SEE THE BIBLE THROUGH
JEWISH EYES
As he concludes his letter, the writer of
Hebrews delves once again into contrasting
elements of traditional Judaism with faith
in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus). The
Believers in Messiah viewed the
form of praise, as seen in Hebrews
“Through Him then, let us
praise to God.”
are described as verbal praise,
“the fruit of lips that give thanks,”
and as doing good to others. One
cannot help but think of Jesus’
exhortation as recorded in the
synoptic gospels, “You shall love
all your mind; and your neighbor
as yourself”
writer of Hebrews adds that “
God is pleased”
Next, the writer exhorts these Hebrew believers
to “obey your leaders and submit to them”
The leaders he has in mind are their community
leaders, those responsible for spiritual oversight.
they ought to obey and submit to their leaders.
First, the leaders
The responsibility of spiritual oversight is a heavy
burden that can be overwhelming sometimes.
Second, the leaders When
all believers stand before the judgment seat of
Messiah, these spiritual leaders will have to give an
Third, the leaders hope to lead
without disobedient congregants making it even
harder. Spiritual oversight in this situation is done
judgment seat of Messiah and give an account of
how we treat our spiritual leaders. If we cause them
good for all of us to ask ourselves if we cause our
spiritual leaders joy or grief as they lead us.
6 The Chosen People | MAY 2020
BIBLE STUDY WITH DR. RICH FREEMAN
of those previously discussed spiritual leaders,
confesses to coveting the prayers of his brothers
and sisters in the faith. He faced
the same struggles as his readers,
the same persecutions and
he was part of those “desiring to
conduct ourselves honorably in
all things”
writer of Hebrews is not named
known to his readers as he says,
“And I urge you all the more to do
this, so that I may be restored to
as though the writer is a prisoner
urging his readers to pray
fervently for his release.
seems to gather together all the
major themes of Hebrews.
up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep
through the blood of the eternal covenant, even
The writer
what is going on in their lives, these struggling
believers can have their needs met through the
equipping work of Jesus the Messiah, the God of
peace.
Finally, he writes that his readers need to “bear
written throughout the letter about the superiority
of faith in Yeshua the Messiah over the traditional
His closing encourages them with
the news that Timothy has been released and if he
arrives soon, they will all be together.
sends greetings from Italy. So, who is the writer of
Hebrews? Various scholars have suggested either
we can do is speculate.
Dr. Rich Freeman,
D. Min., serves as the
Vice President for
Church Ministries and
Conferences with Chosen
People Ministries and
lives in South Florida
with his wife, Julia.
HEBREWS 13:16-21 NASB
16 And do not neglect doing good and
sharing, for with such sacrifices God
is pleased. 17 Obey your leaders and
submit to them, for they keep watch
over your souls as those who will give
an account. Let them do this with joy
and not with grief, for this would be
unprofitable for you. … 20 Now the God
of peace, who brought up from the dead
the great Shepherd of the sheep through
the blood of the eternal covenant, even
Jesus our Lord, 21 equip you in every
good thing to do His will, working in
us that which is pleasing in His sight,
through Jesus Christ, to whom be the
glory forever and ever. Amen.