Tag Archives: Hebrews

Isaiah 55

— by on

Isaiah 55 is such an inspirational chapter, consisting of an invitation and a promise, both of which are directed to us. “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat!” Everyone who seeks the water of life is invited to participate in this paradox of buying sustenance without money, the opportunity is not limited to Jews. We are encouraged not to spend our efforts on “that which does not satisfy”, but instead focus our attention on God. “Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live”.

The prophecy indicates there is a limited period of availability, “seek the Lord while he may be found”, but during this period God will show mercy, “let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Seek God initially, and return when we lose our way.

There is a promise, both to the veracity of God’s forgiveness, and a future improved from the current situation. “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven… so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth”. God’s word was not given in vain, it will accomplish His purpose of bringing “many sons to glory”. Finally, the chapter concludes with a scene of the future. “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace… instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress… and it shall make a name for the Lord, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”

Hebrews 12

— by on

Hebrews 12 continues to contrast the Law and salvation through Christ. God treats us as His children, which means He disciplines us for our benefit, “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives… for our good, that we may share his holiness”. Paul says that we should be encouraged by it, although at the time it “seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

The inheritance we’ve been offered is not one of fear, unlike the “blazing fire and … tempest and the sound of a trumpet” that accompanied Israel’s receiving of the Law. Even Moses said “I tremble with fear” at that sight.

We have “come to … the city of the living God … to innumerable angels in festal gathering … and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant”. Paul concludes this idea by saying “let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe”.

Joshua 22, Hebrews 11

— by on

Joshua thanks the Reubenites, Gadites, and tribe of Manessah for their faithful service in obeying Moses, and helping the tribes on the other side of Jordan take possession of their inheritance. They had “been careful to keep the charge of the Lord your God“, and were now invited to return to their homes and live in their own inheritance.  Finally, they were reminded “be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul“.

This is a great example of putting the needs of others ahead of oneself. For years the men of these tribes had fought the Canaanites, while being unable to enjoy their own inheritance.  They had faith that God would protect their families, living undefended across the river.

We are similarly called upon to have faith in God’s promises, knowing that God has provided something better for us than this present life. Let us, like the Israelites, desire a better, heavenly country, and demonstrate that faith in our lives.

Isaiah 26-27, Hebrews 10

— by on

Isaiah continues his theme of the kingdom, referring to the future city, a time of peace, when “the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness“, and God has punished “the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity“. This will be a time when “those who were lost… and those who were driven out… will come and worship the Lord on the holy mountain at Jerusalem“.

Those who wish to enter that city should “trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock“. God keeps “in perfect peace” those who trust in Him, who focus their mind on Him. Isaiah writes “my soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you“. This is the passion we should have for God, focusing our lives in Him, constantly seeking Him.

While we wait for this time Isaiah writes about, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works”.

Isaiah 25, Hebrews 8-9

— by on

Isaiah 25 starts with a song of praise, thanking and praising God for the future establishment of His kingdom on earth. “O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure … For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress”.

Isaiah describes a time when all will be invited to a feast, much like Jesus’ parables of the kingdom. Death will be swallowed up forever, “and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces”.  On that day, people will say “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us … let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

Hebrews 8-9 describes the work of Christ as a sacrifice and high priest, making it possible for us to be part of the future Isaiah wrote about. It’s up to us to respond to God’s calling, to have God’s laws written in our hearts and minds, to be God’s people, knowing that Christ will shortly “appear a second time… to save those who are eagerly waiting for him”.

Hebrews 1-2

— by on

The letter to the Hebrews commences with a description of God’s relationship with His son, and with us. God “has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things“. While this describes the supremacy of Christ, it also reminds us that God has spoken to us, provided us with His word, along with a perfect example of that word lived in the life of Jesus.

God, who “laid the foundation of the earth“, has also provided us with “a merciful and faithful high priest” who is not ashamed to call us his brothers. We’re called to be children of God along with Christ, so like Christ and David, let’s place our trust in God, our rock and fortress and deliverer, in whom we also can find refuge.

Psalm 104

— by on

In Psalm 104, David lists some of the incredible things God has created. His creative power is great, and Paul writes in Romans that this amazing creation shows God’s “invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature” for all to see.

David describes God as clothed with “splendor and majesty”, as if the heavens were His tent, the clouds His chariot, riding on the wings of the wind.  God, in His wisdom, established the foundations of the earth, covering it with water and mountains like a garment. He initiated the springs and made the grass that water and feed the animals. He set the moon to establish seasons, balanced day and night, filled the earth and the water with creatures.

The writer of the Hebrews refers to this Psalm, giving us confidence in God’s power to enact His plan of salvation. Truly God is “very great”, and we should follow David’s example of singing praise to God, meditating and rejoicing in God.

Exodus 31, 1 Corinthians 1-2

— by on

God emphasised to Moses the importance of Israel keeping the Sabbath, “a sign between me and you throughout your generations… as a covenant forever“. It was a day “of solemn rest, holy to the Lord“, a day every week to remind the Israelites that they were God’s own treasured people.

Although we don’t keep the Sabbath today, we do observe a covenant made between us and God.  We’ve been called to be saints through “the grace of God… into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord“. We’ve made a covenant with God that we will endeavour to reflect His character in our lives, and in so doing be part of God’s nation.  This is a covenant that has promise of eternal life, just as the Sabbath represented the completeness of God’s creation.

“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest“

Job 6-7, Hebrews 12

— by on

Job despairs the situation he is in. “Oh that my vexation were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances! For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea… my eye will never again see good“.

These words form a stark contrast to Hebrews 12. “Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.“

We’re all running a race. Along the way we’ve been warned to expect difficulty as Job did, “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives“.  Yet we have an advantage over Job. We can see the finish line, and Christ on the other side, having already finished. Any discipline we endure is God treating us as His children. “Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet… let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship.”

Hebrews 10

— by on

Hebrews 10 describes the confidence we can have in God’s mercy, and in the certainty of our hope.

“Since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus… let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works”.

The need to encourage each other is just as important as the confident assurance of our hope.  Let’s make sure that God’s laws are written on our hearts and minds, and help those around us to do the same.