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Chapter 13 is very different from all the previous chapters. The author is finishing up his letter and in a stream of consciousness sequence starts mentioning one thing after another that he wants his readers to remember. These include quick comments about love, hospitality, entertaining angels, prison ministry, marriage, sex, money, contentment, mentoring, false teaching, worship, sharing with others, obedience, leadership, and prayer.
There are two things that stand out to me besides all these one-liners. One is what I consider a funny comment and I wonder if the author said it tongue in cheek. Verse 22 says, “I appeal to you brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly.” Briefly? Really? This is one of the longest epistles in the New Testament.
And secondly, I love the benediction in verses 20-21:
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, 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.
If you are looking for a way to spice up the way that you pray for others just pay attention to the benedictions in the epistles. Here are some that I really enjoy: Romans 15:13, Ephesians 3:20-21, 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, Jude 24-25.
And now as we conclude our pondering of Hebrews I will pray a benedictory blessing over you:
May the God of all joy, who has torn away the veil that kept us from drawing near to Him, fuel you each day with a delight for His life-giving Word and give you a persevering hope as we endure the troubles of this world and eagerly await a kingdom that cannot be shaken.