Heb 1:1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many
portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His
Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.
3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of
His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made
purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4
having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more
excellent name than they.
What a powerful beginning! What a life-altering declaration! God has
spoken in His Son, who is superior to all others. He is God’s “final answer.”
Therefore we cling to Him, worship Him, and serve Him with all that we have and
are.
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Study Hebrews 1 (and all of Hebrews) inductively. Here are some ways to
start.
1.
Ask the questions that a news reporter would raise:
• Who is speaking? To whom?
About whom?
• What is the subject? The event?
The instruction?
• When do or will events
occur?
• Where did or will this
happen?
• Why is some element
mentioned? Why now? Why to this person?
• How is it to be done? How will it happen? How is it illustrated?
2.
Mark key words and phrases, through the use of symbols
and colors.
3.
Note paragraph breaks, identified by indented text, bold
verse numbers, or paragraph-style layout.
4.
Look for lists, and number them in the text. Compile
topical lists in the margin.
5.
Watch for contrasts and comparisons.
6.
Mark the imperatives or commands.
7.
Highlight the indicatives or statements.
8.
Note expressions of time and sequence.
9.
Identify terms of transition and conclusion.
Words like “for,” “in order that,” “wherefore,” “therefore,” “for this
reason,” “now,” “because,” “likewise, finally. Questions and answers.
10.
Write the topic of each paragraph.
In narrative, look for events. In
poetry, for images. In epistles, for
themes.
11.
Link the paragraphs in one sentence.
This will help you see the overall flow, the forest and not just the
trees.
As a result, you will see each verse within its own context.
12.
Write the theme of each chapter.
Of course, a chapter may have multiple themes (and vice versa).
13.
Discover timeless truths for daily life.
For example: “Though Satan brings suffering, God will bless me through
it.”
As you observe,
include the following:
Chapter Title:
Main Ideas and/or points in chapter:
Key words, phrases, and ideas in chapter:
Questions answered in chapter:
Questions you have about chapter:
What you would note if teaching chapter:
So let’s start with Hebrews 1.
Hebrews 1 – Greater Than
Angels
Who or what is the subject in the first four verses?
What comparisons or contrasts are being made?
How did God communicate before the coming of His Son?
Describe an OT event or scene in which God spoke to man.
What do you know about the OT prophets, their style, and their message?
Seven Unique Traits of
Jesus Christ
Comment on each.
1. Heir of all things.
2. Agent of creation.
3. Sustainer of all things.
4. Exact representation of God.
5. Sacrifice for sins.
6. Ruler at the Father’s right hand.
7. Designee with the highest name: “Son.”
Why would Hebrews first compare Jesus with angels? What problem does this indicate among these readers and hearers,
which had to be addressed?
What makes angels so fascinating?
What Scriptures describe angels? (Use a concordance or do an online
search.)
Why would first-century Jews honor, revere, or even worship angels?
Seven Scriptures
Regarding the Christ
Look up each of the following in context, and note the intent of the
passage.
1.
Ps 2:7 “I will surely
tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have
begotten You.’”
Context: Psalm 2
Ps 2:1-3 The Nations’
Conspiracy
Ps 2:4-6 The Lord’s Response
Ps 2:7-9 The Anointed One’s
Confidence and Victory
Ps 2:10-12 The World’s Choice:
Honor the Son or Perish
2.
2 Sa 7:14a “I will be a
father to him and he will be a son to Me …”
Context: 2 Sam 7:12-16
The prophet Nathan is bringing God’s word to King David regarding his
son. Is the son Solomon … or Christ?
3.
Ps 97:7b Worship Him, all
you gods.
Context: Ps 97
The theme of Ps 97 is the Lord’s power and dominion. He is supreme over all.
All “gods” or “angels” or “mighty ones” (Heb. elohim) worship Him.
The writer of Hebrews quotes from the Greek translation of the Old Testament,
called the Septuagint or LXX. In the Septuagint of Ps 97:7 the word angelloi (“angels”) is used to translate
the Heb. elohim.
4.
Ps 104:4 He makes the
winds His messengers, Flaming fire His ministers.
Context: Ps 104
Everything is under God’s care and control. Wind and fire are His
messengers and ministers, certainly not His equal. No one should worship or
exalt angels because they are no more than God’s agents, under His direction
and command.
5.
Ps 45:6 Your throne, O
God, is forever and ever; A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your
kingdom. 7 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore
God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of joy above Your fellows.
Context: Ps 45
Ps 45 is addressed to the Davidic king of Israel in celebration of his marriage.
The writer of Hebrews chooses just the part of the psalm that he applies to
Jesus. As the OT king was a “mighty one” (elohim),
Jesus the true king is actually “God” (elohim).
6.
Ps 102:25 “Of old You
founded the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. 26 “Even
they will perish, but You endure; And all of them will wear out like a garment;
Like clothing You will change them and they will be changed. 27 “But You
are the same, And Your years will not come to an end.
Context: Ps 102
Here an afflicted man, suffering in pain and reproached by his enemies, praises
God because He is the Creator who made all things and will outlast all things. He
contrasts his weakness and brevity with God’s strength and longevity. The
writer of Hebrews applies these words, first addressed to Yahweh, to Jesus as
God.
7.
Ps 110:1 The Lord says to
my Lord: “Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your
feet.”
Context: Ps 110
In this psalm we read of “my Lord” being seated at the right hand of “the
LORD” (Yahweh). He is described as the invincible king (110:1-3), the perpetual
priest (110:4-5), and the authoritative judge (110:6-7).
This psalm is quoted more often than any other in the NT. Jesus cited it
Himself in the question He raised with His critics in Mark 12:35-37.
Mk 12:35 And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say
that the Christ is the son of David? 36 David himself, in the Holy
Spirit, declared, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put
your enemies under your feet.” ’ 37 David himself calls him Lord.
So how is he his son?” And the great throng heard him gladly.
See also Peter’s reference in his sermon at Pentecost:
Ac 2:34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,
“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, 35 until I make
your enemies your footstool.” ’
See also the frequent NT references to Jesus being at the right hand of
God:
Mt 26:64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you
will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the
clouds of heaven.”
Eph 1:20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him
at his right hand in the heavenly places,
Col 3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are
above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Heb 1:3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his
nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making
purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
Heb 8:1 Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest,
one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,
Heb 10:12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he
sat down at the right hand of God,
Heb 12:2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the
joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is
seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
So --- what about
angels?
Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of
those who are to inherit salvation?
It’s fascinating to think of the unseen service that angels – God’s “secret
agents” – render you and me, the heirs of salvation. Exactly how do they do
that?
We are not told any specifics, at least in part because the focus of
Hebrews is not the role of angels. It is the supreme, surpassing majesty of
Jesus Christ, with whom no angel can compare.
Therefore …
The writer of Hebrews often exhorts his readers by declaring the “what”
of doctrinal truth and then moving to the “so what” of practical application.
Here is the very first example. Jesus is far superior to angels. So what? Read
on.
Heb 2:1 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest
we drift away from it. 2 For since the message declared by angels proved
to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just
retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?
It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who
heard, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various
miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
Because of Jesus’ supremacy over angels, we must give greater heed to His
salvation. If one rejected the message through angels and paid the price for
disobedience, how much worse will it be for those who reject the message of Him
who is greater than the angels?
