Hebrew 11:17-22 By faith

 Hebrew 11:17-22

By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”[ Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.

By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.

By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.

By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

默想：

我的信仰是建立在肉眼可見的神蹟奇事上，或是上帝話語的信實與祂的應許上呢？

你曾被神試驗嗎？相信每個人都會被神試驗，只是有些人像腓力，從頭到尾都不知道神正在試驗自己。當你受試驗時，神其實在問：第一，你信得過神嗎？第二，神信得過你嗎？首先，無論在你生命中有任何事發生，請問你還能繼續信靠神嗎？在事奉中，你會受到傷害，遇到挫折，甚至在孤獨沮喪中；在這種光景中，你仍然能信得過神嗎？其次，也是更深的問題，神能信得過你嗎？在每天生活中，神交托給你的事，祂能信得過你嗎？你能在神面前說，神所託付的事，你會終身順服來完成嗎？

祈禱：

親愛的天父，因著祢話語的信實，在我的生命中顯明祢的恩典，使我有信心盼望終末，相信祢必逆轉世界結局的應許。奉主耶穌的名祈禱，阿們。

I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds

Hebrew 10:1-39

Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, my God.’

Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.

Then he adds “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”

not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?

Why?

Jesus brought a new law to us, this salvation is eternal erased our sins because Jesus has shed his blood for our sins. So if we still fall in the sins how much more severely to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot.

How?

Keep this love and let the word and spirit of the Lord living in our heart and mind.

Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. ²⁵ Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. ²⁶ Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

He gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.

 Hebrew 9:1-10

Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.

When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order.

Why?

In the Old Testament, there was the Holy place,  tabernacle, and priest service there once a year in the Most Holy Place, but it has not gotten rid of our sins in history.

Right now an external regulation applies until the time of the new order, which is Jesus Christ devoted himself as sacrifice to get rid of our sins. So we can come close to the Lord with a closer relationship. Built a son and father relationship.

How?

Let me live as with Jesus Christ and honor His Holy name in every daily life.

He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear

Hebrew 8:1-13

Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.

This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.

“The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord.

By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.

You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

 Hebrew 7:1-28

Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever. 

In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.

why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life.

You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. 

The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’ Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.

Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.

Why?

Paul explained from the Old Testament and the identity of Jesus Christ, that Jesus is a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek, And he is not from man or human beings but came from heaven, like Melchizedek.

Because is the Son of the Lord so he came to the earth without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of day or end of life.

Because he is the Lord, the son of the Lord so Jesus came is out of human minds or imagination. And Jesus Christ is full of love and righteousness.

How?

Praise the Lord gave us Jesus Christ and let us get the eternal life through Jesus Christ. 

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death

Hebrew 2:11-18

Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.” And again, I will put my trust in him.

“Here am I, and the children God has given me. Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Why?

We call Jesus the brother because Jesus had flesh body and blood, he shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death.

The blood of Jesus has broken the chain of the dead, so everyone may get eternal life through Jesus Christ.

How?

Our salvation is precious because Jesus has paid the blood for us and saved us from death.

The pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered

 Hebrew 2:1-10

We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

“What is mankind that you are mindful of them, a son of man that you care for him? You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor and put everything under their feet. 

Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. 

Why?

Jesus suffered for our salvation perfect. Jesus in this world a little lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death. This is the salvation for us.

This is the key to all Christians, but nothing to those who do not trust in Jesus Chris is the son of the Lord.

How?

How great is it that before I see the Lord I accept this salvation through Jesus Christ.

But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever

 

Hebrews 1:01-14

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”?

But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;  therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.

They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Why?

Here, described the position and came from heaven that Jesus Christ will endure forever. 

Jesus is the Son of the Lord who provided purification for sins.

All of the world and others will pass away, only the throne of Jesus Christ will endure forever.

All of the angels are ministering spirits under the Lord. Only the Son of God who inherit salvation. Not the angles.

How?

Author described the coming and position of Jesus Chris is the Son of the Lord. 

My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes

Job 42:1-17

Then Job replied to the Lord: I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge? Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.

After the Lord had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has. So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has.” So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the Lord told them; and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer.

After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.

The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part.

Why?

From the story of Job, we know that the wonder of the Lord is beyond our imagination and mind.

The Lord asked Job to pray for friends of Job, so the Lord forgave their fool and misunderstood about the Lord. Their friends may receive the blessing through Job.

How?

We can be other's blessings like Job prayed to his friends and his friends could be saved and release from their sins.

Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me.

 Job 40:1-41:34 

The Lord said to Job: “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!”

Then Job answered the Lord: I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer— twice, but I will say no more.”

Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm: Brace yourself like a man; I will question you,  and you shall answer me. 

“Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself? Do you have an arm like God’s, and can your voice thunder like his? Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.

The lotuses conceal it in their shadow; the poplars by the stream surround it. A raging river does not alarm it; it is secure, though the Jordan should surge against its mouth. Can anyone capture it by the eyes, or trap it and pierce its nose?

Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me. “I will not fail to speak of Leviathan’s limbs, its strength and its graceful form. Who can strip off its outer coat?  Who can penetrate its double coat of armor? Who dares open the doors of its mouth, ringed about with fearsome teeth?

Why?

The Lord mentioned all God's creations, such as crocodiles who can fight with or attack him. 

From the creations of the Lord, no one can argue with the Lord, for we, human beings are too small and our understanding is very little.

How?

Humble me, for all of us are being created. Listen to the word of the Lord and come closer to the Lord to know the way of the Lord.

God is mighty, but despises no one; he is mighty, and firm in his purpose

 Job 36:1-33

Bear with me a little longer and I will show you that there is more to be said in God’s behalf. I get my knowledge from afar; I will ascribe justice to my Maker. Be assured that my words are not false; one who has perfect knowledge is with you.

God is mighty, but despises no one; he is mighty, and firm in his purpose. He does not keep the wicked alive but gives the afflicted their rights.

If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment. But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword and die without knowledge.

God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him? Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him, ‘You have done wrong’? Remember to extol his work,  which people have praised in song. All humanity has seen it; mortals gaze on it from afar. How great is God—beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out.

How great is God—beyond our understanding!

This is the way he governs the nations and provides food in abundance.

Why?

Elihu said part of it is right, but who can say Job has sinned against the Lord. We cannot even judge others in our world.

Great is our God -- beyond our understanding.

How?

Be humble before the Lord and other people, for we are sinners.

Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man!

 Job 34:1-37

Then Elihu said: 

Is there anyone like Job, who drinks scorn like water? He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with the wicked. For he says, ‘There is no profit in trying to please God.’

So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong.

It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.

He punishes them for their wickedness where everyone can see them, because they turned from following him and had no regard for any of his ways.

Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man! To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”

Why?

God would not do wrong, but the Lord may test us by not reasonable events.

Elihu insisted that because Job did evil the judgment came upon Job. From history, all the evil doers can not escape from the judgment of the Lord.

How? 

Everyone's life is a special case before the Lord so it is impossible using the same way to understand or judge each one.