To The Hebrews

This letter or treatise was probably written by Paul the Apostle, but it is immaterial who was the writer--every Scripture is God-breathed (1 Timothy 3. 16). It was clearly intended for genuine believers of .Jewish birth.

The occasion of writing was the evident tendency on the part of such to cling to the old effete order of things from which the Gospel of the grace of God had called them.

In the letter to the Romans sonic part of the same subject is dealt with, but there it is in view of the justification of the sinner. In Hebrews the subject is the sanctification of the saint. The Epistle to the Hebrews is clearly a treatise of comparisons and contrasts the setting the new order over against the old ; and the purpose. to show how superior the new is to the old ; consequently one word is characteristic of the Epistle, viz., the word better. So we read of

Christ better than the angels.Chapter1.4.

Better things of you.Chapter6.9.

Better hope.Chapter7.19.

Better covenant.Chapter7.22.

Better promises.Chapter8.6.

Better sacrifices.Chapter9.23.

Better possession.Chapter10.34.

Better country.Chapter11.16.

Better resurrection.Chapter11.:35.

Better thing.Chapter11.40.

Speaketh better.Chapter12.24.

And in view of the fact of this superiority, and the manifest tendency on the part of the Hebrews to revert 10 the old inferior thing, another word-this by the way of exhortation-is employed, namely, let us. Thus we read

let us fear.Chapter 4. 1.

let us labour.Chapter 4. 11.

let us come boldlyChapter 4. 16.

let us go on.Chapter 6. 1.

let us draw near.Chapter 10. 22.

let us hold fast.Chapter 10. 23.

let us consider one another.Chapter 10. 24.

let us lay aside every weight.Chapter 12. 1.

let us run.Chapter 12.1.

let us have grace whereby we

may offer serviceChapter 12.28.

let us go forth unto Him.Chapter 13.13.

let us offer up a sacrifice of

praise.Chapter13.15.

It is important to appreciate the fact that persons of the world are not in view, but only saints, who occupy a position now, corresponding to that of the "fathers" in their day, in this respect---" God having of old times spoken unto the fathers in the prophets ... hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in His Son" (chapter 1. 1, 2). Therefore those written to, compare with the fathers; and One of the dignity of Son, with the prophets.

The One who is this channel of God's communication now, is described in order to show how superior He is to the servants of former (lays. He is " Heir of all things through whom also God made the ages (including the material substances) "Who being the effulgence of His (God's) glory, and the very image of His substance, and upholding all things by the word of His power (verses 2, 3). This description is designed to show the extraordinary dignity of the administration of God's will in the present time. Then in verse 3, His great work and His exaltation are alluded to,--He made purification of sins and sat down on the right hand of God.

The remainder of this first chapter is still occupied with His dignity, and that not only in comparison with human servants of God, but also in regard to angels. He, that holy One who trod this earth as a man, was truly the Son of God, and a reference to Acts 13. 33, seems to shew that this fact of Sonship was shewn forth when God fulfilled His promise to the fathers in raising up Jesus (this does not refer to the resurrection-which comes in verse 34, but to the incarnation), but as Hebrews 1. 4, shews, He has become by so much better than the angels, as He hath inherited a more excellent name than they. In returning to the Father, having finished the work of atonement, He passes the angels by and resumes His place because of what He is. Arid yet again, as verse 6 shews, when God again brings in the Firstborn into the world, it will be said, " let all the angels of God worship Him." For whereas winds (or spirits, R.V.M.) may be His messengers, and a flame of fire His servants (as appears to be suggested) yet concerning the Son, the word addressed to him is---" Thy throne, 0 God. is for ever and ever" (verse 8). All this is in perfect harmony with the opening of John's gospel, where "the Word " is referred to ; but while He, the Son, takes the superior position due to Him because of what He is, He is also raised above the sons of men, and even the angels, because of what He bath done--the perfect service He has rendered; as verse 9 says, " Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows." Not yet do we see all things subject to Him, but He sits at God's right hand until His enemies are made His footstool : and concerning this we read that David by the Spirit, called Him Lord, (as in Psalm 110. and Matthew 22. 43-45). As to angels they do service for those who are the heirs of salvation.

Chapter 2. Therefore, in view of the surpassing dignity of the present revelation we are under obligation to take more earnest heed to what we have heard than they who only had the ministry through angels by the hand of the Mediator Moses (Galatians 3. 19). For if those who heard God's Word through an inferior channel were responsible, and to them was measured out a just retribution for his obedience, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation ? This is almost universally applied to men of the world and is a favourite " Gospel " warning text, yet it applies strictly, to believers, for such may neglect what they possess, as in 2 Corinthians 6. 1, the saints are entreated not to receive the grace of God in vain. It is evident that all this has in view the responsibilities and failures of Israel in the wilderness after they had been delivered from Egypt and we, even as they, may neglect the present revelation of God. To us this great salvation is set forth in the New 'testament in a threefold way

As spoken by the Lord-the Gospels.

Confirmed unto us by them that heard--the Epistles.

God bearing, witness ... with signs-the Acts.

Further, we may not think lightly of this salvation because it has not come through an angelic channel, for it is of man that it is testified-even of the Son of man-Thou madest him a little lower (or for a little while

lower) than the angels-past.

Thou crownedst him with glory and honour- present.

And didst set him over the work of Thy hands--future.

For (verse 8) we see not yet all things subjected to Him, but even now He is crowned with glory and honour.

All this experience through which He passed was proper to Him in view of God's purpose ; for He was designed to be the Author or Captain of the salvation of the many sons who should be brought to glory, and it would not be fitting for the children to pass through a certain experience of trial unknown experimentally by their Captain, for both He that sanctifieth (the Lord), and they that are sanctified (the children), are all of One (the Father-so I suggest), for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren. Did He not say, "I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and my God and your God." And here again in verses 12 and 13, we have the same fact set out and amplified. So concerning them He said-

"I will declare Thy name unto My brethren, in the midst of the congregation (or assembly of such children -so I suggest) will I sing Thy praise." Past.

"I will put my trust in Him " (this, I suggest, (luring the time He waits for us and we for Him) Present.

"Behold, I and the children which God hath given Me."-Future.

So it came to pass that as the children, the objects of God's choice and purpose, were involved in blood and flesh, arid moreover were subject to death through sin, 1-Ic, in order to their recovery for God, Himself took part in blood and flesh. But this, the incarnation, was not sufficient; for the children were subject to death, and the great adversary who by his lie had involved mankind in death, needed to be reached in his own domain and overcome. This the Lord Jesus did. He died, and so brought to nought him that had the power of death, the devil, and delivered all those from his grasp who during their lives had been in bondage through fear. This great fact is confirmed by the Lord in Revelation 1. 17, 18, where He said, "I am the first and the last, and the Living One; and I became (margin) dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys (and therefore the control) of death and of Hades." And observe who they were who thus became the objects of His love and care: not angels, but men. Spoken of as the seed of Abraham and embracing all who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (Romans 4. 16).

And was this great condescension on His part enough- was it- enough that He became incarnate and that He died and rose again the mighty victor? Not yet are all the children gathered home ; some are still traversing the desert and they are still subject to danger both within and without: moreover they are contemplated as having already begun that life of service to God-ward which will eventually be their heavenly occupation. All this calls for an Intermediary competent to meet the requirements of God relative to them, and their requirements relative to God ; and this is secure(1 in the Lord Jesus as a merciful and faithful Highs Priest-merciful to us-ward, and faithful as to God.

unknown | Aug 1933
To The Hebrews