In Exegetical Study: Letter to the Hebrews Dr. David deSilva takes an in-depth look at the sermon to the Hebrews. He sets the stage for careful exegesis by providing a solid foundation of background information that probes cultural, theological, and spiritual issues throughout the sermon. He then walks through the text, which is divided thematically into eleven units, concluding each section with a summary and challenges for application. DeSilva also explores this text as a model for preaching today.
Introduction
Introduction
Introducing the Speaker and the Course
5m
“To the Hebrews” and the Art of Preaching
Always Give Them Jesus
9m
Shape the Moment with Scripture
10m
Hold Them Accountable
5m
Make It Meaty
4m
Release Their Passion for Excellence
10m
Don’t Lose Sight of Life’s Top Priority
9m
Don’t Lose Sight of What You Have in Christ: Part 1
8m
Don’t Lose Sight of What You Have in Christ: Part 2
3m
Don’t Lose Sight of What Is Due God
9m
Don’t Lose Sight of One Another
9m
Themes and Background of Hebrews
Main Themes and Challenges of Hebrews
7m
The Question of Pauline Authorship
7m
Signs of Author’s Education: Part 1
8m
Signs of Author’s Education: Part 2
5m
Author’s Cultural Location: Part 1
9m
Author’s Cultural Location: Part 2
10m
Jews, Jewish Christians, or Gentile Christians?
7m
Congregation in Italy?
5m
Social Level, Conversion, and Socialization
11m
History of Tension and Harassment
9m
Challenges to Community and Author’s Goals
8m
Author’s Pursuit of Pastoral Goals
9m
Encouraging One Another
4m
When Was Hebrews Written?
7m
Hebrews 1:1–2:4
Argumentative Flow of Hebrews 1:1–2:4
6m
Wisdom and Early Christianity
4m
Encomium on the Son: Part 1
10m
Encomium on the Son: Part 2
5m
Why Focus on Angels?
6m
The Son’s Superiority to Angels: Part 1
7m
The Son’s Superiority to Angels: Part 2
11m
Argumentative Goal and Rhetorical Force
6m
Perennial and Particular Challenges and Contributions
5m
Hebrews 2:5–18
Christological Reading of Psalm 8
10m
Why a Suffering Messiah?
6m
The Son’s Solidarity with Many Sons and Daughters
6m
Jesus’ Qualifications and Our Freedom from Fear
8m
Priestly Messiahs in Early Judaism
6m
Rhetorical Force, Challenges, and Contributions of Hebrews 2:5–18
8m
Hebrews 3:1–4:13
Christ, Moses, and the Congregation in God’s House: Part 1
11m
Christ, Moses, and the Congregation in God’s House: Part 2
6m
Reading Psalm 95:7–11 in the Septuagint
6m
Analyzing and Applying the Episode of Numbers 14
10m
Entering God’s Rest
11m
Concluding Appeal and Reinforcement
7m
Rhetorical Force, Challenges, and Contributions of Hebrews 3:1–4:13
8m
Hebrews 4:14–5:10
Core Appeal Based on Jesus’ Priestly Mediation
11m
Demonstration of Christ’s Appointment to High Priesthood
9m
Manner of Christ’s Appointment to High Priesthood
11m
Rhetorical Force, Challenges, and Contributions of Hebrews 4:14–5:10
9m
Hebrews 5:11–6:20
Argumentative Flow of Hebrews 5:11–6:20
4m
Shaming the Congregation
5m
Path to Recovery and Solemn Warning
10m
Argument from Analogy in Support of Warning
9m
Way Forward to Deliverance instead of Disaster
6m
Reasons to Move Forward with Confidence
10m
Rhetorical Force, Challenges, and Contributions of Hebrews 5:11–6:20
11m
Hebrews 7:1–8:13
Overview of Hebrews 7:1–8:13
5m
Melchizedek and the Son of God
9m
Melchizedek’s Elevation above Levi
7m
Wanted: A Priest in Melchizedek’s Line
9m
Jesus’ Mediation: More Reliable in Every Respect
11m
Voluntary Death on Behalf of Others in Early Judaism
11m
Superior Venue for Priestly Mediation: Part 1
7m
Superior Venue for Priestly Mediation: Part 2
6m
Reading and Applying Jeremiah 31:31–34
8m
Rhetorical Force, Challenges, and Contributions of Hebrews 7:1–8:13
8m
Hebrews 9:1–10:18
Argumentative Flow of Hebrews 9:1–10:18
4m
Arrangement of the Earthly Tabernacle
11m
Interpretation and Evaluation of the Earthly Tabernacle
12m
Jesus’ Death as Cosmic Day of Atonement
8m
Cosmic and Ritual Significance of Jesus’ Ascension
10m
Establishing the Need for a Better Sacrifice
9m
Reading Psalm 40:6–8 in the Septuagint
7m
Conclusion to the Central Argument
9m
Rhetorical Force, Challenges, and Contributions of Hebrews 9:1–10:18
8m
Hebrews 10:19–39
Argumentative Flow of Hebrews 10:19–39
5m
Resumption of Core Appeal Based on Jesus’ Priestly Mediation
11m
A Solemn Warning Revisited
11m
Encouragement to Persevere: Part 1
8m
Encouragement to Persevere: Part 2
6m
Rhetorical Force, Challenges, and Contributions of Hebrews 10:19–39
11m
Hebrews 11:1–12:3
Overview and Argumentative Flow of Hebrews 11:1–12:3
7m
“Faith” in Hebrews
7m
Faith Exhibited before the Flood
10m
Faith Exhibited by Abraham and Sarah
7m
Summary Statement about Faith in Action
6m
Faith Exhibited by the Patriarchs
6m
Faith Exhibited by Moses and Joshua’s Generation: Part 1
9m
Faith Exhibited by Moses and Joshua’s Generation: Part 2
5m
Faith Exhibited by Too Many to Name: Part 1
9m
Faith Exhibited by Too Many to Name: Part 2
11m
Best Example of Faith in Action: Jesus (Part 1)
9m
Best Example of Faith in Action: Jesus (Part 2)
8m
Rhetorical Force, Challenges, and Contributions of Hebrews 11:1–12:3
7m
Hebrews 12:4–29
Argumentative Flow of Hebrews 12:4–29
3m
Embracing the Situation as Formative Discipline: Part 1
8m
Embracing the Situation as Formative Discipline: Part 2
8m
Further Encouragement and an Anti-Example: Part 1
10m
Further Encouragement and an Anti-Example: Part 2
4m
Incomparable Advantages of Approaching God through Jesus
9m
Positive and Negative Incentives to Show Gratitude
9m
Rhetorical Force, Challenges, and Contributions of Hebrews 12:4–29
10m
Hebrews 13:1–25
Overview of Hebrews 13:1–25
3m
Key Behavioral and Attitudinal Orientations: Part 1
8m
Key Behavioral and Attitudinal Orientations: Part 2
5m
Finding Stability in the Midst of the Storm
8m
Proper Responses to Jesus’ Self-Giving and God’s Promises