July 29, 2021 – A Study on the Book of Hebrews

“Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered Ark of the Covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubim of the glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now. When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order.” Hebrews 9:1-10

“Here, the writer makes a comment about how this arrangement—man separated from God, with the path to the holy places closed off—is symbolic of the “present age.” This terminology is intended to be taken from the perspective of “past as present.” In other words, speaking as those who were functioning under this law since Moses, the writer indicates that the symbolic separation is related to this very process of priests and sacrifices and curtained rooms. When Jesus was crucified, this temple veil was torn—literally—and the separation between man and God was eliminated.” (Matthew 27:50–51). (Bibleref.com, Hebrews 9:9)

The old covenant and the new – the first tabernacle and the second – the priesthood of Aaron and Melchizedek and now Jesus Christ, the final high priest. One required sacrifices of animals and offerings of first-fruits – the second requires faith in Jesus who is the final sacrifice for all people. The first pictured or imagined a relationship with G-d – the second finalized that relationship with G-d through Jesus – who was both fully human and divine. There is no need for other sacrifices except a humble and contrite heart.

What do you think it means to have a humble and contrite heart? How might you live your day, your week, your month demonstrating a humble and contrite heart?

Pastor Dave

July 28, 2021 – A Study on the Book of Hebrews

“For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. But God found fault with the people and said:“The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.
It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt,
because they did not remain faithful to my covenant,
and I turned away from them, declares the Lord.
This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel
after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God,
and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.” Hebrews 8:7-13

“If children have learned a thing by heart, rather than merely by rote, they have made it their own, and it remains with them. A man with whom God the Holy Spirit deals is one who does not have to go to Exodus 20 to know what the law is. He does not need to stop and ask concerning most things, “Is this right?” or “Is this wrong?” but he carries within him a balance and a scale, a standard and test by which he can try these things for himself. He has the law of his God written upon his heart, so that, almost as soon as he looks at a thing, he begins to perceive whether there is evil in it, or whether it is good. (The Letter to the Hebrews: The Pillar New Testament Commentary, Precept Austin, Commentary on Hebrews 8:7-9)

Faith will be more than do this or do that
Mere words on stone — so dead and flat
Instead it will be carved on soft living tissue
Not a scribbling but a cutting into human potential

It Will be Written Clearly Upon their Hearts
says the Lord
Where All Who Know Me Will Play a Part
says the Lord
My People will Surely be Well Known
says the Lord
Through works of the Heart; not Stone
says the Lord

Faith will be more than do this or do that
Mere words on stone — so dead and flat
Instead it will be carved on soft living tissue
Not a scribbling but a cutting into human potential

Pastor Dave