A DEVOTION ON THE HEBREWS BENEDICTION

Hebrews 13:20-21 (ESV)
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, [21] equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

The writer of Hebrews concludes the book with this benediction. A benediction is a “good speak.” It is the pronouncement of a blessing upon the people. This benediction is in two parts. The first is a rehearsal of God’s character. The second is the requested blessing.

The writer states three things about God of whom He asks for this blessing. First, He is the God of peace. He has taken away the enmity that existed and brought into sweet fellowship with Him. Secondly, He is also a God of power. He is the God who “brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep.” The God who rose up the dead in power is the one from whom this blessing is being asked. Thirdly, He is the covenant keeping God which we see in the phrase “by the blood of the eternal covenant.” Our God does not just make promises and deals, He keeps them. He kept this covenant with His own blood shed on our behalf. So what then are the blessing requested?

The first blessing is that the saints be equipped with everything good to do His will. In order for us to “glorify God and enjoy Him forever,” we must be equipped to do just that. How often do we ask God for this same blessing upon us and His church? We ask selfishly to advance our own desires. But if we truly seek first the kingdom of God, then should not we desire to see the citizens of the Kingdom adequately supplied and prepared to answer the call? Let us begin to pray that God would truly equip us with “everything good to do his will.” The author of Hebrews also asks that God work “in us that which is pleasing in His sight.” That is the high calling of the Christian life – to be pleasing in God’s sight. In order to do that, we need God’s grace and mercy upon us in great measure. We ought to request that of God too, if that is truly our desire. And of course that He would receive the glory forever and ever. Amen.