Reflection Scripture: Hebrews 2:1-2
For this reason, we pay much attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.
The setting
The writer of Hebrews introduces the superiority of the Messiah to that of the patriarchs, prophets, and angels in the first chapter. Christ not only is the Son of God, but He is heir to all things about God’s progressive unfolding plan of divine restoration which centers upon the Divine Kingship of Christ.
Some of the extreme socio-political and spiritual issues facing this community of Believers at the time of the writing of this letter were the Jewish/Roman wars [66-73 CE] and the coming destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. These external and other internal factors cause deep concern about faithlessness to be addressed by the writer of Hebrews.
Building up the Body of Messiah
Hebrews 2:1-2 communicates spiritual insight and historical support toward exhorting Believers from slipping away from the faith.
After examining in their original Greek language, the bold print words in our reflection Scripture above, I wanted to respeak the text before the commentary of my observations.
“For this reason, to a greater degree, turn, hold to, and attend mentally, while hearing and learning God’s voice which births faith within. That we may not spiritually adrift by slipping away from God’s anchor, [which is Christ].
Observations
The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews communicates to the Body of Christ [Jewish and non-Jewish] this initial warning: “we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard.” Much of the Letter to the Hebrews is essentially Hebrew Scriptures, with very few if any Apostolic Writings referenced.
Thus, the writer draws from the voice of Moses speaking to the Ancient Israelites in Deut. 4:9: “Give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen, and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life.”
The writer expounds on the Hebrew verb [shama] which means listen to, heed, and understand. This verb is used numerous times in the Torah to refer to Israel’s need to hear and act upon God’s instruction to them. [see: Gen. 4; 5; 24:6; Exodus 19:12; 23:21; 34:11, 12; Deut. 4: 9; 6:12; 11:16]
It is within this theme that the author applies it to the Gospel Message. He adds the important phase, “we must pay more careful attention“, because of the concern that the believers have lost sight of the Messiah and who He is in His glorified status. He believes that this community of followers has failed to act upon His Words delivered to them in the form of the Good News. Such concern for the intellectual and spiritual well-being justifies this urging them not to forget their Messiah.
Another wonderful discovery is the Greek word of heard: [akouo], which is defined in English as acoustics. In the context of the writer’s concern, he is encouraging the faithful to hear God’s voice which prompts Him to birth faith within their hearts.
Romans 10:17- So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ.
Soul-Care
The concern about preventing the Believers from slipping away from the Faith is paramount. Proverbs 3:21, ” My son, let them not pass [pararreo] from you but keep My Counsel and Understanding. The writer uses the same word [parorreo] for drift way in the text. This term is only used in Hebrews 2 and no other place in the Apostolic Writings.
The wisdom of the writer using it for the Hebrew Believers is that he is treating the Gospel Message as the Instructions of God which is required to be heard and obeyed if they, post Resurrection, are to receive salvation.
The sin that must be avoided at all costs is discounting the Gospel Message of salvation in the Messiah. Living souls must treat the Gospel Message as Divine, authoritative instruction on an equal level as the Torah and Tanach.
Failure to remain fixed in the Word results in ‘drifting away’ being borne along with the tides and waves, losing one’s way. This matter of drifting away communicates gliding past a destination because of being pushed along by a current. Becoming spiritually adrift speaks of sinning by slipping away from God’s anchor.
There is a severe judgment for those who fall away from the Message declared about Messiah and the salvation He provides. The writer in v.1 includes himself among all others indicating that even if he too is not careful, might fall from the faith.
There is Nothing New Under the Sun
What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9
How much difference is our modern-day faithfulness compared to this second generation of Followers of Messiah in the Letter to the Hebrews?
We too are facing socio-political, economic, religious, biological, and natural disasters that have exposed many to begin to doubt God and their faith. These and other matters in our life and times are the very means of us too drifting away gliding past a destination because of being pushed along by these currents.
It is generally thought that belief in God and reliance on religious institutions increase during times of trauma and crisis. Prior studies have indicated faith-based beliefs can help people make sense of traumatic events that can initially seem meaningless or random.
“… trauma challenges so many assumptions about who we are, what our purpose is, and how to make sense of a traumatic event,” wrote theologian Danielle Tumminio Hansen, in a piece for The Conversation last year. “Faith-based beliefs and practices offer meaningful resources to help navigate those questions. This is why spiritual beliefs and practices across various religions can often lead to faith strengthening rather than weakening, following a trauma.”
Using the biological warfare of COVAID-19 as an example, a Pew Research Report analysis revealed that with the 2nd wave of the infection and its 2nd lockdown, trust in a Higher Source, along with praying and meditation decreased,” the researchers wrote in the new study. “Also, the sharp increase in corona-related stressors was associated with a decline of wellbeing and a continuing loss of faith. These developments were observed in both Catholics and Protestants, and both younger and older persons.” https://newatlas.com/health-wellbeing/faith-religion-god-declined-pandemic-study/
What is Faith?
Put simply, faith is believing in God and trusting in His plan, even when you don’t understand it and can’t see it. As it applies to our life, however, faith is about more than just a feeling, it’s about living it. We live our faith through obedience to God and acts of service.
What does the Bible say about keeping faith in hard times?
Second Corinthians 5:7 tells us it can be difficult to trust God during uncertain times, but as believers, we know that His ways are not our ways, and He will ultimately work all things for good (Isaiah 55:8-9, Romans 8:28). Having faith in difficult times can allow you to find peace in God’s presence.
Practical Ways and Spiritual Images to increase Faith during difficult times.
Biblical Images of the Glorified One from the Book of Revelation.
Christ is the faithful witness of God, the firstborn of the dead, and is the ruler of the kings of the earth which is God’s.
Christ who so loves us, thereby releasing us from sin by His blood. Not only are we redeemed and benefactors of God’s salvation, but we are also purchased back into the Kingdom of God as heirs and priests. See Rev. 1:5-6
Christ is Alpha and Omega, who is and who is to come in His second advent, the Almighty. He is the redeemed eternal Savior, the beginning and end of all things related to this age. See Rev. 1:8
Christ is forever present within His worldwide congregations, as a High Priest and God’s judgment. [Son of Man- Daniel 7:8] As our High Priest He has those who proclaim the Word of Truth: Double-edge Sword, in His Right hand of honor as they live and communicate the Word of God. See Rev. 1:12-16
Christ is alive and is to receive worship. He is the First and the Last, the Living One with the power and authority over death and the grave. See Rev. 1:17-18
Chief Spiritual Points of Issue for this Generation of Believers
1. Christ is Reining with God in Heaven as the Passover Lamb of His Father.
2. The ever-presence of evil in individuals and empires/systems.
3. Our ongoing inclination toward sin, temptation, idolatry, and immorality.
4. The call to maintaining spiritual covenant faithfulness within the Body of Christ
and resistance outside the Beloved Community.
5. Practice daily our spiritual disciplines while navigating between the spiritual and
secular.
6. Spiritual maturity displayed in Christ-like witness in personal and public lifestyle.
7. Forever mindful of the imminent judgment/salvation/ and return of Christ with a new creation of Heaven and Earth.
Please consider using the above as a tool to increase the faith of a follower of the Messiah when faced with trials, tribulations, testing, and temptations.
Faith is the assurance that the things revealed and promised in the Word are true, even though unseen, and gives the believer a conviction that what he expects in faith, will come to pass. Heb. 11:1
These seven points were gleaned from “Reading Revelation Responsibly” by Michael J. Gorman
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Enable Your people who are called by Your Holy Name, to obtain continued mercy, and grace and increase inner faith during these most difficult days.
In Christ, we call upon You that for this reason, to a greater degree, You will supernaturally turn, enabling us to hold to, and while constantly attending mentally, hearing and learning Your divine voice.
Heavenly Father, by us, knowing Your voice, we all shall have faith birth within. Thank You in Your Son’s Name, that we may not spiritually adrift by slipping away from God’s anchor, which is Christ our Savior and Redeemer. Amen.
Additional references used in this blog post:
Hebrews For The Practical Messianic, Hebrews 2, Commentary, pages 35-37; by, J.K. Mckee and The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament; Rejecting Christ’s Word, 2:1-4, page 653; by, Craig S. Keener.
Grace and Peace
Brother Alonzo
Join us in our study of the Letter to the Hebrews
A Study of the Book of Hebrews – Daily Spiritual Manna (firstfruitsperspective.org)
Educational Opportunity
Are you interested in a unique Life-long learning opportunity? Please consider checking out the Messianic Studies Institute, (MSI). Please tell my dear Brother Henri Goulet, Director and Academic Dean, that I sent you his way. Below is the link: