This previous post contains some discussion on the subject, but we truly do not know who wrote the Book of Hebrews. It is very much a book that celebrates the Son of God as the savior of the world. Verses 3 and 4 of chapter one state that after “making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,  having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. This theme, and a comparison of the old law to the new covenant we have in Jesus resound throughout the book.

The writer cites many passages from the Psalms in this chapter — (verse 5) Psalm 2:7, Psalm 89:26-27, (verse 6) Psalm 97:7, (verse 7) Psalm 104:4, (verse 8) Psalm 45:6-7, (verse 10) Psalm 102:25-27, and (verse 13) Psalm 110:1. These are all, of course, Messianic passages. The writer is making comparisons between Jesus and the angels, asking whether God had considered them to be as important as Jesus. Of the angels, the writer asks “Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?” The angels do indeed have an important role for us, but obviously, it pales in comparison.

The writer continues in chapter to press the importance of the mission of Jesus, saying that for a little while, He was made lower than the angels, so that He might taste death for everyone. And in verses 14-17, he said:

…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,  and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham.

Christians, as Paul told us in Galatians 3, are the offspring of Abraham through Christ. And he then speaks of Jesus as our “high priest”in verse 17. The term will come up again later in the book.

 /Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Philippians and Hebrews

Phil. 3, Phil. 4, Heb. 1, Heb. 2, Heb. 3

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.