Below is a paper written after completion of a course taken through The Bible Institute which is referenced in the library of this website. I bring it to your attention, so that you can notice how Ruach Ha ‘ Kodesh helped me through the course. Listening was improving somewhat.
Paper by: Ralph Thoren
January 20, 2020
INTRODUCTION
It really wasn’t my choice.
My first online course and paper, “What is Man” being completed, it was time to move on and find another course.
With hundreds of courses available, I got down to the task of finding my next direction for wisdom, Prayer.
The answer to my prayers made it very clear that “The Book of Hebrews” was to be my next online course. Now my curiosity was primed. Why does The Master want me to gain knowledge in a New Testament book that was obscure and of no interest to me until now. I will discuss my insights in the following areas:
- Who wrote “The book of Hebrews” and
- for whom.
- What was the writers purpose and how does it relate to us today.
Who was the Author?
The human author of this book remains unknown. Many believed that Paul was the author for some time, but the time line of events and style of writing discredited this belief. Also, Paul took credit for his works and he did not take credit here. There was much discussion about the possible author in my studies, however the one underlying belief was that the papers came from divine inspiration and the party that penned the words wasn’t as important as the message sent.,
Who were these letters written for?
The studies seem to point out that the author was writing to a group of 2nd generation Jews probably living in and around Rome This group of followers were being persecuted not only by the Romans but also by the traditional non-Christian Jewish leaders.
Persecution involved :
Public Humiliation (seems to still thrive today).
Imprisonment, loss of property, physical abuse and death in some cases.
It appears as a power struggle between traditional Jews and Christian Jews. The efforts were strong to bring the new believers back to the old beliefs and restore their position of power.
Some of the faithful were on a slippery slope and this author was trying to help restore their faith and shore up their strength to persevere. The author was most likely a Hellenistic Jew with a passion and intellect to achieve his goal.
Some say “For The Hebrews” Well, just who are “the Hebrews”
Encyclopedia Britanica says this:
, any member of an ancient northern Semitic people that were the ancestors of the Jews. Biblical scholars use the term Hebrews to designate the descendants of the patriarchs of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)—i.e., Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (also called Israel [Genesis 33:28])—from that period until their conquest of Canaan (Palestine) in the late 2nd millennium BCE. Thenceforth these people are referred to as Israelites until their return from the Babylonian Exile in the late 6th century BCE, from which time on they became known as Jews.”
I find significance in the words “for the Hebrews”
The author is making it very clear to his audience to become doctrinally mature. The audience is descendants of these very same patriarchs. The old testament is filled with prophesy pointing to the coming of the last days Support for Jesus Christ as “The Messiah” is heavy in the Old Testament. All of the old covenants are just that, old. All is fulfilled with the coming of Christ.
All of the author’s arguments exhortations and warnings are being given to people whose faith and belief in their ancestral predictions and prophesy is being shaken. Please note the word “ancestral”
Well ok, I see clearly now, some of the 1st century Christian Jews were slipslidding, so this author was doing all he can to help them stay on the path. And doing a mighty good job of it.
But hold on, these are not my known relatives, I do not have any known Hebrew ancestry, I am not one of the “chosen”, actually as far as I could trace, I have mostly Swedish and English ancestors.
How does this relate to us today
First, who are we, in terms of “The bible” and God’s relationship with the people of earth? The term “gentile” is often used. Seems that Gentiles are all those people and nations that are not from “The Hebrews” Some research is required.
Now this research was filled with tons of information, to much for the length of this paper, however I found the following from Hoeksta’s. Seems to help clarify this gentile question quite nicely.
Hoekstra’s Day by Day by Grace (July 30th)
The Gentiles Included as Children of Promise
That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel…that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Ephesians 3:6 and Galatians 3:14)
There are monumental implications when we become children of promise through faith in the promises of God. One of the consequences of outstanding significance is highlighted in our present verses. It involves the Gentiles.
It is quite obvious in the Old Testament that God had great plans for the Jews (for Israel, His chosen people). “‘And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel” (Exodus 19:6). God’s plans ultimately included the Gentiles (the nations of the world). “Oh, praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!…The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising” (Psalm 117:1 and Isaiah 60:3). Nevertheless, the Jewish people would have a special place in God’s purposes. “For you are a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth” (Deuteronomy 14:2).
In light of these Old Testament truths regarding Israel, imagine what an astounding revelation it was when the Holy Spirit began to unfold, through the Apostle Paul, the full participation that the Gentiles would have in the promises of God: “That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs.” By believing in the promises of God, the Gentiles would have full partnership shares (“fellow heirs” ) in the inheritance of God for His people. The Gentiles would also be “of the same body.” This body that included Gentiles and Jews was the church of Jesus Christ. “And He is the head of the body, the church” (Colossians 1:18). Jew and Gentile would comprise one new unit, the church. There is no longer a separation. Also, the Gentiles would be “partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel.” Through the promises of the gospel of grace, Gentiles would share fully in eternal life, daily blessing, and intimate access to the Lord. By faith in the God of Abraham, the Gentiles would also enjoy (along with any Jew who believed in Jesus as Messiah) the promise of the Spirit: “that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Yes, now the Holy Spirit would dwell in the lives of all who would believe-not only the Jew, but also the Gentile!
Lord God of Israel, I praise You for being the God of believing Gentiles as well. How glorious is Your grace—how mighty are Your promises—Jews and Gentiles sharing in common the realities of God that are freely given to all who believe in Jesus Christ!
Wow!, I’m not a Swede. I’m a Christian!
Conclusion
I believe The Master led me to “The Book of Hebrews” for the below reasons:
- To offer some help for my intellectual immaturity. I had far too little knowledge of the Hebrew prophesy and evidence of the Old Testament.
- To make it clear that the same arguments and persuasion used for 1st century Jewish Christians are helpful to me to persevere. Keep the faith
merriam-webster.com › dictionary › keep the faith
Definition of keep the faith. : to continue to believe in, trust, or support someone or something when it is difficult to do so The team has been playing poorly, but its devoted fans have kept the faith.
- Lastly, but most importantly, to show his love, his faithfulness and his grace. The master is saying “I love you and want you to have all the knowledge and help that the descendants of “The Hebrews” have. All who believe are a part of my Church.”
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)