Daily Writing

Tuesday, 8 January 2019

For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, Hebrews 9:19

The words now give a general description of the rites associated with the establishment of the Mosaic Covenant as has been discussed in verses 9:16-18. “For when Moses” shows that the author has been referring specifically to the Mosaic Covenant. His words have not been speaking of either a “will” or a “testament,” but a covenant. At that time, “Moses had spoken every precept to all the people.” That is seen in Exodus 24:6, which will be cited below. The words he read out to the people were “according to the law.” In other words, he read the agreement which was to be ratified between the Lord and the people, openly and fully. There was nothing hidden from their ears concerning the covenant.

After that, “he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the book itself and all the people.” The details here do not specifically match what was stated in Exodus 24. For example, it only says “oxen” were sacrificed as burnt and peace offerings. However, the term, “calves and goats,” could be a simple all-inclusive idiom. Or, it could be that the goats were part of an unrecorded sin-offering. Further, the mixture of water, scarlet wool, and hyssop is not specifically referred to in Exodus 24. This doesn’t mean Moses didn’t do this, but rather that it is simply unrecorded. In this, the author is detailing what was known to have occurred.

As an explanation of these things, the mixture mentioned included –

1) The blood of calves and goats. This indicates that young and innocent lives were sacrificed to seal the covenant when accepted by the people. The exact animals, and how they point to Christ, are discussed in the corresponding Superior Word sermons.

2) The water. This was mixed into the blood as a foreshadowing of the blood and water that came from Christ’s side –

“But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.” John 19:34

3) The scarlet wool. This points to Jesus’ sacrifice and the cleansing it provides –

“‘Come now, and let us reason together,’
Says the Lord,
‘Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.’” Isaiah 1:18

4) The hyssop. This is a plant similar to mint and was symbolic of the cleansing power of Jesus. David uses the terminology of such cleansing –

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7

The procedure Hebrews is alluding to is mentioned in the book of Exodus, and the mental picture it provides is sobering –

“And Moses took half the blood and put it in basins, and half the blood he sprinkled on the altar. ⁷ Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, ‘All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient.’ ⁸ And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, ‘This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you according to all these words.’” Exodus 24:6-8

Even the people were sprinkled with the blood of the covenant. This made it binding on them as they said, “we will do, and be obedient.” However, as Paul states elsewhere –

“But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for ‘the just shall live by faith.’” Galatians 3:11

As you can see, the people promised something they could never fulfill. God knew this, but in His great mercy He provided a covering for them each year on the Day of Atonement; a day which looked ahead to its fulfillment in Jesus.

Life application: The rites of the Old Covenant continually looked forward to their fulfillment in Christ Jesus. They were only types and shadows of what was to come in Him. They actually did nothing but anticipate His fulfillment of these things. To understand what has only been briefly discussed in this verse’s commentary, go back and watch all of the Superior Word sermons in the Pentateuch. You will have a well-rounded understanding of the typology presented there, as well as its fulfillment in Christ.

Lord God, looking at the intricacies of Your plan of redemption, we can see the absolute wisdom in all You have done, and the glory of the promises which are yet ahead for those who have come to You in faith through Christ. Truly, we stand in awe of this plan – from Genesis to Revelation. Glory and praises – they surely belong to You! Amen.

Monday, 7 January 2019

Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. Hebrews 9:18

The words here are based on the facts presented in verses 9:16 and 9:17. Because a covenant requires the death of a covenant-victim, and because a covenant only has force after the death of that covenant-victim, there must be blood presented to prove the death of the covenant-victim. That is the basis for the word, “Therefore.” From there, the author then explains the necessity of blood with the words, “not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood.”

Here, the first covenant is speaking of the Mosaic Covenant, not the Abrahamic Covenant. Though both were dedicated through the death of covenant-victims, it is the covenant which came through Moses which is being referred to right now. That will be made explicit in the next verse.

This verse actually settles the issue as to which translation is correct in the previous verses where some say “testament,” and some say “covenant.” The issue all along has been referring to the covenant of Christ in comparison to the covenant through Moses. Thus, translations which say, “testament,” are wrong and require a pen and ink note with the correct terminology.

As a point of biblical theology, the term “scarlet thread” is used by some to indicate the symbolism which permeates the Bible concerning the need for substitutionary atonement. Substitutionary atonement is a big term, but one which is easily explained. The Bible says that the wages of sin is death. This means that a person must die for sin in their life – both original sin and sin committed in life. However, a substitute may die in place of the offender. From the first pages of the Bible in Genesis, until the last book of Revelation, this concept is held to and never deviated from. Either we die in our own sin, eternally separated from God, or a substitutionary life is given on our behalf. When Adam and Eve fell, God provided the offering on their behalf –

“Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.” Genesis 3:21

When humans from all ages face God at the great white throne judgment, the same concept will apply –

“But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” Revelation 21:27

In the Genesis account, an innocent animal was killed to “cover” Adam and Eve, thus symbolizing the covering of their sins. It was a foreshadowing of the true Substitution fond in Christ. In the Revelation account, it is the “Lamb’s Book of Life” which records those who have received His substitutionary atonement – either looking forward to Messiah, or looking back on what He has done. Jesus’ death is the only true covering for fallen man. This is the scarlet thread which is poetically referred to concerning the blood of the Substitute. It all points to Christ.

Life application: 1) Don’t get stuck on one translation of the Bible. Your theology will always suffer by following this unscholarly approach to Bible study. 2) Anyone who has not personally accepted Jesus’ work will be eternally condemned. It is a sacrifice of God’s choosing, not ours, which is acceptable. If you are relying on the sacrifices of donations, good deeds, or right living to please God, you’ve missed the mark…condemnation awaits. Trust in Jesus alone today.

O God, open our eyes to the simplicity of Your gospel of peace. May we not stumble over it in our attempts to please You through our own works and lose our souls in the process. May we readily receive the grace revealed in the sacrifice of Jesus which opens the door of restoration and healing for us. And it is in His glorious and beautiful name we pray. Amen.

Sunday, 6 January 2019

For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. Hebrews 9:17

Again, as in the previous verse, the word “testament” is not correct. This has not been, is not, and will not be the subject of the discussion. It is a “covenant” which is being referred to. A proper translation of these words would be, “for a covenant over dead victims is stedfast, since it is no force at all when the covenant-victim liveth” (Young’s Literal Translation). It is with this proper translation that the words will be evaluated.

As it says, “for a covenant over dead victims is steadfast.” The words in Greek literally read, “for a covenant over death.” In other words, a covenant is made over the death which occurred. From there, that covenant was in force, and it remained that way. The covenant was cut, the animals were slaughtered, and the agreement was made in the sprinkling of the blood, proving the death which sealed the covenant. If a new covenant were to be introduced, it would supersede the old one. This is why the author firmly stated in verse 7:18 that the “former regulation is set aside,” and in verse 8:13 that “he has made the first one obsolete.”

However, the first could neither be set aside, nor made obsolete, while the covenant-victim of the coming covenant was alive. As Young’s says, “since it is no force at all when the covenant-victim liveth.” This was true with the Old Covenant. It had no power at all until the covenant-victims were slaughtered. And it is true with the New Covenant as well. In order for the New Covenant to come into effect, the covenant-victim, in this case Christ Jesus, had to die. The author will spend the next several verses speaking about this process, and he will finish the chapter with the thought of Christ’s death and what it means for those who have received Him.

In this regard, the idea of a will is like that of a covenant. Can you imagine standing in a court with a superseded will, knowing it to be so, and arguing why it should be accepted and the newer one rejected? If all was in order with the newer will, the court could find no reason for your argument and your case would be dismissed. How much more, then, should we accept that God, as a fully competent Executor of the New Covenant, has ordained that we live by that same New Covenant which He provided at the cost of His own beloved Son!

Clinging to the Law of Moses is actually an indication that one has failed to trust the promises and benefits of the New Covenant established over the death of the Lord. Hebrews, above all other books of the New Testament, makes the point absolutely clear that we are living under new guidelines and with better precepts. To reinstitute dietary laws, mandatory tithing, or any other precept from the law is to live by “another gospel” than that which has been proclaimed in the Person and work of Jesus Christ.

Life application: We need to be exceedingly careful that if we follow precepts which were mandated under the Mosaic Covenant, it is because of our freedom in Christ and not because of a belief that we are somehow justified by our actions. Further, we are never (times infinity, plus one) to teach another person that they must adhere to a precept found in the obsolete and replaced Law of Moses. We are to teach the grace of Jesus Christ, and the principles laid out in the New Testament which are based on that.

Heavenly Father – You alone know our failings and the areas where our doctrine is weak and ineffective. Transform our thinking to be in line with the precepts and guidelines that You have carefully and clearly laid out for us in the pages of Your word, the Holy Bible. And may those precepts and guidelines be in accord with the New Covenant of grace, found in Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Saturday, 5 January 2019

For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. Hebrews 9:16

Note: It is highly debated whether this should read “testament” or “covenant.” Some translations state, “will,” to reflect the idea of a testament. The fact that the author’s entire thought has been concerning the covenant previously enacted and described, and that this is addressed to the Hebrews, among whom the covenant was made, and to whom the New Covenant is being introduced, the term “covenant” is certainly the author’s intent. He has been speaking of the sacrificial animals, typical of Christ, and now he turns to the main Subject, Christ, as the sacrifice – proved by His death.

Noted scholars on both sides of the issue give their cases for which word is correct, but in a study of both sides, the surety that “covenant” is appropriate is realized. To see this, scholars such as Charles Ellicott and Albert Barnes (among others) should be referred to. The entire thought, both before this verse and in the words to come, demonstrate that the author is referring to the introduction of the New Covenant, not the receiving of an inheritance. Young’s Literal Translation rightly says, “for where a covenant is, the death of the covenant-victim to come in is necessary.” If your translation says, “testament,” or “will,” make a margin note. It should read, “covenant.” With that understood, the author says, “For.”

It is speaking of those things he has said to this point concerning the introduction of the New Covenant as a replacement for the Old Covenant. This was highlighted by the words of the previous verse which say, “And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant.” Understanding this, he says, “For where there is a [covenant].”

This is speaking of the New Covenant which is introduced as a replacement of the Old. Of this, there can be no doubt. As a New Covenant is being introduced, “there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.” To ensure what is said is properly understood, we will stick with Young’s usage and say, “the death of the covenant-victim.”

In order to establish a covenant, there must be a death which solidifies the making of the covenant. This was seen in the covenant made with Abraham –

“So He said to him, “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” ¹⁰ Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds in two.” Genesis 15:9, 10

This was seen in the Mosaic Covenant –

“Then he sent young men of the children of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the Lord. ⁶ And Moses took half the blood and put it in basins, and half the blood he sprinkled on the altar. ⁷ Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient.” ⁸ And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you according to all these words.” Exodus 24:5-8

Even Jeremiah refers to this practice in Jeremiah 34:18. Death was called for at the introduction of these covenants, in order to ratify what was being covenanted. This is what is being spoken of now in Hebrews. Christ fulfilled the Old Covenant, and then He instituted the New Covenant. And what did He Himself says concerning this? It is recorded in Matthew 26, Mark 14, and Luke 22 – which Paul substantially repeats in 1 Corinthians 11. Christ said on the night before His crucifixion, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:20).

In fact, Paul goes on to explain this with the words –

“This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

²⁶ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:25, 26

The case of correct terminology is settled in the idea of “covenant” by the words of the Lord, and through the hand of both Paul and the author of Hebrews (be it Paul or another). The Lord died in order to introduce a New Covenant. We take the Lord’s Supper to acknowledge that fact, and in honor of what He has done. It is He who is the covenant-victim who died to grant us the grace of God in Himself.

Life application: As is seen, and as is recorded in Scripture, the death of Jesus Christ accomplished two opposing things at the same time. First, He died in fulfillment of the Old Covenant, and secondly, He died to initiate the New Covenant. Jesus’ death was necessary for there to be a New Covenant. This is because the first covenant was already in place and was sealed, as will be seen in the coming verses. Only a more perfect Sacrifice could replace the Old Covenant where the blood used for it was ordained by God as befitting such an agreement. Therefore, only a more perfect blood – that of a sinless Man – could replace what was in effect. Hence, Jesus’ perfect, sinless life was given to nullify the Old Covenant and establish the New. As Paul noted in his directions, when we participate in the Lord’s Supper, we “proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” This is one of only two mandated ordinances in the Bible – the other being baptism. If you have never participated in baptism, or if you don’t frequently participate in the Lord’s Supper, make a commitment today to do so.

Lord God, for those of us who have called on Jesus as Lord, may we be responsible, obedient followers by being baptized as You have so commanded us; and then may we regularly partake in the Lord’s Supper as we have been instructed in Your word. If we fail to do these simple things, then are we truly being obedient to You? May we walk in accord with Your precepts, and be faithful disciples all our days. Amen.

Friday, 4 January 2019

And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. Hebrews 9:15

The author has just shown the superiority of the shed blood of Christ over that of the animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant. Christ’s offering was one which was fully capable of cleansing those who come to Him. And that blood was not taken into an earthly sanctuary, but into “the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands” (9:11). Through this offering, the author then said that, in that Most Holy Place, He obtained for His people “eternal redemption.” In this understanding, he now says, “And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant.” In what was presented in those previous verses, it is evident that Jesus Christ is the One, only, and true “Mediator.”

What Aaron and his descendants did was merely typical of the work of Christ, but it was actually ineffective in bringing about reconciliation between God and man. Instead, it only anticipated what Christ would do when He introduced “the new covenant.” As a new covenant is introduced, it shows that the old was temporary and anticipatory. If there was no fault in the old, there would be no need for a new (see verse 8:7). But there was fault (sin in man) which required the fulfillment of the old through a perfect Man. The surety of His perfection was determined “by means of death.”

The logic is that even though perfect and without sin, until Christ died, He could not be considered perfect in death. What if He violated the law just before dying? But in death, the record of man is set, once and for all. The death validated the life of perfection. This is why Christ’s death was necessary. First, it validated His perfection, and then secondly, it was suitable “for the transgressions under the first covenant.”

Along with the two points just mentioned, it is hard to even comprehend how much else is involved in what Jesus did. The words look forward to those who accept His work after the cross and also back on those who lived by faith under the Old Covenant system. Violations of the law must be atoned for, even just one. This is because breaking any part of the law results in breaking the entire law (James 2:10).

As the sins of the first covenant were only potentially atoned for in Christ until He came, it shows that Christ is truly the only Mediator between God and man. This is stated explicitly in 1 Timothy 2:5 and it excludes any other – such as Mary, whom Roman Catholicism accepts as a co-equal mediatrix. Such heresy must be addressed because a prayer to or through Mary (or anyone else) is an ineffective prayer; a reliance on anyone but Jesus is a lost hope. It is through Jesus alone “that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”

The overall scope of what occurred in Christ’s work is both more effective, and broader in range, than that of the Old Covenant system. “Those who are called” are any from Israel under the Old Covenant, and those who come to Christ under the New. It is the final, finished, and fully sufficient work of Christ that is the guarantee for both that they “may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. None under the Old could receive it apart from Christ, and in the introduction of the New, none will receive it apart from Christ. Christ alone is the way to reconciliation with God, for all people and at all times.

Life application. It was said above that in death, the record of man is set, once and for all. As this is true, it shows that any person can come to Christ at any time before his death, and in that act, he is granted Christ’s perfection. In this, he then receives the promise of the eternal inheritance. For those who come to Christ many years before death, they are at that time granted His sinless perfection. After that, as sin is no longer imputed in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19), they are deemed as perfect from that point on, even until death. And for the one who calls on Christ a moment before dying, he too is imputed Christ’s perfection, and he moves from death to life. No person who comes to Christ will be lost.

Lord God, keep our hearts, thoughts, and minds focused on Jesus and His work. Protect us from heresy which can only take our eyes off the Prize which is Jesus alone. When we stray from Your precepts, send us correction that we may always be pleasing in Your eyes. Amen!