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...