HEBREWS CHAPTER 10, “TO DO YOUR WILL O GOD”

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

HEBREWS CHAPTER 9, “THE WAY INTO THE HOLIEST”

PAUL had just finished writing in the eighth chapter concerning the first covenant. He stated that it was “old” and “ready to vanish away.” This was a blunt statement to make to Hebrew people, but it was true. To clarify his feelings toward the commandments, laws, and ordinances, Paul referred to them as being “ordinances of divine service” (vs. 1). He also wrote of the “worldly sanctuary” (vs. 1). We believe that Paul referred to the worship center of the Israelites in this manner to compare it later in this same chapter to the work of the high priest in the tabernacle with that of the High Priest “in the presence of God for us” (vs. 24). Paul carefully spoke of the tabernacle and of all its furniture. This whole worship center and plan was ordained of God and was sanctified with the sprinkling of blood. (See vs. 21.) The word “worldly,” as used in verse 1 is used at times to mean “orderly arrangement.” God certainly had established for the Israelites an orderly arrangement in their offerings, sacrifices, and worship. It was so orderly that it is easy for us who look back to sec the magnificent patterns, types, and shadows that point to to Jesus the Messiah.

It would be well to pause for a moment and think of the materials used in the building of the tabernacle and furniture, and the making of the garments for the priests.

They were of the finest, gold, silver, brass, and fine linen. These were precious things. They should help us to realize how precious Jesus is to us. The priest’s garments were made “for glory and for beauty” (Exodus 28:2). Here, again, we have the pattern to compare. In Hebrews 1:3 Paul wrote that Jesus was “the brightness 0 the outshining of His glory.”

There are patterns in almost all the tabernacle furniture pointing to Jesus. Let us notice some of them. The candlestick which was to be kept lighted continuously (Exodus 27:20), and the showbread which was always to be on the table (25:30), are summed up in the New Testament. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12), and “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35).

The golden censer (vs. 4) could refer to the altar of incense which Paul did not otherwise mention. The altar of incense stood against the east wall of the holy of holies by the entrance into it. The burning of the incense before Yehovah was to be “perpetual.” (Sec Exodus 30:8.) In this we have the type of the offering of prayers which Paul had already mentioned in Hebrews 4:16. In Revelation 8:3 we have reference to the offering of incense with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.” Today when we pray, we enter into the Throne room of our God and Father Yehovah to communicate with Him, because of what Jesus has done for us.

Paul pointed out in verse 6, that these things were “ordained,” and the priest went “into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.” The first tabernacle was the court of the congregation and the first part of the tabernacle itself was called the holy place. In both places there was daily service to perform. It included the “dressing” of the candlesticks (Exodus 30:7), the offering of the lamb both morning and evening (29:38-42), the changing of the showbread once a week (Leviticus 24:5-8), and many other duties. Once every year the high priest had to go into the holy of holies (called the second” in vs. 7) to appear before the ark of the covenant. He could not go in without blood. In fact, he had to take the blood of two animals to sprinkle upon the mercy seat. First the high priest took the blood of the bullock which was for his own sins and then he took the blood of a goat, which had been chosen by the casting of lot, and this was for the sin of the congregation. Before he went into the holy of holies, he had to bring “his hands full of sweet incense” (Leviticus16:12) and burn it on the altar of incense. Remember, this altar was before the entrance into the holy of holies and it represents prayer. The whole story of this procedure is told in Leviticus 16:234.

As long as the first tabernacle was standing (vs. 8), “the way into the holiest” had not been made known. We understand that Paul was referring to the fact that Jesus is the “way,” and the holiest is in heaven before the throne of God. Recall that Paul had already written, “We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens” (8:1). So, the divine service (vs. 1) was a figure “for the time then present” (vs. 9) “until the time of reformation” (vs. 10). This was the time of the change from the “old”; the first covenant; to the “new”; the second covenant. The great contrast between the first and the new or the second is shown in verses 11-14. There was no bullock offered for the sinless Messiah. He gave himself as a sin-offering sacrifice for mankind. There was no goat offered for the people. Jesus gave his life “to bear the sins of many” (vs. 28). There was no incense burning as he, Jesus, presented his body and blood on the cross. Yet his prayer, prior to this offering on the cross which He made in the Garden of Gethsemane, was the presenting of himself and the interceding for all his disciples; both then and now.

Reference is made in verse 13 to the "ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctified) to the purifying of the flesh.” The full account of this burning of a red heifer is given in Numbers 19. The Messiah Jesus “offered himself without spot to God” (vs. 14). He did  so as the only perfect sinless man who has ever lived!

Because he offered himself, Jesus became the “mediator of the New Testament,” but he also was a sin-offering sacrifice for the “redemption of the transgressions” of those “under the first testament” (vs. 15). The hope of the Israelites, those who had followed the ritual of the offerings and sacrifices, was in the Messiah Jesus that “they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance” (vs. 15). Under the old covenant worship, it took the blood of an animal, and therefore death (vv. 16-22), to bring to pass the goodness of God. Those who took part were forgiven of their transgressions through their obedience. Now, under the new covenant, through “the blood of the Messiah” (vs. 14), and his death, the “way into the holiest of all” (vs. 8) had been provided for the elect.

We could not have had the second without the first. As is pointed out in verse 23, “It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these.” The patterns were the plans and ordinances given to Moses for the building of the tabernacle and the carrying out of the worship for all Israel as prescribed by God to Moses. But “the heavenly things”; the right of any individual to “come boldly before the throne of grace,” and the privilege of anyone to “believe on the Lord Jesus the Messiah,” and others; would all lead to “eternal life through Jesus the Messiah our Lord.”

For this, it took a “better sacrifice” than that of “the blood of goats and calves” (vv. 23, 12). It was necessary, to keep the sins forgiven and the people sanctified in the sight of God, for the high priest to go into the holy of holies once every' year. But Jesus “once in the end of the world” gave his life and “appeared to put away sin by the sin-offering sacrifice of himself” (vs. 26).

He “entered heaven itself, to appear in the presence of God for us” (vs. 24). This same Jesus is coming again “unto them that look for him,” not as an offering for sin but “without sin unto salvation” (vs. 28).

Brethren and friends, Jesus gave His life as a sin-offering offering for our sins, to reconcile us to his God and Father Yehovah. There is nothing else that can take the place of that offering. We are under the wrath of God, which is death, unless we accept Jesus as the “way into the holiest.”

Written by Francis E. Burnett and edited and added to by Bruce Lyon

Notice: Because of what the lord Messiah Jesus has done for us we can appear before our God and Father Yehovah before His throne to offer to Him praise and thanksgiving for all He has done and will do for us as His slaves, bought and paid for by the blood of the lord Jesus and as His sons and daughters because He has given us the spirit of sonship and placed us in His household! Can we imagine how it must have grieved the Spirit of Yehovah to witness His son going through 40+ hours of pain and suffering in order to carry out His plan of salvation for all of us!

As a father I can’t imaging the pain and suffering I would have if I had to witness my son or daughter being severely beaten and then being crucified. We are so blessed to have Yehovah as our Father who loves us so much by supplying us with all His enabling power, to accomplish what He has commanded us to do, which will result in our joining with Jesus as co-rulers and co-inheritors of all the promises made to the father, king David, and the lord Jesus. To rule as glorified immortal sons and daughters in the coming 1,000-year rulership of the lord Messiah Jesus. Amazing grace that has saved a wretch like me.

Written by Francis E. Burnett and edited and added to by Bruce Lyon