Daily Devotions
Hebrews
"A testament is in force after men are dead..."
Text: Hebrews 9:17
A POWERFUL ANALOGY
What a powerful analogy the author of Hebrews employed! Let us ponder further his use of this legal analogy.
“For a testament is in force after men are dead,
Since it has no power at all while the testator lives.”
Hebrews 9:17
1. A legal analogy
a) This was chosen to help readers of Hebrews to understand and appreciate the significance of Christ’s death.
b) This analogy is not the only one that may be used to explain the significance of the death of Christ.
2. Standpoint of human law
a) The obvious reference would be the Roman legal system.
b) The Roman legal system was used throughout its empire.
c) This analogy would be easily understood by the readers in the first century when Rome ruled the world.
3. The legal power of the testament
a) The last will and testament of a testator has no power as long as the testator is alive.
b) As long as the testator is alive he can do a number of things:-
i) He can rewrite the terms of his last will and testament.
ii) He can change the contents of his will and testament.
iii) He can exercise full control of all He possessed and owned.
iv) Thus the last will and testament cannot be effected till the death of the testator.
DEEP APPRECIATION
The author of Hebrews was not implying that one should wish for Jesus to die so that the eternal inheritance may be obtained! He was seeking to help his readers to understand and appreciate the significance of the death of Christ Jesus!