Hebrews 1:3-14 (Examine)

1. So why does the author compare the Son to angels?

Understanding this question is huge when trying to understand what God is trying to teach us through the book of Hebrews. If your just looking at the book of Hebrews, you would come to the obvious conclusion that the people of that day held angels in high regard. You even see this in Hebrews 2:2-3...

"For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?"

What was this message spoken by angels? Well, it is obviously something that a Jewish person would hold dear and pay attention to. It could be violated and disobeyed, so it included clear commands. Knowing that the author is proving to a Jewish audience that the New Covenant is better than the Old Covenant, contextually it makes sense that this message is the law.

If we look outside of this passage for insight into what the Jewish people believed in regards to the law and angels, we find a consistency. Look at Acts 7:53...

"...you (Jewish people), who have received the law that was put into effect by angels but have not obeyed it."

Here you have Stephen connecting the dots for us in his sermon right before he was stoned. Obviously there was a real connection for the Jewish reader between angels and the law, so it is fitting that the author of Hebrews addresses it right away, especially if your point is that the New Covenant is better than the Old.

2. There is a tension I find in this chapter as to the Sonship of Jesus. I see phrases like...

• "...His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things..."
• "So He became as much superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is superior to theirs."
• "You are my Son; today I have become Your Father."

These are the phrases that give me pause, and I ask myself, "What does God mean by this?" It seems that Jesus has not always been the Son, or heir of all things, or superior to angels. Yet I also see things like...

• "...through whom (the Son) He made the universe."
• "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being."
• He sustains all things "by His powerful word."
• In reference to the Son, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain."
• "But You (reference to the Son) remain the same, and your years will never end."

On one hand you see the eternal nature of the deity of Jesus, and on the other there are words like appointed, inherited, became, and become. This leads me to believe that there is a separation between the nature of the Son and His role with His creation. Maybe, the triune God took on titles so that the creation could relate to them... especially Father and Son. Maybe when it comes to the phrase "He became as much superior..." is a reference to man's understanding of who Jesus is as He ascended to the right hand of the Father.

These are questions and possible answers, but there is no doubt as to the deity and eternal nature of Jesus. He is greater than angels... He is greater than you and me! Your thoughts are appreciated...