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We need to start with some background to answer this question.
We do not know who wrote Hebrews but we can gain a fair amount of information about him from internal evidence. He was skilled in Greek, knew well the OT, had a knowledge of the history of redemption that culminated in Jesus, had a pastoral concern for the original readers, who knew him personally. (13:22-23) and he knows their background. (10:32-34)
We know from internal evidence that the original recipients of the epistle were Jewish Christians of the dispersion (the scattering of the Jews outside Palestine and the original readers were probably in Italy.) The temple was likely still standing and the priestly duties of sacrifice still ongoing. We must take into consideration here the long history of the Jews in this mediating role of the priests with God for the people. These Jews were familiar with one thing and were steeped in this mediation and the feasts and festivals as a way of honoring God, and of being helped by him in times of trouble.
And they were in trouble. They were being persecuted, suffering. shamed for their confession of Jesus. They were stripped of everything familiar. They were confused by the hidden character of Jesus' glory who also suffered when he was on earth. These things were tempting them to turn away from the faith. To fall into unbelief, giving up their pilgrimage to God's rest. (4:1, 2, 11; 11:10, 14-16;13:14)
With that in mind we can turn to the question of why the author of Hebrews goes into such detail concerning the priesthood.
He tells us what it was that was causing this temptation to fall away. And it is necessary to note here, that the writer did not say they did fall away, or had fallen away. It is also important to note what it was they were longing for as reassurance,---the old order of depending on and crying out to God. He addresses their temptation by reminding them of what happened in the wilderness because of unbelief, and those in unbelief never entered God's rest. And the reason these believers were tempted to look backwards to where they had come from is in Chapter 5:11-14.
About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have begun dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again, the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness for he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
They were immature. They had not grown in their knowledge of God or the things of God and Christ. Because of the things we do know about the original audience combined with the author's long and detailed explanation of the OT priesthood and comparing that to the priesthood of Christ, it suggests that they did not understand Christ's priesthood and its superiority over that of the old order they longed for. The Law defined good and evil, right and wrong. The sacrifices of intercession by the priests at least gave them comfort. Jesus they could not see.
It is also apparent from the content of the book of Hebrews, that because of their immaturity that led to confusion, there was a temptation to sin----perhaps "a go along, to get along" attitude that justified or did not recognize good from evil. Or to disassociate themselves from the gatherings of the brotherhood. The writer all along the way encourages these immature believers to stand firm in the faith. To recognize Jesus as their high priest always interceding for them with the Father.
Along with the great treasures of the doctrine of Christ's priesthood; along with all the many shadows of the old covenant brought into the light and their fulfillment in the person and work of Christ; we should also see Hebrews as a cautionary tale for the body of Christ, as individuals and from our pulpits.
We do not know who wrote Hebrews but we can gain a fair amount of information about him from internal evidence. He was skilled in Greek, knew well the OT, had a knowledge of the history of redemption that culminated in Jesus, had a pastoral concern for the original readers, who knew him personally. (13:22-23) and he knows their background. (10:32-34)
We know from internal evidence that the original recipients of the epistle were Jewish Christians of the dispersion (the scattering of the Jews outside Palestine and the original readers were probably in Italy.) The temple was likely still standing and the priestly duties of sacrifice still ongoing. We must take into consideration here the long history of the Jews in this mediating role of the priests with God for the people. These Jews were familiar with one thing and were steeped in this mediation and the feasts and festivals as a way of honoring God, and of being helped by him in times of trouble.
And they were in trouble. They were being persecuted, suffering. shamed for their confession of Jesus. They were stripped of everything familiar. They were confused by the hidden character of Jesus' glory who also suffered when he was on earth. These things were tempting them to turn away from the faith. To fall into unbelief, giving up their pilgrimage to God's rest. (4:1, 2, 11; 11:10, 14-16;13:14)
With that in mind we can turn to the question of why the author of Hebrews goes into such detail concerning the priesthood.
He tells us what it was that was causing this temptation to fall away. And it is necessary to note here, that the writer did not say they did fall away, or had fallen away. It is also important to note what it was they were longing for as reassurance,---the old order of depending on and crying out to God. He addresses their temptation by reminding them of what happened in the wilderness because of unbelief, and those in unbelief never entered God's rest. And the reason these believers were tempted to look backwards to where they had come from is in Chapter 5:11-14.
About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have begun dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again, the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness for he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
They were immature. They had not grown in their knowledge of God or the things of God and Christ. Because of the things we do know about the original audience combined with the author's long and detailed explanation of the OT priesthood and comparing that to the priesthood of Christ, it suggests that they did not understand Christ's priesthood and its superiority over that of the old order they longed for. The Law defined good and evil, right and wrong. The sacrifices of intercession by the priests at least gave them comfort. Jesus they could not see.
It is also apparent from the content of the book of Hebrews, that because of their immaturity that led to confusion, there was a temptation to sin----perhaps "a go along, to get along" attitude that justified or did not recognize good from evil. Or to disassociate themselves from the gatherings of the brotherhood. The writer all along the way encourages these immature believers to stand firm in the faith. To recognize Jesus as their high priest always interceding for them with the Father.
Along with the great treasures of the doctrine of Christ's priesthood; along with all the many shadows of the old covenant brought into the light and their fulfillment in the person and work of Christ; we should also see Hebrews as a cautionary tale for the body of Christ, as individuals and from our pulpits.
