Hebrews 9

We pick up our Chapter Memory Study in Hebrews 9 this week. To review, the goal of this study is to systematically go through the Bible, chapter by chapter, in order to study, outline and memorize the key concepts of each chapter. I use the English Standard Version (ESV) most of the time, and tend to follow the pericope divisions (sub-titles within each chapter) as marked by the ESV. Hebrews seems to be dividing nicely into about 2 sections per chapter. The outline of Hebrews is based on the acronym "SON IS MEDIATOR"; of which I assign each chapter to the corresponding letter in the outline theme. We are on chapter 9, so that brings us to the "I" of MEDIATOR this week.

The outline for Hebrews 9 is:

• Impermanent place of holiness (1-10)
  
• Irrevocable blood of Christ (11-28)
  

The memory passages are chosen from each section and, if at all possible, contain key words and themes from that section.

• Impermanent place of holiness
  Hebrews 9:1 (ESV)
  1Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness.
  
  
• Irrevocable blood of Christ
  Hebrews 9:14-15 (ESV)
  14how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. 15Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
  
  

(note: the colors correspond to the marking system I have in my Bible; blue for theme, green for memory/key passage. Red is then used for repeating words/phrases/concepts, and black is used for general emphasis. I use one of those handy-dandy 4-color bic pens and it works wonderfully. I'll maybe do a post about that sometime)

In the first section (vv1-10; Impermanent place of holiness) the writer describes the tabernacle (1-5) and then the ministry in the tabernacle (6-10). The tabernacle itself was the 'earthly place of holiness' that contained the key symbols of worship and the ark of the covenant. Of further details and contents, the writer could not (and needed not) comment further.

Continuing a review of worship practices and regulations, the writer then describes what happened in the tabernacle. The priests would perform their duties in the first section (the Holy Place), but only the high priest would enter the section (the Most Holy Place). The high priest would take an offering of blood for his own sins and also the sins of the people. The writer adds that this is a symbol of the distance between us and God; the first section separates the people from God. Only the high priest, the mediator, can go through the holy place into the most holy place (setting up the comparison to Jesus and His ministry). While the offering of blood was required under these regulations, it was only effective in dealing with issues of food, drink, washings, and regulations for the body (externals); it was not able to perfect the conscience.

The second main section (Irrevocable blood of Christ, vv10-28) contains 11 occurrences of the word 'blood'. (note: if at all possible, I try to include any major repetitions in the theme title. The overall theme is the blood of Christ, but I will remember that 'blood' is a repeated word/theme). The writer sets up the contrast immediately; 'but when Christ appeared as a high priest' (11). Christ's ministry was not in a temporary earthly tent, but in the 'greater and more perfect tent'; the heavenly presence of God. Christ's sacrifice of blood did not need to be repeated year after year; it was given once for all (12, 16, 7:27, 10:10) and secured eternal redemption.

In verses 13-15, the writer summarizes the whole argument; if the old sacrifice of animals' blood was effective to purify the flesh, how much more can the blood of Christ do? He offered Himself, the perfect Lamb of God, to God for the purity of our conscience. He is the eternal Mediator of this new covenant and the Guarantor of the eternal inheritance for those who are called. While both covenants required the shedding of blood, only the shed blood of Christ is effective to purify our conscience and ensure eternal redemption.

Here again we come across the title 'Mediator'. For definition, I'll defer to bigger brains:

The word “mediator” is the translation of mesites which refers to one who intervenes between two, to make or restore peace and friendship, to form a compact, or to ratify a covenant. Here the Messiah acts as a go-between or mediator between a holy God and sinful man. By His death on the cross, He removes the obstacle (sin) which caused an estrangement between man and God. When the sinner accepts the merits of Messiah’s sacrifice, the guilt and penalty of his sin is his no more, the power of sin in his life is broken, he becomes the recipient of the divine nature, and the estrangement between himself and God, both legal and personal, disappears. (Kenneth S. Wuest, Hebrews in the Greek New Testament, p. 162, 163)

The writer then briefly discusses the metaphor of a will. The will is only put into effect when the one who made the will dies. Christ's death puts into force the inheritance of the beneficiaries (those who believe) so that they might receive the benefits of the covenant (will). Even the first covenant was inaugurated with blood (with which Moses purified the book and the people) because the shedding of blood was necessary for forgiveness. In the Old Testament, the 'copies of the heavenly things' were purified with blood; through Christ, the heavenly things themselves are purified with His blood.

Christ's ministry was not in the earthly, hand-made tabernacle (the copies), but in heaven before God the Father Himself (24). His sacrifice did not need to be offered repeatedly, but once for all ages (25-26). Christ will appear again, having died and rose again, to save to Himself those who are eagerly waiting for Him (27-28).

How does this affect my worship?
I have no context or concept of tabernacle worship. I have seen the demonstrations and even a life-size model; but I have no idea what it must have been like. I only know worship within the omnipresence of God; He is ever-present and always within me. Sometimes my personality leans toward a more legal, outlined interaction with God. "This is what you need to do, this is how you meet with God, these are the rules you need to follow." Jesus made it clear in John 4 that worship is not limited to location. God is Spirit, and we worship Him in spirit and truth; wherever, whenever, with everything. And yet my heart longs to meet with God. To sit before Him. To honor Him. He is drawing near to us (indeed, drawing us near), and we are to draw near to Him (because we can also go the other direction). But worship in spirit, truth, word and deed must be approached as an encounter. Meet with Him. Walk with him. Worship Him. Hear from Him. Follow Him.

How does this affect my discipleship?
As quickly as I tend to impose rules on myself, I am certain that tendency bleeds into my disciple-making. "In order to 'look like' a mature believer, these are the steps you need to take and this is the language you need to speak". First of all, I don't know how to discern growth and maturity in anyone outside the context of a relationship. When you walk with someone for a year, two years, or more, you see their life and growth right in front of you. They may not look like you or talk like you (thankfully) but they should start reflecting more of Jesus. Again and always; disciple-makers must not focus on making disciples of themselves but disciples of Christ.

under His blood, and by His grace,

Ethan

Hebrews 8

God's grace and peace to you,

Here we are in the center of Hebrews (chapter 8) with a succinct but powerful outline of the new covenant.  The outline for Hebrews 8 is based on the 'D' of 'Son is Mediator':

• Dominant Mediator (1-6)
• Declared New Covenant (7-13)
  

The memory verses from each section are

• Dominant Mediator
  Hebrews 8:6
  
  
  
  
  ⁶But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.
  
  
• Declared New Covenant
  Hebrews 8:8
  
  
  
  
  ⁸For he finds fault with them when he says: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,
   

(editor's note:  I needed to remind myself this morning that this project is a work in progress.  I have trimmed down the memory passages over the last few studies, but I'm wondering if there is a place for the 'other' verses that augment the main theme?  I could select one verse from each section as the memory verse, but then use the other verses as additional meditation material during that week.  These verses might not be reviewed in the same way as the assigned memory verse, but would provide an additional 'hook' for the chapter.  Of course, this makes me want to go back and look at all of the other studies and do the same for them.  We'll see.)

 In the first section (Dominant Mediator; 1-6), the writer continues the theme of Jesus as High Priest with a slightly different angle.  He is the High Priest who is seated at the right hand of God, but He doesn't serve in the way the priests of the Law served.  They served in an earthly tent by offering gifts and sacrifices according to the Law (a mere copy and shadow of Christ's ministry in the heavens).  But Jesus' ministry is more excellent than the old because the covenant is better and the promises are better.

It is a better covenant because it is founded on better promises. The covenant of law promised blessing for obedience but threatened death for disobedience. It required righteousness but did not give the ability to produce it.

The New Covenant is an unconditional covenant of grace. It imputes righteousness where there is none. It teaches men to live righteously, empowers them to do so, and rewards them when they do. ^[1]

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^[1]MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Heb 8:6). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

The second section of Hebrews 8 (Declared new covenant; 7-12) details this superior covenant of which Christ is the Mediator.  The writer makes a stinging argument in verse 7 that if the first covenant worked to accomplish holiness (which, while the Law was holy, one could not become truly holy by following it) then why did the prophets point to a second covenant?  The writer uses Jeremiah for reference (from Jer 31:31-34).  Through Jeremiah the Lord promises a new covenant distinct from the one He gave Israel through Moses.  The truth is that Israel did not continue in the covenant, but turned away from God.  This new covenant contains 3 main themes:

1. We will know God's laws in our hearts and minds (v10)
2. We will know God personally and intimately (v11)
3. We will know God has forgiven our sins (v12)
   

With the inauguration of this new covenant by the blood of Christ (1 Cor 11:25), the old covenant has become obsolete.  Christ, being the perfect sacrifice, once for all, for our sins, has fulfilled the law and instituted a covenant based on the promised grace of God.  This grace is a gift and cannot be earned (Eph 2:8-9).

How does this affect my worship?
I am thankful that God made a second covenant.  Without it, where would I be?  Who would I be?  I am thankful that Jesus is the Mediator of this promise.  Without Him, where would I be?  Who would I be?  I'm thankful that I can know God, know His law, and know that He has forgiven me.
Who would I be if You didn't love me?  Who would I be without You?  I don't even really want to know.  I just thank You, with my life, that You are my God, and I am Your child. 

How does this affect my discipleship?
This whole chapter just reminds me of God's sovereignty.  I don't understand how or why things happened the way they did.  But somehow it all works together.  My faith has been strengthened today.  I'm also encouraged that this type of study and interaction with God's Word has taken many years to reach.  It reminds me to have patience with those I disciple.

May you walk in the promised assurance of the new covenant today,

Ethan