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Hebrews Through a Hebrew's Eyes: Hope in the Midst of a Hopeless World
Written to Messianic Jews in the first century, the Book of Hebrews, understood properly through Jewish eyes, edifies and encourages all. This epistle is one of the outstanding theological treatises in the New Testament. This book teaches the message of this important letter in a fresh, new way. Dr. Stuart Sacks, himself a Messianic Jew, offers insights into Hebrews that only a Jewish believer in Yeshua can give.
119 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 24, 2013
The book of Hebrews is arguably one of the most important books of the New Testament when it comes to grasping the work and sufficiency of Christ in the grand biblical drama and in God’s divine plan. Furthermore, understanding to whom the book of Hebrews was written and why it bore such great importance for that audience is truly a key to grasping the truths contained therein as well as providing insight into how we, as believers today, should understand Hebrews. Dr. Stuart Sacks in his book Hebrews Through a Hebrew’s Eyes: Hope in the Midst of a Hopeless World, rightly addresses the truths found in the book of Hebrews from the likely point of view of the original readers of Hebrews, people who desperately needed to have affirmation that this Jesus was in fact the Son of God, the long promised Messiah.
Throughout his book, Sacks makes a distinct effort to help the reader take a journey back to the first century when Hebrews was written, to the time of those who received this homiletic treatise. While there are certainly more scholarly and voluminous works on Hebrews available on the market, many of them outstanding in their own right, what I appreciated most about Sacks effort was its simplistic profundity, an approach that truly mirrors the approach taken in the book that he exegetes. Sacks uses his background as a Jew who came to faith in Christ to present to the reader that all important Messianic understanding of the Messiah.
Hebrews was written to a people who were certainly struggling with a desire to return to Judaism, especially in the face of constant pressure from the Jewish community as well as the constant fear of persecution. Thus, there was a strong temptation to ditch this thing called following Christ and to return to the traditions of their forefathers. Sacks saliently notes “The possibility that some of them might lapse back into a Judaism without the Messiah was doubtless never far from the author’s thinking.” In recognition of that fact, Sacks also notes the author of Hebrews “took great pains to establish the greatness of the Messiah’s person and the immensity of his accomplishments for all those who by faith embraced him as their Lord and Savior.” Ultimately, as Sacks also aptly comments, the underlying message of Hebrews is that “we can find strength to resolve and overcome life’s relentless pressures” and that strength is found in the Messiah which is the basis of discussion throughout Hebrews.
Perhaps what I appreciated most about Sack’s approach to Hebrews is his use of the Hebrew language in the course of his exegesis. This again hearkens back to the need of the reader to understand the author’s intended meaning, a fundamental element of sound biblical exegesis and hermeneutics. While there is certainly nothing wrong with working through a book like Hebrews with an English translation, I would submit there is great merit in engaging the original languages. For example, Sacks uses the word Torah throughout the book instead of the more widely used translation of law. Understanding what that term Torah means and why God’s commands to us remain valid even under the construct of this Renewed Covenant established through Christ is extremely important.
Another important term used in Hebrews that is best understood in the Hebrew vernacular is that of Yeshua. Now mind you, I am by no means a sacred name proponent. However, names in Scripture are often pregnant with meaning and Yeshua is no exception given it literally means Savior. Sacks rightly comments in regards to how Hebrews presents Jesus as the Messiah, “I like to envision some early Jewish believer reading Isaiah 12, rejoicing as he says that the God of his salvation has now become “my Yeshua.” Since the author of Hebrews often quotes OT passages such as Isaiah 12, making that same important connection the original readers of Hebrews would have made is again another vital element of properly exegeting Hebrews, one which Sacks does quite well.
In regards to the excellency of the Renewed (New) Covenant, Sacks adroitly comments “The old covenant and the new covenant do not differ regarding the shedding of blood as a prerequisite for reconciliation. The difference is to be found in the nature of what was sacrificed. The infinitely greater sacrifice of the Messiah accomplished what the first system could never do.” In addition, returning to the importance of God’s Torah, Sacks declares, “For the believer, God’s Torah has been written not only on parchment but also on the core of his being. Life-giving grace has made it so.” This is an essential message found in Hebrews, namely that of the excellency and sufficiency of Christ which the elements of the former covenant foreshadowed. Completeness is found at the foot of the cross.
As noted earlier, there certainly are more scholarly and academic oriented let alone longer texts on the book of Hebrews. Sacks effort demonstrates that a good book does not always have to be lengthy to be useful to the reader. Packed with valuable insight into the background, application, and importance of the book of Hebrews not only for those first century believers ages ago, but also for believers today, Hebrews Through a Hebrew’s Eyes is a book that both scholars and laymen should read as it will provide them with valuable and helpful insight into who Christ is and why He came as the Messiah, the Redeemer, our High Priest, and conquering King.
Throughout his book, Sacks makes a distinct effort to help the reader take a journey back to the first century when Hebrews was written, to the time of those who received this homiletic treatise. While there are certainly more scholarly and voluminous works on Hebrews available on the market, many of them outstanding in their own right, what I appreciated most about Sacks effort was its simplistic profundity, an approach that truly mirrors the approach taken in the book that he exegetes. Sacks uses his background as a Jew who came to faith in Christ to present to the reader that all important Messianic understanding of the Messiah.
Hebrews was written to a people who were certainly struggling with a desire to return to Judaism, especially in the face of constant pressure from the Jewish community as well as the constant fear of persecution. Thus, there was a strong temptation to ditch this thing called following Christ and to return to the traditions of their forefathers. Sacks saliently notes “The possibility that some of them might lapse back into a Judaism without the Messiah was doubtless never far from the author’s thinking.” In recognition of that fact, Sacks also notes the author of Hebrews “took great pains to establish the greatness of the Messiah’s person and the immensity of his accomplishments for all those who by faith embraced him as their Lord and Savior.” Ultimately, as Sacks also aptly comments, the underlying message of Hebrews is that “we can find strength to resolve and overcome life’s relentless pressures” and that strength is found in the Messiah which is the basis of discussion throughout Hebrews.
Perhaps what I appreciated most about Sack’s approach to Hebrews is his use of the Hebrew language in the course of his exegesis. This again hearkens back to the need of the reader to understand the author’s intended meaning, a fundamental element of sound biblical exegesis and hermeneutics. While there is certainly nothing wrong with working through a book like Hebrews with an English translation, I would submit there is great merit in engaging the original languages. For example, Sacks uses the word Torah throughout the book instead of the more widely used translation of law. Understanding what that term Torah means and why God’s commands to us remain valid even under the construct of this Renewed Covenant established through Christ is extremely important.
Another important term used in Hebrews that is best understood in the Hebrew vernacular is that of Yeshua. Now mind you, I am by no means a sacred name proponent. However, names in Scripture are often pregnant with meaning and Yeshua is no exception given it literally means Savior. Sacks rightly comments in regards to how Hebrews presents Jesus as the Messiah, “I like to envision some early Jewish believer reading Isaiah 12, rejoicing as he says that the God of his salvation has now become “my Yeshua.” Since the author of Hebrews often quotes OT passages such as Isaiah 12, making that same important connection the original readers of Hebrews would have made is again another vital element of properly exegeting Hebrews, one which Sacks does quite well.
In regards to the excellency of the Renewed (New) Covenant, Sacks adroitly comments “The old covenant and the new covenant do not differ regarding the shedding of blood as a prerequisite for reconciliation. The difference is to be found in the nature of what was sacrificed. The infinitely greater sacrifice of the Messiah accomplished what the first system could never do.” In addition, returning to the importance of God’s Torah, Sacks declares, “For the believer, God’s Torah has been written not only on parchment but also on the core of his being. Life-giving grace has made it so.” This is an essential message found in Hebrews, namely that of the excellency and sufficiency of Christ which the elements of the former covenant foreshadowed. Completeness is found at the foot of the cross.
As noted earlier, there certainly are more scholarly and academic oriented let alone longer texts on the book of Hebrews. Sacks effort demonstrates that a good book does not always have to be lengthy to be useful to the reader. Packed with valuable insight into the background, application, and importance of the book of Hebrews not only for those first century believers ages ago, but also for believers today, Hebrews Through a Hebrew’s Eyes is a book that both scholars and laymen should read as it will provide them with valuable and helpful insight into who Christ is and why He came as the Messiah, the Redeemer, our High Priest, and conquering King.
February 11, 2023
A lot of profound thoughts in this book. Also a lot of rabbit trails. Interesting rabbit trails, to be sure, but I was expecting more exposition on the book of Hebrews itself. The author devoted a fair amount of time to explaining other passages of Scripture and different Jewish traditions (more or less related to the topics mentioned in Hebrews). That being said, still an excellent book and resource.
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May 6, 2025For those who want to enjoy the concept of being double-blessed, read this book. This was my favorite read of 2024. It gave me insights into the epistle that you just don't find reading commentaries. My understanding of the Messiah is so much richer after reading Stuart Sack's book. The book provides a cultural and theological context that I didn't have from my protestant Christian training.
May 21, 2015
"Hebrews Through a Hebrew's Eyes" is a commentary loosely based around the book of Hebrews. The author doesn't comment on specific verses so much as talk about the basic ideas brought up in each chapter of Hebrews. He often started a chapter by telling about something from his Jewish education while growing up. He uses his Messianic Jewish viewpoint to help Christians (and interested Jews) to better understand Hebrews.
While interesting, much of it was similar information to I've read in other "Jewish background to the New Testament" books. The author tended to move from one topic to another without warning, so I'd start to feel confused, realize we were on a new topic, and have to re-read the last few sentences to fully appreciate what he'd just said. It was worth reading, but I felt like I had to be fully mentally alert to read it due to how he slid from topic to topic.
While interesting, much of it was similar information to I've read in other "Jewish background to the New Testament" books. The author tended to move from one topic to another without warning, so I'd start to feel confused, realize we were on a new topic, and have to re-read the last few sentences to fully appreciate what he'd just said. It was worth reading, but I felt like I had to be fully mentally alert to read it due to how he slid from topic to topic.
September 13, 2016
I was looking for a more scholarly education while reading this book, but it is written in a laymen's format. I enjoyed it once I relaxed into the book and simply took it as conversation. The book ended well, full of hope because Yeshua is our saviour.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews