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The Significance of Hebrews

As part of the requirements for one of my seminary classes, all students were required to follow a guided template in explaining the significance of certain books of the Bible. below is the first one about Hebrews.

The summary follows four main parts: The purpose of the book (including the argument), a short summary of the book, what I want the audience to know regarding knowledge and action, and finally how this book will affect my personal character development. Each of us will be different in how Hebrews challenges us to grow and it is also dependent on the season of life we are in. Certain themes are more prominant in different seasons that help us grow and stick out more to us. God will speak into our lives through Scripture to tell us what He wants us to hear. You can read the same passage a year later and be reminded of a different truth that is important.

Here is the first in this short series.

The Significance of Hebrews to Your Life & Ministry

  1. State briefly the purpose and argument of the book? (Give references to support your statements). What I want you to do here is (1) discern the importance of what this book teaches well enough to remember it; (2) the argument is trying to assess how the author develops and accomplishes his purpose.
    • Purpose (Major Theme or Purpose): The purpose and theme of Hebrews is that of the superiority of Christ over all the old systems and ways (Heb 1:1-4; 1:5-14; 3:1-6; 4:14). The author supports this theme on the basis of several interrelated purposes for writing. The author encourages the readers to progress in maturity to Christ (5:11-14; 6:10; 10:24; 12:1-2; 13:15-17, 20-22). In encouraging the readers to mature, the author exhorted the believers whose faith was wavering to not drift away from Christ or disown Him, but to persist in their devotion to Jesus (2:l; 3:12-14; 4:1, 11, 14, 16; 6:1, 8-9; 10:22-25, 28-31, 35; 12:1, 3, 12-17, 25; 13:13, 15). Knowing that persecutions are occurring and the believers are vulnerable, the author encourages and strengthens the readers to face these persecutions (12:3-15). The author also refutes these “strange teachings” that had endangered to weaken the faith of the readers (13:910). Finally, the author challenges the believers to have absolute commitment to Christ no matter the cost (13:13).
    • Argument (What is the author trying to accomplish and how is he doing it?): The book of Hebrews is often described as a homily and the author accomplishes their purpose through exhortations and warnings. The author establishes the superiority of Christ, in His person and work, and why belief in Christ should not be thrown away. The author displays several arguments that Christ is greater than all the servants and spokesman (4:145:10) that have gone before, including Moses (3:1-6) and angels (1:4-14). The author teaches the readers that Christ is exalted above all the heavens, sitting at God’s right hand, and He is the peoples mediator and representative (4:14-15, 8:1-13). The author uses numerous direct quotations and allusions to the Old Testament to support his argument to these Jewish believers. The author underscores and highlights the superiority of Christ against these old systems by using the words like better (13 times, 1:4; 8:6), perfect (12 times, 2:10, 5:9), once (8 times, 6:4; 9:7) or once for all (3 times, 7:27; 9:12) multiple times throughout the epistles. 

 

  1. Give a short paragraph of how this book fits into the overall message or argument of the whole Bible. Support your statements with passages from the OT & NT. Give crossreferences from both Testaments—(like chapter and verse, 2:12 for example; “passages” means more than one)?

 

SHORT PARAGRAPH
Hebrews contributes to the Bible’s description of Jesus by helping provide a proper understanding of Jesus, specifically His superiority, sovereignty, and holy character. God created the world and everything in it. Much like the description of Satan in Ezekiel 28 (cf Isa 14), Adam and Eve (Gen 3:6) chose a path of sin in the garden when they disobeyed God. God made a covenant with Abraham (Gen 12:1-3; 15:18-21) that God promised him land and descendants that would lead to nations and kings, and a promise of blessing and redemption. This led to the nation of Israel forming, being led out of Egypt (Ex 14) and eventually turning away from God (2 Kings 17:5-17; Eze 16:47). God’s chosen people had fallen into sin and idolatry and humanity needed a Savior

(Luke 19:10; Matt 1:21; Acts 4:12). Eventually, Jesus was sacrificed, buried, and resurrected to bring redemption for the believers (Luke 24:2-3; John 11:25-26; 1 Cor. 15:3-4, 12-19). God promises the Messiah returning and a future Messianic kingdom on earth full of peace, prosperity, and justice for all who believe in Jesus (Eze 44:23; Rev 5:10; 21:3-4). Hebrews provides all audiences of the superiority of Christ to all elements of the old system (angels, Moses, written revelation, Aaron, the Levitical system of sacrifices, and the earthly tabernacle). Hebrews encourages readers to not be content with their current state or knowledge, but to progress in the faith, growing in maturity (Heb 5:11-14) and wisdom (Heb 6:1), enduring persecution (Heb 12:315), refuting the false teachings (Heb 13:9-10), and living committed to Christ (Heb 13:13). Hebrews walks through the Old Testament and shows the audience that Christ was meant and intended in those passages and how the Old Testament ways pointed toward Christ. Hebrews also offers encouragement to those struggling by providing examples of faith (Heb 11) and gives the reader hope for today (Heb 10:19-25) and for the future where those who persevere will be rewarded (Heb 10:35-39).
  1. What do I want my congregation, audience, or study group to apply after studying this book? What would I want them NOT to forget? What does it do for YOU?
    • KNOWING/MEMORY – Give four (4) PRINCIPLES (values; ethical standards; doctrines; main beliefs) that you gleaned from this book and that you and your congregation will think of and remember when the book is named. These should be appropriate to the text, so GIVE REFERENCES (chapters and verses) for each. 
      • Jesus is superior to everything. He is sufficient.
        • I want the audience to remember that the works and legalism of the old ways did not save, but by the work and grace of Christ, He is sufficient. Christ is superior to angels, Moses, the Law, and everything else in this life (Heb 1:4-14; 3:1-6; 5:1-10; 7:1-28). The sacrifice of Jesus is superior, unique, final and sufficient. While the sacrifices of the old system could only clean the outside, the sacrifice of Christ was able to take away sin, remove guilt, and was sufficient for all time (Heb 9:11-10:18).
      • Live honorably in every dimension of life.
        • I would like the audience to remember that Hebrews offers several short but practical exhortations for believers to live by. By remembering this section, the audience has a place to look at how we should live, but also be reminded how Christ lived and taught believers to live. Whether it is the love of money or some other counterfeit god, love for God leads to right living in all areas of life, including money, marriage, and hospitality (Heb 13:1-6). Christ will equip the believer to do everything God has called them to do.
      • Through faith in Christ, we should persevere and endure even when life is tough
        • The trials and tribulations that we face will require a dependence on the Spirit. While we are not guaranteed an easy life and the afflictions may be severe, believers can use their position as children of God to draw near to Him and hold on to the faith they have professed (Heb 10:19-25). In times of trouble, believers can go before God in confidence, draw near to Him, and receive mercy and grace to help during these times (Heb 4:16). Because of these troubles, believers should not turn away from Christ and abandon their confidence in Him, but remain faithful (Heb 10:32-39).
      • There is hope with Christ, who is the great High Priest and mediator for you.
        • Christ is the perfect high priest whose priesthood is eternal and unchanging. By divine decree, Christ was made priest and became God’s guarantee of a better covenant. Christ is everything we need in a priest and He did this through His oncefor-all sacrifice of Himself (7:20-28). We can draw near to God’s throne of grace, where Jesus, our great and compassionate High Priest, is ready to help us. He knows our temptations and what we go through because He was tempted in all things, yet did not sin (4:14-15). Christ is before God mediating for all believers (Heb 9:15).
    • DOING/ACTION – What you will lead others to do that is based on the text or passage that suggested this action. You are required to do two (2) of these and be sure to give references It must be supported by a particular text, so be sure to give chapters and verses, example 2:12.
      • Develop a simple and easy reference chart to help identify the warnings in Hebrews and offer encouragement.
        • This chart will provide the five warning passages in Hebrews by giving a brief and simple description of the warning, i.e. drifting (Heb 2:1-4), unbelief (Heb 3:74:13), falling away (Heb 5:11-6:20), defection (Heb 10:26-31), rejecting our privilege (Heb 12:25-29). Then, contrast these warnings with the exhortations to defend against these warnings for the person to use as a simple reminder that God cares and is with them. This could be handed out at church to be used as a bookmark or desk reference.
      • Develop a program on God’s discipline and the faith and perseverance needed to endure (Heb 10:32-12:14). o Do a Bible study on the individuals listed in Hebrews 11 and the faith modeled in their life for those going through trials and tribulations.
        • Create a group for those going through trials and tribulations to have open dialogue. Also, be available for individual meetings with these people.
        • Teach and show these individuals how to keep or write a prayer journal. This will allow them to look back and see how God worked.
        • Have the individuals deliberately spend a time of being quiet before God and listening. Then, have them look at this section and the hope that is offered in these verses to overcome (Heb 10:19-25).
        • Shepherd individuals to see if these hardships are related to unconfessed and unrepented for sin. Have the individuals repent if there is. But also, remind them that hardships of life are part of God’s loving discipline (Heb 12:4-14), and there is a reason for it.

4. BEING/PERSONAL CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT –What one (1) thing touched your heart, as you were reading/studying this book? Tell what it was and what text influenced you – Scripture reference(s) required. What you are going to do about it?

  • As I am personally experiencing some difficult times in my own life, the concept that stuck out to me the most is that Jesus understands the temptations we face (Heb 4:14). He knows the pain and hardships and the difficulties we face, the struggle to endure much like the Hebrews (Heb 10:32-39), yet we can come before Him with confidence and find grace and mercy to help us (Heb 4:16). I can relate to the way the people in Hebrews were feeling as I go through my own trials, but I love how the writer continually offers hope and encouragement. The author gives so many reasons why we must endure, even if we don’t know why it is happening.
  • What am I going to do: First, I will take time daily to think about, dwell on, and look forward to the return of Christ and the new heaven and earth (Heb 12:28). Second, I will make a journal of the various inspiring passages in Hebrews to look at it that speaks of Jesus’ endurance (Heb 12:3), the Father’s love in discipline (Heb 12:7-13), coming before God to find help (Heb 4:16), and others. Finally, as I think of God’s love, I will ask God to make me more aware of His abiding presence and to be more alert to the splendor of His love. I will daily write down ways in which I am reminded of the love of God. For example, His endurance through trials, a Scripture reading that speaks to my spirit, the laugh of a baby, a powerful worship experience, protection from an accident, and so on.
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