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Hebrews One – Greater Than The Prophets
Hebrews One – Greater Than The Prophets
The book of Hebrews shows that everything that we as Christians have is better than what was provided through the old or first covenant. The word 'better' can be found 11 times in the ESV, 6:9, 7:19, 22; 8:6; 9:23; 10:34; 11:16, 35, 40; and 12:24. In my study of this book I have chosen to try and remember each chapter with this idea of 'better'. Hence in chapter one, we see Jesus as the better messenger from God.
The idea of 'better' does not denigrate the old, but simply shows that however great one thinks that the first covenant and its provisions were, the new is 'better'. The old was good for what God intended it for.
Let us look at the first 4 verses of chapter one. What is affirmed is that God spoke to the fathers in times past through the prophets – the chosen men that God used to reveal His will unto the people. Such argues for the inspiration of the Old Covenant. It affirms that it was not just the writings of men, but it was also the word of God. Now, in these last days, the days of the Messiah, God speaks to us by His Son. The prophets were holy men, but they weren't the Son of God. As the Son of God, we see that Jesus was not only the messenger of God, but He was far greater than man.
He was the creator of all things. Being the Son of God He is thus the favored heir and the heir of all things. In him we can see the very radiance / brilliance of the glory of God. Jesus bears the exact imprint of the very nature of God. He not only is the creator of all things, but he is the sustainer of all things.
He became flesh and lived among us without sin (4:15). He thus became the sacrifice for our sins and willingly allowed himself to be crucified. He shed his blood for the remission of our sins (Matt. 26:28) and made purification for sin. Having been crucified, he was raised again on the third day and sat upon the right hand of the father having received all authority in heaven and earth. Through this resurrection He was declared with power to be the Son of God (Rom. 1:4).
He was not 'just another man'. He was not just a teacher of religion. He was the Son of God who died, was raised, and now is our high priest and mediator before the Father.
Hugh DeLong
