Walking in Faith

Hebrews 1:5 quotes Psalm 2:7 (which is about the Messiah) and 2 Samuel 7:14 where the LORD is speaking to David through Nathan. Paul is speaking directly to the Jews and affirming the fact that Christ was the Son of God. He makes reference to Psalm 2:7 again in Acts 13:33 with respect to the resurrection of Christ. More importantly, I think this verse is really about conveying to the Jews a clear message that Christ was deity and He was the Son of God. When reading the entire passage, Paul calls Jesus Son and God. He uses the words interchangeably to clear make his point. This would have been considered blasphemy during Paul’s time period, obviously. Adam Clarke makes a great point, however, when he states:

This most important use of this saying has passed unnoticed by almost every Christian writer which I have seen; and yet it lies here at the foundation of all the apostle’s proofs. If Jesus was not thus the Son of God, the whole Christian system is vain and baseless: but his resurrection demonstrates him to have been the Son of God; therefore every thing built on this foundation is more durable than the foundations of heaven, and as inexpungable as the throne of the eternal King.

Verse 6 attests to the resurrection of Christ, as well. Paul states that again, He brings the firstborn into the world. This is going to sound like rocket science, but by definition, the firstborn would have to have been on the world first. To bring him again clearly articulates a point that His Son would be resurrected.

The repetitive theme of angels stands out in these verses. I am not sure that I can conclude any great thing about angels or their purpose from this Scripture, but God makes it clear to us that His Son is above the angels. His Son commands the angels. Paul tells us that the angels will worship Him [the Son] (verse 6).

In verse 8-9, Paul refers the Christ as God. He states:

^{8But of the Son he says,}

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
⁹You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

Paul is quoting another Psalm — Psalm 45:6-7 in this verse. The throne of God is referenced for the Son and we are told it will exist forever and ever. Earthly kings come and go but Paul makes sure that the Jewish reader realizes that the Son of God will sit on the throne for eternity. Again, the deity or divinity of Christ is pointed out in these verses — a reminder to the Jewish reader of the true person of Christ.

Paul goes in verses 10-12 to give us more Scripture that affirm the divinity and eternal nature of Christ. I really love verse 13 which references Psalm 110. The key to all of this in my mind is to remember that Christ was, and is, the Son of God. He will reign on high and will be above man and all of the angels.

Paul closes the chapter pointing out the purpose of the angels — they are to serve and minister for the sake of those who are to inherit eternal salvation. The angels really seem to be placed below man a bit here. Their role is to serve the elected humans in the world. That strikes me. Angels were created on the second day according to Genesis 1 yet they seem to be in a position “lower” than man. I don’t mean that from a better or worse perspective. I believe the inference is that from a “pecking order” perspective, the angels would actually be considered below man. I am sure that my thoughts on this do not align with many other people’s opinions but I am challenged to understand why the angels would serve man. Although, as I think about this a bit more, I am reminded of the fact that Jesus tells us that the first will be last and the last will be first. I wonder — does this apply to the position of the angels in the end? Once their purpose has been complete, will they receive a greater reward in our Father’s kingdom than us?