Hebrews Overview
Overview:
Author: Unknown. The author does not identify himself in the book of Hebrews. There have been many thoughts over the years as to the identity of the writer:
Paul - Paul is the most common person identified as the writer. Early church tradition held that Paul was the author. However, modern scholars and even some early church fathers noted that the style of writing in Greek was more polished than other letters from Paul and the vocabulary used was also different.
Apollos - Apollos was a highly educated, eloquent Jewish believer from Alexandria mentioned in Acts. Early figures like Martin Luther suggested him because of his rhetorical skill and deep knowledge of the scriptures.
Barnabas - Tertullian suggested Barnabas, a Levite with a background well-suited to the book's heavy emphasis on temple rituals and the Levitical priesthood.
Luke or Clement of Rome - Both have also been proposed by various ancient and modern scholars due to stylistic similarities or associations with Paul's inner circle.
Chuck Swindoll says, though, that the unknown authorship of this book should not shake our confidence in its authority. Hebrews makes important theological contributions to the biblical Canon, it has been drawn upon as sacred Scripture since the late first century, and Christians have for two millennia consistently upheld the divine inspiration and, therefore, the canonicity of the book of Hebrews.
Place and Date: Hebrews is very strongly Jewish and some of the content helps narrow down a date–most likely AD 64-69. A couple of reasons for this are that there is no reference to the destruction of the temple at Jerusalem which happened in AD 70 and the author writes as if the sacrificial system were still in existence. The reference to Timothy in chapter 13 also shows a fairly early date of writing. There are multiple references to Hebrew customs and the Old Testament so the letter was likely written to a Jewish Christian audience, probably in Rome since the author sends greetings to them from those who are from Italy.
Why is Hebrews important?
It is all about Jesus being superior in every way. The letter clearly lays out the present priestly ministry of Christ in the life of the believer. It shows that Jesus is both divine and human and that through Him in His priestly role, humans may approach the Father in heaven through prayer. It shows that we receive eternal salvation through Him, and that He is the permanent and perfect High Priest.
Jesus exceeds all other people, pursuits, objects, or hopes to which we could offer our allegiance. Jesus is better than the angels, brings us salvation, offers better hope than the Law, was a better sacrifice for sin, and provides a better inheritance for those who place their faith in Him.
This message of the superiority of Jesus would have been particularly important to Jewish Christians in Rome who were facing persecution under Nero and were considering moving back toward the Mosaic Law. The writer to the Hebrews was showing that Jesus was a better way and worth suffering for.
We are faced with many options of what to hold primary in our lives today: family, career, money, recreation, entertainment, etc. Hebrews makes it clear that there is only one good choice to hold the primary place in our lives: Jesus Christ. He offers us better position, a better priest, a better covenant, a better hope, and a better sacrifice. When we give Him his rightful place in our lives everything else will fall into its rightful place.
V.1-4: Who is Jesus?
v.1 - “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways.”
What are some ways that God spoke to the prophets?
Burning bush (Moses), still small voice (Elijah), heavenly vision (Isaiah, Daniel), family crisis (Hosea), basket of fruit (Amos), other ways?
What are some ways the prophets spoke to the people?
Speaking in public,
Symbolic action (Jeremiah smashed a clay jar to symbolize coming destruction, Isaiah walked barefoot and stripped down to portray the upcoming captivity of Egypt and Cush)
Poetry and song–allowed the messages to be more easily remembered.
Written scrolls
Life parables (Hosea marrying an unfaithful woman to mirror God's relationship with wayward Israel)
v.2 - “but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe.”
There is a distinction between the Old and New covenants–for us the Old and New Testaments. God speaks to us by Jesus today. Notice it doesn’t say through Jesus. What is the distinction? Jesus is the message.
Jesus is heir of all things. Historically the firstborn son was the heir in the family. Jesus is the firstborn over all creation and therefore heir of all things.
Jesus made the universe! He is the Creator! The Greek word translated universe is aion from which we get the word eons. It means that Jesus made more than the material world…He made time and the ages.
v.3 - “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
He is the radiance of God’s glory–the Greek word for radiance is apaugasma which speaks of the radiance that shines from a source of light. The ancient Greek philosopher Philo used the word apaugasma to describe the Logos, the being or intelligent mind who ordered the universe. The writer of Hebrews explained Jesus in terms that made sense to both first-century Jews and those familiar with Greek philosophy.
He is the express image of His person - The idea is of an exact likeness as made by a stamp. Jesus exactly represents God to us.
He sustains all things by His powerful word - the idea behind sustaining here is the concept of maintaining–active involvement. We saw some of how powerful the word of Jesus is during His earthly ministry: healing, calming a storm, raising the dead. He sustains and upholds all things–omnipotent.
He provided purification for our sins - in this He also shows His great love for us. He is all powerful and submitted to death on a cross to save His creation and have relationship with us.
He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven - This specifically shows the majesty, honor, glory, and finished work that Jesus has. It shows His ultimate superiority. This position is given to only One.
v.4 - “So He became as much superior to the angels as the Name He has inherited is superior to theirs.”
His Name represents not just His title but a description of His nature and character.
There was a trend to worship angels during this time and the writer wanted to be sure that everyone understands the distinction between Jesus and the angels–that there is no comparison. His superiority cannot be measured.
This section sets the stage for us to know who Jesus is as we move through the letter to the Hebrews. This is the One of Whom the Father says, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him!” (Mark 9:7)