Hebrew’s Letter: Application, Silence
The Hebrew’s letter provides a great deal of information from which present day Christians can learn. Prior to pondering a few thoughts from this book, consider some of its finer points. The book has no declared author, Paul is often suggested, though I would lean to the side of Peter. Other scholars would put forth different guesses. Its audience appears to be the Jewish Christian. Furthermore, it is a common belief that the book was written to those in and around Jerusalem. The time frame is believed to be prior to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD with some suggesting the writing perhaps during the pause in the siege when Vespasian heads back to Rome following the death of Nero. There is a lot of speculation about specifics in what has been written so far, because there are a great number of specific points about the letter we just do not know. 
What is known about the Hebrew’s letter is that it has a tone of urgency in convicting its readers that the covenant under Christ was better in all respects in comparison to the Law of Moses. Additionally, the audience of this book is not the reader 2000 years later. Yes, the contents can be learned from and applied generally in numerous ways and there are eternal principles which are to still be followed today, however, Hebrews was written to a specific group who lived in the first century encouraging them regarding the pressure they were enduring during their time of distress. Therefore, it is wise to always keep in mind the audience, timing of the letter, use of language, and context before trying to make personal application to Christians today. Having laid these thoughts before the reader, the objective in this article is to draw an eternal principle out of Hebrews 7 and consider its impact on the function of the Church today.
Beginning in the latter part of Hebrews 4, it is put forth that Jesus, the son of God, is the High Priest of those faithful to God. The purpose of a high priest is that they are to act as an intermediary between man and God provide gifts and offerings to God. Jesus was made high priest being appointed by God because of the suffering He endured and the obedience He demonstrated being hung upon the cross. In this role, he became the source of eternal salvation to all that obey Him (Hebrews 5). The writer of Hebrews had concern about the state of mind of the Jewish Christian. He was in the process of sharing words of great importance to the salvation of his readers, but he knew they had become dull of hearing. After expressing this sentiment, the writer forges on encouraging them in regard to the earnestness of their Christian walk, their imitation of the pattern of the faithful of God, and their faith in the promises of God. He then continues with the consideration of Jesus as High Priest.
The High Priest’s of Israel had always served upon the earth, in the tabernacle and temple. They were appointed to this service by God, during the time in which the people of God were under the Law of Moses. The care of the tabernacle/temple and its service was given only to those descended from the tribe of Levi as God commanded (Numbers 1, 3, 8, 18, etc.). Everyone of Israel knew this truth. Yet, Jesus was of the tribe of Judah and He was in heaven. If any Israelite had been asked, can someone from the tribe of Judah become high priest? The answer would have been “No!”. There would have been no hesitation at all. God’s command was clear. God never said, “Thou shall not allow anyone from Judah to be high priest.” He didn’t have to do so. In regard to such a statement, He was silent. The command had already been given in regard to what God had wanted. The Hebrew writer points out this issue of Jesus’ lineage in Hebrews 7:14. So how is this possible? The only way that Jesus becomes high priest, is by the Law of Moses being replaced by the new covenant in Jesus. Indeed, this was done because of the weakness of the Old Law in that it required continual remembrance of sin through perpetual offerings and sacrifices. The Hebrew’s letter exposes this truth and presents Jesus as a high priest who through a one time sacrifice for mankind, established a perfect covenant, a better one, and then took his seat at the right hand of the Father.
Today’s Christian never lived under the law of Moses. We were never subject to having to live under a system of continual sacrifices for our sin at the hand of a succession of high priests. That scenario cannot be replicated, and it highlights the futility of trying to make ourselves the audience of the book of Hebrews. An eternal principle that can be applied to Christians today is that of Biblical silence. When God gives a command, it is understood, he does not have to give a “thou shalt not” for everything he did not command. Here are a number of examples of that principle which the Church can observe today by God’s command:
- Singing of psalms, hymns, spiritual songs – not playing instruments, singing patriotic songs, or singing secular songs
- Unleavened bread and fruit of the vine – not leavened bread, kool-aid, cheese, meat, buffet.
- Man and woman joined together – not man and man or woman and woman.
- Proclamation of the Word – not drama, acting, theatre, puppets.
- Reverence in Worship – not entertainment, festivity, self-indulgence
- Male Leadership of the Church – not female
The principle of God giving a command and not having to say “thou shalt not” is seen throughout scripture. This principle of “silence” is something the Israelites understood and it is something that Christians need to understand today. The Hebrew writer utilized this principle in explaining the fact that the Law of Moses was not something the people should try to return to following. A new covenant had been established with a better High Priest. While the letter is to a specific people, at a specific time, for a specific reason, it does not stop the reader from being able to learn and grow and observe eternal principles which are timeless. Apply what is given to apply, observe what is given for learning, and keep everything in the context it belongs.