The Book of Hebrews is one of my favorite New Testament books as it provides a window that helps us see how the New Covenant finds its roots in the Old Covenant, and shows us how Christ is far superior to anything that Judaism had to offer. For example, the book shows us:  that Christ is superior to the angels, for they worship Him; that He is superior to Moses, for He created him; that He is superior to the Aaronic Priesthood, for His sacrifice was once for all time; and that He is superior to the Law, for He is the Mediator of a better covenant. The author adequately demonstrates that there is more to be gained in Christ than lost in Judaism.

So, who is the author of this book? If the Apostle Paul, it would be the only book written by him where he did not identify himself, either at the begging or at the end. The author had to be familiar with the duties of the Old Covenant priests (referred to as the Aaronic Priesthood). You might recall that Aaron was Moses’ older brother, and both of them were from the tribe of Levi, and all subsequent priests in Israel had to be descendants of Aaron and, of course, of the Tribe of Levi. So, if not Paul, then who? I lean heavily toward Barnabas as the author. Why? Because Barnabas was a Levite and found himself in the early church in Jerusalem. Furthermore, he accompanied Paul on their First Missionary Journey, and so Barnabas probably began to echo some of Paul’s teaching style. They called him “The Son of Encouragement” and, in fact, this book is filled with words of “encouragement.” In the end, however, whoever wrote this epistle, we know that it was well-received in the Church.

What events brought about the need for this letter to be written? There is abundant evidence that it was written as an encouragement to Jewish Christians who were facing the intense persecution brought on by Nero in his attempt to wipe out all Christians because he made them the scapegoat for the fire in Rome, which most historians believe that he deliberately set. For over thirty years, persecution of the Church came from the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem and in synagogues around the Empire, but now, for the first time, persecution was unleashed by Rome itself. And so, the tendency of new Jewish believers in Christ was to “duck back under” the protective umbrella of Judaism, which was a protected religion (little did the Jews know that a few years later, Nero would kill his Jewish wife Poppaea, and would then unleash ethnic violence against the Jews throughout the Empire). But for now, the Church was the target, and the writer of Hebrews encouraged them to “hold the course because there was no value in returning to Old Covenant Judaism. That’s why the author uses the words “let us….” over a dozen times to encourage the believers to continue “pressing on to maturity” in their faith.

One of the most important passages in the book reveals the fact that the Period of Covenantal Transition was about to end. What does this mean? It means that although the New Covenant came into effect after Jesus’ crucifixion and the shedding of His blood, the Old Covenant structures remained intact, namely, the Temple, the Priesthood, and the sacrifices. The “formal” passing of the Old to the New would not occur until those structures were gone, and this would happen when Rome leveled the city and burned the Temple in AD 70. The author points out that Jeremiah had previously predicted the coming of a “New Covenant” because the Old Covenant just didn’t work, nor did it bring new life. Notice how, after quoting Jeremiah, the author describes the nearness of this event, an event foretold by Jesus in His Olivet Discourse just before His death 40 years earlier (Lk. 21:20-24),

“When He said, ‘a new covenant,’ He has made the first one obsolete, but whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is about ready to disappear” (Heb. 8:13).

One of the important issues addressed in this book is the fact that although Jesus could “qualify” as a “king” through Joseph and Mary, being from the Tribe of Judah which was the kingly tribe of Israel. But He could not qualify as a Priest from the Tribe of Levi. And so, the author takes us back to this “shadowy” character in the Old Testament, namely Melchizedek, who was the king and priest of Salem, which would later become Jerusalem (Gen. 14:18-20). The writer argues that because Abraham “paid tithes” to Melchizedek, Melchizedek was a greater priest than anyone from the Tribe of Levi, because Levi came generations later “from the loins of Abraham.” And so, as the writer argues, Jesus is from a different and greater “order” of priests, and therefore qualifies, much more than any priest from the Tribe of Levi, to be our great High Priest.

There are so many important sections of the book, but let me point out just a few more. In this next section, notice how the author uses the words “let us” twice,

“Since then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest ho cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been temped in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:14-16).

Notice how he identifies Jesus as our great High Priest who has compassion on our struggles, who faced temptation as we do, and yet did not sin, and who grants us mercy and grace in time of need whenever we bring our requests to Him. But that’s not all, for the writer continues,

“…since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith….and let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering…and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds” (Heb. 10:22-24).

I’m sure that you noticed three more instances of “let us” in this section. He encourages them to “hold the course without wavering” and to think of ways to “encourage one another with love and good deeds.” Wow! It seems like every section in this book is rich in encouraging words. But let’s look at one more important portion of the book,

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:1-2). 

I’m sure that you noticed two more instances of “let us” in this passage. This one is about running the race of life with endurance in order to win. We do this by getting rid of the sin that can “easily” entangle us and by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the One who went to the cross for us and who is now seated on His throne in heaven. Notice the fact that He is “seated.” Did you know that there were no “seats” in the Old Covenant Temple? Why? It was a place for work, as the priests were constantly performing the duties of the priesthood. But Jesus “sat down” in heaven because His work  on the cross was “finished.” All done! Sin was paid for, and redemption secured. Amen!

May the Lord bless you and you engage with the truths found in this incredible New Testament book. When you have the time, let me “encourage” you to sit down and read the whole book. I believe that you will come away “encouraged,” which was the writers whole point. Blessings to all.