BibleProject | One Story That Leads to Jesusਨਮੂਨਾ

Who wrote the book of Hebrews? Some say Paul or Barnabas. Others say someone else. We’re not sure. Who are its first recipients? That’s fuzzy, too. The writing suggests that the original recipients belonged to a community under heavy persecution, having lost their founding pastors.

Increasing hostility toward Jesus followers is causing them to “drift away” (Heb. 2:1) and “shrink back” (Heb. 10:39). They are abandoning faith in God and instead trusting the protection of social isolation. If we dial down our Jesus talk and just do what everyone else is doing, maybe the mocking and harm will lighten up.

But Jesus did not shrink back or withdraw into the “safety” of isolation. And recall the apostle Paul teaching young Timothy that God did not call followers to a “spirit of timidity” (2 Tim. 1:7). With God’s long-established promise—the same promise he gave to many, all of whom still wait in faith for that promise to be entirely fulfilled (see Heb. 11)—followers have good reason to embrace the same courage they see in the Messiah.

Wanting readers to see the promise they belong to, the author weaves Hebrew Bible hyperlinks together as far as the eye can see. This long story about God’s ultimate victory is also your story. Don’t be afraid. Don’t shrink back. You belong to God most high, who we see most clearly in his Son, the Messiah (Heb. 1:1-4).

While reading, you will notice a pattern. First, the author will tout Jesus’ supremacy above all, which then becomes the grounds for sharp challenges to remain faithful. Jesus is the supreme revelation of God. He shows us what God is like, and he reigns above even the angels.

While these holy messengers once delivered God’s word on Sinai, they now bow to Jesus and serve him alone. This brings a strong admonition. If the inferior revelation of an angel’s message required obedience, how much more important is obedience to the ultimate revelation of God in Jesus?

Watch the video to see different literary techniques used by the author of Hebrews to elevate Jesus and spur the audience toward steadfast trust in God alone.

Reflection Questions

• The author of Hebrews assumes the reader understands the Hebrew Bible and can therefore pick up on many direct citations, allusions, and other hyperlinks. See one example by first reading Hebrews 1:5, then its connected reference in Psalm 2:7, and then all of Psalm 2. How does seeing the larger context of Psalm 2 provide insight into Hebrews 1:5?
• The warnings in Hebrews may feel uncomfortable (e.g., Heb. 6:1-12), but they aim to exhort readers to greater faithfulness. Where else in the Hebrew Bible have you seen harsh-sounding speech intended for good? Paul told the Corinthians that God is the “God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3-5). However, both here in Hebrews and throughout the Bible, God repeatedly delivers unsettling, uncomfortable, serious warnings. What does all of this suggest about the kind of comfort God intends to give?