Hebrews Chapter One: Above The Angels

Finally, my study on the book of Hebrews! I'm so excited about being able to study this book with you, I think it's going to be awesome for both you readers and me writer...or something.

Here's how this is going to work: I want you to have your bible with you as you read this study, so instead of typing out each verse word for word, I'm going to put the verse number followed by my notes on the verse. Read the assigned verses in your bible first, and then read the notes here. Alright? Let us begin.

1-2 Back in the old testament, God used prophets to speak his words to his people, but now he uses his son Jesus to speak to each one of us individually. We went from having this indirect connection through other people whom God revealed himself to, to having a direct connection where God speaks exactly what he wants to each one of us.

3 Jesus is an exact representation of God. After he provided a way for us to be purified of sin, he went back to heaven to be that connection to God. The writer is comparing the two here, and saying how God and Jesus are so much alike and in fact, one, so we understand how accessible God is to us now.

4-7 Jesus is above the angels because he is the very son of God! The angels are commended to worship and serve him.

8-9 The throne of God, his heir, his son Jesus, will last forever. It was already explained to us how Jesus is our connection to God, so if Jesus lasts forever, our connection lasts forever.

10-12 Psalm 102 is quoted here, and I highly suggest you take a moment to read through it at this point. God remains the same. He doesn't change his mind or decide to do things differently. This earth and everything in it is going to wear out and come to an end. Isn't it better to put our hope and trust in HIM who will never end and never change?

13-14 Jesus conquered our enemies forever. He has complete control over them, and they must do exactly as he says. The angels don't have this power, they are simply servants. We don't have this power. Only Jesus, who defeated death, the only power the enemy had, has this power.

Another Psalm is quoted here, Psalm 110. After reading it, I think it's a good companion chapter to this one, so I'll take you through it real quick.

"The Lord says to my Lord:
'Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for my feet.'

The Lord will extend your mighty
scepter from Zion;
you will rule in the midst of your
enemies.
Your troops will be willing
on your day of battle.
Arrayed in holy majesty,
from the womb of the dawn
you will receive the dew of your
youth.

The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind:
'You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.'

The Lord is at your right hand;
he will crush kings on the day of his
wrath.
He will judge nations the nations, heaping up
the dead
and crushing the rulers of the whole
earth.
He will drink from a brook beside the
way;
therefore he will lift up his head."

The key verse for me here is verse four: "'You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." Melchizedek was the father of a long line of priests, and it was the priest's job to go into the Holy of Holies and ask the Lord to forgive the sins of the people. He was the only one allowed to go into the presence of God and intercede on the behalf of imperfect people, who couldn't be in the presence of God because of their sin. Jesus became the new high priest who closed the gap between us and God. He's our new and prefect priest. We can go to him as often as we like because of what he did for us.

"Such a high priest meets our needs - one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself."
- Hebrews 7:27