Hebrews' Benediction

What is a benediction? A request for divine blessing.

Numbers 6:24–26 NIV

“ ‘ “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ’

after giving exhortations, and strong warnings

Heb 6 (close to being burned), Heb 10 (trampling the son of God underfoot and what will they get, Heb 12 (discipline, holiness of God who is a consuming fire), Heb 13 (exhortations)

Hebrews 13:20–25 NIV

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly. I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you. Greet all your leaders and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy send you their greetings. Grace be with you all.

Hebrews 13:20 NIV

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,

God of peace

Peace - They had been in turmoil over what to do, how to live as Christians, the pressures to join in with the rest of the community

They had known the weight of their sin, the intentional sins for which there was no sacrifice

They had known the estrangement from God in that they could not approach him.

They had known the unease of mind due to guilty conscious

Elijah - wind, earthquake, fire, still small voice

David - Psalm 42:5 “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead...

Because the price was fully paid, Jesus was resurrected. There was no more payment, no more death to be paid. God’s justice was satisfied.

Hebrews 8:10–12 NIV

This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

Hebrews 10:16–18 NIV

“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.” And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

our Lord Jesus

We have seen Jesus as many things through Hebrews...

Heb 1.2 Son, heir, creator, radiance of God’s glory, exact representation, sustainer, provider of purification

Superior to angels

pioneer of salvation, humbled, suffered

superior to moses

high priest, who can deal gently with our sins

Hebrews 1:8 NIV

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.

He is Lord

Great Shepherd of the sheep

Psalm 23 NIV

A psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Isaiah 40:11 NIV

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

Ezekiel 34:23 NIV

I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd.

John 10:11 NIV

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

1 Peter 2:25 NIV

For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1 Peter 5:4 NIV

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Hebrews 13:21 NIV

equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

May God equip you

equip - mend, repair, complete, restore

with everything good

for doing his will

Hebrews 5:14 “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” God gives us the nourishment of his word to mature and train us to distinguish good from evil

May God work in us

what is pleasing to him

through Jesus Christ,

Sustainer - carrying things to their appointed end

who is able to help us when we are tempted, heb 2.18

To Him Be Glory for ever and ever!

Heb 13.22

Hebrews 13:22 NIV

Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly.

bear with my word of exhortation - hear it, hold to it

unlike others 2 Timothy 4:3 “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”

Pay most careful attention to what you have heard, don’t drift away Hebrews 2:1 “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.”

Fix thoughts on Jesus

Make sure no one has sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the Living God, rather encourage one another

Persevere

Faith

run the race fixing your eyes on Jesus

Consider Jesus to not grow weary and lose heart

Endure discipline

Live in peace and be holy

Be pure

Be thankful and worship in reverence and awe

Keep loving on another

Be hospitable

Honor marriage and keep pure

Be content

Remember and imitate your leaders

Bear the disgrace of Christ

Offer a sacrifice of praise

Have confidence and submit to leaders

Pray

Hebrews 13:23–24 NIV

I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you. Greet all your leaders and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy send you their greetings.

Hebrews 13:25 NIV

Grace be with you all.

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”