Hebrews 1-6

I think that Hebrews is probably my favorite book in the Bible.  We really don't know who the author of the book is.  It is addressed to a group of Christian Jews who were probably persecuted both from the Jews and the Romans.  They needed to be reassured that this "Christ-thing" was true.  Many of them were comfortable in the Jewish faith and all of its traditions.  The main point is that Jesus was the fulfillment of all that tradition.  I'm going to copy Tricia's blog today, because she does a really good job in pulling in the arguments that Jesus was greater than angels, Moses and the priesthood.   Point to consider:  Jesus is a whole new order of things.  He is not of the Levi tribe.  The new order is superior to the old.

osted December 21, 2010 by Patricia in Hebrews. 13 Comments

This is not an easy read today.  This part of the reading is about the Deity of Christ. Deity means Holy, Sacred, Divine.  Christ is above all.  Through false teaching or past wives tales and traditions have grown and very much worshipped.  The main argument of this letter is that Christ is the fulfillment of the Law of Moses (Mosaic Law).  He is greater than:

1. The Angels who the Law was given
2. Moses the Law giver to the people
3. The Levitical Priesthood, who the law was administered

Remember this book was written mainly at the time to Jewish converts that were struggling in their Faith.  First, the writer is going to recount in his own words some past scriptures from Psalms and Isaiah.  Angels are very much a part of our history as well as our future but what are they?  Angels are instruments that God uses for His purposes to reach us.  For example an angel can be a messenger  with a Word for us right here on earth (so watch what you say to the stranger next to you…you never know).  Angels are our protectors.  If God is Almighty,  then why do we need Angels to look after us, right?? They are the instruments that God uses to intervene.  Example, I knew a baby that was thrown from her car and not a scratch was on her and people said “an angel protected her”, well yes I believe that but really the Lord just used the angel to protect her…so let’s always look to the top.  We must stay focused on Christ.  Through Jewish history angels played a huge part in the giving of the law (Moses even had lunch with them) so Jews were exalting them wrongly.

Moses, if you know nothing about Jewish Culture know this, Moses is the religious leader of their faith, their Prophet, and the divine author of the first 5 books of the Bible called the Torah.  He was their Leader and Hero! He led them out of slavery and brought them to the cusp of the promise land. Well, technically he was just an instrument God used.

Priest.  Many of you joined us at the NT so let me do a quick recap. 

Jacob was renamed Israel by God.  Jacob/Israel had 12 sons forming the 12 tribes of Israel, one of the Tribes was from the son Levi.  So they are called the Levites and the book LEVIticus is about that very tribe and their role.  To make a long story short, the Levites were the line of the Priests and their Job was to take care of the Tabernacle (like a portable temple), the Ark of the Covenant (where God communed) and eventually the Temples (when one was standing, there were 3 total in history).  Anyway, Moses brother Aaron became the first HIGH PRIEST and then that got past generational. (Until the time of Christ when Romans took the role of appointing who they wanted as high priest.  Anyway, the role of the High Priest was to enter the Temple and make sacrifices for atonement of our sins.  Once a year (the day of Atonement) they would actually go beyond the veil and make a complete atonement for all our sins through a sacrifice.  WELLLLLLL, what is the Shadow here?  Jesus Christ became the ultimate high Priest making the Atonement for ALL.  That is when the veil tore allowing all of us to  be a priesthood (as we read yesterday in 1 Peter). Does that all make sense, as to why Jesus is the High Priest?

Last, the topic of falling away from the Lord, or the Christian Word: Apostasy.  At the end of Chapter 5 the author talks about being more mature in the Word and learning it for yourselves and not being fed by others.  But learning and the Bible and using it to discern wrong from right, in life and teachings from the world or in our church. Then in Chapter 6, (I had to research this a lot because it didn’t ring in my hear the way it is in my heart BUT what it is saying is that just because you have corporately worshipped and done some “Christian Stuff”, if you fall away from the Lord, then you were never really a Christian to begin with.  See the theme of this book is people who tried being a Christian and were thinking of going back to what they had before, wasn’t working for them.  (If there is no fruit….well then no vine) Anyway, I have rambled enough.

Tomorrow something fun…WHO IS MELCHIZEDEK??  It goes all the way back to Genesis 14.  Did Jesus make a Cameo appearance in Genesis.  I wonder how many times Jesus did this  throughout History and we don’t have a clue.

ADVERTISEMENT

Like

Be the first to like this post.

1. Posted by Kashif Shahzada on December 21, 2010 at 6:52 am

   Dear Patricia,

   It is very interesting to read your post from a faith angle and your devotion is laudable. However, have you also thought about others who also hold Jesus in high esteem, albeit in a way different way?

   In this regard, I’d like to know your thoughts on a very interesting video which you may or may not find controversial? Please have a look athttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9Yj8o9NYcQ and given your interest, let me know how you would regard expressions on Jesus such as this particular one?

   Best wishes and seasons greetings.
2. Posted by Patricia on December 21, 2010 at 7:06 am

   Good Morning Kasshif. I am so glad you took the time to read the reading today. I have not had a chance to watch your video yet so I can only comment on your comment back.

   I believe that Jesus can only be viewed as one way. The Messiah. I do not believe he is just Praiseworthy, I believe he is Lord of All. I believe Jesus was the fulfillment of the entire Old Testament and I believe in His Resurrection. I believe that on the Cross He conquered Satan’s death and I believe He will come again and conquer Satan Himself.

   I have not read the Quran, I only know different views on the Christ through Study and Research Books.

   Again, I am so glad you took the time to write this morning and I would love for you to continue with us for the rest of the year. We will finish out the last 2 weeks strong and I pray that you join us. The readings are in the SCHEDULE Tab…just press the Day if you do not have a Bible.
3. Posted by Kashif Shahzada on December 21, 2010 at 7:20 am

   Thank you for the reply Patricia,
   But I have come across people, all who claim that there is one Jesus, yet when asked about who he is, they say different things. The video I referred to you was also quoting the same Bible, as you did and the conclusions were different, so how do you respond to that, given the same book is being quoted?
4. Posted by Patricia on December 21, 2010 at 7:56 am

   Before we continue, I would like to know the purpose, your purpose in this conversation. What is your goal? What are you seeking? I get emails everyday about “Everyone’s Faith is personal to them”, “Everyone’s walk is different”….and that is exactly what the New Testament warns us about. Sanctification may be personal and different but Salvation is not. We all come to be saved One way. Through the substitution death and resurrection of the Messiah. The Letters in the Bible are the exact warning of such videos, being divisive of how or whether it is “son of Mary” “son of Man”, or how many time it says….

   I was a non believer for 33 years and I think I could do a good job arguing against Christianity myself. It was Scriptural for it NOT to make sense to me. But the video centered on the birth, death, prophet, message…and nowhere did it let the Scriptures interpret one another. It compared the Quran to the Word of God, and to be kind…that will not work. Jesus is God Himself in a flesh body so that he would fulfill the Scriptures and the Words of Moses Himself. Man could not be the substitutionary death, for no one could be sinless, so God had to do it Himself.

   I am going to work, I pray that you will read the full Plan of Salvation, Genesis to Revelation so that ALL the pieces fit together for you so that you will know who Jesus is from God’s lens, not man’s.
5. Posted by Patricia on December 21, 2010 at 9:17 am

   One of the Scriptures that God revealed to me this year is Hebrews 1:14 “Are not all angels ministering spirits (lower case) sent to serve those who will inherit salvation”. The angels will serve us…How much do you love the Lord that He loves us so much that He will have the angles serve us!They will Worship Him, but serve us!
6. Posted by Patricia on December 21, 2010 at 9:20 am

   ….also Scripture 2:4. I often wish I had different gifts but God in His Perfectness Has all things at account and “distributed according to His Will”
7. Posted by Tedi on December 21, 2010 at 1:16 pm

   I’ve had a few ‘angel’ experiences in my lifetime, all of which were showing me Go’s protection. One in paticular I want to share.

   One night, very late, I was awakened out of my sleep, with a ‘pop sound’ and a ‘flash of light.’ I got out of bed and saw that my youngest daughter (then 18) was not home yet. I immediately prayed that God would bring her home safely.

   A little while later, my daughter came in to my bedroom and woke me, telling me that her car had broken down on I65N and she just had time to pull over to the side of the road. I asked her what happened and she said, “There was a ‘pop’ sound and a ‘flash of light’ and then it just dies. I looked at her and told her about my experience and she told me that a man pulled up behind her. He had a badge and told her he was a lawman and that he would take her directly home. She said, “Mother, I decided I had to believe him and he did bring me straight home.” I told her that he was an angel sent from God to protect her that night. And, to this day, I believe that’s exactly who he was. I praise God that His hand of protection was upon her that night.

   I also want to say a word to, Kasshif. I too am pleased that you are reading along with us and I encourage you to continue.
8. Posted by brittany on December 21, 2010 at 4:45 pm

   yes that is awesome Kasshif!!
9. Posted by brittany on December 21, 2010 at 4:46 pm

   i meant awesome of you to read along with us! 
10. Posted by peggy on December 21, 2010 at 9:49 pm

    Mark 12:32 There is one God; and there is none other but he.
    ( I know Him well. He saved me. and before that my life. More than once! )
11. Posted by Erica on December 22, 2010 at 12:02 am

    A few years ago I went head first into a windshield of an SUV. My head made a huge bulge in the glass and cracked it in pieces but didnt break thru completely. We broke a telephone pole in half. I walked out of the car completely unharmed.

    I realize now that I was not saved at that time. I praise God that he protected me (or used an angel to protect me) and allowed me to live long enough to believe in Jesus as my savior.

    It really freaked me out to see the crashed car, windshield with my head shape in it (it even had chunks of my hair in it. I know that’s gross) and telephone pole laying on the car. I knew I could have died. Now I’m not afraid of death! Of course I’d rather go peacefully but no matter how it happens I’m ready and I know that I’ll spend eternity in the Lord’s presence. I can not wait to get to heaven!
12. Posted by Erica on December 22, 2010 at 12:04 am

    Oh I forgot to put that I was in the back seat which makes it more amazing that I flew into the windshield and wasn’t hurt.
13. Posted by Penny on December 22, 2010 at 10:03 am

    Great story, Erica. I’m personally thankful that God saved you in that crash. You too, Peggy.

    Tedi, that’s an amazing story that shows how God works miracles.

    Hebrews is so wonderful. I know I’ve typed this before, but I have to type it again. Hebrews is one of my favorites. It’s like a biography of Jesus. It’s all about HIM.

Leave a Reply

Enter your comment here...