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Hebrews Chapter One
God's Perfect Spokesman (1:1-3)
INTRODUCTION
1. In our introductory lesson, we saw how "The Epistle To The Hebrews" is unique in its beginning... a. There is no mention of the author's name, nor the recipients b. Rather, it starts like an "essay" - cf. He 1:1-3 2. We also noted regarding the purpose of the epistle... a. To encourage Jewish Christians to remain steadfast in their faith b. Accomplished by showing the superiority of Christ and the New Covenant 3. That superiority is demonstrated through a number of contrasts... a. The very first contrast begins in these first three verses b. In which Jesus is contrasted with the prophets of the Old Testament 4. In this lesson, we shall take a close look at the contrast... a. Noting how God spoke "in time past", and how He speaks "in these last days" b. Observing how Jesus is certainly qualified to be "God's PerfectSpokesman"
[We begin by considering what is said regarding...] I. GOD'S SPOKESMEN "IN TIME PAST" (1)
A. THE EXPRESSION "IN TIME PAST"... 1. Refers to the period of time prior to the coming of Jesus 2. I.e., that period of time described in the Old Testament (Genesis-Malachi) B. GOD SPOKE "TO THE FATHERS BY THE PROPHETS"... 1. The "fathers" would be the ancestors of the Israelites 2. The "prophets" would include great men like Samuel, Elijah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel a. The Hebrew word for "prophet" means "one who boils over" b. It refers to one who is inspired by God to speak for Him - cf. 2 Pe 1:21 3. At times, the prophets themselves were unsure of what they spoke - 1 Pe 1:10-12 C. GOD SPOKE "AT VARIOUS TIMES AND IN DIFFERENT WAYS"... 1. His revelation did not come all at once, but progressively at different times 2. His methods varied as well, using visions, dreams, symbols, etc. [So God has clearly revealed Himself as One who "speaks"; that is, He communicates His will to mankind! What He revealed through His prophets"in time past" is certainly wonderful, but now consider what we learnregarding...] II. GOD'S SPOKESMAN "IN THESE LAST DAYS" (2-3)
A. THE EXPRESSION "IN THESE LAST DAYS"... 1. Literally, "at the end of these days", which may be understood as referring to either: a. The closing period of the Jewish age (cf. Milligan) b. The period of the Messiah (most commentators) 2. The Old Testament often spoke of "the last days" - e.g., Isa 2:2; Micah 4:1
3. As such it often had special reference to the age of the Messiah a. The apostles spoke of their time as the time of this fulfillment - Ac 2:16-17 b. Thus it denotes the final phase of history, brought on by the first coming of Christ, continuing until His second coming and the consummation of all things - cf. He 9:26;1 Pe 1:20; 1 Co 10:11
B. GOD "HAS SPOKEN TO US BY HIS SON"... 1. God has spoken once again, but note the contrast! 2. "In time past" it was through "prophets"; but "in these last days" it is by "His Son"! a. God has sent His own Son to speak for Him! b. As wonderful as the prophets were, how can they compare to God's own Son? -- There is no contrast, especially as we read on and notice... C. THE EXCELLENCE OF "GOD'S PERFECT SPOKESMAN"... 1. Jesus is "the appointed heir of all things"! a. The author may have had Psa 2:8 in mind, for in verse 5 he quotes from Psa 2:7 b. As the "beloved Son", it is only natural that He would be the appointed heir c. What does "all things" include? 1) All that the Father has! - Jn 16:15 2) The authority to raise and judge the dead - Jn 5:26-29 3) The authority to rule in heaven and on earth - Mt 28:18 4) This authority Christ has even now! - Ac 2:36; 10:36;Ep 1:20-22; 1 Pe 3:22; Re 1:5
2. Jesus is "through whom He (God) also made the worlds"! a. Not only the "Heir", but also the "Creator"! b. For it was through the Son that God created the universe - cf. Jn 1:3; Co 1:16 1) All things were created "by (or through) Him" (He is the Creator) 2) All things were created "for Him" (He is the rightful Heir) 3. Jesus is "the brightness of His (God's) glory"! a. In Jesus we see the very radiance of the glory of God! b. As John wrote, "...we beheld His glory, the glory as of theonly begotten of the Father..." - Jn 1:14
c. When we behold Jesus, we see an extension of the glory of God! 4. Jesus is "the express image of His (God's) person"! a. He is the exact representation of God's being and character! - cf. Co 2:9 b. Therefore Jesus could say... 1) To Thomas: "If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." - Jn 14:7
2) To Philip: "He who has seen Me has seen the Father;" - Jn 14:9
5. Jesus is "upholding all things by the word of His power"! a. Not only the Creator, but also the Sustainer of the universe - cf. Co 1:17 ("in Him all things consist") 1) By His word the universe holds together! 2) All He has to do is say the word, and the universe is no more! b. Note well: 1) This illustrates the power of His Word 2) Shall we not listen when He speaks? - cf. Lk 6:46 6. Jesus has also "by Himself purged our sins"! a. A clear reference to His death on the cross for our sins b. This speaks to His role as our Redeemer, a theme that will be prominent later in this epistle - cf. He 2:17; 9:26,28 7. Jesus has also "sat down at the right hand of the Majesty onhigh"!
a. This Jesus did when He ascended to heaven - Ep 1:20; 1 Pe3:22
b. Sitting at the right hand of God is a place of honor, but for Jesus it is also a place from which He reigns! 1) As indicated in Ep 1:21-22; 1 Pe 3:22 2) It is true that He is waiting for the His enemies to be made His footstool (He 10:12-13), but He is reigning until that time! - cf. 1 Co 15:25-26 3) As stated in Psa 110:1-2, from which the author to the Hebrews quotes, the Messiah was to "rule in the midst ofYour enemies"
c. Thus Jesus is truly "the ruler over the kings of earth" - Re 1:5; 17:14 CONCLUSION
1. The sentence does not end with verse three... a. It continues on into verse four, with a declaration of Jesus' superiority over angels b. But that verse and the rest of the chapter we shall save for the next study 2. But what have we seen in this lesson? a. God is clearly a God who speaks, He makes His Will known to mankind! b. And now He speaks through His Son, Who is: 1) The appointed Heir of all things! 2) The Creator! 3) The brightness of God's glory, the express image of His person! 4) Our Sustainer, Redeemer, and King! How can one turn their back on Him? Especially when the Majesty on high proclaimed at the Mount of Transfiguration: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" - Mt 17:5
Are you heeding the words of the Beloved Son, "God's Perfect Spokesman"? - cf. Mt 28:18-20; Re 2:10
Jesus' Superiority To Angels (1:4-14)
INTRODUCTION
1. The subject of angels has certainly become a popular one lately... a. Bookstores are filled with books dealing with angels b. Popular TV shows and movies depict angels working in our lives ("Highway To Heaven", "Touched By An Angel", "The Preacher's Wife", "It's A Wonderful Life") 2. Angels were also an important part of the Jewish religion... a. Angels assisted with the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai - cf. Deu 33:2; Psa 68:17; Ac 7:53; Ga 3:19 b. They appear throughout the history of Israel Daniel, and many others 3. Since the purpose of "The Epistle To The Hebrews" is to show the superiority of Christ and the New Covenant to the Law of Moses... a. It is necessary that the writer has something to say about angels b. So it is that we find the comparison of the Son to prophets followed now by a comparison to angels - He 1:4-14 4. The premise is clearly stated that the Son (Jesus) is "much betterthan the angels" - He 1:4
a. The reason in a nutshell is that "He has by inheritance obtaineda more excellent name than they"
b. That name is "Son", a title that only Jesus can properly wear... 1) Angels may be called "sons of God" collectively - cf. Job 1:6 2) But no angel can be called this name individually! [As evidence for the superiority of Jesus over angels, the author proceeds to offer scriptural support from the Old Testament. His firsttwo quotations are to prove...] I. JESUS IS THE "SON" (5)
A. TWO PROPHECIES REFER TO THE MESSIAH AS "SON"... 1. The first is Psa 2:7 a. A psalm depicting the enthronement of the Messiah (the Lord's Anointed) b. In which Jehovah calls the Messiah "My Son" c. The "begetting" has reference to the resurrection of Jesus - Ac 13:33; Ro 1:4 2. The second is 2 Sam 7:14 a. This passage had immediate application to Solomon, David's son b. But as the Messiah who would receive the throne of David was also descended from David... 1) It's ultimate application would be to the Messiah 2) I.e., Jesus, the "son of David" - Mt 1:1; Mk 10:47; Jn 7:42
B. BUT NO ANGEL IS EVER CALLED "MY SON"... 1. Collectively they were called "sons of God", but never individually! 2. This not only demonstrates Jesus' superiority to angels... a. It proves that Jesus Himself was NOT an angel! b. Contrary to what some (such as JW's) believe [The superiority of Jesus over the angels is further illustrated as wecontinue...] II. JESUS IS "THE FIRSTBORN" WHO RECEIVES WORSHIP (6)
A. JESUS IS DESCRIBED AS "THE FIRSTBORN"... 1. The term "firstborn" does not always mean "born first" a. It is also used in the Scriptures as a metaphor to describe one who occupies the rank and privilege of being firstborn (without literally being "firstborn") b. Used by God in this way to refer to the nation of Israel - Exo 4:22 c. Used by God in this way to refer to David, youngest of eight - Ps 89:20,27 2. It is used of Jesus in this way to stress His preeminence over creation... a. As Paul explains in Co 1:15-18 b. By virtue of being the Creator, He maintains the rank and privilege of "firstborn"! B. WHEN THE FIRSTBORN CAME INTO THE WORLD, THE ANGELS WERE TOWORSHIP HIM...
1. The quotation in verse 6 is from Deu 32:43 as found in the Septuagint version 2. The angels of God were to worship Him 3. Note well: No created being is or was ever worthy of worship! a. The angels themselves refused to be worshipped - Re 22:8-9 b. The apostle Peter refused to accept worship - Ac 10:25-26 4. Yet Jesus received worship! a. From the wise men - Mt 2:11 b. From the leper - Mt 8:2 c. From the ruler - Mt 9:18 d. From His disciples in the boat - Mt 14:33 e. From the Canaanite woman - Mt 15:25 f. From the man born blind - Jn 9:38 g. From the women and other disciples following His resurrection - Mt 28:9,17 h. From the disciples following His ascension - Lk 24:52 [That Jesus is worthy of worship, especially now, becomes more evidentas we consider how...] III. JESUS IS "GOD" ENTHRONED AND ANOINTED (7-9)
A. ANGELS ARE SIMPLY FOR THE SERVICE OF GOD... 1. They are created spirits to serve God (called "ministering spirits" in He 1:14) 2. Their service can be as powerful yet transient as "wind" or "flames of fire", if need be B. BUT THE "SON" IS GOD HIMSELF, ENTHRONED AND ANOINTED! 1. The author is quoting from another Messianic psalm - Psa 45:6-7
2. Notice that the Son is called "God"! - He 1:8 a. The Hebrew writer clearly proclaims the deity of Jesus! - cf. He 1:3a b. Yet in the next verse we read where it says "God, Your Godhas..."
1) Here we find a distinction of personalities within the Godhead 2) Which we learn through later revelation involves the Father and the Son (and the Holy Spirit) 3. The Son, Who is God, has been enthroned, and reigns over an everlasting kingdom with righteousness a. A kingdom of which Daniel said "shall never be destroyed" - Dan 2:44 b. A kingdom of which Gabriel (an angel) told Mary: "there will be no end" - Lk 1:33
c. Both Paul and John wrote of this kingdom - Co 1:13; Re 1:9 4. This Son, Who is God and King, has been "anointed" - He 1:9 a. Of course, the word "Messiah" means "anointed one" b. In this passage, the emphasis is on how Jesus has been anointed with gladness "more than Your companions" 1) Who are these "companions"? 2) In view of He 2:11; 3:1, it is likely the followers of Jesus, His brethren! [As God, King, and Messiah, Jesus is certainly greater than angels! But there is even more...] IV. JESUS IS THE "LORD" WHO IS THE ETERNAL CREATOR (10-12)
A. JESUS IS "YAHWEH" (JEHOVAH)! 1. Now the Hebrew writer is quoting from Ps 102:25-27 a. A psalm which addresses God using His covenant name Yahweh (or Jehovah) b. This is the name that God used to identify Himself to Moses - Exo 3:13-14 2. But the Hebrew writer by inspiration knew this psalm equally applied to Jesus! a. Such would be blasphemy, unless Jesus is truly Deity! b. So while the Son is distinct from the Father (cf. He 1:9), He and the Father are also the same! 3. In this chapter, then, we find evidence relating to the nature of the Godhead... a. There is one God, but three distinct personalities within the Godhead (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) b. As Jehovah, Jesus is not "a god", or any sort of created being (contra JWs, Mormons, etc.) c. As the Son who is distinct from the Father, the Son is not the same in personality as the Father (contra the Oneness Pentecostals) -- Though not a biblical term, the word "trinity" does help to convey the Biblical evidence as to the nature of the Godhead! B. JESUS IS THE ETERNAL CREATOR! 1. In the beginning it was He who created the earth and the heavens - He 1:10 a. As the author had already stated in He 1:2c b. As both John and Paul professed - Jn 1:3; Co 1:16-17 2. He is also eternal, therefore unchangeable - He 1:11-12 a. The heavens and the earth "will perish", "grow old" and "bechanged" - cf. 2 Pe 3:10-12
b. But Jesus will "remain", be the "same", and "not fail" - cf. He 13:8 [The superiority of Jesus over angels is illustrated with one last comparison in this chapter...] V. JESUS IS THE "SOVEREIGN" (13-14)
A. NO ANGEL HAS BEEN INVITED TO SIT AT GOD'S RIGHT HAND... 1. The psalm quoted now is Ps 110:1 a. This psalm is quoted or alluded to more than any other psalm in the NT b. It refers to the Messianic reign of Christ that began when Jesus sat down at the right hand of God - cf. He 1:3; Ac 2:34-36; 1 Pe 3:22
2. That no angel has been asked to sit at God's right hand... a. Once again proves that Jesus was not an angel (contra JWs) b. Only Jesus, as the Son of God, has been so invited, and is truly the Sovereign! B. ANGELS ARE BUT MINISTERING SPIRITS... 1. While Jesus sits enthroned in heaven, angels are "sent forth to minister (serve)"
2. They minister for those "who will inherit salvation" a. They have certainly ministered in the past - cf. Lk 1:11-38 b. They will certainly minister at the time of Christ's return - cf. Mt 13:36-43 c. But to what extent they minister in the present, the Scriptures reveal little (cf. Mt 18:10), and we should be careful to refrain from vain speculation CONCLUSION
1. In a very forceful manner, the writer to the Hebrews has shown Jesus' superiority to angels: a. Jesus is the "Son" (not angels) b. Jesus is the "Firstborn" who receives worship (not angels) c. Jesus is "God" enthroned and anointed (not angels) d. Jesus is the "LORD" (Yahweh) who is the eternal creator (not angels, who are only created beings) e. Jesus is the "Sovereign", reigning at God's right hand (angels are but ministering spirits) 2. While angels certainly have a special place in God's plan for redeeming man... a. They are not to become the object of worship or adoration - Co 2:18-19
b. Only Jesus is worthy of such worship and adoration! As innumerable angels proclaimed with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!" - Re 5:11-12
Let Jesus, and not angels, be the focus of your interest and adoration!
－－《Executable
Outlines》
A better name
The radiance of God’s glory
Exact representation of His being
I.
The Son superior to the prophets
1.
Revelation of the Old Testament
2.
Revelation of the New Testament
3.
Heir of all things
II.
1.
Angels worship Him
2.
Angels serve Him
3.
Everlasting throne
III.
Only the Lord will remain
1.
The earth and the heavens will perish
2.
All things will be changed
3.
Your years will never end
－－ Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New
Testament》