Read Hebrews 4:4-8. What is the meaning of entering rest “today” in connection with keeping the Sabbath? The unbelief of the desert generation prevented them from entering into the rest God promised. But God kept urging His people to enter this rest and not to harden their hearts. Paul repeats several times that God’s promise “remains” (Hebrews … Continue reading –>
Read Hebrews 3:12-19. Why was Israel unable to enter into the promised rest? The sad story is that those who were delivered from Egypt were unable to enter into the rest that God had promised them. When Israel arrived at Kadesh Barnea, at the border of the Promised Land, they lacked the faith that they needed. … Continue reading –>
Read Genesis 15:13-21. What did God promise Abraham? When God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt, His purpose was to bring Israel to the land of Canaan, where they would be able to serve and obey Him freely (Exodus 8:1; Psalm 105:43-45), including enjoying the Sabbath rest that Pharaoh had prohibited (Exodus 5:5). The land of Canaan was the … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon, Read for This Week’s Study: Genesis 15:13–21; Hebrews 3:12–19; Hebrews 4:6–11; Hebrews 4:1, Hebrews 4:3, Hebrews 4:5, Hebrews 4:10; Deuteronomy 5:12–15; Hebrews 4:8-11. Memory Text: “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God” (Hebrews 4:9, NKJV). Hebrews 1 and 2 focused on the enthronement of Jesus as the ruler and liberator of God’s people. Hebrews 3 and 4 introduce Jesus as the … Continue reading –>
Jesus, Miracle Doctor By Andrew McChesney Sengphet was a highly regarded medical doctor at the largest hospital in one of the provinces of Laos. But he was powerless to cure his son’s disease. His adult son came down with the mysterious illness while working in Bangkok, Thailand. The young man was treated by Bangkok physicians … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Hebrews 2:13 contains the words of Jesus to His Father talking about His brethren: “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me” (Hebrews 2:13, NKJV). Patrick Gray suggests that Jesus is described here as the guardian of His brothers. The Roman system of tutela impuberum determined that at their father’s death, “A tutor, often … Continue reading –>
Another reason why Jesus adopted our human nature and lived among us was so that He could be our example, the only one who could model for us what is the right way to live before God. Read Hebrews 12:1-4. According to the apostle, how should we run the race of the Christian life? In this … Continue reading –>
Read Hebrews 2:10, Hebrews 2:17-18, and Hebrews 5:8-9 . What was the function of suffering in Jesus’ life? The apostle says that God made Jesus “perfect through sufferings.” This expression is surprising. The author has said that Jesus is “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature” (Hebrews 1:3, ESV) and that He is sinless, spotless, … Continue reading –>
Hebrews says that Jesus adopted our human nature so that He could represent us and could die for us (Hebrews 2:9, Hebrews 2:14-16; Hebrews 10:5-10). Here is the foundation of the plan of salvation and our only hope for eternal life. Read Matthew 16:17, Galatians 1:16, 1 Corinthians 15:50, and Ephesians 6:12. To what deficiencies of human nature do these passages relate … Continue reading –>
Hebrews says that Jesus was not ashamed to call us His brethren (Hebrews 2:11). Despite being one with God, Jesus embraced us as part of His family. This solidarity contrasts with the public shaming that the readers of Hebrews suffered in their communities (Hebrews 10:33). Read Hebrews 11:24-26. In what way do Moses’ decisions exemplify what Jesus did … Continue reading –>
