Hebrews Chapter 1

The book of Hebrews holds a special place within the books of the Bible. It is the book that takes the Old Testament symbols and brings them over into the New Testament realities. It exalts Jesus Christ in ways that no other book does. It starts with the word “God”, and this is indicative of the focus of the entire book. If I had to pick a favorite book, the book of Hebrews would probably be it.

1. God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

2. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

We are currently in the “last days” in which God the Father has chosen to speak to us through his Son. We have been given more “light” than in any previous time period because, in addition to the testimonies of the prophets, we have the testimony of God’s Son. There is a distinction made here between the prophets and the Son of God. Although Jesus was a prophet, he was much more than a prophet. None of the prophets created this universe, but God’s Son did.

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 on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

No other prophet was spoken of by God the Father as he speaks about his Son. None had any ability to purge our sins, and none of them sat down at the right hand of God the Father.

4. Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

5. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

6. And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

7. And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

Having drawn a clear picture of the great distinction between Jesus Christ and the prophets, the Father goes on to make us understand the difference between his Son and the angels. Angels are creatures of immense power and ability, but in the four verses above, we are told that Jesus Christ is “so much better” than them. The relationship between the Father and Son is a “family” relationship – they are of the same “kind”. The relationship between God and the angels is entirely different. It is so different that the angels are to worship the Son. Doesn’t worship belong only to God himself? Who then is this Son?

8. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

The Son of God is God the Son.

9. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

10. And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

11. They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;

12. And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

13. But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

14. Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

The Son of God did things that no man or angel could do.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and

the Word was God.

The same was in the beginning with God.

All things were made by him; and without him

was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:1-3