Lesson Ten
The Way to the Tree of Life
For the word of G-d is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
Introduction
- In the last lesson we saw that the Tabernacle and its furnishings were commanded for a specific reason: in order that G-d could “dwell among them.”
- The breakdown of the Tabernacle’s parts provide for ever increasing levels of holiness until the Holy of Holies.
- The Tabernacle was built according to a pattern – of what Moses saw on the mountain.
- Moses was faithful in building and erecting the Tabernacle, and in Exodus 40 it ‘worked’, G-d filled it – but Moses was driven from it – something was lacking: sacrifices.
A Mere Motif?
- Ex 26:1; 26:31: Cherubim woven into the curtains and the veil.
- k’ruviym: plural of k’ruv. The ‘near ones’. (first letter is a kaf, not chaf as English seems to indicate).
- Ezekiel 10:1-22:
- Coals of fire among them.
- Four faces: k’ruv, man, lion, eagle
- Sound of their wings, like the voice of the Almighty
- The glory of G-d above them
- 1Kings 6:21-38: Giant k’ruvyim in the Holy of Holies, and carved all around the Temple.
- Palm trees and blossoms [tzitzim]
- Num 7:89; 1Sam 4:4; 2Sam 6:2: HaShem of Hosts, Who Dwells between the K’ruvyim.
- Their presence indicates the throne of the Almighty, and His nearness.
K’ruvyim and the Tree of Life
- Gen 3:22-24: G-d placed k’ruvyim (plural) with a flaming sword (singular), to guard the way to the Tree of Life [derek etz ha-chayim].
- Prov 3:18: Wisdom is like the Tree of Life.
- Rev 2:7; 22:2; 22:14: The Tree of Life is a reward for the righteous – to those who keep His commandments.
- Driven from the Garden, which is guarded by k’ruvyim and a sword – returning to the Tree of Life in the New Jerusalem.
- The Tree of Life ‘bookends’ Scripture. All the ‘in between’ is about getting back to the Garden and the Presence of HaShem.
- The presence of k’ruvyim indicates nearness to HaShem. The presence of the Tree of Life indicates nearnes to HaShem.
The Sword
- Gen 3:24: The k’ruvyim (plural) have a single flaming sword [chereb]. What is this ‘sword’?
- Ex 3:1-2: Moses, tending flock on the mountain of G-d, Horeb (aka Sinai). Horeb is spelled exactly the same as chereb [sword].
- The Midrash Rabbah makes comment on this spelling and the relationship between the Torah and the Sword (Ps 149:6).
- Not surprisingly then, the Apostolic writers were shown the same thing. Eph 6:17; Rev 1:16; Rev 2:16; Rev 19:13-16.
The Context of Hebrews 4:12
- Why is the Word of G-d likened unto a sword? What is it about it being ‘two edged’ that is noted? The context of Heb 4:12 is found in 4:11-15 – the word ‘for’ in verse 12 points us back.
- The topic is ‘entering into rest’. Remember, that topic was focused upon the three levels: Entering the Land; Entering the weekly Sabbath; and Entering the World to Come
- What guards the entrance to the Garden and the Way to the Tree of Life? What guards the entrance to the World to Come?
- Jer 31:1-2: There is no getting past this Sword! We need a way through the Sword. The Sword of Torah either kills, or it protects – it is double-edged.
- John 14:6; Acts 9:1-2: We need a way. The early believers believed that G-d had revealed the way back to the Garden, to the World to Come, to the Tree of Life, to the very Throne of the Almighty. Heb 4:12 would have evoked those images for those people. They had a High Priest who could lead them past the Sword and between the k’ruvyim!
Summary
- Heb 4:12 is further evidence of the technical detail, and Hebraic images that the writer is capable of.
- In context, this reference to the Sword is not a reminder of the offensive, apologetic purposes of the Word of G-d – but a reminder that there is no getting past the k’ruvyim and the Sword to gain access to the Presence of HaShem without Yeshua. The use of sacrificial language in Heb 4:12 further indicates that this way back will only be gained by a sacrifice – the perfect sacrifice.
- We have a High Priest, Who is perfect, and is the only way to enter the rest, to enter the World to Come. Yeshua is the only way.