Tag Archive | hebrews

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 356-357

Dec23

   Day 356-357—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year, studying the LETTERS of the Apostles.  NOTE: Sunday’s and Monday’s studies will be posted on MONDAY,

Day 356 – Hebrews 7 – 10 (Melchizedek, Better Covenant, Redemption, Sacrifice, Faith)

Read a quick review of Melchizedek and Abraham in Genesis 14:18-20.

Hebrews 7.

The author discusses Melchizedek, king of Salem (peace), king of righteousness (zedek) and a priest of the Most High God. He tells how Abraham, coming home from rescuing his nephew Lot from an invading army, gave this priestly/kingly man a tithe (10th) of the loot. And Melchizedek blessed Abraham.

This was WAY before Israel’s priesthood was set up on Mt. Sinai, with Aaron, the Levite, as High Priest.  In a way (the author of Hebrews says), Aaron, the High Priest, paid tribute to Melchizedek, “being still in Abraham’s loins.” (He had no children at that point.)

Melchizedek is also said to have had “no beginning of days nor end of life” as a priest forever. He was a priest not based on the law (like Aaron) but on the power of an “indestructible” life. The author compares Jesus to this mysterious man, without beginning or end of days, but HIS ministry is much more excellent.  

The first covenant of law could make nothing perfect, so a new one was needed, allowing us to draw near to God. “Consequently, Jesus can save to the uttermost, those who draw near to God through HIM since He always lives to make intercession for them. 

Jesus is a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.  HE HAS NO NEED TO OFFER SACRIFICES DAILY like other priests, first for their own sins, then the people.  Jesus did this ONCE FOR ALL when he offered up HIMSELF.

Hebrews 8.

Jesus, as High Priest, is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a more excellent ministry than the old one.  He can mediate better because the new covenant has better promises and is faultless. In this new covenant, God says He will put His Law on their hearts and minds, not stone tablets, and His people will know Him.

He will be merciful toward their iniquities and will remember their sins no more!

Hebrews 9.

The author then reminds readers how the old covenant worked, with the Holy and Most Holy places in the “tent of worship.”  Behind the second curtain was the ark of the covenant and God’s presence.  No one could go into this place except for the High Priest, and that only once per year… carrying the blood of the sacrifice. 

But Christ, as high priest, entered ONCE FOR ALL into the most holy place through HIS OWN BLOOD. Doing this, he obtained ETERNAL REDEMPTION.  He appeared ONCE FOR ALL to put away sin by sacrificing himself. 

Hebrews 10.

Under the old covenant, the sacrifices were a reminder of sins every year. “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”  Now, we have been sanctified (made clean, holy) through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL.

When Christ had offered FOR ALL TIME A SINGLE SACRIFICE FOR SINS, He sat down at the right hand of God. “For by A SINGLE OFFERING, He has perfected FOR ALL TIME, those who are being sanctified.”

Jesus. the perfect, sinless High Priest, offered Himself a spotless sacrifice and opened the new and living way for us through the curtain so that we can now “draw near (to God) with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” 

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Day 357 – Hebrews 11 – 13 (the FAITH chapter & heroes of the faith, witnesses for us to endure too, discipline as sons, acceptable worship, final instructions)

Hebrews 11.

Hebrews 11 is called the “Faith Chapter” or the “Saint’s Hall of Fame.” In it, the author defines faith and how it’s to be used. He lists heroes of faith from the Old Testament, sixteen by name (including women), and many others by deeds or means of death. These all have served and glorified God.

DEFINITION: “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (verse 1)

WHAT IT INVOLVES: “Without faith, it is impossible to please God, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” (verse 6)

From righteous Abel to the prophet Samuel, men and women have lived and died for God, loved and obeyed Him, trusted and spoke for Him without shame or fear, and many paid for it with their lives. 

These heroes “conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong through weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to fight, and some women received back their dead by resurrection!! 

(I can think of some names that come to mind here, can you?”

Others were tortured for their faith, suffered mocking and flogging, even chains and imprisonments, stoning, beheading (killed by the sword), and even being sawn in two!  They were destitute, afflicted, mistreated, and lived in deserts, mountains, dens, and caves.  OF WHOM THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY!

And YET, they did not “see” the promised Messiah they spoke about and waited for like WE HAVE!  (How totally blessed we are!)

Hebrews 12.

“Therefore, SINCE we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (those heroes listed above), let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith.  He, for the JOY that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated now at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Jesus, as God’s Son, endured much hostility against Him. And so we, as God’s children, must endure “discipline” too.  God disciplines us (through suffering/persecution) for OUR GOOD, so we may share His holiness.  It doesn’t seem pleasant at the moment, but later, it “yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness” to those trained by it. 

So…. lift your drooping hands….strengthen your weak knees….and make straight paths for your feet.   And “let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken (by persecution or death), and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”

Hebrews 13.

The author encourages readers to continue in brotherly love, hospitality to strangers, and prayer and support for those imprisoned for their faith.  They are to be faithful in marriage, not love money but be content with what they have.

They are to “remember their leaders (in prayer and financially), the ones who first spoke the Word of God to them.”  They are to consider the fruit of those men’s ministry and imitate their faith.  They are to pray and support their leaders and also to submit to and obey them (for THOSE MEN will have to give an account one day).

He ends with a doxology. ‘Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant….equip you with everything good, that you may do His will.

To Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever. Amen”

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 355

Dec21

   Day 355—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year, studying the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 355 – Hebrews 1 – 6 (Preeminence of Jesus, don’t neglect salvation, high priest forever)

The author of this weighty book is unknown (well, the Holy Spirit wrote it through a person; we just don’t know who), and the recipients are also unknown (i.e., the city – perhaps it was circulated among many groups). Still, it seems to be written to Jewish believers.

Since referrals to Temple worship are mentioned throughout, it was probably written BEFORE 70 AD when the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed. HINT: to understand the book of Hebrews more clearly, perhaps first read the OT book of Leviticus.

Hebrews 1.

Although the book opens almost like a Star Wars movie (Long ago, at many times and in many ways…), the truths contained in it are in no way fanciful. 

It portrays Jesus in glorious splendor as the “Son of God,” the “Heir of all things,” the “One who created all things, upholding the universe by the word of His power,” the “radiance of the glory of God,” and the “exact imprint of His (God’s) nature.”   After “making purification for sins,” He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high (to be worshiped forever). 

Jesus IS God, hands down.

He is far superior to ANY of the angels, who are only ministering spirits sent to “serve” believers. 

Hebrews 2.

“Therefore,” the writer says, it is even MORE important that we pay attention to what we have heard about Him and His ministry on earth and in heaven.  Jesus was the founder of our great salvation, and we are warned not to neglect it!

Jesus suffered and died “to bring many sons to glory” because, as part of the triune Godhead, it was determined that it should happen in that manner. As God, Jesus became “flesh” like us and through His death, He made powerless the devil who, with God’s permission, had held the power of death. Being in the flesh and overcoming death, Jesus can now help us when we are tempted.  

Hebrews 3.

Jesus, now the apostle and faithful high priest of our confession, is FAR SUPERIOR and worthy of more glory than Moses, who also was faithful in all God’s house.

Moses oversaw the building of the Tabernacle of God. Jesus oversees the building of the “living” Temple of God, which is made up of all believers.

The writer warns us not to be like those Jews in the wilderness who “hardened their hearts” and “put God to the test.” He writes, “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

Hebrews 4.

The Good News came to us just as to them (those in the wilderness during Moses’ time), but the message they heard did not benefit them because they were not united BY FAITH with those who listened. The writer urges us with Psalm 95:7-8, “Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” 

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”

“Let us HOLD FAST our confession, for we have a High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses, One who has in every respect been tempted as we are, and yet without sin. Let us then, with CONFIDENCE, draw near to the throne of Grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Hebrews 5.

The writer then describes human high priests chosen and appointed to act on behalf of men concerning God and to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.  They can deal gently with the “ignorant and wayward” since they are also beset with weaknesses. But God appointed Christ as High Priest forever “after the order of Melchizedek” (and not Aaron).  (Genesis 14:18-20)

The writer now seems frustrated, wanting to teach them things harder to explain, but they are not ready to hear them.  Instead, they still need to be taught the basic principles of God. They need “milk” instead of the “solid food” of the mature believer, who has had his powers of discernment trained through practice. 

Hebrews 6.

The writer wants to go on from the elementary doctrine of Christ (repentance from dead works and faith in God as taught in the OT). These outward things don’t ensure salvation. They are aspects visible to people, but God sees the TRUE thoughts and intentions of the hearts. He knows if a person’s confession is genuine and based on faith through Christ’s atoning death.  He wants them to have the “full assurance of hope” until the end.

Those who have “fled for refuge” in Christ alone have a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul. Christ, a sinless high priest like Melchizedek, has entered “behind the curtain into the inner place” (God’s presence) on our behalf.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 144

May23

   Day 144—We are still in our FIFTH month of Bible reading.   Are you loving God more each day? What are you learning about Him?  Share in the comments section.

   Day 144 – Psalm 108 – 109 – 110. (Psalms of David)

Psalm 108 repeats some of Psalms 57 and 60.  “Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the PEOPLES; I will sing praises to you among the NATIONS.”     “Be exalted, O God, above the HEAVENS!  Let your glory be over all the EARTH!”

“Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the SALVATION OF MAN!  With GOD WE DO VALIENTLY; it is HE who will tread down our foes.”

Psalm 109 is a prayer for God’s help against the wicked of his day.  “Be not silent, O God of my praise! For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues.”   “In return for my love, they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer. So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.” 

Many of the following complaints refer to the time when David was being persecuted by Saul. It’s as if David is petitioning God, as a judge in a courtroom, to rule against his persecutors.  “Help me, O LORD my God! Save me according to your steadfast love!”    “With my mouth, I will give great thanks to the LORD; I will praise Him in the midst of the throng. For HE STANDS AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE NEEDY ONE, to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.”

Psalm 110 contains great prophetic sections, showing Jesus as both king and high priest. It is the most quoted psalm in the New Testament.

“The LORD says to my Lord; ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’ (Matthew 23:43-44) (Hebrews 10:12)

“The LORD has said and will not change His mind. Yo are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Genesis 14:17-20, Hebrews 5:6, 7: 1-28)

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 39

Feb8

    Day 39 —  We are in the second month! We’ve been reading for over a 1/12 of a year! Praise God! I hope that it’s become a GOOD habit that will continue.

   Day 39 – Exodus 28 – 29  (Levitical priests, clothes & consecration)

Moses is still up on the smoking mountain. He’s received instructions on building the Tabernacle and some of the furniture in it. In Chapter 28, God will tell him WHO will be ministering in the Tabernacle, and how he is to dress and act.

Moses is to set apart his brother Aaron and Aaron’s four sons (and later descendants) to be Israel’s priests continually. (Remember, Moses also is a Levite.)

The wondrous garments that are to be made for them to wear when ministering to the LORD are breath-taking, both in “glory and beauty.” Pure white linen, with red, blue, purple, & gold threads embroidered in portions. Precious stones to represent the 12 tribes of Israel… when the priest went before God.

I don’t know what some of those stones look like, but the topaz, emerald, sapphire, diamond, & amethyst are ones I’ve seen and they are gorgeous. So colorful! (An interesting study would be to see which tribe name would be placed on which stone on the High Priest’s breastplate!)

Gold chains, rings and clasps, woven pomegranates and golden bells all decorate the clothing for glory and for beauty. Inside (a pocket?) of the breastplate is the Urim and Thummin. What they are we don’t know, but they were used to sometimes determine the will of God. And since HE said to put them there, He must have approved.  A golden medalion with “Holy to the LORD” carved on it would be at the front of the priest’s turbon as he enters God’s presence.

God describes to Moses the making of coats, sashes, caps, and even undershorts for the Priest and his sons.

In chapter 29, Moses is told how to consecrate Aaron (his sons and any priests to follow) before the Most Holy God. Sacrifices, blood sprinkling on the alter, blood touching the outermost places of the exposed sin of the men after being robed in the holy garments (ear lobes, thumb tips, big toe tips). Unblemished bulls, rams, lambs, as well as oil and grain, bread and cakes are offerings and sacrifices — all pointing to the absolute HOLINESS of God and the absolute SINFULNESS of mankind.  (A lesson I need to deeply learn myself.)

All this (and more) in order that God would… “dwell among the people of Israel and be their God. And they shall know that I AM the LORD their God who brought them out of the land of Egypt THAT I might dwell among them. I AM the LORD their God.” (29:45-46)

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Hebrews 9:18-22 also speaks of the sprinkling of blood, in particular Jesus’ blood.  “…without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” This act of redemption by Jesus Christ was set up and foreshadowed in the Old Testament, from the first clothing of skins God made to cover the sin of Adam and Eve, to the High Priest’s daily and annual sacrifices and sprinkling of blood begun at Mt. Sinai.