The Study of

the Book of Hebrews

Prepared by: Becky Hopkins

Fall 2012

Introduction The book of Hebrews has changed my life forever. I am excited to share with you what I have learned and hope that it will change you too.

This study guide is a compilation of a variety of Bible studies, commentaries, as well as some of my own questions and commentary. I have sited throughout the guide if the information is from a specific source and I have provided a list of resources below.

I have chosen to use the English Standard Version Bible (ESV) and the New International Version Bible (NIV) in this study guide.

How to Use this Study Guide This study guide can be used in many different ways. It is meant to accompany attendance of the weekly class. Each week, a chapter of Hebrews will be covered. Completing the study guide is not required or necessary to participate in the weekly class. Completing the study guide will allow you to dig deeper and enrich your knowledge and understanding of the Scripture. The study guide presents six days of study prior to the class session. As you begin each day, take time first to pray and ask God to open your heart and mind to the scriptures and what he wants you to learn. You can complete the entire study for the day or if you are short on time you can pray, read the scripture and the Food for Thought section in the morning and complete the study portion at night. You can make up any combination that works for you. The picture pages throughout the study guide are meant to be a place for you to write down reflections, prayers and prayer requests and memory verses. The most important thing is to be reading from the chapter prior to the class session so that the Holy Spirit can be working on your heart and mind. Try to complete a portion of the study guide daily – God will honor the time you spend with Him and in His Word!

Use Your Bible When you are working on the study guide, have your Bible handy. I have provided most of the Scripture text within the guide; however it is always good to look up the verse in your own Bible and also in different Bible translations. It is important as you study God’s word – to use your Bible so that you will know where to find verses in the future. Don’t be afraid to mark, underline or write in your Bible! As God reveals understanding to you – it is great to write it in your Bible. This is sometimes the best way to learn. As you mature in faith, it is great to look back on how God was faithful to you in revealing himself through his word to you. If it is inconceivable for you to think of writing in a Bible – go out and buy a new Bible that you will feel comfortable writing in!

Resources 1. Henrichsen, Walter A. After the Sacrifice – A practical study of the Book of Hebrews, The Zondervan Corporation, 1979. 2. MacArthur, John Hebrews – Christ – Perfect Sacrifice, Perfect Priest, Nelson Impact, 2006. 3. MacLeod, David J. The Letter to the Hebrews, Emmaus Correspondence School, 1998. 4. Wiersbe, Warren W. The Wiersbe Bible Study Series: Hebrews: Live by Faith, Not by Sight, David C. Cook, 2009.

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Hebrews 1:10-11a He also says, “In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain… _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________

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Hebrews Chapter 1 – Daily Study Guide

Day 1 READ Hebrews Chapter 1 QUESTIONS: 1. What words or concepts stood out to you? 2. Who is Christ, as described in this Chapter? List the descriptions/attributes. 3. What has Christ accomplished according to this Chapter? 4. What does this mean to you?

FOOD FOR THOUGHT In chapter 1, Christ’s Divine Nature is presented. He reveals all things and is the creator of all things and we are His servants. It is hard to wrap my brain around how GREAT Christ is. It feels comfortable for me to have boundaries in all areas of my life…to have expectations of how things will go…to create lists of things to do that will drive my progress. While boundaries are not necessarily a bad thing, they can definitely limit how one thinks. My propensity to think and live within “boundaries” often limits how I see Christ. I think sometimes I try to put these “boundaries” on Christ. While I ascent to believing that Christ is Divine – He is God, I do not put that into practice in my daily life. When a problem arises, often the last person I go to is Jesus. Why? I can spend hours trying to solve the problem myself, or sometimes I might call in a friend or colleague to see what they think I should do. Why not go to the Creator of the Universe first – the one who reveals all things and made all things? TODAY give thanks for who Christ is and if a problem arises go to him first.

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Hebrews 1:2b …through whom also he created the world. _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________

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Hebrews Chapter 1 – Daily Study Guide Day 2 READ Hebrews 1:1-2 (ESV) 1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

KEY WORDS (Hebrews, John MacArthur)

Many Times: means “many portions” (as of books). Over the course of possibly eighteen hundred years the Old Testament was written in thirty-nine different books reflecting different historical times, locations, cultures and situations. Many Ways: God’s revelation to man was given by vision, symbols, and parables – written in both poetry and prose. Though the literary form and style varied, it was always God’s revelation of what He wanted His people to know. Last Days: refers to when the Messiah would come. Heir: everything that exists will ultimately come under the Messiah’s control. World: refers to time and space, energy and matter – the entire universe.

QUESTIONS 1. After reading Hebrews 1:1-2, what stood out to you? 2. When you read verse 1, how does it describe God’s relationship with man? How does he communicate? 3. In verse 2, How does he communicate? How is this different? READ Psalm 2:8-9 (NIV) 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.

Psalm 89:27 I will also appoint him my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth.

Romans 8:17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

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Romans 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Colossians 1:15-18 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

Deuteronomy 4:30 When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God and obey him.

John 1:3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

I Peter 1:20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.

QUESTIONS 4. In light of Hebrews 1:1-2 and the additional scriptures provided:

Who is the Son? How is He described?

What should be our response? FOOD FOR THOUGHT God has always wanted to be in relationship with his creation. He has gone to immeasurable lengths to be the center of our lives. In days of old, communication was indirect and veiled. But through his Son everything has changed. We have direct access to the creator of the universe! What a privilege and blessing this is. It is easy to take this for granted…TODAY marvel in who the Son is and how he has forever changed our relationship to God.

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Hebrews 1:3 He is the radiance of the glory of God...

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Hebrews Chapter 1 – Daily Study Guide

Day 3 READ Hebrews 1:3 (ESV) He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

KEY WORDS (Hebrews, John MacArthur)

radiance: The term is used only here in the New Testament. It expresses the concept of sending forth light or shining. The meaning “reflection” is not appropriate here. The Son is not just reflecting God’s glory; He is God and radiates His own essential glory.

exact imprint of his nature: The term translated “exact imprint” is used only here in the New Testament. In extra biblical literature, it was employed for an engraving on wood, an etching in metal, a brand on animal hide, an impression in clay, and a stamped image on coins. “his nature” expresses that the Son is the nature, being or essence – He is the perfect imprint, the exact representation of the nature and essence of God in time and space.

upholds: The universe and everything in it is constantly sustained by the Son’s powerfully effective word. The term also conveys the concept of movement or progress – the Son of God directs all things toward the consummation of all things according to God’s sovereign purpose. He who spoke all things into existence also sustains His creation and consummates His purpose by His word.

purification of sins: by His substitutionary sacrifice on the cross.

sat down at the right hand: The right hand is the place of power, authority, and honor. The seat Christ has taken is the throne of God, where He rules as sovereign Lord. This depicts a victorious Savior, not a defeated martyr. While the primary thrust of this phrase is the enthronement of Christ, His sitting might also imply the completion of His atoning work.

QUESTIONS 1. After reading Hebrews 1:3, what stood out to you? 2. How is Jesus described? 3. What is His relationship to the Father? 4. What has Jesus done for us?

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READ Colossians 2:9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.

John 14:9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father?”

John 1:1-5 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

Titus 2:14 …who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Mark 16:19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.

QUESTIONS 5. How do these additional scriptures add to your understanding of Hebrews 1:3?

His Deity

His Governance

His Provision

His Completed Work

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Hebrews 1:3 affirms the role of Jesus as the 2nd part of the Trinity (Father, SON, and Holy Spirit). He is the exact imprint of his nature…Jesus is GOD – he has the radiance of Glory, power and authority. To think that Jesus holds the universe together by his word is mind boggling to me. When Jesus was on earth his glory and power was veiled. We saw glimpses of it when he performs his many miracles. If this doesn’t say enough about who Jesus is and what he has accomplished then verse 3 speaks of his redemptive work, providing purification for sins.

Jesus veiled his glory, power and authority and became a man for one purpose – to provide purification for sins, MY sins!

I don’t know about you, but I have to stop right here and meditate on that thought. Jesus died for my sins!

Why would Jesus die for me? I love Titus 2:14 – he wanted a people of his VERY own that we would be eager to do good.

TODAY rejoice that the creator of the universe, full of glory, power and all authority died for you because he wants you for his very own!!!! You are loved and wanted. Embrace this truth in your heart, mind and spirit. RECEIVE IT. Once you receive it your life will continue to be daily transformed and you will be eager to do good-not unto you (that you feel important or good about yourself), but rather in response to who loves you and who saved you.

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Hebrews 1:6b …he says “Let all God’s angels worship him. _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________

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Hebrews Chapter 1 – Daily Study Guide

Day 4 READ Hebrews 1:4-7 (ESV) 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”? 6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says “Let all God’s angels worship him.” 7 Of the angels he says “He make his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”

KEY WORDS (Hebrews, John MacArthur)

having become: The Greek verb used here refers to a change of state, not a change of existence. The Son in His divine essence has eternally existed, but for a while He was made lower than the angels. Afterward He was exalted to high above the angels by virtue of what He had accomplished in His redemptive work.

more excellent (referring to his name): That name is the Lord. No angel is Sovereign Lord.

Son: This is a title of Christ expressing His essential deity and absolute equality with God. The begetting spoken of here refers to the relationship of the Son to the Father in eternity, not to a point in time. Christ had no beginning but is eternally of the same essence as the Father.

again: This adverb can be taken with “brings” as a reference to the second coming of Christ or with “says” to indicate yet another quotation from the Old Testament.

firstborn: This refers to prominence of position or title. Christ holds the highest position of sovereignty. As “firstborn” He is also set apart to the service of God and, being pre-eminent, is entitled to the inheritance.

Let all God’s angels: Since the angels are commanded to worship the Messiah, the Messiah must be superior to them. Five of the seven Old Testament passages quoted in the first chapter of Hebrews are in contexts related to the Davidic Covenant, which emphasizes the concepts of sonship, kingship, and kingdom. QUESTIONS 1. In Hebrews 1:4-7 the writer does a comparison of angels and Jesus.

How are angels described?

How is Jesus described? 2. What is the occupation of the angels?

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3. This passage describes a father/son relationship between God the Father and Jesus. Why is this important to us? READ Deuteronomy 33: 1-2 1 This is the blessing that Moses the man of God pronounced on the Israelites before his death. 2 He said: “The Lord came from Sinai and dawned over them from Seir, he shone forth from Mount Paran. He came with myriads of holy ones from the south, from his mountain slopes.

Psalm 68:17 The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands, the Lord has come from Sinai not his sanctuary.

Psalm 97:7 All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols – worship him all you gods!

Psalm 104:4 He makes his messengers, flames of fire his servants.

Acts 7:38 He was in the assembly in the desert, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, and he received living words to pass onto us.

Acts 7:53 you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.

Galatians 3:19 What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come.

QUESTIONS 4. How do these additional scriptures further describe the role of angels?

FOOD FOR THOUGHT The world is fascinated with the idea of angels. There are many depictions of angels in art and in our modern culture. But these depictions are not fully accurate. It can be easy to fall into a wrong belief or understanding of angels and their glory and power. It is important to remember that angels do not act outside the will and direction of God and they exist to bring God glory.

I think it is easy to become enamored with characters in scripture – angels, Mary (mother of Jesus), Paul. We can fall into the trap a holding these people up and elevate them to a status that does not belong to them. I think we do the same in the workplace and in our churches. We are cautioned over and over not to give people this place or status. Only Jesus deserves that place in our lives.

When we ask Jesus into our lives and receive his redemptive work on our behalf, we also give him CONTROL of our lives. He is the Lord of our lives; the Holy Spirit indwells in us and continues to transform us.

TODAY – Ask yourself, Do you believe what the writer of Hebrews says about Jesus so far? If so think about what place Jesus has in your life. Is he in his rightful place? Or is someone or something else in his

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Hebrews 1:9b God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions. _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________

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Hebrews Chapter 1 – Daily Study Guide

Day 5 READ Hebrews 1:8-12(ESV) 8 But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” 10 And, “You, Lord, laid the foundations of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; 11 they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, 12 like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.” KEY WORDS (Hebrews, John MacArthur)

He says: Quoting from Psalm 45:6-7, the writer argues for the deity and the lordship of the Son over creation (v.3). The text is all the more significant since the declaration of the Son’s deity is presented as the words of the Father Himself (I John 5:20). It is clear that the writer of Hebrews had the tree messianic offices in mind: Prophet (v.1), Priest (v.3), and King (v.3,8). Induction of those three offices required anointing (v.9). The title Messiah (Christ) means “anointed one”.

companions: The term is used only in Hebrews (3:1, 14, 6:4, 12:8) and in Luke 5:7. In this occurrence, it might refer to angels or to other men who were similarly anointed for their offices: the Old Testament prophets, priests, and kings. If the “oil of gladness” is the same as “oil of joy” referred to in Isaiah 61:3, the reference would clearly be to those who had mourned in Zion but who would one day be clothed with praise and called “trees of righteousness” – references to men, not angels. No matter how noble such men were, Christ is superior.

You, Lord: The Son who created the universe will one day destroy the heavens and earth that He created, but He remains unchanged. Immutability is yet another characteristic of the divine essence. Once again the Old Testament testifies of the Son’s deity.

QUESTIONS 1. In verses 8 and 9 the writer extols the Kingship of Jesus. What words about his Kingship stand out to you? Why are they important to you in how you view and understand Jesus?

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2. In verses 10 and 11 the writer reminds us of Jesus as Creator. He talks about the changes and impermanence of heaven and earth. Does the temporal existence of the current heaven and earth impact how you live today? 3. Verse 11 states that the heaven and earth will change, but the Jesus never will. How does this impact your relationship with Jesus? How does it impact how you are living in the world? READ Psalm 45:6 Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever, a scepter of Justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.

Psalm 110 (Look this Scripture up in your Bible)

Mark 12:35-37 35 While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, “How is it that the teachers of the law say that the Christ is the son of David? 36 David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: “’The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet”’ 37 David himself calls him ‘Lord’. How then can he be his son?” The large crowd listened to him with delight.

Mark 14:62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Acts 2:34-36 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand 35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” 36 Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Ephesians 1:20 Which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at the right hand in the heavenly realms.

Psalm 16:11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Acts 2:28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you fill me with you in your presence.

Psalm 102: 25-27 25 In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 26 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will

be discarded. 27 But you remain the same, and your years will never end. 15

John 1:1-3 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things are made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

QUESTIONS 4. Scripture informs Scripture. How do these additional scriptures affirm what the writer of Hebrews is saying? FOOD FOR THOUGHT These verses in Hebrews help to remind me that I am living in a temporary place. One day, there will be a new heaven and a new earth. It will be a place of perfection and Jesus will be King! I struggle sometimes with the amount of changes that come into my life and also the changes to the world around me. Sometimes it can be overwhelming and I think things will never get better they are deteriorating right before my eyes. And according to the scripture, I am right. The heaven and earth is dying from SIN. This could be a very depressing thought if I just stopped there. BUT – I have a Savior, Jesus who has saved me and cleansed me from sin. This means that I am different from the world that I am living in. I am different because I am no longer dying! I have ETERNAL LIFE! This means that my focus should shift – away from the world and toward eternity. The world is constantly changing, but Jesus will never change – he is constant- he is always the same. I like knowing that I can build my life on earth and eternity on Jesus who is always the same and who is going to be with me forever. Today – think about where you stand with Jesus. Is he your savior? Are you trusting in who he says he is? Are you resting in him, knowing that he will never change and that he will always be there for you? Are you living a life that is wrapped up in the world and all its changes? Or is your life wrapped around eternity and Jesus?

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Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________

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Hebrews Chapter 1 – Daily Study Guide Day 6 READ Hebrews 1:13-14 (ESV) 13 And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? KEY WORDS (Hebrews, John MacArthur)

“Sit at my right hand…” The writer reemphasizes the lordship of the Son by quoting Psalm 110:1. While Christ’s destiny is to reign, the angels’ destiny is to serve the recipients of salvation (I Corinthians 6:3). This is the seventh and final quotation from the Old Testament to bolster the argument that as Son and Lord the Messiah is superior to the angels. enemies a footstool for your feet: This quote from Psalm 110:1 is repeated at 10:13; Mathew 22:44, Mark 12:36, Luke 20:43 and Acts 2:35, and expresses the sovereignty of Christ over all (Philippians 2:10). QUESTIONS 1. The author ends the chapter with another reminder about the rightful place of Jesus and the role of

angels. In verse 14 how does the writer describe the angels and their role? What do you think this

means to us?

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Psalm 110:1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”

Matthew 22:43-44 43 He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says, 44 “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.” ‘

Mathew 26:64 “Yes, it as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Mark 16:19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.

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Acts 2:33-34 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand”

Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your heart on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

I Peter 3:22 Who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand – with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

QUESTION 2. How do these additional scriptures add to the description of who Jesus is? 3. How do these additional scriptures add to our understanding of angels? FOOD FOR THOUGHT These last two verses of chapter 1 are so powerful to me. We have a Savior who is in control, who is powerful and one who cares about ministering and taking care of me! The angels are charged by Jesus, at his command to care for us. But digging deeper into the idea of Jesus’ care for us, in Romans 8:34 it says that Jesus is interceding for us. Often times, I live out of Fear instead of Faith. I forget that Jesus is interceding for me and has charged his angels to serve me. What a gift! So many times, we are headed in a direction and things change, they don’t go the way we planned, and then we get stuck in Fear. Fear of the unknown, fear that someone is out to harm us, fear that we will fail. Today, remember that you have a Savior who cares for you! He goes before and comes behind you. He is interceding for you and protecting you so that you may have confidence to step out in Faith. We can trust who he says he is!

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