Lesson 37


The Epistle to the Hebrews

World English Bible translation

 Today's Scripture

10:32 But remember the former days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings; 10:33 partly, being exposed to both reproaches and oppressions; and partly, becoming partakers with those who were treated so. 10:34 For you both had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an enduring one in the heavens. 10:35 Therefore don't throw away your boldness, which has a great reward. 10:36 For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise.

 10:37 "In a very little while,
      He who comes will come, and will not wait.

 10:38 But the righteous will live by faith.
      If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him."

10:39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the saving of the soul.


Today's Lesson    

The New Covenant is superior to the Old Covenant in three ways. The New Covenant has a superior high priest. The New Covenant has a superior tabernacle and it has a superior sacrifice. In each of these areas, the Old Covenant was a shadow of the reality that is now offered in Christ. Having established the superiority of the New Covenant, the author of this epistle issued a stern warning. If the New Covenant is so superior to the Old Covenant, it becomes even more important to believe the promises that God has given us through Christ.

 

The Israelites failed to believe in the promises of God when they first came to the Promised Land. Because they did not believe that God would deliver them against the powerful cities that occupied the Land, God swore that they would not enter into the rest that He had provided for them. They were punished by being forced to wander in the wilderness until everyone of that generation had died. In the same way, we cannot fail to believe in the gospel once it has come to us. The Hebrew Christians that received this letter could not turn back again to Judaism because this would be trampling the Son of God and the sacrifice that he has offered on their behalf.

 

But having written this stern warning, the author assures these Christians he did not believe that they would be among those who might turn away from the truth of the gospel. He told them that God would remember all that they had endured for the sake of the gospel. They had endured suffering for the name of Christ. They have already been told that God is faithful. Not only is God faithful to fulfill the promises that He has given us, He is also faithful to remember the sacrifices that we make in His name.

 

God does not forget the faith of His children. Faith is the most important thing in the world to God. The righteous will live by faith and it is the very life of God that will be with them. Everything that you do in the name of God will be remembered for eternity. Our sins and lawless acts will be forgotten forever, but the simplest acts of faith will be remembered for all time.

 

In your present situation how can you show your faith to the Lord? In what area do you need to trust in Him today?

 

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