Hebrews

Priest Forever

/ David R Maas / Leave a comment

The letter to the Hebrews begins by stressing the superiority of the “word spoken in the Son” over all previous revelations that were “spoken in the prophets.” And this includes the Great Lawgiver himself, Moses, and it indicates the fundamental weaknesses of the Levitical priesthood and its sacrificial system.

The previous words provided by the Hebrew prophets were true but partial and preparatory. But now, “upon the last of these days,” God has “spoken” with great finality in one who is a “Son.”

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Let Us Draw Near

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After urging believers to enter God’s “rest,” the section concludes with a description of the powerful word of God, then returns to the subject of Christ’s priesthood. Believers must strive to enter His “rest” while the opportunity remains – “TODAY, hearken to His voice.”

Because Israel refused to believe the words of Yahweh, Joshua could not lead that generation into the Promised Land.

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Enter His Rest

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The letter continues using the example of Israel’s rebellion in the wilderness to summon believers not to make the same error of unbelief and thereby fail to enter God’s “rest.” In the desert, Yahweh decreed that the generation of Israelites freed from Egyptian bondage would not enter the promised land. And so, disciples who fail to “hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end” will face a similar fate.

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Harden not your Hearts

/ David R Maas / 1 Comment

After expounding on the “household of God” and demonstrating the superiority of the Son over Moses, the “servant of God,” the study continues with a lesson drawn from the story of Israel. During its sojourn in the wilderness, the Israelites complained bitterly against Moses for leading them to a place lacking sufficient water.

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Surpassing Moses

/ David R Maas / 1 Comment

Hebrews next demonstrates the superiority of the sonly word by comparing it to Moses. Implicit in its argument is the priority of the “word spoken in the Son” over the Mosaic legislation, and at this point in the letter, the comparison is most appropriate.

In the letter’s opening paragraph, it compares the “word spoken in” Jesus to the earlier revelations given “in the prophets.” Although Moses is the chief representative of this illustrious group, he is also more honored than all the others.

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