Hebrews 1:1
“God”
- Starts the letter with the agreement of the
Creator of both the Jews and Christians
- Genesis, “In the beginning God”
“various times”
- In the past with the Jewish nation
Hebrews 1:1-2
“various ways spoke in times past to the
fathers by the prophets”
- Spoke to Abraham and the prophets, making
known to them the message of God
- God made His will known to His people through
dreams, visions, symbols, audible voices, prophecy
“last days”
- Last Dispensation (Christian Dispensation)
Patriarchal
Gen. 12:1-3
-Abraham
-Isaac
-Jacob
-Joseph
Cain
EDEN
&
Abel
The
Flood
Israel
in
Egypt
Moses
Mosaic Dispensation
C
Mt.
Sinai
H
PROPHETS
R
I
40
years
KINGS
Divided
Kingdom
S
Christ's
T
Personal
Ministry
B
Saul
David
Solomon
O
R
N
33 A.D. Till end of time
Acts - Revelation
Universal religion
 Follow Christ not Moses
 Law of Christ written in our hearts
 Temple gave way to the church
Hebrews 1:2
“spoken to us by His Son”
- God has now spoken to us through Jesus
- Christ put an end to the Law, nailing it to the
cross (Col. 2:14). His death defines this boundary,
fixing a definite end of the Jewish age, as well as
the beginning of the Christian age
- Jesus brings a revelation far superior to that of
the prophets of old.
Hebrews 1:2
“spoken to us by His Son”
- The revelation from Jesus Himself was unique,
because not only was it God's message, but it was
also God's personality through which the message
came.
Hebrews 1:2-3
Notice the Superiority of Christ:
1. Heir of all things v. 2
2. Through Whom He made the worlds v. 2
3. Brightness of His glory v. 3
4. Express image of His person v. 3
5. Upholding all things by the word of His power v. 3
6. He purged our sins v. 3
7. He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on
high v. 3
Hebrews 1:4
The remainder of this chapter, beginning
here, speaks of the supremacy of Christ,
as compared with angels.
The force of the argument lies in the
outlandish burden of importance the
Jewish mind placed upon the function of
angels in their history, especially in the
giving of the Law of Moses.
Hebrews 1:4-14
Christ More Supreme than Angels:
1. Has a more excellent name than them v. 4-5
2. Angels adore Christ v. 6
3. Angels were created by Him v. 7
4. Even while being man, He was endowed with
greater gifts than they v. 8-9
5. Christ is eternal, angels are not v. 10-12
6. Christ is more highly exalted v. 13
7. Angels are only servants of God; Christ is the Son of
God v. 14
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 1:5
- Writer appeals to the O.T. to show the supremacy
of the Messiah (Christ)
- Ps. 2:7 and 2 Sam. 7:14 are the two passages cited,
both of which teach the Sonship of Christ.
- That is, God never said to any of the angels what
He has said to Christ; namely, what follows.
Hebrews 1:5
“today I have begotten You”
- In Acts 13:33 this passage is applied to the
resurrection of Christ from the dead: - “the firstbegotten of the dead”
- This verse is simply showing the special
relationship between God the Father, and God the
Son (Christ)
- Angels do not have this relationship with the
Father
Hebrews 1:6
“firstborn”
- Speaking of Christ. Having reference to the fact
that Jesus was the first who rose from the dead to
die no more.
“all the angels of God worship Him”
- Notice the angels worshipped Christ, again
confirming His superiority over them
Hebrews 1:7
- God gives angels an inferior name, and assigns to
them a more humble office.
- They are mere ministers, and have not been given
the name “Son”
- Furthermore, Jesus is Lord of the angels. They
are His angels and His servants. The angels belong
to Jesus.
Hebrews 1:8-9
- Quote from Ps. 45:6-7
- Here it quotes David talking about Christ
- “to the Son He says, Your throne O God”
- v. 9 cites the reason for Christ's supremeness
as being founded upon His love of
righteousness and hatred of evil
Godhead
Godhead
Hebrews 1:10-12
- Quote from Ps. 102:25-27
- The great significance of this OT scripture used
here is in the fact that words originally addressed
to Jehovah are applied to Jesus Christ
The creation
 Divine supervision of the universe
 Watchful control of all its changes
Hebrews 1:10-12
- Christ, as the changeless one, is the theme of these
verses
- In the light of these verse, how foolish appear
such things as sun worship, or the temptation to
view the universe as eternal.
Hebrews 1:10-12
Jesus is described with attributes that God alone has:
1. Is the Creator (You, LORD, in the beginning
laid the foundation of the earth).
2. Is self-existent (They will perish, but You will
remain).
3. Is sovereign (Like a cloak You will fold them up,
and they will be changed).
4. Is immutable, unchanging (You are the same),
and eternal (Your years will not fail).
Hebrews 1:13
- Quote from Ps. 110:1
- Purpose of this verse: To show utterly beyond the
glory and authority of angels is that of Christ
- Entire Psalm 110 as about the coming Messiah
- So here God, even in the past, has told the angels
this about the Messiah, “SIT AT MY RIGHT
HAND, TILL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES YOUR
FOOTSTOOL” (cf. Matt. 22:41-46)
Hebrews 1:13
- Complete fulfillment of this verse will happen at
the Judgment (Heb. 10:12-13)
Hebrews 1:14
- “inherit salvation” – not earned
- Angels are servants of God, and therefore inferior
to Christ
- They minister to those who are saved. But how?
Hebrews 1:14
Function of Angels:
Old Testament Ministry:
a) Appeared to warn Abraham and Lot. Gen. 18:l-2; 19:l.
b) Protected the men in the fiery furnace. Dan. 3:19-28.
c) Stopped the mouths of lions for Daniel. 6:22.
d) Helped God’s people in war. Psalm 34:7, Exodus 23 :20-21
Hebrews 1:14
Function of Angels:
New Testament Ministry:
a) Gabriel announced the birth of both John and Jesus in Lk 1.
b) Angels ministered to Jesus after His temptation
c) Angels carried Lazarus to Abraham’s bosom, Luke 16 :22.
d) An angel directed Philip to the Ethiopian, Acts 8:26.
e) An angel appeared to Cornelius, Acts 10:7.
f ) An angel comforted Paul, Acts 27:23.
g) An angel released Peter and John from prison, Acts 5 :19.
h) An angel saved Peter from Herod, Acts 12:7-11.
i ) Churches in Revelation had angels, Rev. 2:1, 8, 12, 18.
j ) They will be present when Christ comes. Matt. 16:27
*** How do they minister to us today?***
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 2:1
- Notice here the author changes the subject
- We must heed the things taught in the Word
- Because if we do not, we WILL drift away from
God’s instruction
- The lesson is simple: Be in the Word, heed the
Word, live the Word
Hebrews 2:1
It is possible to drift away from the teachings of Christ
because:
(1) some, being in Him, are still not anchored in Him
(2) subtle and powerful tides and currents surge and
tug against the soul's safety
(3) the believer fails to exercise due care and diligence
in the defense and development of his faith
(4) some allow preoccupation with unimportant and
secondary things to take up too much of their time
and attention.
Hebrews 2:2
- Talking about the O.T.
- Angels helped to ordain God’s laws
“What purpose then does the law serve? It was
added because of transgressions, till the Seed
should come to whom the promise was made; and it
was appointed through angels by the hand of a
mediator”
Gal. 3:19
Hebrews 2:2
- The argument is that God's Word was not to be
despised or disobeyed, and was sternly enforced
by drastic penalties for every infraction or
neglect under the Old Law.
Hebrews 2:3
- We will not escape the penalty of our sins (v. 2) if
we neglect the salvation God has brought through
Jesus
- Everything revealed in the Bible concerning God
shows that unforgiven sin will be punished.
Hebrews 2:3
“neglect”?
- Not merely the active pursuit of evil, but the
neglect of positive good can destroy the soul; and
it is doubtless from the latter fault that the great
majority of unredeemed people shall fail to win
the crown.
“so great a salvation”
- It is hard to completely understand the blessing
God has given to us that we can be saved
Hebrews 2:3
“first began to be spoken by the Lord”
- The message brought by Christ
“confirmed to us by those who heard Him”
- The apostles and disciples who were eye and ear
witnesses of Jesus’ personal ministry
Hebrews 2:4
- The signs, wonders, and powers mentioned in this
verse are a plain reference to the miracles by
which God throughout history consented to
authenticate His message to man.
Hebrews 2:5-7
- Now the author returns to the subject from which
he had broken off since chapter 1; Christ is
superior to the angels
- This verse begins the argument that Christ, not
angels, has been appointed by God to restore to
mankind their lost dominion over the world
Hebrews 2:5-7
v. 6
- Speaking of mankind rather than Christ
- Quote from Ps. 8:4
v. 7
-God created man in His image
- Gave man dominion over the world; animals
- Set him over the works of God
- Before sin entered the world, man had dominion
over those things God gave him
Hebrews 2:8
- This verse emphasizes the differences between
man's potential and what he has actually become
because of sin entering the world
- Since sin entered the world through mankind, he
no longer has “complete” dominion over those
things God gave.
- Next verse tells us that Jesus can reestablish this
relationship man once had with God
Hebrews 2:9
“made a little lower than the angels”?
-“little” Greek = “for a little while”
- While Jesus was man, He experienced human
things not experienced by angels: death
“might taste death for everyone”
- not merely for some, but for every man
- Christ did not come into this world merely to
deliver noble teaching, but to die on the cross for
the sins of the whole world
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 2:10
- Another reference to Christ taking part in the
creation process
“captain of their salvation”
- author, pathfinder, pioneer
- The Lord Jesus, is represented as the leader or
commander of the army of the redeemed
Hebrews 2:10
“their salvation perfect through sufferings”
- “perfect” here has reference to complete
- God’s plan of salvation was complete only after
the sufferings that Christ had to endure upon the
cross
Hebrews 2:11
- He who sanctifies (Christ) those who are being
sanctified (those in Christ) are one
“all one”
- Christ is like us in that He took on our nature and
suffered
“call them brethren”
- To acknowledge Himself as of the same family,
and to speak of them as His brothers
- Jesus is in the family with His people
Hebrews 2:12-13
- Prophecy from Ps. 22:22. This entire Psalm is
about the coming Messiah
- Proof of Christ’s being unashamed of His
brethren.
- v. 13 quote from Isa. 8:17ff. Shows the coming
Messiah not being ashamed of His brethren.
- Jn. 17:9
Hebrews 2:14-15
“children have partaken of flesh and blood”
-We are of human form, flesh and blood, life and
death
“He Himself likewise shared in the same”
- Christ took on a mortal body, blood and flesh
- 1 Tim. 3:16
- 1 Jn. 4:3
Hebrews 2:14-15
Why did Jesus come in the flesh?
- That through His own death He may destroy
(bring under subjection) Satan, who had power
over death
How did Satan have power over death?
- The devil was the cause of death in this world.
- “death” was a part of Satan’s dominion
- He introduced it; he seduced man from God, and
led on the train of woes which result in death.
Hebrews 2:14-15
How did Satan have power over death?
- He also made it terrible. Instead of being
regarded as falling asleep, it becomes under him
the means of terror and distress.
- Without Christ, Satan has won, and man should
fear death
Hebrews 2:14-15
“release those who fear death”
- Isa. 25:7-8
- Since the sting of death is sin (1 Cor. 15:55),
Christ’s providing the remedy for sin, He has
removed the most dreadful part of the fear of
death, the fear of punishment.
- 1 Jn. 4:18
Hebrews 2:16
- Jesus took on human form and died to provide
redemption for humans
- No such provision is made for angels. He did not
take on angel form and die for angels redemption
Hebrews 2:17
“in all things He had to be made like His brethren”
- Jesus was made like us in respect to His body,
soul, rank, and character. He took on our nature
- How wonderful to be called His brethren!
- Now gives another reason why Christ took on
human form
Hebrews 2:17
“that He be a merciful and faithful High Priest”
- 1st time “High Priest” is applied to Jesus in this
epistle
- Jewish Christians understood well who was the
high priest under the Old Law
- On day of atonement, high priest entered into the
holiest place and offered blood for the sins of the
people
high priest enters into holiest place to offer
blood for the sins of people
Hebrews 2:17
“that He be a merciful and faithful High Priest”
- Christ entered heaven and offered His own blood
for the sins of all people.
- And just as the priest slew the sacrifice prior to
offering its blood, Christ offered Himself upon the
cross, thus being both the victim and the one
offering the blood.
Hebrews 2:17
“that He be a merciful and faithful High Priest”
- “merciful” = He knows how to show us
compassion in our infirmities and trials, by having
a nature like our own.
- “faithful” = He can and will do what He said He
would do if we are found “in Him”; He will save
us.
Hebrews 2:17
“to make propitiation for the sins of the people”
- “propitiation”
A. to be the sacrifice in order to satisfy the justice
of God
B. sacrifice to reconcile man back to God
C. payment for sins of people before Almighty
God
Hebrews 2:18
- As used here, it seems to make Christ’s
temptations to consist of most of His sufferings
- Jesus knows about the difficulties and sufferings
that come from temptations!
- He might well have thought, “Why bother with it
all? Why go through such agony as the cross to
save people who constantly seem to prove
themselves unworthy of it?”
Hebrews 2:18
- Only His great eternal love could have
strengthened and steadied Him against aborting
His mission of salvation and calling it off.
- Because Christ understands temptation, He can
and will aid us in our temptations. How?
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 3:1
“holy brethren”
- 3rd term of endearment already used in this epistle
to describe God’s people (sanctified, sons)
Hebrews 3:1
“consider the Apostle and High Priest of our
confession”
- Nowhere else in scripture is the title “Apostle”
applied to Jesus, but certainly fits His office as the
official messenger of heaven
- “apostle” = one sent or commissioned for
important communication
- “High Priest” – first spoken in 2:17
Hebrews 3:2
“who was faithful to Him (God) who appointed Him
(Christ)”
- Jesus performed all the functions and duties God the
Father gave Him to do
- Likewise, Moses perform all his God-given duties
towards the Jewish nation (his house)
- Even when they rebelled, he was firm and
unwavering (Num. 12:7)
- A more detailed look at Moses (the type) and Jesus
(the antitype) reveals similarities and differences
Hebrews 3:3
Similarities
Moses
Christ
-Israelite
-Israelite
-Forsook high status to perform
mission of rescue
-Forsook high status to perform
mission of rescue
-Accomplished his mission of
delivering Israel from Egypt
-Accomplished his mission of
delivering Israel from Egypt
-Wrought many signs, miracles
-Wrought many signs, miracles
-Delivered God’s law to people
-Delivered God’s law to people
-Offered himself to die for Israel
-Offered himself to die for Israel
Hebrews 3:3
Differences
Moses
Christ
-Faithful as a servant
-Faithful a “the Son”
-Labored in a house he did not
build
-In the house He built, His own
house
-Did not lead people to the promise -Leads people into glory
land
-Sinful
-Sinless
-Brought only the patterns of things -Christ is the reality of those
patterns
to come
Hebrews 3:3
Differences
Moses
Christ
-Delivered from physical bondage
-Delivered us from spiritual
bondage of sin
-Mission pertained only to Israel
-Mission to all mankind
-Only a man
-Both God and man
-Body was buried and decomposed -Body was resurrected
-Not a high priest
-Is the eternal High Priest
Hebrews 3:4-5
- God is the Creator of all things
- Moses faithfully served God as he led the nation of
Israel (his house), and gave the Old Law
- But Moses prophesied about the coming Christ. In
the small details of the tabernacle and its furnishings,
the feasts, sacrifices, and ceremonies, all delivered by
Moses
- All these things pointed to Jesus Christ, hence the use
of “those things which would be spoken afterward”
Hebrews 3:6
“whose house we are”
- Christians are components of God’s house. The old
Israel is no more
The House of God
1. Laid foundation for it before the world was (1 Cor.
2:7)
2. Provided blueprints of it in the dispensation of
Moses
3. Extended it upward and outward to include all
families of man in Christ’s church
4. He shall take His house (kingdom) to heaven (2 Pet.
1:11)
Hebrews 3:6
“if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the
hope firm to the end”
- Notice the danger of falling away
- The author here says, that the only evidence which
they could have that they belonged to the family of
Christ, would be that they held fast the confidence
which they had until the end of their lives.
- Same is true today.
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 3:7-11
- Quotation from Ps. 95 and is designed to strengthen
the faith of these Hebrew Christians and to warn
them against apostasy.
- To do this, the author reminds them of the falling
away that took place in that generation which entered
the wilderness after being delivered from Egypt, but
were cut off from the promise land
- The experience of the Israelites wandering in the
wilderness was engraved on the conscience of the
Jews. They knew why that generation failed to enter
the promise land, “they went astray from the Lord”
Hebrews 3:7-12
4 Facts from Verse 12
1. It is possible for Christians to fall away from God
2. Such a disaster is due to an unbelieving heart
3. That an unbelieving heart is evil
4. God is not a mere influence, but a living Being
Hebrews 3:12
“Beware brethren”
- Notice this is addressed to those who are already
Christians. We can fall away!
- Author will discuss falling away again in chapter 6
“evil heart of unbelief”
- Notice an “evil heart of unbelief” is connected to
obedience, as referenced by the Israelites in v. 10
- So a “believing heart” is more than just what you
believe, obedience is connected to it.
Hebrews 3:13
“exhort one another daily”
- So that we help to keep each other faithful to the
Lord
- “exhort” = encourage, build up, stir up to duty
- How often are we to practice this?
Hebrews 3:13
Why Do Some Find it Difficult to Exhort Daily?
1. Natural timidness
2. Ashamed of Christ
3. Accepted the notion it is impolite to speak of Christ,
faith, or religion in public
Hebrews 3:14
- Those who believe and obey Christ partake in His
righteousness, have His cleansing blood, and the
avenue of prayer with the Father
“ if ”
- Same warning as in v. 6. We must hold to our
confidence in Christ till our lives are over
Hebrews 3:15-16
- Still quoting from Ps. 95
- Persevere as long as life lasts, or as long as it can
be said “today” and by persevering in this manner
you will have evidence that you are the friends of
the Redeemer
- Stay faithful lest they should harden their hearts
as had been done in the temptation in the
wilderness.
Hebrews 3:15-16
- v. 16 Here is a solemn warning against trusting n the
majority or what is popular
- He reminds these Jewish Christians that the failure
that took place in the wilderness was supported by
the overwhelming majority.
- the phrase “was it not all” is an exaggeration for the
sake of emphasis
- Caleb and Joshua refused to go with majority and
entered Canaan. The exception was so small they all
provoked God with their disobedience
Hebrews 3:17-18
- Who was God angry with? Why?
- In v. 18, disobedience is made the basis of God’s
denying Israel the right to enter Canaan
- Same is true today. Perfection is not required, but
faithful obedience is in order to enter heaven (Matt.
7:21)
Hebrews 3:19
- Their unbelief led to their outright rebellion against
God
- The application is that, if God did not spare them,
neither will He spare Christians guilty of the same
conduct
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 4:1
- Thought connected with 3:18-19
- This is written to current Jewish Christians. Notice
the implication: we can “come short” or fall away to
the point of losing out on heaven
Hebrews 4:1
Why fear? What kind of fear is this?
- “Simply because eternal rewards are subject to
forfeit as long as people are in the flesh, because a
powerful and aggressive foe (Satan) and his hosts
are opposed to us, and because the multitude of
distractions, temptations, and necessary labors of
life constantly tend to produce that one moment of
life in which inattention can lead to everlasting
ruin. This fear is reinforced by the thought that
many others failed, even after a glorious
beginning.”
- Burton Coffman
Hebrews 4:2
- This does not mean the Israelites had the same
gospel preached unto them that Christians have
received, but that JUST AS they received a good
word about the promised rest, so have Christians.
“not mixed with faith”?
- faith (belief) is required
- But also includes obedience (see 3:8-11)
- Bible faith ALWAYS requires obedience
Hebrews 4:3
“we who have believed do enter that rest”
- “we” = Christians
- Talking of the certainty of entering that rest
(heaven)
- Rest of verse is a quote of Ps. 95:11
- Reference to the disobedience Israelites not able to
enter the promise land
Hebrews 4:4-5
- Gen. 2:2 is the text referred to here
- The argument is that God's resting on the 7th day,
unaccompanied by any subsequent declaration
that He has left off resting, makes the rest of God
still available for them that will receive it, as it has
been from the time God finished creation.
Hebrews 4:6-7
v. 6
- God has purposed from all eternity that some
shall enter into His rest
- Seeing that Israel did not, as proved by David's
saying so in Ps. 95, the way is still open for
whoever will accept the invitation.
Hebrews 4:6-7
v. 7
- Quote from David in Ps. 95:7-11
- 500 years after the Israelites, here David urged
people of his time “today” to hear God's voice, to
refrain from hardening their hearts, and to enter the
rest of God.
- He thus proved that the rest had not been entered by
Israel, that it was open 500 years after Canaan was
entered, and that it was still available when the
author of Hebrews wrote this
Hebrews 4:8
- Joshua led the next generation into the promise
land
- But this is not the “true rest” that is spoken of
throughout this chapter
“He would not afterward have spoken of another day”
- “He” David spoke of a true rest in Ps. 95, that
eternal rest with God, not Canaan, but heaven
Hebrews 4:9
- Here is the conclusion of the whole argument
- The meaning is this, that according to the
Scriptures there is “now” a promise of rest made
to the people of God. It did not pertain merely to
those who were called to go to the promised land,
nor to those who lived in the time of David, but it
is “still” true that the promise of rest pertains to
“all” the people of God of every generation.
Hebrews 4:10
- Rest is a universal human longing
Who is this speaking of here?
1) Christ – He finished His work of His earthly
mission to give the perfect sacrifice for sins and
now dwells at right hand of God
2) Christians – Rest from a life of faithfulness
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 4:11
“be diligent to enter that rest”
- How?
How can we fall from receiving rest (heaven)?
- Disobedience, the great enemy of that final
possession of the rest of God
- Matt. 7:21
Hebrews 4:12
- Now the author tells us the only source to know how
to remain obedient to God
“living and powerful”
- Shows that the Word does not lie dead, but at all
times carries within itself the mighty power of its
divine author, God
- sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17)
Hebrews 4:12
What does the Word of God Do?
Brings true health, fruitfulness, prosperity and
success to the things we do. (Psalm 1:3)
Has healing power; it has the power to deliver us
from oppression. (Psalm 107:20, Matthew 8:8,
Matthew 8:16)
Is cleansing - if we take heed according to God's
word, our way will be cleansed. (Psalm 119:9, John
15:3, Ephesians 5:26)
Hebrews 4:12
What does the Word of God Do?
Hidden in our hearts, keeps us from sin. (Psalm
119:11)
God's word is our counselor; as we delight in God's
word, it becomes a rich source of counsel and
guidance for us. (Psalm 119:24)
God's word is a source of strength. (Psalm 119:28)
Hebrews 4:12
What does the Word of God Do?
God's word imparts life to us. It is a continual source
of life for us. (Psalm 119:93, Matthew 4:4)
God's word gives peace to those who love it; they
are secure, standing in a safe place. (Psalm 119:165)
When the word of God is heard and understood, it
bears fruit. (Matthew 13:23)
Hebrews 4:12
What does the Word of God Do?
Jesus Himself - His eternal person - is described as
the Word. When we are into the Word of God, we are
into Jesus. (John 1:1)
Hearing God's Word is essential to eternal life - you
cannot pass from death into life unless you have heard
the Word of God. (John 5:24, James 1:21, 1 Peter
1:23)
Hebrews 4:12
What does the Word of God Do?
Abiding - living in - God's Word is evidence of true
discipleship. (John 8:31)
God's Word is the means to sanctification. (John
17:17)
Hearing God's Word builds faith in us. (Romans
10:17)
Hebrews 4:12
What does the Word of God Do?
Holding fast to the Word of God can give us present
assurance of salvation. (1 Corinthians 15:2)
The Word of God is our sword of the Spirit - it is our
equipment for spiritual battle, especially in the idea of
an offensive weapon. (Ephesians 6:17)
The Word of God works effectively in those who
believe. (1 Thessalonians 2:13)
Hebrews 4:13
- There is no being who is not wholly known to God.
- All man’s thoughts, feelings, plans, are distinctly
understood by God
- Good when we are going through difficulties
- But also understand it is He to whom we will give
an account on Judgment Day
Hebrews 4:14
- Jesus is our Great High Priest, He is the priest
making the sacrifice for us to the Father, but also
the sacrifice is His own blood
“passed through the heavens”
- The high priest had to pass through certain
enclosures to get to the holiest place to make the
sacrifice
- Christ is in heaven at the right hand of God (1:3)
Hebrews 4:14
“our confession”
- “Jesus is the Son of God”, and by proclaiming that
we must hold faithful to Him
Hebrews 4:15
- Far from feeling that our great high priest, so far
removed in heaven, is incapable of proper
sympathy for suffering and tempted Christians
- The Christian needs to see that Jesus knows all
about human problems, even temptation, and that
He is qualified to provide the utmost sympathy
and understanding for our weakness.
Hebrews 4:15
“in all points tempted as we are”
- Wasn’t Jesus only tempted 3 times?
- He was human, so He had the potential to sin
- Yet He sinned not...
- He knows us, understands our troubles, and will
provide for us
Hebrews 4:16
“throne of grace”
- Throne of God
- Reference to prayer
- “Throne of grace” makes the control center
appear as a source of mercy for fallen and sinful
man
Hebrews 4:16
“boldly”
- With confidence God will hear our prayers
because of our High Priest (Jesus) v. 15
- Jesus has tasted every temptation, passed through
every sorrow. He knows! Out of His loving heart
there flows an eternal tide of love, sympathy, and
understanding of mankind
Hebrews 4:16
“boldly”
- He eagerly anticipates the entry of his beloved
children into the joy of their Lord (Matt. 25:23)
- Demanding only that they love and obey Him (Jn.
14:15), and able to save to the uttermost them that
come to God by Him (Heb. 7:25).
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 5 Introduction
- In the Jewish system, a tremendous weight of
significance and emphasis was placed upon the
office of the high priest
- For the encouragement of Christians tempted to
revert to Judaism, it was necessary to show that
Christ is the Great High Priest, not merely equal,
but vastly superior to any of the high priests of
Israel.
Hebrews 5 Introduction
- The author analyzes the priesthood of Christ in
such a manner as to prove that the Christians who
had given up the priesthood had, in Christ,
received far more than they had lost.
- In every conceivable comparison, as to rank,
character, quality of sacrifice, the marvelous
superiority of Christ is emphatically
demonstrated.
Hebrews 5:1
- He gives the qualifications of a high priest
1. taken from among the people
2. appointed by God
3. possess adequate sacrifice
Hebrews 5:1
High Priest
-the earthly splendor of the
Jewish high priest was a factor
of seductive influence on
Jewish Christians
- His rich robes
- the extravagantly ornate
breastplate
-the unique privilege of
entering the Holy of Holies on
the day of atonement
Hebrews 5:2-3
- Continues to speak about high priest under Old
Law
- The need of compassion on the part of a high
priest is stressed in v. 2
Hebrews 5:2-3
- The high priest was required to offer sacrifices for
his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.
- This he did not only on special occasions and for
special offenses (Lev. 4:3-12), but also in all the
regular daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly
sacrifices that were offered for the sins of the
nation
- In all these there was an acknowledgment of his
own guilt, as well as the guilt of the people
Hebrews 5:4
- Only God had the right to appoint a high priest
who would represent His people before His
presence; and only God has the right to name a
High Priest for all mankind (Jesus)
- This verse lays the premise for showing that
Christ too was called and appointed by God to the
great office which He exercises on behalf of all
people.
Hebrews 5:5-6
- Quotes from Ps. 2:7 and 110:4
“Today I have begotten You”
- Reference to resurrection of Jesus (Acts 13:33)
- Like the high priests, God the Father appointed
Christ to be both a Priest and a King
- Some wanted to question Jesus’ priesthood since
He was not a descendant of Aaron
Hebrews 5:5-6
- It was easy to see why the priesthood of Jesus
would be difficult for early Jewish Christians to
grasp.
- He was not from the lineage of Aaron. Jesus
claimed nor practiced no special ministry in the
temple.
- He confronted the religious structure instead of
joining it. In Jesus’ day, the priesthood also
became a corrupt institution.
Hebrews 5:5-6
- The author uses Psalm 110 to teach the universal
high priesthood of Christ, showing Him to be not
of Aaron's line, but an independent high priest of
universal dominion "after the order of
Melchizedek.“
- More on Melchizedek in chapter 7
“forever”
- means that Christ has no successor as high priest
Hebrews 5:7
- Reference to Jesus’ agonizing prayer in the garden of
Gethsemane (Lk. 22:42-44)
- If Jesus asked that the cup be taken away from Him,
and the cup was not taken away, how can it be said
that He was heard? Because His prayer was not to
escape His Father’s will, but to accept it - and that
prayer was definitely heard.
- The author now stresses the mercy and sympathetic
understanding of Jesus, as testified in the sorrows and
agonies through which our Lord passed.
Hebrews 5:8
“He learned obedience”
- Jesus did not pass from disobedience to
obedience. He learned obedience by actually
obeying. Jesus did not learn how to obey; He
learned what is involved in obedience.
- Suffering was used to teach Jesus. If suffering
was fit to teach the Son of God, we must never
despise it as a tool of instruction in our lives.
Hebrews 5:9
- Christ's being made perfect should not be
understood in the sense that he was not previously
perfect, but as an emphasis upon the perfection of
His qualifications of sympathy, love, mercy and
understanding, which were necessary in a high
priest
“author of eternal salvation”
- Christ is the source, fountain head, and
administrator of redemption.
Hebrews 5:9
“all”
- Jews and Gentiles alike
“to all who obey Him”
- Our salvation is contingent upon our obedience to
Jesus
- If Jesus learned obedience through suffering, how
much more necessary is it that all of his followers
obey Him at any cost
Hebrews 5:10-11
- Here the author picks up the thread of argument
relative to the high priesthood of Christ v. 6
- These Christians needed to understand who Jesus
was, but could not because they simply did not
accept the facts (dull of hearing, a heart problem)
- Are there people today “dull of hearing” when it
come to the teachings of Jesus? Why?
Hebrews 5:12
- The author says, you of all people, educated in
God’s Word (O.T.), ought to be men who teach
about Jesus because of your knowledge, but
because you are refusing these things about Jesus,
you need the basics yourself
- What are the “first principles”?
- Why is it important one knows these things before
they begin to teach God’s Word?
Hebrews 5:13-14
- Peter referred to young Christians as "newborn
babes," admonishing them to "long for the
spiritual milk, that you may grow thereby unto
salvation" (1 Pet 2:2).
- Learning God’s Word is a process.
- From the passage before us, it is plain that
spiritual maturity is not simply a matter of time.
Hebrews 5:13-14
- Many who have been Christians many years may
be in the condition of these Hebrew Christians
- True spiritual growth is the result of prayer, study,
meditation, faithfulness, diligence,, and the
successful struggle against temptations
- By this we can determine what is good and evil
according to God’s Word
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 6:1
- Does not mean to forget the elementary principles
of Christ, but to progress beyond those simple
teachings to the more advanced ways of Christ
“perfection”
- Refers to a more extensive and thorough
knowledge of Christian principles, as contrasted
with the mere knowledge of the basic
fundamentals
Hebrews 6:1-2
- Now the author lists some of those “elementary
principles” of Christ
1. repentance from dead works
2. Faith toward God
3. Teaching of baptisms
4. Laying on of hands
5. Resurrection of the dead
6. Eternal Judgment
2 Categories
1. Plan of salvation (1-3)
2. Other Christian Doctrines (4-6)
Hebrews 6:1-2
“repentance from dead works”
- Repentance is basic to salvation, on the part of
both the lost and Christians, being a constant duty
of all who would enter into heaven. It is an
condition of forgiveness of any sin whatsoever
(Luke 13:3).
Hebrews 6:1-2
“faith toward God”
- Faith as a fundamental is affirmed not only here
but in Heb. 11:6, and throughout the New
Testament (Mark 16:15-16).
Hebrews 6:1-2
“doctrine of baptisms”
- The use of the plural "baptisms" sprang from the fact
that no less than 7 baptisms are mentioned in the
New Testament
(1) the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11)
(2) the baptism of fire (Matt. 3:11)
(3) the baptism of John (Matt. 3:16)
(4) the baptism unto Moses (1 Cor. 10:2)
(5) the baptism of suffering (Lk. 15:30)
(6) the baptism for the dead (1 Cor. 15:29)
(7) the baptism of the great commission (Matt. 28:18-20)
Hebrews 6:1-2
“doctrine of baptisms”
-
The 7th of these is beyond question the "one" baptism
of Eph. 4:5; and the knowledge of these things was
most certainly part of the elementary things that one
had to know in order to become a Christian
-
Acts 2:38 teaches us that when a believing person
repents, they are baptized “for” the remission of sins
-
Has today’s Christian world forgotten this elementary
priniciple?
Hebrews 6:1-2
“resurrection of the dead”
“Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in
which all who are in the graves will hear His voice
and come forth— those who have done good, to the
resurrection of life, and those who have done evil,
to the resurrection of condemnation.”
Jn. 5:28-29
Hebrews 6:1-2
“eternal Judgment”
- Notice this is called an “elementary principle” of
Christ
- How often is this taught by religious leaders
today?
Hebrews 6:3
- The author know declares that he will move on
from these elementary teachings of Christ, and
move on to more advanced teachings
Hebrews 6:4-6
- Notice the description of this person, no doubt this
is a Christian
What does this verse teach?
- We can fall away
How do we crucify again the Son of God?
- When our hearts are so hardened that we are no
longer obedient to Jesus (Heb. 10:26-27)
Hebrews 6:4-6
- What makes it impossible for this person to be
“renewed back to God to repentance” is their
heart is wrong, and they will not repent.
- However, if any Christian who has fallen away
chooses to repent (Acts 8:22; Rev. 2:5; 2:16) and
confess their sin (1 Jn. 1:9), they will find
forgiveness
Hebrews 6:7-8
- This is an illustration of the serious consequences
of falling away
- When the earth receives rain, and then bears
useful plants, it then fulfills its purpose and
justifies the blessing of rain sent upon it.
- The writer applies the point: "You've been
blessed. But where's the fruit?" God is looking for
what grows in us after He blesses us, especially
what grows in terms of maturity
Hebrews 6:7-8
- But if it bears thorns and briars, it is rejected: If
ground that is blessed by rain refuses to bear fruit,
then who can blame the farmer for burning it?
- The picture presented reminds us that growth and
bearing fruit is important to keep from falling
away. When we really bear fruit, we abide in Jesus
(Jn. 15:5) and lessen our danger of falling away.
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 6:9
- Though he spoke so severely, the writer to the
Hebrews is confident that they will continue on in
Jesus, that their perseverance is one of the things
that accompany salvation.
Hebrews 6:10
- The Hebrew brethren had been negligent in the
study of God's Word; but notwithstanding this,
they had been diligent in the works of benevolence
- Wonderful as works of benevolence assuredly are,
pure benevolence, however lavish, is no substitute
for faithful adherence to the word and doctrine of
Christ
Hebrews 6:11-12
- "The same diligence" means that they were
commanded to improve their knowledge of the
word of God and to give it an equal priority and
diligence that they had bestowed upon their works
of benevolence
“do not become sluggish”
- is an exhortation against laziness, a trait they had
demonstrated in their neglect of studies in the
Word
Hebrews 6:13-15
- The reference to Abraham is for the purpose of
holding him up as an example.
- Reference to Gen. 22:16 when Abraham was
going to offer Isaac
- Although the author of Hebrews mentions only a
portion of the promise, the entire promise,
especially the blessing for all nations, was
undoubtedly in mind
Hebrews 6:16
- ??? Difficult verse
- The object of the writer in this declaration is to
show that as far as this could be done it had been
by God (v. 13). He could not swear (promise) by
one greater than Himself
Hebrews 6:17-18
- The two immutable things are the promise of God
and the oath by which it was confirmed
- The point: God, through His promise and oath has
said if we flee sin and seek refuge in Christ, we
have the hope set before us (heaven)
Hebrews 6:19
“hope”
- The Christians hope is Jesus Christ
- Christ has entered into that which is beyond the
veil, that is, into heaven itself; and this
corresponds to the actions of the high priest who
was type of Christ in that he went into the Holy of
Holies, behind the veil, in the tabernacle.
Hebrews 6:20
“forerunner”
- It means that where Christ has gone his disciples
shall follow, that where He is there they may be;
and the priority of his entrance into the better
country suggests the services that Christ is there
and performing for them that shall in due time
arrive to be with Him
“Melchizedek”
- Will be discussed in next chapter
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 7:1-10
-These Jewish Christians would be very interested
in Jesus as their High Priest, but would have a
significant intellectual objection to the idea. This is
because Jesus did not come from the priestly tribe
(the tribe of Levi) or the priestly family (the family
of Aaron).
- The writer wants to remove these intellectual
problems the Jewish Christians had with the
gospel. These intellectual hang-ups were keeping
them from continuing on to maturity in Jesus.
Hebrews 7:1-10
- The only verses in the Bible about Melchizedek
A. Heb. 7:1-3
B. Ps. 110:4
C. Gen. 14:18-20
v. 1-3 what we know about Melchizedek
v. 4-10 Melchizedek is greater than Abraham
because Abraham paid tithes to
Melchizedek, and because Melchizedek
blessed Abraham
Hebrews 7:1-10
- The only verses in the Bible about Melchizedek
A. Heb. 7:1-3
B. Ps. 110:4
C. Gen. 14:18-20
v. 1-3 what we know about Melchizedek
v. 4-10 Melchizedek is greater than Abraham
because Abraham paid tithes to
Melchizedek, and because Melchizedek
blessed Abraham
Hebrews 7:1-10
- The readers, former Jews who were now thinking of
returning to Judaism, are here confronted with their great
forefather Abraham and are shown how he accepted the royal
priest Melchizedek long before Levi and Aaron were born
and the Aaronic priesthood came into existence. The readers
want to be true sons of Abraham, yet, are thinking of
returning to Judaism for that very reason.
- Well, let them look at Abraham and at the one priest to whom
Abraham bowed. Let them consider what God said through
David (Ps. 110) regarding the royal priest and regarding the
Messiah-Christ who is typified by Melchizedek
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 7:11
- The Levitical priesthood never made anything perfect
- If perfection were through the Levitical
priesthood why would God even make a different
order of priesthood (displayed by Melchizedek) if
the Levitical priesthood were entirely sufficient?
- The simple fact that God describes a priest . . .
according to the order of Melchizedek shows there
is something lacking in the priesthood according
to the order of Aaron
Hebrews 7:12
- For the priesthood being changed, of necessity
there is also a change of the law
“of necessity”
- The priesthood of Aaron was connected to the
Law of Moses. So if the priesthood is changed, we
should anticipate some change of the Law's status
or place.
Hebrews 7:13-14
- Jesus could not be a priest according to the
Mosaic Law; He is from the wrong tribe
“another tribe from which no man has officiated at
the altar”
- Under the Law of Moses, God strictly
commanded that only those from the family of
Aaron could serve at the altar in sacrifice.
Hebrews 7:13-14
“He of whom these things are spoken belongs to
another tribe”
-Jesus is obviously not from the family of Aaron or
even the tribe of Levi. The tribe of Judah (the tribe of
Jesus' lineage) had nothing to do with Aaron's
priesthood, the priesthood associated with the Law of
Moses.
-Therefore according to the priesthood of Aaron and
the Law of Moses, Jesus could never be a priest. If He
is our High Priest, it must be under another principle.
Hebrews 7:15-17
- God's declaration that the Messiah belongs to
another order of priesthood in Psalm 110:4
- Jesus' priesthood is not based upon law or
heredity (a fleshly commandment), but upon the
power of God's endless life
Hebrews 7:15-17
“You are a priest forever”
-This could be said of the Messiah, who was a priest
according to the order of Melchizedek.
-It could never be said of a priest according to the
order of Aaron, none of whom had the power of an
endless life and each of whom served a limited term
as priests, limited to their own life-span.
Hebrews 7:18-19
-This verse tells why the law (the former
commandment) is annulled as a means of
establishing our relationship and access to God.
- In its weakness and unprofitableness, the law
made nothing perfect
-The law sets God's perfect standard, it gives no
one the power to keep that standard.
Hebrews 7:18-19
-The Law is valuable as it shows us God's perfect
standard, but the law is weak and unprofitable
when it comes to saving man’s soul or giving man
power over sin
- The Law provides expert diagnosis of our sin
problem, which is absolutely essential. But the Law
does not provide the cure to our sin problem. Only
Jesus can save us from our sin problem
Hebrews 7:18-19
- In Jesus, we have a better hope, through which we
draw near to God
- The Law is associated with a priesthood which
has been made obsolete by a superior priesthood
(Christ)
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 7:20-21
- Jesus was made High Priest by the direct oath of
God
- They have become priests without an oath: The
high priest of the order of Aaron was appointed by
heredity, not by personal character. Not so with
Jesus and the priestly order of Melchizedek! God
even sealed His choice by an oath.
Hebrews 7:22
“surety”
-Describes someone who gives security. It is a
person who would cosign a loan to guarantee
payment, or someone who puts up bail for a
prisoner. Jesus Himself is the guaranteed of a
better covenant.
Hebrews 7:22
- The Old Covenant had a mediator (Moses), but no
one to guarantee the people's side of the covenant;
so they continually failed under it.
- The New Covenant - a better covenant - has a
cosigner on our behalf! Therefore, the New
Covenant depends on what Jesus has done, not on
what we have done. He is the surety, we are not.
Hebrews 7:23-24
- The priesthood under the Law of Moses
constantly changed, and so could be better or worse
through the years.
- Jesus will never die, and has a permanent
priesthood. We don't need to worry about a "bad
priest" replacing Him!
Hebrews 7:25
- One of the most beautiful verses in all the Bible
- The argument is that Christ lives forever and is
able without limitation to redeem and help
ANYONE who comes to Him and obeys Him
Hebrews 7:25
“He always lives to make intercession for them”
-How this would have encouraged these Jewish
Christians who felt like giving up on the Christian
life!
- So even when we sin as Christians, all is not lost
Hebrews 7:26-28
- Jesus is better qualified to be a High Priest than
any priest from the order of the Law of Moses
- The priests under the Law of Moses did not have
the personal character of the Son of God. Jesus is
holy, harmless (without guile or deception),
undefiled, separate from sinners (in the sense of
sharing in their sin). Jesus is far superior in His
personal character than any earthly priest.
Hebrews 7:26-28
“has become higher than the heavens”
-The perfect character of Jesus is proven by two
facts.
1. His exaltation in heaven.
2. By the fact that He did not need to offer up
sacrifices, first for His own sins - which the
other priests needed to do daily!
Hebrews 7:26-28
“For the law appoints as high priests men who have
weaknesses”
-Under the Law of Moses, the priests were always
men with weaknesses.
- But Jesus a Son who has been perfected forever.
Because He is a perfect High Priest, He was able to
offer up Himself as a perfect sacrifice for our sin.
- Jesus is perfectly qualified to be our perfect High
Priest
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 8:1-2
-A summary of points previously made regarding
Jesus as our High Priest
- We have a High Priest - Jesus Christ - who
ministers for us from a position of all authority in
heaven (seated at the right hand of the throne of
the Majesty)
Hebrews 8:3
-Jesus' priesthood had a sacrifice - and a better
sacrifice
- Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts
and sacrifices: Sacrifice for sin is essential to the
concept of priesthood. Jesus, representing a
superior priesthood, offered a superior sacrifice.
He laid down His own life to atone for sin.
Hebrews 8:4-5
-Jesus' priesthood had a temple - and a better
temple
- If He were on earth, He would not be a priest:
Jesus is not qualified to serve in the inferior earthly
priesthood. There are priests - plenty of them - who
were qualified to serve in the priesthood according
to the Law of Moses.
Hebrews 8:4-5
“according to the pattern”
-If God required Moses to proceed exactly according to
the pattern God showed him, it is also required of
worshipers today that they do all things according to
the pattern God has revealed
- One of the great delusions of modern worshipers is
the fallacy that there is no pattern, and that it makes
no difference what people do religiously, just so they
are sincere in it; but this text reveals God as a patternminded God
BELIEVED
Pentecost Acts
2:14-41
Saul Acts 9:120
BAPTIZED
Were Baptized
vs. 38-41
Were Baptized
vs. 12-13
Confessed v. 37
Was Baptized v.
38
Was Baptized v.
18
Believed v. 43
Lydia Acts
Gave Heed v. 14
16:13
The Jailer Acts Believed v. 31
16:32
The
Corinthians
Acts 18:8
CONFESSED
Repented vs. 3738
Folks of
Believed v. 12
Samaria Acts
8:5-13
The Eunuch Believed vs. 36-37
Acts 8:35-39
Cornelius Acts
10:34-48
REPENTED
Believed v. 8
Was Baptized v.
48
Was Baptized v.
15
Was Baptized v.
33
Were Baptized v.
8
Hebrews 8:6
-The result: Jesus presides over a superior
priesthood, with a better covenant, and better
promises
“He has obtained a more excellent ministry”
- No earthly priest could take away sin the way
Jesus did, so Jesus' ministry is far better than the
ministry of the priesthood under the Law of Moses
Hebrews 8:6
“mediator of a better covenant”
- Jesus has mediated for us a better covenant, a
covenant of grace, not works, which is guaranteed
for us by a cosigner (Heb. 7:22)
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 8:7
-The superiority of the New Covenant
- Where was the fault in the Old Covenant, with
God or man?
Hebrews 8:8-12
-The New Covenant as it is presented in the Old
Testament
- Quote from Jer. 31:31-34
- In the days of Jeremiah, that New Covenant was
still in the future, because he says "Behold the days
are coming."
Hebrews 8:8-12
“a new covenant”
- This covenant is truly new, not merely "new and
improved" in the way things are marketed to us
today.
- Today, products are said to be "new and
improved" when there is no substantial difference
in the product. But when God says "new," He
means new.
Hebrews 8:8-12
“with the house of Israel and the house of Judah”
- The New Covenant definitely began with Israel,
but did not end with Israel (Matt. 15:24; Acts 1:8)
Hebrews 8:8-12
“because they did not continue in My covenant”
- The weakness of the Old Covenant was not in the
Covenant itself. It was in the weakness of man.
Hebrews 8:8-12
“I will be their God, and they shall be My people”
- The New Covenant also features a greater
intimacy with God than what was available under
the Old Covenant.
Hebrews 8:8-12
“their sins and lawless deeds I will remember no
more”
- The New Covenant offers a true, complete
cleansing from sin, different and better than the
mere "covering over" of sin in the Old Covenant.
Hebrews 8:8-13
-The significance of a New Covenant
- Now that the New Covenant has been
inaugurated, the Old Covenant is thereby obsolete
- The message to these discouraged Jewish
Christians, who thought of going back to a more
Jewish faith, is clear.
- They simply can't go back to an inferior covenant,
which is ready to completely vanish away
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 9
Major Points in Chapter 9
1. CHRIST PROVIDES BETTER SACRIFICES
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RITES AND
SACRIFICES OF THE LAW
3. THEIR INFERIORITY TO THE DIGNITY AND
THE PERFECTION OF CHRIST AND HIS
BLOOD AND SACRIFICE
Hebrews 9:1-5
“for a tabernacle was prepared”
- The tabernacle was a tent 45 feet long, 15 feet
wide, and 15 feet high, divided into two rooms. The
larger room (the first part) was a 15 foot by 30 foot
"holy place." Behind the second veil was the
smaller room was a 15 foot by 15 foot, called the
Holiest of All.
The lampstand with a middle stem and six branches
stood in the first part and was of an unspecified size,
made of pure gold; it provided the only light for the
tabernacle (Exodus 25:31-40).
The table sat in the first part and was made of acacia
wood covered with gold, 3 feet long, 1½ feet wide,
and 2 feet 3 inches high. It held twelve loaves of
showbread, each representing God's fellowship with
the twelve tribes of Israel (Exodus 25:23-30).
The sanctuary refers to the first part, known as the
"holy place." A veil (a thick curtain) separated the
first part from the Holiest of All, also known as the
"holy of holies" (Exodus 26:31-33).
The golden altar of incense was made of acacia wood
covered with gold, 1½ feet square, and 3 feet high. It
stood at the veil before the "holy of holies," and was
used to burn incense (Exodus 30:1-8).
The ark of the covenant stood inside the Holiest of
All, and was a chest made of acacia wood covered
with gold, 3¾ feet long, 2¼ feet wide, and 2¼ feet
high, with rings for polls along it's side by which it
would be carried (Exodus 25:10-22).
-The mercy seat was the ornate "lid" for the ark of the covenant,
made with the designs of cherubim upon it; the blood of sacrifice
was sprinkled upon it for the forgiveness of Israel's sin on the Day of
Atonement (Exodus 25:17-22).
As God looked down into the ark, He saw the symbols of Israel's sin,
rebellion, and failure. But when the blood of sacrifice was applied to
the mercy seat, His sight of the sin of Israel was covered by the blood
of sacrifice.
Hebrews 9:6-7
-Priestly service in the tabernacle under the Old
Covenant
- The priests always went into the first part of the
tabernacle, performing the services: The priests, as
appointed, went daily into the "holy place" to
perform priestly functions such as tending the
lampstand and replacing the showbread.
Hebrews 9:6-7
-But into the second part the high priest went alone
once a year: The "holy of holies" was entered only
once a year by the high priest alone, on the Day of
Atonement.
- The high priest went alone once a year, not
without blood: His entrance into the second part
was not for fellowship, but only for atonement, first
for his own sin, then for the sins of his people.
Hebrews 9:6-7
“The people's sins committed in ignorance”
- Sins of ignorance were the specific aim of the Day
of Atonement. It was assumed that known sin
would be taken care of through the regular sin
offerings and the daily sacrifices.
- In this respect, Jesus' work is far greater than the
work done on the Day of Atonement. Jesus' work
on the cross is sufficient to atone for both the sins
we do in ignorance and sins that we know.
Hebrews 9:8-10
“The way into the Holiest of All was not yet made
manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing”
- The old had to pass away before God's new way
could be revealed.
“It was symbolic for the present time”
- The tabernacle itself and all that the Old Covenant
represented were symbolic of deeper truths, the New
Covenant.
Hebrews 9:8-10
“cannot make him who performed the service
perfect in regard to the conscience”
- The priestly service does not make even the
priests offering those sacrifices perfect and clean in
regard to the conscience.
- If the cleansing is incomplete for the priest, how
much more for the person the priest worked on
behalf of !
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 9:11
- Features of the New Covenant described
“the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made
with hands”
- Jesus, as our High Priest, ministers in a superior
sanctuary - the very throne room of God, a place
greater than anything human hands could make.
Hebrews 9:12-15
- The superior sacrifice of the New Covenant
-The blood of goats and calves was sufficient for a
temporary covering of sin; but only a perfect
sacrifice could obtain eternal redemption
- Jesus' sacrifice was superior in that it was perfect,
voluntary, rational, and motivated by love
Hebrews 9:12-15
“or if the blood of bulls and goats . . . sanctifies for
the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the
blood of Christ”
- If these imperfect sacrifices were received as
sufficient by Israel, how much more should they
regard the ultimate sufficiency of the perfect
sacrifice?
Hebrews 9:12-15
“or if the blood of bulls and goats . . . sanctifies for
the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the
blood of Christ”
- The ashes of a heifer refer to the remains of a burnt
offering that was preserved, and sprinkled in the laver of
washing to provide water suitable for ceremonial
cleansing (Numbers 19:1-10).
- This was a shadow, fulfilled and done away with when
Jesus offered a perfect cleansing; there is no value in
"holy water" used by the Roman Catholic Church.
Hebrews 9:12-15
“how much more shall the blood of Christ . . .
cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve
the living God?”
- The sacrifice of Jesus is sufficient to even restore
our damaged conscience.
- Our conscience is a wonderful tool from God. But
it isn't perfect. Our conscience can be seared (1
Tim. 4:2). Our conscience can be defiled (Tit. 1:15).
Our conscience can be evil (Heb. 10:22).
Hebrews 9:12-15
“cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve
the living God”
- Dead works probably has the thought of sin in
general, in the sense of "works that bring death."
But it must also speak to the vain continuation of
Old Covenant sacrifice, which is certainly a dead
work - and the very type of thing these discouraged
Jewish Christians were tempted to go back to.
Hebrews 9:12-15
“He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means
of death”
- Jesus' work as a Mediator is fundamentally
accomplished at His death. His heavenly work of
mediation looks back to that perfect sacrifice.
Hebrews 9:12-15
“for the redemption of the transgressions under the
first covenant”
- Jesus' payment on the cross accomplished
redemption for those under the first covenant.
Every sacrifice for sin made in faith and obedience
under the Mosaic command was an IOU cashed in
at the cross.
Hebrews 9:16-22
“For a testament is in force after men are dead”
- A testament (in the sense of a "last will and
testament") only takes effect when the person
making the testament dies. Therefore Jesus had to
die for the testament - the covenant - to take effect.
Hebrews 9:16-22
“therefore not even the first covenant was
dedicated without blood”
- Clearly, death was necessary to the Old Covenant.
Virtually every part of the sacrificial system under
the Law of Moses was touched by blood in some
way or another.
Hebrews 9:16-22
Without shedding of blood there is no remission [of
sin]
- Modern people think that sin is remitted
(forgiven) by time, by our good works, by our
decent lives, or by simply death.
- But there is no forgiveness without the shedding
of blood, and there is no perfect forgiveness
without a perfect sacrifice.
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 9:23-28
“It was necessary that the copies of the things in
the heavens should be purified with these”
- It was acceptable for the copies of the things in
the heavens in the earthly sanctuary to be
"purified" with imperfect sacrifices. But the
heavenly things themselves could only be purified
with a perfect offering.
Hebrews 9:23-28
“For Christ has not entered the holy places made
with hands . . . but into heaven itself”
- Jesus' sacrifice was made on earth, but it is the
basis for His continuing work as our mediator and
High Priest in heaven. The writer to the Hebrews
proclaims it: “now to appear in the presence of God
for us.”
- It's not hard to believe that Jesus does appear in
the presence of God. But to believe that He appears
there for us is glorious!
Hebrews 9:23-28
“not that He should offer Himself often”
- Jesus' ministry for us continues in heaven. But it
does not continue in the sense that He should offer
Himself often. His sacrifice was once-for-all, and
perfectly satisfied God's holy justice.
Hebrews 9:23-28
“not that He should offer Himself often”
-This passage and principle is a direct rebuke to the
Roman Catholic practice and theology of the mass.
- In the mass, the Roman Catholic Church desires
to repeat - not remember, but repeat - the atoning
sacrifice of Jesus innumerable times. This is
absolutely indefensible Scripturally, and denies the
finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. The
Scriptures make it plain: “not that He should offer
Himself often”
Hebrews 9:23-28
“He then would have had to suffer often since the
foundation of the world”
-If the sacrifice of Jesus were not perfect, then it would
have to be continual and constant - even since the
foundation of the world.
- Imperfect sacrifices must be repeated continually but
a perfect sacrifice can be made once for all time, and
genuinely put away sin (not just cover sin, as with
sacrifice under the Old Covenant). The message is
clear: He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice
of Himself.
Hebrews 9:23-28
“He then would have had to suffer often since the
foundation of the world”
- This principle of sacrifice explains why the suffering of
hell must be eternal for those who reject the atoning work
of Jesus. They are in hell to pay the penalty of their sin,
but as imperfect beings they are unable to make a perfect
payment.
- If the payment is not perfect, then it has to be continual
and constant - for all eternity. A soul could be released
from hell the moment its debt of sin was completely paid which is another way of saying never.
Hebrews 9:23-28
“and as it is appointed for men to die once, but
after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once
to bear the sins of many”
-Just as certainly as we die once and then face
judgment, so Jesus only had to die once (not
repeatedly, not continually) to bear our sins.
- Though it was not really the point of the writer to
the Hebrews to discuss reincarnation, he certainly
and completely denies it here.
Hebrews 9:23-28
“He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for
salvation”
- The focus of Jesus' first coming was to deal with
the sin problem through His atoning sacrifice. But
now, having dealt with the sin problem perfectly,
He comes again apart from sin - for the salvation
(in the sense of taking home) of His people.
Hebrews 9:23-28
“to those who eagerly wait for Him”
- Notice the conditioned placed on those who Jesus
will come to take with Him at His 2nd coming
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 10:1-4
“having a shadow of the good things to come”
- The idea that the Old Covenant (the law) is a
mere shadow of the substance that is the New
Covenant is also communicated in Col. 2:17 and
Heb. 8:5. Shadow means that the law
communicated the outline and the figure of the
fulfillment in Jesus.
Hebrews 10:1-4
“would they not have ceased to be offered?”
-The writer to the Hebrews repeats a familiar argument:
the repetition of sacrifice shows its inherent weakness. If
animal sacrifice had "fixed" the sin problem, then they
could have ceased to be offered.
- For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no
more consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices there is
a reminder of sins every year: Every repeated sacrifice
was a reminder of sins. It brought the consciousness of
sins to the people again and again. But the work of Jesus
on the cross takes away sin!
Hebrews 10:1-4
“for it is not possible that the blood of bulls and
goats could take away sins”
-Animal sacrifice under the Old Covenant could
cover sin. The Hebrew word for atonement is
kophar, which literally means "to cover." But
animal sacrifice could never take away sins.
- Only Jesus, the Perfect Sacrifice of the New
Covenant, takes sins away.
Hebrews 10:5-10
- This quotation is taken from Ps. 40:6-8.
- It shows that prophetically Jesus declared the
insufficient character of Old Covenant sacrifice
and declared His willingness to offer a perfect
sacrifice under the New Covenant.
Hebrews 10:5-10
“sacrifice and offering You did not desire”
-More animal sacrifices, made under the law, would
not please God.
“but a body You have prepared for Me”
- Instead, what pleased God could only come
through Jesus, the incarnate Son of God.
Hebrews 10:5-10
“Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God”
- The sacrifice of Jesus was determined before the
foundation of the world (1 Pet. 1:20; Rev. 13:8)
- But it was still an act of His will to submit to the
cross at the appointed time and by that will we
have been sanctified through the offering of the
body of Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 10:5-10
“once for all” v. 10
- These are important words in this passage, and
the writer to the Hebrews repeats the theme over
and over again: once for all.
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 10:11-18
“Every priest stands ministering daily” v. 11
-The priests had to stand continually in their work.
Their work continued daily and sacrifices had to be
repeatedly offered. The priests could never sit
down!
- But Jesus sat down at the right hand of God,
having finished His work of sacrificing for sin.
Hebrews 10:11-18
“He has perfected forever those who are being
sanctified” v. 14
-This makes it plain that the work of Jesus is
effective only for those who are being sanctified.
- The work of Jesus is capable of saving every
human being, but it is only effective in saving those
who are being sanctified (set apart to God).
Hebrews 10:11-18
“The Holy Spirit also witnesses to us . . . says the
LORD” v. 15-16
- In this passage, the writer to the Hebrews clearly
identifies the Holy Spirit is equated as the LORD,
Yahweh of the Old Testament. When the Holy
Spirit speaks, the Lord speaks.
Hebrews 10:11-18
“This is the covenant” v. 16
- In the passage quoted from Jeremiah, the writer
to the Hebrews makes note of the promises of the
new covenant, instituted by the Messiah.
Hebrews 10:11-18
“will put My laws into their hearts” v. 16
- The new covenant has to do with an inner
transformation. God, through His Word, can
change the heart of man, and writes His law into
their hearts.
Hebrews 10:11-18
“their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember
no more” v. 17
-The new covenant offers complete forgiveness.
- The forgiveness is so complete that God can say
that He doesn't even remember our sins in light of
the new covenant!
Hebrews 10:11-18
“their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember
no more” v. 17
- The Christian must do with their past sin exactly
what God has done: forget about it.
- As for our current and future sins, the Bible
teaches that we must repent and pray for
forgiveness, then they become past sins
remembered no more
Hebrews 10:19-22
-Knowing Jesus has opened the way, let us draw near
to God
“having boldness” v. 19
-Access has been given to us for a bold approach to
God in prayer. The point is simple: we must take
advantage of this access, and take it with boldness.
- On the Day of Atonement, the high priest entered the
holiest place of all with fear and trembling, but we can
enter the Holiest with boldness because of Jesus.
Hebrews 10:19-22
“through the veil” v. 20
-The veil separated the Holiest from the holy place.
To enter into the Holiest, you had to pass through
the veil.
- But this veil separating man from God's presence
is forever opened wide, being torn into two from
top to bottom. (Matt. 27:51)
Hebrews 10:19-22
“having a High Priest over the house of God”
- We have a High Priest who presides over the
heavenly courts to make certain the Christian has
total access.
Hebrews 10:19-22
v. 22
- Draw near with true heart
- full assurance of faith
- our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience reference to man’s acceptance of Christ's sacrifice
through knowledge and contemplation of it and
also a humble willingness to accept as our own
what Christ has provided through obedience
Hebrews 10:23
-The "confession" mentioned here is not to be
identified with the formal subscription to any creed
or catechism.
- But it must be understood as a reference to the
whole body of Christian faith and teaching as
revealed in the sacred scriptures
Hebrews 10:24-25
“the assembling of ourselves together”
-is a reference to the Lord's day worship of the
church
- A command: “not forsaking”
- Although this is specific to the 1st day of the week,
would this verse apply to Wednesday Bible study?
Hebrews 10:24-25
“but exhorting one another”
-Clearly the Bible teaches that we gather together
to worship God
- But here, there is another reason for our coming
together, to exhort each other
- How do we accomplish this when we worship
together?
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 10:26-31
-To sin willfully after we have received the
knowledge of the truth is the same as falling away
from Christ (Heb. 6:4-6)
- What is willful sin?
- What if I am a Christian, willfully sin, and then
with a sincere heart repent and ask God for
forgiveness?
Hebrews 10:32-34
“but recall the former days” v. 32
- These Christians had suffered for Jesus, being
rejected from their Jewish community, and perhaps
being counted as dead. This came after they obeyed
Jesus (after you were illuminated).
Hebrews 10:32-34
“knowing that you have a better and an enduring
possession for yourselves in heaven”
- They made it through the time of persecution by
keeping a heavenly perspective. The writer to the
Hebrews' point is clear: you can make it through
this present time of discouragement as well.
Hebrews 10:35-39
“therefore do not cast away your confidence” v. 35
- These discouraged Christians were in danger of
casting away their confidence in Jesus, and
relapsing into an Old Covenant relationship with
God.
Hebrews 10:35-39
“you have need of endurance” v. 36
-They, and we, have need of endurance to receive
the promise of God after we have obeyed the
gospel. The toughest and most discouraging trials
are when we are trying to obey God's will when the
fulfillment of His promise seems so far away.
- This is why we need endurance. Faithfulness
during the time when the promise seems unfulfilled
is the measure of your obedience and spiritual
maturity.
Hebrews 10:35-39
“now the just shall live by faith” v. 38
- We need to follow in the footsteps of the just who
will live by faith, and endure to see the promise
fulfilled.
- Every word in Habakkuk 2:4 is important, and
the Lord quotes it three times in the New
Testament just to bring out the fullness of the
meaning!
Hebrews 10:35-39
“But we are not of those who draw back to
perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of
the soul” v. 39
- This is a confident conclusion. We will be those
who endure on and gain the promise of God. We
will not draw back into old way of life or into an
Old Covenant relationship with God - or any other
replacement for Jesus!
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 11:1
“faith is the substance . . . the evidence”
- Faith is not a bare belief or intellectual
understanding. It is a willingness to trust in, to rely
on, and to cling to. But notice God has given us
evidence (proof) for the things He teaches
Hebrews 11:2
“for by it the elders”
-The great examples of godliness all had different
circumstances and personalities, but they all had
one thing in common, faith
- Notice throughout the coming examples that faith
and obedience are inherently connected. According
to what this chapter teaches, you cannot separate
the two
Hebrews 11:3
“by faith we understand that the worlds were
framed by the word”
- How were the worlds . . . framed by the word of
God? It happened when God simply commanded
Let there be light (Genesis 1:3).
- As the Psalmist explains: By the word of the Lord
the heavens were made, and all the host of them by
the breath of His mouth . . . For He spoke, and it
was done; He commanded, and it stood fast."
(Psalm 33:6,9)
Hebrews 11:3
“by faith we understand”
- We did not see this act of creation; we only know
of it by faith. We also know this by reason, because
we know the world was created, and created by an
intelligent Designer. This is faith going beyond, but
not in contradiction to reason.
Hebrews 11:4
“by faith Able offered to God a more excellent
sacrifice”
- The difference between the sacrifice of Cain and
the sacrifice of Abel (Genesis 4:3-5) may not have
been because one was animal, the other was
vegetable. The difference was that Abel's sacrifice
was made by faith.
Hebrews 11:4
“through it he being dead still speaks”
- Right off with his example of Abel, the writer
reminds us that faith is not necessarily rewarded on
earth. But God Himself testifies to the
righteousness of the faithful. Abel's blood still
speaks to us, reminding us of the value of eternity!
Hebrews 11:5-6
“by faith Enoch”
-Enoch is one of the mystery men of the Old
Testament being mentioned only in Genesis 5:21-24
as the man who walked with God and he was not,
for God took him
-.
Hebrews 11:5-6
“by faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not
see death”
- The writer to the Hebrews assumes that only a
man of faith could enjoy close communion with
God. Obviously, anyone who had this kind of
fellowship with God must have pleased God, and in
pleasing God, Enoch fulfilled the purpose for which
man was created (Revelation 4:11).
Hebrews 11:7
“Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet
seen”
- Noah was warned of something that had never
happened before. His faith was shown in not merely
agreeing that the flood would come, but in doing
what God told him to do regarding the flood - he
was moved with godly fear
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 11:8
“Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet
seen”
- Noah was warned of something that had never
happened before. His faith was shown in not merely
agreeing that the flood would come, but in doing
what God told him to do regarding the flood - he
was moved with godly fear
Hebrews 11:9-10
“By faith, Abraham obeyed”
- Abraham did step out in faith, going to a new
place God had promised him; but his faith was less
than perfect. This is seen by comparing Genesis
12:1-5 with Acts 7:2-4, where it is evident that
Abraham first went half way to the place God
called him to go, but eventually obeyed completely
Hebrews 11:9-10
“By faith, he dwelt in the land of promise”
-Abraham lived as a "sojourner" in the land God
had promised, never owning any of it except the plots
that he and Sarah were buried on.
“dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob”
- Because they had no permanent home, Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob lived in tents instead of houses. They
looked forward to a better city - the city which has
foundations, who builder and maker is God
Hebrews 11:11-12
“By faith Sarah”
-Sarah's faith was not perfect. She first laughed in
unbelief (Genesis 18:9-15) and then she learned to
laugh in faith (Genesis 21:6).
“because she judged Him faithful who had
promised”
- Faith boils down to judging that God is faithful to
and able to keep His promises. It was this faith that
enabled Sarah to receive strength to conceive seed.
God gave the strength, but Sarah had to receive it by
faith and obey
Hebrews 11:11-12
“By faith, he dwelt in the land of promise”
-Abraham lived as a "sojourner" in the land God
had promised, never owning any of it except the plots
that he and Sarah were buried on.
“dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob”
- Because they had no permanent home, Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob lived in tents instead of houses. They
looked forward to a better city - the city which has
foundations, who builder and maker is God
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 11:13-16
“By faith, he dwelt in the land of promise”
-Abraham lived as a "sojourner" in the land God
had promised, never owning any of it except the plots
that he and Sarah were buried on.
“dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob”
- Because they had no permanent home, Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob lived in tents instead of houses. They
looked forward to a better city - the city which has
foundations, who builder and maker is God
Hebrews 11:13-16
“These all died in faith, not having received the
promises”
-The promise of the Messiah was made to Abraham
and Sarah, and they believed the promise. Yet they
died having never received it, only seeing it in faith.
“they were assured of them”
- They carefully considered the promise, and
assured themselves that the promise had to be valid
because it was God making the promise.
Hebrews 11:13-16
“they confessed that they were strangers and
pilgrims”
- Abraham and Sarah always took the promise with
the understanding that this world was not their
home; that God had a better and more enduring
home for them in heaven.
Hebrews 11:13-16
“Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their
God”
- But for those courageous enough to believe in and
obey God, and to believe in Him as real, and
heaven and eternal life as real, God is not ashamed
to be called their God, for He has prepared a city
for them.
Hebrews 11:17-19
- Abraham's faith was great enough to know God
was able to raise the dead, and that God was able
to keep His promises no matter what
“offered up his only begotten son”
- Though Abraham had another son (Ishmael, the
son of his fleshly attempt to fulfill God's promise),
God did not recognize the other son (Genesis 22:114) - so Isaac could be called his only begotten son.
Hebrews 11:17-19
- When Abraham was confronted with a promise
and a command from God which seemed to
contradict each other, he did what we all should do:
he obeyed the command and let God take care of
the promise - which God was more than able to do!
Hebrews 11:20
“by faith Isaac blessed Jacob”
- Isaac was really in the flesh, not in faith, when he
first intended to bless Jacob and Esau. He wanted
to bless Esau with the birthright for carnal reasons
(he liked him as a more "manly" man, and he liked
the wild game he brought home), instead of
blessing Jacob, whom God had chosen.
Hebrews 11:20
- So, where is the faith in Isaac's blessing?
- After Isaac's attempt to thwart the will of God
had been destroyed, when he said of Jacob, and
indeed he shall be blessed (Genesis 27:33). He knew
that God had defeated his puny attempt to box God
in, and he responded in the faith that says, "O.K.
God, by faith I accept your ways. Let Isaac be
blessed with the birthright, and let Esau be blessed
after him in his own way."
Hebrews 11:21
“By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of
the sons of Joseph”
- Jacob, at times, led a carnal life. Yet, his faith
could also look beyond death - and he blessed each
of his sons
Hebrews 11:22
“by faith Joseph”
- Joseph made mention of the departure of the
children of Israel in Genesis 50:24, when he said:
God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this
land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to
Isaac, and to Jacob. He knew God's promise was
true!
Hebrews 11:22
“Gave instructions concerning his bones”
-When Joseph died, he was never buried. His coffin
laid above ground for the 400 or so years until it was
taken back to Canaan. It was a silent witness all those
years that Israel was going back to the Promised Land,
just as God had said.
- when a child of Israel saw Joseph's coffin and asked
what it was there for, and why it was not buried, they
could be answered, "Because the great man Joseph did
not want to be buried in Egypt, but in the Promised
Land God will one day lead us to."
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 11:23
“By faith Moses . . . was hidden three months by his
parents”
- Moses' parents showed faith when they perceived
that he was specially favored by God, they took
measures of faith to save his life despite danger.
Hebrews 11:24-26
“refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter”
- Moses showed faith when he let God chart his destiny
instead of letting Pharaoh do it.
“choosing rather to suffer affliction”
- This choice had consequences. Moses knew that to go
God's way meant to suffer affliction rather than to
enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. Sin does have its
pleasures; but Moses properly saw them as passing,
even if they should last our entire earthly lives!
Hebrews 11:24-26
“the reproach of Christ”
- Moses probably didn't know it, at the time but the
persecution he suffered for his choice of
servanthood to God and His people put him in the
company of Jesus - who suffered to set men free.
Hebrews 11:27
“By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath
of the king”
- Moses' natural eyes could see the danger from
Pharaoh, and understood the danger in remaining
anywhere near Egypt. Yet his eye of faith could see
Him who is invisible, and he understood that God
was a greater fact in his situation than an angry
Pharaoh was.
Hebrews 11:28
“By faith he kept the Passover”
- It took faith to believe that the blood of a lamb on
the door post would save a household from the
terror of the angel of death. But Moses had that
faith, and led the nation in observance of the
Passover.
Hebrews 11:29
“By faith they passed through the Red Sea”
- The difference between the Israelites crossing the
Red Sea and the Egyptians who followed them was
not courage, but faith. The Egyptians had as much
(or more) courage than the Israelites, but not the
same faith - and they each had different fates. The
Israelites passed through, and the Egyptians were
drowned.
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 11:30
“By faith the walls of Jericho fell down”
-At Jericho, the people of Israel had a daring faith.
There was no turning back, having already crossed
the river Jordan at flood stage, which cut off any
line of retreat.
- At Jericho, the people of Israel had an obedient
faith. They did not really understand what God was
doing, yet they obeyed none the less
Hebrews 11:30
“After they were encircled for seven days”
- At Jericho, the people of Israel had a patient faith.
The walls did not fall down for the first six days,
yet they kept marching as God commanded.
- At Jericho, the people of Israel had an
anticipating faith. They knew God would act on the
seventh day when they shouted.
Hebrews 11:31
“By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish”
- Rahab (Joshua 2) might seem an unusual example
of faith, but her trust in God and willingness to
identify with His people, no matter what the cost, is
worthy of honor.
Hebrews 11:31
“When she had received the spies with peace”
- When the Hebrew spies came to Rahab, she
declared He is God in heaven above and on earth
beneath (Joshua 2:11). This was proof of her faith.
It was not perfect faith, but her faith was
commendable nonetheless.
Hebrews 11:32
- Each one of these were men of faith, yet had
notable areas of failure in their life. Still, Hebrews
11 commends their faith, and lists them in the "Hall
of Faith." This shows that you don't have to be
perfect to make it into God's "Hall of Faith."
Hebrews 11:33-35
- Some of those who subdued kingdoms: David,
Joshua, King Asa, Jehoshaphat, King Hezekiah,
King Josiah.
-Some of those who worked righteousness: Elijah,
Elisha, and all the prophets of God, and King
Josiah
- Some of those who obtained promises: Caleb,
Gideon, Barak.
Hebrews 11:33-35
-Some of those who stopped the mouths of lions:
Daniel, David, and Benaiah (one of David's mighty
men)
-Some of those who quenched the violence of fire:
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
- Some of those who escaped the edge of the sword:
David escaped both the swords of Goliath and Saul,
Moses escaped the sword of Pharaoh, and Elijah
escaped the sword of Jezebel.
Hebrews 11:35-38
“trial of mockings”
- Isaac endured the cruel mocking of Ishmael, and
Samson was mocked at the feast of the Philistines.
“chains and imprisonments”
-Joseph was cast into prison for his faith, and the
evil King Ahab imprisoned the prophet Micaiah.
Hebrews 11:35-38
“they were stoned”
-Zechariah was stoned to death between the altar
and the temple, and Naboth was stoned to death by
Jezebel's henchmen
“sawn in two”
- According to reliable tradition, Isaiah was sawn in
two and killed.
Hebrews 11:35-38
“wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins”
-Such as Elijah, who wore this kind humble
clothing and did not mind the humility or the
discomfort.
“of whom the world was not worthy”
- The world is not necessarily friendly to people of
faith, and the world isn't necessarily worthy of
them either!
Hebrews 11:35-38
“in dens and caves of the earth”
- David, Elijah, and prophets under the leadership
of Obadiah were all forced to flee and hide in caves
Hebrews 11:39-40
- Even though they obtained a good testimony
through faith, they never saw the promise in the
same way that we do on this side of the cross.
- They did not receive the promise, the testimony of
the completed work of the Messiah on their behalf.
Hebrews 11:39-40
“God having provided something better for us”
-We have been provided something better (seeing
and enjoying the completed work of Jesus on our
behalf) have much more reason to hold on to faith,
and to not let discouragement and tough times
defeat us.
Hebrews 11:39-40
“they should not be made perfect apart from us”
- The idea of perfect is "complete." They could not
be made complete until the work of Jesus; they
looked forward to Jesus and His work, we look at it
from behind - and enjoy the fruits of His work!
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 12:1
“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses”
- The author MAY be envisioning these previous
champions of faith as spectators from heaven,
cheering us on as we endeavor to overcome present
discouragement as in an athletic competition.
Hebrews 12:1
“lay aside every weight, and the sin”
- Sin can hold us back. But there are also things
that may not be sin (every weight) but are
hindrances that can keep us from running
effectively the race God has for us.
Hebrews 12:1
“let us run with endurance”
-What is needed is endurance, to finish what we
have begun in Jesus Christ - a race that is set
before us.
- God has set before you a race. You must run it;
and it will involve effort and commitment. Just
being passive never runs a race. God wants us to
run the race, and finish it right!
Hebrews 12:2
“looking unto Jesus”
- The NASB translates this beautifully: fixing our
eyes on Jesus. We can only run the race as we look
to Jesus, and have our eyes locked on to Him. He is
our focus, our inspiration, and our example.
Hebrews 12:2
“the author and finisher of our faith”
- Jesus is not only the author of our faith; He is the
finisher of it. The idea of He who has begun a good
work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus
Christ (Philippians 1:6) is comforting indeed to
these discouraged Christians.
Hebrews 12:2
“who for the joy that was set before Him”
- Jesus did not regard the cross itself as a joy. But
He could look past the horror of the cross to enjoy
the joy beyond it.
- The same mentality will enable these Jewish
Christians (and we ourselves) to endure.
Hebrews 12:2
“despising the shame”
- One of the most prominent elements of the torture
of the cross was its extreme shame. Jesus did not
welcome this shame - He despised it! - yet He
endured through the shame.
Hebrews 12:3-4
“you have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving
against sin”
- These Jewish Christians were so discouraged
because they were starting to experience significant
social and economic persecution (though not yet to
the shedding of blood).
Hebrews 12:3-4
“lest you become weary and discouraged in your
souls”
- Knowing that Jesus doesn't ask more of us than
what He has Himself experienced, and that He
knows exactly what we are going through keeps us
from becoming weary and discouraged in your
souls.
Hebrews 12:5-6
“you have forgotten”
- One great reason for the discouragement among
these Jewish Christians was because they saw no
reason why God would allow difficult times to
arise. But they have forgotten principles regarding
the chastening of the Lord.
Hebrews 12:5-6
“which speaks to you as sons”
- The quotation from Prov. 3:11-12 reminds us that
God's chastening should never be taken as a sign of
His rejection. It is rather a sign of His treating us as
His children.
- Only the most proud Christian would claim they
are never in need of correction from God. No one is
above this kind of training.
Hebrews 12:7-8
“God deals with you as sons”
-Many people claim an inability to relate to God as
a loving Father, because they have never known a
loving human father in their own experience. Yet,
even these can still receive the love of God the
Father.
- We have not all known by experience what a
model father is, but we do all know by intuition
what a good father is. God is that perfect Father,
and He has given us that intuition.
Hebrews 12:7-8
“God deals with you as sons”
- God's correction is never to punish us, never to
make us pay for our sins. That was done once and
for all at the cross. His correction is motivated by
His love, not by His justice.
Hebrews 12:9-10
“We paid them respect”
-We should be even more submissive and respectful
to our Heavenly Father's correction than to an
earthly Father's correction
- Therefore, we must never despise God for His
chastening, though it is unpleasant. When we resent
it, we consider ourselves virtual equals with God,
instead of His children.
Hebrews 12:9-10
“but He for our profit”
- Human fathers, even with the best of intention,
can only chasten imperfectly, because they lack
perfect knowledge. The all-knowing God can
chasten us perfectly, with better and more lasting
results than even the best earthly father
Hebrews 12:11
“afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of
righteousness”
- The author isn't trying to deny the unpleasant
nature of a heavenly chastening (no chastening
seems to be joyful for the present). But he does
want us to look beyond the process to the result
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 12:12-13
“therefore strengthen the hands which hang down”
- Almost like a coach or a military officer, the author
tells the "troops" to get with it.
- He has given exhaustive reasons to be strong in the
Lord and put off discouragement, so now is the time to
do it.
- The pictures here (strengthened hands and knees,
"straight-ahead" feet) speak of readiness to work and
move for the Lord. This readiness is first to go when
one surrenders to discouragement.
Hebrews 12:14
- Get right with both men (pursue peace with all
men) and with God (and holiness). Discouragement
makes us sloppy and unconcerned with our
personal relationships.
Hebrews 12:15
-This verse emphasizes that God's grace which has
appeared to all people (Titus 2:12) and brought
salvation to the world, may yet be ineffective in
some because of their failure to abide by the
conditions upon which salvation is offered.
- It should be noted that it was not merely the faith
of those which the author questioned, but their
conduct.
Hebrews 12:16-17
“Like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his
birthright”
- Many Christians today sell a birthright of a
relationship with God as cheaply as Esau sold his
birthright (Genesis 25:29-34 and 27:30-40).
“though he sought it diligently with tears”
- Esau's birthright wasn't restored simply because
he wished it back. It could never be regained
because he despised it.
Hebrews 12:18-24
“for you have not come to the mountain that may be
touched and that burned with fire”
- Exodus 19:10-25 explains what it was like when
Israel came to Mount Sinai. The mountain was fenced
off; there was no trespassing, on pain of death. They
were commanded to wash their clothes and abstain
from sexual relations. There was thunder, lightning
and a thick cloud. There was the sound of a trumpet,
calling forth the nation to meet with God. There was
more smoke, like a furnace, and earthquakes; then the
trumpet sounded long - until Moses spoke, and God
Himself answered.
Hebrews 12:18-24
“so that those who heard it begged that the word
should not be spoken to them anymore”
- The reaction of Israel was understandable: they
were terrified (Exodus 20:18-21). They wanted the
experience to stop, not to continue.
Hebrews 12:18-24
“for you have not come to the mountain”
- Our relationship with God is not modeled after
Israel's experience on Mount Sinai. We come to
God's other mountain: His heavenly throne
- Of course, the idea of the superiority of the New
Covenant is also repeated. How could these Jewish
Christians even consider going back and preferring
the religion of Mount Sinai over the relationship of
the heavenly throne?
Hebrews 12:18-24
“the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things
than that of Abel”
- The blood of Abel does not mean the blood he
shed in his martyrdom. Rather, it was the blood of
the sacrifice he made - the first recorded sacrifice
from man to God in the Bible. The blood of Jesus
speaks better things than the blood of animal
sacrifice, the blood of Abel.
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 12:25-29
“they did not escape”
- There were consequences for rebelling at Mount
Sinai. How much more should there be
consequences for resisting God's greater work
through Jesus?
Hebrews 12:25-29
“receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken”
- Of the utmost importance is the proper
identification of the "kingdom that cannot be
shaken," as mentioned here. It is the same as that
church, against which the gates of hell shall not
prevail (Matthew 16:18).
Hebrews 12:25-29
“receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken”
- The church of the New Testament and the
kingdom of Christ are one institution, not two.
- Jesus himself used the terms "church" and
"kingdom" interchangeably in his announcement
at Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:18); and it is
mandatory to view the Lord's words there as a
reference not to two institutions but to one
Hebrews 12:25-29
“our God is a consuming fire”
- Since God is in fact a consuming fire, we must
come to Him on His terms. He will consume all that
is outside of that sphere.
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 13:1-3
“Let brotherly love continue”
- He assumes that there is brotherly love among
Christians. He simply asks that it would continue
among them.
- They needed each other in order to help each
other
Hebrews 13:1-3
“entertain strangers”
- The church will grow when strangers, visitors,
now Christians, are warmed with the friendly
helpfulness of Christians.
- The world needs love, for there is so much of
bitterness and strife in the world.
Hebrews 13:1-3
“entertained angels”
-The reference her is no doubt to Abraham and Lot
(Gen. 18:2-10; 19:1-3)
- The idea: the free and liberal exercise of this
social virtue may be of very great service to
ourselves as well as others
- Does this mean we could entertain angels today?
Hebrews 13:1-3
“Remember the prisoners as if chained with them”
- Prisoners here probably has first reference to
those imprisoned for the sake of the Gospel.
Hebrews 13:4
“The bed undefiled”
-The Bible strictly condemns sex outside of the
marriage commitment (fornicators and adulterers God
will judge). But the Bible celebrates sexual love within
the commitment of marriage, as in The Song of
Solomon.
- "Fornication and adultery are not synonymous in the
New Testament: adultery implies unfaithfulness by
either party to the marriage vow, while the word
translated "fornication" covers a wide range of sexual
irregularities." (Bruce)
Hebrews 13:4
“The bed undefiled”
-Though God allows freedom in the variety of
sexual expression in marriage, all must be done
with a concern for the other's needs and in love (1
Corinthians 7:2-5 and Ephesians 5:21-33)
Hebrews 13:5-6
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be
content”
- Covetousness is the opposite of contentment.
Often covetousness and greed are excused or even
admired in today's culture, and are simply called
"ambition."
Hebrews 13:5-6
“so we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper."
- Real contentment comes only when we trust in
God to meet our needs and to be our security. It is
amazing that we are often more likely to put
security and find contentment in things far less
reliable and secure than God Himself!
Hebrews 13:5-6
“so we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper."
- Real contentment comes only when we trust in
God to meet our needs and to be our security. It is
amazing that we are often more likely to put
security and find contentment in things far less
reliable and secure than God Himself!
Hebrews 13:7
“Remember those who rule over you”
-We are told to recognize and follow our elders in
the body of Christ, leadership that is shown to be
legitimate by faithfulness to the word of God and
by godly conduct.
- Paul advised Timothy along the same lines: Take
heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in
them, for in doing this you will save both yourself
and those who hear you. (1 Timothy 4:16)
Hebrews 13:7
“Remember those who rule over you”
- Such leaders should be recognized and followed.
Just as much as a church needs godly leaders, it
also needs godly followers
Hebrews 13:8
-Why is Christ changeless?
- Because he is God (see Heb. 1:8), and
changelessness is an attribute of deity.
- God said, "For I, Jehovah, change not" (Mal.
3:5). Also, because Christ is perfect, there can be no
change; for to change perfection is to mar it.
Hebrews 13:8
-The changelessness of Christ means that the
system He delivered is also changeless.
- The gospel is the same; the plan of redemption is
changeless; Christ's rules for the church, its
government, doctrine, purpose, and hope - all, like
Christ who gave them, are changeless. Why? He is
the same yesterday and today, and forever!
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 13:10-14
“we have an altar from which those who serve the
tabernacle have no right to eat”
-These Jewish Christians had probably been
branded as illegitimate by other Jews because they
did not continue the Levitical system.
- The writer insists that we have an altar, and it is
an altar that those who insist on clinging to the
Levitical system have no right to.
Hebrews 13:10-14
“Jesus . . . suffered outside the gate. Therefore let
us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His
reproach”
- If our Savior was rejected and His sacrifice
(performed at the cross, our altar) was branded
illegitimate, what better do we expect? Identifying
with Jesus often means bearing His reproach, the
very thing many are quite unwilling to do.
Hebrews 13:10-14
“outside the camp”
- The camp referred to is the Jews, which had
rejected Jesus and Christianity. Though these
Christians from Jewish backgrounds had been
raised to consider everything outside the camp as
unclean and evil, they must follow Jesus there.
Hebrews 13:10-14
“for here we have no continuing city, but we seek
the one to come”
- The difficult job of bearing His reproach is easier
when we remember that the city or society we are
cast out of is only temporary.
- We seek, and belong to, the permanent city yet to
come.
Hebrews 13:15-16
“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the
sacrifice of praise to God”
- Because we do have an altar (the cross) and we do
have a High Priest (Jesus), we should always offer
sacrifices.
- But they are not the bloody sacrifices of the old
covenant, but the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of our
lips.
Hebrews 13:15-16
v. 16
- The other type of offerings that distinguish the
Christian service was described above as "oral";
but here is revealed the necessity of going beyond
merely oral service. It is not enough merely to talk
a good Christian life! One must also live it
Hebrews 13:17
-The obedience required in this verse is submission
to the elders of the church
- Every society must have some kind of
government; and the Lord has chosen to elevate to
that responsibility in the local church to men of
faith, ability, and reputation to bear the burden of
government of the church.
Hebrews 13:17
-Every Christian should be loyal, faithful, and
obedient to such men, who themselves must give an
account to God, and who do not lord it over God's
people
- But in patience, love and forebearance, seek only
that which contributes to the happiness and
spiritual prosperity of the church.
- What an important role each member plays in
keeping harmony and truth in the church!
Hebrews
Workbook Questions
Hebrews 13:18-19
“that I may be restored to you the sooner”
- There were obstacles preventing the writer from
being reunited with his readers. He knew that
prayer could remove those obstacles.
Hebrews 13:20-21
-This is a blessing in the style of the priestly
blessing of Numbers 6:22-27: The LORD bless you
and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His
countenance upon you, and give you peace.
- In this blessing, God is first recognized in His
attributes: peace, power (brought up our Lord
Jesus from the dead), loving care (that great
Shepherd), and ever giving love (the blood of the
everlasting covenant).
Hebrews 13:22-25
“Bear with the word of exhortation, for I have
written to you in few words”
- The writer to the Hebrews reminds us of his
purpose. His desire was to write a word of
exhortation, that would encourage discouraged
Christians, both then and now.
Hebrews 13:22-25
“know that our brother Timothy has been set free,
with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly”
-These final words give us a few tantalizing hints of
the writer's identity. But these words only tells us
that the writer knew Timothy, and that he planned
to visit his readers soon.
- It also tells us that his readers were based in Italy
(Those from Italy greet you), probably in the city of
Rome.
Hebrews 13:22-25
“grace be with you all”
- This is a fitting end for a book that documents the
passing of the Old Covenant and the institution of
the New Covenant. Grace be with you all indeed,
under what God has given through the superior
Savior, Jesus Christ! Amen!
Hebrews
Workbook Questions