Hebrews

What is the reason this book was written?

     This book was written to the Christians who, in face of persecution, were reverting back to Judaism. We can see this in the text as the author gives evidence of Jesus' authority and why going back to the old covenant is meaningless (1:4-9). The author proves Jesus as greater than anything or anyone and pleads for believers to stick with Christianity though there was persecution for them (13:20-21).

What is the main idea?

     The main idea of Hebrews is that no one compares to Jesus. He is described as greater than the angles (1:4) and greater than Moses (3:3). He is now our High Priest, but serves in a much different way than the high priests of the Old Testament. He made the sacrifice with his life, once and for all time (8:1-2, 6, 9:11-15). Jesus offered himself as a perfect sacrifice for our sins and this is the reason why the old covenant is meaningless. Jesus came to make a better covenant for us. We can come to the throne of God, because Jesus died to remove our sins from us. We are spotless before God and are able to live free from guilt. The author uses all of this to urge Christians to persevere.

What is the important historical background?

     We know that the church was now being persecuted (10:33). Christianity became known as a new religion and was not excepted by Rome. They began to be persecuted for being followers of Jesus. The book was written to Jews. The author talks about accepting a new covenant and the uselessness of the old (8:6). This would have only been important to Jews who had come from Judaism. The persecution of the church came heaviest under Nero and this book would have been written during his rule.

What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

     God is our merciful and faithful High Priest. He came as a servant to redeem his people (2:17-18). Jesus came and suffered and was tempted in all the same things we are tempted in. He could be the perfect sacrifice and perfect high priest, because though he was tempted he never sinned (4:13-16). God sees the things that we do to help one another. He cares about our actions and how we treat the body of Christ (6:10). Again we see him as the perfect High Priest that lives forever. Because he lives forever we don't need another (7:24-28). He went into the most holy place and offered his own blood that tore the vail in two (9:11-12). Most of this book explains God as I have above. God is our perfect father, high priest, and savior.