Hebrews 5

Hebrews 5

Shawn Bumpers / General

Hebrews

Introduction:

Hebrews 4:14–16 NKJV

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

κρείττων kreittōn: “Better.”

Psalm 99:6 NKJV

Moses and Aaron were among His priests, And Samuel was among those who called upon His name; They called upon the Lord, and He answered them.

The Tabernacle began at Mt. Sinai, probably around 1446 BC.

The Levitical Priesthood served Israel at the Tabernacle.

Each order had a job to do.

King David reorganized the priesthood into 24 divisions. 

High priests were appointed for life – Moses / Aaron.

Later appointed annually by the Romans. 

Starting in chapter 4 – Jesus Christ the GREAT High Priest.

He was not a Levite.

Hebrews 8:5 NKJV

who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

Galatians 3:10–11 NKJV

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”

Galatians 3:24–25 NKJV

Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

Romans 5:1 NKJV

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

What did all of this mean for the readers?

v1-4

The High Priest was taken from among men … line of Aaron the Levite … Moses’ brother.

And no man could appoint himself as a priest 

Hebrews 8:3 NKJV

For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer.

The Mosaic Law was given specifically to the nation of Israel.

v5-6

Physical and spiritual authority : head of each household : king and priest of the family.

The firstborn.

Changed when the priestly duties were appointed by God to the house of Levi.

Aaron was appointed to be the first High Priest.

Hebrews 5:5 is from Psalm 2:7.

This psalm was also used back in chapter 1

Acts 13:33–34 NKJV

God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.’ And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’

Things that make Jesus’ priesthood greater.

• He is a High Priest forever. 

• It is according to the order of Melchizedek.

The name means “King of Righteousness.”

According to Genesis 14 and as the author of Hebrews notes in chapter 7, he was both King and Priest of Salem.

Hebrews 7:2 NKJV

to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,”

Genesis 14:18 NKJV

Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High.

As we saw earlier with Saul and Uzziah, whenever a king took it upon himself to perform the duties of priest, God judged them.

The reason Jesus Christ can be “a Priest forever” is that He belongs to the “order of Melchizedek.”

The Bible records no beginning for Melchizedek nor the end of his life.

Hebrews 5:2 NKJV

He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness.

“ignorant, and going astray.”

An Old Testament priest could identify with the sinners, since he himself was a sinner. 

Hebrews 5:7–8 NKJV

who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.

Hebrews 4:15 NKJV

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Matthew 26 records our Lord’s experience facing death in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Hebrews 5:7 NKJV

who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear,

εἰσακούω eisakouō “To listen with the implication of responding.”

Luke 22:42 NKJV

saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”

The Old Testament priests under the Law made sacrifices, but none ever made the sacrifice that Jesus did.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Luke 6:40 NKJV

A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.

v9-10

Hebrews 5:3 NKJV

Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins.

Jesus made a superior sacrifice.

τελειόω teleioō “made complete.”

ὑπακούω hypakouo “to obey” in the sense of submitting one’s will, understanding, conduct, or allegiance to the will of another.

v11-14

Hebrews 6:12 NIV84

We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

This verse very well summarizes the main message here. 

νωθρός nōthros lazy and sluggish.

They need milk again.

At one time they were growing up in Christ but they’ve grown down instead.

As we grow in the Word, we learn to use it in daily life.

Exercise our “spiritual senses” and develop spiritual discernment. 

Matthew 18:3 NKJV

and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.