Hebrews Chapter 1
The Son Has Spoken
God speaks to man.
Think about it – God speaks, but many refuse to listen*, so much so that He finally sends His Son to personally speak to us.
Throughout the history of mankind, God has reached out to us through multiple channels – prophets who were His earthly spokesmen, His heavenly messengers (literally angels), dreams and visions… once even through a donkey. All this was to prepare for Him to speak though His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things (2).
That proved to be fatal – Jesus’ parable of the wicked vinedressers (Mt 21:33-29) was no fantasy – the heir was killed on the cross! But marvel of marvels, this climactic event of human history occurring “in these last days”, “at the end of the ages”, has led to the purging of sins (2; 9:26)!
The “last days” are exciting times. Spanning the entire New Testament era, it is a time for all prophecies to be fulfilled – propitiation for sins and establishment of the messianic kingdom (3-8), culminating with extermination of evil and transformation of the entire cosmos (9-13).
All because the Son has spoken.
Citing multiple OT scripture passages, this introductory chapter of Hebrews sets the tone for readers’ full attention and obedience to Christ the Lord:
- Ps 2:7 Christ is God’s begotten Son (5)
- This refers to the Messiah, eternal heir to David’s throne (Acts 13:32-34)
- Ps 97:7 The Son is to be worshipped by angels (6)
- The word “gods” in our OT can refer to angels
- Ps 104:4 Angels are just servants (7)
- But Christ is heir of all things (2), hence through Him we inherit salvation (14)
- Ps 45:6-7 The Son is the righteous King (8-9)
- The hope for a world without evil & injustice will only be realised through the Messiah
- God’s kingdom is linked to His righteousness (Mt 6:33)
- Jesus is linked to Melchizedek, King of Righteousness (7:17)
- Ps 103:25-27 Christ is eternal and unchanging (10-12)
- Follows from “forever and ever” in previous quote
- Leads us into the Age to Come
- Ps 110:1 Christ is enthroned as God’s victorious King (13)
- Enemies as footstool; last enemy is death (1 Cor 15:24-26)
- Angels and authorities and powers subject to Messiah (1 Pet 3:22)
The Son has spoken, give earnest heed to Him! (2:1; Mt 17:5)