The King James Version of Hebrews is tricky so I’ve been
looking at it alongside Eugene Peterson’s The Message (using the wonderful
facility on www.biblegateway.com) and
searching for key directional words as guideposts. For instance I found the
word BUT was a key word in Hebrews chapter 2.
Hebrews 2: 8 (KJV) pronounces: “Thou hast
put all things in subjection under his feet….But now we see not yet all
things put under him.” This is puzzling at first glance, however if we consider
the use of “absolute” and “relative” statements, it becomes a little clearer.
Thus it could be paraphrased: “The fact is that everything is under God’s
control (absolute statement)…But it doesn’t always appear that way
(conditional statement).”
The writer then responds with what we DO
see – and here is the main thrust of his/her message: Hebrew 2: 9 (KJV) “But
we see Jesus…” (emphasis added).
The author is building a case for the role
of Jesus as: “a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining
to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people” (verse 17).
Chapter Three uses an analogy of a house
and the house builder. Verse 4: “For every house is builded by some man; but he
that built all things is God.” Furthermore, the Son is in charge, and WE are
the house. We’d better believe it! Keep listening up here for more good news.
I like the sense of teamwork in verse 13: “But
exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be
hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” which is rendered “For as long as
it’s still God’s Today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn’t slow down
your reflexes” in The Message. We can help each other.
Julie Swannnell
No comments:
Post a Comment