The book of Hebrews, which we are studying at the present time, has characteristics that begin with the letter “e” that we will notice.

It is a book of evaluation. The word  better is used thirteen times, basically in contrasting the New Covenant to the Old. We have a better hope (7:19), a better covenant (7:22; 8:6), a better sacrifice (9:23), and a “better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven” (10:34). In spite of these facts, there were Jewish Christians who wanted to keep  the Old Covenant, and there are religious people today who think they are saved by keeping parts of the covenant that was given at Sinai.

It is a book of exhortation. “And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the work of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words” (13:22). The writer begins with “God has in these last days spoken to us by His Son” (1:2) and  near the end of the book said, “See that you do not refuse Him who speaks” (12:25). If justice was administered to those who violated the lesser revelation (the Old Covenant), what will happen to those who violate the greater revelation (the New Covenant)? (2:2,3). John said, “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (Jn. 1:17). This does not mean that we have no law, but that perfection is not required for salvation under the principle of grace. Grace is unmerited (unearned) favor, but is not unconditional.

It is a book of examination. The writer said, “Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them” (13:9). Scruples about what to eat have been done away in Christ (Col. 2:14-16), but we need to make sure that our hearts are established in the grace of God. We should “give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (2:1). The story is told about a conductor who began taking tickets and told the first two passengers that they were on the wrong train. They protested that this is the one they were told to board. He said that he would double-check and in a while came back and said he was on the wrong train! The writer of Hebrews admonished us to make sure we are on the right train!

It is a book of expectation. He spoke of “the world to come” (2:5), the “promise of eternal inheritance” (9:15) and the “city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (11:10). Moses “choose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward” (11:25,26). One has said, “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose!”

It is a book of exaltation. Christ is “the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person” (1:3), and His position as King, Prophet and Priest are magnified in the this book. When we give Christ first place in our hearts, He will find first place in our lives.

from the Midway Messenger, August 1, 2004