Pure Milk

Judaism key belief in one God, who revealed Himself to Abraham, Moses and the Hebrew prophets.

To me, knowing who the audience is to the author, is extremely important to understanding the Book of Hebrews, and for our message today, as well. Since his audience were Jewish converts, his message needed to be relatable to them.

The author teaches these “greater thans”:

Jesus is greater than:

the prophets 1:1-3

the angels 1:4-14, 2:5

Moses 3:1-6

Joshua chapter 4:6-11

Aaronic high priests 5:1-10, 7:26-8:2

Levitical priests 6:20-7:25

Jesus as the high priest in the order of Melchizedek is greater than Abraham 7:1-10

greater than the tabernacle ministry 8:3-6, 9:1-28

new covenant is greater than the old covenant 8:7-13

Jesus’ sacrifice is greater than OT sacrifices 10:1-14

Jews in the 1st century were tempted to fall back into Judaism because of uncertainty, the security of custom, and the fear of persecution.

In Hebrews, we see where all the threads of the OT are being pulled together in a conclusion, as well as an appeal from the author.

Now, let’s look at Peter’s 1st Epistle.

Author: The apostle Peter

Date: early sixties A.D. (so Hebrews and 1st Peter were written in the era.

Audience: Mostly gentiles, who were suffering rejection in the world, because of their obedience to Christ.

I believe we can easily relate to these two audiences.

At least from a fear of persecution, and being rejected by the world because we are followers of Christ.

This examination caused me to think:

If we are still being nourished by milk, instead of solid food, we might not be much of a threat to the enemy.

So now the stage is set, so to speak, for today’s word.

Dull of hearing

Stand with me as we honor God while reading His word.

Hebrews 5:11–14 “of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

If you recall the “greater thans” just mentioned, 6 of the 10 had been revealed in the first 5 chapters, up to v10.

prophets, angels, Moses, Joshua, and Aaronic high priests.

Then, in verse 11, the author kind of interrupts himself and sort of goes into a rant.

Listen again to:

Hebrews 5:11–14 “of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Up until this point, he is kind of laying out the law then says “dang y’all, you should be knowing this by now”. “We’re burning daylight, but going over this again”.

Dull of hearing- one version I read was “dull and sluggish”. The Greek transliteration of that phrase is not very becoming to say the least.

Illustration: Reminded me of a scene in the movie “Fools Rush In”. The character played by Matthew Perry is in a passionate discussion, and his wife, blurts out something in Spanish. He doesn’t understand and asks her to speak that in English. She does, and he replies “it sounded so much prettier in Spanish”.

This transliteration from Greek to English, sounds so much prettier in English!

But he is urgently trying to get their attention, so direct, harsh words are needed.

After studying this passage, I began to consider,

Who are we to teach? And then I recalled that survey of British children and adults of the meaning of Christmas. Y’all remember that from a few weeks back?

So, who are we to teach?

The children.

Deuteronomy 6:5–7 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”