Chapter 7 was a hot mess and difficult. This chapter may make it easier to understand as the author puts everything together to make the closing argument in this series: Jesus is our High Priest.
I like how the author starts this chapter, essentially saying...so what I mean is...Jesus is our High Priest. Reference to the Most Holy Place- this was in the middle of the Temple, behind a curtain, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept-- the house of God. It was visited only once a year, by the High Priest. What the author is saying is that Jesus is with God all the time and they are in heaven (made by God not by human). Jesus' position of authority is in heaven with God. The author also uses the words "sits" (v 1) meaning Jesus' work is done, Jesus can rest now. In the original temple, there were no places for priests to sit, because their work was never done. Is Jesus' work done?
The "job" of a high priest was to offer sacrifices on behalf of other priests and the people, and instruct priests how to do sacrifices. The author says that Jesus had to offer a sacrifice also- since he was a High Priest (v 3). The Temple was an architectural beauty (vv 4-5) but built by human hands (and one of them- Herod- wasn't a very Godly man!); the residence of God (Heaven) is even better than the Temple. Jesus serves in that place. The human priests essentially replicate and copy what Jesus does for us...they are just a quick glimpse of what is available. The result: Jesus presides over a superior priesthood with a better covenant and better promises. The covenant made through Jesus supersedes all the other Hebrew covenants and replaces them. It is the newer better model that will last (v 6). Had the prior covenants worked and been good (v 7) there would have been no need for a new one- but people were wrong and mistreated the covenants- they didn't believe the promises God made. To follow a comment made by Donna yesterday...Will God have to make another covenant with humans if things continue the way they are going? Are we treating the New Covenant with the respect and honor that it requires?
The author then goes on to quote a section of Jeremiah that outlines the New Covenant. Some reminders: we look at these writings through New Testament eyes and see Jesus in the prophecies; people of the time (600BC is when Jeremiah was written) see other figures as the originator of the new covenant. People may have expected God to create the New Covenant like next year...little did they know (through our NT eyes) that it would be 600 or 700 years later! Regardless, I love this section of Jeremiah...I love the words, I love the images, I love the promises and I see evidence of this promise daily in my life and the loves of the people around me. . Jeremiah was known as "the weeping prophet" as most of his writing was so negative and talked of doom and gloom. These words of the New Covenant are in the final sections of the prophet's writings; the end of the writings are upbeat and positive. I go back to the question from before (in view of v 9b..."they broke that agreement...), are we breaking the agreement with the New Covenant God has made with humanity?
I hope this is somewhat easier than the last chapter. Hebrews is some tough material (wait until the next chapter!).
Enjoy the weekend and take a well deserved break this weekend. I have my final class sessions for my Course of Study on the Protestant Reformation today (2 pm until 9PM) and tomorrow (9AM until 4PM) so I will be busy!!
Shalom+
Pastor Paul
This part is definitely more clear. Verse 13 says “in speaking of a new covenant, he has made the first one obsolete.” That’s pretty plain. This clearly says that Jesus is the High Priest above all.
ReplyDeleteSome of the snow has melted and the sun sun is feeling warm again. Spring must be in the way!
Have a good weekend.
The author does clarify things- especially when verse 13 comes up- like you say. It is almost a "duh" moment!
DeleteThanks Cathy!
I almost wish we were reading more then one chapter at a time because sometimes reading the following chapter helps us understand the previous one!! Your explanation of Chapter 7 helped me to understand Chapter 8 the "the old one was good but the new one is better" statement also applied to Chapter 8. The old convenant was good but the new one is even better. The confusing part to me is when the author starts to quote Jeremiah because I am not sure when it begins and when it ends and when it begins again. I can't determine which part the author is actually speaking from their own knowledge and which part is a reference back to Jeremiah. Pastor, my understanding is that Moses meant to build a Tabernacle according to the instructions he was given on the Mount and that when he started to build God became angry - so was the First Temple (with the vail and where the arc of the convenant was kept) following those instructions as given to Moses? So after God instructed Moses how to build it, God saw that the original convenant was not being following and sent Jesus so that He could make another convnant? Vs 10 seems like in the time of the author the convenant has not been made yet "For this is the convenant I WILL make.....I will put my laws into their mind and write them in their hearts.." Plus vs. 11 says "They shall not teach every man his neighbor .....for all shall know me." And again in vs. 13 " old is READY to vanish away." Do all three of these vs. mean that in the author's time this new convenant had not been fulfilled yet? Or the author didn't think so? After all, Jesus reiterates the 10 commandments - which are laws - AND gives us two new ones. So there are laws still. And Jesus gives us the great commission - so how does that fit in with vs 11 " And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest?" Which seems to me the opposite of the great commission. And when does vs. 12 come into effect? Is vs. 8 a reference back to jeremiah since it says the days WILL come? And my last question, possibly, why does it separate the House of Israel and the House of Judah?
ReplyDeleteWas not Judah part of the House of Israel? Sorry for all the questions but it seems the more I read of Hebrews the more questions I have (smile). I REALLY wish we knew who wrote this and who it was intended for!! Have a great weekend everyone.
It does make sense to read several chapters together! It becomes more clear and a little easier to understand.
DeleteYes, it is hard sometimes to differentiate between Jeremiah and the author.
Mmmm...good question. I don't know if the "architectural plans" given to Moses were the ones used for the first temple? I will somehow have to investigate that!
God made several covenants with the Jewish people (Abrahamic, Mosaic, Noahis, Davidic, even a few more I think), but they continued to be broken, so that is when God says there needs to be a better way!
You ask some tough questions...
Re: V 11- the thought is (my interpretation) since everyone will be so in love and in covenant with God- there will be no need for edification of the masses- for the chosen- there are still the "unchosen" and that may go back to your reference to Jesus' great commission?
Re: V 13-mine says: "God called this a new agreement, so he has made the first agreement old. And anything that is old and worn out is ready to disappear." So my thought is that it is in the process of being outdated...maybe not an instantaneous things as nit everyone has heard of Christ yet?
V 12 is part of the Jeremiah passage (vv8 - 12 are Jeremiah 31:31-34). Doesn't God forgive us? Hasn't God "forgotten" our inequities?
Re: Israel and Judah...The nation of Israel was originally composed of the 12 tribes of Jacob. They stayed united up until Solomon died; his son Rehoboam succeeded Solomon, but 10 of the 12 tribes revolted (1 Kings 12). The tribes of Judah and Bejamin stayed loyal to Rehoboam; those two tribes split from the nation and became the "house of Judah" while the remaining ten tribes stayed as the "house of Israel" Sometimes the house of Israel is known as the northern kingdom while Judah is the southern kingdom. Does that help?
Questions are good- it makes me think and remember!!
The consensus among theologians is that Hebrews was written to Jews that were following Christ, but became disillusioned and are turning back to Judaism. It is the author's intent to keep them as followers of Christ.
Great work Donna! Thanks!
This chapter clearly states that Jesus is High Priest I was a little confused when I read verse 3 but on reading over a couple of times I guess it meant only the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made At first I thought it meant the Jesus was to continue making sacrifices. It was necessary for God to have a new covenant as the first one was faulty. Now the new one is made and the old one forever gone. It's something like our sins being forgiven even if we sin again Jesus forgives us if we only pray and ask for his forgiveness
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend and hoping for an easier chapters next week.
Right- v 3 relates to Jesus' crucifixion! Once that sacrifice was made, there was no need for others- so forgiveness and grace is an all time gift for all who accept.
DeleteGood question Clara!
Once again, I/we apologize for not reading Chapter 7 and 8 in a timely manner. Better late than never??? I need to read both chapters again maybe with a different translation.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, I was wondering if we were reading the Old Testament. I see now that the author was clarifying Chapter 7 by his citing Jeremiah. When was Hebrews written? I realize the author is unknown.
As to your question about God having to make a new covenant with humans, my answer is YES. Things as so out of whack all over the world. Everything you say is now racist. This is only one example. The list goes on and on. We need something to right the ship in the water before we sink. If there ever was a time, it is now. If it is the Second Coming of Christ, we need it now more than ever.
I know how life gets busy!!
DeleteThe author, since they are writing to Jews, relies heavily on the Hebrew Scriptures- so there are many reference to the Hebrew texts- especially Jeremiah and the Psalms. It is also good reference for us!
Life does seem to have gone off the deep end Jack! I am praying for goodness to come out of the mess we are in and I continually look for the good in the world. There is good- we have to see that! We need a reawakening!
Keep the faith and stay positive. Thanks for the honesty!
Yes, Jesus work on earth is done. He sacrificed himself, blood, for forgiveness of our sins. Next time he comes, if we believe in him will take us to heaven. Jeremiah, prophet, predicted the return of God, a day of wrath and ruin.
ReplyDeleteGood positive comments RoseMArie- Thanks!
ReplyDelete