“Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?” (Hebrews 7:11, NKJV). Priests are mediators between God and human beings. Hebrews says, however, … Continue reading –>
Read Genesis 14:18-20 and Hebrews 7:1-3. Who was Melchizedek, and how did he prefigure Jesus? Melchizedek was both a king and priest. He was also superior to Abraham, since Abraham paid him tithe. Likewise, Jesus is king and priest (Hebrews 1:3); unlike Melchizedek, however, Jesus was sinless (Hebrews 7:26-28). Hebrews 7:15 explains that Jesus was priest “in the likeness of … Continue reading –>
Read Hebrews 5:1-10. What is the role of the priesthood and, according to this passage, how does Jesus fulfill that role? The basic purpose of the Levitical priesthood was to mediate between sinful people and God. Priests were appointed by God in order to minister in behalf of human beings; therefore, they needed to be merciful … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon, Read for This Week’s Study: Hebrews 5:1–10; Genesis 14:18–20; 1 Peter 2:9; Hebrews 7:1–3; Hebrews 7:11–16, Hebrews 7:22, Hebrews 7:26. Memory Text: “For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens” (Hebrews 7:26, NKJV). The gulf that existed between God and us was caused by sin. The … Continue reading –>
Finding Peace By Andrew McChesney It was the worst day of Yean’s life. The witch doctor approached him in their village in southern Laos and announced that he was going to die. “And there is no one who can help you,” the witch doctor said, solemnly. Yean was scared. People in his village believed that … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: It is very significant that Paul in Hebrews used the Sabbath rest, and not Sunday, as a symbol of the salvation through grace that God offers us. The use of Sabbath rest in this way implies that Sabbath was cherished and observed by believers. From the second century A.D. forward, however, we find … Continue reading –>
Compare Exodus 20:8-11, Deuteronomy 5:12-15, and Hebrews 4:8-11. What differences do you find regarding the meaning of the Sabbath rest? As we have already seen, these texts in Exodus and Deuteronomy invite us to look to the past. They exhort us to rest on Sabbath in order to celebrate God’s accomplishments at Creation and at Redemption. Hebrews 4:9-11, however, … Continue reading –>
Read Hebrews 3:11 and Hebrews 4:1, Hebrews 4:3, Hebrews 4:5, Hebrews 4:10. How does God characterize the rest He invites us to enter? Both the Sabbath commandment in Exodus 20:8-11 and Moses’ restatement of it in Deuteronomy 5:12-15 invite us to remember what God has done for us. As we have seen, what God wrote on tablets of stone point us to the finishing of … Continue reading –>
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 –>
