CHAPTER 1
THE WORD FROM ETERNITY
God spoke "..." is the ringing note of Hebrews.
The source of all revelation is God. The author does not argue for Hisexistence, he merely assumes that He is (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1). He alsoassumes that God reveals Himself. Since the essential nature of God is love,He can do none other than manifest Himself to those who believe in Him.In one word – "God" – the author of Hebrews sets aside the machinationsof those who seek to discover the origin and goal of their religion amid theblind gropings of sinful men. He declares them to be given through the selfunveiling of a mighty and merciful God, while God is evidenced in the workof His hands.
In Psalm 8, He reveals Himself by the word of His mouth. By the workof His hands God could show His majesty and might. The end result of therevelation of God is His salvation worked out in man – a full, complete, andpurposeful salvation. We are further reminded that while revelation is divine,its object and means "in times past" are human. God revealed Himself to man[Father] through man [Prophet] (Hebrews 1:1). While He does not specificallysay it, we are reminded that God ... "spake" as "holy men of God ... weremoved by the Holy Ghost." (II Peter 1:21) But the emphasis here is upon thehuman element in revelation.
In so doing the author declares that the Old Testament is a revelationfrom God. Through Noah, Abraham, Moses, David and the prophets, He hasspoken to the Fathers in time past. By dreams, visions, sighs, in spoken word,voice and in "divers manners", God has revealed His will to men.
Of necessity, this revelation was fragmentary and incomplete. "At sundrytimes" is more aptly translated "in my portions." Since revelation is divine insource and human in means, it is to be expected that the perfect revelationwould be through the one who is both human and divine. The author movesnaturally to this truth as he declares that God who "spake in time past ...by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son." The word"spake" in the original is an aorist participle, having "spoken" suggestingthe incomplete nature of the former revelation. "Hath spoken" is an aoristindicative of the same verb "did speak", which indicates the final and fullrevelation through the Son. The word "Son" is the key thought here. Inthe original it is without the definite article. He is a "Son", in contrast to"the prophets." The emphasis is on what He is rather than on who He is.Later, (4:14) this Son will be identified with Jesus, the human-divine Sonof God. In short, He is not a mere vehicle of revelation, but He is God inhuman form revealing Himself (John 14:9). His revelation is not fragmentary,but complete; not partial, but perfect; not preparatory, but ultimate. Therevelation is perfect in essence; but due to man's inability it is yet imperfectin comprehension (John 16:12).
To emphasize the superiority of the new revelation over the old, theauthor points out seven ways in which the Son is superior to those throughwhom God had spoken "in time past." Being "appointed heir of all things"(verse 2), He is the goal towards which all creation moves. He is the creator"by whom also He made the worlds" (verse 2). He is the Alpha and Omega,the beginning and the end (Revelation 1:8). As the brightness of His gloryand "the express image of His person" (verse 3), He is the exact image ofGod, the perfect expression of His character from eternity. He is not of likesubstance but is the same substance with God (John 1:1; Philippians 2:6;Colossians 1:15). From eternity to eternity He is the sustainer of the universe,"upholding all things by the Word of His power" (verse 3; Colossians 1:17).He is our Redeemer, having "Himself purged our sins" (verse 3). The referenceis to the climax of His incarnate revelation of God as Savior. He is both therevealer of God and the redeemer of man. He is our King, who followingHis redemptive work, "sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high"verse 3; Philippians 2:7-11). As our Prophet, Priest and King (verse 3), He isexalted above the angels (verse 4). There can be no stronger expression thanthese concerning the Deity of Christ.
Enlarging upon this thought regarding angels, we are reminded that therevelation through Christ is "better" (verse 4) than the Law of Moses, whichthe Jews regarded as being given through angels (Acts 7, 38, 53). This truthis driven home with a six-fold comparison of the Son and angels. While theangels are servants of God, (verse 7) and of the heir of salvation (verse 14), theSon possesses Sonship (verse 5). He is a King (verse 8); the anointed one (verse9) the Creator (verses 10-12) and He possesses rulership (verse 13).
CHAPTER 2
THE CHRISTIAN GROWTH
A Christian must pursue maturity. On their way to maturity, they mustbegin with milk, which is the principle of the Doctrine of Jesus Christ.(Hebrews 6:1) The base of study for growth is suffering. Jesus learnedobedience by the things He suffered. (Hebrews 5:8-9) And being madeperfect, complete or mature, He became the Author of eternal salvationunto all them that obey Him.
Jesus learned by experience what it is to obey God in the midst of manifoldsufferings. That He was qualified to succor those who are in like circumstancesof suffering (Hebrews 2:18; 4:15). Being made perfect; having triumphantlygone through with the course of suffering appointed for Him, and thatbecome perfect as our Savior. A Christian needs more than the simplesttruths (milk), which makes one unskillful in the word of righteousness;inexperienced, having comparatively little knowledge of the character andwork of Jesus Christ, and the way of salvation through Him as revealed inthe scriptures.
Strong meat (maturity) is the most difficult part of divine truth.Of full age - of greater experience and knowledge of divine things to discern;to distinguish between truth and error, good and evil.
The six chapter of Hebrews says, "Christians must leave the principles ofthe Doctrine, which is the elements or first rudiments of religion.
Unto perfection – maturity in the knowledge and obedience of the Gospel.This reference is especially to those deep doctrines concerning the priesthoodof Jesus Christ which He is preparing to unfold. A Christian must lay asidesome things in order to grow; "Wherefore laying aside all malice, and guile,and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking (I Peter 2:1). The Christian'sdesires should be for the sincere milk of the word to grow. Love the purespiritual truths of the Gospel. Grow unto salvation, that is grow up throughthe spiritual nourishment of the truth, into the state of salvation.
Tasted – learned by your own blessed experience (Psalm 34:8). Christiansshould build upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus ChristHimself being the Chief Corner Stone (Ephesians 2:20), that we may growinto an Holy Temple in the Lord.
God's plan for growing into maturity; "And He gave some Apostles,and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers"(Ephesians 4:11). He gave them for the purpose of making the saints perfect.Perfect for the work of the ministry; and the ministry is for the edifying ofthe body of Christ. How long should one be taught? Till they all come intothe unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect(mature) man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ(Ephesians 4:12-13).
Notice
(1) Till we all come; come fully.
(2) In the unity of the faith, unity which is fully established in the faithand knowledge that the Son of God gives.
(3) Unto a perfect man; a full grown mature man in contrast with babesin Christ.
(4) May grow up with Him; (by speaking the truth), so as to becomemature men in Him. (Ephesians 4:13), in all things; in all parts of ourChristian character.
For anyone to grow, they must fear God's name (Malachi 4:2):
"But unto you that fear my name shall the Son of righteousness arrivewith healing His wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calvesof the stall."
To fear God is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7). Christiansneed knowledge to grow. God's revelation is the place to begin intellectualdevelopment. We can build a disciplined and well-ordered life on thatfoundation. Those who fear God see Him as the most important part of allknowledge. God is the starting point for the education that leads to wisdom.True knowledge, in the biblical sense, is something more than a collectionof factual information. It includes knowing how to conduct oneself in thepractical affairs of everyday life, to make wise choices, to do the right thing inrelation to others and to have insight into the true nature of things. Wisdomof this kind can only grow out of an awareness of God and His purpose inthe world.
Christians are not born full grown. They are like new born babies andneed to grow and mature. All of God's people should progress toward moraland spiritual perfection. God will give you someone to help you to grow. TheBible states, "I will give you shepherds after mine own heart, who will leadyou with knowledge and understanding." (Jeremiah 3:15)
So grow in grace, increase your knowledge of Jesus Christ and your likenessto Him. The final advice is to keep growing in the grace and knowledge ofJesus Christ. As you grow spiritually, you will be able to see the biggerpicture of your life. As you link your will with God's will, you will gain moreawareness of the path of life development. You will discover your identity andyour life's work, and gain the tools to carry it out.
Spiritual growth is similar to personal growth, with one big difference;when you grow spiritually you are connecting with God's power and usingthat connection to empower your growth. Spiritual growth also will, withyour personal growth, assist it to develop self-confidence, self-love, clarity,and other important qualities. Take notice my Christian friends thattemptations and trials also will help you to grow (James 1:2-4). Testingdevelops perseverance. Perseverance is victory over trials. Victory over trialspresents the Christian with the Crown of Life which God promises to theChristian who loves Him.
CHAPTER 3
A RESEARCH ON THE SEVENWARNINGS IN THE BOOK OFHEBREWS
Warning #1: Against Drifting (2:1-4)
The believers are encouraged to avoid complacency and self-righteousness.Careful attention to the spoken message helps believers not drift away fromGod's way. These words were originally written to warn Hebrew Christiansagainst the possibility of stagnation in their Christian growth.
Homer A. Kent, Jr. states:
"An exhortation if first given to the readers to pay careful attention to theChristian truths they have been taught. The warning has its basis, becauseof this, in the fact just elaborated – that Christ as the Son of God is superiorto angels. The verb give attention to (prosecho) occurs numerous times inthe New Testament in this sense, but was also commonly used elsewhere ofbringing a ship to land. This may have suggested that use of pararuomen (drift)in the next clause. The things which were heard were the teachings of Christand the gospel which these readers had previously heard and acknowledged.The danger was that they might drift on by. The meaning of the word (drift,slip away) and its personal subject (we) indicate not that something mightdrift away from us, but that we might drift away from something."
Rejection of so many revelations leads to inevitable rejection of the wayof salvation. God has revealed His fantastic love and saving plan throughChrist Jesus. He has also manifested Himself in signs, wondrous events,and miraculous activities. Now he expresses Himself in present Spirit whoprovides special gifts in keeping with God's will. He has used every meanspossible to convince people to trust Him and nothing else for salvation.
John Phillips states:
"The Gospel has been confirmed also by a threefold witness of GodHimself. God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders,and by manifold powers, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to hisown will (2:4). The signs and wonders were to convince the Jew, for theJews require a sign (I Corinthians 1:22, KJV). The manifold powers wereto convince the Gentiles and the gifts of the Holy Spirit were to confirmthe message to the Christian. Christ, in His superior majesty as the Sonof God, has abolished death and both brought life and immortality tolife through the Gospel (I Timothy 1:10, KJV). Because of whom He isand what He has done, and because of the truth embodied in Himself,there is no escape for those who neglect salvation through Him. Thus thewriter brings the Hebrews to the crossroads of faith."
No one can escape if they ignore such a great salvation that was broughtto earth by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Penalty for Neglect
The greatness of their danger of neglect is illustrated from the OldTestament.
"For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast and every transgressionand disobedience received a just recompense of reward, should theynot all the more beware of their neglect of the revelation which is inChrist? Example of this truth abound. But the soul that doeth oughtpresumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the samereproacheth the Lord; and that soul shall be cut off from among hispeople." (Numbers 15:30)
The context of this warning shows the penalty for presumptuous sinagainst the revelation through angels to be death by stoning. On this factualbasis, the author implies the same experience for them. If our Fathers couldnot without penalty ignore the partial revelation by angels, "How shall weescape, if we neglect so great a salvation", which has come to us through theSon?
Turning again to the exhortation we find that three words standout:
(1) "Neglect" which refers to their attitude toward the revelation;
(2) "Drift by" which points to the result of their neglect; and
(3) "Salvation" which focuses attention upon that which is neglected.
Salvation is the key word here. It is a great salvation.
The danger of being flowed by because of their neglect of this greatsalvation is further emphasized as the author points out the purpose of God'srevelation in His Son and which is not to be achieved through angels (verse 5).In this revelation God has a purpose, the purpose being to bring "many sonsunto glory" (verse 10). Therefore, in being drifted by, not only do they losetheir destiny but they serve to thwart in their lives the very purpose of God.
Warning #2: Against Doubting (3:7-19)
The Israelites rebelled against God and Moses. Hebrews encouragesChristians to accept God's leadership rather than rebelling against it. Rebellionturns Christians away from God's grace in search for another way of salvation.God rejects a people who claim to be His, but refuse to obey Him. The historyof human rebellion and divine punishment should call Christians to worshipand loyalty. Past sin should warn the present generation of God's power andwill to intervene in history and discipline sinners. Rebellion brings God'sanger and punishment, robbing a generation of the blessing of the believers.
Charles R. Erdman states:
"This solemn warning the writer to the Hebrews at once applies to hisreaders. Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of youan evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God. Unbeliefis due to a hardened heart, and hardening of the heart is caused by sin.The result is apostasy. The writer indicates that unfaithfulness to Chrisis equivalent to falling away from God, to prevent such a dire issue,the readers are urged to exhort one another day by day, so long as it iscalled today. This is to encourage and admonish one another as Christianbrethren so long as an opportunity is given to hear the voice of God asHe speaks through Christ. Otherwise, unless there is earnest heed andmutual exhortation, they may be hardened through the deceitfulnessof sin for sin in the heart of life blinds people to the real blessedness ofthe Christian life. It seduces the soul to be disloyal to Christ. Againstsuch peril we must be on our own guard; for we are become partakersof Christ – we enjoy blessed fellowship with Him – if we hold fast thebeginning of our confidence firm unto the end. Continued trust willassure continued fellowship with Him, until at last that fellowship shallbe complete when He appears and we shall see Him as even as He is. Thereaders then must heed the solemn warning voiced by the psalmist, as heis heard to say, today if ye shall hear His voice, harden not your hearts asin the provocation."
