Hebrews 1:1–14 (NKJV)
1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 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 at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 5 For to which of the angels did He ever say: “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”? And again: “I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son”? 6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all the angels of God worship Him.” 7 And of the angels He says: “Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire.” 8 But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” 10 And: “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. 11 They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment; 12 Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail.” 13 But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son.”
The book of Hebrews is one of the general epistles, along with James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1, 2, & 3 John, and Jude. Hebrews was received by the Church as apostolic, that is, part of the apostles’ teaching, but it is not certain which apostle is the human author. Most scholars suggest that it was Barnabas, the “son of encouragement,” who is now writing this “letter of encouragement.” Some scholars suggest that it was Apollos, whom Luther favors. Another suggestion, which does have historical precedence, is that the writer was Paul, although most scholars today dismiss this as less likely. Regardless, the writing was received by the Church as being in line with the teaching of the apostles of our Lord and received as Holy Scripture, God’s Word to God’s people.
The opening verses (1-2) show that the message of the Gospel is in line with the Old Testament prophecies, but at the same time is distinct from them, which anticipates the division of the Christian Bible into Old Testament and New Testament. Not only is the more recent message and revelation of God through His Son superior to the older messages, but the Son Himself is superior to other messengers or “angels,” which are the same words both in Hebrew and in Greek. The writer will go on to show other ways that Christ is superior, and superior to others, like Moses. Nevertheless, already it is clear that Jesus is not simply someone you ask into your life to be an assistant to help you make your life better. Instead, He is someone that you bow before, worship, and submit to as Lord.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the clearest image of the Father and seated at His right hand as Lord of all and my Lord; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
