HEBREWS: Lesson 8 - Tabernacle, Temples, & High Priest

Today we completed the last three verses of chapter 4 (14-16) which introduces the topic Jesus is Better Than The High Priest.

So far the author has made the argument that Jesus is better than angels, Jesus is better than Moses, and now, the author begins the argument that Jesus is better than the high priest.

The focus of our lessons for the next few weeks will be on chapter 4:14 thru chapter 10:18 where the author will be showing his audience how Jesus is better than the high priest and also better than the sacrifices made by the priests.

I started today by looking at the background of the Tabernacle, the Temples, and the high priest.

TABERNACLE: 

The tabernacle was the portable earthly dwelling place of God from the Exodus through the conquering of the land of Canaan. It was designed and build according to the specifications given to Moses by God on Mt. Sinai. You can read about the specifics in Exodus:

Exodus 25: Materials needed: Ark, the table for 12 showbread, the menorah.
Exodus 26: The tabernacle, the bars, partitions.
Exodus 27: The copper altar, the enclosure, oil.
Exodus 28: Vestments for the priests.
Exodus 29: Consecration of priests and altar.
Exodus 30: Incense altar, washstand, anointing oil, incense.

One of the key elements placed in the Tabernacle, within the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holiest), was the Ark of The Covenant.

 Pillar of Cloud by day... Pillar of Fire by night...

Nehemiah 9:12. "By day you led them with a pillar of cloud, and by night with a pillar of fire to give them light on the way they were to take."

Nehemiah 9:19. "So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels."

ARK OF THE COVENANT

There were three items placed inside of the ark that represented some of the most embarrassing and disgraceful events in the history of the Israelites.

First, the pot of manna:

“This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Take an omer [portion for one man] of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the desert when I brought you out of Egypt.’” (Exodus 16:32)

God had provided this bread-like food for the Israelites when they grumbled during the wanderings in the desert. It was bread from heaven! He continued to provide the food daily and faithfully, but the people were not one bit thankful. They complained and wanted something else. The pot of manna was an uncomfortable reminder that despite what God had provided for them, the Israelites had rejected God’s provision.

Second, Aaron’s staff that had budded: 

The people, out of jealousy, rebelled against Aaron as their high priest. To resolve the dispute, God commanded the people to take 12 sticks written with the names of the leader of each tribe and place them before the ark overnight. The next day, Aaron’s rod from the house of Levi had budded with blossoms and almonds. God confirmed his choice of Aaron’s household as the priestly line.

“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Put back the staff of Aaron before the testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebels, that you may make an end of their grumblings against me, lest they die.’” (Numbers 17:10)

The staff reminded the Israelites that on more than one occasion, they had rejected God’s authority.

Third, the two stone tablets with the Ten Commandments:

God had chosen the Israelites as His special people. For the Israelites to qualify for that distinction, God had demanded one thing. They must obey His Law, the Ten Commandments. This was a conditional agreement:

“Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:5-6)

The Israelites had said heartily, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do,” in response to God’s covenant (Exodus 19:8). But how did they fare in fulfilling their end of the contract? Miserably. It was impossible for them to keep the Ten Commandments perfectly. Over and over again, they violated God’s holy Law, and God made it clear to them the consequences of their sin by sending plagues, natural hazards and foreign armies upon them. The stone tablets in the ark were a reminder that the Israelites had rejected God’s right standard of living.

These three articles were preserved in the ark throughout Israel’s history as an unpleasant symbol of man’s sins and shortcomings, a reminder of how they rejected God’s provision, authority and right standard of living. It pointed to man as a helpless sinner.

It may have been uncomfortable to think that God’s splendor was so close to the three articles associated with man’s sinfulness. But this is where God’s provision comes in. When God looked down from His presence above the ark, He did not see the reminders of sin. They were covered by a necessary object — the atonement cover.

The Ark of the Covenant led the Israelites during their conquest of Canaan until it was captured by the Philistines when the Israelites were defeated. After much misery and death came upon the Philistines (1 Samuel 6:19-21), because of the ark, it was returned to David. In 1001 BC, David brought the ark to Jerusalem and placed "inside the tent David had pitched for it." (2 Samuel 6:17; 1 Chronicles 15:1; 2 Chronicles 1:4-6).

TEMPLES:

First Temple: Built from 967 BC to 960 BC by King Solomon (1 Kings 6:37-38). This beautiful new Temple was built to replace the Tabernacle. The ark was moved into the new temple. The Tabernacle of Moses was stored in the new temple and is last mentioned in 2 Chronicles 5:5. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, totally destroyed the first temple in 587 BC. At that time the Ark of the Covenant was lost.

Second Temple: Built by Zerubbabel, the leader of the tribe of Judah, with the help of Joshua from 541-515 BC (Ezra 1:2; Haggai 2:1-9). It was much smaller than Solomon's magnificent temple and did not have the Ark of the Covenant. The Most Holy Place was an empty room.

During the period of the second temple the High Priesthood was corrupted. Many high priest died on the day that they entered the Most Holy Place because of their sin. This is where the tradition began that the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies with a scarlet rope tied to his ankle and bells around his waist. The priests outside the Holy of Holies would listen for the bells jingling to know that the high priest had fallen to the ground dead. They would then drag his body out with the rope.

The High Priesthood during the second temple period was so corrupt that during the 420 year span of the second temple there were 300 high priests. In comparison, during the 410 year span of the first temple there were only 18 high priests.

Zerubbabel's second temple was later completely restored by Herod the Great in 30 BC. It was totally destroyed by Roman Emperor Titus in 70 AD. Jesus had predicted this in Matthew 24:1-2; Luke 21:20.

The Muslims control the Temple Mount area and in the late 7th century they build the Dome of the Rock in the exact location of Solomon's and Herod's Temple. The Jews believe that their Messiah can not return until the third temple is build. The Temple Institute in Jerusalem has as its ultimate goal to see Israel rebuild the Holy Temple on Mount Moriah -- the Temple Mount -- in Jerusalem. The plans are drawn and everything is ready, down to the smallest detail. All that is left is for the Jews to reclaim the 36 acres of land occupied and controlled by the Muslims.

THE HIGH PRIEST:

The High Priest was the supreme religious leader of the Israelites. It was a position only available to those in the line of Aaron (brother of Moses) of the Levite tribe (Exodus 28:1; Numbers 18:7).

He had to be without physical defects and holy in his conduct. “They shall be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God. For they offer the Lord’s food offerings, the bread of their God; therefore they shall be holy.” (Leviticus 21:6)

He had to oversee the responsibilities of all the subordinate priests (2 Chronicles 19:11). The high priest was the only priest that could wear the Urim and the Thummin (engraved dice-like stones used to determine truth or falsity (Exodus 28:30; Leviticus 8:8). People would go to the high priest in order to know the will of God (Numbers 27:21).

He had to make a sin offering for the sins of the whole congregation and for himself (Leviticus 4:3-21). When the high priest died, all those confined to the cities of refuge for accidentally causing the death of another person were granted freedom (Numbers 35:28).

The most important duty of the high priest was to conduct the service on the Day of Atonement once a year. He entered the Most Holy Place behind the veil and stood before God. He made a sacrifice for himself and for the people. He then sprinkled blood on the mercy seat -- God's "throne" (Leviticus 16:14-15). He made atonement for himself and the people for all their sins during the year just ended (Exodus 30:10).

CHRIST IS OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST:

Christ made one final offering for all sin (Hebrews 9:26; 10:10, 12).

Christ entered God's presence on our behalf and secured "eternal redemption" (Hebrews 9:12).

Today, there are no priest between man and God. Those who are in Christ can "...come boldly to the throne of grace..." (4:16)

All forms of earthly priesthoods have been nullified. All worship or pretended connection with God by men calling themselves priests (Judaistic, Catholic, or pagan) is sinful. Earthly priesthood is an open defiance of the finished work of Jesus Christ!

Paul wrote: "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5)

The Most Holy of Holies is available to those who are in Christ. "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession." (4:14)

Jesus passed through to the third heaven and into the presence of Almighty God! That is now the place of the Most Holy of Holies.

It all began when Jesus Christ died on the Cross at Calvary.

"Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split" (Matthew 27:51

Next week we will begin Chapter 5. Be sure to read the entire chapter and look up the meaning of sanctification and how it relates to holiness. Also, how does sanctification and holiness apply to our lives as believers?

 

HEBREWS: Lesson 7 - Entering Into God's Rest (Part 2)

Are you standing at the boundary of Canaan unable to enter God's full rest because of some issue/idol/pleasure/lust that keeps you from full surrender or in a state of unbelief? Or perhaps you are clinging to the sin of compromise. To compromise one's total allegiance and devotion to God is to allow the allurements of this world, with its accompanying worries, to take precedence and priority over Christ and His will and purpose for your life. This is what kept the Israelites from entering Canaan and enjoying the full rest of God. This is what the author is desperately trying to urge his audience to consider. Don't turn away from God's rest!

Today we completed the second warning (Danger of Hardening the Heart) given to the Jews that started back in chapter 3:7 and continued through chapter 4:13.

As a refresher:

First Warning: Danger of Neglect. (2:1-4)

Second Warning: Danger of Hardening the Heart. (3:7-4:13)

This brings us to the third main point of this section. "The NATURE of rest."

I. The AVAILABILITY of rest

II. The BASIS of rest

     A. Personal Faith

     B. Sovereign Decree

     C. Immediate Action

III. The NATURE of rest

IV. The URGENCY of rest

III. The NATURE of rest:

(v. 8) "For if Joshua had given them rest, then he would not afterword have spoken of another day."

Note: The KJV renders "Joshua" as "Jesus" but the context supports that it is more accurately rendered Joshua. It is also somewhat surprising that this is the only mention of Joshua in the NT (he is not even in the Hebrews 11 "Hall of faith" although clearly he was a man of great faith). The man Joshua could never have given Israel rest outside of the enablement of the God-Man Jesus. So interpreting this passage as descriptive of Joshua the man (son of Nun) makes the most sense.

According to Psalm 95:7, God was still offering His rest in the time of David (long after Israel had been in the Promised land and long after Joshua 23:1 was written) which indicates (1) the rest of God was still available to the Hebrew readers and (2) that the rest was not a "land" but a "life"; i.e., the rest that was now available was a spiritual rest not a promised land! And this is the same rest the writer of Hebrews desires for his readers to enter! And to do so "Today"! It is the same rest every sinner needs to enter in order to experience rest in their souls (Matthew 11:28) from the power and fear of the penalty (eternal death) of sin.

(v. 9) "There remains therefore a rest for the people of God."

The "rest" that remains was not the land Israel was to receive along with rest from wars (Deuteronomy 25:19), for Israel had been in their land several centuries when David penned Psalm 95. Especially in Psalm 95:11 when David alluded to a rest yet not entered, implying that there was a component or aspect of rest that Israel had not yet obtained. In fact, the rest that remained was a soul rest (a "life" not a "land"!) offered by Jesus to all who would come to Him (Matthew 11:28, 29, 30). 

(v. 10) "For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His."

From Psalm 95 the author has shown that the rest that the Israelites enjoyed in Canaan was not the rest God intended for his people. The intended rest is a Sabbath-rest, which, of course, is a direct reference to the creation account (Genesis 2:2); see also (Exodus 20:11; 31:17) of God’s rest on the seventh day. For the believer the Sabbath is not merely a day of rest in the sense that it is a cessation of work. Rather it is a spiritual rest—it entails an awareness of being in the sacred presence of God with his people in worship and praise.

There is still a “rest” that is available to us “today.” I understand this to have present and future dimensions, just as salvation has. There is surely a “salvation rest,” a resting from our works in an effort to earn God’s favor, when we come to faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus on the cross of Calvary. And there is the eternal rest which all Christians will experience. But there must also be what we might call a “sanctification rest,” a rest from striving as Christians in the power of the flesh, in a futile effort to attain godliness.

Romans 7 and 8 expand on this. Romans 7 is the description of a Christian trying to live up to God’s standards in the power of the flesh, and failing badly. Romans 8 is the solution. The Christian is to live in the power of the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that raised the dead body of Jesus from the grave (John 6:63). By the working of His Spirit in us, we are able, to some degree, to live a godly life (see Romans 8:1-17). This is resting in Him, or we might even say, abiding in Him (see John 15:1-14). This is the key to fruitfulness.

IV. The URGENCY of rest:

(v. 11) "Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience."

The need for God’s rest is urgent. A person should diligently, with intense purpose and concern, secure it. It is not that he can work his way to salvation, but that he should diligently seek to enter God’s rest by faith—lest he, like the Israelites in the wilderness, lose the opportunity.

Diligence is the opposite of drifting (2:1) and is the admonition that some of these hesitating, vacillating Hebrew readers needed to hear. How? By hearing and heeding the sharp Word of God (Romans 10:17). That was the very problem the writer had alluded to with ancient Israel in the wilderness. They heard but they did not heed and as a result their corpses fell in the wilderness (3:17).

And thus we see that based upon what the writer has just said about entering or not entering God's rest, he is cautioning his readers to not make the same mistake that the majority of Israel in the wilderness made.

(v. 12) "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

So what is the writer referring to by the word of God? This verse is frequently taken as a description of the "word of God" in general which of course is not an inappropriate application. But the careful reader must remember that accurate interpretation is dependent on interpreting the text in context and failure to interpret "word of God" in the context of the writers argument is to miss his main reason for inserting this description at this point in the book of Hebrews.

In the present context, Hebrews 3-4, the author has been emphasizing that it is urgent that his readers enter God's "rest" ("today"). He emphasizes that the way in which one enters His rest is by faith, faith that obeys and perseveres and holds fast until the end (holding fast doesn't save anyone - but it does show that such a person is saved for otherwise they would not be able to hold fast solely by their efforts).

The immediate context indicates that some of the readers were in danger of seeming to fall short of entering God's rest and even falling back into Judaism. It is in this background that he warns the readers that the "word of God" they have just heard is alive and can pierce right down into the innermost part of the heart to see if their belief is real or not.

Jesus alludes to the living aspect of the Word of God declaring "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life." (John 6:63)

"The Word of God is alive. This is a living Book. This is a mystery that only living men, quickened by the Spirit of God, will fully comprehend. Take up any other book except the Bible, and there may be a measure of power in it, but there is not that indescribable vitality in it that breathes, and speaks, and pleads, and conquers in the case of this sacred volume. It is only because Jesus is not dead that the Word becomes living and effectual, “and sharper than any double-edged sword”; for, if you leave Christ out of it, you have left out its vitality and power. As I have told you that we will not have Christ without the Word, so neither will we have the Word without Christ. If you leave Christ out of Scripture, you have left out the essential truth that it is written to declare." Spurgeon

 (v. 13) "And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."

Both soul and body are effectively "naked" to the eyes of God. Remember that truth the next time you commit a willful, premeditated sin. You are sinning against great grace, great light, a great God! (Genesis 39:9). As it is the same sun that melts the wax which hardens the clay, so it is the same Word of God that leads some on to salvation, and turns others who will have none of it away into outer darkness (contrast these two reactions to truth - John 3:19, 20 versus John 3:21).

Did you ever stop to think that God sees everything you do and hears everything you say every moment of the day? This truth is both comforting and sobering--comforting because God stands ready to deliver us when we are in trouble (Psalm 33:18-19), and sobering because "the eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good" (Proverb 15:3). What a profound effect this should have on the way we live!

The discussion in class today was fantastic! Seems were were just getting warmed up when we ran out of time. Keep reading Hebrews. Repeat, repeat, repeat! The more you read Hebrews the more it will become real to you. What an amazing book!

Next week we will complete the last three verses in chapter 4 (possibly begin chapter 5) as we look at Christ as our Great High Priest.

FIRST GRADE RECOGNITION

 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." 3 John 4 
Pray for these families to have God's wisdom as they raise these beautiful children that God has put in their care.

HEBREWS: Lesson 6 - Entering Into God's Rest (Part 1)

VIDEO REVIEW

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Beginning in chapter 4, we find ourselves in the middle of a warning to those Jews who were sitting on the knife edge of making a complete decision for Christ. The warning began in chapter 3:7 and continues thru chapter 4:13. Although the warning is aimed at the Jews who have turned from Judaism but not yet completely surrendered to Christ, it is also a warning to the Jewish Christians who are teetering on the brink of turning back to Judaism. The author makes a very solid argument spelling out the dangers of unbelief. He continues to refer back to Psalm 95 where David remembers the Israelites and the grave consequences of their unbelief.

In chapter 3:7 thru 3:19 we looked at the dangers of developing a hard heart. Today we began looking at the next section, chapter 4:1 thru 4:13, which outlines the requirements and urgency of entering into God's rest.

For the Israelites, Canaan, the Promised Land, was a place of total rest. It was a place of peace and freedom. But on the way to the Promised Land the Israelites stopped. Although they had turned from Egypt, on their way to the Promised Land they halted at the crucial place of decision. Their hearts grew hard with unbelief and they were ultimately denied entry into the Promised Land.

(22) because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice, (23) they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it. (Numbers 14:22-23)

The author uses the Israelites as an example, warning the unsaved Jews who had turned from Judaism but had not yet made a total commitment to Christ. The warning from the author is:

Do not do what Israel did. Do not be taken away from the old life but never commit yourself to that new relationship with Jesus Christ. The more you hang on the balance, and the longer you continue to hear the message of the gospel, the easier it will be to reject Christ. One day you will wake up to realize that your heart has hardened to the point that your unbelief has resulted in your departing from the living God.

Here are five definitions of rest from the dictionary and the meaning as it would relate to God's Rest:

Rest means 1. Cease from action or motion; stop from labor or exertion.
God’s Rest: No more self-effort; trying to please God with feeble, fleshly works; Cessation from legalistic activity.

Rest means 2. Free from whatever worries or disturbs you; to be quiet, to be still, to be peaceful, to be free from guilt and the things which drive us to neurosis or psychosis.
God’s Rest: Be at peace with God; No need to worry about sins that have been forgiven; No more anxiety, pressure, or guilt.

Rest means 3. Lie down; to be settled or to be fixed. No more flux.
God’s Rest: Positionally established in Christ; No more running from philosophy to philosophy; No more being blown about by every wind of doctrine; No more floating on relativism; but grounded, rooted, and established in the absolute of God and His Word.

Rest means 4. Remain confident; to put your trust in something.
God’s Rest: Enjoy security without fear; Absolute trust and confidence in God’s care and charge of your life.

Rest means 5. To lean on something for comfort and security.
God’s Rest: Rest on God and lean on Him knowing He will be there.

We all understand the body's need for physical rest. We need daily physical rest and we also need mental rest from our routines. But simply taking a trip to the beach, the lake, or the mountains, or sitting at home doing nothing will not give us spiritual rest. Spiritual rest can only be found in Jesus. Jesus said:

(28) Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29)

Our bodies definitely need rest but, more importantly, our souls need rest. Your soul consist of your mind, will, and emotions. It is here where your greatest  need for rest exist. Anxiety, worry, stress, fear and regret are enemies of the soul. These demons rob us of "soul rest." The only place we can fine true soul rest is in Jesus. Total surrender and commitment to letting God's will be the number one priority in our lives is how we find "rest for your souls."

Below is my outline for this section. We will continue with it next week and hopefully have some more great discussion as we uncover the many jewels found in this amazing book.

I. The AVAILABILITY of rest
II. The BASIS of rest
     A. Personal Faith
     B. Sovereign Decree
     C. Immediate Action
III. The NATURE of rest
IV. The URGENCY of rest

I. The AVAILABILITY of rest:

(v. 4:1) “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.”

The author wants the Jews to know that, although the Israelites blew it, the promise of entering God's rest still remains. Just as Paul said: "I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not!” (Romans 11:1)

He even goes further in his warning by telling these unbelieving Jews that they should fear God if they don't enter His rest. He reminds them of the anger God had towards the Israelites for their evil hearts of unbelief.

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him [God] who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell.” (Matt. 10:28)

As Jesus said, true believers need not fear: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” (John 14:1) 

Paul said, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

II. The BASIS of rest:

(v. 4:2) “For indeed the gospel [good news about rest] was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.”

Faith is the key to rest. Unbelief forfeits rest. The Israelites did not enter Canaan because of their evil hearts of unbelief. Although Joshua and the younger generation did enter Canaan, they were eventually driven out because of their unbelief.

How do you get God's rest?
 
1. Personal Faith:

Hearing without believing does no good! Israel had what is called a grasshopper complex. “There we saw the giants…and we were like grasshoppers…” (Numbers 13:33) Israel did not believe God!

Paul thanked God for the Thessalonians because of their belief and for receiving the truth of God's Word. “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

 (v. 4:3) “For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: ‘So I swore in My wrath, They shall not enter My rest.’” The author continues the argument for faith.

(v. 4:4) “seventh day” – God’s rest began on the seventh day after creation. At that point He had established a place of rest for His creation. Satan robbed the rest from Adam and Eve.

(v. 4:5) “And again in this place [Israelites in desert] ‘They shall not enter My rest.’”

Adam and Eve blew it! And now the Israelites blew it!

So God had to deal with the sin problem. He did this through Jesus. The O.T. people were saved on the basis of believing what God was going to do through Christ; the N.T. people were/are saved on the basis of what God has done in Christ.

2. Sovereign Decree:

You are saved by two things:
Your personal faith – “...and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” (John 6:37)
The absolute sovereignty of God – “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.” (John 6:44)

(v. 6) “Since therefore it remains that some must enter in…”
 God knows the outcome of who will and will not enter into His eternal and final rest.

“Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” (Romans 11:5)  This shows God’s sovereign decree.

3. Immediate Action

(v. 7) “…again, He limiteth [designates] a certain day, saying in David, ‘Today,”

God limits the day of grace and the opportunity for salvation.  “And the LORD said, 'My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.'” (Genesis 6:3)

After the flood life spans began to shrink. Several hundred years after the flood, Moses declared, “The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10)

The author strongly urges his audience as he repeats "Today". The time to enter God's rest is NOW!

This lesson will be continued next week.

HEBREWS: Lesson 5 - The Dangers of a Hard Heart

VIDEO REVIEW

Or link to YouTube: Hebrews 05

In this section (Chapter 3:7-19), the author warns these "brethren" not to be like the Israelites who hardened their hearts and tested God. He quotes Psalms 95:7-11 where David is referencing the Israelites and their unbelief. The author is encouraging his audience to remember God's anger, His wrath, and His harsh punishment that came upon the Israelites as a result of their "evil hearts of unbelief."

(v. 7) "Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:" This verse gives us an excellent confirmation of divine inspiration. It is the Holy Spirit that brings us the Word of God through men.

The remainder of this section addresses the warning and consequences of a hard heart.

It must be important because at three separate times the author repeats the warning: "Do not harden your hearts..." (v. 8); "...lest any of you be hardened..." (v. 13); "Do not harden your hearts..." (v. 15). A similar warning was given in Chapter 2:1 when he said, "...lest we drift away." Drifting and hardening of the heart have the same end result of moving away from God, or losing interest in the things of God (His Word, prayer, worship, fellowship with other believers, etc.) They both result from giving-in to the "deceitfulness of sin" (v. 13). In the case of the Israelites, it cost them Canaan and eventually their lives.

(vs. 16-19) The urgency of this warning is better understood when reminded of how God dealt with the Israelite's unbelief (Numbers 14:22-23). The author wanted these uncommitted Jews to act quickly. He quoted David in Psalm 95:7 when he said, "Today, if you will hear His voice..." (vs. 7, 13, 15). In other words: Act now! Don't wait until tomorrow! Do it now! He reminded them that because of their constant unbelief, God swore that His wrath would be upon them (v. 11). At the end of Chapter 12 the author quotes from Exodus 24:17 where God is described as "a consuming fire...". Bottom line: GOD HATES SIN! He hates it just as much now as He did then.

The author continues to point out the seriousness and urgency. Because of their unbelief (v. 19), not only were they not allowed to enter Canaan, their "corpses fell in the wilderness." (v. 17). They came up to the edge of Canaan and after 40 years of angering God, because of their unbelief, He wiped out the entire generation (v. 17).

Jesus warns us that not everyone who claims to be a Christian will enter the kingdom of heaven. He even said, "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord..." but He will say, "I never knew you." (Matthew 7:21-23). He warned that "...wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many who go in by it." (Matthew 7:13)

The author of Hebrews is warning these uncommitted Jews that their love of sin will slowly harden their hearts and if they continue, it will cost them everything. They must act today. "Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." (v. 15).

PARABLE OF THE SOWER (Matthew 13:18-22): In this parable, Jesus seems to be confirming how few true Christians there are among us. Based on His parable, only 25% of those who "hear" the Gospel will actually be saved. Although there is no magic formula, Jesus does make it clear that MANY will be surprised to find out that a mere intellectual belief of the Gospel was not enough to gain a place in Heaven.

Based on the parable, "When anyone hears the Word of the Kingdom..." (v. 19) they do one of four things:

1. "...does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart." (v. 19);

2. "...immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the Word, immediately he stumbles." (vs. 20-21)

3. "...the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the Word, and he becomes unfruitful." (v. 22)

4. "...understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." (v. 23)

In the first three responses, none would be considered Christians. The last response resulted in hearing the Word, understanding it, accepting it, and becoming fruit-bearing disciples of Christ--some more productive than others.

Many of those who attend church today are not saved. They might call themselves "Christians", but they are much like the intellectual Jews in Hebrews. They have turned from the world's ways (morally good) and intellectually believe the gospel, but have not yet surrendered everything to Christ.

Next week we will begin Chapter 4 which addresses what is required to enter God's Rest!

HEBREWS: Lesson 4 - Jesus Is Better Than Moses

VIDEO REVIEW
or link to YouTube Hebrews 04

In this lesson we looked at Hebrews 3:1-6. These verses are written to the "holy brethren", or those Jews who have turned from Judaism and given themselves fully to Christ Jesus. They are Christian Jews. They are "partakers of the heavenly calling". This section of Scripture contains the Doctrine on which the exhortation of verses 7-19 is built.

In Chapters 1 and 2 the author proved to the wavering Jews that Jesus was greater than the angels because of His Deity. He is God. He created all things, even the angels. Now the author continues as he compares Moses to Christ Jesus.

The Jewish people considered Moses to be THE most highly esteemed person that ever lived--even greater than Abraham (the biological progenitor of the Jews and the father of Judaism--the first Jew). Many even considered Moses to be greater than the angels.

Here are a few things that came to mind when the Jews remembered Moses.

1. He was the man to whom God spoke mouth to mouth.

2. He was the man who led Israel out of bondage in Egypt. He freed them from slavery.

3. He was the man who gave the them the Ten Commandments and the Levitical Laws which governed everything they did. Moses was the great Law Giver.

4. He was the man to whom God gave the details of how to build the Tabernacle.

5. God used Moses to perform many miracles: He parted the Red Sea. He provided water and food in the desert. He interceded for the Israelites and, in some cases, saved them from certain death.

6. He eventually led them to the edge of the Promised Land.

7. Moses was God's man.

So it is understandable why the author chooses to prove Jesus to be better than Moses.

In verses 1-6 the author presents evidence to support the superiority, the supremacy, and the sufficiency of Christ:

1. Superior in His OFFICE (v. 1) - He is the Apostle and High Priest;

2. Superior in His WORK (vs. 2-4) - He is the Builder of the house;

3. Superior in His PERSON (vs. 5-6) - He is the Son.

Verse 1: OFFICE - The author basically ask, "If you think Moses is great, you should consider Jesus!" He is the Apostle and High Priest of our profession. The author is reminding these converted Jews that Jesus is God's messenger.

Again, this verse and the following five verses are written to the "holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling...". In Acts 2:29, Peter addresses the "brethren" and in Acts 13:38, Paul addresses the "brethren". In both cases "brethren" is referring to fellow Jews who are not yet Christians. They are "brethren according to the flesh.

Verse 2: WORK - Jesus is faithful to Him that appointed Him [God], as also Moses was faithful in all his house [the Israelites]. The house of Moses refers to the Israelites and the House of Jesus refers to the family of God.

In John 6:38, Jesus said, "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me." In John 17:4, Jesus said, "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." In Numbers 12:7, God said, "My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house."

The author makes a very positive comparison of Moses to Jesus. He handles the comparison very delicately, knowing how the Jewish people felt about Moses. But he is very clear that Moses was a slave of the house Owner and the Owner is Jesus

Verse 3: WORK - Jesus is the Builder of the house, not merely the servant. Jesus is "counted worthy of more glory than Moses" because He was the Builder. Moses is the servant. Jesus called Israel and led them in the desert. Jesus appointed Moses to serve over Israel. Jesus gave Moses the Law through the angels.

Verse 4: WORK - The author referred earlier to Jesus as "this man was counted worthy of more...". He called Him the Builder of the house. In this verse we basically see the author referring to Jesus as God "but he that built all things is God." So in that sense, God is the Builder of every house. The work Christ did was in service to the Father (John 6:38 and John 17:4) and according to the Father's purposes.

Verses 5-6: PERSON - Moses is a picture of Christ. Moses by person is a servant. Jesus is by person a Son. "And the servant abideth not in the house forever, but the Son abideth forever." (John 8:35)

Notice that in verses 5-6, the author says that Moses' faithfulness in serving God in the house that God constructed was to be "a testimony of what would come later." We will see this referred to later in Hebrews, Chapter 10, as a "shadow" of good things to come. Moses is a picture of Jesus in lesser form.

Verse 6 makes clear that the house of God is made up of those who hold fast in their confidence and hope, firm to the end. "...whose house we are, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." He is warning the Jewish Christians not to fall away; not to let the pressure from all the persecution cause them to turn from their earlier commitment to Christ. This verse is setting us up for the very important warning which is coming next. A warning to those Jews who have turned from Judaism but have not yet truly decided to accept Christ and surrender all to Him.

The proof of someones true spiritual condition can be seen in their CONTINUANCE to follow Christ. If you see somebody attach themselves to Christ, but they don't abide, they don't remain, then they never did have the Son of God. God says that once a person is His that person is sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:13). It is permanent. Therefore, if someone falls away, they never were in Christ.

"They went out from us, but they were not of us. For if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us, but they went out that they might be made manifest that they were not of us." (1 John 2:19) also see 2 Corinthians 13:5; Matthew 7:22; Hebrews 10:39.

There are many who appear and claim to be Christians but have yet to fully commit to Christ. Many who have heard the gospel over and over have had "their consciences seared with a hot iron." (1 Timothy 4:2). Their hearts are so hard that the Truth can not be heard.

As we will see next week (3:7-19), the author addresses these unsaved Jews who were intellectually knowledgeable of Christ, yet not yet surrendered. The author is desperately trying to warn them of the danger of hardening their hearts and being like the Israelites who grieved God and were unable to enter His rest.

If the author of Hebrews lived in 2017, he would tell you this: If you look around, you will recognize the intellectually knowledgeable who claim to be Christians. Their priority is the world over the things of God. They seek to find identity with and acceptance from a culture that hates God. They rarely read/study the Bible, finding it boring and of little value to their daily lives. They rarely pray, but if they do, their prayers are mostly aimed at selfish needs relating to work, health, finances, or their family. Intercessory prayer is a foreign activity to them. They rarely have time for anything/anyone unless it pertains to their own self interest. Sacrifice is a pain they prefer to avoid. They fear the thought of sanctification as this would require separating themselves from their love of sin. In their homes, with the exception of recited mealtime blessings, they do not prioritize family prayer or conversation about spiritual concerns. Instead they are entertained by television shows and movies that glamorize or make fun of sexual sins (homosexuality, premarital sex, and  adultery). The same things that Christ died for they find funny and entertaining. They feel threatened and often become angry and defensive when encouraged to CONSIDER JESUS over sin (Hebrews 3:1).

Next week we will see what the author has to say about hearts hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. The author will also show us what is required to enter into God's rest.

In preparation for next week's lesson, read Hebrews Chapter 3 and 4. Also read 2 Corinthians 13:5; Matthew 7:22.

"Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith." (2 Corinthians 13:5)

HEBREWS: "Lest we drift away"

This week was our 5th Sunday and we listened as Malcolm and Tilly shared their story. Next week we will continue with our study in Hebrews with Chapter 3 and possibly more...

This would be a good time to reflect on a verse we looked at last week: Hebrews 2:1:

"Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away."

I want to encourage you to ESTABLISH three things in your life in order to keep from "drifting away" from God and His purpose for your life:

1) Establish spiritual reference points - When a jet airliner is descending through a cloud layer to land at an airport, the pilots follow very strict guidelines to ensure the jet does not deviate off the vertical or lateral course. If it does, the jet could hit a mountain, building, tower or miss the runway completely and crash. Both pilots are quick to call out any variances and make rapid corrections.

The same goes for our spiritual life, we need to have reference points that show we are deviating off course. These might be: missing your daily time with God for more than a few days; not attending church or Bible study for more than a couple of weeks; finding yourself laughing or being entertained by sinful things you see on TV or a movie--the same things that Christ died for you now find funny and entertaining.

2) Establish an accountability relationship with another Christian - We need someone in our life that is serious about their relationship with Christ to be accountable to. It is almost impossible to live a committed life for Christ without accountability to another person or group who is focused on living for Christ and walking in Truth. This might be a co-worker, a spouse, your Bible study class. Accountability plays a bigger part in our staying on course than we can imagine.

3) Establish the habit of praying for discernment and courage - We need to pray everyday: "Lord, help me to see trouble coming a mile away and give me the courage to do something about it before it hits, no matter what it cost!"

It might be that business deal that might be a bit shady; or that coworker (opposite sex) you have been getting too friendly with; or that TV show that you love the story line but continues to minimize immorality and  ungodly behavior. Constant exposure to these types of entertainment begin to desensitize your spirit to Godliness. You begin to drift and compromise. The results are that your spirit grows hard and cold towards the things of God.

Establishing these three things will help to keep you from "drifting away" from God. Drifting is a slow process, but one that will soon take you far from the shore.

HEBREWS: Lesson 3 - Jesus Is Better Than Angels

VIDEO REVIEW

Or link to YouTube - Hebrews 03

Today we looked at Chapter 1:4-14 and Chapter 2:1-18. The main argument the author is making with his audience is that JESUS IS BETTER THAN THE ANGELS. He also gives the first of five warnings.

ANGELS: "...having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they." (v. 4)

The word angel means messenger. Angels were a prominent part of Jewish religious life. They were second in importance only to God Himself. By the time Jesus came to earth, Jewish culture had practically venerated angels, as can be seen in the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Essenes (a sect of Second Temple Judaism) even possessed a book called the "Angel Scroll" which is filled with mystical imagery and descriptions of angels.

The Jewish culture became fascinated by angels, mostly due to the numerous stories of God using angels throughout the Old Testament (see examples in slide #7). They usually appeared to men in powerful and imposing ways as they came bearing a message from God. They normally appeared as brilliant light or in mysterious dreams. They had powers and knowledge beyond men and didn't die, get sick, or suffer like a sinful man suffers. Jews respected angels.

The Jews struggled with where to rank Jesus as a messenger of Christ. He was a man, fully human yet fully God. His humanity presented a dilemma for many Jews in the early church. Can a message delivered by a man be greater than the message God entrusted to angelic beings? The value of a message often depends on the reputation of the messenger. The writer of Hebrews must convince his Jewish audience that Jesus (the Messiah) is greater than the angels, otherwise, he has no hope to convince them that Christ's message is greater than the ones delivered by angels.

To do this, the writer draws his proof from the Jew's own scriptures, the Old Testament (the Septuagint). He knows he will be more likely to win his argument if he uses a trusted source. Quoting form the OT is a common practice the author uses throughout the book of Hebrews.

The pieces of "evidence" used to prove the argument that Jesus is better than the angels are found in Hebrews 1:5-13. The author sets off the entire section with an inclusio (bracketed by vs. 5 and 13), which is a literary device intended to highlight a section of the text. "For to which of the angels did He ever say:" (v. 5) and "But to which of the angels has He ever said:" (v. 13). Everything said between the inclusio, verses 5-13, is in reference to the two bookend statements. Here is the evidence given by the author as he quotes from the OT.

"For to which of the angels did He ever say:"

(v. 5) "You are My Son..." (Psalms 2:7; Acts 13:33)

(v. 5) "I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son.?" (2 Samuel 7:14)

(v. 6) "Let all the angels of God worship Him." (Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalm 97:7)

(v. 7) "Who makes His angels..." (Psalm 104:4)

(vs. 8-12) Jesus has a throne and is worshiped; He is anointed by God. (Psalm 45:6, 7; Isaiah 61:1, 3; 34:4; 50:9; 51:6; Psalm 102:25-27)

(v. 13) "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool"? (Psalm 110:1; Matthew 22:44)

Using the Old Testament, the writer of Hebrews worked carefully to explain that the Father has always declared His Son to be superior to angels.

In verse 14, the author closes Chapter One by telling his audience that angels are ministering spirits sent out to serve us. They are not ruling agents. They are not judging agents. They are ministers, which is the Greek word for servants. Their principle mission is to serve those who are appointed to inherit salvation.

LEST WE DRIFT AWAY: "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away." (v. 2:1)

In the beginning of Chapter 2, the author begins to transition to his first WARNING. This warning is built on the premise he has presented in Chapter 1, that is the superiority of Christ to anything in creation. If Christ's message is superior to that of the angels, we must pay much closer attention or we will "drift away." 

When something drifts away, it soon gets farther and farther from the edge of the shore. Soon, the shore is no longer in sight. The shore represents the message of the Gospel that declares Jesus as Lord. The author is concerned that the evidence of their unbelief is found in their unwillingness to consider that Jesus is above the angels. They were letting the truth of the Gospel pass them by. They may have been assembling in the church but they were not yet part of the church spiritually speaking.

This has always been a reality in the church; people attending church but never knowing Christ as their Lord. The author begins by calling out those in the church who continue to live in unbelief, citing as his proof their continued reliance on angels over a reliance in Christ. To that group, the writer issues a WARNING in verses 2-4.

Is our modern-day culture drifting away from Christ? Statistics say that we are. Statisticians report that it is no longer a priority among most Christians to regularly assemble together. Those gathering statistics say that a "regular church attender" is someone who attends church only twice a month. In addition, statistics tell us that many of those who call themselves Christians rarely read their Bibles, pray only in times of crisis, tragedy or when there is a personal need, and minimize sexual sins such as premarital sex and homosexuality. Not to mention the apathy towards anger, unwillingness to seek forgiveness, hateful gossip, and other sins that rob Christians of the peace Christ offers (see 1 Corinthians 6; Romans 1). Just as the writer of Hebrews warned his audience, we too should heed the warning that any compromise with sin in our lives will result in a "drifting away."

Note: "There is always a tremendous battle before sanctification is realized--something within us pushing with resentment against the demands of Christ" Oswald Chambers

LOWER THAN THE ANGELS: "You have made him [for a little while] a little lower than the angels..." (v. 7) "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone." (v. 9)

The Jews might think: If Jesus is to be so powerful and His message so important, then why did he appear in such a lowly way--lower than the angels? This was the problem that the Jews in the early church were struggling to answer.

During the time that Jesus spent as a man walking the earth, he was no less God, yet He willingly took the lessor form of man for several reasons (see slide # 12). Becoming lower than the angels was only for a short time in order to give way to an eternity of glory and honor. By His suffering, He was perfected--meaning, brought to an end, or accomplished. His suffering didn't make Him perfect--He was already perfect. It accomplished something that could only be accomplished through His death.

SO GREAT A SALVATION: "...how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation..." (v. 2:3)

When His suffering was done, He rose from the grave, promising His brethren we would be sanctified in the same way. If you have placed your trust in Jesus Christ, then the devil has been rendered powerless over you because of Jesus. You are free to live for Christ without fear of death. You can live out the rest of your days knowing that death simply ushers you into glory as it did Christ. The Lord humbled Himself to grant you that victory!