Hebrews

Friday, 1 March 2019

By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. Hebrews 11:4

The author now begins his list of those mentioned in verse 2 as “elders,” meaning those of the past who demonstrated faith, and who then obtained “a good testimony.” The first example takes the reader all the way back to the very beginning of man’s time on earth. The two sons of Adam, Cain and Abel, are recorded in Genesis 4. The author says that “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.” The specific incident referred to now reads –

“Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. ³ And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. ⁴ Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, ⁵ but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.” Genesis 4:2-5

The words translated as “more excellent” simply mean “more.” The word is used in a comparative sense, such as, “I have ten Bibles.” “Oh yeah, well I have more.” The sacrifice of Abel was of more value to God than that of Cain.

Great debate exists as to why God accepted Abel’s offering but not that of Cain. Some say that because Abel offered a blood sacrifice, it was a better sacrifice. But the text never makes that claim. Others argue that both offerings were acceptable based on the acceptable offerings found in Leviticus. Though true, that is, unfortunately, putting the cart before the horse.

Leviticus was written long after the time of Cain and Abel. This type of logic can result in faulty analyses of passages, and it also mixes dispensations. It’s like trying to place a square peg in a round hole. Based on the account itself, it cannot actually be determined if the type of sacrifice was right or wrong.

Rather, and simply stated, Hebrews says that “by faith Abel offered to God.” That is all that is necessary to determine why God accepted Abel’s offering and rejected Cain’s. Abel’s offering was one which was accompanied by faith. The logical question is, “Did these sacrifices restore them to God or was it faith in what they symbolized that did?” Hebrews has already shown that the sacrifices and offerings of past times only look forward to Christ. Such is the case here. Abel believed in God, and he believed God. His offering to God reflected that.

In his act of faith, “he obtained witness that he was righteous.” Again, this set of words confirms what was just deduced about why Abel’s sacrifice was considered acceptable. The author had just said in verse 10:38 that “the just shall live by faith.” His words now in Chapter 11 are given in connection with that thought, building upon it through example. Abel “obtained witness that he was righteous” because he lived in faith and made his offering based upon that faith. This is testified to by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 23:35, where Abel is called “righteous.” In response, we read the author’s next words, “God testifying of his gifts.”

To understand this, think of two people who do good things. We will call one “Bill,” and the other “Franklin.” Bill gives billions of dollars to AIDS research, but he doesn’t believe in God, nor does he make his gifts in honor of God. Franklin, however, offers himself and his time, ability, and effort in helping people in the name of Jesus Christ. He believes in Christ, he highlights Christ in his giving, and he leads people to Christ through his efforts. Which is offering in faith? And to which will God testify of his gifts? The answer is obvious. No reward for Bill; full reward for Franklin for all deeds done in faith.

Finally, the author finishes with, “and through it he being dead still speaks.” This builds upon the thought of verse 10:2. The author said that by faith “the elders obtained a good testimony.” A good testimony is a favorable notion about someone. There is a favorable consideration of Abel because, through his offering of faith which is now recorded in Scripture, his actions still speak to us today.

Life application: Abel’s offering included faith whereas Cain’s didn’t. Abel’s faith resulted in what is considered a more excellent sacrifice. This led to his commendation. The lesson of Cain and Abel comes from real people that really did what was recorded. Not everything that occurred in history is in the Bible, but everything we need to know to live our lives in a manner pleasing to God is. He has left no gaps, nothing necessary has gone unrecorded, and nothing confused – or which will cause confusion in the believer’s walk before Him – is found in His word. Error in bad analysis lies with us and our failure to spend the time, reflection, and prayer needed to properly understand the context of what is written. The record on Abel stands for us today – by faith He was known as a man who pleased God. Reflect on this. The apostle Peter says that our faith is “much more precious than gold.” Have faith in God, and stand on His word at all times.

Lord God, help us to continue on in the faith we first possessed when we heard of Christ Jesus. At that moment, we believed, and we were sealed with the Holy Spirit. We were found pleasing in Your sight by simple faith. Help us to not ruin our walk now by attempting to be justified through our own righteousness, but to continue on in faith in all that we do. May our righteousness come from faith alone. Amen.

Thursday, 28 February 2019

By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Hebrews 11:3

The previous verse mentioned that it was by faith that the elders obtained their testimony. The author now begins to give examples of what it means to exercise faith, but he does not begin with that of the elders. Instead, he begins with the framing of the universe. Thus, what he says here includes something that requires faith in all men at all times.

“By faith” signifies that even now, what is recorded concerning creation requires a mark of faith to accept. There is, and there always will be, an unknown aspect of the working of God in creation. But Scripture has given us an account of what God did. As this cannot be fully comprehended by us, then “By faith we understand.” In other words, “The Bible says these things, and it is by that word that we understand that they came about, but it is only by faith in that word that we can fully accept what is written. And that is speaking of “the worlds.”

The word in Greek is aiōnas, ages. This is more than just the worlds which fill the universe, but everything associated with the universe. In other words, before God created those things which comprise the universe – time, space, matter, etc, there was only God. The author is saying that we cannot comprehend the act of God’s creation as it is, but can only, by faith, accept the account as given by Scripture which says that the ages “were framed.”

The Greek word signifies “to prepare,” or “to mend.” It is used, for example, of the apostles mending their nets. The nets needed to be fixed in order to work properly again. In the same manner, God “prepared,” or “fashioned,” the universe in such a way that all things work properly. Everything is as it should be, and every discovery we make fits into that woven tapestry of the universe. This is from its overall size and structure, down to the smallest conceivable particle (quark, string, or whatever is claimed to be the minutest thing in existence). Further, the entire framing of the ages (meaning time) must fit into this construction. God created time, and therefore all time is known and apprehended by God – even into eternity itself. Nothing is unknown to Him from age to age. Thus, all redemptive history was known to Him before He spoke the first word of creation. All were “framed by the word of God.”

God spoke, and the universe came into being. Nothing apart from God existed, and now these things exist. Einstein demonstrated that time cannot exist without space or matter, space cannot exist without time or matter, and matter cannot exist without time and space. They are all interdependent on one another, and are all a part of what God created ex nihilo or, “out of nothing.” He did not create them out of Himself (ex Deo), nor did He create them out of preexisting matter (ex hules). These things are a fabrication of His wisdom and are by His spoken word, just as the Genesis account demonstrates. As it repeatedly says there, “Then God said…”

Next, the author continues with, “so that the things.” Some manuscripts say, “the thing.” In other words, it is speaking of all that exists in the singular. It is one giant tapestry that is beheld by man, despite having innumerable parts. All things are interwoven and interconnected into one THING. Whether this is correct, or whether it is speaking of “things,” the intent remains the same, because these things are still a part of one THING. It is a universal expanse of things “which are seen,” and which come together to form a whole. And these things, the author says, “were not made of things which are visible.”

This takes faith for us to accept. Einstein, after developing the Theory of Relativity, went on in his work attempting to discover a “theory of everything.” This is because he, and those who have followed after in this same search, did not have faith that God did what the Bible claims. Instead, they continue to look for a naturalistic explanation of the universe’s existence. But the Bible says that we are to have faith in the account. That certainly means “the account as written.”

To varying degrees, countless Christians have the same lack of faith in the biblical account that these scientists and philosophers have. They say they believe that God created, but they then say that it didn’t occur as the Bible records. But if the author of Hebrews is citing this very Genesis account (and which he will continue to cite), then it is something that continues to require faith in each word.

The Book of Genesis and people in Genesis will be referred to until verse 22. From there, Moses will continue to be cited until verse 29. The thing is, it is Moses who received the Genesis creation account. Therefore, everything written through verse 29 requires faith that it occurred as has been recorded. And, logically, because all that is recorded in this chapter, even to the very last verse, is a part of “the ages” of what God has prepared, then we are to have faith in everything the author has presented, and will present, as it is written.

What is being relayed in this verse is not a trivial thing. Rather, his words which speak of faith in the Genesis account ask us to have faith in the entire Genesis account, and the Exodus account, and the words of Leviticus, and etc.

Life application: As has repeatedly been the case throughout history, science has had to catch up with the Bible. In addition, science validates the veracity of the Bible, and it disproves all other religious systems along the way. All things came into being at a set point in time, before which they didn’t exist. Simply stated, only monotheism is possible because of this scientific revelation. All other religious systems are proved false in the process. The details of the creation account are given in Genesis 1 and 2 and are to be held as truth, not merely considered a myth or fairy tale. There is only one truth and that truth is immutable. If science conflicts with the revelation given in the Bible, then either the science is faulty, or our understanding of the biblical account is wrong, but the Bible – as recorded – is accurate. It is therefore of great importance that we study and properly analyze the creation account if we are to know and understand what it reveals. As an interesting parallel to this verse, the same concept of creation ex nihilo is also recorded in the psalms –

For He spoke, and it was done;
He commanded, and it stood fast. Psalm 33:9

Think on these things and know – with certainty – that there is one God, the Creator.

Lord, let us not be so foolish as to think all religions are equal. You, O God, are logical, orderly, and infinitely wise. To assume that all religions lead to You is to assume You are incompetent and like shifting shadows. Let us never come to that conclusion. You are One, You are the God of Scripture, and You alone are to be worshiped! All other “gods” are false. Glory, majesty, splendor, and honor belong to You alone. Amen.

Wednesday, 27 February 2019

For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. Hebrews 11:2

The word “For” introduces a real-life explanation of what was stated in the preceding verse. “By it” is speaking of faith, the main subject of verse 1. In order to show the value of faith to the reader, the author then chooses a subject concerning faith which will continue to be used throughout the chapter, which is “the elders.”

The word in Greek is presbuteros. It signifies “a mature man having seasoned judgment” (HELPS Word Studies). How to correctly translate this is a bit difficult. Vincent’s Word Studies argues that “Fathers” is better. However, that isn’t so. There are a couple of women (Sarah and Rahab) who will be cited by name as examples in this list, and the general term “women” will also be used in verse 35.

Some translational choices have been: the ancients, the people in days of old, the people of old, the men of old, the elders, our ancestors, people of ancient times, the saints of old, etc. As seen, some are rather good paraphrases, such as “our ancestors.” Others fail to include the women, such as “men of old.” Maybe the word, “elders,” is the best. As the masculine of such words in both the Greek and English traditionally stands for all those spoken of, including women, it properly defines the term while not making the error of excluding women entirely. Regardless as to the word chosen, the author is speaking of those of faith from the past. It is they who, by demonstrating faith, “obtained a good testimony.”

From this, the author will go on to give a noble list of names of those who simply took God at His word, and who were considered as pleasing to Him because of it.

Life application: It must have been both interesting and hard to grasp for the early Hebrew Christians to read this verse and to reflect on what the author was saying. After 1500 years of observing the law, they had surely come to think that they participated in their righteousness before God. But the writer says otherwise, as does the rest of the New Testament.

After defining faith in the previous verse, the author now states that it is faith which pleases God, and it is that for which we receive commendation. If you think about it logically, it must be so. God told the Israelites to put blood on their doorposts at the Passover. Did the blood save them or was it that they had faith, believing in what God asked them to do in applying the blood? God later asked them to sacrifice for their sins at the temple. Did these sacrifices restore them to God or was it faith in what they symbolized?

How you answer these questions is of no small matter. In fact, the same debate rages on in Christianity today. A large percentage of those who follow Christ believe that we participate in our justification. In fact, it’s one of the principle differences between Roman Catholicism and Protestant theology. Roman Catholicism says that we must participate in our justification. In their poor theology, if we fail to die in a righteous state, it’s off to purgatory with our soul.

But the term “justification,” as used in the Bible, literally means, “to declare righteous.” In other words, Paul says that the moment we put our faith in Christ, we are justified. Only one option is correct – that we are justified by Christ alone, through faith alone, by God’s grace alone. There is nothing we can add to this justification. When we attempt to do so, we state “God, what you did in the Person of Jesus, your Son, was insufficient to save me.” In essence, we reject the very salvation that He has provided.

Don’t be deluded – there is nothing you can do to add to the work of Jesus Christ. Stand firm in what He has done and… Have faith!

Lord, our souls praise You for the great and awesome deeds which You alone have accomplished on our behalf. Forgive us for ever-striving to add to what You have done when, in fact, what You have done is fully sufficient to restore us to You and to keep us eternally secure. We trust in You, we rest in You, we glory… in You alone. Amen!

Tuesday, 26 February 2019

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

The author will now explain what faith is. This is not a sudden change in direction. Instead, it is based on what he has said in the previous verses –

“’For yet a little while,
And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
³⁸ Now the just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.’

³⁹ But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.” Hebrews 10:37-39

He explains what that faith which is being referred to in those verses is. The assumption made from the chapter is that those who are mentioned in a positive light for their faith are saved. They have “obtained a good testimony through faith” (verses 11:2 & 11:39). Further, they will be made perfect along with us (verse 11:40).

This is important to understand, because the faith that they displayed was what set them apart with a good testimony. One, for example, is the harlot Rahab. The act of faith that she demonstrated was 1) as a Gentile, 2) not yet brought into the covenant people of Israel, and 3) at the beginning of her interactions with the God of Israel. Outside of the one account, she is mentioned in a genealogy in Matthew, but nothing she did for the rest of her life is recorded. The single act of faith is described, and yet verse 40 implies that this single act of faith (which included her deeds of faith as described in verse 31 and in James 2:25) is what made her acceptable to be perfected along with God’s people, as verse 40 says.

The reason this is important, is because it then clearly shows that the verses of chapter 10 (and elsewhere) which seem to be pointing to a loss of salvation for believers are not speaking of that at all. The act of faith in the Lord God, as He works out His redemptive plans leading to Messiah, or looking back on the work of Messiah, is sufficient to please Him and bring a person to a right standing before Him – once and for all time.

With this understanding, the author now begins Chapter 11 with, “Now faith is.” He will first describe what faith is. In the Greek, the verb begins the sentence, “Is now faith.” There is no article before the word faith, and so he is speaking about faith in an abstract sense. He is not saying, “Now ‘the’ faith is,” as if speaking of what the Christian faith is. Rather, he is explaining the term in a general manner which applies to any and all types of faith.

From there he says that faith “is the substance of things hoped for.” The word “substance” has been seen twice already in Hebrews (verses 1:3 and 3:14). It is a compound word meaning “a setting under.” Thus, it is a support. Therefore, it signifies absolute confidence; assurance. This assurance is in “things hoped for.” It isn’t as if what is hoped for is simply, “O gee, I hope this happens.” It is, “I am absolutely sure that this will come about.” There is the complete assurance that what is expected will come to pass.

The simple example of preparing to sit on a chair reveals this. One sees a chair that they have never sat on before. The person is tired and wants to sit down. Instead of very slowly and carefully easing into the chair to see if it can hold his weight, he simply plops down. In other words, there is a concrete assurance that the hoped-for ease of sitting will be realized exactly as intended. The individual has faith in the structure of the chair based on a directed mental analysis of it, or maybe having watched others sit in it or another chair like it. There is an understanding of the reality of the matter, and then action based on that understanding. As Vincent’s Word Studies says, “It is the firm grasp of faith on unseen fact.”

With this stated, the author then says that faith is “the evidence of things not seen.” The word is used one other time, in 2 Timothy 3:16, where it is translated as “reproof.” It is a proof or conviction. HELPS Word Studies says, “inner conviction focuses on God confirming His inbirthing of faith.” One cannot see the results of sitting in a chair until he sits in the chair. And yet, there is an inner conviction that plopping down into the chair will not result in a broken chair and a resulting painful bulging disk in the spine. Rather, there is every reason to believe that the hope of sitting will be realized in a comfortable sit.

Taking these two concepts as one, it is clear that faith is not a dubious thing at all. It is something which is based on a rational view of a matter which is grounded in reality.

Life application: This verse starts Chapter 11, known as the Hall of Fame of Faith. It sets the tone for the entire chapter and is the most explicit description of faith to be found both in the Bible and outside of it. Every instance of faith recorded elsewhere will find its basis in it –

Faith is being sure 1) of what we hope for, and 2) of what we do not see.

These two points then form the hallmark of the Christian’s walk. Take any situation requiring faith and turn it into a series of questions. If you can affirmatively answer the first question(s), but not the last, then your faith is sound.

The Bible claims to be the word of God. Is your hope grounded in this? Are you confident this is so? Can you absolutely prove it?

The Bible says Jesus will deliver you from condemnation. Is this your hope? Are you completely confident that He will accomplish it? Has it happened yet?

Faith then will validate whether a person’s claim of having seen, touched, or talked to Jesus is true – Do you believe in Jesus? Have you ever seen Jesus?

If someone answers those last two questions as Yes and then No. They have faith in Jesus. If he answers Yes and then Yes, faith is excluded. He has “seen.” As the Bible says we “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7), then it is certain that this person is wrong – intentionally or unintentionally. Nothing in our current dispensation will contradict the Bible. It is not to be expected that we will see Jesus before He returns for His church, despite the countless claims to the contrary. Why can this claim be made? Because we have “faith” in the truth of Scripture.

There must always be a negative answer involved in each question or faith is not a consideration. A hope that is seen is no hope at all; it has become experience. But an unseen hope on which we place our trust is faith. One final thought – if our faith is misdirected, it is a wasted faith. Every act of faith requires an unknown, but it should be a leap backed by sound reasoning. Faith is not a leap in the dark. Instead, it is a step into revealed light. In the case of proper theology, it is a step into God’s revealed light.

Lord, we can only direct our faith in one direction, but there are a zillion possibilities out there. In the end, our faith is really up to You and Your divine hand of providence upon our lives. And so we ask You to direct it and to give us reasonable assurance that it is properly placed. We thank You for this, knowing You will guide us as we seek You. Amen.

Monday, 25 February 2019

But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:39

How is it possible that the author can say this to a group of people that he has just warned that they could lose their salvation? He makes his assertion in the nominative first person plural, “we.” If the loss of salvation was possible, how could he speak for himself of a yet unknown future, and even more for a group of others in this regard? The answer is, “He could not.” But yet, he avers with all certainty, beginning with the word, “But.” It is a complete contrast to the one who “draws back” in the previous verse.

From there, he says, “we are not of those who draw back to perdition.” Again, he has made a statement which, if false, would mean that he – or any of his audience who had believed in Christ – could draw back to perdition. He has put his reputation on the line that not a single believer who receives his word (which must include all believers at all times who have received his word) will not draw back to perdition. Rather, they are “of those who believe to the saving of the soul.”

These words precisely reveal that “belief” equates to “saving of the soul.” The words in Greek are both nouns, not verbs, and so it simply says “faith” and “possession.” Therefore, a literal translation is “but of faith to the possession of the soul.” If faith equates to possession of the soul, then it is exactly what Paul’s doctrine of justification by faith alone says. In fact, the word “possession,” (translated in this verse as “saving”), is used by Paul in three times –

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13, 14

“For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:9

“to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 2:14

Likewise, Peter uses the word one last time in his first epistle –

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” 1 Peter 2:9

Each of these demonstrates possession of a thing. Properly considered, the author is not speaking of a loss of salvation, but the surety of it. Talk about a great verse to end chapter 10! At times during Chapter 10 one might think the author was a stern college professor, at others a downer, and at others a nagging conscience, but in the end he draws everything he has said together into the work of a cheerleader. You have done it! Your faith has made you His possession! You will receive the prize!

Life application: How can one read this verse and not feel the confidence of every good thing which is found in Christ? He is writing to young people and old; those new in the faith and those with years of faithfulness behind them; men and women; the healthy and the infirm. And yet his conclusion to these recipients is, “you will make it!” How can he confidently say we won’t shrink back to destruction? Especially when we will all shrink back at some point in our lives. It is because Christ’s name resides in the believer. Our failings do not – in fact they cannot – negate His faithfulness. If you are saved, His promise is that you can never lose that salvation. As the Bible says elsewhere –

“Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar.” Romans 3:4

Paul was speaking, in that Roman’s verse, of God’s righteousness in comparison to ours. Likewise, the author here is implying that we can’t shrink back to destruction; we have believed and we are saved. How could anything be more glorious than to know it is not up to us! Despite many denominations saying that we need to “participate” in our continued salvation, the Bible says otherwise. God, who is ever-faithful, is in complete control of the Christian soul. Hallelujah and amen!

What an absolute honor and blessing to know that You are in complete control of our eternal destiny, O Lord. When we fail, when we slip, when we fall as if to have lost it all, You graciously intervene on our behalf – ever faithful in the promise You have made to Your children. O, how we love You! Amen.