By Stan Cox, on July 16th, 2011
The Hebrew writer here shows the place of preeminence given to Jesus as God’s Son. In so doing, he establishes an order with God being first, angels second and man third.
In the beginning, the Word was God (cf. John 1:1). The Word then became flesh (cf. John 1:14), and this event is referred to by Paul as an experience where the Son of God was humbled, “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8).
Paul continued in that passage, “Therefore God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name” (vs. 9). This passage in Hebrews agrees with that assessment.
Because of Jesus’ death, the payment for sin was paid. God ordained Jesus as Savior, and the proof of this choosing is found in the resurrection (cf. Acts 2:32-36). God has exalted Him. Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, ruling in the kingdom. He is above every name, both human and angelic. He is the Son of God. He has been crowned, and we are subject to Him alone.
By Stan Cox, on November 14th, 2009
Hebrews 1:1-4
The first four verses of both the first and second chapters of Hebrews are similar in that they declare the superiority of the words of our Lord. However, while the second chapter points out the responsibility we have to heed and obey the words of Jesus, the first chapter keeps the focus on the Lord Himself.
The words spoken by Jesus are superior because of who Jesus is. He is the Heir of all things. He is the Creator of the universe (cf. John 1:1-4). He is the personification of God, and our blessed Redeemer. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and is presently reigning in His kingdom at the right hand of the Father. He is superior to the angels, and as stated by the writer, “has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they” (4).
These words serve as the premise of the Hebrew epistle. The Hebrew Christian should not place his trust in the Old Covenant. Rather, he should turn to the New. Salvation is in the words, sacrifice and mediation of Jesus Christ. All who have gone before are flawed, and unable to save. In these last days, God has spoken to us “through His Son.”
By Stan Cox, on December 29th, 2007
Hebrews 2:1-4
The book of Hebrews contains numerous comparisons between God’s covenant with the Hebrews, and the covenant ratified with the blood of His son Jesus. The comparisons are intended to establish the superiority of the New (Jesus’ covenant) over the Old (Hebraic covenant).
One of these comparisons centers on the messengers God utilized under the Old covenant (described here as “the word spoken through angels [messengers]”), and Jesus Himself, the messenger of the New Covenant.
Since Jesus is Lord, His words carry the greatest authority. If God held the Jews accountable to the instructions He gave them through the agency of His servants, He will certainly hold us accountable to the instructions given to us by the Son of God himself.
So, we must “give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.” To fail in this is to forfeit our eternal standing before God.
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