Grace and truth come to men through the Lord Jesus Christ. He reveals to us the immutable truth of the living God, that God may be glorified by men. We must take care that we are on the side of truth; to do that we must exalt the name of Jesus above all else. Hebrews chapter 1 is a like a little handbook filled with divine truths that glorify the Son of God. It was written to Jewish Christians, some of who were wavering in their faith.
In Hebrews 1:4 we read, “having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent that theirs.” The apostle states the pre-eminence of Christ and then follows with proofs in the rest of the chapter.
Many of the Jews had a preoccupation with angels. Paul warned the church in Colossae about the “worship of angels,” which takes one away from the head of the church, the Lord Jesus. The Jewish Christians, who the book of Hebrews was written to, had a high view of angels, so the apostle uses angels in comparison to Son of God to remind them of the supremacy of Christ.
The apostle begins in verse 5: “For to which of the angels did God ever say, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you?’” The apostle quotes Psalm 2, which points to the Son of God being the Savior of men. In Acts 13, when preaching to Jews, Paul says the resurrection of Jesus is evidence that Christ is the Son of God.
The apostle then quotes 2nd Samuel: “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son.” This refers to God’s promise to David that one of his descendants would be king forever. In Romans 1, Paul writes that Jesus was descended from David according to his human nature and was declared to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead. The point to the Hebrew Christians is clear: If you have a Savior who is truly God, what could you want besides?
In verses 6-7, we see the role of angels. First, they are worshippers of Christ: “Let all God’s angels worship him.” Christ comes into the world as the “firstborn.” This refers to his exaltation as the Son of God. He is firstborn over creation, meaning he is over all creation, not part of it. He is also God’s instrument in the new creation, making those who were dead in sin alive forevermore.
We see an angel announcing Christ’s birth, one saying to Mary that her son would be called the “Son of the Most High.” An angel said to the shepherds that the Savior born in Bethlehem was “Christ the Lord.” The angelic choir praised God for Christ by singing, “Glory to God in the highest.” Angels are in awesome wonder at the eternal Son of God in such a low condition to save sinners.
Angels are also servants of Christ. The apostle quotes Psalm 104: “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.” Angels are fearsome, powerful creatures. An angel of the Lord destroyed the whole Assyrian army of 185,000 in one night. They are zealous for God’s glory and recoil at men who would worship them or pray to them. They do Christ’s bidding and will come with him to execute God’s wrath on the day of judgment.
Angels see things very clearly. They know God is pure light and holiness. They know God hates evil, and they are aware of the power of the devil and the powers who follow him. Angels know that God does all for his own namesake and that sinful men have no regard for God’s name. Peter says that angels long to look into such an amazing salvation as God has given to sinners.
In verses 8-9, the apostle quotes Psalm 45 that pointed to Christ being the righteous, divine king who will reign forever. He has the highest throne, the richest crown, the largest dominion, and will pour out “the oil of gladness” on all the redeemed. How can one have a better advocate, or more able protector, or a surer inheritance, than in Christ.
Verses 10-13 is a sober reminder that the fallen world we live in has an end, and it is the Lord Jesus who will remain after he has rolled the heavens and earth up like a robe. Notice how very easy it is for our Lord to do this. Angels cannot do it. The pre-eminence of Christ is a comforting truth and a necessary reminder when your faith is in need of a wake up or boost.
