(5) Summing up of the argument: the shadow and the substance. — The Law was only an outline sketch of good things to come ; its repeated sacri- fices were symbols, calling attention to man's sins, but incapable of cleansing, for blood of buHs and
536 HEBKEVVS, EPISTLE TO THE
HEBKEWS, EPISTLE TO THE
goats could never take away sins. Christ long ago declared this by the month of the Psalmist, and added that the only valid ottering in God's sight is tlie surrender of the will in complete obedience to Him, Such an ottering Christ has now made. That is why, in contrast to the Levitical priest ever offering, never atoning, He sits enthroned at the right hand of God, 'waiting till his enemies become his footstool.' He has set up the perfect covenant (10^*'*).
(6) Practical applications to present difficulties: appeal to the example of the Fathers : renewed ex- hortation and final greeting. — Jesus has rent the veil and opened for all the way to the heavenly sanctuary over which as Priest He presides. Where He is, we too may go. Let us then imitate His priestly consecration and press on in His foot- steps, for our hope is certain. We must urge each other on and not isolate ourselves, for the crisis is very near (10^'"'^). Under the Law of Moses apostasy involved terrible consequences. How much worse to reject the perfect sacrifice, to wound the personal Saviour (lO-^'*") ! Remember your former steadfastness under trial. Do not throw away your boldness. To receive the promises, all that is needed is patience. Think of the words in which Habakkuk speaks of the promise. They who shrink back forfeit God's favour. His 'right- eous ones' live by faith {W^-^% The faith he means is unshaken confidence in the certainty of God's promises, even though their realization seems far off. It was such faith as this that inspired the long roll of Jewish heroes (11). Wherever we turn in the sacred records we meet these examples of faith in the unseen, and the chief of them all is Jesus. Let us fix our eyes on Him, and, stripping off everything that encumbers, run boldly the race He has run before us (12'^-*). Be not discouraged at the prospect of suffering. Suffering sent by God is a means of discipline ; it proves that we are really His sons (12'>'^*). Seek peace and sanctification ; never give up your eternal birthright for mere present enjoyment (12"""). As the glories of the heavenly Sion eclipse the terrors of Sinai, so is our responsibility greater than that of Israel of old. Sion too has its earthquake and its fire which shatter and consume all that is unreal (12^8-2yj_ Do not forget your mutual responsibilities as brethren. God's help is sufficient for all (IS'""). Follow the example of your old leaders now de- parted (13''). Be constant in your belief, for Jesus Christ is eternally the same. Break loose from the associations which would draw you away from Him. He suffered as our atoning sacrifice outside the city gate. We must be content to bear the same reproach and take our place by His side. The only 'abiding city' is where He is. Let us then offer to God through Him the spiritual sacri- fices He loves (13^'"). Obey your rulers ; pray for us that we maj'^ be restored to you, even as we pray for you that God may make you perfect in obedi- ence and every good thing (13""^^'). Have patience with my letter of exhortation. Timothy has been released. He and I may visit you together. Greet your rulers and all the saints. 'They of Italy' send their greeting to you. ' The Grace ' be with you (1.322-28).
3. Doctrine. — (1) Conception of Christianity. — The writer of the Epistle thinks of religion as a covenant. The religion of Jesus Christ is the new eternal covenant (13^") of which the prophet spoke (8^''^), for He alone has established a perfect covenant relation between God and man. He has opened for man the way of free and unrestricted access to God. He has removed the great obstacle — sin. The symbolism of the 'old covenant' pointed to this ideal. But what was there set forth symbolically as an unrealized hope, Christ
has made actual. In Him God and man are per- fectly united ; His one sacrifice takes away sin, not in symbol but in deed ; as High Priest He is not simply the representative of the people but their irp65pofj.os (6'") — where He has entered they too may go ; and the sanctuary to which He leads them is no material 'Holy of Holies' but the eternal presence of God {9^% A covenant of this kind leaves nothing to be added. It has eternal validity, and must therefore supersede all the imperfect religions which have gone before.
(2) Christology. — The finality of the new covenant rests on the perfection of Him who is its Mediator (S^ 9i» 122*) and Surety (722). It is natural therefore that the main theme of the Epistle should be the person and work of Christ.
(rt) Christ the Eternal Son. — Christ's perfection may be expressed in one sentence — He is the Son of God (P 41^ 58 66 73-28 1029). Others have been described in the Scriptures as sons of God (cf. 1^- ^- ^* 21"), but His Sonship is difl'erent in kind from theirs. He is the Son of God, inseparable from the Father as the ray is inseparable from the light, re- vealing the essence of the Father as completely as the device engraved upon a seal is revealed by its impress on wax (dTrat^yaC/ua t^s 56^r)s Kal x^paKTr^p TTJs inrocrTaffeus airrov, 1^). As Son He is the Creator, the Sustainer, and the Heir of all things (P- S). His Sonship raises Him far above angels (P''*), above Moses (3'), and above Aaron {T^). It gives Him the right, now that His earthly task is completed, to sit enthroned at the right band of the Majesty on high (P).