Hebrews 1 and 2 — In These Last Days
Introduction: This letter opens with no identification of the author, and there is no person, local church, or even a general geographic region given for the intended recipients. The author immediately began to describe the diverse manners in which God had spoken to the Hebrew ancestors through prophets in past times; but now in these “last days” God has spoken through the Son who is the heir of all things.
Note: Bible passages are from the American King James Version.
A — God in These Last Days Has Spoken to Us by His Son
“Hebrews 1:1-3 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
B — Christ Jesus Is the Heir of All Things
“Hebrews 1:4-6 Being made so much better than the angels, as he has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For to which of the angels said he at any time, You are my Son, this day have I begotten you? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he brings in the first-begotten into the world, he said, And let all the angels of God worship him.”
Comments: The Apostle Paul and his traveling companions visited a synagogue, and after the reading from the law and the prophets, as Paul accepted the opportunity to speak, he applied Scripture to Christ Jesus. Other Old Testament passages are partially quoted in chapter 1, verses 7 through 14, of this letter to the Hebrews as it speaks of Christ Jesus, showing His superiority over angels in every way and for all time.
Jesus has the brightness of God’s glory, and the express image of his person: this was strikingly seen by three of his chosen Apostles at the mount of transfiguration when Moses and Elijah spoke with Jesus. This is recorded in Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:1-10, and Luke 9:28-36.
C — Carefully Consider and Follow Scripture About Christ
“Hebrews 2:1-4 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?”
Comments: With the factual written record we have about Christ Jesus spoken by him, and from men who witnessed His words and actions before and after His resurrection; the author urges his first readers (and now us) to earnestly bear in mind, and be guided by the truth given through Jesus, to avoid letting it slip away from our daily conduct while we are still in the world.
Every act of disobedience to the firm and unwavering Word of God will receive a just consequence for such rebellion against the LORD. If anyone neglects the great salvation offered through belief in Christ, how will they escape the judgment so deserved according to the universal inherent sin in all mankind? The Lord Jesus personally spoke about these things, and they have been confirmed to us by those who heard him. The LORD bore witness with signs, wonders, and many different miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost.
D — The World to Come Is Subjected to the Son
“Hebrews 2:5-9 For to the angels has he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that you are mindful of him? or the son of man that you visit him? You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor, and did set him over the works of your hands: You have put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”
Comments: The author of the letter wrote about the world which is to come, and that God has put that world into the subjection of angels until the present world passes. Psalms 8 has wording about things under the subjection of the son of man that can now apply to Christ who took upon himself the flesh of mankind.
The content in that Psalm preceded the life of Christ Jesus on earth, and the completed state of “all things under His feet” now awaits His victorious return from heaven! He was made a little lower than the angels to suffer death in the place of everyone who will believe in Him; and then crowned with glory and honor as His resurrection. This guarantees by the grace of God, the resurrection of all who believe in Christ Jesus.
E — Death Has Been Overcome
“Hebrews 2:10-13 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, I will declare your name to my brothers, in the middle of the church will I sing praise to you. And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God has given me.”
Comments: The passages prior to Hebrews 2:10 with their applicable references about the one for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, support the fact that because the captain of their salvation was made completely sufficient through suffering in their place for them, many sons are brought to glory.
The Son of God took upon himself flesh and blood whereby the death of his body, for those who believe in Christ, resulted in deliverance from the lifetime bondage of the fear of death. His resurrection destroyed the devil who has the power of death. Christ did not take upon himself the nature of angels, but he took on himself the seed of Abraham in fulfillment of many prophecies. For in all things it was befitting and requisite that he be made in the likeness of his brothers, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for their sins. While in the body of flesh, Christ experienced temptations, therefore his relief and comfort to those who are tempted has a special element of fellowship in the Spirit.
Reflections in Prayer
LORD, I thank you for the reassurances already provided in the first two chapters of this letter to Jews who knew about many Old Testament promises from God. The author provided further assurance to them (and to we who believe today) that Christ Jesus came in fulfillment of many of those promises and became the only true high priest who is also worthy of worship because he is the Son of God. Christ is the faithful high priest who was tempted, but was without any sin throughout his life on earth. Everyone who follows Christ by faith has fellowship that leads to eternal life in heaven with God.
Lord, you have given me complete trust in your comfort and guidance while I remain in this world because you defeated Satan, and have removed for me every form of bondage that the fear of death could produce. Thank you that you have made available for all who believe the assurance of your resurrection through the power of Christ Jesus. Hallelujah, Amen!
Published 13 January 2020
Comments: The Jews at the time of the writing of this letter had many previous generations of teaching from the Scriptures at synagogues throughout dispersed regions where Jews lived. Some of the Scriptures written over hundreds of years contained prophecies in varied context about the coming Messiah. There was no clear understanding even by the most highly educated Hebrew scholars to assure that there would be no mistake when Messiah appeared.
Verse 2 identifies Jesus as the Son of God, and heir of all things that exist; while at the same time declaring that all things were made by him. Since Jesus is the eternal Son of God the Father who is a triune God, there is no transfer to an heir in the manner as we would normally think about it. What the author calls “diverse manners” were just like an early dawn, before the bright day of sunshine brought by the one who is the “light of the world.” After Christ had satisfied the penalty for sin, and defeated death through His resurrection, he returned to the Father in heaven. His salvation from sin is available to all who will believe in His name!