THE SUBJECT of the Book of Hebrews thus far in our studies has been a presentation of Jesus the Messiah, the son of God, greater than angels in contrast to the law (the old covenant). Very definitely, the law of Moses (laws and ordinances) was referred to in Hebrews 9:19, having to do in this case with the offering of sacrifices. Even then, Paul showed a “better sacrifice than these” (9:23). The weakness of the old covenant was shown in the fact that the sacrifices had to be repeated year after year and time after time, and those who draw near” were never made “perfect”
Hebrews 10:1-4: For since
the law has only a
shadow of the good things to
come, not the true form of the things, it is never able, by the same
sacrifices that they offer continually year after year, to make those who draw
near perfect. Otherwise, would they not have stopped
offering those sacrifices?
Because the ones who serve, having been once cleansed, would have had no more
consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices, there is a reminder of sins year after year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and
goats to take away sins.
So, Paul
in verse 2, if the offerors had been made perfect (completely
forgiven of their sins) the sacrifices would have
ceased to be offered, and
once purged should have had no more
conscience of sins.” This was not so.
For “there is a remembrance
again made of sins every
year” (vs. 3).
The high priest, once every year, went into the holy of holies first to atone for his own sins, then for the sins of Israel. Again, as in chapter 9, Paul reminded the Hebrew Christians that it is impossible that the “blood of bulls and goats should take
away sins” (vs. 4).
Because it was not possible for sin to be taken away by the blood
of an animal, Paul quoted from the Old Testament.
The quotation from Psalm 40 is a prophecy of our Saviour Jesus the Messiah. Paul used it in that way. Jesus gave himself; “a body you have prepared me” (vs. 5); and he - Jesus came “to do your will, O God” (vs. 7).
Jesus, in His ministry, gave every indication that he was doing
the Father’s will and was intent on doing so. In
John
4:34 we read, “My meat is to do the will of
him that sent me,
and to
finish his work.” He came to fulfill the law (Matthew 5:17), to call “sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32),
“that they might have
life, and that they might have
it more abundantly” (John10:10). “Above” I (vs. 8), far
greater or uppermost in his mind (for this is what the word means), was to “do Your will, O God.' This is shown
in John 17:4; “I have finished the work ' which you gave me to do.”
Let us think briefly about ourselves. The argument here presented for the Hebrew Christians is
equally good for us. Today, as at any time in the past, God
would rather have man submit himself to the will of God than to
have “thousands of rams” or “ten thousand of rivers of oil” (Micah 6:7). In no way are we suggesting that one need not serve God with material things. In doing “the will of God,” Jesus gave his life. This was a material thing, his greatest possession. When one is intent on doing the
will
of God, he will give time, material offerings, in fact,
his
life.
In verse 9, Paul once more told his Hebrew friends (“holy brethren,”
3:1) that the first was taken away “that he may establish the second.” This is a definite reference; to the “fulfilling” of the old law which was replaced with the “second,” or new covenant; the covenant
of love established through
Jesus the Messiah. Paul
had told them of the taking away earlier. It is recorded in 8:13. He was showing the
Hebrew disciples the
fruitlessness of following after the “law,” for it was a “shadow of good things
to come” (vs. 1). Paul used these words to describe the replacing of the law; decaying and waxing old, vanish away, takes away. There
are many professed Christians
who are ardent followers of the old
law. There are many others who make no outward profession of religion who choose to
let
the old law be their guide. Paul’s words to the Galatians were: “The Messiah is become of no effect unto you,
whosoever
of you are justified by the law; you
are fallen from grace” (Galatians 5:4).
Jesus is the embodiment of the whole law. Every type and shadow
(good things to come) are seen in Him. Because of
this
and because He came to “do Your will,
O God,” we are
“sanctified – set apart” through Jesus. This means to be made holy unto God. Some are afraid of these terms and words, but it is necessary that each one of us be made (accounted) holy in the sight of God; in this life. God said, through Peter, “Be
you holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). No amount of self service, tithes and offerings, or anything else can
“sanctify” or make anyone holy. This blessing of God comes on the
one who accepts Jesus who by one offering …perfected
forever
them that are sanctified” (vs. 14). Being
“perfected
forever” has reference to the
life promised us in the
eternal age. But notice that before that
perfection comes, one must be
“sanctified.”
The Israelites kept themselves holy through the continuous offerings for sin and through
the strict obedience of the high priest. In contrast to this,
Jesus made “one sacrifice for sins forever,” and “sat down on the right hand of God” (vs. 2).
Verses 15-18 show that Israel
will come under forgiveness for
their sins through the
one offering of Jesus. The quotation from
Jeremiah is almost word for word in chapter 8. It
is a promise to
Israel
and has no reference to the church. Paul used
it to show the great and extensive mercy of
God toward His people.
The great appeal to the Hebrews was made in verses 19 and 20. This is what we feel is the theme
of the Book of Hebrews; “a new and living way.” Why was the word “boldness” used? It is natural for anyone
to feel inferior to one so great as Jehovah. It was probably much
more difficult for the
Hebrews to forsake the offering of sacrifices
and the ways of their fathers than
any of us realize. Paul wrote,
“Let us draw near with a true heart
in full assurance of faith. . ..Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering” (vv.
22,23). All of this because
in Jesus the Messiah we
have “an high priest over
the house of God” (v. 21). How simple the plan that God has
given us compared to the offering of the animals!
We are merely asked to come “before the throne of grace (4:16; 10:19). As we “draw
near” and “hold fast,” we are to
“consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (v. 24). The word
“provoke”
means to stir up.
Brethren and friends who read this article, do not be angry with
your pastor or a friend who encourages you to
diligently seek the Lord Jesus. It is our duty. It is the duty of every follower of the Messiah to stir up others. This is mainly done through a deep and lasting faith and an expression of that faith to others.
The way to come into the holiest is given in verse 22, “and our bodies washed with pure water.” This
refers to baptism. After one has accepted the way of God
through Jesus, he
should
want to assemble with the believers, but it
seems that some knew, being guided
by the Holy Spirit, that some would become neglectful in meeting together. So, we have the
exhortation,
“not forsaking the assembling
of ourselves together, as the manner
of some is” (vs. 25). Constantly the pastors and church leaders see those who call themselves faithful, willingly staying at home for no valid reason.
Children watch and will
live by the pattern set by the parents.
Verse 26, which reads, “If we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth,
there remains no more sacrifice for sins,” has some
reference to “forsaking the assembling
of ourselves together.” We are inclined
to believe that it has direct
reference to verse 25.
Jesus was the sin- offering sacrifice for sin, in order that we could be reconciled to our God and
Father Yehovah. There can be no other
way and will never be another way of
to receive forgiveness for one’s
sins. If one has come
to the place of finding
that he has forfeited his right to forgiveness through Jesus, there
will never be another way or sacrifice.
Verses 27-31 show the need for faithfulness. There will be a
judgment of each one of us;
“fiery indignation, which
shall devour the adversaries” (vs. 27). If those who “despised Moses’ law died without mercy,” how can one be “worthy” who “has trodden underfoot the son of God …and has done despite unto the Spirit of grace” (vv. 27-29) be
justified – declared not guilty? Paul
made it plain
that God will reward each one as He has
sowed. For God said,
“I will recompense …Yehovah shall
judge his people” (vs. 30). Surely none of us would want to “fall into the hands of the living God” (vs. 31), yet many will because of “sinning wilfully.”
Paul pleaded with these brethren to “cast not away therefore your confidence” (vs. 35). This was the confidence
they
had in God. This confidence was to be enlarged
to include the son, Jesus, and the way of salvation through Him. To strengthen his argument, Paul wrote, “The just shall live by faith,” and he showed that if any would “draw back,” God would “have no pleasure in him” (v. 38). He had assured them that Jesus would come back to earth by writing, “He that
shall come will
come”
(vs. 37).
How can one enlarge upon such a great plea and promise as was
made by Paul? We cannot! Yet we earnestly
plead with you, our readers, to
read this word again
and again. Make sure that
“your calling and election”
are sure. Then stir up your fellow
men, church men, and others around
you. For “he that shall
come” is going to come.
Are we holding fast the confidence to the end? Or are we among
those who “sin willfully” and therefore in God’s
sight are despising His grace? Let us believe to the “saving of the soul” (vs. 39).
Written by Francis E. Burnett and
edited and added to by Bruce Lyon
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