Week 2 Summary of Hebrews March Bible Reading Challenge
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Welcome to week 2 summary of Hebrews March Bible Reading Challenge! The week of reading has been absolutely wonderful each day. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the reading. Let’s begin!
Chapter 6
Hebrews 6 beautifully paints the backdrop to help us understand the complete redemption plan of the Father through Jesus. I love the thoughts of the author as he describes how we can find encouragement through hope in Jesus. V. 18: “In which it is impossible for God to lie.”
Did you have a favorite verse in chapter 6?
Chapter 7
In case you’ve ever wondered, chapters and verses were added to the Bible for placement identification. In other words, the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts didn’t contain chapters and verses within the books. Many times verses are separate by chapters and yet the storyline or points join together in thought. The last verse in chapter 6 really introduces chapter 7.
We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:19&20
Chapter 7 explains how the order of the tabernacle, the law, and the priesthood were a picture of the perfect sin solution to come- Jesus. We mentioned last week how the veil was torn and Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross paid our sin debt, giving us direct access to God through Jesus. What does all this mean? Verse 25 summarizes it for us.
Chapter 8
The introductory statement of chapter 8 is so cool:
Now the point in what we are saying is this:
And the chapter reiterates the purpose of the tabernacle. Such a great summary can be found in verse 5:
They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things.
One of the purposes of the book of Hebrews was to explain why the law was no longer the standard and that Jesus paid the way to salvation.
Why do you think it was important to explain that the covenant of the law was no longer needed?
Chapter 9
My favorite phrase in chapter 9 is verse 11:
But when Christ appeared
Jesus changes everything!
Chapter 10
Chapter 10 contains so much depth that I hesitate to even try to provide a few sentences to summarize it. But I felt verse 24 to describe so well what we are doing together through this Bible reading challenge:
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
Chapter 11
Chapter 11 is the beautiful Great Hall of Faith, often called the faith chapter. The author reiterates the history of the great Patriarchs; from Abel to Enoch to Noah to Abraham, the Christian forefathers are outlined and their beautiful acts of faith are described. Abel- in spite of his death. Enoch- because he pleased God. Noah- even though he had never seen rain before. Abraham- not knowing where he was going. Sarah- when she was past the age. Abraham- believing God could raise Isaac from the dead. Moses- refusing to be called Pharaoh’s daughter. And the list goes on.
My point is that it does not matter what your circumstances are- God is bigger. Hold on to faith that is bigger than your circumstances because GOD is bigger than your circumstances.
Chapter 12
The author chooses the analogy of a race to describe the journey of living out faith and this chapter fired me up today.
Have you ever felt like there is no way you could be good enough to come before God?
Have your circumstances seemed too tough to overcome or although you know your sins are covered by the blood of Jesus, you are dealing with the consequences of your sin?
Or maybe you’ve been a Christian for years , but you’ve been hurt by the church to the point of thinking you want nothing to do with it?
Regardless of your answers to the above, your wounds are deep and your heart hurts. These issues steal your joy. They render you helpless. You believe that even though you are a child of God, you can’t seem to get your act together enough to be used of God.
I am here to tell you, Friends, that the enemy wants you to believe this lie. He wants you to think that you are wounded and there is no warrior left in you.
Don’t let the enemy tell you that you are wounded and worthless. You may be wounded, but worthless you are not! You have been made worthy through Jesus. We have a healing, redeeming God who can do far more with your brokenness than you dare to dream. So tell the devil he’s a liar and get up! Brush off those injuries and put one foot in front of the other to become living proof that your Redeemer lives!
Just take one more step.
What’s your step today? I can’t wait to hear about all you’ve been learning through the challenge this week!
Rachel
I have so enjoyed reading through Hebrews and journaling about the verses that really jump off the page to me. I have been struck anew by the significance of Jesus being our High Priest and ever living to make intercession for us. But my greatest treasure this week was finding a personal note I had written last June in the margin of my Bible beside verse 1 of chapter 12. My sweet Mama went home to Jesus on June 3, 2014 and I wrote just a few days after that, “Mom is now among that great cloud of witnesses cheering me on to victory in Jesus.” Reading it again this week brought tears of remembrance to my eyes, but along with them a quiet joy and sense of her nearness.
First of all, thank you Rachel for this awesome study and your words of wisdom. They mean so much.
In answer to your questions:
Did you have a favorite verse in chapter 6?
Hebrews 6:10
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” This verse inspires me to be better at helping others—not only does it make me feel good to help others, God notices and he remembers.
Why do you think it was important to explain that the covenant of the law was no longer needed?
Because people may have forgotten they are free from sin because of Jesus. They may go back to the old law—the old way of sacrificing and thereby getting caught up in that whole process again—there is no need for that, which would also minimize the reason for the Cross. Hebrews 7:25 says, “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God thru him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” (That statement blows my mind—that Jesus “always lives to intercede for them [us].” Also, in Hebrews 7: 27 “….He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.” It must have been difficult for people to wrap their minds around the idea that the old way of doing things is no longer necessary, and in fact, insulting to Jesus’ death and resurrection. Just like today, people don’t always embrace change—even when it’s so much better—we don’t always trust.
Some chapters took me all day to read! So meaty!!
Hebrews 12:12-15 was definitely a boost for me this week.
The heading for that section in my Bible is “renew your spiritual vitality” and oh boy, did it!
Thank you for taking the time to share with us in the Word!
I’m really enjoying the Scripture pics also!!
Be blessed this weekend!
Your newsletters are such an encouragement. Keep spreading the love and grace of Jesus. You are changing lives!
The readings this wk were definitely deep…and Rachel, I needed your word of encouragement this morning-thank you! Hebrews 10:26-31 was particularly distressing to me as I have been praying for my only sibling, my “little” brother, to give his life to God for 18 yrs now…we grew up hearing/experiencing the Truth about JESUS and yet, as an adult, he has embraced beliefs that deny JESUS as THE CHRIST…which breaks my heart. But, as I continued reading in Chapter 11, verse 32, the mention of Samson’s faith encouraged me…if Samson came back to the Lord, maybe one day my brother will too. Thank you Rachel for the motivation to “take one more step” and not to grow weary or give up praying for him…because I have NO DOUBT that our REDEEMER lives! I thank God for you all-and this time of sharing together!
Bless you, Tonya. Keep praying for your brother- no one is ever far from God; they just act as if they are. He is always near, whether or not we acknowledge him. Amen- so thankful for your words of encouragement too!
Thank you so much Rachel…that is a comforting thought