Hebrews

Wednesday, 15 May 2019

We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. Hebrews 13:10

The translation lacks the intent of what is being referred to. A better translation would be –

“We have an altar from which those who worship at the tent have no right to eat.”

This is not merely speaking of the priests who served at the tabernacle, but of all of Israel who came to make their offerings at the Tent of Meeting. In this, the people at times participated in eating a portion of the offering. This is seen, for example, in Deuteronomy 12 –

“You may not eat within your gates the tithe of your grain or your new wine or your oil, of the firstborn of your herd or your flock, of any of your offerings which you vow, of your freewill offerings, or of the heave offering of your hand. ¹⁸ But you must eat them before the Lord your God in the place which the Lord your God chooses, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, and the Levite who is within your gates; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God in all to which you put your hands.” Deuteronomy 12:17, 18

At other times, the sacrifices or offerings were eaten by the priests alone, and at times, they were wholly burnt to the Lord on the altar, etc. Each type of sacrifice and offering had its own requirement as to its disposal. These were brought forward to the Tent of Meeting and offered on the brazen altar. This is now set in contrast to what is found in Christ with the author’s words, “We have an altar.”

There are various ideas about what “the altar” in the New Covenant signifies. Some say it is the cross of Christ. Some say it is the table where believers participate in the Lord’s Supper. Some say it is Christ Himself. However, the idea of the altar is that of symbolizing everything associated with the work of Christ in one unified concept. Just as the offering upon the brazen altar signified the offering of the people, the food of the priests, access through the door of the Tent of Meeting, the symbolic restored relationship with God etc., so the entire picture of life in Christ and full restoration with God, is gathered up in one thought called the “altar.”

It is this “altar from which those who worship at the tent have no right to eat.” The two covenants are mutually exclusive of one another. One is either under law, or he is under grace. One is either obedient in following the commands given through Moses, or he is obedient to the commands given through Christ. The commands of Christ, however, are not inclusive of the Law of Moses as many people claim. This is evident from 1 Corinthians 7:19 –

“Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.”

This is obviously the case because circumcision is specifically referred to in the Old Covenant (Leviticus 12:3). Therefore, the New Covenant is a completely separate and distinct body of commands than that of the Old Covenant, even if some of those commands overlap because they are repeated in the New. Because of this, the altar of Christ excludes any who participate in the altar of the Old Covenant. One must leave the Jewish teachings and come solely and completely to Christ in order to first be saved, and then to be pleasing to Him. This is the main topic of the book of Galatians. It warns against the Judaizers of all ages.

As a note concerning the dating of Hebrews, “the altar” is speaking of that which is discussed above and which occurred in Jerusalem. This, like an earlier verse in Hebrews, confirms that the temple was still standing at the time of this letter and so the letter was written prior to AD 70. This is important because liberal theology will often try to date biblical books later than they were written in order to argue against their truth.

Life application: Hebrews shows that believers in Christ have something that any associated with the temple rites and rituals had no right to. When the people of Israel failed to come to Christ, they were left out of the New Covenant promises, including its eternal blessings. We can only be thankful for God’s mercy in selecting us for inclusion in the Bread from heaven, our Lord Jesus. The altar from which we partake includes His precious body and blood – given for us. When you participate in the Lord’s Supper, do you take time to appreciate its enormous significance?

Lord, because of what You did at Calvary, we have the right to come in and dine with You. May we never take for granted that which You did on our behalf, but rather help us to appreciate Your greatness even more as we share in the Table set before us which remembers Your death until You come again. To the glory of God the Father… Amen.

Tuesday, 14 May 2019

Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them. Hebrews 13:9

The verse consists of two sentences, the second explaining the reason for the first. However, the first, all by itself is a good warning under any situation, “Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines.” Unfortunately, “sensation sells.” People make up all kinds of nutty things, teaching them as if they were biblically sound. But because the average Christian spends less time reading his Bible than he does getting holes drilled in his head, there is no way for that individual to discern what is sound and what is not.

Hence, throughout the Christian world, “various and strange doctrines” abound. The reason for there being thousands of different denominations is because the Bible is misinterpreted, misrepresented, or completely ignored. Thus, churches are filled with various doctrines. And many of those doctrines are strange, even to the point of having nothing to do with biblical theology. Further, there is the thought that “everyone is a specialist in theology.”

People hear something, no matter how outlandish, and they latch on to it, immediately teaching what they have heard as if it were sound, even if it is completely aberrant. The problem with this is that, without their knowing the Bible, there is no way to show that person that he is, in fact, completely wrong. But sound theology takes hard work, much time, and careful contemplation. None of these are palatable to the one whose ears desire tickling.

Paul speaks of “every wind of doctrine” in Ephesians 4:14, imploring his reader to not get caught up in that which is contrary to sound doctrine, and which comes “by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting.” Believers are to hold to that which is sound and reasonable. Not strange and goofy.

Having said that, and as already stated, the second sentence explains the first. The author is specifically referring to foods. As will be seen, those foods are then tied into the sacrificial system of Israel. This means that the author is comparing the grace of Christ to the mandates of the Law of Moses, a law which has already and explicitly been said to be annulled (7:18), obsolete (8:13), and taken away (10:9).

And so he says, “For it is good that the heart be established by grace.” Grace is unmerited favor. It is what Christ provided through the giving (sacrifice) of His life for man’s sin. As it is unmerited, it cannot be earned, only received. With that thought in mind, he then says, “not with foods.”

The sacrificial and dietary laws of Israel are not grace. They are law. Certain animals were acceptable, certain animals were not. This is true with both individual dietary issues, mandated for all under the law, and also for acceptable sacrifices and offerings to the Lord, in which the offerer often participated. Of this system of regulations for Israel, he continues by saying, “which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.”

The Greek more literally reads, “in which they who walked were not profited.” The “walk” reflects the conduct of one’s life. Paul uses the term often, such as in Ephesians 4:17 when speaking of the “walk” of the Gentiles. In this case, the author is referring to the “walk” or “conduct of life” under the law and in regard to the “foods which have not profited” those who walked in accord with those laws. The things they did were only external rituals which anticipated the coming of Christ. He is the embodiment and fulfillment of the law, and in Him is found the end of those things. He accomplished for His people the things which bring restoration with God.

The thought being conveyed here is very similar to that of Paul in 1 Timothy 4. There he says that there are those who are “forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.” In other words, he is speaking of those who reinsert the precepts of the Law of Moses, or who simply make up dietary and other laws, and then impose those faulty standards on others who are uneducated in what “grace” means.

The message of Hebrews is in perfect agreement with all of Paul’s teachings. It is one unified message that the believer in Christ is not under law, but is under grace.

Life application: The first half of this verse is so broad in its admonition that pages and pages could be written about the strange teachings followed by a single individual, much less everyone in the church. We as people can so easily get sidetracked into cults, conspiracies, speculations, and general finger-pointing that we never become productive Christians.

How many times do you see people waste their time on every possible conspiracy that arises? “The government is building concentration camps for its citizens.” “The twin towers were destroyed by the US government.” “The government is imposing Noahide laws on its people – beheadings are just around the corner.” On and on it goes as we waste our lives on that which is both strange and unproductive.

Likewise, how many know someone who has come home to tell the family they have joined the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, or Adventists because they are the only truth and have the secrets of God exclusively. Strange teachings are teachings which have no value in our lives and merely divert our attention from Jesus. Those who follow them can only be pitied as they dig deeper and deeper into one giant black chasm of futility.

One of the strange teachings, which is a serious misapplication of the Bible, is the re-imposition of dietary laws. Rather than these things, we are to be “strengthened by grace” and not in legalistic teachings. Christ has (past tense) accepted us. To try to merit His favor through our diet after He has already accepted us is to lack being strengthened by grace. Eyes on Jesus! Thoughts on Jesus! Hearts toward Jesus! Everything else is foolish and wasteful.

Lord, help us to think on what is of value in our spiritual lives. Nudge us to ask, “Is this a strange teaching which is of no value?” And then give us wisdom to reject it if it is. May our hearts and minds be attentive to You and not toward that which is off the beaten path, rather crazy, or just plain nuts. May we be pleasing to You through sound biblical doctrine. Amen.

Monday, 13 May 2019

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8

The structure of the Greek original is much more expressive and beautiful. The NKJV, following after that of the KJV, is slipshod and conveys an incorrect idea about what the author is saying. As Albert Barnes notes concerning their translation –

“It would seem to mean that Jesus Christ, the unchangeable Saviour, was the end or aim of the conduct of those referred to, or that they lived to imitate and glorify him. But this is by no means the meaning in the original.”

Young’s Literal Translation renders it according to the Greek structure – “Jesus Christ yesterday and to-day the same, and to the ages” (YLT).

The words of this verse are a connector between what was said in the previous verse and what is coming in the next. As seen, the author used a rare word in the previous verse which gave the thought that those who led the congregation were “faithful unto death.” That is reflected in the words, “Jesus Christ yesterday.” They had understood Him to be Messiah (Christ) and were faithful to that. The same is true of “Today.”

Whatever day is “Today,” Jesus Christ is the same as yesterday. There is no change in Him and His power and authority. He remains the Messiah and, therefore, the believer is to express the same faithful conduct as those who trusted in Him before. He remains the same, and therefore we are to not deviate in our allegiance to Him. From there, the author says, “and to the ages.”

The eternal nature of Jesus Christ’s Person, Position, and Power is referred to. This verse is an absolute statement of the eternal and unchanging nature of Jesus Christ. Therefore, our relation to Him is to be unwavering and consistent. We serve an immutable Lord and our conduct before Him, and our trust in Him, should reflect that.

This premise will lead into the coming verse which speaks of not getting caught up in strange doctrines. Christ is unchanging. Therefore, the doctrines associated with Him will be firm, fixed, and unchanging as well.

Life application: This is one of many verses in the Bible which tell us of God’s (because Christ Jesus is God) unchanging nature. This may seem like an unimportant aspect of God that you don’t need to think about deeply, but such isn’t the case. The eternality and unchanging nature of God leads us directly to monotheism and excludes all other non-monotheistic religion. It is that simple.

Because Jesus is being equated with an unchanging nature, then He is a part of the Godhead. If this is so, and the Bible claims it is, then any other monotheistic expression outside of Christianity is excluded. We can easily reason out why this must be the case and why the other monotheistic religions are false – for example, Islam’s system of final justice would violate God’s eternal nature of holiness.

By using reason, the Bible alone stands as an expression compatible with the nature of God. In a world where so many people believe that “all paths lead to God,” there needs to be careful thought given as to why this simply cannot be true. And, once we have determined the truth, we can be completely assured that we are dealing with the God who isn’t fickle, vindictive, moody, or changing. His word reflects His very nature.

It would be utterly foolish to claim faith in Jesus Christ and then worry about somehow losing your salvation at a later point. When God says that we are forgiven through Christ, then we are forgiven. When God says that we have reconciliation because of Christ, then we are reconciled. When God says we are His children because of Christ, then we are adopted and heirs. Have faith that Jesus is the same God who said, “For I am the Lord, I do not change” (Malachi 3:6).

Jesus is the full expression of the Godhead in bodily form. He makes the unknowable knowable. Have no fear; Jesus is.

Thank You Lord for coming and displaying to us the great love of the Father! Thank You for our salvation, our adoption, and our promised eternal life. Because Your word tells us of Jesus and Jesus tells us of these things, we can be eternally confident that they are true. Thank You for Jesus! Amen.

Sunday, 12 May 2019

Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Hebrews 13:7

Here, we move to a positive exhortation from the author to “Remember those who rule over you.” The idea is one who directs, or guides, the congregation. The word is hégeomai, and it forms the basis for our modern word “hegemony.” It signifies one who carries important responsibility. Here it is in the passive, and so the thought is “to esteem/reckon heavily” (HELPS Word Studies).

In remembering them, those who are so led should consider them, be willing to submit to them, follow after them, and so on. This is specifically speaking of those “who have spoken the word of God to you.” This is an obvious reference to those who teach, preach, and provide instruction when called upon to do so. As they are the ones to impart the spiritual truths to others, it would normally be expected that they would be men of faith, and faithful in their conduct before the Lord. Because of this, the author says, “whose faith follow.”

It is a way of imploring the reader to look at the faith their leaders profess, and to act in a like manner. The word “follow” signifies “to imitate.” Obviously, if they are prone to acting in a less than desirable manner, one would not want to follow in their ways, but this is a general sentiment, given to encourage following those who are faithful. This is then certain because of the final words, “considering the outcome of their conduct.”

The word used is a rare one, being found elsewhere only in 1 Corinthians 10:13, and in Hebrews 11:15. It signifies “a way out” or “result.” The idea here then is that they are the type who are faithful unto death. Whether dead or not, the idea of being faithful even under the most dire circumstances is what appears to be what is referred to here. Knowing the character of such a person, the reader is implored to act in a similar manner.

Life application: There are a lot of people vying for our attention in the world – sports figures, politicians, movie stars, etc. We are told here that we should look to our preachers and teachers in the word when looking for a way of life to emulate.

If anyone hasn’t taken the time to notice, much of the Hollywood elite are the most messed up people on earth. Sports figures spend too much time working on their athletic skills, which fade with age, and not enough on considering the deeper questions of life. Politicians are generally the most self-serving bunch of people of all.

Instead, we need to look to those who preach the word of God and consider their way of life. What they preach, if preached properly, has eternal significance and is the only sure foundation we have. Along with this, we are reminded to imitate what we see in them.

It should be understood that we only imitate what is noble in them, not specifically the person himself. To imitate a fallen person – even a pastor – isn’t smart. Pastors have been known to fall too – in big ways. The only One we are to wholly imitate in person is Jesus, but for earthly examples of faith, we look to our pastors. In addition to this, Paul reminded Timothy that –

“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages.’” 1 Timothy 5:17, 18

He repeats his thought in Galatians 6:6 –

“Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.”

Don’t forget to share the good you have with your pastor. And again, learn to imitate his faith.

Lord, you have raised up God-fearing men to teach Your word and to direct us to You. Give us caring hearts to pray for them, to acknowledge them with our gifts, and to imitate their faith. Help us always to be faithful congregants in support of those who lead us and who in turn lead us to You! Amen.

Saturday, 11 May 2019

So we may boldly say:
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6

Here we have a quote from Psalm 118:6 –

“The Lord is on my side;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”

The same sentiment is also reflected in Psalm 27:1.

The author has just stated in the previous verse, “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” It is with that thought in mind that he next jubilantly proclaims, “So we may boldly say.”

If the Lord is with us, and if He will never leave us nor forsake us, then our conduct shouldn’t be that of timidity, but of boldness. That includes the words we speak. The author is spurring the reader on in his words to a state of confident boldness. In this, he then reaches back to the psalm, as noted above, and says, “The Lord is my helper.”

Why would we be covetous, and why would we walk in a state of discontentment? Whatever our state is, it is because the Lord has ordained it. For example, we are all destined to die. Why would we fear death if the Lord has already gone ahead of us through that door? Rather, the author continues the quote with, “I will not fear.”

This should be the attitude of the believer in any situation. If death, which is the end of this life, is not to be feared, then why should we fear any part of the life we live prior to death? Our trust in God is not a dubious grasp on something that may or may not be worked out for our best interest. Rather, because Christ Jesus is God’s Son, and because we are in Christ, we are God’s children through adoption. As His children, He is there for us, He is watching over us, and He will protect us as a Father. This is the reason for the final words, “What can man do to me?”

The answer for those who look to this world as the sum total of our existence is, “A whole lot.” Man can take our possessions, he can harm our family, he can physically hurt us or even kill us. But those things are a part of a temporary existence for the believer.

This verse is not a statement guaranteeing that believers will be immune from any of these things. It is a statement that transcends them. We will face these things in varying degrees, but they are not an indication of the Father’s failure to care for us. They are a part of what the Father has allowed in order to mold us for the life which is truly life.

Psalm 118 is a victorious psalm which speaks of the coming Messiah. Because that psalm is being applied to us because of Jesus’ victory, we have absolute assurance that no thing, no person, no trial, and no temptation can hold us down. In fact, we should say with confidence that it is Jesus who stands with us, and because of that, we will not be afraid. It is this thought which has allowed people to undergo torture and martyrdom without disowning Christ. The early Christian martyr named Polycarp was given a chance to disown Christ and confess Caesar as lord, but he stood firm instead –

“Eighty-six years have I been His servant, and He has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King who saved me? … You threaten me with fire which burns for an hour, and after a little is extinguished, but are ignorant of the fire of the coming judgment and of eternal punishment, reserved for the ungodly. But why do you tarry? Bring forth what you will.”

Although most of us probably won’t face being burned at the stake, whatever trials you do face – large or small – remember that the Lord is your confidence and so you should never be afraid of what lies ahead.

Yes Lord, You are our great confidence in a world which is lacking reason. Give us the ability to stand fast in Your great comfort when times become difficult or even hostile. May You receive the glory You are due for having provided us with such a sure and great salvation. Amen.