The Book of Hebrews

The author of Hebrews writes to a Jewish-Christian audience to not shrink back into the old covenant pictures, but instead to hold firm the confidence of their new covenant reality of Jesus who is greater than angels, Moses, Joshua, or any high priest.  Therefore, together they will withstand the persecution that bombards them and live in light of the reality of their eternal home.  Because Christ has accomplished redemption through a once and for all sacrifice (10:1-18) believers have a full assurance of faith that considers their future inheritance.

 To argue for this point, the letter is divided into three major sections: a hymnic section (1-4:13), hortatory subjunctives section (4:14-10:31), and an imperative section (10:32-13:17).[1]  Within these portions, the author reveals how the shadow of the OT shows the superiority of Christ over angels, who delivered the message (1:5-2:8), Moses who is only the servant of the builder (chapter 3), and Joshua who is only a part of the earthly rest (4:1-13).  If the Jewish believers move away from Christ to these shadows that point to Him, they will be hardened in unbelief (3:12; 4:3).  Thus, the Hebrews are commanded to strive to enter through the Word and by drawing near to the great high priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses (4:11-5:8).  The sure and steadfast anchor  (6:18ff) is the hope before believers because the promises and are sure, the high priest is eternal and holy (7:26), and the new covenant makes the old obsolete (8:1-13; 9).  The blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin and sanctifies the believer for all time (10:8-14).  So, he ought to set aside the sin that entangles and run with endurance in the present because the future is secure (12:1-2; 13:13-14).

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[1] Dr. Jason Meyer’s 19^th NT Lecture, Slide 29