Hebrews 1
The Son Superior to Angels
1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various
ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things,
and through whom he made the universe. 3The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation
of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down
at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
4So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to
theirs.
Why compared Christ to angels? Today we are taught that he is superior, never the other way around.
Remember this is letter to Jews who know the Law. Jews had angels at very high esteem.
First, angels were thought to be mediators of God's Word in the Law of Israel.
[2:2, Acts 7:53, Gal 3:19].
Deut 33:1-2 : angels assisted in giving the Law of Moses.
Psalm 68:17 : angels are chariots of God
Acts 7:53: Stephen says to Sanhedrin "law that was put into effect through angels"
Galatians 3:19 Paul says "The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator."
Secondly, scene introduced in 1:3 of heavenly enthronement implies one who is enthroned as clearly superior
to the angels who are in attendance before the throne.
3 points on whole passage:
1. Old Testament is taken to be God's Word. What better to explain it with.
2. Passages are used in isolation without regard to their context. (So...?)
3. Old Testament can be seen as speaking about or to the divine Son Jesus.
= early element of Christian theology = reinterpretation of Scriptures as a way of understanding Jesus.
(Heb 1:5-14)
Christ's superiority to angels is documented by seven OT quotations all quoted from Greek version of Septuagint.
A. He is the Son:
5For to which of the angels did God ever say, [Psalm 2:7]
"You are my Son; today I have become your Father " ? [Or have begotten you] Acts 13:33 - begotten
Or again,
"I will be his Father, and he will be my Son" ? [2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chron. 17:13
- God's promise to David about his offspring, first Solomon but now Jesus - "greater than Solomon"
Matt 12:42]
(Both verses are well-known messianic passages)
B. He is the Firstborn who receives worship
6And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,
"Let all God's angels worship him." [Deut. 32:43 (see Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint) ]
Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scrolls (see also Septuagint) people, / 43 Rejoice, O nations, with his people, and let all the angels worship him.
Firstborn is not always born first, but title of rank and honor and will receive the inheritance and
special blessing. Col 1:18
C: He is served by the angels.
7In speaking of the angels he says,
"He makes his angels winds,
his servants flames of fire." [Psalm 104:4]
(angels are just messengers, servants) Matt 4:11, Luke 22:43
D. He is God enthroned and anointed.
8But about the Son he says,
"Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever,
and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.
9You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy." [Psalm 45:6,7]
Angels minister before the throne, do not sit upon the throne.
Psalm 110 - Jesus is on the throne.
Mark 14:62
Note Psalm 45 is a wedding psalm. Lord is the bridegroom.
E. He is the eternal Creator
10He also says,
"In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
11They will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
12You will roll them up like a robe;
like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,
and your years will never end."[7] Psalm 102:25-27
(Lord will always be, but heavens, a place where angels dwell, will wear out. Angels just a part of creation).
F. Christ is Sovereign; angels are servants.
13To which of the angels did God ever say,
"Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"[8] ? Psalm 110:1
(Also used elsewhere in New Testament)
Are we convinced now?
14Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Now minister to us since we are now heirs of salvation through Christ.
(Ah ha, now the Jews agree on this point, we go a step further in chapter 2. But first, a mild warning with
reference to previous passages.)
This verse leads into the next section.
Hebrews 2
(Heb 2:1-4)
Warning to Pay Attention (first of 5 warnings - get stronger as we go along)
- to encourage all readers to pay attention to God's Word and obey it.
(Read verse)
1We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do
not drift away. 2For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience
received its just punishment, 3how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation,
which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4God also testified
to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
Implies audience is second generation Church, one who has seen miracles and gifts of Holy Spirit as evidence confirming the message.
Written to believers - pay attention to salvation they have received - not written to unbelievers that they may be saved.
In Old Testament, if you did not heed the Word, you could be punished. That word was from angels and now the Word is from the Son of God.
But to whom much is given, much shall be required.
Today we have the completed Word of God; so there is no need for these apostolic miracles. Is this true?
Rom 8:16, 1 John 5:1-13 - God bears witness through His Spirit
Easy to drift with the current, difficult to return against the stream.
Salvation:
origin is Jesus
transmission is Jesus
effectiveness as seen in signs and wonders
(Heb 2:5-18)
Next more radical view that angels are subordinate to human beings.(compared to verse 1)
Jesus Made Like His Brothers
TBD