Bible Commentaries

The writer now deals with the subject of the better worship. In this connection he again quotes from the prophecy of Jeremiah in order to emphasize the prediction of the new covenant concerning the forgiveness of sins. Through this offering and sacrifice of Christ, the worshipers are brought into a relationship with God in which there is no more consciousness of sin, but, instead, a delight to do God's will, and so is fulfilled the second part of Jeremiah's prediction.,

The provision made in Christ lays a new responsibility on those who understand it. The veil has been rent, and a way has been made into the Holiest of all. Those who enter through this rent veil may do so boldly. That responsibility is described as threefold, "Let us draw near," "Let us hold fast," "Let us consider one another."

A solemn warning dealing with the sin of possible apostasy follows. Those guilty of such sin have "trodden under foot the Son of God . . . counted the blood . . . an unholy thing . . . done despite unto the spirit of grace." If this great way of salvation, this mightiest sacrifice of all is refused, no other sacrifice remains. The work of Jesus is God's uttermost possible for the salvation of man. If this be rejected, by such rejection man deliberately chooses for himself the only possible alternative, which is the vengeance of God. Concerning that the writer says, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

The warning ends with words full of hope. They had endured, taking joyfully the spoiling of their possessions, and are urged not to cast away their boldness. Faith was the abiding condition of the old economy, and so it is also of the new.