HEBREWS. A Study in Contrasts. Self-Study Guides

HEBREWS A Study in Contrasts Self-Study Guides 1

Table of Contents 1. Study of Chapters 1-2..3 2. Jesus and David (on 1:5).5 3. Review of 1-3; Jesus Priesthood (ch. 4)..6 4. Review of 1-3..7 5. Evaluate your knowledge of chs. 1-3..11 6. Study of themes in 4:14-16 15 7. Study of themes in 5:1-14..17 8. Researching Motifs in chs.1-7 a. The Son 18 b. Christ s Priesthood..20 c. Contrasts.22 d. OT Scriptures 24 e. Believers.26 f. Warnings 28 g. Good Things.30 9. Ch. 1-9 Review: The Priesthood.32 10. Ch. 10: Good Things..33 11. Heb. 10:19-22, Exhortation...34 12. Heb. 10:32-39, Personal Knowledge.35 13. Heb. 11, the Exempla..36 14. Heb. 12, Running the Race & Discipline..37 15. Heb. 12:18-24, the Mountains..39 16. Review of Contrasts in Hebrews..40 17. Heb. 13, Leaders..41 18. Quiz yourself on the themes in Hebrews by chapter.42 2

Hebrews: A Study in Contrasts Chapters 1-2 Read Hebrews 1-2. Why is the author quoting from the OT in these sections? In what ways is Jesus different from the angels? Why do NT authors sometimes use/refer to OT passages? 3

Hebrews: A Study in Contrasts Chapters 1-2 (cont d) NT using the OT NT Texts OT Gist of Original NT Application Heb. 1:5a Ps. 2:7 Heb. 1:5b 2 Sam. 7:14 Heb. 1:6 Deut. 32:43 LXX Heb. 1:7 Ps. 104:4 Heb. 1:8-9 Ps. 45:6-7 Heb. 1:10-12 Ps. 102:25-27 Heb. 1:13 Ps. 110:1 4

Hebrews: A Study in Contrasts Jesus & David (Heb. 1:5) Directions: For each passage, note what is happening (speaker, event, etc.) and what connection is being stressed between Jesus and David. This is just a sampling of the many, many similar texts we could look at! Passage Heb. 1:5b, quoting 2 Sam. 7:14 This is part of God s promise to David that he would have a descendant who would reign as king forever, and who would be known as God s Son. Luke 1:32-33 Connection or Purpose The author is stressing that Jesus is that promised Forever King of the line of David, and God s Son. In this passage, Jesus superiority to the angels is also being emphasized. Luke 1:68-71 Matthew 1:1 Mark 10:47-48 John 19:19-22 (compare with 2 Sam. 7:11b-16) Acts 4:24-28 Acts 13:22-23 5

Hebrews: A Study in Contrasts (4:14-16 & 5:1-10) Outline Challenge: Where are the major OT quotations in Hebrews (up through the end of chapter 3)? o quoting o quoting o quoting Heb. 4:14-16 List any words or ideas that you recognize from previous passages in Hebrews: Jesus Priesthood Any human high priest (Heb. 5:1-4) LIKE UNLIKE Moses (Heb. 3:1-6) Aaron (esp. Heb. 5:4) Melchizedek (just from Heb. 5:6 & 10 so far) 6

Hebrews Study Extensions Review of Chapters 1-3 1. Speech, Messages, and Listening Trace these themes in Chapters 1-3. Note who speaks, the content of the messages, and who listened (or refused), and any other details that strike you as important. Then summarize what our author is trying to impress on his readers/hearers. Heb. 1:1-2 Heb. 2:1 Heb. 2:2 Heb. 2:3 Heb. 3:5 (think of Moses as a prophet here) Heb. 3:7-8a Heb. 3:13 Heb. 3:16 Summary of what s important: 7

(Review of Chs. 1-3, cont d) 2. Contrasting Worldviews During the rebellion that our author refers to in 3:8 & 16, the people displayed an unbelieving worldview (wrong ideas about reality). Joshua countered this with a statement of faith. Summarize the focus of each worldview below: The People (Num. 13:32-33; 14:1-4) Wrong Thinking about Reality Joshua (Num.5-9) The Faithful Worldview So far our author has not explicitly blamed his audience for specific wrong ideas about reality; but given his arguments in chapters 1-3 we can guess at some of the theological errors he wanted to correct. First summarize the author s faithful worldview (what does he stress as TRUE in these chapters?), then imagine what wrong thinking he was addressing. The Author s Faithful Worldview (1-3) Wrong Thinking about Reality 8

(Review of Chs. 1-3, cont d) 3. Signs and wonders Our author says that God bore witness to the gospel by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will (Heb. 2:4). Research these verses to find this idea of the Father s emphatic affirmation of Jesus (and the apostles ) ministry in the Gospels and Acts. Summarize your findings below. John 9:30-33 John 10:25b-26 Acts 2:22-24 Acts 2:43 Acts 4:29-30 Acts 5:12 Acts 6:8 Acts 8:4-8 Acts 11:14-18 ( gifts of the Holy Spirit ) 9

4. The Way of the Son In Heb. 2:5-9 our author uses Psalm 8 to introduce the idea of Jesus humiliation as the pathway to his glorious victory. Trace the Way of the Son in the following passages, noting the details that are mentioned about each of the stages. Hebrews 1-2 Glory (before incarnation) Humiliation (Incarnation) (Review of Chs. 1-3, cont d) Final Victory & Exaltation John 13:1-5 Glory (before incarnation) Humiliation (Incarnation) Final Victory & Exaltation Philippians 2:5-11 Glory (before incarnation) Humiliation (Incarnation) Final Victory & Exaltation 10

Evaluate Your Knowledge of Hebrews 1-3! This evaluation is entirely for you use it as you like. I suggest approaching it in three different ways: 1) see what you can answer from memory; then 2) with your Bible open; then 3) with your study notes and my summaries. Outline of Hebrews 1-3 (Write a brief main idea for each section, plus any special features you can remember.) Heb. 1:1-4 = Heb. 1:5-14 = Heb. 2:1-4 = Heb. 2:5-9 = (Midrash on ) Heb. 2:10-18 = Heb. 3:1-6 = Heb. 3:7-19 = (Midrash on ) Hebrews Chapter 1 In what ways has God communicated to his people in history? How is the Son said to be LIKE God? What is a string of pearls argument? Where does our author use this, and what is his point? 11

(Chs. 1-3 Evaluation, cont d) Hebrews Chapter 1 (cont d) What true statements can you make about angels, based on Hebrews 1? List some specific ways that the Son is said to be superior to the angels. Which version of the OT does our author quote from (accounting for some difference in wording between his quotations and your OT!)? Hebrews Chapter 2 Why all the buildup about Jesus being superior to the angels? What two messages are contrasted in the first paragraph of Hebrews 2? What is the connection between the angels and the delivery of the Mosaic law (mentioned in Hebrews 2:2)? Where else in the NT is this idea mentioned? What is the first command given in Hebrews? What is the first warning? 12

Hebrews Chapter 2 (cont d) What is a midrash? (Chs. 1-3 Evaluation, cont d) Which psalm is quoted in Hebrews 2:6-8? What is it about? In what ways does Jesus closely identify with his people? What are the benefits that come to us because of his solidarity with us? What do we learn about the devil in this chapter? Hebrews Chapter 3 What is the second command given in Hebrews? Who is Jesus compared to in 3:1-6? How are they alike? How are they different? Why does our author call Jesus the apostle of our confession? Which psalm is quoted in Hebrews 3:7-11? What OT story does this psalm refer to? Where is it found? 13

Hebrews Chapter 3 (cont d) Why does the author bring up this story and quote this psalm? (Chs. 1-3 Evaluation, cont d) What characterizes unbelief in this chapter? What can believers do for one another? Why does it make sense for our author to speak warnings to the congregation? What benefit can these warnings have, even for true children of God? In the space below, write a favorite verse or a striking thing you have learned so far from Hebrews: 14

The All-Seeing Eyes of God Hebrews Study Extensions 4:14-16 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Heb. 4:13 Is this a good thing, or a scary thing? Research the OT verses listed below, copying (or summarizing) them and deciding for yourself when God s watchful eye is a positive and when it is a negative reality for human beings. Ps. 33:13-19 Ps. 66:5-7 Pr. 15:3 Jer. 24:4-7 1 Kings 9:1-3 2 Sam. 22:28 Job 34:21 Ps. 139:15-16 Job 7:17-20 15

Jesus the Great High Priest (Themes in 4:14-16, cont d) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Heb. 4:15 Jesus high priesthood is a major theme in Hebrews, especially in the section we are about to begin (chs. 5-10). Read any of these passages and jot down on your own paper details about his priestly role and how he serves us (or has served us) in this way. What aspects of the priesthood are important to our author? (Note that some of the passages are fairly long and will require some extra time don t expect to do this exercise all in one sitting! Some of the selections may contain puzzling information. Don t worry about trying to understand everything; just look for details about Jesus priesthood.) Heb. 1:3 Heb. 2:17-18 Heb. 3:1-2 Heb. 4:14-16 Heb. 5:1-6 Heb. 6:19-20 (the context includes 6:13-18) Heb. 7:23-25 Heb. 7:26-28 Heb. 8:1-6 Heb. 9:11-14 (the context includes 9:1-10) Heb. 9:23-28 (the context includes 9:19-22) Heb. 10:11-14 Heb. 10:19-22 Drawing Near This idea is mentioned a surprising number of times in Hebrews! Research these verses, either copying them out or paraphrasing them. What do you learn about drawing near? Choose one or more of these to memorize. Heb. 4:16 Heb. 12:2 Heb. 7:19 Heb. 7:25 Heb. 10:1 Heb. 10:22 Heb. 11:6 Heb. 12:18 16

Hebrews A Study in Contrasts (Heb. 5:1-14) Pop Quiz: Where are these figures first named in Hebrews? What is their significance in our author s argument? Angels: Devil: Aaron: Moses: Joshua: Melchizedek: David: From Hebrews 5:11-14: The Immature The Mature 17

Research Project #1: Motifs in Hebrews 1-7 (Research Project #1: The Son) (I) How is the Son described in Hebrews? What do we learn about Him? 1. Brainstorm what you remember from chs. 1-7, writing phrases here. (Try to do this without flipping through the chapters, at least at first!) 2. Find the specific verses that teach these truths, and write their addresses near your phrases above. Add any other details that you see as you skim through the text. 3. Look over the list of verse references on the next page and research any that you did not include above. Add those details to your collection (you can also use the space below). 18

(Research Project #1: The Son, cont d) 4. Organize the information in a way that makes sense to you. VERSES TO RESEARCH FURTHER All of ch. 1 2:8-18 4:14-16 6:6 (notice what info is given 2:3 3:1-6 5:7-10 in passing here) 19

Research Project #2: Motifs in Hebrews 1-7 (Research Project #2: Christ s Priesthood) (II) How is Christ s priesthood presented in Hebrews? What do we learn about His work, and the benefits that come to us from it? How is his priesthood different? 1. Brainstorm what you remember from chs. 1-7, writing phrases here. (Try to do this without flipping through the chapters, at least at first!) 2. Find the specific verses that teach these truths, and write their addresses near your phrases above. Add any other details that you see as you skim through the text. 3. Look over the list of verse references on the next page and research any that you did not include above. Add those details to your collection (you can also use the space below). 20

(Research Project #2: Christ s Priesthood, cont d) 4. Organize the information in a way that makes sense to you. VERSES TO RESEARCH FURTHER 1:3 4:14-16 7:3 2:17-18 5:5-6 7:11-19 3:1-2 6:17-20 7:20-28 21

Research Project #3: Motifs in Hebrews 1-7 (Research Project #3: Contrasts) (III) What contrasts do we find in Hebrews 1-7? Look for differences between Old and New, between an Original and an Improvement, and between the Inferior and the Superior. 1. Brainstorm what you remember from chs. 1-7, writing phrases here. (Try to do this without flipping through the chapters, at least at first!) 2. Find the specific verses that teach these truths, and write their addresses near your phrases above. Add any other details that you see as you skim through the text. 3. Look over the list of verse references on the next page and research any that you did not include above. Add those details to your collection (you can also use the space below). 22

(Research Project #3: Contrasts, cont d) 4. Organize the information in a way that makes sense to you. VERSES TO RESEARCH FURTHER 1:1-2 2:16 5:13-14 7:4-8 7:23-25 1:4-14 3:5-6 6:7-8 7:11-19 7:26-27 2:2-3 4:2-3 6:11-12 7:20-22 7:28 23

Research Project #4: Motifs in Hebrews 1-7 (Research Project #4: OT Scriptures) (IV) How does this sermon-letter show a high view of the OT Scriptures? How are they spoken of? Where are they used, and for what purposes? 1. Brainstorm what you remember from chs. 1-7, writing phrases here. (Try to do this without flipping through the chapters, at least at first!) 2. Find the specific verses that teach these truths, and write their addresses near your phrases above. Add any other details that you see as you skim through the text. 3. Look over the list of verse references on the next page and research any that you did not include above. Add those details to your collection (you can also use the space below). 24

(Research Project #4: OT Scriptures, cont d) 4. Organize the information in a way that makes sense to you. VERSES TO RESEARCH FURTHER 1:1, 5-13 2:12-13 3:7-19 5:1-4 6:13-15 2:2 2:16 4:4-5 5:5-6 Chapter 7 2:6-9 3:1-6 4:7-8 6:12 25

(Research Project #5: Believers) Research Project #5: Motifs in Hebrews 1-7 (V) What does the book of Hebrews teach about believers? Who are they? What are they to be like? What are they to avoid? What are they to do? 1. Brainstorm what you remember from chs. 1-7, writing phrases here. (Try to do this without flipping through the chapters, at least at first!) 2. Find the specific verses that teach these truths, and write their addresses near your phrases above. Add any other details that you see as you skim through the text. 3. Look over the list of verse references on the next page and research any that you did not include above. Add those details to your collection (you can also use the space below). 26

(Research Project #5: Believers, cont d) 4. Organize the information in a way that makes sense to you. VERSES TO RESEARCH FURTHER 1:2, 3 2:12-18 3:12-14 4:11 5:11-14 6:17-20 2:1-4 3:1 4:1-3 4:14-16 6:1-3 7:25 2:10-11 3:6 4:9-10 5:9 6:9-12 27

(Research Project #6: Warnings) Research Project #6: Motifs in Hebrews 1-7 (VI) What conditional statements *, warnings, and negative examples has our author given so far? 1. Brainstorm what you remember from chs. 1-7, writing phrases here. (Try to do this without flipping through the chapters, at least at first!) 2. Find the specific verses that teach these truths, and write their addresses near your phrases above. Add any other details that you see as you skim through the text. 3. Look over the list of verse references on the next page and research any that you did not include above. Add those details to your collection (you can also use the space below). * A conditional is an if-then statement. For example, will be true IF happens. 28

(Research Project #6: Warnings, cont d) 4. Organize the information in a way that makes sense to you. VERSES TO RESEARCH FURTHER 2:1-3a 4:1 6:4-8 3:6 4:11-13 3:12-14 5:11-14 29

(Research Project #7: Good Things) Research Project #7: Motifs in Hebrews 1-7 (VII) What good things are available (or promised) to those who are in Christ? 1. Brainstorm what you remember from chs. 1-7, writing phrases here. (Try to do this without flipping through the chapters, at least at first!) 2. Find the specific verses that teach these truths, and write their addresses near your phrases above. Add any other details that you see as you skim through the text. 3. Look over the list of verse references on the next page and research any that you did not include above. Add those details to your collection (you can also use the space below). 30

4. Organize the information in a way that makes sense to you. (Research Project #7: Good Things, cont d) VERSES TO RESEARCH FURTHER 1:1-3 2:9, 10, 11 4:2 5:9 7:22 1:14 2:14-18 4:3, 9-10 16:17-20 7:25 2:3 3:1 4:14-16 7:19 7:26 31

Hebrews 1-9: The Priesthood How is Jesus priesthood like and unlike the Levitical priesthood? o Do as much as you can from memory. Try these questions: What chapters mention the priesthood? How is Jesus priesthood LIKE the Levitical priesthood? In what ways is his priesthood BETTER THAN that priesthood? Try filling out the chart below from memory. If you get stuck, check the references. JESUS Details/Refs. LEVITICAL PRIESTS Qualifications (Heb. 5:1-4) Lineage/Order (Heb. 7:11, 13-14) Length of service (Heb. 7:23-24) Effectiveness of sacrifice (Heb.7:25; 9:9) Means of Appointment (Heb. 7:20-21, 28) How often (Heb. 9:8; 25-26) For whom (Heb. Heb. 9:7; 7:27) What sanctuary (Heb. 9:11, 24) What blood (Heb. 9:25, 12) 32

Hebrews: A Study in Contrasts Chapter 10 The Good Things to Come (from the perspective of the Law, at least): o See if you can find and record all of the good things in Christ that are described or implied in these verses: 10:1 10:2 10:10 10:12 10:14 10:16 10:17 10:18 33

Hebrews: A Study in Contrasts 10:19-22 Read these passages and note how they promote the NT theme of access or approach to God: Eph. 2:18 Rom. 5:2 Eph. 3:11-12 1 Pet. 3:18 John 14:6 o This exhortation paragraph contains countless connections with other parts of Hebrews! Try finding other mentions of these words: Flesh House Hearts Faith Sprinkled Conscience 34

Hebrews: A Study in Contrasts 10:32-39 The list of past experiences in this paragraph calls to mind also the writer s personal knowledge of his immediate audience, which we have glimpsed from time to time in this letter. Take a look at these passages and note down the different things that we have learned (plus a couple things we ll encounter in later chapters) about these people: Heb. 2:1-4 Heb. 5:11-14 Heb. 6:9-12 Heb. 12:4 Heb. 13:22-25 There have been hints already in Hebrews that our author is concerned that his friends are motivationally compromised that is, they re stuck, they need help advancing in maturity. Check out the following passages and see how he expresses his concern: o 2:1 o 3:3, 12-13 o 4:1 o 5:11-12 o 6:11-12 35

Hebrews: A Study in Contrasts Ch. 11, the Exempla (11:23-28) Moses himself, the man of faith, has been mentioned six times already in the book of Hebrews. Here s a little Bible study to remind you of those instances. What s the point each time? o 3:2-6 o 3:16 o 8:5-6 o 9:19-21, 13-14 o 10:28-29 In what situations are WE given seemingly impossible things to do or think? We don t get personalized revelation like Abraham, Noah, Moses, Joshua, Gideon; but still we ve been given plenty of specific instruction to carry out. Here s a sampling of those instructions! Jot down the marching orders that you read in these passages: o Mt. 5:11-12 o Mt. 5:14-16 o Mt. 5:38-42 o Rom. 12:9-13 o Rom. 12:14-18 36

Hebrews: A Study in Contrasts Chapter 12 Review: Running the Race (Heb. 12:1-3) o How would you go about laying aside weights and the sin that entangles? o What is the race marked out for us? Eugene Peterson calls the Christian life a long obedience in the same direction. Other commitments mirror this marathon: marriage, church membership, friendship. Consider: What motivates you to keep going for the long haul in these earthly but important relationships, despite difficulties and challenges? How does looking to Jesus help you, both in laying aside sin and in running with perseverance? Review: The Lord s Discipline (Heb. 12:4-11) o When and why is God s discipline needed by the believer? What forms does God s discipline take? o When discipline is for the purpose of strength training, the Lord is working through our hardships to make us battle-ready. Julius Caesar, when he was a Roman general, voluntarily chose a soldier s plain fare and uncomfortable lodgings even when he was not engaged in battle, lest he grow soft and unready for the next skirmish. In our lives, sometimes little hardships prepare us for the bigger demands that will be made of us later. Consider how you handle small annoyances and inconveniences, temporary illnesses and minor discomfort, and those day-to-day personal disappointments that we all run into. If you change your perspective regarding these small setbacks so that you see them as God s provision for your battle-training, what could these experiences teach you for the future handling of significant crises, long-term illnesses or chronic pain, and deeper loss? 37

(Hebrews 12, cont d) o God s discipline for strength training helps to enable his people to do the hard things he s called them to do. Consider these exhortations found in Hebrews: What does God want his sons and daughters to be able to DO? Heb. 12:1 Heb.3:6 Heb. 3:12-14 Heb. 4:1, 11 Heb. 4:14 Heb. 5:14 Heb. 6:11-12 Heb. 10:23-39 38

Hebrews: A Study in Contrasts 12:18-24 The Mountains (12:18-24) o This paragraph is a carefully sculpted pair of contrasts between two mountains: MT. SINAI (The Scary One) MT. ZION (The Party One) In an effort to highlight the reality that is theirs in Christ, our author offers his readers a powerful sensory description of the Israelites encounter with God at Mt. Sinai, stressing the holiness and inapproachability that characterized the Old Covenant. As you read the passage, notice how carefully balanced the depictions of the two mountains are. List the characteristics of each: MT. SINAI You have not come MT. ZION But you have come 39

Hebrews: A Study in Contrasts Review of Contrasts! In this study in contrasts, the most prominent comparison in the letter is probably this one between OLD and NEW, LAW and GOSPEL. Where else do you remember seeing it? A challenge for personal study: skim back through the chapters of Hebrews to find this particular contrast. Record what you find on this chart (I didn t do a count, so you may need more or fewer spaces!): OLD (Law, Covenant, Sanctuary, Past) NEW (Gospel, Covenant, Sanctuary, Present) 40

Hebrews: A Study in Contrasts 13:17-25 v.17 Leaders and People Consider the duties and benefits involved when leaders and congregation are in step with the Spirit, as Paul puts it: Duties Benefits Leaders People What decisions on YOUR part can promote JOY in your leaders? How about GROANING? o v.18-19 Prayer Requests What hints do you get about this author s theology of prayer here? (i.e., what does he believe is a goal of prayer?) What hints do you have here of this author s special relationship with these people? Given what you know about his personality through his writing by now, what do you think this congregation valued most about his company? o vv.20-21 A Prayer for the Readers What is the author s specific request? How is he part of the answer to his own prayer? 41

Hebrews Themes by Chapter Quiz yourself! 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Themes in Hebrews High Priest New Covenant Practical Exhortations Sun Superior to Angels Wilderness Generation Faithful Saints Jesus Superior to Moses Warning Rebuke Sabbath Rest Christ s Solidarity with Us Gospel Superior to Law Oaths & Promises Superior Sacrifice Melchizedek Superior Sanctuary Superior Priest 42