We are sure that nearly all Bible students consider the Book of Revelation the most difficult to understand. The Book of Hebrews would probably be second, if rated as to use and understanding; yet a thorough study of the book gives one the most complete description of the “man the Messiah Jesus” and his work that can be found in all of the word of God.
It is called by most critics: The Epistle (or letter) to
the Hebrews. We presume that it was a letter
since the ending is that of saying goodbye. The Book of
Hebrews stands apart
from
all other books of the Bible in construction
and style. The argument or reasoning
is different than that of any other book or writer.
Hebrews has little or no relationship to any of the books of the Bible excepting the Pentateuch; the first five books of
the
Bible. There are no direct references to authors;
rather, “God said," or “the Scripture says.”
There has been much argument over the authorship, but almost without exception, the commentaries
are agreed that the Apostle Paul was the author. These commentaries have taken into consideration all of the
arguments, and Paul, as the author,
is the overwhelming opinion. Dr. Adam Clarke states, “This epistle is often quoted as Paul’s by
Clement of Alexandria. It is received and quoted as Paul’s by Origen.” Many later students, one of whom
was Dr. Lightfoot, were thoroughly convinced
that Paul was the author.
It is true that the style of Hebrews is different than that
of the other thirteen letters credited to
Paul; yet the phrases and terminology used in Hebrews are like those in his other letters. For example, Hebrews 12:3 reads, “Lest you
be wearied and faint in your minds” and Galatians 6:9, “Let us not be weary in
well doing.”
A part of the reason
for the differences was the people to whom Hebrews was written. At this period
in history, Greek language and Hellenistic culture were becoming predominant. There
was a group of Jews who had accepted this way of life. It was to these Hebrew
people that Paul wrote. More will be written later about this.
Some facts we will find
in our studies peculiar to the Book of Hebrews are:
1) the account of Melchizedek,
2) an appraisal of
faith and people of faith,
3) one mention of Moses
not referred to elsewhere (3:2),
4) a different approach
to repentance and sin (6:4-6;10:26; 12: 17),
5) the important
concept of the priesthood of Jesus and His office as High Priest.
The aim, purpose, and
value are found in the great arguments which begin with the first verse and
continue almost to the end of the letter. The over-all aim of the letter to the
Hebrews was the phrase which we have chosen for the title of this study of Hebrews,
Jesus. “A New and Living Way.” All of the references to the Old Testament and
the old way, all of the arguments and reasonings have one fundamental purpose; to
show the superiority of New Covenant - Christianity over Old Covenant - Judaism.
Jesus is shown in contrast to the angels, Moses, Aaron, Melchisedec, the
Levites, and other outstanding patriarchs mentioned in chapter eleven, the
faith chapter.
Paul intreated by using
the word “consider.” [Hebrews 3:1, 6]
Paul’s preaching was
always “to the Jew first, though he was called to be an apostle to the
Gentiles. He was using this letter to bind “together the Old Testament and the
New Testament in the person and work of Jesus Christ” (Wycliffe Bible Commentary').
Let us remember that
the Jews of that time, the days of early Christianity, were being persuaded to
accept Jesus as their Messiah and Saviour. In so doing they would have to give up the law, the
way of life, and the ritual that had been known to their families for many
generations. Over and over Paul showed these brethren, in the flesh and in the faith,
that what they had given up was old and decaying. [See Hebrews 8:13]
It is not easy for
anyone to give up something that has been taught and accepted by them for years.
After all, their forefathers had worshiped Yehovah - God according to His commandments recorded in the law of Moses, and now they were being told these things were passing away and they were being
asked to give up clinging to the Old Covenant to follow the man who Christians
believed to be 'Lord and Messiah' who they say was a man like unto Moses, [Acts 3:22;
John 1:17] who ratified a New Covenant by his shed blood. [2 Corinthians 3:6; Hebrew
8:13; 9:15; 12:24]
The outstanding value
found in the Hebrew letter which is good for every generation is that Jesus the
Messiah meets the needs of all men. “Seeing then that we have a great
high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the son of God, let us hold
fast our profession" [Hebrews 4:14]
As we prepare to
pursue the very wonderful applications, arguments, and reasons found in the
letter to the Hebrews, we use the words of Dr. Adam Clarke, “So many are
the beauties, so great the excellency, so instructive the matter, so pleasing
the manner, and so exceedingly interesting the whole, that the work may be read
a hundred times over without perceiving anything of sameness, and with new and increased
information at each reading” (Clarks Commentary, volume 6, page 681).
Written by Francis
E. Burnett and edited
and added to by Bruce Lyon
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