Introduction
When Was Hebrews Written?
We don’t know when this book was written. It mentions that Timothy, the Apostle Paul’s son in the faith, was recently released from prison. Scholars think this book was written between 65 - 95 AD.
Who Wrote Hebrews?
This is a very interesting question. The simple answer is we do not know. However, it is believed to have been written by one of the Lord’s apostles. The one who did write it had a thorough understanding of the Old Testament priesthood and the Lord Jesus Christ’s priesthood. Many feel it was written by the Apostle Paul. However, there is a notable difference between this book and the other biblical books Paul wrote. Paul always addresses the people or persons he was writing to in an affectionate way in his introductory comments and identifies himself as the one writing. In Hebrews, the author does not. His purpose in writing this book is to make the case that Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest and removing the need for the human priesthood. However, this author does mention Timothy by name at the end of his letter, and Paul was very close personally to Timothy. The author said that he and Timothy would visit together with those the author is writing to if Timothy came within a short period of time. Perhaps the mystery surrounding the authorship of Hebrews has created even more interest in this book. Christians will get the honor to talk to this author one day in glory and find out who he was and why his name was not given.
Who Was Hebrews Written To and Why?
We don’t know for sure who the author is writing to as he does not mention who he is addressing in this book. It appears he was writing to Jewish Christians who were lapsing back into the Old Testament traditions and worship. He wanted to make sure these Christians who were either new or weak in their faith understood there was now a New Testament or New Covenant in Jesus Christ that was far superior then the Old Testament types, symbols, and observances. The Old Testament priesthood and sacrifices were just temporary and pointed to the future work and priesthood of Jesus Christ. The New Testament in Christ fulfilled the Old Testament.
However, in a larger sense the author is writing to everyone, Jew or Gentile, Christian or unbeliever. What he has to say is important for everyone to know and understand. It tells us everything we need to know about how to be saved from God’s wrath to come, how to live our lives, and how to properly worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is our Great High Priest.
When Did The Jewish Priesthood Begin?
Moses, by the power of God, led the twelve tribes of Israel out of bondage under Pharaoh of Egypt in the Exodus. Although we don’t know exactly when that took place, some put the date around 1400 BC. On Mt. Sinai, God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, the laws of God, and the way the Jewish people were to worship Him. God established the priesthood who would be from the Jewish tribe of Levi and represent the people before God in the tabernacle in the wilderness and later in the temple in Jerusalem. The priests would maintain the house of God and be responsible for overseeing the animal sacrifices. The animals were brought by the people to be slain on an altar and sacrificed as a way for them to be pardoned for their sins. God established in the Old Testament law a plan of substitutionary atonement or pardon. Instead of the Jew having to face the penalty for his sins, God provided for the Jew to bring an animal, without spot or blemish, to be sacrificed on the altar of the tabernacle or temple. By the shedding of its blood, the sacrifice satisfied the wrath of God for that person’s sins. It was to be a spotless animal, often a lamb, because it had to be one of the best of the flock. God wanted this to be a real sacrificial offering for the Jew. It had to be of value or costly to him. We must always give our best to the Lord.
The Old Testament symbolism of the spotless animal being sacrificed to pay the penalty for the sins of the people pointed to the New Testament sacrifice of the sinless Son of God, Jesus Christ, who would give Himself to be a sacrifice for all those who would believe in Him.
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
The High Priest
The Jewish priesthood always had a high or chief priest who was appointed and presided over the priesthood. Only he could go into the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle or temple once a year on the Day of Atonement and sprinkle blood on the mercy seat. He did this for the forgiveness of both his sins and the sins of the people.
The Tabernacle and Temple
After God brought Israel out of Egypt they were punished for not having faith in Him to help them defeat the nations in the Promised Land of Canaan. They refused to go in and defeat the nations who were there. As their punishment, God made them wander in the Sinai wilderness for 40 years. God had given Moses instructions on how the people would worship Him. They were to construct a very large portable tent called the tabernacle. Here the people would come and offer their animal sacrifices on an altar. Behind the altar was a tent divided into two rooms by a thick, ornate curtain. The first room was called the Holy Place. The next room was called the Holy of Holies. Later, the large, beautiful and ornate temple of God was built by King Solomon in Jerusalem. The temple was built in a similar way. The holy items in each room where there just as they were in the tabernacle.
What was the Difference Between a prophet of God and the High Priest?
A prophet was selected by God to deliver His message to the people. The prophet represented God to the people. The high priest represented the people to God. The high priest would offer up sacrifices to God for his own sins and the sins of the people. These sacrifices would provide atonement or pardon for their sins.
Jesus Christ was sinless. He offered Himself up to be a sacrifice for the sins of everyone who would believe and trust in Him. His sacrifice provided full atonement or pardon for the sins of Christians and satisfied the wrath of God for their sins. God, to be just, has to punish the sinner. In His grace God instituted a plan where His justice would be satisfied by punishing His beloved Son in place of the sinner. What amazing grace!
Jesus fulfilled the role of the Great Prophet, the Great High Priest, and the Great King. Jesus is the King of kings, and Lord of lords (Rev. 17:14).