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Hebrews 8 - Day 203 (link to reading plan)
Scripture: Hebrews 8:8-13 Observation: The author explains why the second covenant is better than the first. Application: From my personal experience, newer doesn't always necessarily mean better. However, in terms of our relationship with God, in my opinion the new covenant is much better. The first covenant was designed to teach the Israelites that they needed God but that realization never really sunk in because it was based on a lot of rules. In the new covenant, God said, "I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people," meaning that it's personal and based on His grace. Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your grace. Hebrews 7 - Day 202 (link to reading plan)
Scripture: Hebrews 7:15-28 Commentary: Several indications have already been given that Jesus is ‘high priest for ever in the order of Melchizedek’ (cf. 5:6, 10; 6:20). That theme is now fully developed as the writer comes to the heart of his message and begins to feed his readers the ‘solid food’ that promotes spiritual maturity (cf. 5:11–14). The first part of this chapter deals with the encounter between Abraham and Melchizedek in Gn. 14, focusing on the significance of Melchizedek’s priesthood in that context (1–10). The second part of the chapter takes up the specific promise of Ps. 110:4, about the Messiah being a priest like Melchizedek, and applies it to the Lord Jesus (11–28). Perfection was not possible under the Levitical priesthood, but Jesus’ high-priestly ministry replaces the whole OT system of approaching God and ‘perfects’ believers in a relationship with him (11–19). The significance of the oath confirming the Messiah’s priesthood is explored (20–22) and then the implications of the promise that he will be priest for ever are outlined (23–25). The chapter concludes by showing how such a high priest, in contrast with the high priests of the old covenant, meets our need as sinners (26–28). Ch. 7 is the third stage in the development of the idea that Jesus is the high priest of the new covenant (cf. 2:17–18; 4:14–5:10). Peterson, D. G. (1994). Hebrews. In D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham (Eds.), New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., p. 1336). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press. Application; Besides being the perfect sacrifice, Jesus is the perfect High Priest because he is superior to the angels, Moses, and the Levitical priesthood. He is the Lamb of God who has come to take away the sins of the world and it is by his blood that we are saved, cleansed and forgiven. Prayer: Thank you Jesus... Hebrews 6 - Day 201 (link to reading plan)
Scripture: Hebrews 6:1-3 Commentary: Although the writer has accused the readers of immaturity and has insisted that solid food is for the mature (5:14), he intends to feed them solid food so that they might go on to maturity (lit. ‘be borne along to maturity’)! They need the insight and commitment that solid food can bring. When he says let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ, he does not mean ‘abandon completely the basic truths listed’. Progress is made by not laying again the foundation of elementary teaching but by building on this foundation. It is interesting to note that the elementary teachings mentioned here are not distinctively Christian. Practically every item could have been endorsed by orthodox Judaism. However, each item acquired a new significance in the light of Christian teaching about Jesus as Israel’s Messiah. So the impression is given that existing Jewish beliefs and practices were used as a foundation for expounding Christian truth. The solid food of Hebrews is a development of biblical themes such as repentance from acts that lead to death and faith in God, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment, in the light of teaching about Jesus as Son of God and high priest of the new covenant. Peterson, D. G. (1994). Hebrews. In D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham (Eds.), New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., p. 1334). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press. Application: It's important to understand what we believe and why. The basic tenets of Christianity mentioned here are repentance from our sins, faith in God, baptisms (plural not singular), laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. To be honest, I learned the essence of these doctrines in seminary, which does not mean that you need to go to seminary to learn about these "basic" teachings. Rather, the modern church needs to change our approach to teaching these basics, as well as, stressing the importance of taking the initiative to grow in our relationship with God. Prayer: Lord God Almighty, please give me a greater hunger for You. Reveal Yourself to me. Remind me why You love me... Hebrews 5 - Day 200 (link to reading plan)
Scripture: Hebrews 5:11-14 Observation: The author reprimands his audience for their immaturity and lack of initiative for their spiritual growth. Application: God loves us but will not coddle us. We have to take ownership of our spiritual growth and invest in our relationship with God. Prayer: Lord, draw me close to You. Hebrews 4 - Day 199 (link to reading plan)
Scripture: Hebrews 4:1-5 Commentary: The remainder of the exposition, dealing with the theme of the “rest” mentioned in the psalm, falls into two portions, each marked by an inclusion and each focused on a verse of the psalm.15 Yet the two segments are intimately related since they provide a unified development of the theme and are in turn bounded by an inclusion. The exegetical argument is subtle and somewhat elusive and its course has been variously described. It begins with a warning against failure to attain the promise that remains open. The comparable failure of the exodus generation was caused by faithlessness (vss. 2–3a*), which is not, or ought not be, a characteristic of the community addressed. The key to understanding how it is that the promise remains open is to see that God’s promised “rest” is not the earthly land of Canaan but a heavenly reality, which God entered upon the completion of creation (vss. 3b–5*). The author uses again a literary technique that had served him well earlier.17 Up to this point he had used the richly suggestive term “rest” without providing any clues as to its meaning. Now, through an exegetical argument, he reduces the ambiguity. Attridge, H. W., & Koester, H. (1989). The Epistle to the Hebrews: a commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews (p. 123). Philadelphia: Fortress Press. Application: Our actions have consequences that affect our lives now and beyond. The Israelites that rebelled against God, all suffered the repurcussions of their defiance and died in the desert. Their example served as a warning for all future generations, including ours today. Sadly, our modern society has discarded the bible as irrelevant and obsolete so the lessons have been lost and the sins of the past continue to repeat themselves. However, that's not what God wants or how he designed us to live. Prayer: Lord, have mercy on us. |
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