Today we finish up the last chapter of Hebrews starting at verse 15. We've been told that there are no more blood sacrifices because Jesus was the last most perfect sacrifice. But wait. What is this? The author is now telling his readers there are sacrifices they need to make: "a sacrifice of praise-- the fruit of lips that confess his name, doing good, and sharing with others." God likes those sacrifices. Notice that praising god comes first in that list and "doing good" is not defined. The only useful specific thing god seems to want is sharing with others.
There is more. The author tells the readers to obey their leaders and "submit to their authority." This is the classic definition of authoritarianism. Why must they obey? So that the leader's work "will be a joy and not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you." Do you see the implied threat? It's all about the leaders.
The letter ends with a paulinesque wrap up. The author asks for prayers for a clear conscience and desire to live honorably. This makes hims sound good. He also asks them to pray for him to be restored to the readers soon. Remember we have no idea who the author is or who this supposed letter is written to. How do we know if they wanted him back?
Next the author says a kind of prayer for the reader, which is actually a doctrinal statement and sermon in disguise. "May the god of peace , who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen." Whew!
You would think that's where the letter should end, but it does not. This next part actually looks like something tacked on later. The writer tells the reader to bear with his word of exhortation, after all it's only a short letter. Actually, it's quite long for a letter. Consider that all that makes up the thirteen chapters we have read was written out by hand on papyrus or some other such handmade paper. The text alone takes up about eleven whole pages of my standard sized bible with relatively small typeface.
Verse 23 tells the reader "Timothy has been released" from some unknown place, presumably having been imprisoned. The author, however, dies not appear to be imprisoned because he says, if Timothy comes to him soon, they will both travel to see the readers, wherever they are. This sentence looks like name dropping to me, in an attempt to influence the reader's belief that the letter was written by Paul.
Last, the unknown readers are told to greet their unknown leaders and all god's people. Wouldn't the leaders be the ones to receive this letter? Considering the contents of this "letter," all god's people must be Jews in exile somewhere. Then we read that "those in Italy send you their greetings. Grace be with you all." Again, unknown people, in an undisclosed location in Italy, send their greetings. It looks like another attempt to tie this writing to Paul.
Well that's the end of the book of Hebrews. Next time we do a wrap up. Till then.
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