Christians living the true life of a Hebrew

1
Crossing Over to Zion (1)

• Christians living the true life of a Hebrew

2
Introduction

• Word studies for studying the Bible are great for
  several reasons
• They serve to help a person to better
  understanding the true meaning of a word.
• A true understanding of the word usually gives a
  better and clearer insight within the context of
  a passage.
• Contextual understanding of many Old Testament
  words typically uncovers shadows of New Testament
  usage.

3
Introduction

• Such is the case for another two words well be
  looking at today (this morning and evenings
  lessons)
• Hebrew arguably derived from a literal rendering
  of crossing over.
• Zion also arguably derived from the word
  fortress.

4
Introduction

• Word studies can only take us so far in our
  relationship with God
• The words we study should inspire our faith in
  God and His holy word.
• This inspiration should motivate us to live the
  true (antitypical) life that God reveals for
  His children today. (NOTE Old Testament is the
  New Testament concealed New Testament is the Old
  Testament revealed)

5
Introduction

• In the following two lessons we shall see
• How the word Hebrew translates into our New
  Testament understanding and living.
• How the word Zion translates into our New
  Testament understanding of hope in the security
  of God and our future permanent home.

6
The Old Testament Hebrew

• Possible root meanings of the word.
• Possibly derived from (H)Eber, the ancestor of
  Abraham (descendent of Shem). Gen. 1021, 24
• Possibly from the root br which means to cross
  over (or pass over) with reference to the
  Great River (Euphrates) or the the region or
  country beyond.
• Another possibility is one derived from abhar to
  pass over with reference to a sojourner in
  contrast to one who has settled in the land.
• NOTE Look at how the word Hebrew is used
  contextually throughout the Old and New
  Testaments.

7
The Old Testament Hebrew

• History of the word.
• We see the importance of this word in light of
  Gods calling and Promise to Abraham.
• God charged Abraham to go from his country to
  another He would show Him and bless him and his
  descendents. Gen. 121-3
• True to the word, Abraham passed through (abar)
  to the land of the Canaanite. Gen. 126
• While Lot moved his tents and settled in (the
  city of) Sodom (Gen. 1310-12 Gen. 191ff)
  Abraham moved his tent to the oaks of Mamre
  are located. Gen. 1318

8
The Old Testament Hebrew

• History of the word. (cont.)
• Thus, the first time the word Hebrew is used in
  the Bible is in Genesis 1413. cp. Gen. 1318
• Abraham here is a sojourner.
• The idea of being a sojourner or foreigner
  continues to identify the Israelites by
  themselves and the natives. Gen. 3914 4015
  4332
• The word itself evolved into multiple usages
  with reference to the people as a whole and their
  language.

9
The Old Testament Hebrew

• History of the word. (cont.)
• Continuing through the History of the Hebrew
  people
• We see the descendents living as sojourners in
  Egypt. Cp. Acts 76-7
• We also see (as in the case of Abraham) the
  Hebrews crossing over (abar) from the
  wilderness into the Promised Land. Josh. 12

10
The New Testament Hebrew

• Spiritual context of the word.
• The concept of crossing over or being a Hebrew
  for Christians is clearly provided in the N.T.
  cp. Col. 113 Eph. 212, 19
• We must cross from this wilderness (world) of sin
  to receive the promise of spiritual Canaan. Gal.
  327-29 (cp. 1 Cor. 101-2)
• In this sense Christians are true Hebrews. Cp.
  Rom. 228-29

11
The New Testament Hebrew

• New Testament application in light of the word. 1
  Pet. 211
• Remember the O.T. promise God gave Abraham? While
  he lived with the promise he sojourned by faith
  in Canaan awaiting the heavenly country. Heb.
  118-10

12
The New Testament Hebrew

• Finally, note the transition from living for the
  physical promise to a spiritual promise. Heb.
  1113-16
• Abraham sojourned no longer for the physical
  land, but the spiritual land. Gen. 1512-15
• Likewise the Jews did the same once having
  entered Canaan. Josh. 224
• The same can be said for Christians who reside
  as aliens in this world, looking for the same
  heavenly country. 1 Pet. 11

13
Conclusion

• Regardless of not knowing the exact origin of the
  word Hebrew there is no mistake in seeing the
  shadowy use of the word in the O.T. and seeing
  the true spiritual use in the N.T.
• It is the application of this word that must
  provoke Christians to live as sojourners who
  strive to look forward to the true Promise Land
  the spiritual city of Zion.