To The Hebrews

by S. J. HILL | Category: To The Hebrews | Dec 1933

THE PRIESTHOOD.

Aaron came of a human stock and was full of infirmity. The priests of former times needed to offer for their own sins as well as for the sins of the people. This was true of Aaron wino was by no means perfect, as we see by certain incidents in his life.

Then, there was no continuity in their ministry, for death intervened and a number of priests of different measures of fitness succeeded one another.

Then again, because of time failing nature of their persons and ministry, they were installed in office without an oath, for, as we may say, God would not commit Himself to that which in its nature was passing away.

If we think of the Lord Jesus, we have One who is the exalted Original, the Son of God, fittingly set forth in the person of Melchizedek, to whom Abraham the father of all the earthly priests did service and gave tithes, and was himself blessed by him, and without controversy the less is blessed by the better.

As to the Lord ; of Him we read that He was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners ; tempted in all points, He was without sin He needed not to offer up a sacrifice for himself.

Then, His office is not transferable, for lie is made Priest after the power of an endless life (chapter 7. 16), and because He is Priest for ever, He is able to save to the uttermost all who draw near unto God by Him.

And yet again, such was God's satisfaction with His wondrous faithful service on earth, with His having become obedient to death, yea, the death of the Cross, that God raised Him, and in raising Him declared with an oath "thou art a Priest for ever."

THE PLACE OF PRIESTLY SERVICE.

Under the old order, Moses when up on the mount had a pattern or plan spread out before him and he was admonished to "make all things according to the pattern " ; so that the Tabernacle was but a copy amid shadow of heavenly things.

It was made of boards, curtains, and so on, and was so fashioned as to illustrate time provisional nature of the building.

In Hebrews 9. we have some particulars of the Tabernacle and its furniture, and of certain services connected with it and the conclusion drawn is that thereby the Holy Spirit was signifying that the way into the holy place was not made manifest while the first Tabernacle was standing.

But when we turn to the true Tabernacle we find that it is not on earth, but in heaven (verse 24), into which Christ has entered, and where as High Priest He appears before the face of God for us. Of Him we read that He is made higher than tine heavens (chapter 7. 26). He is connected with a better and more perfect Tabernacle-not of this creation (chapter 9. 11). The matter is summed up in the opening of chapter 8.-"We have such a high Priest, who sat down on the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the Heavens, a minister of the sanctuary and of the true Tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man." We have thus commented briefly on time four great subjects contained in these chapters

(7.10.).

We now come to a word where all four are brought together as in a picture in their true relation to one another as forming the basis of the believer's blessing.

Observe chapter 10. verses 19-21. " Having therefore, brethren, boldness (this. we understand, as full liberty in view of the New Covenant) to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by the way which He dedicated for us, a new and living way, through time veil, that is to say, His flesh ; and having a great priest over the house of God; let us draw near." What was not possible under the Old Covenant and its failing associations, is mow possible to us. This drawing near is possible both individually and collectively, but it is more particularly in reference to time collective life of God's people that these words are spoken. Now let us consider carefully the words that immediately follow. The heavenly provision is complete, but certain conditions are necessary in those who would draw near : " With a true heart in fulness of faith"; and then is added, "having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our body washed with pure water." We suggest that the hatter words refer to a work already done, and that, once for all. In verse 2 of this chapter we read of the worshippers having been once cleansed, would have no more conscience of sins. The heart sprinkled from an evil conscience is by faith in the atonement of the Lord Jesus, and the body washed in the pure water is a figurative word setting forth -the "layer of regeneration," the work of the Holy Spirit in the new birth. In both, the work is done once for all, and is never repeated; but a double condition is also required in drawing near, which must be supplied by the worshipper, namely "with a tine heart in fulness of faith that is, " let a man examine himself," let him come to tine Word and see that his ways are in harmony therewith; then let him draw near in fulness of faith and with no doubt of his acceptance.

Further exhortations follow for the true Israel of God to observe, "let us hold fast the confession of the hope " which hope is referred to in verse 37, and the confession of that hope will mean an unworldly life, a heart set upon him. "He is faithful that promised," as in John 14. 3. "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works this is the real "continuing in the Fellowship." Thins we have in these verses the three things which abide for us to observe, FAITH, HOPE, LOVE; and the greatest is love (1 Corinthians 13. 13). Happy the Assembly where these exhortations arc followed.

A further needful word is added, "not forsaking time assembling of ourselves together (as the custom of some is) but exhorting one another; and so much the more as ye see tine day drawing nigh." A certain reproach was attached to the Lord's testimony in that day, and furthermore it was soon

seen that association with such a testimony could not consistently be continued unless one's life and pursuits were inn accord, and the effect of this was that some, to avoid reproach; and others, because they desired to follow a questionable course of life, found it irksome to come to time meetings of tine Assembly, and this being continued in, eventuated - in their abandoning the Faith. So the needs be of continued exhortation. Teaching is needful, but in many cases needs to be supplemented by exhortation; not only must the nail be placed, but it needs to be driven home.

"The day drawing nigh." Tine R.V. marginal reference to 1 Corinthians 3. 13, seems very applicable-" time day shah declare it " ; that is," each man's work," because "it is revealed in fire."

The words that follow, Hebrews 10. 26-31, are solemn and awful beyond measure, and it is therefore highly convenient to hand them over to the world; but however solemn, we still think they arc intended for true believers, being written for the warning of those to whom the Epistle is written. The instance contemplated, may not be an actual case, though we fear it is otherwise, but the one under reference is viewed as having known the truth and sinned wilfully against it; that he has set it at nought--and that not on mere surmise but against abundant evidence; that Inc has known and acknowledged the Son of God; that he has been sanctified by tine blood; that he has known the Spirit's ministry; and yet he has deliberately turned his back on these things.

This apostasy did not begin all at once, it was gradual. The man forsook the Assembly, took no heed to exhortations, and gradually became so involved in that which was opposed to God's revelation that he at last renounced it. "The Lord shall judge His people."

If any say in their hearts, "Such a thing could not happen to me," then we say, " he not high-minded, but fear."

But again, the writer (as in chapter 6.), has something good to say of those to whom he is writing, though it refers rather to the past than to the present. They, after their enlightenment had suffered persecution; and not only as to themselves did they endure much suffering with joy, but they had fellowship with others who were in similar trial, and all this because they knew that they had something better and enduring in the future; so the writer exhorts-" cast not away therefore your boldness," showing it was possible to do so; for, said he, "ye have need of patience " (rather, endurance). Ah, this is a quality greatly needed! It is not the start but the finish of the race that is so important. Only those who are saved by the grace of God are eligible to start, but not all win the prize. The secret is, " My righteous one (truly justified) shall live by faith; and if he shrink back, My soul bath no pleasure in him. But we are not of them that shrink back unto perdition (or ruin), hut of them that have faith unto the saving (or gaining, R.V.M.) of the soul."

We think that however extreme such language may be, yet it is possible so to fail, and we suggest that such words are applicable to all the people of God. Therefore we need the word, "My righteous one shall live by faith."

S. J. HILL | Dec 1933
To The Hebrews