This section immediately follows what we saw in chapter 3: The author has just described how Moses led the people through the wilderness, and because of the people’s unbelief they were not able to enter into the promised land. This was described as “entering God’s rest”. Now, the author connects that to a different concept…
Our Confidence and A Warning
The House that God Built Hebrews 3:1-6 And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s messenger and High Priest. For he was faithful to God, who appointed him, just as Moses served faithfully when…
The King Who Saves
Don’t Drift Away! Hebrews 2:1-4 So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. So what makes us think we can…
Greater than the Angels
Jesus Is God’s Son Hebrews 1:1-4 Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son…
Hebrews: An Introduction
Welcome to our study of the New Testament book of Hebrews! If you’re a relatively new believer, you may not be very familiar with this book. And even if you’re a seasoned Christian that has a solid grounding in Scripture, there’s a good likelihood that you may not have spent much time with Hebrews or…
Victory!
The Jewish Victory Esther 9:1-19 So on March 7 the two decrees of the king were put into effect. On that day, the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but quite the opposite happened. It was the Jews who overpowered their enemies. The Jews gathered in their cities throughout all the king’s…
Relief for the Jewish People
Reconnect from last time: Esther 8:1-2 On that same day King Xerxes gave the property of Haman, the enemy of the Jews, to Queen Esther. Then Mordecai was brought before the king, for Esther had told the king how they were related. The king took off his signet ring—which he had taken back from Haman—and…
Haman’s Just Deserts
Haman’s Plot Exposed Esther 7:1-7a So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet. On this second occasion, while they were drinking wine, the king again said to Esther, “Tell me what you want, Queen Esther. What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!” Queen…
Haman Humiliated
Sleepless in Susa Esther 6:1-3 That night the king had trouble sleeping, so he ordered an attendant to bring the book of the history of his reign so it could be read to him. In those records he discovered an account of how Mordecai had exposed the plot of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the…
Esther 5: Prudence and Pride
Approaching the King Esther 5:1-8 On the third day of the fast, Esther put on her royal robes and entered the inner court of the palace, just across from the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne, facing the entrance. When he saw Queen Esther standing there in the inner court, he…