by Linda Claassen Mitchell
Faith in Jesus as the Messiah is secure and reasonable – Day 1
Today I am looking at Hebrews 1:1-5 using the IEB Study Bible, following the footnotes as I go. The Introduction indicates this letter was written to the Jewish believers to reassure them that their faith in Jesus as Messiah was secure and reasonable.
Hebrews 1:1-2 (IEB): “Long ago, God used the prophets to speak to our ancestors many times and in many ways. But during these last times, God used His Son to speak to us. God appointed him to inherit everything. Through him, God also made the universe.”
Compare Genesis 1:26 (IEB): Then God said, “Let us now make people in Our image; they will be like Us.” (Referring to the Trinity; God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit)
Hebrews 1:3 (IEB): “The Son is the shining brightness of God’s Glory and the exact picture of God’s real being. The Son holds up the universe by his powerful word. After he had provided a cleansing from sin, he sat down at God’s (a) right side in heaven.”
(Following the footnotes): (a) literally, “the Majesty”; Jewish people often avoided direct references to God because of their deep respect for Him.”
Hebrews 1:4-5 (IEB): “Jesus has received a title – Son. This is better than any of the angels. He is so much more important than angels. God never said this to an angel; ‘You are My Son. I have fathered you today (Psalms 2:7). And again, I will be his Father, and he will be My Son (2 Samuel 7:14).”
(Following the scriptural references)
Psalms 2:7 (IEB) “Now I (d) will tell you what Yahweh has declared: He said to me: You are my son. (e) Today I have become your Father.”
(Following the footnotes for Psalms 2:7):
(d) “Here the psalm switches to the other speaker, the Messiah himself.”
(e) See 2 Samuel 7:12-14 (IEB): God’s promise to King David. “Your days will come to an end, and you will die. But, at that time, I will make one of your sons to be the next King. He will build a temple for Me. And I will make his kingdom strong forever! (c). I will be his Father, and he will be My son. When he becomes sin, I will punish him with the rod of men and the lashes of the sons of men.”
(Following the footnotes for 2 Samuel) (c): Ultimately, this covenant with David was fulfilled in the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the son of David. Therefore, Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
God’s plan has always been complete. God appointed Christ to inherit everything. The prophets of the Old Testament foretold of the coming Messiah. The writings in the New Testament tell of Christ’s fulfillment of the prophecies.
I leave my study today thankful that despite the chaos of this world, I don’t need to be afraid – God is in control. He always has been, and always will be.
Faith in Jesus as the Messiah – Day 2
Hebrews 1:6-7
Hebrews 1:6 (IEB): “Again, when God brought the Supreme One into the world, He says: ‘All God’s angels must worship him!’ ”
Compare: Psalms 97:7 (IEB): “All those who worship idols should be ashamed. (k) They brag about their false gods. All the judges should bow down to Yahweh!”
(Following the footnotes) for this scripture (k); what they trusted in turned out to be emptiness. (Job 6:20; Psalms 22:5; 25:2)
Job 6:19-20 (IEB): Job is commenting on how unreliable his friends are in his affliction. “…the traders of Sheba who travel search for water for themselves with hope. They are very disappointed because they had been so sure that they would find water. However, when they arrive there, they are shocked.”
Psalms 22:5 (IEB): “They called to You for help, and they were rescued. They trusted in You, and they were not disappointed.”
Psalms 25:2 (IEB): “My God, I trust in You. Do not let me be disgraced. Don’t let my enemies laugh at me.”
Hebrews 1:7 (IEB): “God was talking about angels here: ‘God makes His angels winds and His servants flames of fire.”
Compare Psalms 104:4 (IEB): “You make the winds Your Messengers. Flames of fire are Your servants. (h)”
(Following the footnotes) (h) Angels are subordinate beings, but Christ is superior to them.
Over and over the writers of the New Testament quote scripture and prophesy from the Old Testament. This is especially true in the book of Hebrews because it was written to the Jewish believers who knew the Old Testament scriptures well.
As a Christian I have focused on the New Testament almost as if it is the whole story, when in fact, it is the last phase of God’s plan. The plan He had from the beginning.
It is essential that I understand and obey the Gospel. Without that I am lost. But I am beginning to realize that without a thorough knowledge and understanding of all of the scriptures I am missing the richness and depth of God’s word, and a real appreciation of the awesome gift I have been given.
I leave my study today excited to learn more.
Faith in Jesus as the Messiah – Day 3
Hebrews 1:8-9
Hebrews 1:8-9 (IEB): “But God said this about His Son: ‘Your throne, O God, lasts forever and ever. You rule your kingdom fairly. You have loved what is right and hated what is wrong. This is why God, your God, has anointed you as king over your friends with the oil of gladness’. (Psalms 45:6-7)”
Reference; Psalms 45:6-7 (IEB): “O God, Your throne will last forever and ever.(j) You rule your kingdom fairly. You have loved what is right and hated what is wrong. This is why God, your God, has made you king (k) over your friends with the oil of gladness.(l)
(Following the footnotes) for Psalms 45:6-7:
(j) See Isaiah 9:7; Psalms 110:1-7. The king in this psalm is Christ, and He has every right to be called “God”. (I’ll look in depth at Psalms 110:1-7 tomorrow.)
Isaiah 9:7: “There will be peace in His kingdom forever and ever.(d) His royal power will continue to grow.(e) He will rule as the true Successor of King David,(f) and over David’s kingdom.(g) He will make it strong by upholding it with justice and righteousness,(h) He will rule it from the time he comes until forever! Yahweh leads the armies of heaven and His zeal will accomplish this!(i)”
(Following the footnotes for Isaiah 9:7):
(d) Isaiah predicted an unlimited empire of peace. Also, there will be no limits to the peace that He brings. See (Philippians. 4:7) “God’s peace which goes far beyond all (human) understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus,”
See Ephesians 4:3: “Try hard to keep the Spirit’s unity; use peace to tie it together.”
(e) That is, His princely rule will perpetually increase and be unlimited.
See Daniel 2:44: “During the time of those kings, (the reign of Augustus Caesar) the God of heaven will set up another kingdom. It will never be destroyed! And, this kingdom will not be given to another group of people. This Kingdom will crush all the other kingdoms. It will bring them all to an end, but that kingdom itself will last forever!”
(f) Literally “on the throne of David.”
(g) = reigning over God’s people.
(h) = with fairness, that is, not reigning by mere might or overwhelming force but ethically. His rule would be a Godly administration, not one of violence, blood, or political upheavals. Instead, Christ will base His power on true justice and God’s righteousness.
(i) God’s ardent, intense desire to accomplish His purpose of firmly establishing His kingdom. Only God’s zeal could do this! Yahweh is determined to carry out His master plan. God is like a jealous husband who will not abandon His wife (= His people). And He feels this zeal! This should encourage us, His followers, to be more zealous.
(To be continued tomorrow.)
Faith in Jesus as the Messiah – Day 4
Hebrews 1:8-9 continued.
Yesterday I started Hebrews 1:8-9 using the IEB Study Bible, following the scripture references and footnotes as I go. I didn’t even get half way through the footnotes yesterday, so today I am going to try to finish up where I left off.
Hebrews 1:8-9 (IEB): “But God said this about His Son: ‘Your throne, O God, lasts forever and ever. You rule your kingdom fairly. You have loved what is right and hated what is wrong. This is why God, your God, has anointed you as king over your friends with the oil of gladness’.”
Reference; Psalms 45:6-7 (IEB): “O God, Your throne will last forever and ever.(j) You rule your kingdom fairly. You have loved what is right and hated what is wrong. This is why God, your God, has made you king (k) over your friends with the oil of gladness.(l)
Following the footnotes for Psalms 45:6-7:
(j) See Isaiah 9:7; (covered yesterday) Psalms 110:1-7. The king in this psalm is Christ, and He has every right to be called “God”.
Psalms 110:1-7 (IEB): “A psalm of David. This statement of Yahweh to my Lord (the Messiah): ‘Sit at My right side until I put your enemies under your control. Yahweh will make you King in Jerusalem over all nations. And, you will rule over your enemies. Your people will join you on the day when you come to power. You have been dressed in holiness from birth. You have the freshness of a child. Yahweh has made a promise, and He will not change His mind. He said: ‘You are a priest forever, a priest after the category of Melchizedek.” (The future Messiah would be king and priest in one person.)
(Following the footnotes for Psalms 45:6-7) continued:
(k) Literally, “anointed you”. The anointing of Jesus took place when he was immersed in the Jordan River; the Spirit of God came down upon him in a dove-like form and remained there. (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-23; John 1:29-34)
(l) “The oil of gladness” could be referring to the Messiah’s coronation, but it could also be referring to the anointing for the wedding (Isaiah 61:3), paralleling Psalms 45:8.
Isaiah 61:3 (IEB): “…I will give them the oil of gladness (k) to replace their spirit of sadness, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”
Following the footnotes (k) perfumed ointment was poured upon guests at joyous feasts.
God made a promise. He repeatedly reassured His people that the Messiah was coming. Jesus Christ is the Messiah, and God gave him His authority.
I leave my study of Hebrews 1:8-9 with this thought; I can be secure in God’s word that Jesus is His Son and our savior.
Faith in Jesus as the Messiah – Day 5
Hebrews 1:10-14
Today I am finishing Hebrews chapter 1 using the IEB Study Bible, following the scripture references and footnotes as I go.
Hebrews 1:10-12 (IEB): “God also said this about His Son: “Lord, in the beginning, you laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the result of your work. The heavens and the earth will be destroyed, but you will continue. Like a robe, they will all get old. You will roll them up like an overcoat; they will be changed like a robe. But you are still the same. You will never get old.”
(This refers to Psalms 102: 25-27)
Psalms 102: 25-27 (IEB): “You created the earth. And, Your hands made the skies. They will perish, but You will remain. They will all wear out like clothes. And, like clothes, You will change them. And they will be discarded. But You never change. And, Your years have no end.”
Hebrews 1:13-14 (IEB): “God never said this to any of the angels: ‘Sit at My right side until I put your enemies under your feet for a footstool’. All angels are serving spirits sent to help those who are on the verge of receiving salvation”
(This refers to Psalms 110:1)
Psalms 110:1 (IEB): “A psalm of David. This is a statement of Yahweh to my Lord (c) ‘Sit at My right side (d) until I put your enemies under your control.(e)”
(Following the footnotes):
(c) Hebrew: ‘Adonay = the Messiah. This shows that this individual is superior in rank to King David.
(d) literally, “at My right (hand)” = the place of honor.
Matthew 22:42-44 (IEB): “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?’ They answered Jesus, ‘David’s son.’ Jesus asked them, ‘Then why did David call the Messiah Lord by inspiration? David wrote: The Lord (a) God said to my Lord: Sit at My right side until I put your enemies under your feet (b)
(Following the footnotes) (a) In the Hebrew text of this psalm, the first “Lord” is Yahweh; the second “Lord” is ‘Adonay, referring to the Messiah.
(b) In his control.
Romans 1:3-4 (IEB): “The good News is about God’s Son who, on the physical side, was a descendant of David. But, long ago, it was planned that our Lord Jesus Christ be the Son of God with power in a holy, divine way. How? By rising from death!”
My faith in Jesus as Messiah is secure and reasonable. The old covenant has been done away with. It was replaced with a new covenant when Jesus’ died for our sins once and for all, and was raised again to live forever, just as God planned it from the beginning.