So this is the first in a series of posts on Hebrews. In order to get a good sense of what's being said in this letter, it's important to know the context of this letter. While today it's unknown who the author of this particular epistle is, it is known that the author was widely respected in the Early Church community. Paul was believed to be the author from the 4th century forward to the Reformation but scholarship has since strayed away from this position due to the stylistic and thematic differences between this letter and Paul's letters. Other possible authors that have been put forward are Apollos and Barnabas, citing their connection with Paul and the chance that they would be traveling with Timothy, who is mentioned in Chapter 13 as a traveling companion. Another popular option is Clement of Rome, a pope the 1st century AD. A less popular option that has been gaining momentum in the last century is Priscilla, mentioned in Acts 18. Here is a good link for more information:
Besides the authorship of this epistle, it's important to understand to whom the letter was written. Based upon the name and the content of the epistle, it is clear that the letter is intended for a Jewish audience that has accepted Christ. More specifically, it is believed that this letter is directed at those Jews living in Rome as part of an early Christian community. It is believed to have been written prior to the destruction of the temple during the Siege of Jerusalem by the Roman general Titus Flavius Vespasianus in AD 70. The major purpose of this epistle is to exhort those Jewish Christians in the midst of persecution and to reaffirm to them that Jesus was the long expected Messiah to those who had begun to doubt. Furthermore, it elaborates on Jesus's dual role as a Son of God and a high priest.
In this first chapter we see the author laying the groundwork for the true nature of Jesus Christ as a Son of God. As the Son of God he is the reflection of the power, wisdom, and goodness of the Father. More importantly, we see his role as a mediator with the Father due to his position as the right hand of the Father. One point that is lost during a first reading is the repeated use of angels in this chapter. Jews at this time and the times leading up it had an obsession with angels. They were messengers of God as serves as a bridge between man and God in the Old Testament. Due to that, angels were sometimes upheld as being divine in their own right and were offered special worship at times by sects in the Jewish community. Here the author of Hebrews shows that Jesus, being born of human nature from a Divine Father, has power over angels and is the True Mediator in our lives. Lastly, we see the role of Jesus as a conqueror in the concluding verses of this chapter. The purpose of this last point is to reassert to the Jews who were beginning to waver in the face of persecution that our Lord and Savior was and is a conqueror who has and will continue to cast down His enemies, whether by humbling them or by utterly destroying them.
9 "You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy"
ReplyDeleteThis verse is from the Father referring to the Son. It is also very interesting what is being said. The first part talks about loving righteousness, or loving what is of God. As Christians that is something we strive to do, but not very consistently. The second part is hating wickedness. I feel that it is easy to hate wickedness. It is almost human nature to hate other people's wickedness. We are easy to put down someone else's anger or malice, but the problem is we are not as quick to combat or recognize our own. Jesus has done both of these things. And because of that, He has be set above all others and anointed with the oil of joy.
I just think this is a very powerful passage. It helps remind me that if I am truly following Christ I must strive to imitate Him. And these are two perfect examples of what I must do. I must pursue and love what is righteous and from God and hate what is wicked or anything that keeps me from God, whether that be from myself or others. It is just an awesome reminder of how amazing my Savior is; that He can do such a thing as this, a thing that I struggle with every day. And that is why He is above all others.
14 "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?"
ReplyDeleteThis verse is incredibly humbling. In the passages of the Bible where angels appear, due to the reaction of the people who see them, my brain is programmed to view them as superior to human beings. They reside in heaven with God, after all!
It blows my mind to read that, in fact, God uses angels to serve his people. To speak things that need to be heard, and give guidance on what must be done. What a loving Father we have that he would dispatch his servants for our sake!
" In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by His Son"
ReplyDeleteI was just struck by this from the importance it puts on Jesus Christ - He is Gods ultimate prophet, and He is the reason that we do not have other prophets?
I like the verse John chose as well, and echo the things that he said about it.