Lesson Twenty
Remain Steadfast
Thus G-d, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for G-d to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Yeshua, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:17-20
Introduction
- Last week we focused on the topic of faith. We saw that Hebrews 11 focuses not on “blind faith” but steadfast endurance. Not “seeing” did not deter the heroes of faith from remaining confident – and steadfast.
- This week we looked at all of the exhortation/warning/rebuke passages in the Epistle. Is the tone of the Epistle rebuke, warning, or is it exhortation?
Rebukes
- 5:11-12: Baby believers? It seems to be a rebuke, but when coupled with 6:1-12 it is not so clearly a rebuke. “Dull of hearing” – not given to obedience. Practice obedience – trained in righteousness (vs 13-14).
Warnings
- 2:1-2:3: “we”? If Torah was steadfast. How much more Yeshua – and we should be thus steadfast.
- 3:12-13: Warning against unbelief. Exhortation to remain steadfast.
- 10:26-29: Remember, there was no sacrifice for willful disobedience. How much more so for those not steadfast in Messiah?
- 12:14-16: Warning against selling inheritance for the temporary.
- 12:18-26: Don’t refuse Him. Moses at Sinai? How much more Yeshua?
Exhortations
- 3:5-6: Moses was steadfast – How much more Yeshua – and we should be steadfast.
- 4:1-3: Remain steadfast – enter that rest.
- 4:11: Remain steadfast – diligence to enter rest.
- 4:14-16: Sacrificial imagery – draw near.
- 6:1-12: The doctrine of Messiah:
- Rejecting sin (dead works)
- rachatz, t’vilah [washings], s’michah [laying on hands] – Tabernacle language
- Resurrection
- Judgment
- Once you know what all this means – it would be impossible to return to surface level understanding of the Temple system. You know what it all means now – one can’t leave Yeshua and still remain participants of the Temple system.
- vv 9-12: You aren’t like that: therefore remain steadfast.
- 8:1-2:10:19-23: Be steadfast and confident: Yeshua is our High Priest. Draw near
- 10:24-25: Exhortation aids steadfastness.
- 10:32-36: Endurance = steadfastness.
- 11:37-12:3: Look to the examples of those steadfast before us. Remain steadfast.
- 12:3-7: The discipline of G-d helps us in our steadfastness.
- 12:11-13: Take away the things that don’t help your steadfastness. Exercise = endurance = steadfastness.
- 13:1-3: Steadfast in practical evidence of love for each other.
- 13:4: Steadfast in remaining sexually pure.
- 13:5-6: Steadfast in rejecting covetousness.
- 13:7-8; 13:18-19: Steadfast in prayer and submission.
- 13:9-13: Steadfast in pure teaching – and be willing to suffer for it.
- 13:17: Steadfast in joyful submission.
- 13:22: In short: this has all been an exhortation to remain steadfast.
Summary
- Heb 13:22: reminds us of the practical nature of this book. While so many think that this book is a warning against Judaism, the Temple system, or apostasy – it is rather an exhortation to remain steadfast and unwavering.
- The writer gave complex arguments on the reasons for steadfastness – linking the physical and spiritual realms.
- This is not a book of “milk” – it is a book of “meat”. Adults are those who exercise and practice what they know. Children engage in fantasy (theory).
- Remain steadfast in Messiah. He is what it is all about. How much more?