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Tag: Genesis

  • Hebrews 6-Our Inheritance through Faith & Perseverance

    I will indeed bless you, and I will greatly multiply you.

    Hebrews 6:14; Genesis 22:17

    What an inheritance we expect from God! A blessing passed on from generation to generation, then unto us and eventually to our heirs. No chosen people can claim any inheritance like the Jews.

    From a detailed Commandment and covenants of scripture the LORD makes wondrous promises of inheritance to the generations. Trouble is, none of us are faithful – no not one. For we all sin against God and must often repent. This is reason enough for our sacrifice as part of our worship. It goes back to Genesis, the faith of Abraham in the beginning.

    Faith beyond traditions

    “THEREFORE,” begins the writer of Hebrews in this important transition of his letter, leave elementary school. And learn the important things of our faith beyond the obvious traditions and practices.

    Two dangers confront believers.

    • We stand where we are. We are chosen by God, we are ‘in,’ we were born into the right religion and family line. Heaven is assured for us (but not others) and God blesses me because of who I am.
    • Or we turn back from where we ought to be. Call it ‘intentional sin,’ for we want nothing to do with God. No repentance, ever. And who cares about God’s inheritance?

    The writer of Hebrews begins by asking us not to stand still in our elementary look at religion. We must repent of our ‘dead works,’ which we think ought to earn us a fair judgment.

    Hebrews 6:

    Therefore, let us leave the elementary teaching about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, faith in God…

    Hebrews 6:1 CSB

    Why do we need perseverance in our faith? Because just following the rules does not assure us eternal life.

    2 teaching about ritual washings, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

    Basics. These are the foundation of our elementary school. We know these practices, but these ritual works are not the steps of faith which lead to our inheritance.

    4 For it is impossible to renew to repentance those who were once enlightened, who tasted the heavenly gift, who shared in the Holy Spirit… and who have fallen away.

    Listen, here; for you know these who claim to be ‘christians.’

    … they are recrucifying the Son of God and holding him up to contempt.

    Hebrews 6:6B CSB

    Beloved believers, he speaks of Jews who have come to know the Messiah and received the Holy Spirit. Yet they turn away from an inheritance of their eternal promise to stand on their own right works.

    And dear Christian brothers and sisters, who does not know one recrucifying Christ with easy teachings denying Christ’s commandment?

    Many despaired that Jesus did not come to the Jews taking the Throne of the Temple victoriously. Even now many Christians lament the same.

    Christ came not to conquer a throne of Jerusalem, but to conquer sin and death upon the altar of sacrifice. For זָבַח the sacrifice is that which is given, slaughtered in divine judgment.

    God’s love for the world

    Who receives the blessings of God? John’s gospel also points toward this.

    He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be[e] children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born, not of natural descent…

    John 1:11-13a CSB

    God blessed the Jews, but also blesses the gentiles. The writer of Hebrews uses the blessing of God’s rain as illustration. God’s blessing falls upon the good and the evil. (What will you do with this same blessing?)

    7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

    He says, “We are confident of better things in you. God is not unjust and will not forget your work. He remembers your labors of love toward Him and toward the saints. (NOT Saints, revered examples of the faiths with a capital “S,” but saints, our beloved fellow followers of Christ.)

    Ministering to the saints

    For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

    Hebrews 6:10 NKJV

    We show our love of God through ministering to others who grow in His love. These saints in our midst receive the same rain by which the Lord blesses us.

    Let us not become the thorns to be sifted into the fire of judgment.

    He asks us to demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of your hope until the end. Do others receiving rain turn against us? Or do they rail against the Lord, even persecuting some proclaiming Christ even to death? Yes, but death only of this flesh of dust, which has received the water and the Spirit.

    We minister to our fellow saints,serving the Lord’s Holy messengers of the Spirit, fellow failing flesh given eternal life. And the writer gives us the reason.

    12 … so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.

    These saints some churches capitalize, “Saints,” as examples for us. Yet the call of Christ and scripture is to minister to the many ‘saints’ among us. For we are the church, saints in the flesh, are brothers and sisters of the Lord by the Spirit.

    God’s Promise through Abraham

    The writer of Hebrews makes clear that not even all followers of Moses received the promise. He now mentions how God guarantees His promise, referring back to Genesis 22.

    God swore it; Abraham waited; his heir waited. And for what reason did the LORD swear this oath to Abraham of the promise?

    That we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. [v.18]

    We still expect God to act for us NOW. (Nothing has changed since Abraham and Moses.) Yet the LORD has purpose in blessing different generations with His more perfect will of eternal promise.

    How does the writer of Hebrews link Abraham and the Messiah Jesus? Once again, he returns to the most symbolic Holy of Holies, which Moses later built.

    This Hope as an anchor of the soul

    19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

    It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. 20 Jesus has entered there on our behalf…

    As our hopes and fears leave us tossed about in the depth and vastness of eternity; yet like a ship held secure, Christ holds us in place. He makes the most certain intercession for our soul in the Holiest place before God the Father.

    20 Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner, because he has become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

    Once again, the writer of Hebrews compares Jesus Christ to Melchizedek. He will follow this mature teaching through scripture in his next chapter.

    To be continued...

  • Hebrews -4- Rest Promised or Pursued?

    But the message they heard did not benefit them…

    Hebrews 4:2a CSB

    Previously I asked, “Will you enter into God’s perfect rest?” The author of Hebrews traces our Hebrew heritage and history back to Moses and then states, “So we see that they were unable to enter [rest] because of unbelief.” It is significant warning to those who only pursue righteousness, rather than obtaining its rest.

    What is rest?

    Perhaps ‘rest from your work,’ as in Sabbath rest, a vacation or retirement?

    Do we think ‘rest in peace,’ when in fact it is rest in life we seek? Vanity. (Or futility, as Solomon suggests in Ecclesiastes.)

    Life convinces me of the elusiveness of rest more each day.

    closed on sunday
    Closed on Sunday – Rest in the Lord (it’s a Commandment).

    We begin with the application of these scriptures about the promised rest in our own lives, but first a look at definitions.

    Hebrews 4:

    Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands – NIV

    Note some subtle differences of approach from verse 1.

    A promise to enter, a promise remains, a promise still open, a promise stands – all promises made, but not yet fulfilled. Surely the Lord will keep His promise.

    The warning of Hebrews 4:1 is that we ‘have fallen short, therefore take heed to our own obligation to the promise of the Lord. In fact, the previous warning to God’s chosen was, “So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.” KJV

    So what role do we have in completing the promises between the Lord and His faithful?

    The followers of Moses and many generations since did not receive the promise. Some continue to pursue the promise, others have abandoned God’s word. What is left to us is an inheritance; a promise not yet received, but a rest to be received – a rest only in the promised Messiah of God.

    “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

    Words of the Messiah Jesus, Matthew 11:28 CSB

    Rest defined

    • ἀναπαύω anapauō – One rest of which Jesus speaks is quiet, calm, an earthly collecting of strength. God can give us rest.
    • נָחַם nacham – in Hebrew is rest. In the sense of being comforted it means that God has compassion on us. In a most curious application from Moses’ story of creation he says,

    Now he called his name Noah, saying, “This one will give us rest from our work and from the toil of our hands arising from the ground which the LORD has cursed.”

    Genesis 5:29 NASB

    The LORD cursed creation, regretted man for our evil on the earth; yet in the LORD’s compassion He called נֹחַ Noah, which means ‘rest’ as a savior of creation.

    Instructions for the priesthood speak of a complete Sabbath, an increased rest in addition to our weekly worship of the LORD.

    שַׁבַּ֨ת שַׁבָּתֹ֥ון הוּא֙ לָכֶ֔ם וְעִנִּיתֶ֖ם אֶת־נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶ֑ם בְּתִשְׁעָ֤ה לַחֹ֨דֶשׁ֙ בָּעֶ֔רֶב מֵעֶ֣רֶב עַד־עֶ֔רֶב תִּשְׁבְּת֖וּ שַׁבַּתְּכֶֽם׃ פ

    “It is to be a sabbath of complete rest to you, and you shall humble your souls…

    Leviticus 23:32 NASB

    Again, I remind us that first century Jews who practiced regular worship of the LORD with sacrifice knew scripture better than most modern Jews and Christians. The application of a promised rest, a rest pursued by the faithful, had more meaning in completion of the promise.

    • κατάπαυσις  katapausis in the common Greek of the day –
      • a putting to rest or a calming of the winds.
      • resting place; נוּחַ; metaphor for the heavenly blessedness in which God dwells, and of which he has promised to make persevering believers in Christ partakers after the toils and trials of life on earth are ended

    When the author of Hebrews, Paul and other Jews speak of perfection, it is this complete rest in the Lord of which they speak metaphorically.

    εὐαγγελίζω – Good News / Bad News

    We’ve all heard it told: I have good news and bad news. (Which do you want to hear first?) Once again the writer of Hebrews supports his gospel with scripture.

    2 For we also have received the good news just as they did…

    Hebrews 4:2a CSB

    Again he quotes scripture from Psalm 95 and Genesis, applying a warning to us.

    Psalm 95:

    Worship and Warning

    1 Come, let us shout joyfully to the Lord,
    shout triumphantly to the rock of our salvation!
    2 Let us enter his presence with thanksgiving;
    let us shout triumphantly to him in song.

    8 אַל־תַּקְשׁ֣וּ לְ֭בַבְכֶם כִּמְרִיבָ֑ה כְּי֥וֹם מַ֝סָּ֗ה בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃

    9 אֲשֶׁ֣ר נִ֭סּוּנִי אֲבוֹתֵיכֶ֑ם בְּ֝חָנ֗וּנִי גַּם־רָא֥וּ פָעֳלִֽי׃

    10 אַרְבָּ֘עִ֤ים שָׁנָ֨ה׀ אָ֘ק֤וּט בְּד֗וֹר וָאֹמַ֗ר עַ֤ם תֹּעֵ֣י לֵבָ֣ב הֵ֑ם וְ֝הֵ֗ם לֹא־יָדְע֥וּ דְרָכָֽי׃

    11 אֲשֶׁר־נִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּי בְאַפִּ֑י אִם־יְ֝בֹא֗וּן אֶל־מְנוּחָתִֽי׃

    So I swore in my anger,
    “They will not enter my rest.”

    Psalm 95:11 CSB

    A bad news warning

    … and those who formerly received the good news did not enter because of disobedience, 7 he again specifies a certain day—today.

    The writer of Hebrews warns that Joshua did not give them rest.

    9 Therefore, a Sabbath rest remains for God’s people. 

    11 Let us then make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience.

    Make every effort.

    He pleads with the readers and listeners of scripture to σπουδάζω – be diligent or eager to hear the gospel of our promised rest in Christ Jesus, the Messiah.

    Again, the common first century Greek logic to think toward what the LORD God meant in giving rest to us through the Messiah. (And this time don’t ignore His warnings spoken in scripture.)

    Then, as if speaking to those who feared the very Voice of G_d spoken from Sinai,

    11 Let us then make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience.

    And the author of Hebrews then follows with perhaps scripture’s best reason for all to read, hear and obey scripture.

    The Word of God

    12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

    Hebrews 4:12 NASB

    The word of God, λόγος logos θεός theos is living and active.

    In the Greek does this have a familiar ring to it, beloved Christian or Messianic Jewish brother or sister?

    ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος καὶ ὁ λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν θεόν καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος

    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

    Gospel of John 1:1

    Could the writer of Hebrews possibly be referring to Yeshua the Messiah, witnessed by many as risen from the dead?

    He is living and active! ‘and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.’

    Who can divide the soul and the spirit? Who holds power over our heart and every breath of life?

    Only the LORD God! This sounds like the True Judge, who is ‘able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.’

    Nothing hidden from God’s sight

    The writer of Hebrews then continues appropriate warning to those who hear this word of scripture, all those who seek our promised rest.

    13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight…

    Not you, not his first century Hebrew audience, and certainly not me.

    … but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

    So imagine the Perfect Judge who can separate joints and marrow, discerning our thoughts and looking upon the nakedness of the intents of our hearts.

    How will we ever rest, when we have not laid down our sin before the Perfect Sacrifice of the Lord, slain for us – the Son of God Who IS and will judge our sin?

    Our Compassionate High Priest

    מֹשֶׁה Mosheh פָּלַל palal עַם `am

    And Moses interceded for the people.

    Numbers 21:7 NASB

    Moses interceded, then Aaron interceded as High Priest. Later anointed descendants of Levi stood in the Holy of Holies between the people and the Lord. But these godly men were all imperfect.

    Yet all priests, pastors and rabbis sin. Their sacrifices have been imperfect.

    The Messiah, however, is our perfect intercessor, a Son of man like us. He became our sinless Lamb whose Body and Blood were broken and shed for us.

    14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.

    A promise fulfilled – rest in the Messiah Jesus. Confidence that the Lord has chosen us through Him. Yet have we pursued our rest in Christ, or presumed the promise as those who perished in the wilderness?

    Draw near to the Throne of grace, for we have confidence in Christ.

    Receive His compassionate mercy and grace, which is favor with God. For we are chosen if we believe in our compassionate High Priest, Christ Jesus.

    Is this your time of need?

    Do you desire God’s help?

    Pray – pray through our loving intercessor who has descended to His own and ascended to the Throne of heaven.

     To be continued...

  • Hebrews – 2 – Pay Attention

    Hebrews – 2 – Pay Attention

    προσέχω – prosechō – Pay attention!

    For this reason, we must pay attention all the more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away.

    Hebrews 2:1 CSB

    Does this sound familiar? (Perhaps a teacher comes to mind.)

    Take heed; beware; pay close attention and remember what I taught you before.

    We began by mentioning that the writer of Hebrews was proclaiming to fellow Jews: Jesus is the predicted Messiah. First century Jews knew their scriptures more than most Jews or Christians in these last days. Scriptural messengers included prophets and angels, but the Messiah IS the very Word of the LORD, in Person.

    Warning to Pay Attention

    Why pay attention to Scripture?

    So that we do not fall into faithlessness, so that we will not turn away from the Lord and so that we receive the promises of God made to His beloved chosen souls.

    Therefore, receive what the LORD has told us, for the sake of your eternal soul.

    We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

    Hebrews 2:1 NIV

    2 For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment, 3 how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?

    Consider the consequences of your neglect. Here is our conviction in legal terms.

    Logical consequence of the Law

    Legally binding in this translation from the Greek λαλέω conveys a word generally translated as ‘steadfast,’ meaning stable or firm. Law must have a basis, inviolable definition from which judgement may be made. If the LORD sends a message via an angel to a man or woman, obedience to the LORD is legally binding, as if the LORD Himself spoke the command.

    We therefore must be held accountable for our own obedience or disobedience to the LORD’S command. The Greek root παρακούω parakouō suggests logically that we may not casually or carelessly dismiss it or be unwilling to hear, i. e. on hearing to neglect, to pay no heed to the messenger. In other words, we are accountable for what Lord has delivered to us though these heavenly messengers.

    Transgressions פֶּשַׁע or trespasses more familiarly refer to violating the Law given by the LORD through Moses. But these apply generally in the same manner to mean: falling away, breaking away or turning away from what is right; violating what is good to do what is evil in the eyes of the Lord.

    Some versions call for ‘just reward,’ though the Greek meaning of ἔνδικον μισθαποδοσίαν points to the consequences of justice bringing punishment.

    Disobedience to God, of course, is a big deal, deserving just punishment.

    How will we, the guilty escape the just punishment of the Lord?

    Israel’s sons recognized this same guilt and consequence in their treatment of Joseph.

    If we neglect

    Then they said to one another, “Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us.”

    Genesis 42:21 NASB

    The writer of Hebrews points his brothers in the faith, fellow Jews, to the conviction of scripture.

    Hebrews 2:3 how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation had its beginning when it was spoken of by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us by those who heard him.

    God spoke to us through angels and dreams. Yet as Apostles and disciples of the Messiah, we confirm everything from those who heard God’s Word, spoken to us in the Person of Christ Jesus.

    Quite a statement! It was confirmed to us by those who heard him, men chosen by God With Us, Immanuel עִמָּנוּאֵל.

    4 At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to his will.

    He then continues by presenting the testimony of evidence, facts known to various Jewish contemporaries about the miracles of Jesus of Nazareth. Confirmation by the Holy Spirit, also witnessed in the Apostles and others after Pentecost, is also known to many first century Jewish readers. Indisputable evidence.

    Jesus and Humanity

    Of course the key evidence presented here and in the rest of the letter of Hebrews is that God came to the Jews, as promised, as a man, Redeemer and Savior. If this evidence stands the test of truth, then the Son of Man, or God In Person, is NOT subject to any authorities. In fact, angels serve Him!

    5 For he has not subjected to angels the world to come that we are talking about.

    Once again, the writer points to the evidence of scripture. Psalm 8 in the Greek Septuagint, translated from the Hebrew.

    8:1 εἰς τὸ τέλος ὑπὲρ τῶν ληνῶν ψαλμὸς τῷ Δαυιδ κύριε ὁ κύριος ἡμῶν ὡς θαυμαστὸν τὸ ὄνομά σου ἐν πάσῃ τῇ γῇ ὅτι ἐπήρθη ἡ μεγαλοπρέπειά σου ὑπεράνω τῶν οὐρανῶν

    8:1 לַמְנַצֵּחַ עַֽל־הַגִּתִּית מִזְמֹור לְדָוִֽד׃ יְהוָה אֲדֹנֵינוּ מָֽה־אַדִּיר שִׁמְךָ בְּכָל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר תְּנָה הֹודְךָ עַל־הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃

    Psalm 8:1 Greek SEPTUAGINT & Hebrew
    Adonai! Our Lord! How glorious
     is your name throughout the earth!

    (4) what are mere mortals, that you concern yourself with them;
     humans, that you watch over them with such care?
    (5) You made him but little lower than the angels,
     you crowned him with glory and honor,
     7 (6) you had him rule what your hands made,
     you put everything under his feet —

    Jesus, King and Lord

    What is a King? What is the Authority of a Lord?

    Important questions the writer of Hebrews addresses immediately – questions to which the answers, in truth, establish the nature of the Messiah Jesus (יְהושֻׁעַ ).

    8 and subjected everything under his feet.
    For in subjecting everything to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him.

    Hebrews 2:8, ref. to Psalm 8

    The Messiah King will be in charge of all creation! This is quite clear. Yet clearly, Jesus, having been crucified, had not taken charge of everything.

    So the writer of Hebrews presents the obvious question immediately. Why not?

    9 But we do see Jesus—made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace he might taste death for everyone—crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death.

    Why should God suffer death?

    God’s grace for everyone — even Greeks, Romans and other gentiles?

    Yes, and grace for a remnant of Jews who will believe through Him.

    It is a topic so important to the Jew and gentile alike that we must pursue it separately as we complete this chapter.

    יָשַׁע יְהֹוָה יְהוֹשׁוּעַ

    Ἰησοῦς

    Jesus = “Jehovah is salvation”

    Strong’s G2424 – Iēsous
    Hebrews 2: To be continued