Hebrews 1-4

Key Themes (Hebrews)

The book of Hebrews is a rich and theologically profound letter that addresses a Christian audience, likely of Jewish background, who were facing persecution and were tempted to revert to Judaism. The author of Hebrews presents a powerful argument for the supremacy of Christ and the new covenant, encouraging believers to remain steadfast in their faith. The key themes include:

1. The Supremacy of Christ: A central theme in Hebrews is the absolute supremacy and superiority of Jesus Christ over all previous revelations and religious figures. The author emphasizes that Christ is superior to the angels, Moses, the prophets, and the Levitical priesthood. This theme underscores that Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God and the final mediator between God and humanity.
2. Christ as the Great High Priest: Hebrews presents Jesus as the ultimate high priest who, unlike the Levitical priests, is sinless, eternal, and has offered the perfect sacrifice for sins. This theme highlights Christ’s unique role as the mediator of the new covenant, whose once-for-all sacrifice on the cross provides complete atonement and reconciliation with God.
3. The New Covenant: The author contrasts the old covenant, given through Moses, with the new covenant, established through Christ. The new covenant is described as superior because it is based on better promises and is mediated by Christ, who has entered the heavenly sanctuary on behalf of believers. This theme emphasizes the fulfillment and completion of the old covenant in Christ and the new relationship between God and His people through Jesus.
4. Faith and Perseverance: Hebrews encourages believers to persevere in their faith, even in the face of trials and persecution. The author points to the examples of faith in the Old Testament, particularly in Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "faith chapter." This theme highlights the importance of faith in God’s promises, the endurance required in the Christian life, and the assurance of ultimate victory and reward for those who remain faithful.
5. The Finality and Sufficiency of Christ’s Sacrifice: The letter emphasizes that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is final and sufficient for the forgiveness of sins. Unlike the repeated sacrifices under the old covenant, Jesus’ sacrifice is once for all and fully effective in cleansing believers from sin. This theme underscores the completeness of Christ’s work and the futility of relying on old covenant rituals for salvation.
6. Warnings Against Apostasy: Hebrews contains several strong warnings against falling away from the faith or returning to old religious practices. The author warns that rejecting Christ after having received the knowledge of the truth can lead to severe consequences. This theme emphasizes the seriousness of apostasy and the necessity of remaining steadfast in the Christian faith.
7. The Superiority of Jesus’ Revelation: The letter begins by contrasting the way God spoke in the past through the prophets with the way He has now spoken through His Son, Jesus Christ. This theme highlights the completeness and finality of God’s revelation in Christ, who is the exact representation of God’s being and the heir of all things.
8. The Rest for God’s People: Hebrews draws on the imagery of the Promised Land and the Sabbath rest to describe the spiritual rest that believers enter through faith in Christ. This rest represents both a present spiritual reality and a future hope. This theme emphasizes the peace and assurance that come from trusting in Christ and the ultimate rest that awaits believers in God’s presence.
9. Jesus as the Perfect Example of Faithfulness: Jesus is presented as the ultimate example of faithfulness and obedience to God’s will, even unto death. The letter encourages believers to fix their eyes on Jesus, the "author and perfecter of our faith," and to follow His example of enduring suffering for the sake of the joy set before Him. This theme highlights the importance of Christ’s example in the life of the believer and the call to emulate His perseverance.
10. Encouragement to Hold Firmly to the Faith: Throughout Hebrews, the author repeatedly exhorts the readers to hold firmly to their faith, to approach God with confidence, and to encourage one another in love and good deeds. This theme emphasizes the communal aspect of faith, the need for mutual support within the Christian community, and the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges.

The book of Hebrews is a powerful theological treatise that exalts the supremacy of Christ, the finality of His sacrifice, and the importance of faith and perseverance. Through its themes of Christ’s high priesthood, the new covenant, and the warnings against apostasy, Hebrews provides a compelling call for believers to remain steadfast in their faith, fully trusting in the finished work of Jesus and looking forward to the promised rest and reward in Him.

What I Noticed Today (Hebrews 1-4)

Hebrews 1

In verses 1-4, the author jumps right to the heart of the matter, declaring Jesus as the Son of God.

• God revealed Himself in a variety of ways in the past but now speaks through the Son, Jesus Christ.
  • The Son is the heir of all.
  • The Son created all things.
  • The Son is the radiance of God’s glory.
  • The Son is an exact expression of God’s nature.
  • The Son sustains all things through His powerful Word.
  • The Son made provision for man’s sin.
  • The Son sits at the right hand of the Father.
• Because of this, Jesus is higher in rank than the angels, just as His name is superior to theirs.

In verses 5-14, the author describes the divine nature of the Son and His superiority over the angels:

• God never said to the angels, “You are my son” (Psalm 2:7, 2 Samuel 7:14, 1 Chronicles 17:13).
• God ordered the angels to worship His Son (Deuteronomy 32:43).
• God made the angels servants of the Son (Psalm 104:4).
• The Son’s throne is eternal (Psalm 45:6-7)
• In the beginning, You established the heavens and the earth. They will perish, but You will remain and will not change (immutability). (Psalm 102:25-27).
• God never told the angels they would sit at His right hand (Psalm 1110:1).
• The angels are ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit eternal life.

Hebrews 2

In verses 1-4, the author gives the first of five warnings to the readers.

Warning 1. Against Neglect.

• We must pay attention to what we have heard so we do not drift away.
• For if there is punishment for every sin, how will we escape if we neglect salvation?
• It was first spoken by the Lord but confirmed to us by those who heard Him.
• God also testified to the truth through miracles, signs, and wonders, and the giving of the Holy Spirit.

In verses 5-18, the author describes the humanity of Jesus:

• He is not subject to the angels but temporarily became lower than the angels. He was crowned with glory, and everything was subjected to Him. (Psalm 8)
• We do not see everything subjected to Him, but we do see Him for a short time so that by God’s grace, He might taste death for everyone.
• For in bringing many sons to glory, God made the source of their salvation perfect through His suffering.
• For the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified have one Father.
• This is why Jesus calls them brothers (Psalm 22:22).
• Jesus also calls them His own trust in God and the children God has given me (2 Samuel 22:3, Isaiah 8:18).
• Jesus shared flesh and blood with the children so that through His death, He would destroy the one holding the power of death (Satan).
• He does not reach out to help angels but the sons of Abraham (the sons of the promise).
• He had to be like His brothers in every way so that He could become our merciful high priest to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

• For since He was tested (tempted) and suffered, He is able to help those who are tested (tempted).

Hebrews 3

In verses 1-6, the author issues a call for faithfulness:

• “Therefore” (because of Jesus’ humanity), we are brothers and holy companions in a heavenly calling with Jesus as the apostle and high priest of our confession
• Jesus was faithful to God, just as Moses was.
• Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder has more glory than the house.
• The One who built everything is God.
• Moses was a faithful servant in God’s household as a testimony to what would come in the future.
• But Jesus was a faithful Son over His household, and we are that household if we hold onto the courage and confidence of our hope.

In verses 7-19, the author issues the second of five warnings to the readers.

Warning 2. Against unbelief.

• “Therefore,” because the Gospel of Jesus is superior to the law of Moses, the Holy Spirit says (Psalm 95:7-11):
  • If you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the wilderness when you tested Me for 40 years.
  • Therefore, I was provoked with that generation, they always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known My ways.
• Watch out brothers so you won’t have an evil, unbelieving heart that departs from God.
• But encourage one another so you are not deceived by sin.
• For we are companions of the Messiah if we hold firmly to the end.
• For who heard and rebelled? Those who came out of Egypt under Moses. Who provoked God for 40 years but the generation that came out of Egypt.
• God swore they would not enter His rest because they disobeyed and they were unable to enter the Promised Land because of their disbelief.

Hebrews 4

In verses 1-13, the author draws a parallel between those who came out of Egypt who did not enter into His rest with a warning for current believers.

• The promise of God’s rest remains.
• We have heard the Good News just as they did but the message they heard did not benefit them because of their lack of faith.
• God rested on the seventh day when His work was finished.
• They will not enter His rest while their work is unfinished. They (Moses’ generation) did not receive the Good News because of their disobedience. But God renewed the promise during the time of David.
• God’s rest was not the time of Joshua’s day (when they entered and conquered the Promised Land). If it were, He would not have said later there would be another day of rest, a Sabbath rest for God’s people.
• For the person who has entered His rest has rested from his own works just as God rested from His.
• Make every effort to enter into God’s rest and do not fall into the pattern of disobedience of previous generations.
• For the Word of God is living and effective, and sharper than a two-edged sword able to penetrate deep between the soul and spirit. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart.
• All things are exposed to Him, and everyone must give an account to God for their lives.

In verses 14-16, the author describes our great high priest:

• “Therefore” because every act and motive are known by God, everyone must give an account for their lives.
• Since our high priest is Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold onto our confession of faith.
• Our high priest is able to sympathize with our weaknesses as One who was tested in every way but was without sin.
• Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with confidence that we might find mercy and grace in our time of need.

Some other thoughts for consideration:

• God has spoken to His people in many ways throughout time. Many hardened their hearts and refused Him. Others listened and believed.
• Today, we have God’s Word and the Holy Spirit to guide us. We must guard against a hardened heart. We must listen and obey.
• God knows our innermost thoughts and motives. Nothing is hidden from Him. We will all give an account for our lives in the day of judgment and our only hope to enter into God’s rest is faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.

What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.

Tomorrow: Hebrew 5-7