A Study on the Book of Hebrews
Hebrews Chapter 1
The writer of Hebrews begin by telling how things were since before time began – showing the difference between the angels which were created by God and the Son of God (Jesus Christ). Hebrews 1:1-3 God spoke through the prophets to His people at different times and in many different ways. In these last days, God has spoken to us through His Son (Jesus Christ). Christ is – the brightness of the glory of God the image of the person of God He sustains all things by the word of His power. He put into effect the purification of our sins through Himself He sits at the right hand of the Majesty (see also Acts 2:32-36) The Word of His power. His Word has as much power today as it did the day He spoke, “Let there be light”. This same Word speaks to us today. The Word is Jesus. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God (John 1:1) and the Word became flesh...(John 1:14). Jesus Christ is the Word and the image of God, the Son of God and through Him we will inherit all things (see Colossians 1:12-18 / Psalm 2:7). Hebrews 1:4-6 None of the angels received this position of honor and praise. The Son alone received a more excellent name than they did. None of the angels were told they were as children to the Father. They are servants of God. All the angels worship Him, the Son. His throne endures forever (Psalm 45:6-7). Hebrews 1:7-9 - We have an Inheritance through Him. Because of His love for righteousness and hatred for wickedness, He was given the throne and the kingdom forever – this is also why we must do the same as He did (that is our part to fulfill in the agreement/ covenant), so we can coinherit with Him. John 1:12 - But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: The oil of gladness above His fellows – Christ means: “the Anointed One” The oil, the anointing, the essence of the Spirit of God will be notable to all who come near Him, just as the fragrance of the anointing oil was smelled by all who came near to the priests when they were anointed to work in the temple. When we are anointed (when we have the Holy Spirit) we have the strenghtening joy of the Lord – this is what enabled Jesus Christ to go through all that He went through without giving up. He persevered. Humbly walking in righteousness is what gave Him the joyous confidence that the Father would be with Him and would strengthen Him through it all. (see Philippians 2:5-11) Even today the testimony of Christ established through humble obedience to the Father lives on as a witness, and for us was a light that shined in a dark place. As we continue to allow this witness of Christ to live on in us and through us, we also will be lights in a dark place to which others will be drawn, and be able to know the Salvation of the Lord. Hebrews 1:10-14 – While things created do not last forever, God remains the same forever – just a s powerful and capable forever. Knowing this, we must wait patiently on the Lord. He will hear our cry and will answer in the appointed time. Hebrews 2:1 – Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed (pay diligent attention) to the things which we have heard (of the gospel of Christ), lest at any time we should let them slip.
Hebrews Chapter 2
Hebrews 2:1-4 Because the words we heard did not come from man, but from God, it is of great importance for us to pay closer attention now than before, and not allow the things we have heard to slip away from our memory or else we will stray away. We are more accountable hearing them from Jesus (GOD in the flesh) than those before us who heard the Word of the Lord through the prophets because Jesus made salvation very clear in HIS teachings and it was confirmed again and again by those who heard and obeyed HIM and continued preaching and teaching HIS Word (see also Mark 16:20). Hebrews 2:5-8 Again, the angels were not given this dominion as man was – they have a different position (see Hebrews 1:4-5 and 13-14). Man was made a little lower than the angels (angels are eternal and men are mortal), but man was given the honor of dominion because their purpose was to be children of GOD. Everything was put under subjection to him, but not all things have come under his subjection. For this reason, Christ came to overcome all things, so that through Christ (the Son of the Most High God) we can be more than conquerors. (see Romans 8:37 and Revelation 3:21). Hebrews 2:9-10 God came as a man (Jesus) in the form that was a little lower than the angels, and went through all the hardships and afflictions to the point of death. God made the captain of our salvation (Jesus) perfect (complete) through sufferings. There is nothing that we go through that He did not suffer in some way. He can say, I know what you are going through, I felt your pain and I overcame so you can too. Trust Me. Believe My sayings. Know they are True and I Am Faithful. Hebrews 2:11-13 We are made one with God through Christ. Jesus said I and My Father are one (see John 10:30-39). The Father is the One who sanctified the Son and the One who sanctifies us His children, so we are all from One Father – that is GOD (see also Jesus's prayer in John 17:17-23). Also regarding Hebrews 2:12: In John 17:6-8, Jesus prayed to the Father - I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world: Thine they were, and Thou gavest them Me; and they have kept Thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever Thou hast given Me are of Thee. For I have given unto them the words which Thou gavest Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from Thee, and they have believed that Thou didst send Me. Hebrews 2:14-15 All our lives (without Christ) we were in bondage to fearing death, therefore He overcame death, so that we would not fear death. The one who had the power of death was the devil and Christ overcame the devil too. (See 1 Corinthians 15:20-28) 1 Corinthians 15:22 - For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Hebrews 2:16-18 It was convenient for Him to come as a man in order for Him to be their Help, to be their Merciful and High Priest, to reconcile them to the Father, and to help those who are tempted. Not because He was not already, but because He wanted them to know He was the One the prophets spoke about and that He fulfilled all things. Hebrews 4:15-16 - For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. May the Lord Most High be praised and exalted forever!! Amen.