Greetings, to all who are watching this documentary video. My name is Melakeselam Bogale. I am serving as a pastor in Wongel Berhan Church. I have previously read the commentary on Ephesians written by our brother Adiamseged and commented on it. And now, in addition to Ephesians, Romans, and John, our brother Adiamseged has presented us an amazing commentary on the Book of Hebrews. This commentary is compiled in three volumes.
The first volume covers chapters one, two, three, and four while the second volume covers chapters 5 through 8, and the last volume covers chapters 9 through 13. When I was first asked to evaluate this commentary, I was not aware that it was in three volumes. I was thinking that I was presented with three copies of one book. But when I brought them to my office and noticed that they were actually three volumes, I was taken aback.
Our brother Adiamseged has devoted ten years to working on the Book of Hebrews and has presented us with this excellent commentary. As I said before in Ephesians, I have read quite a few Amharic commentaries. But I have not come across any Amharic commentary that offers a verse-by-verse explanation of the bible. He followed the same pattern when writing the commentary on Hebrews as he did when writing the commentaries on Ephesians and Romans.
However, as we know, the Book of Hebrews contains many references to the Old Testament. Our brother Adiamseged has provided an in-depth discussion on what the Old Testament scripture says and how it is applied in the New Testament. He has done so within the appropriate theological background and in accordance with the right Christian doctrine.
Fortunately, I was studying the Book of Hebrews with a group when this commentary was delivered to me. Therefore I am studying the commentary so that I can help the study group members better with detailed insight into Hebrews. As I said before, when the commentary on Ephesians was delivered to me for evaluation, I had gone through it quickly just to prepare for the documentary. But now I have read the commentary on Hebrews with full attention to all the details. I am completely surprised by this book. The Lord bless Adiamseged and his family and his ministry; he is a brother whom God has given as a blessing to our land and to the church. This is such a wonderful book.
As we know, the Book of Hebrews contains many Old Testament references and many teachings which seem not so easy for us to follow because of the unusual ideas. But our brother Adiamseged has written it in such a way that although the volume is big, it is not so intimidating. He has written it in a way that anyone can read it without difficulty from beginning to end. The Amharic is so simple and appealing that once anyone begins to read the book, they will not stop until they have finished it.
So while reading it, I have come across some ideas which I would like to share with you because they are very helpful. Adiamseged begins explanations with quotation from the scriptures and goes on to present what other theologians and men of God have said about it. Each scholar or bible teacher has a different understanding or interpretation of the same scripture. After that Adiamseged himself presents to us the interpretation of that scripture in a way that is understandable for Ethiopians in our own context.
As you know, there are many things that are hard to understand in the Book of Hebrews. I myself had questions for example about Melchizedek, the difference between Old Testament and New Testament priesthood, and between the priesthood of Jesus and that of Aaron. Our brother Adiam has explained to us all of that in great detail. He shows us what other commentators have said about Melchizedek and then offers us the interpretation that is closest to the heart of the bible. He also discusses some doctrinal issues in detail. Our brother interprets each verse according to the principle of hermeneutics, the science of interpretation, which makes the book special.
The other fundamental Christian doctrine presented in Hebrews is the position of Christ. The most evident teaching of Hebrews is the superiority of Christ. In Ethiopia, most of us have come from the Orthodox Church background where angel worship is practiced. There are also some issues related to the ark of the testimony and temple ceremonies. Adiamseged has presented a detailed explanation on all those topics in his commentary. He has presented many Old Testament topics and Christian doctrines clearly without messing up their theological implication.
So this book is worth reading and a great blessing to the church. Our brother Teshome Damtew has written the book “Iyesus Mannew” (Who is Jesus?) in two volumes. Teshome has also prepared a study guide containing discussion questions for the first volume of his book so that it could be used during group bible study sessions. It would be good if brother Adiamseged too prepared a study guide for his books so that groups in every church could study it together during bible study sessions. I believe it will be a great blessing to saints if this book were used in bible study groups because the book is written in a simple Amharic that anybody can understand.
So this is all about the book which Adiamseged has written for us and the letter to the Hebrews. What good is the message for us Ethiopians? How can we Ethiopians in this day and age benefit from a message written long ago to Hebrew Christians? Our brother has clearly shown how we can benefit from it. The book is written in a way that is appealing to readers. I encourage fellow saints to read it. I would like to say, The Lord bless our brother Adiamseged and his family and ministry.
Most of the commentaries we find in bible colleges are in English. There are many anointed ministers of God who cannot understand English. This commentary on Hebrews, written so simply and clearly, offers valuable help for the life and ministry of such people. Our brother Adiamseged, you have given us commentaries on Ephesians, Romans, John, and the Song of Songs. I want to call upon you to write more commentaries on other books of the bible too.
And we ought to support this brother in every way possible and pray for him. He is truly a great gift for the church in Ethiopia. We praise God for the grace upon him. We ought to pray that God may give more people like him. This is a wonderful commentary on the Book of Hebrews as I have seen it. I believe that we can fully understand the teaching of Hebrews by studying the commentary written by Adiamseged. This is an amazing commentary presented to us in our own language. I am confident that you will read this book and be greatly blessed by it and that your life will be transformed. Therefore I invite you and encourage you to read and study this book. Thank you.