Devotions

The New and Living Way

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The first covenant, the Law, was ratified by blood. It says here in Hebrews that everything is purified by blood which we really don’t quite understand. We would say we have moved beyond that barbaric blood sacrifice kind of thinking. But this part in Hebrews 9:22 we understand, “apart from the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” of course we wouldn’t say it this way. But we might say I’ll get them back for that, or he owes me for that, and what we know is that we want justice for the wrong done to us and we won’t be satisfied until we get it. In the end though, it isn’t just us that has been wronged. This injustice is also against God who made us and He also demands justice. But Hebrews 10 says He doesn’t want sacrifices for sin that only remind us of the wrongs that have been done. And as we read through Hebrews 10 we find the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all. We are made holy, perfected, free.

This Is the Blood of the Covenant

Hebrews 9:18–28
The first covenant, the law, was ratified with blood as it says in Hebrews 9:18. This is because in Hebrews 9:22 “everything is purified with blood according to the law” vs. 22 goes on to say “apart from the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness”. We know in ourselves that for justice to exist, that one who murders must pay the price of their own life. Or as it says in

Deuteronomy 19:21 (LEB) You must show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”

So, we now understand why Hebrews 9:22 says “apart from the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness”. The sacrifice must be made, the price must be paid. And Hebrews 9:23 takes us from the earthly “sketches of things in heaven” to see “the heavenly things themselves” that also must be purified. Justice is not only an earthly principle, but begins with the very righteousness and holiness of God. It is a heavenly principle first.

Deuteronomy 16:20 (LEB) Justice, only justice you shall pursue, so that you may live, and you shall take possession of the land that Yahweh your God is giving to you.

Isaiah 1:17 (LEB) Learn to do good! Seek justice! Rescue the oppressed! Defend the orphan! Plead for the widow!

Now we understand in Hebrews 9:24-28 that Christ entered the true sanctuary “into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf … Christ … offered once in order to bear the sins of many”.

We know that Jesus brought another covenant, Matthew 5:38-48 but here, we are talking about the first covenant, the Law, that had to be fulfilled Matthew 5:17-18.

Sacrifice and Offering You Did Not Want

Hebrews 10:1–7
It says in Hebrews 10:1 that “the law, possessing a shadow of the good things that are about to come … is never able …to make perfect”. Because, in Hebrews 10:3 “there is a reminder of sins” then Hebrews 10:4 “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins”. So in Hebrews 10:5 “when he (Jesus) came into the world, he said … ” continued in Hebrews 10:7 “I have come … to do your will”.

The law came with a continual reminder of sin, and the penalty that must be paid. What God wanted was in Hebrews 10:2 “having been purified once and for all, would no longer have any consciousness of sins”.

We Are Made Holy

Hebrews 10:8–18
It says in Hebrews 10:9 “He (God the Father) takes away the first in order to establish the second”. And emphasizes this point by repeating the statement made in Hebrews 10:8 “Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and offerings for sin you (God the Father) did not want, nor did you delight in,” and again in Hebrews 10:9 “I (Jesus) have come to do your will”. And I say it is God the Father that did not want “offerings for sin” because Jesus came to do His will.

Then there are two statements, the first in Hebrews 10:10 “we are made holy through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all”. and in Hebrews 10:14 “For by one offering he has perfected for all time those who are made holy”. We are “made holy” and “perfected”. And the Holy Spirit now speaks “testifies” in vs. 15 saying in Hebrews 10:16-17 “”I am putting my laws on their hearts, and I will write them on their minds … their sins and their lawless deeds I will never remember again”.

The New and Living Way

Hebrews 10:19–25
In Hebrews 10:19 it says “we have confidence for the entrance to the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus”. Then in Hebrews 10:20 “by the new and living way … through the curtain”. Then in Hebrews 10:21 “we have a great high priest”. And these all describe the work done by Jesus on our behalf. So that now we can take our part which is in Hebrews 10:22 “let us with a true heart …” and in Hebrews 10:23 “let us hold fast to the confession of our hope …” and in Hebrews 10:24 “let us … stir one another up …”. This work done by Jesus in heaven is for our action here on the earth, as Jesus taught his disciples in Matthew 6:10 (LEB) May your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

If We Keep On Sinning

Hebrews 10:26–31
Righteousness requires judgement and peace seeks mercy and these two seem to be against each other, yet with God, they can co-exist, and “kiss”.

Psalm 85:10 (LEB) Loyal love and faithfulness will meet one another; righteousness and peace will kiss.

But as it says in Hebrews 10:26 “if we keep on sinning deliberately” after we know. Hebrews 10:29 says “How much worse punishment … who treats with disdain the son of God and considers ordinary the blood of the covenant … who insults the spirit of grace” (see Deut 17:2-5). Which is summed up in Hebrews 10:30 “The Lord will judge his people” and Hebrews 10:31 “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God (and be in the wrong)”.

You Have Need of Endurance

Hebrews 10:32–39
Even if you are doing Gods will and following completely after Him, in Hebrews 10:32-34 it says, “Remember the former days” when you were insulted, afflicted, imprisoned, your belongings were seized yet you took these things “with joy because you knew that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession”.

In Hebrews 10:35 we are admonished to hold onto our confidence, “which has great reward”. And in Hebrews 10:36 we are admonished to endure “that after you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised”. Because in Hebrews 10:38 “my righteous one will live by faith” and in Hebrews 10:39 we are “among those who have faith to the preservation of our souls”.

Now Faith is the Realization … the Proof

Hebrews 11:1–10
Faith is defined in Hebrews 11:1 (LEB) “the realization of what is hoped for, the proof of things not seen”. And in Hebrews 11:2 it says, “by this (faith, by believing in vs 6) the people of old were approved”. We can look at each of these people and see how God moved in their lives. Think about the faith of Noah, who having never seen a flood, built an ark and saved his family because he believed God. Think about Abraham and Isaac and Jacob who lived in tents for their generations and then four hundred and thirty years in Egypt still looking forward to Hebrews 10:9 “the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Hebrews 11:6 (LEB) Now without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and is a rewarder of those who seek him.

What is it that you believe about God? Who is he to you?

Study Verses

  • Hebrews 9:18–28
  • Hebrews 10:1–7
  • Hebrews 10:8–18

Today’s Reading

  • Hebrews 9:18-28
  • Hebrews 10:1-39
  • Hebrews 11:1-6
Devotions

He is Able to Save Completely

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In Hebrews 5:10 the message had been “the source of eternal salvation”, “a high priest” and here in Hebrews 7, we come back to that message. Jesus is not just a high priest according to the law, in fact, he is not a part of the Levitical priesthood at all, but in Hebrews 7:17 “according to the order of Melchizedek”. When we hear this word “order” we tend to think of one who might take vows and becoming a follower of, but this is more being in the type of Melchizedek who was “priest of the most high God”, “king of righteousness” and “king of peace”. And Jesus fills this role forever because he has eternal life. This then means that, according to Hebrews 7:25 “he is able to save completely those who draw near to God through him, because he always lives in order to intercede on their behalf”. And, this is the main point of this message according to Hebrews 8:1-2 “we have a high priest such as this, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord set up”. But lets not forget, even though “the law made nothing perfect” it could not just be ignored. It had to be fulfilled and in Hebrews 9:15 “because a death (Jesus gave his life) has taken place for the redemption of transgressions committed during the first covenant”. Jesus paid the penalty for our transgressions under the law. The law is satisfied and we are free to from Hebrews 9:15 “receive the promise of the eternal inheritance”.

Priest of the Most High God

Hebrews 7:1–10
Hebrews 7:1 starts with Abraham “returning from the slaughter of the kings”, this isn’t the main point, but Abraham with the 300 trained men of his house, pursued and defeated by “slaughter” the kings and armies that had taken Sodom and Gomorrah and many other son their way. These kings ruled by the sword, “Chedorlaomer and his three allies came and defeated the Rephaim, Zuzim, Emim, Horites, Amalekites, Amorites, and finally the aforementioned five kings in a battle in the Valley of Siddim. They plundered Sodom and Gomorrah and took away Abram’s nephew Lot, but on their way back were defeated by Abram and lost all of their booty.”1

On Abraham’s return, Melchizedek not only came out to meet Abraham, but brought bread and wine (See Genesis 14:17-21) and “blessed him”. In is described as “King of Salem” which is understood to be Jerusalem. He is also describes as “priest of the most high God” which would be understood as the high priest and this at a time when the office of King and Priest were not found together. His name is also said to mean “king of righteousness” and “king of peace”. Melchizedek is clearly ruling with a different authority, righteousness and peace under God and Abraham honors him with a tithe, a tenth of the “spoil”. And the “tithes from Abraham” in Hebrews 7:6-10 “the one who had the promises” is recognized not only on Abraham’s behalf, but also for all those that are Abraham’s descendants.

Hebrews 7:10 says “he (Levi) was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him”. Doesn’t this say Melchizedek met Levi? God doesn’t think about things the way we do, actually, I have that backwards don’t I. We don’t think about things the way God does.

Psalm 139:16–17 (LEB) Your eyes saw my embryo, and in your book they all were written— days fashioned for me when there was not one of them. 17 And to me, how precious are your thoughts, O God; how vast is their sum.

A Priest According to the Power of an Indestructible Life

Hebrews 7:11–17
In Hebrews 7:1 we came back to the subject left in Hebrews 5:10, we are back on track talking about the priest. To reconnect with the message, it stopped at:

Hebrews 5:9–10 (LEB) and being perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation to all those who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

There is a clear distinction in Hebrews 7:16 between “a priest … according to a law of physical requirement” and “a priest … according to the power of an indestructible life”. Going back to Hebrews 7:11 we see that “if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood … what further need is there …?”. Yet, in Hebrews 7:17 “it is testified, “You (Jesus Christ) are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”, a quote from Psalms 110:3-4.

The Guarantee of a Better Covenant

Hebrews 7:18–22
What we have read until now, was setup for what is about to be said. The “main point” comes in a few verses in Hebrews 8:1 but first, we must understand from Hebrews 7:18-19 that “the law made nothing perfect” and is being set aside. “But … there is the introduction of a better hope through which we draw near to God”. And right here, nestled in the middle of all of this is the purpose, the reason this all matters, the reason for all of the explanation, “we draw near to God”.

Three times now, this statement has been made “You are a priest forever”
in Hebrews 5:6
in Hebrews 7:17
and now here in Hebrews 7:21

And this statement is important because in Hebrews 7:22 “Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant”.

He is Able to Save Completely

Hebrews 7:23–28
It says in Hebrews 7:23 that “priests … were prevented by death from continuing” and in Hebrews 7:27 they “need every day … to offer up sacrifices for his own sins and then for the sins of the people”. And in Hebrews 7:28 “the law appoints men as high priests who have weaknesses”. And how many times have you seen people disappointed or hurt or offended because of the weaknesses of a man?

Then it says in Hebrews 7:24 but he (Jesus), because he continues forever, holds the priesthood permanently or as it said in Hebrews 6:20 “Jesus, the forerunner for us, entered, because he became a high priest forever”. And here in Hebrews 7:26 he is “holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and having become exalted above the heavens”. And in Hebrews 7:28 “who is made perfect forever”. Because in Hebrews 7:27 “”he did this once for all (offered up sacrifice for sin) when he offered up himself”.

And now, in Hebrews 7:25 “he is able to save completely those who draw near to God through him, because he always lives in order to intercede on their behalf”.

Mediator of a Better Covenant

Hebrews 8:1–6
This is the main point according to Hebrews 8:1-2 “we have a high priest such as this, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord set up, not man”. And it may be stating the obvious, but in Hebrews 8:3 “every high priest is appointed in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices; therefore it was necessary for this one also to have something that he offers (himself)”.

What Moses built in Hebrews 8:5, “the pattern which was shown” was the heavenly temple and Moses was the mediator of the law.

Then in Hebrews 8:6 “But now he (Jesus) has attained a more excellent ministry, by as much as he is also mediator of a better covenant which has been enacted upon better promises.

For This Is The Covenant

Hebrews 8:7–13
As we move through Hebrews, we find these statements like this one in Hebrews 8:7 about the “first covenant” and “if it had been faultless”. We read earlier in Hebrews 7:19 that “the law made nothing perfect”. But now we read in Hebrews 8:8 “I will complete a new covenant” and more a quoted from Jeremiah 31:31–34. This is the covenant we now have in Jesus Christ as it says in Hebrews 8:10 “I am putting my laws in their minds and I will write them on their hearts, and I will be their God and they will be my people”. And in Hebrews 8:13 “the former … is becoming obsolete”. As it said in Hebrews 7:19 “a better hope through which we draw near to God”.

The First Covenant had Regulations

Hebrews 9:1–10
Hebrews 9:3 describes “after the second curtain was a tent called the holy of holies”. Then in Hebrews 9:7 it says “but only the high priest enters the second tent once a year”. Now Hebrews 9:8 says, “The Holy Spirit was making this clear, that the way into the holy place was not yet revealed, while* the first tent was still in existence”. This is an important statement. The sacrifice under the law provided an atonement for sin, but always after the fact. The sin had already been committed. They came in their guilt but in Hebrews 9:8 this was “until the time of setting things right”.

But Christ Has Arrived

Hebrews 9:11–17
It says in Hebrews 9:11 “But Christ has arrived as a high priest of the good things to come”. And in Hebrews 9:12 “by his own blood, he entered once for all into the most holy place, obtaining eternal redemption”. And this is to, in Hebrews 9:14 “cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living God”.

Now we have an important key. The first covenant that, “the law made nothing perfect” could not just be ignored. It had to be fulfilled and here in Hebrews 9:15 “because a death (Jesus gave his life) has taken place for the redemption of transgressions committed during the first covenant, those who are the called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance”. In other words, Jesus paid the penalty for our transgressions under the law. The law is satisfied and we are free from any other or future penalty.

Study Verses

  • Hebrews 7:11–17
  • Hebrews 7:23–28
  • Hebrews 8:1–6

Today’s Reading

  • Hebrews 7:1-28
  • Hebrews 8:1-13
  • Hebrews 9:1-19

References

  • 1. Astour, M. C. (1992). Chedorlaomer (Person). In D. N. Freedman (Ed.), The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (Vol. 1, p. 893). New York: Doubleday.
Devotions

Taste The Good Word of God

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The main message here is that God is not far away separating himself from us as if we were untouchables, that is the way the world works. God is acknowledging his Son Jesus Christ as our high priest, the one that can offer sacrifice for our sin, but even more than this, we are invited behind the veil, where he is. In Hebrews 6:1-6 he reminds us of the elementary message, and it is this message that we heard that brought us into the kingdom. We “tasted the heavenly gift” and “tasted the good word of God” and experienced “the powers of the coming age”. Then we have a bit of a parable, when the rain falls, the ground produces fruit, and we should produce fruit for God’s kingdom in our lives.

Let Us Approach With Confidence To The Throne

Hebrews 4:14–16
Many think of God as being far away, out of reach, disconnected from our lives and circumstance. And it says in Hebrews 4:14 “we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God” but, as it says in

Hebrews 4:15 (LEB) For we do not have a high priest who is not able to sympathize with our weaknesses, but who has been tempted in all things in the same way, without sin.

God, and His Son Jesus are not holding us off, they are not far away and separate. They are inviting us and in Hebrews 4:16 it says “let us approach with confidence to the throne of grace”.

You Are A Priest Forever

Hebrews 5:1–10
It says in

Hebrews 5:1 (LEB) For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of people in the things relating to God, in order that he can offer both gifts and sacrifices on behalf of sins,

So it is the high priest that is able to bring the sacrifice for sin. But the high priest among men, in Hebrews 5:3 “is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins for himself also, as well as for the people”.

But, as it says in Hebrews 5:4 “someone does not take for himself the honor, but is called by God” and Jesus is called in Hebrews 5:5-10 “You are priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” and in vs. 9 “the source of eternal salvation to all that obey him”.

We Have Much to Say

Hebrews 5:11–14
The message changes here, and some say that “Since Hebrews is not structured like a typical letter, it may have originally been a sermon that circulated among churches in the Roman Empire”.1

If this was originally a sermon, it makes sense that the presenter might have sensed the disconnect after the introduction of Jesus as our high priest and changed direction because of it. Whatever the reason, the writer felt the need to back up and make sure everyone was on track with the basics. Here in Hebrews 5:11 he says “we have much to say” as if there is more to the high priestly message or there is another important principle to be shared, but they “have become sluggish in hearing”.

And in Hebrews 5:12 we hear the lament of a teacher for their students saying “you ought to be teachers by this time”. I think every teacher has moments when they feel this way about their students. Even Jesus had his moments:

Matthew 17:17 (LEB) And Jesus answered and* said, “O unbelieving and perverse generation! How long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him here to me!”

John 14:9 (LEB) Jesus said to him, “Am I with you so long a time and you have not known me, Philip? The one who has seen me has seen the Father! How can you say, ‘Show us the Father?’

There is though, here in Hebrews 5:13-14, an important statement for those of us who “are acquainted with the message of righteousness” and that is “the mature” “have trained their faculties for the distinguishing of both good and evil”. What this means is, we are born with natural senses and we naturally react to them for self preservation but as we understand good and evil, we can accept the input from our senses and choose how we react. For example,

Ephesians 4:26-27 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger, 27 nor give place to the devil.

Taste The Good Word of God

Hebrews 6:1–6
The elementary message of Christ is laid out for us to see in Hebrews 6:1-2 as repentance, faith, baptisms (yes, that is plural, water and Holy Spirit), laying on of hands, resurrection, and judgement. This is the message we heard that brought us into the kingdom and, as it says in Hebrews 6:4 “have tasted the heavenly gift” and in Hebrews 6:5 “have tasted the good word of God”. And did you get this last bit in vs. 5 “and the powers of the coming age”. If we, or anyone, has known all of this and fallen away, in Hebrews 6:6 he says, “they have crucified again for themselves the Son of God and held him up to contempt”.

Psalm 34:8 (LEB) Taste and see that Yahweh is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Inherit the Promises Through Faith and Patience

Hebrews 6:7–12
Few of us grow our own food, so we might not quite get this reference. He is saying in Hebrews 6:7 that when the rain falls, plants grow and we get the fruit, “a blessing from God”. Then in Hebrews 6:8 he compares what we expect to have happen, an abundance of fruit, with ground that is covered with weeds, thorns, thistles. It produces, but nothing that we can use “near to a curse” except maybe as fuel for a fire. Then in Hebrews 7:9-12 he explains that we are the ground, that we, when watered by the Holy Spirit, ought to produce the fruit of thanksgiving to God. As it says in Hebrews 6:12 “those who inherit the promises through faith and patience”. (See 2 Peter 1:2-7)

Guaranteed With An Oath

Hebrews 6:13–20
God made a promise to Abraham in Hebrews 6:13-14 “when God made a promise to Abraham … he (God) swore by himself,

Hebrews 6:14 saying “Surely I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply you.”

and do you see what vs 17 and 18 are saying? God spoke a promise and He never breaks His word. But for us, to show us how important this was, He also swore an oath “that through two unchangeable things … we … may … hold fast to the hope set before us”. We have, in Hebrews 6:19-20 “an anchor of the soul … and entering into the inside of the curtain, where Jesus … entered … high priest forever”.

We often are perplexed by a problem, worrying about the outcome. But we have a promise from God through Jesus Christ. Have faith in God, meditate on God’s promises and :

Hebrews 4:16 (LEB) Therefore let us approach with confidence to the throne of grace, in order that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Study Verses

  • Hebrews 4:14–16
  • Hebrews 6:1–6
  • Hebrews 6:7–12

Today’s Reading

  • Hebrews 4:14-16
  • Hebrews 5:1-14
  • Hebrews 6:1-20

References

  • 1. Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Devotions

Today If You Hear His Voice

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Hebrews opens with God speaking through a son, Jesus Christ. Then it says in Hebrews 2:3 that “salvation had its beginning when it was spoken through the Lord”. But the only way for that salvation to be accomplished was, in Hebrews 2:14 “since the children share in blood and flesh, he also in like manner shared in these same things”. And, because he did become like us, he was able to “destroy the one who has the power of death, that is the devil”.

Three times in the beginning chapters of Hebrews we find this phrase, “Today, if you hear his voice” immediately followed by “do not harden your hearts”. In the first instance, they “tested me by trial”. In the second instance, they were disobedient. They didn’t hold on to God’s promise to them. In the third instance, there is an admonition to enter, in Hebrews 4:10, “into his rest”, that is to cease from our own works. We can trust God.

You Are My Son

Hebrews 1:5–14
In the opening verses of Hebrews, the many ways God had spoken to the Jewish people are mentioned, the Law of Moses, the prophets, the Psalms, but these are only the backdrop to the one God is using today. Today, God is speaking through his son, Jesus Christ.

In Hebrews 1:5 he says “you are my son … I will be his father”. Then Hebrews 1:6 makes an odd statement, “when he brings his firstborn into the world”. Adam was the first man and long ago. Angels are created beings and existed long before man. So when God makes this statement, he is introducing something new. This is the beginning of a new relationship, a new covenant. This is a new kingdom in Hebrews 1:8 “your throne is forever” and it is a kingdom of righteousness and joy in vs. 9.

In this kingdom, Jesus is firstborn and there will be many others “who are going to inherit salvation” as it says in Hebrews 1:14 but it also says alll of the angels are “spirits engaged in special service, sent on assignment” for us that believe.

So Great A Salvation

Hebrews 2:1–4
In Hebrews 2:1 it says, pay attention … lest we drift away”. And this is a reminder that the things of this world will separate us if we allow them to. Then Hebrews 2:2 makes reference to the Law of Moses which was administered by angels

Exodus 23:20–22 (LEB) “ ‘Look, I am about to send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. 21 Be attentive to him and listen to his voice; do not rebel against him, because he will not forgive your transgression, for my name is in him. 22 But if you listen attentively to his voice and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes.

But lets not miss the main point here in Hebrews 2:3-4 “salvation which had its beginning when”. This covenant, this kingdom realm, began when “it was spoken through the Lord and confirmed to us by those that heard, while God was testifying at the same time by signs and wonders”. With God, nothing comes into existence without being spoken.

Mark 16:19–20 (LEB) Then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and* proclaimed everywhere, while* the Lord was working together with them* and confirming the message through the accompanying signs.

What Is Man That You Remember Him

Hebrews 2:5–9
Man, by creation, is lower than angels. Less in strength, limited in life, yet God cares for us. In Hebrews 2:9 “we see Jesus, for a short time made lower than the angels … so that apart from God he might taste death on behalf of everyone”. His, Jesus, first step was taking on flesh which was subject to death.

Bringing Many Sons to Glory

Hebrews 2:10–18
This salvation is for all of us that are, in Hebrews 2:14 “blood and flesh”. So, Jesus, as it goes on to say, “also in like manner shared in these same things”. He did this so “he could destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil”.

Get these two main points here: Jesus had to take on human flesh, he had to be one of us as Hebrews 2:13 says “I and the children “. And his intent and purpose was so that, as it says in Hebrews 2:14 he could “destroy … the devil”.

And there was one more reason, in Hebrews 2:18 “he himself suffered”, so no one can ever say that he doesn’t know what it is like to be human. He has experienced this life just as we are experiencing it.

Consider Jesus

Hebrews 3:1–6
It says in Hebrews 3:1 “consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession” and goes on to commend him as faithful in Hebrews 3:2 and Hebrews 3:6. There is a distinction though between Moses and Jesus. Moses, in Hebrews 3:5, “was faithful … for a testimony to the things that would be spoken”. Jesus, now called Christ in Hebrews 3:6, “was faithful as a son over his house”.

The parable of the tenant farmers in the vineyard in Matthew 21:33-44 describes exactly the condition in the earth, the devil was granted occupancy (see Matthew 4:8-10) but it is about over.

Matthew 21:37–39 (LEB) So finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the tenant farmers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance!’ 39 And they seized him and* threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

Side note:
The earliest Christian confessions include that Jesus is the Christ (Acts 5:42; 9:22), that He is Lord (1 Cor 12:3; 2 Cor 4:5), and that He is the Son of God (Acts 9:20; Rom 1:3–4).1

Today, If You Hear His Voice

Hebrews 3:7–11
God has been revealing himself through our generations and it says here in Hebrews 3:7 “just as the Holy Spirit says, Today, if you hear his voice”. This is the first of three times that we are warned, in Hebrews 3:8 “do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion”

The rebellion Refers to Massah and Meribah (Psa 95:8), where the Israelites argued with Moses over God’s provision for them (Exod 17:1–7; Num 20:2–13).2

They didn’t believe God would see them through, but in Hebrews 3:9 “tested me by trial and saw my works” making God prove He would take care of them.

Proverbs 1:20–24 (LEB) Wisdom calls out in the streets, in the squares she raises her voice. 21 On a busy corner she cries out, at the entrances of the gates in the city, she speaks her sayings: 22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love simplicity? And how long will scoffers delight in their scoffing, and fools hate knowledge? 23 May you turn to my argument! Behold, I shall pour out my spirit upon you; I will make my words known to you. 24 Because I called out and you refused me, I stretched out my hand, yet there is none who heeds.

Encourage One Another Day By Day

Hebrews 3:12–19
In Hebrews 3:12 it says “watch out” then “an evil, unbelieving heart … that you fall away”. Then in Hebrews 3:13 it mentions being “hardened by sin” and the remedy for this is that we “encourage one another”.

Now, the second time we see, in Hebrews 3:15 “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” with the result that they, in Hebrews 3:19 “were not able to enter because of unbelief”. These, it says in vs. 18 were disobedient. They didn’t hold on to God’s promise to them.

We Also Have Had The Good News Proclaimed To Us

Hebrews 4:1–5
In Hebrews 4:1 it is possible to “fall short” and this happens when, in Hebrews 4:2 “the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united with those who heard it in faith”. It says in Hebrews 4:3, “these works have been accomplished from the foundation of the world” but there are some that will never benefit. We must be, from vs. 2, “those who heard it in faith”.

The Word of God Is Living And Active

Hebrews 4:6–13
Now, for the third time, we find in Hebrews 4:7 “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” This last time is in the context of sabbath rest. And I am going to characterize this as complete trust, complete peace knowing that God has it all covered for you. It says in

Hebrews 4:10 (LEB) For the one who has entered into his rest has also himself rested from his works, just as God did from his own works.

Then we find two statements:
In Hebrews 4:12 “the word of God is … able to judge the reflections and thoughts of the heart”.
In Hebrews 4:13 “all things are naked and laid bare to the eyes of him to whom we must give our account.

God knows exactly what we are thinking and believing and planning and there is no hiding any of it from him.

Study Verses

  • Hebrews 2:1–4
  • Hebrews 2:10–18
  • Hebrews 3:7–11

Today’s Reading

  • Hebrews 1:5-14
  • Hebrews 2:1-18
  • Hebrews 3:1-19
  • Hebrews 4:1-13

References

  • 1. Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Heb 3:1). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
  • 2. Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Heb 3:8). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Devotions

Live By The Spirit

by  • 

The Galatians were hindered in their walk as Christians by someone that wanted to pull followers away for themselves. This often happens and it is important for us to test what people are saying against God’s word rather than just blindly accepting it. But even more that testing the word, we need to test the spirit. As Paul says in Galatians 5:16-18 “But I say, live by the Spirit” and then in vs. 22-23 he says “But the fruit of the Spirit is …”. He says these things having also described in vs. 19-21 “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident”. As he closes, he admonishes them, in Galatians 6:1 “even if a person is caught … you who are spiritual restore” and that may mean hands on helping as we, in vs. 2 “carry the burdens of one another”. Then he reminds them that what they sow, they will reap, in Galatians 6:9 “if we do not give up”. In our culture, we want quick results but the reality is, every seed has its cycle time to harvest, some are ready quickly and some just take time. Be a good grower and bring the seed to harvest, don’t give up!

Who Hindered You?

Galatians 5:7–15
As Paul comes to the end of his letter, he comments in Galatians 5:7 “you were running well” but clearly they have gone off track. So he then asks “Who hindered you?” but he isn’t wanting an answer because he already knows and responds to his own question answering in Galatians 5:8 “This persuasion is not from the one who calls you”. Then in Galatians 5:9 Paul mentions leaven which “is used of false doctrine (Mt 16:12: compare Mt 13:33). In 1 Co 5:6 it means the corrupting influence of one bad person; so BENGEL understands it here to refer to the person (Ga 5:7, 8, 10) who misled them. Ec 9:18, “One sinner destroyeth much good” (1 Co 15:33)1.

And Paul goes on to say, in Galatians 5:10, “the one confusing you will pay the penalty”. Paul is right, there is the judgement seat of Christ where we will give an account of our actions, but right here, right now, we are to test what we hear, and reject what is not from God.

For example the Bereans, who were open minded, and it is good for us to be teachable, but they didn’t just accept everything as it was said to them. They “examined the scriptures and verified them as we also are to do.

Acts 17:11 (LEB) Now these were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica. They⌋accepted the message with all eagerness, examining the scriptures every day to see if these things were so.

1 Corinthians 14:29 (LEB) Let two or three prophets speak, and the others evaluate.

1 Thessalonians 5:19–21 (LEB) Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but examine all things; hold fast to what is good.

Paul goes on to give the litmus test for our relationships in Galatians 5:13-14 “through love serve one another … love your neighbor as yourself”. Then Paul throws in a statement for those that are having trouble understanding these serve and love concepts. If they aren’t walking in love then as it says in Galatians 5:15 “if you bite and devour one another, watch out”. This is the way of the natural man, deceitful, talking behind each others backs, the tongue on fire and setting fire.

But The Fruit of the Spirit Is

Galatians 5:16–26
In Galatians 5:16 is what can be a wonderful or awful word, “But”. When we say “but”, we mean that whatever we just said doesn’t apply because what we are about to say is what is really important. So if we have a statement like “bite and devour” followed by “but” it is wonderful. Here Paul says in Galatians 5:16-18 “But I say, live by the Spirit” and “But if you are led by the Spirit” and again in Galatians 5:22 he says “But the fruit of the Spirit is …”. You know these in vs. 22-23, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control” then he says, “Against such things there is no law” which is to say, have these in overabundance, all you want, all you like, and then a little more because they are good for you and for everyone around you.

Sometimes I really like the way the Bible is written, and this is one of many places. Paul says in Galatians 5:19-21 “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, …”. This is the natural way, the way we were born into and maybe even the way that we are now. Then Paul reserves this word “But” to describe the life of God we are to live in Christ. Our life in the Spirit negates, cancels, puts behind us and makes of no effect, all of the “Now” deeds that are contrary to our new life in Christ.

Two Parts of Life in The Spirit in Demonstration (a personal comment)

  • Part one is what I will call “My testimony”: Many people have been hurt, wounded, abused, offended, even broken because of the “Now” deeds of the flesh and one of the primary actions that take place as we accept Christ and begin to walk in the Spirit, is an often quoted passage, one that Jesus read about himself in Luke 4:18, it is
     

    Isaiah 61:1–3 (LEB) The Spirit of the Lord Yahweh is upon me, because Yahweh has anointed me, he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted,2 to proclaim release to the captives and liberation to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of Yahweh’s favor, and our God’s day of vengeance, to comfort all those in mourning, 3 to give for those in mourning in Zion, to give them a head wrap instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of a faint spirit. And they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of Yahweh, to show his glory.

     

    The power of God works in us, in our lives to deliver us from whatever that old life was, and for many people, this is their testimony. God has worked, and maybe is still working, in their life to fix the negatives.

  • Part two is what I will call “Overcoming Power”: This is the positive, producing, fruit bearing side of the fruit of the Spirit. For example, most people think about self-control as the ability to stop doing something, the ability to break an addiction. What I am talking about here is the self control to power through a task to completion. It is the ability to continue and fulfill your word when the odds are against you. Few people quote the next verses from Isaiah where it says
     

    Isaiah 61:4 (LEB) And they shall build the ancient ruins, they shall erect the former deserted places. And they shall restore the devastated cities, the deserted places of many generations.

     

    This “Overcoming Power”, this positive, producing, fruit bearing side is what we need in people that are teachers, politicians, policemen, well, you get the point, it is this fruit that changes the culture around us.

You Who Are Spiritual, Restore

Galatians 6:1–5
In Galatians 6:1 Paul says, “even if a person is caught in some trespass”, well, without reading any more, what might you think Paul would advise? Shouldn’t you stop their bad behaviour and punish them somehow so they won’t do it again? That is the way the world would handle it, but Paul says, “you who are spiritual, restore such a person”. He says to help them get past it, to, in Galatians 6:2 “carry the burdens of another” maybe by encouraging them, maybe by helping them as the Samaritan did, maybe by covering their shame. We, as Christians, should operate as Jesus instructed us in

Luke 6:37 (LEB) “And do not judge, and you will never be judged. And do not condemn, and you will never be condemned. Pardon, and you will be pardoned”.

Paul is clear though, this is not for us to be the fixer, the savior, the answer for everyone’s needs, because we have our own burden to carry. Are you being abused? Are you enabling someones bad behavior? Are you afraid to say what is on your mind because they might reject you? The trespass may be happening to you, get help if you need it.

Let Us Not Grow Weary in Doing Good

Galatians 6:6–10
Here in Galatians 6:6 Paul says to “share in all good things with the one who teaches”. We might say, honor the teacher, just as God’s word says to honor those in authority and to honor father and mother. We may not think about it, but every generation is born not knowing what we need for life and someone teaches us. They may teach us the culture they know or they may teach us the ways of life, God’s ways. But we don’t always have good teachers and even if we do, some times we don’t get the lesson.

Proverbs 22:6 (LEB) Train the child concerning his way; even when he is old, he will not stray from it.

Hebrews 5:12 (LEB) For indeed, although you* ought to be teachers by this time, you have need of someone to teach you again the beginning elements of the oracles of God, and you have need of milk, not solid food.

Paul also makes an important point, and this is a life lesson in Galatians 6:7-9 “whatever a person sows, this he will also reap” which is widely quoted and preached, but Paul goes on to say in vs. 9 “at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give up”. We forget that there are many kinds of seeds and each one has its own germination period and each has its own maturity cycle so some seed we reap quickly but some seed may take a lifetime and we may not see the fruit until we get to heaven. Do not give up. Be a good gardener.

A New Creation

Galatians 6:11–18
Paul ends this letter in Galatians 6:12 pointing out those that “are wanting to make a good showing in the flesh” but as it says in Galatians 6:15 For neither is circumcision anything nor uncircumcision, but a new creation”.

He Has Spoke To Us By A Son

Hebrews 1:1–4
Much of the conversation and division as the early church is preaching the gospel is because the Jews are holding on to the Law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms. God has spoken to men through these and it says in

2 Peter 1:20–21 (LEB) recognizing this above all, that every prophecy of scripture does not come about from one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

And in the few verses before this, Peter echo’s what he and the other apostles witnessed is same message spoken in Hebrews 1:1

2 Peter 1:16–17 (LEB) For we did not make known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ by following ingeniously concocted myths, but by being eyewitnesses of that one’s majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when a voice such as this was brought to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Study Verses

  • Galatians 5:16–26
  • Galatians 6:1–5
  • Galatians 6:6–10

Today’s Reading

  • Galatians 5:7-26
  • Galatians 6:1-18
  • Hebrews 1:1-4

References

  • 1. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 336). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Devotions

For Freedom Christ Has Made Us Free

by  • 

Some have come into the church at Galatia trying to bring them back under the law. Paul reminds them that the law came after the promise. The promise to Abraham was given by God and believed by Abraham long before the law was given. He then points out that the ones so zealously after them were only seeking those that would follow them.

Then he asks, “Don’t you understand the law? It is first known as the law of Moses but has come to be known as the law of sin and death. It is by the law that we recognize sin. Paul goes on to use the two sons of Abraham to explain the law. The first son Ishmael, the natural heir, was born under slavery and this, in Galatians 4:25 “corresponds to present Jerusalem”. The second son, Isaac, was born of the promise and in Galatians 4:26 “the Jerusalem above is free, which is our mother”, heir of all. Finally, he warns them in Galatians 5:2 “if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing!” which is his way of saying choose this day who you will serve.

That The Promise Could Be Given By Faith

Galatians 3:19–29
Galatians 3:19 says “It (the Law) was added on account of transgressions, having been ordered through angels”. And, “The meaning is, that the promulgation of the law at Sinai was no primary or essential feature of the divine plan, but it was “added” (Ga 3:19) for a subordinate purpose—the more fully to reveal the evil occasioned by Adam, and the need and glory of the remedy by Christ”.1

As we read earlier in, Galatians 3:17, the law followed four hundred and thirty years after the promise. Paul explains that the law defines sin, or I would say, exposes sin and makes it open for all to see, in

Romans 4:15 (LEB) For the law produces wrath, but where there is no law, neither is there transgression.

Lets also recognize that God’s angels are ministering spirits for us, but they do His word and execute his will. and the “Belief that angels acted as intermediaries in the giving of the Law to Moses is well attested in the NT: Acts 7:38, 53; Gal. 3:19; also in Jewish tradition”2.

Hebrews 2:2 (LEB) For if the word spoken through angels was binding and every transgression and act of disobedience received a just penalty,

Now we see in Galatians 3:22 that “the scripture (the law) imprisoned all under sin”. We were all caught together under, Hebrews 2:2 “a just penalty”. That is, in Galatians 3:24 “until Christ, in order that we cold be justified by faith”. Once we believed,and “were baptised into Christ” as vs 27 says, “then you are descendants of Abraham, heirs according to the promise” in Galatians 3:29.

Master of Everything

Galatians 4:1–7
When we are born into this world, Galatians 4:3 “we were children, we were “(subject to) enslaved under the elemental spirits of the world”3.

As the authors of “Live in Liberty” say, “Our consciences are shaped by the laws of culture, custom, and religion. The conscience—together with issues of shame, saving and losing face, rules of taboo and the like—spins a web which holds us captive”4.

A little later, they say, “The ancient world was awash with fear and superstition. The gods of the elements (earth, wind, fire, water) as well as the elements of the heavenly bodies (sun, moon, and planets) all had to be appeased to obtain blessing”5.

And though we today may not believe we need to appease the gods of the elements, we may none the less live in fear of the power of nature. The act of god as it is called in the world, the devastating power that may strike you down unexpectedly.

But, in Galatians 4:4 “God sent his son … born under the law” and in vs. 5 “that he might redeem (from the just penalty of Hebrews 2:2) … that we might receive the adoption”. So that in vs. 7 “you are no longer a slave but a son … an heir.”

At That Time … You Were Enslaved

Galatians 4:8–12
Now we know God and are free. In Galatians 4:8 it says “when you did not know God, you were enslaved” then in vs. 9 it says, “because you have come to know God, or rather have come to be known by God” as we read in Galatians 4:7, “we are heirs”. Now we are written in the lambs book, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit.

Revelation 21:27 (LEB) And every unclean thing and one who practices detestable things and falsehood will never enter into it, except those who are written in the book of life of the Lamb.

1 Corinthians 6:19 (LEB) Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

Why would they, as Paul says in Galatians 4:9 “turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental spirits?” Then in vs. 10 he describes these as the observation of “days and months and seasons and years”. There is a natural cycle of life and we do need a break from work and to remember our families and it is good to have a feast and enjoy the benefit of the work we have done, but these things in themselves cannot fulfill us.

Psalm 16:11 (LEB) You will make known to me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. At your right hand are pleasures forever.

Isaiah 40:31 (LEB) But those who wait for Yahweh shall renew their strength. They shall go up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not be faint.

This is where we find a fulfilled and satisfied live, in the joy of the lord.

Until Christ Is Formed In You

Galatians 4:13–20
In Galatians 4:13 we find that the Galatians were compassionate with Paul and his infirmity as he first preached the gospel t them. And, it seems that “the majority in the Galatian churches were Gentiles (Ga 4:8, 9), yet these were soon infected by Judaizing teachers (teaching the Jewish customs and Law of Moses), and almost suffered themselves to be persuaded to undergo circumcision (Ga 1:6)”6.

Paul says of these teachers in Galatians 4:17, that “they zealously seek you … that you may seek them zealously”, in other words, these teachers were drawing people away from God so they would become their followers.

Do You Not Understand The Law?

Galatians 4:21–31
Paul asks here in Galatians 4:21 “do you not understand the law?” As we read from Hebrews 2:2 “every transgression and act of disobedience received a just penalty”. If we live under the law, we face the inevitable penalty.

There is though, a part of human nature that wants a simple formula. If you do this, then this will happen. So we think, OK, I can be good, until we aren’t. We say, I can observe the Sabbath, until we don’t. We are in this natural world with all of humanity under the law of sin and death. There is an enemy that doesn’t play fair and he has trapped us. But God has a different plan, accept the promise, accept Jesus Christ and you will be saved.

God has offered two paths, the law which is your working for righteousness to attain salvation, and the promise which is the free gift of God.

Isaiah 64:6 (LEB) And we all have become like the unclean, and all our deeds of justice like a menstrual cloth, And we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities take us away like the wind.

Paul uses the birth of Abraham’s sons to show the difference between these covenants in Galatians 4:24-26 (LEB) “which things are spoken allegorically, for these women are two covenants, one from Mount Sinai … but the Jerusalem above is free”. This turns the whole story upside down because the Jews believed they were the “sons of Abraham” that would inherit. And in their culture, the first born son would inherit. But this is not God’s plan. The inheritance comes through the promise, through the son of Abraham and Sarah, through the descendants Isaac.

This presentation by Paul, tying our inheritance with God to the promise through Abraham, makes one thing absolutely clear, the inheritance does not go to the one, in Galatians 4:23 “born according to human descent”.

The Judaizers, the teachers of the Jewish custom and the Law of Moses, were often sent by the established religious leaders of the day. The high priest, the elders, the Pharisees, the Sadducees and of these, Jesus said, in

Matthew 23:27 (LEB) “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees—hypocrites!—because you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and of everything unclean!

Paul is warning them in very clear and strong terms to “drive out the female slave and her son” in vs 30 which is saying, drive out the spirit of religion that on the outside appears beautiful, but inside is dead. We are to live by the Holy Spirit, the same spirit that was poured out in Acts 2:4 and in Acts 10:44.

For Freedom, Christ Has Made Us Free

Galatians 5:1–6
Paul continues and tells the people in Galatians 5:1 to “Stand firm, therefore, and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery”. Then Paul takes an extreme stand by saying in vs. 2 “if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing!”.

Paul had been part of the assembly of leaders and elders in Jerusalem where they drafted a letter to the churches saying it wasn’t necessary for Gentiles to be circumcised. The letter simply said, in

Acts 15:28–29 (LEB) For it seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us to place on you no greater burden except these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from food sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you* keep yourselves from ⌊these things⌋ you will do well. Farewell.

Paul makes it very clear that if you are depending on the law for salvation, then Christ can not save you … It is only, in Galatians 5:6 “faith working through love”.

Study Verses

  • Galatians 3:19–29
  • Galatians 4:21–31
  • Galatians 5:1–6

Today’s Reading

  • Galatians 3:19-29
  • Galatians 4:1-31
  • Galatians 5:1-6

References

  • 1. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 233). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
  • 2. Ellingworth, P. (1993). The Epistle to the Hebrews: a commentary on the Greek text (pp. 137–138). Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press.
  • 3. Harris, W. H., III, Ritzema, E., Brannan, R., Mangum, D., Dunham, J., Reimer, J. A., & Wierenga, M. (Eds.). (2012). The Lexham English Bible (Ga 4:3). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
  • 4. Bush, D., & Due, N. (2015). Live in Liberty: The Spiritual Message of Galatians (p. 120). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
  • 5. Bush, D., & Due, N. (2015). Live in Liberty: The Spiritual Message of Galatians (pp. 120–121). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
  • 6. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 322). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.