| Author | Message | ||
| Bskillet Registered user Username: Bskillet Post Number: 510 Registered: 8-2008 |
I just noticed this in Hebrews 12. I had never before seen what this text is obviously saying. The entire epistle is contrasting the New Covenant to the Old, showing how the New is far superior. In Hebrews 12:18-24, we read: Why had I never noticed this before. In telling us what we haven't been called to, the author is explicitly and specifically stating what Exodus says about the Ten Commandments being given at Sinai! | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 10218 Registered: 12-2003  |
So true, Brent. Hebrews is SO clear! I also have been astonished at how I missed the essence of Hebrews until after I left Adentism I totally missed it. Colleen | ||
| Pnoga Registered user Username: Pnoga Post Number: 269 Registered: 1-2007  |
It was astonishing as I continued to learn that the old covenant was a covenant of death, condemnation and judgement. That is why God allowed death under the old covenant, He allowed the nation of Israel to kill off the nations along with the women and children. He is clearly pointing out the condition of sin. The new covenant is great as we have peace and take of the tree of life which is the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. The old covenant was Satan's way, take of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and evil and you will become like God, becoming wise and knowing good and evil. We all like young infants need to feed on the spirtual milk (tree of life) and grow into maturety until Christ is formed in us, by the work of God. Paul | ||
| Indy4now Registered user Username: Indy4now Post Number: 710 Registered: 2-2008  |
In seeing the contrasts in Hebrew, I finally realized all the things that the author touched on... Moses, Sabbath, sacrifices, the Levitical system, the High Priest and even the 10C's. These were all the things that the Jews were holding on to instead of Christ. None of these things even come close to Whom Christ is and what He accoplished for us. Thanks for posting this Brent. vivian | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 2941 Registered: 10-2004  |
Wow, Brent, thanks for posting that. I don't know if I had ever realized before, either, that it was speaking directly about the Ten Words and saying that they are what we haven't come to! Jeremy (Message edited by Jeremy on August 10, 2009) | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 5350 Registered: 9-2006  |
Well...I have to say it has been a few moons since I first saw this scripture, but I still share your excitement over it, it just never gets old. It still makes my heart jump with joy when I read that we have come to Mt. Zion, the city of the living God, adopted into his family and we can truly say Abba Father! River | ||
| Bskillet Registered user Username: Bskillet Post Number: 514 Registered: 8-2008 |
Yep, the author was writing to Jews, and in Judaism God's giving of the Ten Commandments on Sinai was, and still is today, called the Ten Utterances or the Ten Words. The author is directly referring to this when he speaks of "the sound of words" as "what was commanded." | ||
| Jeremiah Registered user Username: Jeremiah Post Number: 437 Registered: 1-2004  |
I like the list of what we have come to. Our God is not a lonely God. He is surrounded by those He created. I'd say the list is a pretty good representation of the worshiping Church in heaven and on earth. This passage goes along well with the one about not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together. Jeremiah (Message edited by jeremiah on August 12, 2009) | ||
| Martinc Registered user Username: Martinc Post Number: 98 Registered: 9-2006 |
This is such a powerful passage, one of the richest. I have a question for the rest of you. What did the writer of Hebrews mean when he compared the sprinkled blood of Jesus and the New Covenant with the blood of Abel? He was just comparing the two mountains and covenants, and he then compares the two bloods. Some commentators think this refers to Abel's sacrificial blood, others think it is his physical blood shed at his death. What do you think? And what was the writers purpose in this comparison? | ||
| Bskillet Registered user Username: Bskillet Post Number: 515 Registered: 8-2008 |
The blood of Abel cried out from the ground to God, demanding justice. The blood of Christ, in contrast, washes away our sin, bringing mercy. | ||
| Indy4now Registered user Username: Indy4now Post Number: 711 Registered: 2-2008 |
Brent or anyone else... in the verses quoted above, "Instead, you have come to Mount Zion... to the spirits of righteous people made perfect,..." What do Adventists say are the "spirits" of righteous people? curious. I was reading Jeremiah 3 yesterday morning where God proclaimed through Jeremiah (concerning the Israelites worshipping other gods) the following:
Maybe this has nothing to do with Hebrews, but as I was reading this... it reminded me of your post. I guess the part about "I will bring you to Zion" seemed to pop out at me. It almost seems to be a picture of the new covenant. Thoughts anyone? vivian | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 10230 Registered: 12-2003 |
Interesting question, Martin. I hadn't thought about the juxtaposition of the comparison between the two covenants and the two bloods. I agree with Brent's understanding above...and this interpretation seems to mesh with the comparison of the two covenants. Abel's blood demanded justice—and in the old covenant, blood demanded blood. Jesus' blood provided the justice Abel's illegitimately shed blood demanded. And that is the story of the covenants. The old covenant demanded justice: blood for transgression. The new covenant provides justice—in a most unexpected way. Justice is done, and grace is dispensed. And Vivian, I do think the new covenant is in view. It's also possible that there's a foreshadowing of the millennium, too. Colleen | ||
| Nowisee Registered user Username: Nowisee Post Number: 72 Registered: 5-2009 |
Wow! Can't wait to share this verse. I've never 'seen' it before! (Sometimes I don't see, no matter what my username is  ) | ||
| Berit Registered user Username: Berit Post Number: 59 Registered: 7-2007 |
yes, this is a good text! I read it when I first studied the law and the covenants and it really hit me - so convincing. 2.Cor.3 is also very poverful. |
