One of the most significant books of the New Covenant is the letter to the Hebrews, or Messianic Believers. Hebrews touches the Tanach more than any other book in the New.
This letter was written in the 60’s of the first century. Many of the Jewish people who had come to believe in Yeshua as Messiah were made homeless because of the stand that they had taken for Yeshua.
Though they were Jewish they lived as strangers and exiles in their own homeland. They were mocked tormented, and imprisoned. Persecuted by Rome and the religious leaders of Israel.
This letter was probably written by a Jewish believer who could identify and sympathize with the persecution they were experiencing. If being cast off by the Jewish community wasn’t bad enough Nero had come to power. Nero hated Believers.
In 64 A.D. a devastating fire swept through Rome destroying a great part of the city. The emperor was the chief suspect. In order to divert attention from himself, Nero accused Believers. He then pursued them by subjecting them to the worst of tortures.
The Author of this letter is unknown, but key individuals attributed to this letter are: Paul, who wrote it anonymously in Hebrew and translated by Luke. Others suggested by various scholars:
Apollos, a Jewish believer well known for his speaking ability and knowledge of the Tenach and Jewish Halakah; Aquila the Jewish believer who led Apollos to a correct understanding of the New Covenant. Or even Priscilla who they say wrote anonymously since she was a woman. Ultimately the Author is God the Holy Spirit.
It was written primarily because Jewish believers were drifting from their faith because of their trials. They were neglecting “so great a salvation” and falling away from the living God.
What is written here applies to all of God’s children who are called to be priests of God. So, Hebrews helps in understanding the New Covenant based on God’s Holy Law given to a priestly nation, Israel.
This letter was written to Jewish Believers who knew about Yeshua by the testimony of first-generation believers and the indwelling Spirit of God. They did not have a written New Covenant as we do today.
They were in a transition period as God’s Word was being composed and recorded by God’s New Covenant writers. The written New Covenant explains the Torah and the prophets.
The New Covenant is the Biblical Talmud, or commentary of the Law and the prophets. The Talmud is the Jewish compilation of the teachers of Israel on the message and meaning of Torah.
The orthodox Jewish community holds that the Talmud is the key that interprets Torah and the rest of Scripture. It reflects what Yeshua referred to as the traditions which in many cases nullify God’s Word.
Hebrews is a divine commentary on the Jewish Scriptures. The theme of this book is that the Messiah Yeshua is the Way. That God has spoken through His Son. He is the only way to the Father. That He is what the Tanach points to.
As you study this book you need to realize that though this letter was addressed to 1st C. Jewish believers it is God’s manual for God’s priests today.
The Rabbis taught that all the law and prophets were written for the days of Messiah. They held the conviction that the World was created for the leadership and rule of the Messiah (Sanhedrin 99a).
The writer of Hebrews understood this and expresses this to his readers. In v. 1 we are told that God has revealed Himself to His people in various ways but in v. 2 we are told that in this age God is speaking through His Son.
In Heb 1:1-4 This “Son’s” uniqueness is defined 7 different ways.
- GOD HAS SPOKEN FULLY THROUGH HIS SON (Hebrews 1:1–2)
A. God spoke in the past in many ways Prophets – 2 Pet. 1:20-21 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. Dreams & visions Joseph and Daniel Angels – Rescue of Lot Gen. 18
B. Now God has spoken finally in His Son
Not just through a messenger – Mal 3:1 Not just through a prophet – Moses, Samuel, David But through His Son – Psalm 2:6-7 But as for Me, I have installed My King, Upon Zion, My holy mountain.” “I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.
Begotten – Not the production of Sonship (since all three persons of the Godhead are uncreated and eternal), but rather the Father’s declaration of the Messiah’s Sonship.
We are not waiting for another word from God, The final come Who is this Son?
- The Son is Lord of the Universe V. 2 He is the Heir of all things – Ps 2:8 Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.
He is the Creator of and sustainer all things Colossians 1:16-17 all things created through Him and for Him. If He created all things, then He is not created… He is God. He is the perfect revelation of God Himself.
- THE SON REVEALS THE FATHER (v. 3)
He is the radiance of God’s glory The visible manifestation of God – Mt. of Transfiguration – The Shekinah now seen in Messiah
B. He is the exact representation of His nature The perfect imprint – Nothing missing, nothing lacking 2 Cor. 4:4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. John 12:45 “He who has seen me has
Our lives are not held together by our strength but His word. He who created and sustains all things did something even greater… He dealt with our sin
- THE SON IS OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST (v. 3)
He made purification for sins – Not covered like the OT sacrifices – Removed completely.
He sat down at the right hand of God – No chairs in the Temple – Priests never finished. Messiah sat down because His work is finished. Mark 16:19 So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.
We now serve from rest – Ephesians 2:6 seated with Him “and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Our life and service flows from rest, not striving
And because of all this, the writer makes one final declaration.
V. THE SON IS SUPERIOR TO ALL (v. 4) Greater than angels – Inherited a more excellent nameThere is no one like Him… no one above Him… no one equal to Him.
Three closing challenges: Do not drift – Do not diminish who Messiah is Do not return to what cannot save
Next week
Session 2 Greater Than Angels: The King on His Throne Hebrews 1:5-14
The Messiah is not merely a messenger like the angels. He is the divine Son and reigning King. He is the unique Son of God fulfilling Psalm 2 and Psalm 110. The
Angels serve Him, He is the eternal ruler over all of His creation.
