The author of Hebrews ends our first chapter with a flurry of Old Testament references to prove that the Jewish Messiah is greater than angels.
1:5-9 - Jesus greater than the angels
For to which of the angels did God 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"?
These two quotes are from Psalm 2:7 and 2 Samuel 7:13-14, part of God's promise to David and his descendants. (A passage parallel to 2 Samuel 7:13-14 is 1 Chronicles 17:13.)
And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."
This quotation is an interesting one, for it is from the Pentateuch, from Deuteronomy 32:43. Modern translations like the NIV, based on the Masoretic text, don't mention angels, but the Septuagint does, and the Septuagint was the Greek version of the Old Testament available for Greek readers of that day. The Jewish readers would have been familiar with this quotation.
In speaking of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire."
But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."
These two quotations are from the psalms, first Psalm 104:4 and then Psalm 45:6-7.
1:10-12 Jesus -- from the beginning
He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end."
This beautiful cosmological scene is from Psalm 102:25-27.
1:13-14 Angels are different
To which of the angels did God ever say, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"? Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
The final Old Testament quote in this passage is from Psalm 110:1. Clearly the psalter and the book of Moses were well known to the readers. The psalms will be used as references throughout the letter.
Why, suddenly, this essay on angels? There are two reasons the writer pauses to compare Jesus and the angels.
First, the Jewish reader of that time would believe (of course) that there is only one God. But he/she might also believe in other divine beings between God and man, that is, spirits or "angels" or "sons of God" (such as those who showed up in Old Testament episodes with Abraham or Daniel.) Jewish followers of Jesus might be tempted to believe that Jesus was a spiritual hero, a divine spirit, therefore relegating Him to angelic status. The author of Hebrews wants the readers to understand that this demotion is unacceptable. Jesus is far above the angels! This is intended (with verse 3) to be a clear statement about Jesus's divinity: Jesus IS God.
There is a second reason the author of this letter want to compare Jesus with angels. That will become clear in the next chapter of the letter.
I hope to post of Hebrews 2 on Wednesday.
1:5-9 - Jesus greater than the angels
For to which of the angels did God 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"?
These two quotes are from Psalm 2:7 and 2 Samuel 7:13-14, part of God's promise to David and his descendants. (A passage parallel to 2 Samuel 7:13-14 is 1 Chronicles 17:13.)
And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."
This quotation is an interesting one, for it is from the Pentateuch, from Deuteronomy 32:43. Modern translations like the NIV, based on the Masoretic text, don't mention angels, but the Septuagint does, and the Septuagint was the Greek version of the Old Testament available for Greek readers of that day. The Jewish readers would have been familiar with this quotation.
In speaking of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire."
But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."
These two quotations are from the psalms, first Psalm 104:4 and then Psalm 45:6-7.
1:10-12 Jesus -- from the beginning
He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end."
This beautiful cosmological scene is from Psalm 102:25-27.
1:13-14 Angels are different
To which of the angels did God ever say, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"? Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
The final Old Testament quote in this passage is from Psalm 110:1. Clearly the psalter and the book of Moses were well known to the readers. The psalms will be used as references throughout the letter.
Why, suddenly, this essay on angels? There are two reasons the writer pauses to compare Jesus and the angels.
First, the Jewish reader of that time would believe (of course) that there is only one God. But he/she might also believe in other divine beings between God and man, that is, spirits or "angels" or "sons of God" (such as those who showed up in Old Testament episodes with Abraham or Daniel.) Jewish followers of Jesus might be tempted to believe that Jesus was a spiritual hero, a divine spirit, therefore relegating Him to angelic status. The author of Hebrews wants the readers to understand that this demotion is unacceptable. Jesus is far above the angels! This is intended (with verse 3) to be a clear statement about Jesus's divinity: Jesus IS God.
There is a second reason the author of this letter want to compare Jesus with angels. That will become clear in the next chapter of the letter.
I hope to post of Hebrews 2 on Wednesday.
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