Notes on the Epistle to the Hebrews With a Focus on Chapter 9: Part 4

[This is the fourth section of  a paper I wrote for the Great Plains Pastors' Conference (of Circuits 7, 8, & 9) which is titled Notes on Reading the Letter to the Hebrews With a Focus on Chapter 9. It was delivered at Bethany Lutheran College on Wednesday, May 25th
 τὸν τῆς πίστεως ἀρχηγὸν καὶ τελειωτὴν Ἰησοῦν]

A Contextually Sensitive Outline of Hebrews

The thesis in the opening passage of the Epistle enables us to see how the Letter's very structure is an expansion on and demonstration of the thesis.
[contrast the NIV Study Bible outline attached as Appendix I in the printed edition. Available Here from Biblestudytools.com.]

 

I. Introduction and Thesis: The Stated Purpose of the Letter to the Hebrews

Πολυμερῶς καὶ πολυτρόπως πάλαι ὁ θεὸς λαλήσας τοῖς πατράσιν ἐν τοῖς προφήταις
At various times and in various ways long ago God spoke to the fathers by mans of the prophets,
ἐπ’ ἐσχάτου τῶν ἡμερῶν τούτων ἐλάλησεν ἡμῖν ἐν υἱῷ
in these last days He has spoken to us by means of the Son...

God Speaks Himself To Us In the Person And Work Of Jesus Christ.
   Who Jesus Is
    He Is the True God 1:2-14
    He Is True Man 2:5-18
        For the purpose of substitutionary suffering 2:9-13
        For the purpose of destroying death and the devil 2:14-15
        For the purpose of being our true High Priest and Substitute 2:16-18

II. The Various Times and Ways in Which He Revealed Himself In the Past

Πολυμερῶς καὶ πολυτρόπως πάλαι ὁ θεὸς λαλήσας τοῖς πατράσιν ἐν τοῖς προφήταις
At various times and in various ways long ago God spoke to the fathers by mans of the prophets

He spoke through the Prophets in Various Ways: Son as Apostle and High Priest 3:1-9:28
    Through Moses' life and work: patterned on the Son so we could hear Him 3:2-6
    Through the Sabbath/Promised Land: patterned on the Son so we could hear Him 3:7-4:13
    Through the office of High Priest: patterned on the Son so we could hear Him 4:14-5:4
    Through the person of Melchizedek: patterned on the Son so we could recognize Him 5:5-11
     Hearkening to The Promise: 5:12-7:10
        The basics of the Promise of the Coming of Son 5:12-6:3
        Abandoning the Promise 6:4-8
     Hearkening to the Promise looking forward to the Son's Incarnation 6:9-12
        The Promise to Abraham is prior to the First Covenant 6:13-7:10
           foundational for recognizing the Christ 6:13-19
        Melchizedek and Abraham 6:13-7:10
          Levi and the Priesthood of the First Covenant 7:5-10
              derived from Melchizedek and Abraham
              patterned after Melchizedek and Abraham
              points to the same Promise as Melchizedek and Abraham

III. The Focal Point: The Son At The Center of Old and New

Melchizedek-First Covenant High Priest-the Incarnate Son 7:11-10:18
     Hearkening to the First Covenant:
         Incomplete Nature Due to Imperfection of Earthly Priest 7:11-19
         Imperfect Priesthood: Perfection in Christ 7:20-28
     Hearkening to the Fulfillment:
         Hearkening to the Things in Heaven of Which the Earthly Are Copies 8:1-6
         Hearkening to the Promise of a New Covenant 8:7-13
         Hearkening to the Ordinances of the Earthly Sanctuary 9:1-5
         Hearkening to the Day of Atonement 9:6-10
         Hearkening to the Son's Fulfillment 9:11-14
         Hearkening to the Death Of the Mediator 9:15-17
         Hearkening to the Blood Of the Covenants 9:18-23
         Hearkening to the Power of Christ's Blood 9:24-28

IV. How He Is Now Speaking To Us Through The Son

ἐπ’ ἐσχάτου τῶν ἡμερῶν τούτων ἐλάλησεν ἡμῖν ἐν υἱῷ
in these last days He has spoken to us by means of the Son... 

Through the Incarnate Son and the Second Covenant 10:19-13:17
     Hearkening to the Promise 10:19-25
         The basics of the Promise 10:19-25
          Abandoning the Promise 10:26-31
          Hearkening to the Promise in the Accomplishment of Christ 10:32-39
          Faith in the Promise
     Hearkening to the Examples of Those Who Believed the Promises 11
     Hearkening to Christ's Example in Times of Trial 12:1-17
          Hearkening to Both Law and Gospel 12:18-29
     Hearkening to Christ in Serving Others 13:1-17
Closing, Benediction, and Greetings 13:18-25