1. Hebrews: The Voice of a NT Prophet

2. Hebrews as Prophetic
The author calls it a ‘word of encouragement’ (13:22)!
Parakleisis
The Holy Spirit: Parakleitos

3. The Prophetic in the NT
Barnabas, ‘son of encouragement’ ‘encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts’ (Acts 11:23).
Judas and Silas, who were prophets (15:32), ‘said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.’
But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort (1 Corinthians 14:3).

4. Hebrews: Some key features
In terms of literature: polished Greek Grammar, rhetorical argument, the highest point of NT writings
Author was trained in a gymnasium (University) or private school
Uses three genre: Midrash Rhetoric Prophetic
The ultimate theology of atonement, plus a major statement on the divinity & humanity of Christ

5. The Prophetic Presentation - simplest
Describing Jesus
Titles for Jesus
Calling to Jesus

6. Text Describing Jesus 1:1-2 The final word of God 2:9
Jesus, crowned with glory & honour
4:6
Jesus, the apostle and high priest
4:14
The great high priest, Jesus, the Son of God
7:26
Such a high priest … holy, blameless, pure, exalted
8:1
We do have such a high priest … at the right hand …
10:19-20
Since we have such a high priest …
12:2
Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith
13:21
Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever

7. Text Titles for Jesus Christ
1:2
The Son of God
1:2
The heir of God
2:6
The Son of Man
3:1
The apostle and high priest
4:14
The great high priest
7:2
King of righteousness and king of peace
9:15
The New Covenant mediator
13:8
Jesus Christ: the same yesterday, today, forever
13:20
The great shepherd of the sheep

8. Text Calling people to Jesus
2:1
Jesus ‘greater than’: Pay more attention therefore
2:18
His true humanity: He is really able to help people
3:1
Fix your thoughts on Jesus
4:14-15
He can sympathise with us in all our weaknesses
7:22
Jesus guarantees a secure salvation
7:25
He can save us eternally
10:18-22
Therefore: draw near to God through him
12:2
Fix your eyes on Jesus
13:3
Come to him

9. Where are you with Jesus?
Its all about Jesus!
Where are you with Jesus?

10. The Central Presentation
5:1-10:18

11. He is uniquely qualified as High Priest
Jesus is fully divine
Jesus is fully human
Therefore
He is uniquely qualified as High Priest
In a New Covenant
In a heavenly temple
Offering a perfect sacrifice
Applied by the Holy Spirit
Therefore

12. Placed inside a prophetic exhortation
A chiastic structure, from the Greek chiazo, or letter X

13. Placed inside a prophetic exhortation
A chiastic structure, from the Greek chiazo, or letter X

14. Text
Subject
5:1-10:18
Jesus Christ: All-Sufficient Sacrifice and High Priest

15. Placed inside a prophetic exhortation
A chiastic structure, from the Greek chiazo, or letter X
In a chiasm, the central part is the focus, like the ham in a sandwich
Here the saving and atoning work of Christ is the ham, and the prophetic exhortation functions as two slices of bread on either side.
This is reflected in a remarkably intricate rhetorical chiastic structure
The Easter Message as call to total commitment!

16. Text
Subject
1:1-4
God has spoken through his Son
1:5-14
The majesty of the Eternal Exalted Son
2:1-4
God’s Son-mediated revelation: pay attention!
2:5-18
The Son of God: became incarnate and suffered
3:1-6
Fix your thoughts on Jesus: Son over God’s house
3:7-19
Avoid the company of the faithless generation
4:1-11
Do not emulate those who lost the blessing
4:12-13
You are accountable before the Word of God
4:14-16
Embrace this Great High Priest
5:1-10:18
Jesus Christ: All-Sufficient Sacrifice and High Priest
10:19-25
Avail yourself of this Great High Priest
10:26-31
You are more accountable because of this High Priest
10:32-39
Pursue the blessing promised to the faithful
11:1-40
Join the company of the heroes of faith
12:1-3
Keep you eyes of Jesus, seated at God’s right hand
12:4-13
God’s true sons and daughters endure suffering
12:14-17
Esau sold his birthright: through carelessness!
12:18-24
The firstborn sons of God Exalted in Jesus
12:25-29
God will speak once more at the Final Judgment

17. In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 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. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
1:1-4
See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." 27 The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken--that is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our "God is a consuming fire.”

18. Text
Subject
1:5-14
The majesty of the Eternal Exalted Son
2:1-4
God’s Son-mediated revelation: pay attention!
2:5-18
The Son of God: became incarnate and suffered
3:1-6
Fix your thoughts on Jesus: Son over God’s house
3:7-19
Avoid the company of the faithless generation
4:1-11
Do not emulate those who lost the blessing
4:12-13
You are accountable before the Word of God
4:14-16
Embrace this Great High Priest
5:1-10:18
Jesus Christ: All-Sufficient Sacrifice and High Priest
10:19-25
Avail yourself of this Great High Priest
10:26-31
You are more accountable because of this High Priest
10:32-39
Pursue the blessing promised to the faithful
11:1-40
Join the company of the heroes of faith
12:1-3
Keep you eyes of Jesus, seated at God’s right hand
12:4-13
God’s true sons and daughters endure suffering
12:14-17
Esau sold his birthright: through carelessness!
12:18-24
The Firstborn sons of God Exalted in Jesus

19. For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father" ? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son" ?
And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him” … But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom …
1:5-14
You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned." 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear."
But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

20. Text
Subject
2:1-4
God’s Son-mediated revelation: pay attention!
2:5-18
The Son of God: became incarnate and suffered
3:1-6
Fix your thoughts on Jesus: Son over God’s house
3:7-19
Avoid the company of the faithless generation
4:1-11
Do not emulate those who lost the blessing
4:12-13
You are accountable before the Word of God
4:14-16
Embrace this Great High Priest
5:1-10:18
Jesus Christ: All-Sufficient Sacrifice and High Priest
10:19-25
Avail yourself of this Great High Priest
10:26-31
You are more accountable because of this High Priest
10:32-39
Pursue the blessing promised to the faithful
11:1-40
Join the company of the heroes of faith
12:1-3
Keep you eyes of Jesus, seated at God’s right hand
12:4-13
God’s true sons and daughters endure suffering
12:14-17
Esau sold his birthright: through carelessness!

21. We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
2:1-4
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 16 See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. 17 Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears.

22. Text
Subject
2:5-18
The Son of God: became incarnate and suffered
3:1-6
Fix your thoughts on Jesus: Son over God’s house
3:7-19
Avoid the company of the faithless generation
4:1-11
Do not emulate those who lost the blessing
4:12-13
You are accountable before the Word of God
4:14-16
Embrace this Great High Priest
5:1-10:18
Jesus Christ: All-Sufficient Sacrifice and High Priest
10:19-25
Avail yourself of this Great High Priest
10:26-31
You are more accountable because of this High Priest
10:32-39
Pursue the blessing promised to the faithful
11:1-40
Join the company of the heroes of faith
12:1-3
Keep you eyes of Jesus, seated at God’s right hand
12:4-13
God’s true sons and daughters endure suffering

23. In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. 12 He says, "I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises ” …
And again he says, "Here am I, and the children God has given me.”
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity …
Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
2:1-4
And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons …

24. Text
Subject
3:1-6
Fix your thoughts on Jesus: Son over God’s house
3:7-19
Avoid the company of the faithless generation
4:1-11
Do not emulate those who lost the blessing
4:12-13
You are accountable before the Word of God
4:14-16
Embrace this Great High Priest
5:1-10:18
Jesus Christ: All-Sufficient Sacrifice and High Priest
10:19-25
Avail yourself of this Great High Priest
10:26-31
You are more accountable because of this High Priest
10:32-39
Pursue the blessing promised to the faithful
11:1-40
Join the company of the heroes of faith
12:1-3
Keep you eyes of Jesus, seated at God’s right hand

25. Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. 2 He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God's house. 3 Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. 4 For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. 5 Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house, testifying to what would be said in the future. 6 But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.
3:1-6
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
12.1-3

26. Text
Subject
3:7-19
Avoid the company of the faithless generation
4:1-11
Do not emulate those who lost the blessing
4:12-13
You are accountable before the Word of God
4:14-16
Embrace this Great High Priest
5:1-10:18
Jesus Christ: All-Sufficient Sacrifice and High Priest
10:19-25
Avail yourself of this Great High Priest
10:26-31
You are more accountable because of this High Priest
10:32-39
Pursue the blessing promised to the faithful
11:1-40
Join the company of the heroes of faith

27. So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did. That is why I was angry with that generation, … So I declared on oath in my anger, `They shall never enter my rest.' ” …
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? 17 And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? 18 And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? 19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.
3:7-19
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not seen. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
By faith Abel … By faith Enoch … By faith Noah … By faith Abraham …
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance.
… they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. :2

28. Text
Subject
4:1-11
Do not emulate those who lost the blessing
4:12-13
You are accountable before the Word of God
4:14-16
Embrace this Great High Priest
5:1-10:18
Jesus Christ: All-Sufficient Sacrifice and High Priest
10:19-25
Avail yourself of this Great High Priest
10:26-31
You are more accountable because of this High Priest
10:32-39
Pursue the blessing promised to the faithful

29. Text
Subject
4:12-13
You are accountable before the Word of God
4:14-16
Embrace this Great High Priest
5:1-10:18
Jesus Christ: All-Sufficient Sacrifice and High Priest
10:19-25
Avail yourself of this Great High Priest
10:26-31
You are more accountable because of this High Priest

30. Text
Subject
4:14-16
Embrace this Great High Priest
5:1-10:18
Jesus Christ: All-Sufficient Sacrifice and High Priest
10:19-25
Avail yourself of this Great High Priest

31. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
4:14-16
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

32. The Eternal Son
Jesus the Messiah
Perfect Sacrifice
Great High Priest

33. The Parakleisis (exhortation)
How it progresses: more and more radical negative language
Why?

34. The triple context
Who? A group of Christians converted from orthodox Judaism, in Rome, a home group within the larger church.
The Roman authorities were worried about the many new religions. Christianity was viewed as a “dangerous superstition.” Roman persecution past and future, demanding allegiance to Caesar as “Lord.” Christians burned at the stake in AD 64.
Judaism as “religio licita” meant if they returned to Judaism, they could “dodge the bullet.”
But, to return to Judaism, the Synagogue authorities demanded formal renunciation of Christ as a false Messiah and blasphemer.
Apostacy

35. Today’s context
Who? Western Christians in a protected environment. Eastern Christians facing martyrdom (ISIS).
Western Christianity: huge figures of “lapsed” Christians dropping out of churches.
A secular humanist, materialist majority, a growing new-age worldview, and growing moral decadence.
Can lapsed Christians drift into apostasy?

36. The growing spiritual decline
“Drift away” “ignore” (2:1-4).
Hardened hearts, rebellion, “a sinful, unbelieving heart”, “unbelief” (3:7-4:1).
Falling away (committing apostacy), “re-crucifying the Son of God and subjecting him to public disgrace” (5:11-6:5).
Deliberately keep on sinning: “trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?” (10:19-35).

37. The intensifying judgment
How can we escape judgment? (2:1-4).
Their bodies fell in the desert, God “swore” they will never entered his rest – the Promised Land (3:7-4:1).
Once truly saved Christians, but now “Impossible to be brought back to repentance” (5:11-6:5).
“A fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God”, because “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (10:19-35).

38. The Parakleisis (exhortation)
How it progresses: more and more ecstaticly positive language

39. Great encouragement!
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today (3:12).
Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest (4:11).
Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case--things that accompany salvation (6:9).
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded (10:35).
Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 "Make level paths for your feet …" (12:12)

40. He is uniquely qualified as High Priest
Jesus is fully divine
Jesus is fully human
Therefore
He is uniquely qualified as High Priest
In a New Covenant
In a heavenly temple
Offering a perfect sacrifice
Applied by the Holy Spirit
Therefore

41. The crowning summation
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, …
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
10:19-25

42. For Reflection What spiritual state might you be in?
Do we face persecution and martyrdom, or forces more subtle and sinister (pluralism, relativism)?
Could you drift away, or turn away?
What warnings and encouragements do you need to hear?