Bible Diary - Hebrews 9:1-10
September 7, 2008
In today’s largely atheistic culture, it’s hard to appreciate what a big deal sanctuary worship was for those people of long ago living under the first covenant. Unlike so many of us, they had a strong sense of their need of forgiveness. Their elaborate and tradition-based sanctuary with their priest’s elaborate rituals had but one purpose: to remove the guilt of sin. It never quite worked.
The Arrangement and Ritual of the Earthly Sanctuary
9:1 Now the first covenant, in fact, had regulations for worship and its earthly sanctuary. 9:2 For a tent was prepared, the outer one, which contained the lampstand, the table, and the presentation of the loaves; this is called the holy place. 9:3 And after the second curtain there was a tent called the holy of holies. 9:4 It contained the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered entirely with gold. In this ark were the golden urn containing the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. 9:5 And above the ark were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Now is not the time to speak of these things in detail. 9:6 So with these things prepared like this, the priests enter continually into the outer tent as they perform their duties. 9:7 But only the high priest enters once a year into the inner tent, and not without blood that he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance. 9:8 The Holy Spirit is making clear that the way into the holy place had not yet appeared as long as the old tabernacle was standing. 9:9 This was a symbol for the time then present, when gifts and sacrifices were offered that could not perfect the conscience of the worshiper. 9:10 They served only for matters of food and drink and various washings; they are external regulations imposed until the new order came.
Today most would deny the guilt of sin. And yet, in those rare moments when we are alone with ourselves and not distracted by the busy-ness of our frantic lives, the idea that we are somehow missing the mark steals in on our consciousness. It makes us uneasy, so we quickly yield back to our busy lives.
The sanctuary with its annual ritual of atonement for sin did not solve the problem of man’s guilt and sin. External regulations are not enough. In the fullness of time, God established a new priesthood to bridge the infinite gap between God and man. Stay tuned.
Dave, too often distracted.
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Bible Diary - Hebrews 8:7-13
August 31, 2008
Why does an omniscient God need to create a second covenant with his people? There can be only one answer: It was simply unmerited grace. After all, it wasn’t God who screwed up the first covenant! God loves His created beings so much that He gives them a second chance. The evidence of this extraordinary love was sending His Son. He simply chose, for His own good reasons, to be merciful.
8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, no one would have looked for a second one. 8:8 But showing its fault, God says to them,
“Look, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will complete a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.
8:9 “It will not be like the covenant that I made with their fathers, on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not continue in my covenant and I had no regard for them, says the Lord.
8:10 “For this is the covenant that I will establish with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and I will inscribe them on their hearts. And I will be their God and they will be my people.
8:11 “And there will be no need at all for each one to teach his countryman or each one to teach his brother saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ since they will all know me, from the least to the greatest.
8:12 “For I will be merciful toward their evil deeds, and their sins I will remember no longer.”
8:13 When he speaks of a new covenant, he makes the first obsolete. Now what is growing obsolete and aging is about to disappear.
Only God knows the beginning and the end. He is in control of His creation, from the new galaxy still forming, millions of light-years away, to the babies that were born on Earth this day. There can be only one response to this great mystery: joyful praise.
Dave
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Bible Diary - Hebrews 8:1-6
August 24, 2008
The starting point for me to understand these high priestly passages is simply to acknowledge my sin. As Paul states in Romans 7:15, “For I don’t understand what I am doing. For I do not do what I want – instead, I do what I hate.” I know what he means. Just trying hard to please God isn’t enough. Like my Jewish counterpart in the First Century, I need someone to stand in the gap between me and a Holy God. Jesus Christ, the true High Priest, does this.
The High Priest of a Better Covenant
8:1 Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We have such a high priest, one who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 8:2 a minister in the sanctuary and the true tabernacle that the Lord, not man, set up. 8:3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. So this one too had to have something to offer. 8:4 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest, since there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law. 8:5 The place where they serve is a sketch and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary, just as Moses was warned by God as he was about to complete the tabernacle. For he says, “See that you make everything according to the design shown to you on the mountain.” 8:6 But now Jesus has obtained a superior ministry, since the covenant that he mediates is also better and is enacted on better promises.
This passage says that no human intermediary can completely fill the gap between sinful man and holy God, although even “a sketch and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary” is valuable in that it points to the heavenly sanctuary. The author’s main point is that only the Son of God can intercede for me before God.
Dave, pondering and giving thanks for this great mystery.
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Saddleback showdown
August 18, 2008
Saturday evening’s Saddleback political event may come to be regarded as the true kick-off of the presidential election campaign of 2008. It was unprecedented in terms of venue and format. Held at California’s Saddleback Church, Pastor Rick Warren conducted back-to-back hour-long interviews, first with Barack Obama and then with John McCain. The interviews overlapped briefly, producing this memorable photo op.
The meeting was billed as a step toward a return to civility in political public intercourse, but the candidates were not given the opportunity to engage each other, civilly or otherwise. Rick Warren posed the questions and pretty much sat back and let the candidates respond as they wished. Neither heard the answers of their rival. The result was a stark contrast of views, especially on abortion and religious faith. It was no surprise that Obama was pro-choice and McCain pro-life, of course, but what they said (or didn’t say) about their faith in front of a neo-evangelical audience was very interesting.
Taken at face value, Obama professes an orthodox Christian faith. His use of Scripture and his talk about the Lordship of Jesus Christ (indirectly) is impossible to reconcile with his pro-choice views, but at least he knew the language and basic principles of being a Christian. Quoting Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life, he professed that his religion wasn’t about Obama but about God. Or something like that.
John McCain, on the other hand, sounded like his faith and convictions were based more on patriotism than belief in God. His unbridled optimism about the future of our country is very appealing, but no one with a Christian worldview would share McCain’s enthusiasm about putting America first.
Worldview
What kept me uncharacteristically glued to the tube for two long hours with too many commercials was the hope of getting some insight into their respective worldviews. I didn’t expect either to reflect a Christian worldview, and I wasn’t disappointed in that. Missing in the responses of both Obama and McCain were clues about what they believed about Creation, the Fall, and Redemption, which arguably are the structural elements of every philosophy and ideology, Christian or secular.
When asked whether or not they believed in the existence of evil, each quickly answered yes, but they elaborated on their answers in vastly different ways. Obama sees evil mostly in the abstract and appeared to see evidence of evil both in the U.S. and abroad. His specific examples of evil were few and sketchy. My conclusion was that he does not deny that bad things happen but does not have clear conviction about the source of evil in the world or how to respond to it. Except for saying that we all must join together to fight evil in the world, his posture seemed basically reactive and vague. This partly may be because he has been fortunate enough to have had little personal contact with evil.
McCain, in contrast, has strong feelings about evil in the world. He mentioned his Viet Nam captivity, the events of 9/11 and talked about the threat of Al-Qaida today. He had no trouble pointing to specific examples of evil in the world today. Such black or white characterizations may not always be a Good Thing for a President, although in the cases of prison brutality and Al-Qaida it’s easy to agree. I would feel more comfortable with McCain if I thought his convictions were part of a Christian worldview.
The genius of Rick Warren’s approach was letting us hear Obama and McCain respond off the cuff to open ended questions about the issues of the day. It was not a debate. Each man responded in his own way to the same questions. Most of the time Warren was able to sit back and listen with the rest of us without imposing his own views.
One thought that I came away with is that Obama is too young and too inexperienced; McCain is too old and too experienced. What is sure is that they would bring quite different perspectives to the problems of the day. Who they would select as key advisors is crucial, and we should keep our eyes peeled for clues as the campaign grinds on..
When asked who are the three wisest people you know, and who would you most rely on as President, Obama first named his wife, his grandmother, and Senator Kennedy. McCain put General Petraeus at the top of his list and added a couple of respected national figures, the names of whom I don’t recall. (There is a lot that I don’t recall these days.) I found neither response very comforting.
If you listened to the Saddleback Showdown, what are your thoughts? If you didn’t listen, you may have missed an important bit of our political history.
Dave, wondering how to vote for Mr. None of the Above.
Bible Diary - Hebrews 7:18-28
August 17, 2008
The desire to draw near to God seems to me to be a given of human existence. For the ancient Israelites, feeding this desire boiled down to living according to the law of God with the help of their priests. Problem was, trying to meet the law’s demands for personal holiness was futile, and their priests weren’t much help. The writer of Hebrews says this was because their priests were appointed by men, not affirmed by God.
7:18 On the one hand a former command is set aside because it is weak and useless, 7:19 for the law made nothing perfect. On the other hand a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. 7:20 And since this was not done without a sworn affirmation – for the others have become priests without a sworn affirmation, 7:21 but Jesus did so with a sworn affirmation by the one who said to him, “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever’” – 7:22 accordingly Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. 7:23 And the others who became priests were numerous, because death prevented them from continuing in office, 7:24 but he holds his priesthood permanently since he lives forever. 7:25 So he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. 7:26 For it is indeed fitting for us to have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separate from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 7:27 He has no need to do every day what those priests do, to offer sacrifices first for their own sins and then for the sins of the people, since he did this in offering himself once for all. 7:28 For the law appoints as high priests men subject to weakness, but the word of solemn affirmation that came after the law appoints a son made perfect forever.
It’s a different ball game now because of God’s strong affirmation of the priesthood of Jesus. With Him we have a perfect High Priest, one who is effective and guaranteed by God to live forever. He will always be there to intercede for us and our descendants at the throne of God.
The religious landscape has changed drastically since the letter to the Hebrews was written. The message hasn’t changed, but this letter to the Hebrews portrays only one aspect of the mystery of God the Son. So I can’t stop here; I must keep on going and hear what the rest of Scripture tells me about God’s redemptive acts in time and history through His Son.
Dave, trusting.
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Bible Diary - Hebrews 7:11-17
August 10, 2008
The author assumes that perfection in matters of the law is the goal, and that the Levitical priesthood was not able to help the people achieve the perfection that God required of them. Something else was needed, a priest that lives forever, like Melchizedek.
Jesus and the Priesthood of Melchizedek
7:11 So if perfection had in fact been possible through the Levitical priesthood – for on that basis the people received the law – what further need would there have been for another priest to arise, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in Aaron’s order? 7:12 For when the priesthood changes, a change in the law must come as well. 7:13 Yet the one these things are spoken about belongs to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever officiated at the altar. 7:14 For it is clear that our Lord is descended from Judah, yet Moses said nothing about priests in connection with that tribe. 7:15 And this is even clearer if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 7:16 who has become a priest not by a legal regulation about physical descent but by the power of an indestructible life. 7:17 For here is the testimony about him: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
It’s not hard to figure where the author is going with this. Having snuck a peek at the back of the book, we know that Jesus is the needed High Priest. But the author is not ready quite yet to spring it on us.
Dave, maybe getting a little smart-alecky here.
Bible Diary - Hebrews 7:1-10
July 27, 2008
The back story is found in Genesis 14, where some bad kings swooped down on Sodom and Gomorrah from north of Salem, won a battle there and headed back north with their booty and with Abraham’s nephew Lot and family. Abraham put together an army, headed north to defeat the kings and returned with the booty and the captured families.
Melchizedek is a shadowy figure mentioned only here and in a Psalm and in Genesis. I try to remember that the Bible is not a “normal” history book and to look for an underlying message or truth. The significant fact in this passage seems to be that Abraham offered a tithe of the battle spoils to Melchizedek, meaning that Abraham was subordinate to Melchizedek the priest.
The Nature of Melchizedek’s Priesthood
7:1 Now this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him. 7:2 To him also Abraham apportioned a tithe of everything. His name first means king of righteousness, then king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 7:3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, he has neither beginning of days nor end of life but is like the son of God, and he remains a priest for all time. 7:4 But see how great he must be, if Abraham the patriarch gave him a tithe of his plunder. 7:5 And those of the sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have authorization according to the law to collect a tithe from the people, that is, from their fellow countrymen, although they too are descendants of Abraham. 7:6 But Melchizedek who does not share their ancestry collected a tithe from Abraham and blessed the one who possessed the promise. 7:7 Now without dispute the inferior is blessed by the superior, 7:8 and in one case tithes are received by mortal men, while in the other by him who is affirmed to be alive. 7:9 And it could be said that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid a tithe through Abraham. 7:10 For he was still in his ancestor Abraham’s loins when Melchizedek met him.
It makes sense to me, as it does to most commentators on this passage, that Melchizedek is a “type” of the Christ who was yet to come, and that the tithe he collected points to the tithes that were collected later by Levi. I understand that a biblical “type” is simply a literary device to point my thinking to a larger truth. In this case, the priest Melchizedek, being greater than Abraham, leads me to thoughts of Jesus Christ. I have become comfortable with the way the Old Testament continually pre-figures the New Testament.
Dave
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Bible Diary - Hebrews 6:13-20
July 20, 2008
Oaths and promises. What am I to make of this? The promise in view here, of course, was to bless Abraham greatly and to multiply his descendants abundantly. I think Abraham’s best guess about his future probably did not include becoming a great nation, but he was called to believe God’s promise to him on faith alone. This meant for him to ignore his doubts and act as if he knew where he was going.
6:13 Now when God made his promise to Abraham, since he could swear by no one greater, he swore by himself, 6:14 saying, “Surely I will bless you greatly and multiply your descendants abundantly.” 6:15 And so by persevering, Abraham inherited the promise. 6:16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and the oath serves as a confirmation to end all dispute. 6:17 In the same way God wanted to demonstrate more clearly to the heirs of the promise that his purpose was unchangeable, and so he intervened with an oath, 6:18 so that we who have found refuge in him may find strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us through two unchangeable things, since it is impossible for God to lie. 6:19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, sure and steadfast, which reaches inside behind the curtain, 6:20 where Jesus our forerunner entered on our behalf, since he became a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
As for the oath, this may have been God’s way of making sure that Abraham knew that it was God speaking to him and making a promise that would be kept. Today, this would not be necessary, since God has sent His Son to be our guarantor, and if I can’t accept that, well, bad on me. I know that I have just the high priest I need to buffer me from the holy God. Jesus is running interference for me. I can’t face a holy God directly, but I can face Jesus, the perfecter of my faith.
It seems evident to me that God’s promises, then and now, are accompanied with the gift of faith. I really have no excuse for not acting in faith.
Dave, still looking for excuses.
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Bible Diary - Hebrews 6:1-12
July 15, 2008
Whoever wrote this letter (It may have been the Apostle Paul) seems a tad frustrated with the Jewish Christians. They seem stuck at first base, wanting to hear the glorious good news of the gospel again and again. I remember my “honeymoon period” when I first made a serious commitment to follow Jesus. I wasn’t in much of a hurry to move on.
This passage, along with others, helped me to finally get off the stick and start on the path towards a more mature faith.
6:1 Therefore we must progress beyond the elementary instructions about Christ and move on to maturity, not laying this foundation again: repentance from dead works and faith in God, 6:2 teaching about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 6:3 And this is what we intend to do, if God permits. 6:4 For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 6:5 tasted the good word of God and the miracles of the coming age, 6:6 and then have committed apostasy, to renew them again to repentance, since they are crucifying the Son of God for themselves all over again and holding him up to contempt. 6:7 For the ground that has soaked up the rain that frequently falls on it and yields useful vegetation for those who tend it receives a blessing from God. 6:8 But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is useless and about to be cursed; its fate is to be burned. 6:9 But in your case, dear friends, even though we speak like this, we are convinced of better things relating to salvation. 6:10 For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name, in having served and continuing to serve the saints. 6:11 But we passionately want each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of your hope until the end, 6:12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherit the promises.
I am still not sure what to make of verses 4-6. Perhaps there are such things as little apostasies, the temporarily unresolved doubts that we experience as we mature in our faith; but only one Apostasy, which is outright denial of the Lord Jesus for which there is no return. I believe the ‘no return’ state is God’s doing, the irreversible hardening of the heart resulting from “crucifying the Son of God for themselves all over again and holding him up to contempt.”
All I can do is to eagerly strive for a more mature faith and trust in His promise to sustain me until I fully inherit the promises.
Dave, still striving.
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Virgo cluster
July 8, 2008
Credit & Copyright: Günter Kerschhuber (Gahberg Observatory)
(Click on image for larger view)
Explanation: The Virgo Cluster of Galaxies is the closest cluster of galaxies to our Milky Way Galaxy. The Virgo Cluster is so close that it spans more than 5 degrees on the sky - about 10 times the angle made by a full Moon. With its heart lying about 70 million light years distant, the Virgo Cluster is the nearest cluster of galaxies, contains over 2,000 galaxies, and has a noticeable gravitational pull on the galaxies of the Local Group of Galaxies surrounding our Milky Way Galaxy. The cluster contains not only galaxies filled with stars but also gas so hot it glows in X-rays. Motions of galaxies in and around clusters indicate that they contain more dark matter than any visible matter we can see. Pictured above, the heart of the Virgo Cluster includes bright Messier galaxies such as Markarian’s Eyes on the upper left, M86 just to the upper right of center, M84 on the far right, as well as spiral galaxy NGC 4388 at the bottom right.
A Christian worldview must somehow take into account the cosmos. I am tempted to think that only in this day of the Hubble telescope and it’s friends am I finally equipped to think seriously about God and historical beginnings. But that would be saying that the shepherd of ancient times, in the dark of night, contemplating the sky full of stars, could not know what he needed to know about God and beginnings. It doesn’t take much reflection to know that would be saying nonsense.
Today, the Astronomy Picture of the Day is just a part of the flood of information I am besieged with every hour of the day. I am trying to sip from a firehose. My shepherd on the hill had plenty of time to ponder his sky-view, and I suspect that his philosophical conclusions were of greater value to him than my fleeting thoughts while looking at the image above. What do you think?
Dave, blessed but not overawed by scientific progress.
