, death, and resurrection so that all who believe may have “life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10). The Jews of the day needed reassurance as to their stead in the Lord’s kingdom. They have been trained in the Mosaic Law and now have been told that it is passé! Has your faith ever been shaken? That must have been how the post-Christ Jews felt when their long-standing beliefs were shattered! Being in the midst of a transition is always an issue. In today’s world, we too can be a bit shaky as we enter new paths of life. The Letter or Epistle to the Hebrews is a passionate revelation of how God has transformed His glorious world for the Jews into a life of an all-inclusive faith (both Jew and Gentile) who accept Jesus Christ as their LORD and Savior. Amen and Amen!
The Beginnings: You do not have to go beyond 1:1 to get an idea of how the author connects all the dots. First, the author says, “God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets.” Yes, He spoke, and continues to speak. The author continues by quickly reminding that the eternal God spoke through his Son when He created the world and is the heir of all things. The author was obviously trained in the Word as he understood Genesis 1 (John 1 may not have been written). God’s Son is the radiance of God’s glory!! Glory? Yes, that wonderful experience that the prophet Isaiah said, “Arise, shine for your light has come. . .” (Is. 60:1). He sustains all things. God is indeed the sustainer by the power of His Word. The author goes on to God’s Son’s redemptive process as He rose from the dead as the propitiation for our sins! As the risen Christ, He ascended to right hand of God to assume His royal throne as all who believe “await trumpets.” (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17)
These first few verses are a summary of God’s entire creation. He created . . . sin entered . . . the Lamb was born . . . He redeemed us! Well, that is a miracle! By God’s grace we are saved! But the Holy Spirit had more in mind as He inspired the author to detail more about us and our eternal salvation. The life of a saved person in Christ is more than his/her knowledge of their salvation. The book reminds you and me that we are mortal, yet Christ too, was mortal as He entered the world to restore our relationship with the Heavenly Father. The author is incredibly detailed in his book to reassure both Jew and Greek that you and I are saved to the glory of God.
Let us take a slight detour and examine how you and I are engaged in the Gospel of our Lord. Moses was called to be the deliverer of the Israelites from captivity. He led them through the sea, over land and even into a desert where they wandered, “Where are we?” And “Were we better off in Egypt?” We too are delivered not from the evil rulers of Egypt but from the Evil One himself when he is drowned in the waters of baptism as we receive faith by the Holy Spirit.
The author of Hebrews takes strides to explain in detail how our LORD is greater than Moses, the Jewish deliverer; Angels in heaven and the high priests that were God’s servants. While a great leader, Moses needed the assistance of the LORD himself as they wandered through the wilderness for 40 years. Where are we to get food and water? God provided and continues to provide all that is needed to sustain this life. More than just food and water, He was ever-present in their midst of the cloud and the pillar. Moses’ book of Exodus details not only the 10 Commandments but other rules of order for social responsibility to rules of justice. And yes, Sabbath Laws and holy festivals that are to be observed! God also gave other people to assist Moses. His brother Aaron and his father-in-law, Jethro, were instrumental in assisting in God’s divine plan of deliverance. Clearly the LORD is superior to Moses because He was in control and provided everything to the estimated two million Israelites. The author reminds his readers that we too should not have an unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God as some of the Israelites did during Moses’ tenure.
Angels! Who are they? And why does God need them? Angels are messengers used by God for His divine purpose. In some cases, they are angels of mercy, and yet in others they are warriors providing divine protection. The author goes into detail pointing out how God’s SON is superior. First, He is God’s own Son, a title that is never given to angels. Did angels create the world? And yes, they too worship our LORD day and night. Listen to the words of David, the psalmist. “Praise the LORD, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His bidding. Praise the LORD, all His heavenly hosts, you His servants who do His will. Praise the LORD, all His works, everywhere in His dominion. . .” (Ps 103: 20-22)
The priesthood is vital to the Israelites. Chapter 28 in Exodus details how God set Aaron apart as the first priest along with his sons. “Make sacred garments . . . to give them dignity and honor.” Then they are consecrated and “ordained” (39:35). God indeed was the author of the priesthood with all the detailed instructions given to Moses and Aaron. “So, I will consecrate the Tent of Meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve Me as priests.” (39:44). The author to the Hebrews expounds like an attorney how even the high priest is a man chosen and appointed to represent them in matters related to God. They too, were sinners and had to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins – even their own! Priests were mediators between God and man. Just like the high priest, Jesus is the mediator between the heavenly Father and us. He intercedes for us and assures us of our forgiveness. But Jesus’ blood offering was once for all! Unlike the priestly sin sacrifice that had to be repeated time after time.
The superiority that is elicited here over all creation is a definite reminder to you and me today. Listen the words of the author (5:12ff); “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints, and marrow; it judges thoughts and attitudes of heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. . .”
Moving Forward: Chapter 6 begins with these words: “Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity . . .And God permitting, we will do so.” The author reminds his readers that the Jewish people who recognized Jesus as the Christ were true believers, but those who fell back were cutting themselves off from the forgiveness earned for them on Calvary’s cross. God’s promise is as sure as the rain that waters the earth; and the sun that rises each day to provide light and warmth.
The author returns to the “Father of the Jewish nation.” His name was Abram later changed to Abraham. Listen to God’s promise to His leader. “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Gen 12:2ff). And in just a few chapters, God again reminds Abram, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I AM your shield and your very great reward.” (15:1, Emphasis added).
We too have this hope of inheritance of the Promised Land just as Abram believed. Later we are told, “And Abram believed . . . and was credited to him as righteousness.” The author ties our LORD to the great high priest using Melchizadek, the king of Salem and righteousness. Jesus was like a Melchizadek . . . without beginning or end and remains a priest forever.
The Jewish nation continued to be reminded of the tabernacle (residence of dwelling place) established in the days of Moses. It was a portable earthly dwelling place of YHWH (Yahweh or the I AM) among the children of Israel from the time of their exodus from Egypt to their conquering of Canaan. The author (chapter 8) reminds his readers that God himself is the true tabernacle. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the great high priest, presented the ultimate blood sacrifice on Calvary’s cross, and thus eliminated the chasm between God and man through his justification for our sins – once and for all! And now, He has been seated at the right hand of God in majesty.
If you have access to a Life Application Bible, (page 2231) the writers have an interesting table of a comparison of the Old and New Testament covenants. The former, under Moses, and the latter under Christ. In that table, it is clear that Christ, the New Covenant, is the access to the throne of grace providing unlimited access to God himself based on our faith in God and His Son’s atoning sacrifice. Amen and Amen!
Faith – Penultimate: I am reminded about the famous acronym of FAITH: Forsaking All, I Trust Him. Whoever said that was a genius. Faith! What is it? If you examine the word from its vernacular, it truly means a confidence or unquestioning belief in something. It could also mean an unquestioning loyalty or allegiance to a person or thing. From a Christian perspective, it is truly a “secure” belief in God and trusting in His promises. Chapter 10 begins this continued topic of superiority and this time dealing with faith. The author opens in verse 19 with this statement: “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith . . .” (Heb. 10:19). Wow!
Remember Abram? The faith of this father of the Jewish nation has that penultimate faith by trusting in God’s promises without question! In today’s society it is difficult to have unfailing faith in anything! Peoples everywhere fail to have any trust in anyone or anything. Governments can be corrupt. People are only out for themselves, and care nothing for anyone else. “It is dog eat dog,” to coin a phrase. But not the father of the Israelites. The Abrahamic Covenant of circumcision was an obstacle to the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ time. They failed to see that the heart was the organ that needed a spiritual circumcision. And finally, just compare God’s request of Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. God rescued him at the last minute and provided a way out. But not His only Son – He was sacrificed on the ugly cross of shame before all the world to see. Yes, Jesus is superior to Father Abraham.
Chapter 11 begins that “Great Faith” chapter in Scripture in which this author scans history and points to men and women of faith, who have stood on God’s promises. Listen to his opening words in chapter 11: “Now faith is to be sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” We can begin by accepting that God is the creator of all things – including faith. It is not long after the fall of man that the author reminds us of Abel’s faith and was commended as a righteous man. His list is extensive and details many men and women through Rahab who protected the spies. But the list is endless as the author says, “What more shall I say?” I do not have time to tell you of many others, he says. They all were commended for their faith. . .But none of them received what had been promised.” Yes, God had plans for something much better for all of them (of faith) and for you and me too. . .the heavenly promised land!
Chapter 12 provides encouragement to you and me about our highway in life. He pictures it as a race as we, the participants, run the race with perseverance marked out before us. We must keep our eyes FIXED on JESUS, the author and perfecter of our faith. (Emphasis added) The language he uses is exquisite! “Who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (12:2ff)
Faith indeed has its earthly consequences. Yes, our faith is tested by sin and its earthly desires. Yet, the author says, we are to “endure the hardship” as God treats us as sons (heirs). Refusing God also has its consequences. The author continues to exhort its readers to make every effort to live in peace with all men.
Final Exhortations: What can I say? It is like the ending of a pastor’s sermon. The gospel is the free gift of God. It is an invitation to come, see, and taste the Good News of Jesus and Him crucified. “Keep on loving,” says the author. The exhortations to all believers are many including to his earthly leaders. We are earthly city dwellers but look forward to our heavenly city that is “enduring.” God is a God of mercy and love. He wants all (Jews and Greeks/Gentiles) to come to the knowledge of the truth. That is reassuring!
And so, this author concludes with one of the most beautiful doxologies in Scripture. Listen! “May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (13:20ff)
To quote my old friend and sainted theologian, The Reverend Dr. Oswald C. J. Hoffman, “What’s more is there to say but AMEN!”
Peace
Connected, in Him I stand
GHR
