Hebrews Introduction
Introduction
Neither the author nor the specific audience for the book of Hebrews is known. It may be that the people who received the book were from Italy. The author does send greetings to them from those who are from Italy. But it is clear the book was written for Jews who believe in Jesus the Messiah. They were, however, in danger of leaving the faith. The book is clearly written to encourage them. It presents the truths God has revealed in his new covenant. It states that they are far better than the temporary ones of the first covenant. It encourages these new Jewish believers to remain strong in their faith in Jesus.
The book presents two types of teachings. And it goes back and forth between the two types. One type reviews Israel’s history or tells about worship in the temple. The other type presents the challenges based on these teachings. The book presents four pairs of these sets of teachings.
First, the writer states that Jesus and the salvation he brings are the greatest. Jesus is higher and greater than the angels and the law given by Moses.
Second, the writer states that Jesus is our apostle. An apostle is one sent by God on a specific mission. Jesus brings us into a greater peace and a better, renewed land. These are far better than the land Moses and Joshua brought Israel to.
Third, the writer states that Jesus is a more effective high priest. He is better than the priests appointed by the law of Moses.
Fourth, believers are reminded to remain faithful as people have for many, many years. Believers must move forward in faith. They can do that because Jesus is bringing a kingdom that can’t be shaken.
Currently Selected:
Hebrews Introduction: NIrV
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV®
Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Hebrews Introduction
Introduction
Neither the author nor the audience of this book is specifically named, but the book itself reveals its nature and purpose. The recipients are Jesus-believing Jews who are in danger of falling away from the faith. They are likely in Italy, since the author passes on greetings to them from those who are from Italy – probably their friends who are travelling elsewhere. The goal of the whole book is to show the superiority of the final realities God has revealed in the new covenant to the temporary ones of the first covenant. Its readers are encouraged to respond to the threat of persecution by recommitting to the new reality brought by Jesus.
The book alternates between teachings – reviews of Israel’s history or the temple worship arrangements – and challenges based on these teachings. There are four teaching-challenge pairs:
: Jesus and the salvation he brings are greater than the angels and the salvation they announced (the law of Moses).
: Jesus is our ‘apostle’ (someone sent by God on a specific mission), and he brings us into a greater rest and promised land than Moses and Joshua brought Israel into.
: Jesus is a more effective high priest than the priests appointed by the law of Moses.
: As God’s faithful people have done throughout the ages, we must continue living in light of God’s unseen heavenly realities and stepping out in faith. Through the Messiah we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
The Holy Bible, New International Version® (Anglicised), NIV®
Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.