Hebrews 5

This week we will take a little adventure into the desert. We are going exploring the world of some of the Old Testament men and women and rituals that are referred to in Hebrews. My hope is this improves our context for understanding some really powerful teachings in Hebrews.

First we will look at important characters in the OT reintroduced in the coming chapters of Hebrews. As you look at these scriptures look for the answers to the following questions.

Abraham Gen 12:1-5,21:1-7,22:1-19

Sarah Gen 181-16, 21:1-7

Who is the son of God's promise?

How does Abraham show is faith in God?

What makes Abraham righteous?

Isaac Gen 24:62-66  25:19-34 What is birth right and why is it important?

Jacob 35:23-29 46:8-27 List the sons of Jacob. How many are there and why are they important names?

Joseph Gen 38 and 50:22-26 Where does Joseph end up living and why is that important to the next part of the story?

Key things to understand: the line of descendants from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the origin of 12 tribes of Israel and why they were in Egypt for Moses to set free.

Second we need to understand a bit about the Levitical priesthood

Aaron Ex 17:1-11   Numbers 3:1-10 and ver 38

See how Aaron is be chosen by God and how that is affirmed.

Consecrating the priesthood Numbers 9:1-24, 10:1-3 and 8-11

Did every priest appointed by God get to keep his job? Example

What is the required payment for sin? (blood) Gen. 3:21-24 and Gen 15:1-21 and Gen 17:1-10 and all the blood you already read about. How did Aaron become a priest? How are other priests chosen?

Leviticus 16:2-34 Day of Atonement. Notice how much blood is shed. How many types of animals die? Whose sins are they sacrificed for? Who carries out the procedures?

Key point is to understand the difficulty of being a human high priest and that they must be cleansed and sacrificed for before they can sacrifice for others. And that the sacrifices must continue to be made daily, at holidays and big ones annually.

Thirdly we take a look at the Tabernacle

Exodus 25 List the furnishings in each section. What are they made of? Why choose these materials? (because they were the Louis Vitton of the day :) )

Exodus 26 The Tab, Do you remember where they got all this treasure? Ex 12:31-37

Ex 27:1-8 Bronze Altar

Ex 30:1-10 Altar of incense

Find or draw a picture of the tent and the court yard and where the furniture goes.

Key points: to get an idea what it looked like, how valuable it was and who provided the treasure, talents to build and the blue prints.

Hope you enjoyed this trip to the desert. It will help w the context of Hebrews to come. Have a good week! love h