Exalted

Give Intro to book of Hebrews

The Story Behind ‘Take My Hand, Precious Lord’

Thomas A. Dorsey’s song “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” is one of the most beloved gospel songs of all time. The song’s power comes from profound personal tragedy. In August 1932, Dorsey, a Black band leader and accompanist, was on top of the world. He had recently been hired as director of the gospel chorus at Pilgrim Baptist Church in Chicago and was about to become a father for the first time.

Dorsey was nervous about travelling to a gospel music convention so close to his wife’s due date, but she gave her blessing. While he was in St. Louis, Dorsey received word that there had been complications with Nettie’s childbirth. He raced back to Chicago, but both mother and child died.

The double funeral took place at Pilgrim Baptist Church. Dorsey later said, “I looked down that long aisle which led to the altar where my wife and baby lay in the same casket. My legs got weak; my knees would not work right, and my eyes became blind with a flood of tears.” Dorsey fell into a deep depression. He questioned his faith and thought of giving up gospel music.

Dorsey’s friend and fellow chorus director Theodore Frye persuaded him to accept a dinner invitation. After dinner, Dorsey meandered over to the grand piano and began to play the hymn “Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone,” with its lyric “There’s a cross for everyone, and there’s a cross for me.” Dorsey began to play variations on the hymn’s melody, adding new lyrics. He called Frye over and began to sing, “Blessed Lord, take my hand.” Frye stopped him: “No man, no. Call him ‘precious Lord.’” Dorsey tried it again, replacing blessed with precious. “That does sound better!” he told Frye. “That’s it!”

Dorsey returned home and finished the song “in the next day or two.” Dorsey debuted “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” for the Pilgrim congregation at a Sunday worship service. The lyrics filled the sanctuary that morning: “Precious Lord, take my hand / Lead me on, let me stand / I am tired, I am weak / I am worn.” Dorsey was shocked to find congregants in the aisles, out of their seats, crying out in prayer. His song of deliverance from unbearable pain touched the heart of a congregation of Black Americans with testimonies of their own—of illness, death, poverty, or the daily indignities of discrimination.

Source: Robert Marovich, “The Origins of a Gospel Classic,” The Wall Street Journal (9-10-22)

Hebrews 1:1–14 CSB

1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different times and in different ways. 2 In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. 4 So he became superior to the angels, just as the name he inherited is more excellent than theirs. 5 For to which of the angels did he 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? 6 Again, when he brings his firstborn into the world, he says, And let all God’s angels worship him. 7 And about the angels he says: He makes his angels winds, and his servants a fiery flame, 8 but to the Son: Your throne, God, is forever and ever, and the scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of justice. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; this is why God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy beyond your companions. 10 And: In the beginning, Lord, you established the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands; 11 they will perish, but you remain. They will all wear out like clothing; 12 you will roll them up like a cloak, and they will be changed like clothing. But you are the same, and your years will never end. 13 Now to which of the angels has he ever said: Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?

Historical Context

As we explore the book of Hebrews, you will see that this letter is all about Jesus. This book is perhaps the most Christocentric book in the New Testament. There is much debate among scholarly circles as to who the author of Hebrews is because of the style of writing, lack of a typical Pauline introduction and other elements. Nevertheless, whether or not Paul wrote the book is inconsequential. The question of authorship does not affect the theology presented therein. If Paul didn’t write the book, it was undoubtedly a careful student of Paul who authored Hebrews.

‌It’s widely accepted that the book was written shortly before the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 and, more notably, before the obliteration of the Hebrew sanctuary. Prior to the fall of Jerusalem, there were increasing revolts by pockets of Jews in the Roman Empire that were being ruthlessly crushed by Rome, which was a prelude to the national ruin and carnage that was at the doorsteps of Israel. Emperor Nero, who ruled Rome from AD 54-68, initiated the first official Roman persecution of the Christian Church. Life was becoming more and more unbearable for Christ’s followers. The faith of many was tested severely, and the risk of apostasy and abandoning Christianity was steadily growing. The Christians who lived before the destruction of Jerusalem were mainly second-generation Christians who never laid eyes on Jesus and his apostles.

‌Furthermore, as long as the temple stood, Israel felt assured that God’s favour was upon them. The Sanctuary was the center of the Jewish worship system. Many of the people revered the building complex above God. Little did they realize that their national treasure would be reduced to rubble. The structure they placed their hopes upon was soon to be reduced to debris. The storm clouds were on the horizon.

‌Thus, Hebrews was written to a persecuted people who were about to experience even more suffering. The book helps to address the questions: what do you do when everything you hold dear is swept away, and many people you love are mercilessly put to death? Where or in whom do you place your confidence? Was Jesus really who their teachers said he was?

Exalted Above the Prophets

Hebrews 1:1–3 CSB

1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different times and in different ways. 2 In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

The Bible speaks of many prophets, but Moses and Elijah are perhaps the most prominent. God used Moses to set the Children of Israel free from slavery and subsequently vanquish Pharaoh and his hosts in the Red Sea. Through Moses, God led the Children of Israel to the edge of the promised land. The centrality of Moses during the time of Christ was evident in the over 150 mentions of his name in the NT. The scribes often questioned Jesus, beginning their questions with “Moses wrote” or “Moses permitted,” etc. Moses is credited with the authorship of the Pentateuch, Gen to Deut. God communicated through Moses as Heb 1.1 says:

Hebrews 1:1 CSB

1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different times and in different ways.

Although Moses’ authority was often challenged by the people he led, Moses was revered by generations of Jews who lived long after he died. However, Heb 1:2 points out that a greater revelation was needed to address the urgency of the “last days,” and that revelation came through Jesus Christ.

‌Elijah, the mighty prophet of God, challenged wicked king Ahab, who had married the equally wicked Jezebel. He contended with them about leading the children of Israel to apostatize from the worship of the God of Heaven and adopt the detestable practices of Baal worship. Elijah prayed, and it did not rain for three years; Elijah prayed three years later, and God heard his prayer and sent rain on the earth. Elijah prayed, and fire came down from heaven, consuming the troops Ahab sent to arrest him. On another notable occasion, Elijah had a head-to-head encounter with the prophets of Baal (elaborate). Elijah confronted Israel over its wishy-washy stance of standing on the fence, trying to serve God and Baal at the same time.

As great as these men were, they did not make the worlds, they were not the “express image” of the Heavenly Father. This phrase “express image” is translated from the word χαρακτὴρ, which means “facsimile or stamp.” In other words, Jesus was the facsimile regarding the character and authority of the Father. This is why Jesus was prompted to declare in John 14:9

John 14:9 (CSB)

9 […] “Have I been among you all this time and you do not know me, Philip? The one who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

Moses and Elijah could not uphold all things, the earth, the sun, the moon, the stars, and the entire universe by their “powerful word.” No friends; only Jesus could and continues to do these things. Best of all, verse three concludes with these words, “Heb 1.3

Hebrews 1:3 (NKJV)

3 […] He […] Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Who were the early Christians to look to when Roman soldiers would surround Jerusalem? Who were they to look to when their beloved temple would be laid waste? They were to look to Jesus. What do you do when the rug is pulled from under your feet? What do you do when everything around you seems to be crumbling? Look to Jesus, the one who purged our sins and sat down at the right hand of God for you and me.

Beloved, look to the One who is exalted above the greatest prophets.

Exalted Above the Angels

The Bible speaks of the exploits of mighty angels, such as the angel of death who slew all the firstborns in Egypt from the servant's quarters up to the palace. The angel slew the firstborn children in the dwelling places of those who were not covered by the blood.

King Hezekiah was confronted by the Assyrian king Sennacherib’s blasphemous court official, the Rabshakeh, and told to surrender. The Rabshekeh told Hezekiah, 2 Kings 19.10-13

2 Kings 19:10–13 CSB

10 “Say this to King Hezekiah of Judah: ‘Don’t let your God, on whom you rely, deceive you by promising that Jerusalem will not be handed over to the king of Assyria. 11 Look, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the countries: They completely destroyed them. Will you be rescued? 12 Did the gods of the nations that my predecessors destroyed rescue them—nations such as Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the Edenites in Telassar? 13 Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, or Ivvah?’ ”

We learn an important lesson by examining this story quickly. 2 Kings 19:14-19

2 Kings 19:14–19 CSB

14 Hezekiah took the letter from the messengers’ hands, read it, then went up to the Lord’s temple, and spread it out before the Lord. 15 Then Hezekiah prayed before the Lord: Lord God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you are God—you alone—of all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. 16 Listen closely, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see. Hear the words that Sennacherib has sent to mock the living God. 17 Lord, it is true that the kings of Assyria have devastated the nations and their lands. 18 They have thrown their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but made by human hands—wood and stone. So they have destroyed them. 19 Now, Lord our God, please save us from his power so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, Lord, are God—you alone.

If you are sent an eviction letter, lay it out before the Lord; if you are sent your walking papers from your job, lay them out before the Lord. When everything is crumbling around you, lay it out, lay your fears, lay your anxiety before the Lord.

After the Lord rebuked Sennacherib through the prophet Isaiah, we are told in 2 Kings 19:35

2 Kings 19:35 NKJV

35 And it came to pass on a certain night that the angel of the Lord went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses—all dead.

As mighty as the angels are, Heb 1:4 tells us. Heb 1.4

Hebrews 1:4 CSB

4 So he became superior to the angels, just as the name he inherited is more excellent than theirs.

This verse does not refer to Jesus as a created being, as some allege, or an inferior divine person, inferior to the Father. No, this verse speaks to the fantastic condescension of Jesus becoming a human being and, as a man, obtaining a more excellent name than the angels.

Phil 2 sheds further light on the concept being discussed here. Phil 2.1-11

Philippians 2:5–11 NASB 2020

5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross. 9 For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Again, as magnificent and powerful the angels are, [read Heb 1:5]

Hebrews 1:5 CSB

5 For to which of the angels did he 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?

The curious language in this text refers to the divine agreement between Jesus and the Father to save humanity. It would be illogical for me to say to my son, “Today, I have become your father,” for I am already his father. It would be nonsensical to tell my son, “I will be your father, and you will be my son.” For he is already my son and was my son the moment he was conceived in my wife’s womb. This passage speaks to the exalted nature of Jesus Christ, the “express image” of the Father. If there was any doubt as to Christ's nature and status, the writer of Hebrews continues saying, (verse 6-9).

Hebrews 1:6–9 CSB

6 Again, when he brings his firstborn into the world, he says, And let all God’s angels worship him. 7 And about the angels he says: He makes his angels winds, and his servants a fiery flame, 8 but to the Son: Your throne, God, is forever and ever, and the scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of justice. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; this is why God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy beyond your companions.

Yes, friends, when your faith is badly shaken, and you don’t know where to turn or who to turn to, look to Jesus. He is exalted above the angels. Look to the One who proved his love for you when he

Hebrews 1:3 (NKJV)

3 […] He […] Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Beloved, place your confidence in the One who is exalted above the angels.

Exalted Above Creation

Wikipedia tells us the sun is 4 379 000 km in circumference and has a temperature range of 5973°C to 15,000 000°C. The Sun and the solar system orbit the center of the Milky Way galaxy at approximately 720 000 KM/h. According to quora.com, the sun generates roughly 3.86 x 1026 watts every second. To put that number into perspective, our entire planet consumes 1.77 x 1013 watts per year!

NASA estimates that there are approximately one septillion stars in the universe. One of the stars in the Orion constellation, Betelgeuse, is about 7500 to 14000 times brighter than our sun and, according to Britannica, 764 times larger than the sun.

Come down to our little plant, affectionately called the little blue dot by some, and travel up Mount Everest. If it were possible, swim down to the lowest depths of the oceans and uncover life forms that human eyes have never seen. Witness the power of a tsunami or a powerful lightning storm with thunderbolts generating about 7 gigajoules of energy.

Read verses 10-13.

Hebrews 1:10–13 CSB

10 And: In the beginning, Lord, you established the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands; 11 they will perish, but you remain. They will all wear out like clothing; 12 you will roll them up like a cloak, and they will be changed like clothing. But you are the same, and your years will never end. 13 Now to which of the angels has he ever said: Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool?

Jesus made it all and upholds it by his powerful word. If he wanted to, he could fold up all the heavens like a garment and tuck them away. But he remains the same. Not only is Jesus exalted above the prophets and angels, but he is exalted above all creation. And it is

Hebrews 1:3 (NKJV)

3 […] He […] Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

If everything is crumbling around you, if your marriage is crumbling, if your health is failing, if you are at your wits' end trying to make ends meet, trying to stay afloat, if you are contending with a rebellious child who is wearing out your life force, look to Jesus, the One who is exalted above the prophets, exalted above the angels, exalted above all creation, the one who

Hebrews 1:3 (NKJV)

3 […] Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,