HF187 - Hebrews 6:9-10 (#13 The Blessing of Abraham)

To:  Hebraic-Foundations@YahooGroups.com
From:  "Pastor Buddy Martin" <Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org>
Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Subject: Bible Study HF187 - Hebrews 6:9-10 (#13 The Blessing of Abraham)

Hebraics,

Even in the midst of warnings we find the apostolic writer bringing reassurances and encouragements to his Jewish readers. We see this in following one of the sterner warnings in Hebrews:

"But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking this way." (v9)

Let's pick up with this verse.

This is Bible Study HF187 - Hebrews 6:9-10 (#13 The Blessing of Abraham)

Heb 6:9 - "But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way."

Although the warnings were severe and much needed, the apostolic writer also shares much needed encouragements. He calls them 'Beloved.' This is a New Testament expression that calls attention to those who have been secured in Christ. It can be translated as 'divinely loved ones.'

This issue of stern warnings and words of encouragement will be a pattern throughout the book. It is almost as if the writer wished to apologize for using such exacting language. But as the sage of old said, "A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred blows into a fool." (Pro17:10)

But what is meant by the statement, "things that accompany salvation"? Here the writer is drawing attention to the fuller realm of what our salvation which includes our calling, justification, sanctification in Christ Jesus, including the oversight of the Holy Spirit and of the ministering angels, and with a view to our final glorification.

Salvation does not simply mean, 'get saved.' It is a realm of divine expression that begins in this life and concludes itself in the life to come.

vv10-12 - "For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."

There is no injustice in God. Again the purpose here is for these Jewish Christians not to become discouraged, but to hold fast to their confession of Jesus Christ, and to remember that the Lord always blesses and rewards that which is done in His name, for His kingdom, and for those who belong to Him.

There is a hint here that these Jewish readers may not be domiciled simply in Jerusalem. Where it says, "ministering to the saints," this may speak of the suffering Jewish Christians in the environs of Jerusalem, in which other Jewish Christians have been coming to their aid.

Paul actually went through the various churches to gather funds to help the suffering Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. This may have been an ongoing thing. Jewish Christians did suffer greatly at the hands of the non-believing Jews.

vv13-15 - "For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, 'I will surely bless you and I will surely multiply you.' And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise."

Abraham is drawn upon as the model for which these believers are to hold fast to. In their patience of faith, they will soon see the judgment of the Lord on unbelieving Jerusalem. Just as a side note, a believer can pretty much judge his or her faith level by their patience level. (Think about it.) And again we see somewhat of a challenge for them not to be spiritual sluggards.

vv16-18 - "For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute. In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us."

The writer moves on from Abraham and right into the One who is behind the promise. God cannot lie. Christians are heirs of the promises made to Abraham. Since it is impossible for God be unfaithful to His word, these believers can be sure that what God has promised in His Son Jesus, will indeed become real.

vv19,20 - "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek."

The image behind this is of a ship dropping anchor. Believers have reached their safe harbor in Jesus Christ. And since Jesus has already entered into heaven as their 'forerunner', and that He remains forever as the believer's high priest, our hope is firmly fixed, and sure, and steadfast.

As 'forerunner', Jesus is our guarantee of our later entrance into heaven. All we need to do is to hold fast to Him. (Melchizedek was dealt with earlier.)

The study is open,

Buddy
---
Lawrence "Buddy" Martin
 email: Bro.Buddy <at> ChristianChallenge.Org
 Web: http://www.ChristianChallenge.org
 Forum: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hebraic-Foundations/
 Forum: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DepartingUPC/

"See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled." (Heb12:15)

Hebraic-Foundations is an online email conference which provides studies as well as offers open discussion on the Biblical Christian. Its special emphasis is towards the pre-325 A.D. Church.

To subscribe send an email to Hebraic-Foundations-subscribe@yahoogroups.com  Once you've subscribed, messages should be sent to Hebraic-Foundations@yahoogroups.com. Or you can subscribe by filling out the form below.

(Special note - This forum is not for Yahwists or Sabbatarians, or for any who view the term 'Christian' in a derogatory way. Membership is considered upon completion of a questionnaire.)