Looking through the Kaleidoscope: Hebrews’ Use of Old Testament Narratives in the Light of Jesus’ Ascension and Awaited Return
Hebrews’ engagement with the Old Testament is among the most exciting and creative in the New Testament. It creates a kaleidoscope of Biblical texts so that their interaction draws out the author’s fundamental convictions about Jesus. The resulting images bring out new theological insights about Jesus and the congregation.
We will explore three Old Testament figures mentioned in Hebrews—the high priest, Moses, and Joshua.
All three of these figures left God’s people to do important work for them, before returning. This return of the absent figure forms a significant, part of Hebrews’ argument. Thus joined together they illuminate who Jesus is. They also show what the ascended Christ is doing for us now and how we should understand our own identity and situation as we await his return.
