Hebrews 1:1-4
1: God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways,
2: in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.
3: And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
4: having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.
The book of Hebrews was written by Paul, the time and place not known. Some were not convinced of Paul’s authorship which is why it was put at the end of his other epistles, which, by the way, are not in chronological order, but in order by length. Paul was called to the Gentiles, yet as a Pharisee he was extremely knowledgeable about Jewish Law and writings of the prophets. This letter to the Hebrews explains the fulfillment of Jesus Christ as the Messiah the Jews were waiting for. He quoted and referenced Old Testament Scripture throughout the letter to make his point.
The first four verses beautifully summarize Jesus as the Son of God, the exact image of the Father, His priestly role for mankind, and His current position seated at the Father's right hand. Paul began by saying that God spoke to their ancestors a long time ago by the prophets in many portions and ways. Each prophet did not have a full understanding but spoke whatever portion of revelation God gave them. God revealed these truths to them in many ways—dreams, visions etc.
Though God spoke to the fathers that way in the past, Paul explained, He now speaks to us through His Son. Immediately, Paul revealed Jesus as the Son of God, exalting Him above the prophets. In these short verses we learn that Jesus is the heir of all things (Psalm 2:8). God made the world through Him (John 1:1-3). He is the radiance of the Father’s glory (John 1:14). He is the exact representation of God’s nature (2 Corinthians 4:4). He upholds all things by the word of His power (Colossians 1:17). He made purification of sins, showing His priestly role for mankind (Hebrews 10:10). He sat down at the right hand of the Father, returning to His divine position (Hebrews 10:12). He became much better than the angels, after being made lower than them for a short while (Hebrews 2:9). He has inherited a more excellent name than the angels (Philippians 2:9).
These verses set the tone for the letter which reveals the fulfillment of Jesus Christ as the Jewish Messiah, and that the new covenant He instituted is better than the old. The old covenant is no longer an option. It’s been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Any Jew who wanted to continue to follow God had to do so through the gospel of Jesus Christ. This letter revealed much about the new covenant which is essential for any believer in Christ to understand—Jewish or not.
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The book of Hebrews was written by Paul, the time and place not known. Some were not convinced of Paul’s authorship which is why it was put at the end of his other epistles, which, by the way, are not in chronological order, but in order by length. Paul was called to the Gentiles, yet as a Pharisee he was extremely knowledgeable about Jewish Law and writings of the prophets. This letter to the Hebrews explains the fulfillment of Jesus Christ as the Messiah the Jews were waiting for. He quoted and referenced Old Testament Scripture throughout the letter to make his point.
The first four verses beautifully summarize Jesus as the Son of God, the exact image of the Father, His priestly role for mankind, and His current position seated at the Father's right hand. Paul began by saying that God spoke to their ancestors a long time ago by the prophets in many portions and ways. Each prophet did not have a full understanding but spoke whatever portion of revelation God gave them. God revealed these truths to them in many ways—dreams, visions etc.
Though God spoke to the fathers that way in the past, Paul explained, He now speaks to us through His Son. Immediately, Paul revealed Jesus as the Son of God, exalting Him above the prophets. In these short verses we learn that Jesus is the heir of all things (Psalm 2:8). God made the world through Him (John 1:1-3). He is the radiance of the Father’s glory (John 1:14). He is the exact representation of God’s nature (2 Corinthians 4:4). He upholds all things by the word of His power (Colossians 1:17). He made purification of sins, showing His priestly role for mankind (Hebrews 10:10). He sat down at the right hand of the Father, returning to His divine position (Hebrews 10:12). He became much better than the angels, after being made lower than them for a short while (Hebrews 2:9). He has inherited a more excellent name than the angels (Philippians 2:9).
These verses set the tone for the letter which reveals the fulfillment of Jesus Christ as the Jewish Messiah, and that the new covenant He instituted is better than the old. The old covenant is no longer an option. It’s been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Any Jew who wanted to continue to follow God had to do so through the gospel of Jesus Christ. This letter revealed much about the new covenant which is essential for any believer in Christ to understand—Jewish or not.
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