7/28/2019 Men's Bible Study

Introduction

Hebrews is an anonymous letter. The author never reveals himself. Now traditionally the book has been attributed to Paul. However there are several difficulties with that proposal, the foremost being literary style. Other authors have been proposed such as Clement and Luke however those also have difficulty. It is best to understand that this book is anonymous by God’s sovereign will and leave it at that for now.

The title of the epistle tells us how historically this letter has been understood, as an address to Jews. In fact that assumption would be correct. For the majority of the Book address the superiority of Christ to the OT sacrificial system.

With that in mind, let us begin reading.

Read

Hebrews 1

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son,

Let stop right there. The first verse sets the stage for the whole book. In the OT God spoke to His people by prophets. What is a prophet? A mouth piece for God. But what does the author say? God has now spoken to us directly. The Father has sent His Son. How much better and greater is that? He is going to tell us.

Let us continue.

whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 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, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Now in Hebrews, the author loves comparisons and analogies. Listen carefully to this comparison as I read.

whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 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, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son, today I have begotten you”?

Or again,

“I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”?

6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,

“Let all God's angels worship him.”

7 Of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”

8 But of the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

10 And,

“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; 11 they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, 12 like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.”

13 And to which of the angels has he ever said,

“Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?

14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

Here we have a comparison between Jesus and the angels in order to display Jesus’ superiority to the angels. Now why would the author need to do such a thing? Isn't it obvious? The author is pressing many points of Jewish thought here but there is one in particular I would like to identify. In the OT, the appearing of angels was a monumental event. Bringing death, protection, or revelation. Now the author of the Hebrews says, “yes, that was huge, but Jesus is so much better. He is God here in the flesh.”

English Standard Version (ESV)

Hebrews 2

2 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.

When we read “therefore” a light needs to go off in our head. The coming argument is predicated on what has preceded it. In other words, The argument is building off of what already said in chapter 1.

So what point is the author trying to make now? It is this. If those in the OT did not escape disobeying God’s commands given through an angel, how much more will we not escape the punishment of disobeying God’s commands straight out of His mouth, to whom there are countless eyewitnesses? And secondly, if the disobedient in the OT received terrible yet just punishments, then what do you think will become of the disobedient in this age? So here it is, therefore do not neglect the salvation we have in Christ. Repent and turn to Him.

5 For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 It has been testified somewhere,

“What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? 7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, 8  putting everything in subjection under his feet.”

Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying,

“I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

13 And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”

And again,

“Behold, I and the children God has given me.”

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

So there is a lot going on in this passage. Let me summarize v.5-13 and then all focus on v.14-18.

v.5-13 is identifying Jesus Christ alone as the founder of Salvation. Salvation not for the angels but rather for those who believe. That is why God is bringing about His kingdom. For us, ultimately, His glory.

Now for v.14-18. Jesus had to take on our form. He had to become human, completely human in order for Him to be our saviour. That is why an animal would not suffice, no matter how perfect. That is why an angel would not work, no matter how magnificent. Our Saviour had to be as we are to save us. That is why it is so abhorrent when the humanity of Jesus is denied.

Application