Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 10
Hebraic understanding Hebrews and Revelation
A wonderful letter to Jews exalting the Name and Person of Yeshua. No-one knows the identity of the author or the time of its authorship. The most speculated names associated with this letter are Rabbi Sha’ul and Barnabas, but that matters little to the content. The author was one who had a fervent desire to see Jews come to faith in Yeshua, and just as importantly to continue in that faith in the face of opposition and discouragement. However, its content has often been portrayed by Christian teachers as abrogating the Torah. That was not its purpose, and there are great lessons for believers of every culture and background contained in its message. Again we remind ourselves that the chapter and verse convenience was not present in the original, even though we will take the chapter divisions for our study and ‘reflection’. Additionally, there is significant quotation of the Hebrew Scriptures in this letter. The source document for these quotations is the Septuagint, also known as the LXX, the earliest Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, and which was completed about 130 years before the birth of Yeshua. (so where those Scriptures are quoted the wording may not exactly accord with your own favourite translation!)
“For the Torah, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually, year by year, make those who approach perfect.” So opens the reading for this week. But in my paraphrase “because if the sacrifices did make one perfect they would not need to be continued, since having been made perfect one would have no more consciousness of sin.” But the writer continued “But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.”
In the above statements, reference is made to ‘a shadow’. Shadows are cast by something real, but that shadow is not identical to reality. It is, well, just a ‘shadow’. The reality is much clearer and better. And the writer stated that the ‘shadow’ (which in this case was the sacrificial system of ‘drawing near to God’) cannot make for perfection, whereas, by implication, the reality can and does make for perfection. For most gentiles reading this there, would probably be a kind of ‘ho hum’ response to this. What is all the fuss about? We all know the sacrificial system was imperfect. And from that springs the prevailing thought that ‘everyone knows that Yeshua’s sacrifice made the old system obsolete’. But ‘everyone’ didn’t know that. This letter was written to Messianic Jews. They had become believers in Yeshua, and it is assumed today that they had willingly discontinued the sacrificial system. But had they? Well the truth is that we do not know. But what we do know is that they had all been brought up in the culture of Orthodox Judaism. As, for many centuries, had their forefathers. At least 1,500 years of practise and teaching on this matter. Reminded of it continually at Passover each year, hearing it read in the synagogues and in their homes. It was culturally ingrained in them. Our Christian communities today have little or no understanding of that. I have tried to think of a possible parallel for the Christian. Imagine being taught that the universally observed and revered festivals of Easter and Christmas (ignoring the fact that they are both unbiblical derivations of pagan festivals) were to be discontinued. No longer relevant to your Christian faith. That is possibly the nearest case of the change which the believing Jew had to contemplate. Selah.
But of course, in His infinite love, compassion, and grace towards those people called by His Name, God has removed the earthly Temple from existence. It is no longer possible for the Torah commanded sacrificial system to function anyway. But we do not know whether the writer to the Hebrews had any knowledge that the destruction of the Temple was a very close probable event, as Yeshua had prophesied, or even if it had already taken place, which is unlikely. (A close friend asked just a few days ago whether I thought that the early believers in Yeshua continued with the sacrificial system after they came to faith. I don’t know. But Paul was told by the Jerusalem Council in Acts 21 that ‘miriads’ of Jews had become believers and that ‘they were all zealous for the Torah!’ suggesting to me that they observed the commands of God to the very best of their ability. What do you think that means?)
The sacrifice which Yeshua made, taking the yolk of sinful man, overcoming death and hell by His resurrection, then taking His place, seated at the right hand of the Father as our Great High Priest (something of a stumbling block for the followers of Ellen White with her doctrine of investigative judgement following the martyrdom of Stephen!) Then for the second time in this letter the writer makes reference to the new covenant. Read it carefully in verses 16,17 and see if it refers to a present scenario or a future one. Whatever you think, the next statement is indisputable. The Messianic Jews receiving this letter, and those who read it today can avail themselves of the blessing of entry into the very presence of God through the mediation of Yeshua our Great High Priest. The ‘superiority’ of Yeshua is again the message of the writer to the Hebrews. And its message is relevant to all believers. But there is a bit of a ‘sting in the tail’ here. It is a message to those who do not take advantage of the salvation offered to believers. We do well to remind ourselves of it daily.
“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”. By implication, without the safe accompaniment of Yeshua, our Great High Priest.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 9
Hebraic understanding Hebrews and Revelation
A wonderful letter to Jews exalting the Name and Person of Yeshua. No-one knows the identity of the author or the time of its authorship. The most speculated names associated with this letter are Rabbi Sha’ul and Barnabas, but that matters little to the content. The author was one who had a fervent desire to see Jews come to faith in Yeshua, and just as importantly to continue in that faith in the face of opposition and discouragement. However, its content has often been portrayed by Christian teachers as abrogating the Torah. That was not its purpose, and there are great lessons for believers of every culture and background contained in its message. Again we remind ourselves that the chapter and verse convenience was not present in the original, even though we will take the chapter divisions for our study and ‘reflection’. Additionally, there is significant quotation of the Hebrew Scriptures in this letter. The source document for these quotations is the Septuagint, also known as the LXX, the earliest Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, and which was completed about 130 years before the birth of Yeshua. (so where those Scriptures are quoted the wording may not exactly accord with your own favourite translation!)
Taking up where we left off last week, the writer makes reference to the coming obsolescence of the first Covenant. The requirements of which the people had willingly agreed, both to do and to be obedient to its specifics. Then broke it! The Book of that Covenant specified, among other things, the procedural rituals which God required for those who wished to draw near to Him with sacrificial gifts and offerings. The description in the text requires no amplification. There was a requirement for purification of the officiating priest, through the sprinkling of the ashes of a red heifer mixed with water (Numbers 19), and a blood sacrifice. That officiating priest could only go so far (or so near, to God as the Covenant document allowed). But there was also an inner chamber, referred to as the Holiest of All, in which was the Ark of the Covenant containing a golden pot of Manna, Aaron’s rod that budded and the tablets of the covenant. On that Ark was the mercy seat and the cherubim of glory. It represented the place of God’s dwelling among the people. The very description paints a picture of awe, majesty, mystery and reverence. Instant death awaited any who might dare to venture presumptuously into that Holiest place. The High Priest alone was allowed there, and that only once each year on the ‘mo’ed (appointed time) of Yom Kippur, the tenth day of the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. His preparation required him to first make a blood sacrifice on his own account, and then a further blood sacrifice for the unwittingly committed sins of the people.
Now all of the foregoing was a God ordained temporary method of ‘drawing near’ to Himself until such time as He provided a permanent way of ‘drawing near’, also by blood sacrifice, but this one in perpetuity. Another sacrifice, not of bulls and goats, which required the mediation of a man appointed priest, properly cleansed and prepared, to officiate from time to time. But a sacrifice offered just once, for all time, by the One who is the Great High Priest, ‘drawing near’ to a holy God with His own blood. And as the writer to these Messianic Jews reminded them, this occurred at the time of the crucifixion of Yeshua, the moment when the thick ‘veil’ which separated the Holy Place from the Holiest Place in the Jerusalem Temple was miraculously torn apart.
The superiority of Yeshua is reinforced. Angels, Moses, Priests, and now the sacrifice itself. “For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, (the purification ritual for priests of which they were both familiar and trusting) sanctifies for the purifying of flesh, how much more shall the blood of Messiah Yeshua, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works (the ongoing priestly sacrificial service) to serve the living God?” This was a trust and faith issue for them, as it is for us today. But there is more! “And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant (first spoken of by Jeremiah) by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant.” (which they broke!) I paraphrase here “there is no testament without a testator, who must die, a situation which requires blood to be shed, for the inheritance to become available.” In this context testament and covenant are the same. Then the writer alludes to other covenantal arrangements in which there is always “blood” used to seal that covenant. “almost all things are purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no remission (for sin).” And so it is that Yeshua (by His death) became the guarantor, His blood the seal, by which the new covenant (with Jews) and its conditions and promises will be fulfilled. Everything that is necessary for the New Covenant to be implemented has been put in place. Yeshua is already seated at the right hand of the Father, awaiting the appointed time of His return to rule and reign in Jerusalem. Those of us who are alive today still have time to get right with a Holy God through the perfect sacrifice made by Yeshua for our salvation. But the writer to these Messianic Jews has a word of unchallenged truth and promise for all who read this letter. “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement … To those who eagerly wait for Him, He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 8
Hebraic understanding Hebrews and Revelation
A wonderful letter to Jews exalting the Name and Person of Yeshua. No-one knows the identity of the author or the time of its authorship. The most speculated names associated with this letter are Rabbi Sha’ul and Barnabas, but that matters little to the content. The author was one who had a fervent desire to see Jews come to faith in Yeshua, and just as importantly to continue in that faith in the face of opposition and discouragement. However, its content has often been portrayed by Christian teachers as abrogating the Torah. That was not its purpose, and there are great lessons for believers of every culture and background contained in its message. Again we remind ourselves that the chapter and verse convenience was not present in the original, even though we will take the chapter divisions for our study and ‘reflection’. Additionally, there is significant quotation of the Hebrew Scriptures in this letter. The source document for these quotations is the Septuagint, also known as the LXX, the earliest Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, and which was completed about 130 years before the birth of Yeshua. (so where those Scriptures are quoted the wording may not exactly accord with your own favourite translation!)
Hebrews 8 is the “main point of the things we are saying” said the writer to the Messianic Jewish community. So far, he has taken time to explain why Yeshua is superior to angels, Moses, the Aaronic priesthood, and now is seated at the “right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.” I wouldn’t think there could be much more to commend Him as worthy of our praise, worship, and faithful obedience. But there is! “Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices.” So Yeshua, the Great High Priest, of necessity, “also has to have something to offer.” What could that possibly be? This my dear friends is ‘the main point’. The Levitical Aaronic priesthood served as priests in the manner “as a copy and a shadow of the heavenly things.” And there is NO shadow unless there is something REAL casting that shadow is there? The Levites served in the capacity as mediators of the first covenant according to the instructions God gave to Moses, the Torah.
Now we need to get it firmly in our minds as to what that Covenant is. We are taught in our churches that the Torah IS the first Covenant. Further, that it is now obsolete. (Hebrews 8:13 is cited for that observation) But a close examination will reveal that this is not what that Scripture says. More on that at the end of this ‘reflection’. A Covenant, according to any good dictionary is an Agreement. Other words used in the same context are: contract, treaty, pact, accord, deal, pledge, promise, guarantee, undertaking, and commitment. So it can be seen that there are at least two parties to a Covenant aren’t there? Regarding the Torah, God provided Moses with the details, that’s what the Torah is. But Moses on two occasions brought the matter before the people. First, in Exodus 24:3, he told them what God had revealed to him. The people said “All the words which the Lord has said we will do.” So Moses went away and wrote the words in a book. Then in Exodus 24:7 we read “Then he took the “Book of the Covenant” (which he had written) and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, (for the second time) ‘All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient.” That, my friends is when the Covenant was made. It’s called the Mosaic Covenant. Which they broke! It seems that the fact that this first covenant was breakable was the reason why it was described as weak.
Now the writer to the Hebrews says the Great High Priest, Yeshua, is the Mediator (negotiator, intermediary) of a better covenant, established on better promises. But before we try to understand what those “better” things are, we note what will NOT change. Some things are the same. Firstly the parties to the Covenant are the same. God Himself (the mediator being Yeshua, who is the guarantor of the new Covenant by offering His shed blood), and the House of Israel and the House of Judah. Secondly, the contents of ‘Book of the Covenant’ are the same. Thirdly it is worthy of note that there is NO gentile inclusion in either Covenant either. So that is the same. So what is different? The first Covenant relied on the willing assent of the people. The new Covenant will be “put in their minds and written on their hearts”, not written in a book. It will be an unbreakable Covenant, because it will part of the DNA of each person. “None of them shall teach his neighbour … for they shall ALL know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.” Does anyone see those conditions being met in society today, even in Israel? The answer is obvious. But the good news is, as the writer to the Messianic Jews said, this new Covenant is coming, mediated by our Messiah Yeshua and guaranteed by His blood. He said so. At the last Passover Seder he shared with His disciples when He offered them the “Cup of Salvation”, the third cup of the Seder after the meal. “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins.”
So what about Hebrews 8:13? Obsolete? No. Becoming obsolete? YES. That is a future day, “not until heaven and earth pass away” (Matthew 5:18). But for now, “not one jot or tittle will pass from the Torah”, and when it does, it will be replaced by the same Torah which, unlike the first, will be unbreakable. Put your trust in the blood of Yeshua for that.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 7
Hebraic understanding Hebrews and Revelation
A wonderful letter to Jews exalting the Name and Person of Yeshua. No-one knows the identity of the author or the time of its authorship. The most speculated names associated with this letter are Rabbi Sha’ul and Barnabas, but that matters little to the content. The author was one who had a fervent desire to see Jews come to faith in Yeshua, and just as importantly to continue in that faith in the face of opposition and discouragement. However, its content has often been portrayed by Christian teachers as abrogating the Torah. That was not its purpose, and there are great lessons for believers of every culture and background contained in its message. Again we remind ourselves that the chapter and verse convenience was not present in the original, even though we will take the chapter divisions for our study and ‘reflection’. Additionally, there is significant quotation of the Hebrew Scriptures in this letter. The source document for these quotations is the Septuagint, also known as the LXX, the earliest Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, and which was completed about 130 years before the birth of Yeshua. (so where those Scriptures are quoted the wording may not exactly accord with your own favourite translation!)
The writer opened up with some insight into the person, Melchi Tzedek. This Priest of the Most High God who received ‘tithes’ from Abraham. There is sufficient information for commentators to speculate about this mysterious identity. The description is impressive. King of righteousness. King of peace. Without father or mother. No genealogical background. He wasn’t born. He did not die. Made like the Son of God. A perpetual priest. Could there possibly be a better description of Almighty God Himself? Well the writer doesn’t go that far, but many commentators have. It is a fact that mankind has extreme difficulty in understanding the nature of God. We are constrained by our own limited understanding, and we have an almost insatiable desire to try to think like God. But that is impossible. It would be better to just say that some things are beyond our understanding, but by faith we believe.
Drawing on the experience and role of the Levitical priesthood, the writer said that the ordinary person was required to present their tithes to the Levite. This is principally because the Tribe of Levi was not the beneficiary of a ‘land portion’ in the Promised Land (Moses and Aaron were great grandsons of Levi). The Levites were specifically called to be priestly servants in the House of the Lord (a situation which arose because this tribe was the only one which did not worship the golden calf when Moses was up the mountain hearing from God), and gave ‘blessing’ to those who came to them to present their ‘tithes and offerings’. In that capacity, the recipient of the tithe, who blessed the giver, was considered ‘better’ than the giver of the tithe. Now there is none higher to the Jews than Father Abraham. But even Abraham gave tithes to Melchi Tzedek, and was blessed by him. An indication of the relative ‘ranking’ between the two.
A quick reminder here that the writer has a purpose to demonstrate to the Messianic Jews the superiority of Yeshua over all that was before or after Him. And now the attention focuses on the Priesthood. So he asks the question. “If perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the Torah), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchi Tzedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?” Fair question. The priests always come from the Tribe of Levi. But Yeshua was of the Tribe of Judah. Moses did not say anything about priests coming from Judah. So IF a priest (in the likeness of Melchi Tzedek) arises, we know he was not called because of earthly connection. He would be according to “the power of endless life” (without beginning and without end).
Now we need to take very careful note of what follows, because it is often taught as abrogating Torah. It is NOT. We read “For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, for the law (Torah) made nothing perfect; on the other hand there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” There was a sacrificial system contained within the Torah, designed to cause adherents to “draw near to God (physically as they came to the priests in the Tabernacle or Temple) when presenting their various sacrifices and offerings. No one was made ‘perfect’ by that system. It was a system requiring repetitious obligation. The command of itself did nothing to alleviate the sin. It was in the obedience to it that the supplicant ‘drew near to God’, offering that supplicant the opportunity of repentance. We are often taught that the Torah IS the Mosaic Covenant. It is not. The Torah is the “Book of the Covenant” which sets out the terms and conditions. The ‘Covenant’ is the agreement of the people to be obedient to it.
“Yeshua has become surety of a better covenant.” There is opportunity next week, as we look at Hebrews 8, to discuss this in much greater detail. The writer continued with his summation of why Yeshua is superior in His priestly role than all the other, Levitical, priests who preceded Him as an advocate and intermediary between sinful man and YHWH Elohim. Please read it carefully yourself from verses 20 to 28. It is a clear, precise statement of why Yeshua is so qualified to be the Great High Priest in the order of Melchi Tzedek.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 6
Hebraic understanding Hebrews and Revelation
A wonderful letter to Jews exalting the Name and Person of Yeshua. No-one knows the identity of the author or the time of its authorship. The most speculated names associated with this letter are Rabbi Sha’ul and Barnabas, but that matters little to the content. The author was one who had a fervent desire to see Jews come to faith in Yeshua, and just as importantly to continue in that faith in the face of opposition and discouragement. However, its content has often been portrayed by Christian teachers as abrogating the Torah. That was not its purpose, and there are great lessons for believers of every culture and background contained in its message. Again we remind ourselves that the chapter and verse convenience was not present in the original, even though we will take the chapter divisions for our study and ‘reflection’. Additionally, there is significant quotation of the Hebrew Scriptures in this letter. The source document for these quotations is the Septuagint, also known as the LXX, the earliest Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, and which was completed about 130 years before the birth of Yeshua. (so where those Scriptures are quoted the wording may not exactly accord with your own favourite translation!)
We ended last week on a note of challenge. What are we doing with the faith we profess? For those wishing to ponder the facts, it is estimated that less than 2% of the folk who profess faith in Yeshua and attend a weekly service at their local church actually read their Bible on a regular or systematic basis! And a quite small fraction of those engage in meaningful study of that word. It would appear therefore that the writer to the Hebrews was well acquainted with the apparent indifference, or laziness, of believers towards the word of God when he issued that challenge. He could well have been writing his letter yesterday!
“Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection.” In paraphrase he is saying “OK, enough of that, you know the elementaries even though you appear not to do much with it, so let’s get down to the real issue here.” It is a strong message. It would even be classified today as ‘politically incorrect’. The writer tells it as it is. No room for argument or discussion. He said that if a person has at one time come to faith in Yeshua, has experienced the touch of God’s Holy Spirit in their lives, have been enlightened regarding the good word of God and known the promise of God’s salvation and where that leads, and THEN abandons the grace of God which was extended to him/her, it is impossible for that person to again be renewed to repentance. That is a very heavy word. It is tantamount to saying, you’ve got ONE chance, don’t blow it, because you can only repent of sin in your life ONCE for salvation, even though the call of God may come many times. The decision is a ‘onecer’. If you choose to abandon that faith and go back, there is no second chance! The message is that if or when doubt occurs in your walk of faith, seek help. Discuss it with your elders, as James counselled in James 5:14. There is support available. But DO NOT go back. It is likened to a field, once producing good crops being turned into a neglected field bearing only thorns and thistles, which are then burned.
But that is not the end of the story. The writer encouraged the members of the “ekklesia’ reading this letter to better things. God does not abandon those who are His (but no-one is forced to remain either). He is just and righteous in His dealings with mankind. “Look to those who have gone before”, he said. The revered Abraham is singled out for special mention because of the promises God made to Him. The covenant God made with Abraham was one sided. It was God’s promise to Abraham and not Abraham’s promise to God. And God keeps His word.
One of Satan’s favourite sayings, often whispered in the ear of a believer is “DID God really say that? Can you be sure of that? You are very small in the sight of God. Nah! You’d better try to work this out for yourself, then you’ll be sure of the outcome.” Subtle, persuasive, effective. Sowing doubt and fear in the mind of a believer. But friends, what God did say to Abraham, and by extension to those who came after him “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” The many Jewish recipients of this letter were testimony to that. They had the record of God’s faithfulness in making them into a nation. At the time of writing this letter, Israel was still occupied by Jews, albeit under Roman rule. And they had been witness to the coming of Messiah Yeshua in whom the recipients of this letter fervently believed. But there was opposition. There is always opposition. That is Satan’s only hope. To sow the seeds of doubt and opposition. And as the days advance Satan gets more and more active, in desperation, that there are still people like the recipients of this letter (and you and me), who maintain our faith. And the writer of this letter has allready reinforced the superiority of Yeshua over all that has gone before. Angels, Moses, Priests and kings. And in Him, we have the preeminent God who became as a man, now occupying that unique role. Prophet, Great High Priest, King, interceding before the Father on our behalf, awaiting the time appointed by the Father when He will return, not as the babe lying in a manger, but riding on a horse, taking His place as Ruler of His Kingdom in Jerusalem, ruling with a rod of iron where the Torah will be written on the heart of a man, and put into his mind by God Himself. That’s the promise the writer gives to these Messianic Jews who might be wavering in their faith. And that is our promise too.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 5
Hebraic understanding Hebrews and Revelation
A wonderful letter to Jews exalting the Name and Person of Yeshua. No-one knows the identity of the author or the time of its authorship. The most speculated names associated with this letter are Rabbi Sha’ul and Barnabas, but that matters little to the content. The author was one who had a fervent desire to see Jews come to faith in Yeshua, and just as importantly to continue in that faith in the face of opposition and discouragement. However, its content has often been portrayed by Christian teachers as abrogating the Torah. That was not its purpose, and there are great lessons for believers of every culture and background contained in its message. Again we remind ourselves that the chapter and verse convenience was not present in the original, even though we will take the chapter divisions for our study and ‘reflection’. Additionally, there is significant quotation of the Hebrew Scriptures in this letter. The source document for these quotations is the Septuagint, also known as the LXX, the earliest Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, and which was completed about 130 years before the birth of Yeshua. (so where those Scriptures are quoted the wording may not exactly accord with your own favourite translation!)
The writer had just introduced the position which Yeshua occupied in His great High Priestly role, interceding before the Father on their behalf. He made comparison between Yeshua, the great High Priest, and the Aaronic High Priest, whom he described as ‘appointed by men’ (even though Aaron was chosen by God for this role, as were his descendants after him). But the Aaronic High Priest was still ‘one of them’ so to speak, subject to all the frailties of humanity, giving him understanding and empathy for the people. Part of His duty included making an altar sacrifice for himself, which he did once a year on Yom Kippur, before making sacrifice for the whole people. So too Yeshua, was chosen by God, took on the flesh of humanity, understood the issues faced by humanity, and made willing sacrifice of Himself so as to make sacrifice for the people. Selah. Please take time to ponder that. It is an awesome, amazing, incomprehensible act of love and grace. Why is it so difficult to comprehend? Because God is ONE. The Son and the Father are ONE. The human mind cannot comprehend that. It is by faith alone that anyone can accept that, and in so doing be welcomed into the family of faith, joint heirs with Him who died. That, my friends, is AWESOME.
The writer then mentioned the mysterious Melchizedek. (Hb. melchi, meaning king and Hb. tzedek, meaning righteousness) Melchi Tzedek is described in Genesis 14 as “the Priest of God Most High”. Since there were no “Jews” then, he may well be described as a Priest for gentiles! In addition to that he is described as “king of Salem” (king of Peace). He also received ‘tithes’ from the spoils Abram had taken from the five kings who had captured Lot. Possibly the most important observation we can make, in relation to our study of the Hebrews text before us, is that this “Melchi Tzedek” is both Priest (to gentiles) of God Most High and king of righteousness and peace. (there are other observations made by many Bible scholars).
So, the writer to these Messianic Jews, having already established that Yeshua is superior to angels, superior to Moses, and great High Priest, higher in order than the Aaronic Priesthood, is here shown to be Priest ‘of the order of Melchi Tzedek’, King of Righteousness. Putting all that together, we see that Yeshua lived His life as a Prophet of God, and is described as Priest of both gentiles and Jews. Great High Priest no less. So He fulfils His God given role of Prophet, Priest and King. There is no other like Him. And that is the One commended by the writer as worthy of the allegiance and praise of all who turn to Him in faith. And especially to the recipients of this letter to Messianic Jewish believers.
And then the writer presents them with a challenge, an accusation even. A challenge which really should be taken to heart by every believer who has experienced the call of God on their lives and have taken the step of accepting Him by faith as their Redeemer. “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.” Now I make the observation here that the Scripture, which we know as ‘the great commission’, in Matthew 28, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” was spoken by the risen Yeshua to His eleven remaining disciples, Jews. It is a commandment which has compounding implications. Clearly the command was to ‘make disciples of Yeshua’ not disciples of themselves. The ones who have become ‘second generation’ disciples are commanded to make ‘third generation’ disciples, and so on, but ALL with first generation commitment. Evidently, the recipients of this letter were not fulfilling that charge. We all need to reflect on this.
Perhaps that is enough for this ‘reflection’. There are many challenges in the walk of faith. This one may be the most important. Why? Because if we are true disciples of the Messiah who died for us, we will know that the ones we have the opportunity to tell (and we don’t) are destined to spend eternity in a horrible place, identified in the Scriptures as ‘the lake of fire’. Selah.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 4
Hebraic understanding Hebrews and Revelation
A wonderful letter to Jews exalting the Name and Person of Yeshua. No-one knows the identity of the author or the time of its authorship. The most speculated names associated with this letter are Rabbi Sha’ul and Barnabas, but that matters little to the content. The author was one who had a fervent desire to see Jews come to faith in Yeshua, and just as importantly to continue in that faith in the face of opposition and discouragement. However, its content has often been portrayed by Christian teachers as abrogating the Torah. That was not its purpose, and there are great lessons for believers of every culture and background contained in its message. Again we remind ourselves that the chapter and verse convenience was not present in the original, even though we will take the chapter divisions for our study and ‘reflection’. Additionally, there is significant quotation of the Hebrew Scriptures in this letter. The source document for these quotations is the Septuagint, also known as the LXX, the earliest Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, and which was completed about 130 years before the birth of Yeshua. (so where those Scriptures are quoted the wording may not exactly accord with your own favourite translation!)
So far, the writer of this letter has declared that Yeshua, our Saviour and High Priest, is by far superior to angels and to Moses. Both are most highly regarded in Judaism, and the recipients of this letter were Messianic Jews. He also has warned these Messianic Jews of the dangers which befall any who abandon the faith they have once embraced. And that is how our reading this week commences. The “them” referred to in verse 2 is of course the Israelites of Moses’ day, but since they had not experienced the life of the Messiah on this earth, their call was to exercise faith in the promise of His coming, (Moses was the ‘type’ of Messiah to them in that day). In the grace of God to them, Moses revealed the instructions he was given in his close walk with God. The human mind has difficulty in fully understanding the mind of God, but we may be sure that His judgments are righteous and will be seen to be fair according to the knowledge of the hearer.
In Genesis, God spoke of ‘resting on the seventh day’. Since there was no eighth day in creation, we are still in ‘the seventh day’. It is a place of God’s resting. To be there with Him, we need to be qualified to enter that ‘rest’. And so it is that the writer quoted Psalm 95, now for the third time. Those with ‘hardened hearts’ will not enter His rest. They are reminded again that there were many, in Moses day, who did not enter that rest because of disobedience. But, under the command of Joshua, those who did enter the land of promise were obedient in the task set for them, and in so doing they settled in the land. In that, they entered ‘the rest’ which God had promised them. It was a land ‘flowing with milk and honey’. A ‘type’ of heaven. It is entered by obedience to the commands and will of Almighty God. “For the word of God (to which we have to be obedient) is living and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Do you think you can hide from God? Think again! “There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to Him to whom we must give account.” Wow!
At this point, the writer uses the words “Great High Priest” to describe Yeshua. We will comment on that later in our studies, but the recipients of this letter were well familiar with the role and position of the person in the office of High Priest. He would have been a descendant of Aaron in the early days of the Israelites. Much later, in the days of the Roman occupation the office was so lucrative that it became a mercenary office of favour and graft to people not of Aaronic lineage. In some respects the position was diminished as a result. But Yeshua was not of that lineage, and neither was He a mercenary. He was of the tribe of Judah. In His role as Great High Priest, interceding before the Father on behalf of those who are His, He had the experience of living among the people as a regular citizen. The word tells us that “He was in all matters tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Well qualified to know the hearts of the people.
Because of that, the writer confidently exhorts the Messianic Jews to “come boldly to that throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” In that statement he metaphorically asks the question of them ‘Why do you even think of going back to the old ways? What we have before us in Yeshua is infinitely better than all we have known before. Better than angels, better than Moses, better than the High Priest. It is such a privilege to have found such grace as is found in Yeshua.’
The whole letter is a statement of the superiority of Yeshua in every aspect of His life and sacrificial death. Speaking about Yeshua in the presence of the High Priest Caiaphas and his family, with others present after the day of Pentecost the Apostle Peter declared “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." The writer to the Hebrews didn’t want any of them to forget. And neither should we.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 3
Hebraic understanding Hebrews and Revelation
A wonderful letter to Jews exalting the Name and Person of Yeshua. No-one knows the identity of the author or the time of its authorship. The most speculated names associated with this letter are Rabbi Sha’ul and Barnabas, but that matters little to the content. The author was one who had a fervent desire to see Jews come to faith in Yeshua, and just as importantly to continue in that faith in the face of opposition and discouragement. However, its content has often been portrayed by Christian teachers as abrogating the Torah. That was not its purpose, and there are great lessons for believers of every culture and background contained in its message. Again we remind ourselves that the chapter and verse convenience was not present in the original, even though we will take the chapter divisions for our study and ‘reflection’. Additionally, there is significant quotation of the Hebrew Scriptures in this letter. The source document for these quotations is the Septuagint, also known as the LXX, the earliest Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, and which was completed about 130 years before the birth of Yeshua. (so where those Scriptures are quoted the wording may not exactly accord with your own favourite translation!)
The writer has established that Yeshua has a higher standing than angels. He also established the qualification of Yeshua as High Priest to intercede before God for mankind. And now another comparison is introduced. Moses needed no introduction to this Jewish audience. He is possibly the most revered person in Judaism after Abraham, and is cited here as a most faithful servant of the people of his day, they all knew that very well. It was Moses who God chose to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and through 40 years of wilderness wanderings to the very brink of the Land of God’s Promise to them. It was Moses who taught (under God’s supernatural instruction) the people how to function as “a house” (a family, a people, a nation). But, said the writer, whilst it was the respected Moses who lead the “house”, it was Yeshua, the Messiah of God, who owned the “house”. And by the grace of God, they were part of it.
To make it abundantly clear that the writer is not merely conjuring up words of his own to influence the people, he invokes the authority of the Holy Spirit of God, in the written word of the Hebrew Scriptures (in this case quoting Psalm 95) to show them that God is righteous and just in all His ways. And He is consistent in His application of that justice. This letter is written to Jews, Messianic Jews, those who had come to faith in Yeshua. But the writer cautions them in regard to the distractions and doubts which were capable of causing them to falter in their faith. He reminded them of the history of their forefathers. A history which all Jews, right up the present day, are most familiar with because of its frequent telling, especially at Passover. “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion”. There were two parts to this rebellion. Firstly, there was the instance of the report of the ‘spies’ who were sent to survey the land. The decision of the people amounted to rebellion against Moses which resulted in a 10 day journey lasting 40 years! Secondly, there were numerous occasions of rebellion during that 40 year journey, as in the instances of “the golden calf” and the grumbling about God’s provision of “manna”. The rebellion against Moses himself, by Aaron and Miriam and by the sons of Korah. These instances are part of the history of the Jews, recorded in Scripture, of which they were well aware. And then the writer reminded the people of the result of those rebellious acts. “So I swore in My wrath, they shall not enter My rest”. And neither did they.
Immediately following this quotation of the Scriptures, the writer, in the clearest possible terms said “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Referring again to Psalm 95.
Because the events following the departure from Egypt were so real to the Jews, there could be no mistaking the consequential judgment of God which was visited upon those who rebelled by their lack of faith and unbelief. And the writer is telling them that God has not changed. His wrath, and His righteous judgement, is just the same in their day as it was in the days of Moses. It would be naïve in the extreme if we did not see that God still has not changed (see Malachi 3:6) and the conditions which cause Him to exercise His wrath and judgement have not changed either. Ah! I hear some say, ‘but we have Jesus and He has paid the debt for our sin’. Absolutely true. But so did the Messianic Jews receiving this letter! “To whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey (were disobedient)? To what? To His instructions for righteous living. It’s in the Book. It is written. They had the Book didn’t they? And so do we. The Book is called the Hebrew Scriptures.
Friends, the Scriptures have application for all ages, but they do not change. God’s word IS God’s word. All manner of verbal gymnastics are used to try to circumnavigate the parts of it we do not like. But that does not change God’s word. Our very salvation security is vested in Almighty God being faithful to His word.
God will bless you as you read, and study that word.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 2
Hebraic understanding Hebrews and Revelation
A wonderful letter to Jews exalting the Name and Person of Yeshua. No-one knows the identity of the author or the time of its authorship. The most speculated names associated with this letter are Rabbi Sha’ul and Barnabas, but that matters little to the content. The author was one who had a fervent desire to see Jews come to faith in Yeshua, and just as importantly to continue in that faith in the face of opposition and discouragement. However, its content has often been portrayed by Christian teachers as abrogating the Torah. That was not its purpose, and there are great lessons for believers of every culture and background contained in its message. Again we remind ourselves that the chapter and verse convenience was not present in the original, even though we will take the chapter divisions for our study and ‘reflection’. Additionally, there is significant quotation of the Hebrew Scriptures in this letter. The source document for these quotations is the Septuagint, also known as the LXX, the earliest Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, and which was completed about 130 years before the birth of Yeshua. (so where those Scriptures are quoted the wording may not exactly accord with your own favourite translation!)
“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.” The writer continued his theme of comparison of Yeshua with angels. There are many instances in the Hebrew Scriptures where angels were used by God to convey messages to the prophets. These messages were highly revered because they are foundational to faith in God. As this letter stated at the commencement “In time past God spoke to them by the prophets.” And they had been reminded that some, if not all the prophets were persecuted and reviled for their efforts by the people who heard the message at first hand. A prophet of God was a hazardous calling, to say the least! Luke, recording the sermon of Stephen to the Council of the Jews before he was stoned to death, wrote in Acts 7 “Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One (Messiah Yeshua), of whom you have become betrayers and murderers, who have received the Torah by the direction of angels and have not kept it.” The writer of this letter to the Hebrews was not letting them off the hook so to speak. The salvation of which they were beneficiaries was bought with a hefty price, not only by Him who died on that Roman cross, but by those who brought the message to them as well.
We do well to remember this fact ourselves. We are “bought with a price” too. Our salvation is just as costly as it was for the Jewish recipients of this letter. It is the most valuable gift of God to mankind. Now “if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast (which it does) and every transgression and disobedience (of that word) received a just reward, how shall we escape (death and the lake of fire) if we neglect so great a salvation.” Evidently, the writer was intent on conveying the dire consequences which befalls any who reject the salvation of which they had been partakers. This is written to believers. Today we apply it to the unsaved don’t we? But just as Paul warned in Romans 11, branches once attached to the natural Olive Tree can be broken off through unbelief, through rejection of faith, through disobedience to God’s instructions for righteous living, through backsliding (to use a modern expression).
“God has put ALL things in subjection under the Yeshua we worship” said the writer. “But we can’t see that at present”. Why? Because Satan is still wreaking havoc in this world of ours. This situation will not continue for ever. God has a timetable which only He knows, and in the fullness of His perfect timing Yeshua will return to take His appointed place as King of kings, ruling and reigning on this same earth, in Jerusalem, which He left about 2000 years ago. Count on it. “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, in bringing many sons (all who believe in faith) to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through (His) sufferings, for both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified (we haven’t arrived yet) are all of one (family) for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren.” We have confirmation in Scripture as the Apostle John wrote “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us that we should be called children of God” (1 John 3:1) Quite remarkable.
Now the writer warmed to his task as he moved to one of the main messages of this whole epistle, that of Yeshua as High Priest. Still comparing Him to angels he declared that God does not “give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.” Angels do not experience death, so they are unqualified to provide the necessary blood sacrifice for sinful man to be reconciled to a holy God. Those who are the ‘seed of Abraham’ do. In this, Yeshua, by taking human form, was subject to the exact same conditions (requirement to be obedient to Torah, God’s instruction for righteous living) as those to whom He would become High Priest. In this situation He was perfect, unblemished, without spot or wrinkle. The perfect Lamb of God. Perfect to be the Priestly advocate for humankind before a holy God. And so He has become “better than the angels” who are so revered in Judaism for their role with the prophets.
The writer has emphasised the superiority and worthiness of Yeshua to command our worship and our praise. Selah.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 1
Hebraic understanding Hebrews and Revelation
A wonderful letter to Jews exalting the Name and Person of Yeshua. No-one knows the identity of the author or the time of its authorship. The most speculated names associated with this letter are Rabbi Sha’ul and Barnabas, but that matters little to the content. The author was one who had a fervent desire to see Jews come to faith in Yeshua, and just as importantly to continue in that faith in the face of opposition and discouragement. However, its content has often been portrayed by Christian teachers as abrogating the Torah. That was not its purpose, and there are great lessons for believers of every culture and background contained in its message. Again we remind ourselves that the chapter and verse convenience was not present in the original, even though we will take the chapter divisions for our study and ‘reflection’. Additionally, there is significant quotation of the Hebrew Scriptures in this letter. The source document for these quotations is the Septuagint, also known as the LXX, the earliest Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, and which was completed about 130 years before the birth of Yeshua. (so where those Scriptures are quoted the wording may not exactly accord with your own favourite translation!)
“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son.” A statement of fact. The Jews were well aware of the Tanakh, (the Torah, the Nevi’im (Prophets) and the Ketuvim (Writings)), and those gentiles who had joined them in faith would also have been taught about them too. So to these authoritative Scriptures, on which the whole concept of worship of God was founded has been augmented, expanded, confirmed and established in the appearance on this earth of Messiah Yeshua. He is portrayed here as the ‘crowning glory’ of God’s revelation. The very best has been kept until His earthly appearance, and the writer then proceeded to amplify the reasons why. But before we go on let us note that He is not portrayed as superseding the earlier revelation but as being part of it. And in verification of that look at Yeshua’s own words in Matthew 5 : 19. “Do not think that I came to destroy the Torah or the Prophets, I did not come to destroy but to fulfil (Gr. pleroo).” (see Brit Hadashah ‘Reflections’ 03 two years ago for a more full exposition)
The Heavenly host comprises those whom God has both created and appointed, and it would seem there are ranks of authority and distinction clearly identified. Angels have special tasks appointed by the Father, sometime defined as “armies”. There are many people alive today who have a firm conviction of being visited by an angel at a specific moment in their life for the purpose of receiving a particular message from God. I can identify with that. There are Archangels, Cherubim, Seraphim, and Guardian Angels etc. The list may include many more, we do not know, but what we do know is that Yeshua was made ‘a little lower than the angels’ in order to secure salvation for those whose trust is in Him, and yet His place in Heaven is here described as “so much better than the angels”. The writer tells us that God did not entrust the role of Saviour to an angel, but to His own Son, He “who was in the beginning with God and then ‘took flesh’ and dwelt among us.” Selah.
Then the writer seems to say “Don’t just take my word for it, look it up for yourself.” Because he quotes a number of relevant Scriptures to verify God’s prophetic word concerning Yeshua. He asks the rhetorical question, “To which of the angels did He ever say?” Why do you think he asks this question? The reason is that angels are spoken about multiple times in the Hebrew Scriptures. They are well respected emissaries of God in those Scriptures, bringing enlightening words and direction to the prophets of God. Their authority is unquestioned within Judaism. They are integral to the whole revelation of God. Now this is an extremely important lesson for us. Don’t just take the word of some preacher on any issue UNLESS you can verify, from the Scriptures, that what you are being told is of God. That is what the writer to the Hebrews is saying here. “It is written.”
The writer could have chosen any number of Scriptures which speak of the advent of the Messiah. The whole message of the Hebrew Scriptures is of His coming. There are direct references, analogous references, clear references and hidden references. But the writer chooses just seven here. “You are My Son, today I have begotten You.” Speaks of the moment in antiquity when God knew that mankind would need a Saviour. “I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son?” Put as a question here in a manner which invites the recipients of this letter to consider what that mystical statement in David’s day means. King David had desired to build a “house for the Lord”. God refused him, but promised that after David’s days He would raise up an everlasting King. The writer points to Yeshau as the fulfilment of that promise to David.
Finally, in this discourse, “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” Yeshua Himself used these very words in answer to a question from the Pharisees in Matthew 22: 44. David’s words were well known to this Jewish audience. These words were never spoken to any of the host of well-respected angels. But they were reference to Him who was crucified on a Roman cross. The One in whom this audience has already professed faith. As indeed have you!
Shabbat Shalom.
RS