Hebrews - Lesson 16 (Chapter 13:1-25) Opening Discussion question in order to offer input to the Small Group Facilitators, is there a particular topic of interest or a specific book of the Bible this group might like to discuss next year? Any follow-up discussion from lesson 15? Introduction to Lesson 16 study Finishing touches how does one put the finishing touches on such an excellent and compelling work of encouragement? Leave it to the Holy Spirit to offer the perfect way to conclude His thoughts on keeping the faith. Through this entire letter the author, with great passion and love, has been seeking to re-teach the Hebrews about the superiority of faith in Jesus Christ over their former faith of Judaism. In a logical and reasoned way the author has provided point after point of evidence for the futility of abandoning their Christianity. Now, in the final chapter and our last lesson on this great book of Hebrews, the author changes his style. Instead of a fact based succession of reasoned argument, he concludes with a series of good and proper thoughts of encouragement. The letter, like many other New Testament epistles, also concludes with some personal references. Hebrews 13:1-3 Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 3 Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. With previous words of encouragement ringing in the ears of the Hebrews (i.e. 10:24-25 - 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 1
see the Day approaching) the author now pushes the Hebrews to see the importance of Christian faith put into action. For too many, including these first century Christians, there is the temptation to allow faith to be only a head thing, only a theory. Such a faith was never God s intention. Such a faith leaves us without experiencing the love of God through others, or showing the love of God to others. The first exhortation to the Hebrews consists of actions of brotherly love. These encouraging words remind us that faith is not only about our relationship with God, but also with others. God wisely has placed individual Christians into a family of believers. It is in this family where we benefit from the human connection of God s love. The second encouragement of this section fits into the arena of hospitality. The word comes from the combination of brotherly love and the word for strangers. This encouragement is very Hebraic in its origin. It was customary in the Old Testament for travelers, strangers, to seek hospitality from people as they journeyed through the country of Israel. The reference to entertaining angels is easily identified with the episode in Genesis where Abraham played host to three angel/messengers (remember, one of them is the angel of the Lord = a common designation for the pre-incarnate Son of God in the Old Testament) sent by God the Father (Genesis 18). A word of caution this encouragement as applied today does not request of us to put our lives and loved ones in harm s way. The principle of hosting strangers of old was done in a safe way, that is, it was verifiable the traveler was safe and truly needing of hospitality. God asks us to practice such brotherly love to strangers even today, but not at the risk of breaking the 5 th commandment and putting our lives in jeopardy (i.e. a single woman traveling alone would be foolish to pick up a hitch hiker or stop along the high-way to assist a stranded car. But it would be hospitable to call for assistance or stop at the next exit to inform the authorities there is someone in need of assistance. Such actions are both loving and safe). The final word of encouragement in this section may seem strange to us because of the way prisoners are incarcerated in our modern times. Today, prisoners have their needs provided for through the penal system. In the first century prisoners were dependent on the charity of others for food and clothing. Considering the context of this letter, the author is encouraging the readers to help other Hebrew Christians who had been unjustly imprisoned for their faith. A modern day application of this principle might be for a local church to establish a prison ministry, or a means of encouragement to felons who come to faith while serving prison terms for crimes they had committed. 2
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: What are the dangers of confusing social justice/social gospel with the proper understanding and application of brotherly love and hospitality as encouraged by the true Gospel? (For instance, what are the pitfalls of a church that makes ministry to the physical needs of others a priority over ministering to the spiritual needs of others?) What are the dangers of understanding the true Gospel teaching of brotherly love and hospitality but never applying it by caring about the physical needs of others? (For instance a church that insists its only ministry is to preach and teach, but not to involve itself in the community or in some way help those in need?) What do you think what might be the best way to determine a proper balance between understanding the brotherly love concept and applying it in a church situation or in our individual lives? Hebrews 13:4-6 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. 6 So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? At first glance the three verses of this section may feel like they are thrown together without having a common thread of thought. Verse four speaks to sexual purity and verses five and six speak to the issue of greed. But when you take a step back and view the verses as a unit, it becomes clear God is encouraging these Hebrew Christians to guard their hearts. Whether it is lust or greed, both are an open invitation to the devil to replace God with a desire for something else. 3
As we read these words we might think the inspired author was looking ahead to the 21 st century and talking about our times. But we need to understand the timelessness of God s Word. We may think that our culture is much more sex-saturated than ancient cultures, but it isn t. Though the Jews of the first century held themselves to a high standard sexually, the cities of the Mediterranean world were plagued with casual sex and all kinds of perversions. Many worship acts of the Greek and Roman gods actually called for temple prostitution. And the ancient culture pressured people to give in to their passions. It is no wonder that not only here in Hebrews, but many places in the New Testament, words of encouragement against sexual impurity are to be found. But for some, lust and illicit sex are not their biggest problem. For some, their lust is for physical wealth and the control and power it seems to bring to their lives. This was not only a problem for first century Christians, but for Hebrews throughout the ages. One of the false teachings held by many people of Israelite heritage is that prosperity actually was a sign or symbol of how much God loved you. To properly combat the sin of greed and to offer protection for their hearts, the author includes two well-known quotations from the Old Testament. First, from Deuteronomy 31:6, are Moses encouraging words to Joshua as he was about to lead the nation of Israel into the promised land. The second, from Psalm 118:6-7, comes from the last psalm of the grouping known as the Passover Prayers/Psalms. Traditionally these words come from the final prayer of the Passover celebration. Psalm 118 is also highly Messianic, meaning, it foreshadows the life and suffering of the coming Messiah. These quoted words may very well have been part of the last hymn Jesus sang with His disciples on Maundy Thursday evening. The quote calls to mind that the Hebrew Christians were being tempted to put their trust in something other than the Messiah. Thus, this is a very necessary and important encouragement to guard their hearts. FOOD FOR THOUGHT: How comfortable are we in ever admitting that our faith may be eroding because of the sin of lust? Of greed? Or, are these the kinds of sins we more readily see in others? Why do you think we 21 st century Christians/Lutherans have such difficulty outwardly discussing our struggles with the sins the author mentions? Do you think it would be helpful to be part of a group of people in which these sins were discussed without fear of shame, and then also held accountable for fighting against such sins? Would such a thing be a benefit to you? To your faith? To your marriage? 4
What danger do we place ourselves into when we think we are immune to such sins about which the author warns? Is the danger different for male Christians as opposed to female Christians (i.e. sexual affairs vs. emotional affairs)? Hebrews 13:7-8 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Once again we have a combination of thoughts that don t seem to go together until we study them more closely. What does respect for the teachers of God s Word have to do with the eternal nature of Jesus Christ? It helps to understand that the author is speaking using the past tense. He is not simply referring to the pastors who were presently serving the Hebrew Christian congregations, but rather those who had taught them in the past many of whom had already died and gone on to eternity. The timing becomes important because the author is not holding people up as being good enough to be their role models, but rather the author s focus is on the outcome of their faith. The former teachers and role models (think chapter 11 and the heroes of faith) went to heaven because of their faith. Faith in what? Faith in the changeless Son of God, the Savior. The Hebrew Christians needed the reminder that faith in Jesus was not just believing in a man, but in the God-man who delivers eternal life as the outcome of faith. That was not only the message of their former teachers, but their example too. Hebrews 13:9-14 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods, which are of no value to those who eat them. 10 We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. 12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. 13 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. 14 For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. 5
Because these short snippets are meant to be nuggets of encouragement, we need to keep in mind the author is quickly moving from one topic to another. So far he has covered their practice of faith, a proactive guarding of their hearts, and the technique of modeling themselves after the faith of others. Now he reminds them of one of the most basic encouragements, feeding their faith by a proper understanding and study of God s Word. The focus of such feeding is Jesus. The author uses a picture of an Old Testament custom to help them grasp what he means when he encourages them to trust in God s grace, and not in righteousness achieved by keeping any custom or law. The Levitical priests of the Old Covenant ate portions of the sacrificed animal and then burned the rest of it up on the altar of burnt offering (Leviticus 7:11-17). Whatever was inedible or unpresentable to God, such as the entrails and hide, wrtr carried outside the camp for disposal. This disposal task was not a pleasant job, but it was necessary. It was usually assigned to one of the lesser families of the tribe of Levi. And yet, even such a humble service was still a service to holy God. What most people treasured, even envied, was the work inside the camp the work of the priests who sacrificed. They got to eat from the animal that was being sacrificed to God. They got to stay clean, relatively speaking, and not have to dirty themselves with garbage duty. They held the positions of human honor. They were respected by the people. But eventually the work inside the camp became more about the priest and less about the sacrifice and God to whom it was being sacrificed. Eventually, those who served in the temple held themselves in higher honor than even the Son of God when He arrived on the scene. And so, just as the waste and refuse was carried outside the city for disposal, the chief priests and the religious leaders had Jesus ushered outside the walls of the temple and of Jerusalem to Golgotha. It was there He did the dirty work. This bit of encouragement makes perfect sense to a Hebrew Christian. It uses the imagery of the Old Testament sacrifice and connects it to the crucifixion of Jesus. The author encourages the Hebrews to go outside the city that would not last (though many in Jerusalem thought it would) to Jesus. There they would find a future city, a place to dwell, that would last forever. FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Are there things about our faith today that you might put into the category of dirty work? If so what are they and why would they fit that description? 6
Do we lose a level of encouragement when we look at and measure faith by those things that some might consider inside the camp? For instance, while God s outward and earthly spiritual blessings are good, can we depend on them too much things like a nice church building, a growing congregation, a certain pastor? What would going outside the camp look like in your life? Hebrews 13:15-17 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. 17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. As you read through this section it seems as if the author is repeating himself, and in a way he is. He has not lost his train of thought nor does he simply repeat because he has run out of things to say. He is summarizing and encouraging. Remember, he is writing to Hebrews. Repetition is a practiced form of emphasis. But also, by repeating these few key concepts, the author is highlighting things the readers ought to prioritize as they are encouraged in their faith. FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Is there anything from Scripture you have heard so often that it has lost its emphasis for you? If so, what? Why do you think God chooses to repeat, even though we are not Hebrew, the most needed parts of Scripture for us? 7
Hebrews 13:18-25 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon. 20 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 22 Brothers, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written you only a short letter. 23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you. 24 Greet all your leaders and all God s people. Those from Italy send you their greetings. 25 Grace be with you all. The closing words of this epistle, while similar in style and content to the closings of many of the other New Testament letters, is also quite different. It is obvious the author is well known by the recipients. Prayers are requested and offered for one another. Though there is great general application of this letter to Christians of all times, let us not forget it was originally written by a specific author to a specific group of people in the first century. Sometimes we forget the immediate context when we study a book of the Bible as we have. But let us remember the man God chose to write these words cared deeply for the people to whom he was writing. He had Christian love for them. It is with that in mind we then see the author speak words of blessing upon these people. Yes, they were struggling in their faith. Yes, there were times we could hear and sense the frustration this teacher of God s Word was experiencing because of these people. But they were fellow Christians and precious souls. So, as part of his conclusion, there is no better way to draw words of warning and encouragement to a close than by asking God to bless them. In essence, a blessing is to place others into God s hands. The author himself closes not only with encouraging words, but encouraging actions towards the Hebrews. And lest we miss the impact of the closing few verses we should remind ourselves that the flow of information in those days was next to non-existent. Any chance one had of sharing personal and important news with others was very precious. These people were wondering about Timothy and others who were working in the region of Italy. Does this information give us any more idea of who this unknown author might be? Not really. We have no definitive information other than there were several first century Christians who were known to both the author and the recipients. It is enough to know these people clearly recognized the author even if we cannot. Last but not least the prayer of grace. The author desires that God s undeserved love continue to be shown and recognized by his dear Christian friends. This, more than any 8
other sentence of the Hebrew letter, is timeless in nature and importance. May God grant us the same grace He showed these first century Christians. FOOD FOR THOUGHT: What one thing did you glean from your study of the book of Hebrews that you think will stay with you through life? What is your favorite Bible verse from this book? Study feedback: 1> If I would insist one thing remain the same from this study that would benefit all future small group studies, it would be 2> If there is one thing I could change about our small group Bible study 3> Has there ever been a time when you were more afraid of something earthly than you were confident in God? If so, how did you reach that point? 4> On a scale of 1-10 (1 lowest and 10 highest) my relationship with God grew this year through small group Bible study. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5> On a scale of 1-10 (1 lowest and 10 highest) my relationship with my fellow Abiding Shepherd members grew this year through small group Bible study. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 9