Let’s read through the book of Hebrews one verse at a time in 2023. Every day explore a single verse and its cross references. AI-generated text draws the passages together. RSS feed.
and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
These cross references all relate to the idea of being judged by God and being made perfect in His sight. Exodus 4:22 and James 1:18 both emphasize the idea of being chosen by God as His firstborn son and as a firstfruits of His creatures. Psalm 94:2 and Hebrews 9:27 both point to the idea of judgment, with the former emphasizing the need for justice and the latter emphasizing the inevitability of death and judgment. Finally, Luke 10:20 and Hebrews 11:40 both point to the idea of being made perfect in the eyes of God, with the former emphasizing the joy that comes from having one's name written in heaven and the latter emphasizing the need for God's provision in order to be made perfect.
| Passage | How It’s Related (AI-Generated) |
|---|---|
| Exodus 4:22: Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, Israel is my firstborn son, | Both passages reference the concept of a "firstborn". Hebrews 12:23 speaks of the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven and to God, the judge of all, while Exodus 4:22 speaks of the Lord's firstborn son, Israel. This connection between the two passages is significant as it shows that the firstborn are special in the eyes of God. The firstborn are the ones who are enrolled in heaven and are protected by the Lord. |
| Psalm 94:2: Rise up, O judge of the earth; repay to the proud what they deserve! | Both passages focus on the role of God as judge. Hebrews 12:23 speaks of God as the judge of all, and the spirits of the righteous who have been made perfect. Psalm 94:2 calls on God to rise up and judge the proud, and repay them what they deserve. |
| Luke 10:20: Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” | Both passages discuss the idea of being enrolled in heaven. Hebrews 12:23 speaks of being enrolled in heaven as part of the assembly of the firstborn, and being judged by God. Luke 10:20 speaks of rejoicing that one's names are written in heaven, and that the spirits are subject to them. Taken together, these two passages suggest that those who are enrolled in heaven will be judged by God, and should rejoice that they are part of the assembly of the firstborn. |
| Hebrews 9:27: And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, | Both passages refer to the judgment of God. Hebrews 12:23 speaks of God as the judge of all and the spirits of the righteous made perfect, while Hebrews 9:27 speaks of the appointed judgment of man, which is death and then judgment. Both passages emphasize the importance of being righteous and the consequences of not being so. |
| Hebrews 11:40: since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. | Both passages discuss the idea of being made perfect. In Hebrews 12:23, it talks about the spirits of the righteous being made perfect, and in Hebrews 11:40, it speaks of God providing something better for us so that apart from us they should not be made perfect. This implies that God is the one who is perfecting us. |
| James 1:18: Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. | Both passages reference the idea of the firstborn, or firstfruits. Hebrews 12:23 speaks of the "assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven," referring to the believers who have accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. James 1:18 speaks of how God "brought us forth by the word of truth," meaning that through Jesus, we have been made into the firstfruits of God's creation. Together, these two passages emphasize how believers are the firstfruits of God's creation, and have been made perfect through Jesus Christ. |
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your grace and mercy that reaches us through Jesus Christ. We are humbled to be part of Your family, the firstborn of Your children. We thank You for the gift of salvation and for the promise of eternal life.
We ask that You guide us in our lives and help us to be righteous and faithful to Your Word. Give us the strength to stand firm in the face of temptation and to be obedient to Your will.
We also thank You for the promise of judgment and for writing our names in the book of life. May we always strive to honor You and make You proud.
We pray for the spirits of the righteous, that You would keep them perfect and that they would find peace in You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
This reading plan reads through a single verse each day, six days a week, paired with the most-popular cross references for the verse. AI-generated (and human-reviewed) text provides an opening thought and concluding prayer along with an explanation for how each cross reference relates to the verse. In 2023, this reading plan works through Hebrews one verse at a time. Every seventh day is a catchup day. Want more info? Try this blog post.
Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com.