“Let brotherly love continue” (Hebrews 13:1)
LOVE is a word that was used very little in any form in the letter to the Hebrews. Yet, in two
of the previous uses
it had to do with the Christian life. In Hebrews 6:10, Paul
referred to their (the Hebrew brethren) “labour of love”; and in 10:24 we are admonished to “provoke unto love.” This, of course, was one great difference between the new covenant and the old covenant. There was really no love in the offering of sacrifices. To quote from the Proverbs, “Love covers a multitude of sins” (Proverbs
10:12). This is the basis of all teachings of the
New Testament. As has been pointed out
previously, the Hebrew brethren were faced with persecution
because of following the Messiah. The matter of love, then, was important to maintain Christian character and to win others.
Entertaining of “angels unawares” (vs. 2) is undoubtedly referring to the time when Abraham lifted
“up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him” (Genesis 8:2). Paul
wrote
that they, too, should be prepared to “entertain strangers” (vs. 2). This, in our understanding, does not
necessarily
refer to a foreigner, but to one with whom
we are not acquainted. A very noticeable weakness in the called-out Assembly of God is the willingness to refrain from entertaining a
guest speaker or
visitors to our churches. In so doing, we are
neglecting
a principle of God. One commandment made to Israel was of entertaining strangers,
because they had been strangers in Egypt.
Another teaching that is important in Christianity is found in verse
3. We are to remember those who are less fortunate than we by trying to “be all things to all
men.” One can see no connecting reason for the admonition concerning “marriage” (vs. 4) with the rest of the letter. But what was written is true for every generation, and was a principle established of God. One who would become an adulterer would separate
himself
from God. The judgment of God (vs. 4)
will be eternal destruction. (See Revelation 21:8.) The need to stress the
truth
about God and His absolute rejection of evil
and filth is a must today in our
Christian teachings and
practices.
Covetousness is one of the great sins of all people. We want what
the other has, or even better. We try to keep
up
with our neighbours and friends. The true character of the disciple is found in being “content with such things as you have” (vs. 5).
This does not mean that one must sit idly by and do nothing to improve his status or way of life. God
blesses many persons
in
material ways. However, this does not guarantee
that any person who becomes a follower will receive all he wants. Many could not exercise proper stewardship over wealth
and ample possessions. Such would cause them to forget God. Remember that God will provide all that we have need of if we follow His leading through His son Jesus. Our God and Father looks on the heart!
Paul referred to the promise made to Jacob, “I will never leave thee” (v. 5; Genesis 28:15). We have the same God and the same
assurance that He will be to us as He was to
Jacob. Because of such knowledge, and faith, we
can know that the “Yehovah is
our helper” (vs. 6).
Man must constantly be reminded of this lest he completely forget that God provides. All that we have comes from His hand. To
the Hebrews, this was to help them know that, regardless of the stand they were taking, Yehovah would be as near to them as
He was to their forefather Jacob.
To recognize the leadership of those who bad been teaching and preaching was important,
according to Paul. For he wrote, “Remember them which have the rule over you (vs. 7).
This did not have to do with age though
we do know that Paul
did teach the younger ones
to follow their elders. (See Titus
2:1-8.)
Again, in this same chapter we are told to “obey them which have the rule over you” (vs. 17). Often church members feel
no sense of obligation to “obey” those who
arc over them. These are the ones “who
have spoken unto you the word of God” (vs. 7). Many times, a pastor, an elder, deacon, or Sunday school teacher endeavours to lead another, but to no
avail. In the name of the Lord and according to His word, these people should have rule over others. This rule is
to administer and teach the word of God rightly. It is to maintain a right course
in
Christian living. There is a responsibility on
such leaders, as Paul
wrote, “For they watch for your well
being, as they that must give
account” (vs. 17).
The same warning about believing the true and only doctrine, God’s word, was needed for the Hebrews. How very much it is needed today! More than
ever the ideas of men are being accepted rather than the Bible.
Paul’s warning was
against
“divers [many| and strange doctrines"
(vs. 9). To insure them (the Hebrews) that their faith
would be rewarded, Paul wrote,
“Jesus the Messiah
the same yesterday, and
today, and forever” (vs. 8).
One last tie to the Old Testament was now used by Paul, the altar. It was the center of worship
for all of Israel. On it the sacrifice was made and accepted by Yehovah. So wrote Paul, “We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle” (vs. 10). The
altar to which Paul was referring
surely could be nothing
else than the cross. We know that
some think it unwise to think of
putting any esteem in the cross
as though it was the center of worship, but
Paul referred to it several times. “The preaching of the
cross ... is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus the Messiah” (Galatians 6:14); and “having made peace
through
the blood of his cross” (Colossians
1:20). Certainly no one has a right to come to
the altar except by the way of the cross and, of course, through him who died
on it “to bear the sins of many” (Hebrews 9:28). Jesus was offered “without the camp” (vs. 13), which
was
outside Jerusalem. Here
again was an appeal to the
Hebrews to breaks with tradition
and go outside the camp
to follow the Messiah Jesus.
Other traits of Christianity were mentioned by Paul that had a tie
with the past. Consider: “By him therefore let
us
offer the sacrifice of praise to
God …the fruit of our lips"
(vs. 15); “to do good and to communicate forget not” (vs. 16). The word “communicate” has to do with sharing with others. In verse 3, Paul had encouraged communicating (sharing) by writing, “being yourselves also in the body.” There is no closer bond than that
among
Christians. “There is a friend that sticks
closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). This communicating includes using our means to help others
and this would be in addition
to the free will offerings.
Finally, Paul made a personal appeal to these brethren that would
be hard to refuse; “pray
for us” (vs. 18).
This was something that each Hebrew Christian could
do. There is no
doubt
that Paul was well known among them,
though they might never have seen
him. Paul had revolted from Judaism! He had experienced a personal relationship with the Messiah not known by any other. This experience surely had been told. It is not easy for a person to take a stand against his
forefathers, public sentiment, or tradition, but Paul had! Now
he was asking for
their help in prayer. Then Paul prayed for them. This prayer is found in verses 20 and 21. No
greater petition could be asked by anyone than to beseech the
heavenly Father to
“make
you perfect – becoming more like
the Messiah Jesus in every good work,” but it was to be
performed
“through Jesus the Messiah.”
Brethren and friends, we, like Paul, ask you to pray for us regarding these articles. Many of you
have followed each one through your reading. Ask Yehovah to lead you as you walk on the difficult path that leads to the
narrow gate that give entrance in the Kingdom of God. “Grace be with you all. Amen.”
This material was reproduced from a series of articles that
were written by Francis E. Burnett and
published in the Restitution Herald Volume
54, (1964-1965) Edited and added
to by Bruce Lyon
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