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Bible Study Book of Hebrews

StoveBolts said:
Thanks Nathan. I enjoy reading your thoughts too.

Actually, if you think big enough, there is much more to what I've posted but yes, what you caught was certainly a large portion of it. :thumbsup

Again, thanks for this study. :waving
Click to expand...

Lol. I have to admit, I always stay in the 'shallow' end till the water feels comfortable enough to get 'deeper'. The great thing about having a forum like this is that the information is always there to go back and reference when it 'hits' you later on.

Its not like a conversation that you cannot get back between two people when they are communicating via phone or face to face.
 
--Chapter 2--

So I want to continue on this chapter until next week. I was really hoping to see some more posts before moving on, and I have been caught up myself in some other things lately. I will also be gone from thursday afternoon till next monday. I have some good 'alone' time coming.

One thing I have to say is that this chapter, 2, really shows the humanity of Christ. It shows the relationship that we can really grasp onto without a lot of 'spiritual' talk.

Hbr 2:10-11 "For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers"

Hbr 2:18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

It says that Christ 'suffered'. paschō - its a root word, meaning it forms the base of a lot of other words. It is also used here as a verb, so it was not just a thing that happened to Him, but something He did.

1) to be affected or have been affected, to feel, have a sensible experience, to undergo
a) in a good sense, to be well off, in good case
b) in a bad sense, to suffer sadly, be in a bad plight
1) of a sick person

Its the idea of compassion. Where one person actually 'feels' what another one is going through.

Isa 63:7-9 "I will recount the steadfast love of the LORD, the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. For he said, "Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely." And he became their Savior. In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old."

What a beautiful picture. But then it makes you almost cry when you read the verse that follows these.

Isa 63:10 "But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them."

It just shows the frailty of the human race. Sad. And it is, Isaiah is torn with emotion, the rest of this chapter and the next is a cry out to the LORD. The redeemer, the Savior. Then the LORD replies back to him;

Isa 65:1-2 "I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, "Here am I, here am I," to a nation that was not called by (or that did not call upon) my name. I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices;"

Here He shows His compassion once again. He shows that it is there, but people choose to follow their own desires. Then He gives one last call and one last rebuke before He declares the end of all things.

Isa 65:8-12 "Thus says the LORD: "As the new wine is found in the cluster, and they say, 'Do not destroy it, for there is a blessing in it,' so I will do for my servants' sake, and not destroy them all. I will bring forth offspring from Jacob, and from Judah possessors of my mountains; my chosen shall possess it, and my servants shall dwell there. Sharon shall become a pasture for flocks, and the Valley of Achor a place for herds to lie down, for my people who have sought me. But you who forsake the LORD, who forget my holy mountain, who set a table for Fortune and fill cups of mixed wine for Destiny, I will destine you to the sword, and all of you shall bow down to the slaughter, because, when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not listen, but you did what was evil in my eyes and chose what I did not delight in."

Even still He makes the assertion that He calls, and He speaks. It is not Him just sitting up there not relating to mankind. Its not that He just gives everyone 'one shot' to get it right and there is no help. But we see His compassion, His desire to draw all men by the simple way of coming in flesh, and even being tempted as we are, so that He could truly relate to us. Crazy thought is it not? The one who created ALL things, being tempted by His own creation? ALL...all, in order to help those who are being tempted right now.

I wonder sometimes. When I am tempted. Do I shut my ears to His call of perseverance? Do I just ignore Him when He speaks to me about the ways I should go? Do we not cry out sometimes wondering why He does not speak to us, all the while not listening to His very call? There is a lot to ponder here, a lot.
 
--Chapter 3--

Chapter 3 anyone??? I have been gone out of town, but I am back settled in now. I would have started this last Tuesday, but I was trying to catch up with everything else around here and at work and at home. Hopefully there are still those of you out there in the digital world that are reading and studying the letter to the Hebrews.

I'll chime in after a while with some preliminary thoughts on the third chapter. Any one have any thoughts they want to share?
 
I would love to join this study also.
I think one of the best ways to study scripture is by going verse by verse in an entire book, rather that picking a subject and scrabbling for verses everywhere.

Thank you for starting this. I'm old and slow, so I don't get in big hurries for anything.
So I will read what is already posted and join in when I can.

God bless our studies.
 
Sissy said:
I would love to join this study also.
I think one of the best ways to study scripture is by going verse by verse in an entire book, rather that picking a subject and scrabbling for verses everywhere.

Thank you for starting this. I'm old and slow, so I don't get in big hurries for anything.
So I will read what is already posted and join in when I can.

God bless our studies.
Click to expand...

you look young in your picture. And you look fast at the draw...:D

welcome aboard sissy.
 
--Chapter 3--

Ok. So the chapter starts out with the writer telling us to 'therefore' consider Jesus. But not just to 'think' random thoughts about Him. But to consider how He was faithful/obedient to the One who appointed Him as our high priest.

And this thoughtful process we are to engage in is directly connected to our hearts being capable of hardening.

What are some thoughts on this?
 
This fits well into the discussion of chapter 3 and what was happening in the wilderness.

1 Corinthians 10
(1) Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
(2) And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
(3) And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
(4) And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
(5) But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
(6) Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
(7) Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
(8) Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
(9) Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
(10) Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
(11) Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
(12) Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
​
The point being that Christ was providing for their needs in the wilderness, just as He is still providing for them.

He is our living water.
He is our bread of life.
He became the curse for us (serpent lifted on pole -- Christ lifted on cross).
He is appointed our High Priest (who is the only one who could enter the throne room of God (Holy of Holies).


It was the same then (as Christ was with them) as it was when Christ became flesh and dwelt among them.
And even after witnessing all that He was and provided, it is the same now, as it was then; no unbeliever can enter into His rest.









Oh, Nathaniel, it's going to be difficult to limit the amount of discussion on the book of Hebrews.
It is so rich in practically every theology of the Christian faith.
It's a downright masterpiece!

So grateful you started this.
 
You are right. It does fit in very much so. I did a quick study not too long ago about that time after the exodus. Here is what I found interesting. All of those things that Paul talks about in Corinthians, took place before the covenant was established on Mt. Sinai.

Exd 19:4-8 You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel." So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the LORD had commanded him. All the people answered together and said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do." And Moses reported the words of the people to the LORD.

So God had made His presence known to them, His power, before He ever declared His eternal law. And they saw everything He had done and they replied to Him with, "all that the LORD has spoken we will do". Then the law and laws were given.

Then you have the 'scene' in Exodus 24. Interesting to say the least. And to think the whole time God was communing with Moses, He saw the temptation of unbelief creeping in to the people below. Then we see this.

Exd 32:7-8 And the LORD said to Moses, "Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, 'These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!'"

Nothing new here, but it is interesting that God calls them Moses's people. Not His own.

Exd 32:11 But Moses implored the LORD his God and said, "O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?

Ahhh....here is where we start to realize the beautiful connection, the picturesque likeness of Christ and Moses found here in Hebrews chapter 3. And yet the dire warning also.

Exd 32:26 then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, "Who is on the LORD's side? Come to me." And all the sons of Levi gathered around him.

I have to wonder. If I were there, would I have gone to Moses?

But regardless. In all actuality, to bring this back to full circle. 1Corinthians deals with the time before Mt. Sinai. This particular passage in Hebrews deals with the 40 year period afterward, when they did not believe that God was going to drive out the inhabitants of the land before them. Interesting, again. Some say today that God will not drive out the "inhabitants" of the land before us.

Psalm 95 is the reference we have, where the writer uses this text from.

So, what we see here, and hopefully someone else will chime in on this. But what we see here in Hebrews speaks to the very fact that the people did not believe that the LORD was their among them.

Exd 17:7 And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the LORD by saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?"

If I were to pull one verse that exemplified the whole intent behind chapter 3 it would be this one.

Hbr 3:12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.

And what would this "falling away" look like? How would it happen?

Hbr 3:13-14 "But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.

Now, apply that 'hardness' to the people in the wilderness. They thought it was too hard to go up against the giants. They thought it was too hard to trod along in this wilderness, after all, there was not water everywhere, they had to rely on the Lord to provide it.

Let me ask this to those reading. I have heard this chapter interpreted another way. What is a different way that you have heard this chapter interpreted?
 
Heb.3

[1] Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
[2] Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
[3] For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
[4] For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
[5] And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
[6] But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
[7] Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
[8] Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
[9] When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.
[10] Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
[11] So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
[12] Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

[13] But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

[14] For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
[15] While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
[16] For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
[17] But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
[18] And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
[19] So we see that they [could not] enter in because of unbelief.

 
Elijah674 said:
Heb.3

[1] Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
[2] Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
[3] For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
[4] For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
[5] And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
[6] But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
[7] Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
[8] Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
[9] When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.
[10] Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
[11] So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
[12] Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

[13] But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

[14] For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
[15] While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
[16] For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
[17] But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
[18] And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
[19] So we see that they [could not] enter in because of unbelief.
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Hey. Thanks for the insert of the chapter. I never considered putting it all on screen like that. But it works.

I like it, in that we see a big theme there with the word, and indication of, "belief" and "unbelief".

So, belief in what? And unbelief about what?
 
nathanielhooper said:
Hey. Thanks for the insert of the chapter. I never considered putting it all on screen like that. But it works.

I like it, in that we see a big theme there with the word, and indication of, "belief" and "unbelief".

So, belief in what? And unbelief about what?
Click to expand...

Hi, it was a short one, and I thought that you would like that. About the questions you ask & our 'Spiritual' food? See the 'table' (church?) where we are to be getting fed in Psalms 69:22-28

But here are a few verses seen in the NT side for your question of BELIEF IN WHAT? And NO Belief?? that seems explained?

Matt.4

[1] Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
[2] And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
[3] And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
[4] But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (and that was learned from Job 23:12 perhaps? but surely it would be the entire 66 Bks. of Christ Inspired Word for our daily diet)


2 Tim. 3

[14] But [continue thou in] the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing [of whom] thou hast learned them;

[15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

[16] [All scripture] is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
[17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

--Elijah
 
Good luck to any and all who plan on studying Hebrews.

One bit of advice I'd like to pass on from my personal studies, and this applies not only to Hebrews, but any book of the Bible;

When you begin to read a certain book, it really does help to keep in mind a few thing:

Who is this written to?

Who is it written from? (when applicable)

Why is it being written?

What is the grand theme?

This often helps me at least in understanding why certain things are said. For instance, Paul saying women should be silent in churches. It was said at this time because the particular church it was written to was having issues with women gossiping, questioning, and generally disrupting the "service" and this was Paul's solution to them. But if misread you get extremist thinking a woman speaking in church is hell bound :screwloose
 
In chapter 4, two of the themes expressed are:
Sabbath (rest)
Priest

Man was to do no work on the Sabbath day, EXCEPT for the priest who was to work every day supporting the Tabernacle/Temple.

In Christ (our High Priest), we have rest because it is He who supports us (His Temple).
 
--Chapter 4--

Sissy said:
In chapter 4, two of the themes expressed are:
Sabbath (rest)
Priest

Man was to do no work on the Sabbath day, EXCEPT for the priest who was to work every day supporting the Tabernacle/Temple.

In Christ (our High Priest), we have rest because it is He who supports us (His Temple).
Click to expand...


Thanks Sissy!!! And with that we will begin our study in chapter 4.

Hbr 4:1-3 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, "As I swore in my wrath, 'They shall not enter my rest,'" although his works were finished from the foundation of the world.

So, was the "promise" of entering His rest to those in Exodus also?


Hbr 4:4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all his works."

Is the writer specifying that this rest is the exact same as the "seventh day" otherwise known as the "Sabbath"?
 
Going to interject this little tidbit.

The word "rest" is used several times in this chapter.
All are the same Greek word, except in one place.

Hebrews 4
(1) Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
(2) For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
(3) For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
(4) For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
(5) And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
(6) Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
(7) Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
(8) For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
(9) There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
(10) For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
(11) Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
(12) For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
(13) Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
(14) Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
(15) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
(16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
​
 
nathanielhooper said:
Well.....whats the difference?:)
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That could be a whole thread of it’s own!
But rather than writing an essay of all the scriptures to explain the difference (which will probably be revealed throughout this thread anyway), I will give my personal conclusion.

From a theological standpoint, my view is that a completely separate word was used in order to completely distinguish it from any type of “rest†that was experienced by the Israelites.

In the beginning God hovered over an earth in chaos and created a world of order and no curse.
No curse upon man or land. And then …. rested.

When the curse came upon man and land, cursed man had to sweat and toil the cursed land that brought forth weeds and thorns.

In the end, the world will again be in chaos and God will create a new world of order and no curse.

In short, I believe this “Sabbath rest†in verse 9 is speaking of our eternal rest where there is no curse upon man, and no curse upon the land. (No sweat and toil, no weeds and thorns.)
 
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