EPTThe Book of Hebrews is an epistle, or letter, written for the Jews who were being persecuted in order to urge them to keep strong in their faith and not falter in their trust in Christ.
The opening of the book begins with an emphasis over how the Son of God is greater than the angels, who are his divine servants. The letter points out that although the old prophets had their messages delivered by angels, Jesus was a direct Son of God and had a direct connection with God, so his word goes beyond the validity of angels. Even though Jesus was human and humans were made slightly lower than angels, he was still above them because he has the title Son of God. The author of the epistle goes on to pose the rhetorical question, “To whom, indeed, did he ever say among the angels “you are my son, I this day have begotten you’?” to which the obvious answer is that God has never said anything of that sort to an angel. (Vanhoye 76) Because the angels are servants and Jesus is to be at the right hand of their God, even the angels saw him as greater than themselves.
The letter goes on to detail how Christ is the apostle and the high priest, in that he pleads the cause of God with believers as an apostle and that he also pleads their cause to God as high priest. Christ was a mediator because he gives the word of God as well as communicates with God on the behalf of his fellow Jews. (Wesley) Archiereus, which is means the great priest, high priest, or chief priest, were held in a much higher degree than regular priests. They were allowed to marry only an Israelite virgin and no one else. The high priest couldn’t come into contact with dead bodies, and could not grow out their hair as signs of mourning. Any sin brought on by the priest carried guilt through the whole country, so special sacrifices had to be committed. (Myers 488)
The author goes on to describe how Christ is the perfect sacrifice, thus abolishing Christians from having to perform traditional Jewish sacrificial rituals year by year. The book also explains the reason behind their discipline and persecution. The epistle encourages followers to not waiver in their belief and to keep in mind that God loves them as a father loves his children. The author makes a point that “what father who loves his children does not discipline them?”
Finally, the letter concludes by giving some general advice and reminding the audience that grace, which the author states is more effective than rituals, is achieved through doing good and sharing love with all of man.
The authorship of Hebrews has generally been attributed to Paul but there is no significant evidence to directly pen an author and so it remains anonymous. Although the date and author of the book of Hebrews is not exactly known, the audience for whom the letter addresses is clear; Jews who were facing the trials and tribulations of persecution because of their faith and belief in Christ. The word “exhortation” also appears multiple times throughout the book, which means to emphatically convey urgent advice and encouragement to someone to do something. In the case of the letter, the word exhortation makes it more clear whom the recipients of the letter are; people who are falling away or stumbling in their faith.
Works Cited
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Myers, Allen C. The Eerdmans Bible Dictionary. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1987. Print.
Vanhoye, Albert. A Different Priest: The Epistle to the Hebrews. Miami, FL: Convivium, 2011. Print.
Wesley, John. One Volume New Testament Commentary,. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1957. Print.
Vanhoye, Albert. A Different Priest: The Epistle to the Hebrews. Miami, FL: Convivium, 2011. Print.
Wesley, John. One Volume New Testament Commentary,. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1957. Print.
