There was dullness on the part of many of the Jews, but they were still encouraged by God's promises.
Tradition and ancient religion are a snare when the truth of the new calling has been made known. The soul remains earthly and carnal, rather than spiritual.
The Holy Spirit must go on teaching even though others lag behind. He will take up the glories of the Melchizedek Priest. Those who had been enlightened by signs, wonders, and the power and revelation of the Spirit were to lay hold of these divine revelations of the new order.
In failing to do so and turning back, God had nothing more for them. There was no other way to bring them into blessing except they repent. They crucified to themselves the Son of God.
The earth here is likened to the heart. By the rain from heaven, herbs, fit for man, spring up. This is salvation of the soul. Otherwise thorns grow in their place, are rejected, and in the end are burned. This speaks of those who apostatize. The apostle says that better things are expected from those who hear, things that follow salvation.
God has not forgotten the saints' ministry of love and work done to His name. We are not to be slothful but follow those "who through faith and patience inherit the promises."
As to promises, God swore by Himself that He would bless Abraham, and his seed, who secured the promise after he had patiently endured.
The power and activity of the Holy Spirit was the present thing, greater than even the millennial day. The writer hoped for things that accompany salvation from those who professed.
All these blessings of the new order are confirmed by an oath, so by God's oath to Abraham and by the Forerunner entering into heaven (Christ), we have two immutable oaths (Heb. 7:2121(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) (Hebrews 7:21)), which give strong consolation to those who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope.
Christ, even Jesus, entered into heaven as the Forerunner who is made a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek.