Hebrews Chapter Eight Verses 1-6

HEBREWS CHAPTER EIGHT VS 1-6 (USING KING JAMES STUDY TEXT, STUDY BOOK WILL REFERENCE A DIFFERENT VERSION FOR READING)

Heb 8:1  Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 

Heb 8:2  A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. 

Heb 8:3  For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. 

Heb 8:4  For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: 

Heb 8:5  Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. 

Heb 8:6  But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 

Main Point: “We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens”

1.   What is the purpose of the writer’s Quotation of Exodus 25:40, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain”? It is finishing the thought “For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:” Jesus is not subject to serve as one beholding to the law since he surpasses that qualification. Earthly priests serve in a copy, or shadow of the real deal….Jesus is the real deal.  

2.   What are the things listed in this text that makes Christ a better High Priest? At the right hand of God, the true “tabernacle” built by God, He is the pattern, His mediation (inherited by relational right), “better promises”

3.   In what way do we have a better covenant and better promises? In this and previous texts, this covenant is eternal (the order of Melchizedek). It is not a stop gap measure for a soul to deal with separation from God. It is direct access, based on belief and the evidence of that belief (trust).

ADDITIONAL:

1) Majesty – 3172 megalōsunē meg-al-o-soo'-nay

From G3173; greatness, that is, (figuratively) divinity (often God himself): - majesty. – 3173 literally means BIG

2) Minister – 3011 - From a derivative of G2992 and G2041; a public servant, that is, a functionary in the Temple or Gospel – “people toil”

This should spark our understanding as to what Jesus has always intended to be for us and for us to be toward God and each other. Although by full rights He is with God serving in His house, Jesus serves and works for mankind in God’s house. It is this paradigm that even non-believers agree serves the world at large much better than any system  ever conceived….because it sets the example of (humble) service …. Selfless giving.

In verse three the writer says “wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.”  - Why doesn’t the writer contrast what Jesus offers to “gifts and sacrifices”?  He does not appear to say WHAT Jesus offers. He alludes to it, but because it is such a big concept, he will need to finish it in the coming chapters. It’s almost like he puts a place holder on the start of the thought, but needs to make other important thoughts before finalizing the argument(s).

6) Mediator –3316 - From G3319; a go between, (3319 means “middle”)

   Covenant – 1242 - From G1303; properly a disposition, that is, (specifically) a contract

   Established -3549   From G3550; to legislate,

Why all this legal talk? Is God’s covenant based on law?