Useful Bible Studies > Hebrews Commentary > chapter 13
The author of the Book of Hebrews urged his readers to study his book carefully and patiently. That is always good advice when we study the Bible. It is God’s word, and we have much to learn from it.
Earlier, the author complained that his readers became tired too soon (Hebrews 5:11). They considered his messages difficult to understand, and they wanted to hear simpler messages. But the author taught these subjects because his readers needed to learn these things. This was what God wanted him to teach. So these subjects really were important.
It is always important for us to know what God is saying to us. In fact, it is essential. Nothing can ever be more important than God’s words to us. And we will always find God’s words to us in the Bible.
So, the Book of Hebrews explains the earlier books in the Bible very carefully. But it does that briefly. The author’s explanations could have been much longer. He did not have the time to explain everything that he wanted to say (Hebrews 9:5; Hebrews 11:32).
If we want a relationship with God, then the instructions are simple. We should confess our evil deeds to God, and we should invite him into our lives. We should start to trust him, and we should allow him to change our lives. He will accept us because Christ died for us.
That is wonderful, but it is just the start of our relationship with God. He wants our relationship with him to develop and to become mature (Hebrews 6:1). He wants us to know a hope that is certain (Hebrews 6:19). He wants us to be strong when we suffer troubles (Hebrews 10:36).
For all these reasons, the author urges us to have the closest possible relationship with God (Hebrews 10:19-23). That is the kind of relationship that God wants us to have with him. Jesus died to make that possible. God has given us his word, the Bible, so that we can know him better. It is a good and wise thing to study the Bible (Acts 17:11). The Bible teaches us, and it gives us hope (Romans 15:4). It benefits us, and it shows us our errors (2 Timothy 3:16). It is God’s good news that changes our lives (1 Peter 1:23-25). Its words come from God himself (2 Peter 1:20-21).
So we should read the Bible patiently. And we should study it carefully.
Next part: Love and the first Christians (Hebrews 13:23)
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© 2014, Keith Simons.