Hebrews 1:3-14 (Observe)

"The 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. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is superior to theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, 'You are my Son; today I have become your Father'?

Or again, 'I will be His Father, and He will be my Son'?

And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says, 'Let all God's angels worship Him.'

In speaking of the angels He says, 'He makes his angels winds, His servants flames of fire.'

But about the Son He says, 'Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.'

He also says, 'In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hand. They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You 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.'

To which of the angels did God ever say, 'Sit at my right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet'?

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?"
Hebrews 1:3-14

Observations:
1. In talking about how God has spoken to the people "in these last days", the Son is the focal point.
2. The Son is described as the radiance of God's glory.
3. He is described as the exact representation of God's being.
4. The Son sustains all things by His powerful word.
5. The deity of the Son seems to be very evident through these verses.
6. The Son provided purification for sin.
7. The Son sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
8. The author concludes the profile of the Son by stating that He has become "as much superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is superior to theirs."
9. There is an obvious emphasis on setting apart the Son from an angel.
10. The Son is an obvious reference to Jesus.
11. Vs. 5 tells us that the Son is superior to angels in title and birthright.
12. Vs. 6 tells us the angels demonstrate that superiority in function... they worship the Son.
13. Vs. 7-9 their in a comparison in role... Angels are servants, and the Son is a ruler.
14. Vs. 10-12 the Son is accredited with... 1. creation of the heavens and earth, 2. being eternal, 3. never changing. These are characteristics of God.
15. Vs. 13 asks a rhetorical question about the position of angels verse the Son that again emphasizes the superiority of the Son.
16. The angels have the role of even serving those who will inherit salvation.
17. The author quotes the Old Testament 7 times in 12 verses.

Interpretive Questions:
1. Why the comparison with angels?
2. What does it mean that "the name He (the Son) has inherited is superior to theirs"? I am particularly interested in the word inherited.

Please feel free to comment any observations or questions that you might have.

Comments

David said…
Hebrews 1:3-14

OBERSERVATIONS
His radiance, glory, exact representation (clone), power, purification, as much better than angels, inherited name.
Quoted from Psalm 2:7, Psalm 97:7, Psalm 104:4, Psalm 45:6-7, Psalm 102:25-27, Psalm 110:1 and Duet. 32:43.
David’s Psalms were most referred to in describing the Son of Man’s divine authority.
The Author questions the audience about ministering spirits as a service to those who will inherit salvation.
“Today I have begotten you”? the day Christ became God’s Son (Incarnate)
There is a question mark the author added after a quote from Psalm 2:7 in Hebrews 1:5 unlike its original passage.
Psalm 45 is a love song for a wedding. (I love the psalms, as a musician for example:
My heart overflows with a good theme;
I address my verses to the King;
My tongue is the quill of a waiting writer writing ;)
The author creates a rhetorical question out of Psalm 110:1 similar to 2:7
Angel means messenger, superior to man, inferior to God, they execute the will and purpose of the one whom they serve. 1:13
Sitting at the right hand of God was “until” He made the enemies a footstool for His feet. I immediately recall Genesis 3:15 as a contrasting parallel because who is God’s enemy. I also recall the words of Psalm 110:2 which say He will rule in the midst of Thy enemy. Then I recall Rev. Wright’s words - “god damn America”? (Many people think of this as trampling on those who oppose you; however, a footstool can also alleviate pain when there is a need from a wound.)
July 5, 2011 at 5:46 PM
David said…
Interpretive questions

1/ Why the comparison with Angels?
Hebrews seems to be a book of comparisons so far in prophets to the Son, in Angels to the Son, in God to the Son, and Angels to men. The specific classification of Angels is not mentioned thus far in our study. All angels serve, even fallen ones, and these particular ministering spirits could not be the angel of the Lord since incarnation. That is a neat consideration, Christ’s incarnation was lower than the angels yet equal to man with divine authority. He has purely given to us honor through the redeeming crucifixion and resurrection - an eternity‘s worth. Angels cover their faces before God, yet don’t face death for the Son has finished what one has power over. Angels have material “things” via good or evil. Lucifer, the morning star, angel of light offered the Son all kingdoms of the world and Michael protects Israel. Angels are wise but not all knowing and man is not limited 2Sam.14:20 /Phil 4:13. They are organized and ranked as an Army of the Lord’s Dan.10:13, Jude 9, and my buddy Gabriel is explained from the doctor Luke in 1:19.

2/ What does it mean as He has inherited a more excellent name than they?
Simple, God. YWHW, Theos, Pater, Desptes, and my favorite - Friend, my comforter, my protector, my salvation.

Question - How was it that in later Judaism it was believed Angels delivered the law?
July 5, 2011 at 7:37 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Navigating a Culture of "Pride" as a Christian

 June has been known as Pride Month ever since President Bill Clinton announced it back in 1999, and it has gained more and more steam since, particularly in the last 5 years.  It has made its way into small towns, into schools, and into the faith community as well.  In many ways it has become the loudest voice of the culture we live in, especially in the month of June.  It is a topic all over social media, the film industry, and media itself.  The agenda to normalize issues such as homosexuality and gender identity is pervasive.  You can hardly watch a series on main stream television, much less cable tv, without being confronted with these issues.  Some of the most prominent influences and influencers are now targeting children as their primary audience.  All of this has quickly shaped our culture, and anyone who thinks that the bombardment of these influences do not really have an effect on people, I would challenge them to learn about marketing.  The developments in the past 10 yea
Read more

Humanism in Christian Clothing

 I find myself more and more baffled by some of the things that I see posted on social media and how it seems to connect with so many.  I saw a post that quoted a pastor that said, "When your spirituality denies someone's humanity, it isn't spirituality, it's hatred wrapped up in religiosity."  The post attributes this to Mark Sandlin.  I don't know this pastor, if he really said it, or what the context was surrounding the quote.  However, it would seem reasonable to assume that the individual posting the quote was implying that if your spirituality leads you to conclude that homosexuality, transgenderism, or any other LGTBQ+ issue is sin, and you don't think it is the public schools job to normalize this, then you are denying someone's humanity, thus your spirituality is really not spirituality... it is hatred wrapped in religiosity.  This is a really odd statement for several reasons. 1.  What makes something spiritual?  Who defines what this is?  Is
Read more

Why Israel Still Matters in God's Plan

When someone professes faith in Christ and becomes a Christian, they enter in what the Scriptures calls the New Covenant.  This New Covenant is considered a greater covenant than the Old Covenant or Mosaic Covenant.  The Jewish people related to God through the Old Covenant for thousands of years.  Ultimately, this covenant pointed out one very important truth about life... Mankind naturally turns away from the living God and proves incapable of keeping the righteous demands of a Holy God.  As Biblical history unfolds, we find that Israel quickly abandon God and worshiped the gods of the surrounding nations.  They would have momentary bright spots, but even in those bright spots, the rebellious heart of man was on full display (King David anyone?).  The Law itself pointed out man's inability to keep the law and draws people to see that they need God's mercy.  Summary - Mankind needs a Savior because he sure can't save himself.   This is where Jesus comes in as a mediator of
Read more