We have reason to be encouraged because the son of god has become man, saved us, and ascended to the right hand of the father. Folktales about and exploration of the mystical meanings of the hebrew alphabet. There are a number of helpful commentaries on the book of hebrews, and the following are five of the best. However, doubt on pauline authorship in the roman church is reported by eusebius. In their simplest form, the twentyfour books of the jewish bible the tanach present a history of the first 3500 years from creation until the building of the second temple in jerusalem. Introduction to hebrews 10 isaiah gives some remarkable insights into the apocalyptic language used in the bible. Waldron copy right 1999 171 walden lane harriman, tn 37748 8653764453 permission granted to make copy without alteration and not for commercial purpose. He is the radiance of the glory of god and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. Bible biblestudytools video whats the book of hebrews all about. We need to get him better because hes what we need, nothing else. The authorship of hebrews one can not be dogmatic or conclusive regarding the human author of the book of hebrews. Id rather have jesus than angels first presbyterian church. This course is an indepth study of the letter to the hebrews, and is designed to provide a working knowledge of the book, including an understanding of the proper relationship between the old and new testaments and confirm the superiority of jesus and his gospel. Hebrews is a masterful document written to jews who were evaluating jesus or who were struggling with the christian faith.
As early as the second century, this treatise, which is of great rhetorical power and force in its admonition to faithful pilgrimage under christs leadership, bore the title to the hebrews. Study of the book of hebrews bob george ministries. The book of hebrews contains an elaborate argument that seeks to demonstrate that christianity is superior to its elder rival, judaism. A hebrew word teaching by rabbi daniel lapin youtube. And, although these thoughts and rulings of the ancient rabbis are still held in great. The messianic audio teaching recordings of rabbi stan farr. Hebrews, chapters 17 helps you know and apply the encouraging and.
Most of these people are not aware the word covenant is nowhere to be read in hebrews 8. Most readers of the book of hebrews bring along biases based on laterchristian theology, and they mistakenly read the epistle to the hebrews as a warning against backsliding into judaism. The author argues that we have a better covenant, tabernacle, and sacrifice. Study on the road or teach directly from your tablet. Hundreds of relevant easy to understand teaching points. Introduces perspectives on the author, audience, date and purpose of the book of hebrews that can help us interpret the original meaning and apply this book to our modern world. As weve just suggested, the author of hebrews wrote to exhort his audience. Better is a good title for the book since the author to hebrews uses the word better times as he compares the christianity to the old way of living and as he compares jesus christ to the patriarchs, the prophets, the angels, the priests, and everything else. This epistles title bears the traditional greek title, to the hebrews, which was attested by at least in the second century a. Monte judah of lion and lamb ministries is a hebrew roots teacher with a huge following, who has, in the past, made some false prophecies i. Lesson 20 matthew 6 cont from torah class on vimeo. What are five take aways from my studying this book which i call life lessons. The book of hebrews trinity evangelical divinity school. He uses similar themes landowner, king, and farmer as well.
Why jews cannot accept the new testament jews for judaism. The authorship of the book of hebrews is, at best, uncertain. The book of hebrews for teens today rooted ministry. The writer of hebrews goes on to explain in chapter 7 about melchizedek and start the discussion about tithing. But they can also perform many of the pastoral duties once confined to rabbis, such as conducting weddings and funerals, visiting sick congregants, and teaching adult education classes. The rabbis believe that psalm 2 is about the messiah. Challenging monte judahs assertion that the book of.
In the rabbinical training i had received, the fiftythird chapter of the book of isaiah had been continually avoided in favor of other, weightier matters to be learned. He has studied with learned rabbis in israel and with christian academics. And while the book of hebrews which contains that argument along with many complex discussions of old testament concepts can look terribly intimidating to a believer of any age, i believe it stands out as a surprisingly helpful tool in teaching all of us why the supremacy of christ matters, and what it means when it comes to our call to. The rabbi and chazzan work as partners to educate and inspire the congregation. The theme of the epistle is the doctrine of the person of christ and his role as mediator between god and humanity. Although hebrews is not written in apocalyptic language, it does employ it. A study of hebrews gene taylor2an introduction to the book of hebrews i. The epistle to the hebrews, or letter to the hebrews, or in the greek manuscripts, simply to the. For some particular reasons, the writer of the book of hebrews did not pen his name on the book. We are ready to begin our second segment on the book of hebrews, and we are going to make a bold claim with this, of course. And then the second element of faith according to the book of hebrews is to believe that he is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him.
This important book deals with the issues jewish believers wrestled with during. The attached powerpoint and audio were given during the teaching of these lessons. Aug 14, 2012 a beautifully informative 10 minute video on dor generation and reyd deterioration. I believe that a study of the book of hebrews may be the next step for us as a church as we seek to grow in our desire for greater intimacy with. One of the most pro torah texts in the entire new testament brit chadasa. Jesus is seen as superior to angels, tasting death for everyone, the giver of a sabbath rest, and our high priest. Hebrews emphasizes jesus christs role as the great high priest. Preeminent in rabbinic thinking were the concepts of god, torah, and israel. The supremacy of gods son long ago, at many times and in many ways, god spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. More than 3,500 parables from first century rabbis still exist and jesus are among the very best. It was assumed to be directed to jewish christians. The book of hebrews compares and contrasts jesus to key historical people and events from the old testament. The book of numbers is the fourth book of the torah.
There are many references in the new covenant scriptures, but none explains what he is now doing, except the books of hebrews and romans. Rabbis, priests, and other religious functionaries judaism. One such example is its use of the word fire which apocalyptically refers to gods judgment see hebrews 10. The book of hebrews was written for the jews who had accepted jesus as their messiah. Jesus christ, the incarnate son of god, the king of the universe, reflects the glory of god and bears the very stamp of his nature 1.
This summary of the book of hebrews provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of hebrews. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. Book of hebrews overview insight for living ministries. Genesis messianic audio torah teaching by rabbi stan farr. The book of hebrews can give you the spiritual refreshment you need. Isaiah 53 the forbidden chapter one for israel ministry. Many christians like to quote the following verse from the book of psalms to claim. Ruach israel rabbi nathan the book of hebrews series 2. Bradfords explanation of the difference between hebrew and greek thinking is outstanding. The words are opposites of each other in letters and meaning. Baruch is the senior lecturer at the zera avraham institute based in israel. The book of hebrews actually teaches that we must obey the torah, or the law, of yahweh. The author of this epistle is relentless in his effort to reveal christ as greater than the prophets, angels, moses, and the levitical priests.
Intro to hebrews biblica the international bible society. Discovering messiah yeshua in the weekly torah portions of the book of genesis. Passages such as the opening sentence of the prologue to ecclesiasticusthe law, the prophets, and the later writers have left us a wealth of valuable teachings, and we should praise israel for the instruction and wisdom they provide tevindicate that israelite education was highly valued toward the end of the biblical period 2nd century b. The 17th century jewish historian, raphael levi, admitted that long ago the rabbis used to read isaiah 53 in synagogues, but after the chapter caused arguments and great confusion the rabbis decided that the simplest thing would be to just take that prophecy out of the haftarah readings in synagogues. Higher purpose ministries better a sermon series on. A look at isaiah 53 the subject was never discussed in my prewarpoland hebrew school. The book of hebrews was written to encourage christians who were suffering persecution. He gave us the book of hebrews as one book among a canon of books. Carsons spring 20 acts, pauline, and general epistles course at our deerfield campus. The book of psalms sefer tehillim my jewish learning. O lord, in these days together in this book, grant that we would get jesus better because hes what we need. Thats why today when we read isaiah 52, we stop in the middle of the chapter and the week.
The whole book of hebrews negates that idea and supports what paul says in galatians 3. This group or sect was most closely linked with the synagogue and rabbis, and they drew support mostly from the social middle class or general population. They were in danger of slipping back into the traditions of judaism. Significantly, the book makes no reference to the destruction of the temple at jerusalem in ad 70, and the author wrote as if the sacrificial system were still in existence hebrews 10. In addition to his business degree, he was an egyptology and archeology major at university. For centuries, church fathers and biblical scholars have sought to identify the author of hebrews. Scripture by scripture explanation of the book of hebrews. While the torah presents itself as the divine word imparted to the people israel, the 150 poems in the book of psalms represent a range of human voices. The text does not mention the name of its author, but was traditionally attributed to paul the apostle. Rabbinic writings, the talmud, madrash, torah, mishna.
So both psalm 40 and hebrews 10 tell us that the scroll of the torah is a book about the messiah. Bible study series on the book of hebrews chapter by chapter. This is the first lesson in our series the book of hebrews and weve entitled it. The book of hebrews is a general epistle apostolic letter. The epistle to the hebrews, or letter to the hebrews, or in the greek manuscripts, simply to the hebrews. Our third teaching on the book of hebrews takes a look at the jewish believers and their relationship to. With its myriad references to hebrew customs and the old testament, the book was likely sent to a jewish christian community, possibly in rome. The talmud could be most concisely described as a collection of collections. The encouragement given in this book is not superficial but based on the ultimate realities. A week online interactive bible study on the letter or epistle to hebrews, pointing to jesus christ and the new covenant as superior to all that had come before under the old covenant. The book of hebrews teaches torah observance part 2 01.
This should come as no surprise to we believers because john also. One of their rabbis taught that black jews were the only real jews. Open the old prayerbooklike pages of the book of letters and you will enter a special world of sacred tradition and religious feeling more than just symbols, all twentytwo letters of the hebrew alphabet overflow with meanings and personalities of their own. Better is the title of my sermon series on the new testament book of hebrews. Each video is one lecture on the book of hebrews from dr. Its a book that helps struggling christians get a fresh perspective on jesus, resulting in a fresh burst of courage to endure in faith.
The epistle to the hebrews, or letter to the hebrews, or in the greek manuscripts, simply to the hebrews is one of the books of the new testament. The talmud is a collection of ancient writings by jewish rabbis which relate to the hebrew scriptures. Or, more plausibly, the book of the covenant was given to moses because the children of israel requested that they not hear from yahweh and moses go in their stead to receive the book of the covenant which is torah law exodus 1924, hebrews 8. He is greater than angels, the torah, moses, the promised land, priests, melchizedek, sacrifices, and the covenant. Apr 11, 2009 hebrews is one of the most significant books in the new testament for understanding the relationship between the old and new covenants. This book is the one through which the new covenant teaching so dear to bobs heart was formed. Originally, the hebrews called those 5 books given to moses torah. I just want to encourage you today, live this entire day believing theres a god, that hes a good god, that hes smiling on you and that he loves. The book of hebrews and its references to 1st and new covenant and laws. He is the creator of the worlds and is seated at the right hand of god. Bible teaching from the book of hebrews chapter 1 verses 16.
The first installment of the ariel commentary series highlights the real life concerns of 1st century jewish believers. In this video, rabbi yehudah ben lewi explains, from a talmudic perspective, the laws governing the making of matzah. The name of the book comes from the two censuses taken of the israelites. This description of the authors purpose helps orient us to the main ideas found in the book of hebrews. The book has a long and complex history, but its final form is probably due to a priestly redaction i. Modern biblical scholarship considers its authorship unknown, perhaps written in deliberate imitation of the style of paul. The hebrew canon contains 24 books, one for each of the scrolls on which these works were written in ancient times. We must learn to rightly divide the word torah of truth 2 timothy 2. Each lesson on this study of hebrews is designed fit into the whole of the book. There is a duplicate of this list on the spreadsheet of officers in box 9, folder 6. The claim that the ancient hebrews were black and that african americans are their descendants is a commonly held view among hebrew israelites. Rabbis used similar teaching techniques like the use of parables. The attached word document study guides are questions for the congregation, handed out the week prior to the lesson.
The author of hebrews wrote to exhort his audience to reject local jewish teachings and to remain faithful to jesus. And now the very hill, the very place, here in, of all places, the rabbinical writings, the zohar. I believe that a study of the book of hebrews may be the next step for us as a church as we seek to grow in our desire for greater intimacy with christ, greater faith, and bolder acts of service. The emphasis and value of education is strongly embedded in jewish culture. The book of matthew lesson 20, chapter 6 continued well continue in matthew chapter 6 directing our focus upon the lords prayer of verses 9. The book of hebrews elevates jesus above historical people. The soteriology of hebrews is quite consistent with pauls own teaching. The book of hebrews a better covenant messianic literary.
No other book in the new testament integrates the gospel with the old testament better than the book of hebrews. The books also relate the history of the jewish nation from its earliest stage, through the giving of the law at. The author is anonymous, although either paul or barnabas was traditionally accepted as the author. This book is very special to me because it was written to the jewish christians in the church who were undergoing very severe persecution that the vast majority of believers have never had to experience. Thus far the writer to the hebrews was careful to document both the deity of jesus hebrews 1. We do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize. Challenging monte judahs assertion that the book of hebrews should be eliminated from the bible. In perhaps his most extensive teaching, you will experience the wonder and joy in the provisions of the new covenant and will grow and mature in. Study guide for hebrews by chuck smith blue letter bible. Education in ancient israel resources american bible society.
Clement of alexandria suggests that paul wrote the book originally in hebrew and that luke translated it into greek, though the greek of hebrews bears no resemblance to translation greek e. His specialties are indepth exegesis of the old testament and bible history. Benner and they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. The basic teaching of hebrews centers on showing the superiority of the christian religion over judaism. Contrary to popular teaching, he didnt tithe everything he had. The writer of this letter does not identify himself, but he was obviously well known to the original recipients. There are a great number of reasons why i believe it is time for us to study the book of hebrews. He was a gentile while the author was most definitely a hebrew. The rabbis in the book of moed, unwittingly, and another thing we shared this sic, zeroed in on the year by saying that the cosmic change all took place in the year 30 a. Walter martin, founder of the christian research institute and writer of the bestselling book kingdom of the cults, quipped in his usual tongueincheek manner that the book of hebrews was written by a hebrew to other hebrews telling the hebrews to stop acting like hebrews. The title, leaving elementary teachings behind is fitting for churches to move forward to become deeply rooted. Yet the familiar, good judaism continued to draw them back. Some returned to the old way, and others attempted to combine the old with the new, forming a hybrid of judaism and christianity.
When the various new testament books were formally brought together into one collection shortly after a. The greatest single value of the book of hebrews is its teaching on the present ministry and priesthood of messiah yeshua. Unlike christianity, jewish scriptures do not teach that satan is a fallen and. Id rather have jesus than anything because hes better. The book of the covenant is torah just as the book of the law is torah. I believe that a study of the book of hebrews may be the next step for. Abraham kept yahwehs torah and never saw a levite or heard of the book of the law. Several years ago, the president of a conference of jewish rabbis said that moses was the greatest jew who had ever lived. The jewish christian was also tempted to look at christianity as the romans and practically everyone else did as just another offshoot religion or another sect of judaism. Holy epistle to the hebrews jesus did not cancel the law, nor did he replace the temple, the priesthood, or the sacrifices. Lets be clear, the ministry of the brit chadasha initiated by yeshuas priesthood is a better ministry than that of the first covenant. The book of hebrews teaches torah observance, part 2. Baruch is the senior lecturer at the zera avraham institute.
The book of hebrews is written to the world believers and nonbelievers alike. After showing his superiority to angels, it must be shown that christ was better than moses. The collections of extrabiblical jewish religious writings are often confusing to read and categorize for modern readers, especially those who own a western mindset or christian background. The hebrew bible is organized into three main sections. Is it the book of hebrews, the letter to the hebrews, or perhaps a sermon to. The book of hebrews solves this problem by arguing that the hebrew scriptures also foretold that the. The book of exodus or, simply, exodus, from greek, exodos, meaning going out. Years of meticulous study, writing, and editing have produced this remarkable commentary on the messianic jewish epistles mje covering the books of hebrews, james, i peter, ii peter, and jude. In this second installment of the teds lecture series, we are pleased to bring you four video lectures by d.