One of the aims of the writer
to the Hebrews is to show that God is the God of both Old and
New Covenants. Under the old covenant He spoke in (or by)
the prophets, and under the new covenant He speaks by
(or in) the (his) Son.
One thing we must be aware of is that the writer doesn’t
use the Old Testament to prove his arguments or to supply some
illustrations, but because it is on the authority of the Old
Testament that the validity of his narrative depends. The Old
Testament to him is a revelation of God’s purposes for
the human race. In its records God spoke to the fathers by
the prophets at many times in many ways, and all these fragmented,
varied revelations become welded together and fitted into a perfect
unity in Jesus Christ.
However the Old Testament is more than just a record of the
past sayings of God.
In it the voice of God can still be heard, speaking to men
and women of every age., and judging both our thoughts and actions.
As the author of this letter to Hebrews says The word of
God is living and active sharper than a two edged sword piercing
even to dividing soul and spirit . . . . it judges the thoughts
and intentions of the heart 4:12.
The manner in which the writer introduces several quotations from
the Old Testament makes it clear that he had a high view of its
inspiration, and a deep sense of its permanent abiding message.
|
