The letter to the Hebrews is such a powerful letter I wish every Christian should read. It clarifies the purpose of the law and how it makes sense through Jesus Christ.

We will look at this book from the Bible for the next few weeks.

The way the author writes this book tells that the audience might have had some knowledge of the Old Testament books: the prophets, and the law (the first five books in our current Old Testament).

This chapter uses references from the following Old Testament scriptures:

• • Hebrews 1:5 from Psalm 2:7
  • Hebrews 1:5 from 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chron. 17:13
  • Hebrews 1:6 from Deut. 32:43 (see Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint)
  • Hebrews 1:7 from Psalm 104:4
  • Hebrews 1:9 from Psalm 45:6,7
  • Hebrews 1:12 from Psalm 102:25-27
  • Hebrews 1:13 from Psalm 110:1

 

Look at Hebrews 1:1, the author says,

Long ago, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets.

Clearly, the audience, not only had knowledge of the Prophets and the Law but also was Jewish and descendants of Abraham.

In this article, we will only focus on chapter 1 and talk a little bit about the opening of the book. So, read Hebrews 1:1-4:

 

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ² but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. ³ The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. ⁴ So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. 

 

Remember that Jesus was not very famous in the Jewish community across Israel. The Jews couldn’t connect with the fact that Jesus is the Messiah. 

So, the author of the book is trying to help them connect the Prophets and the Law with these two only make sense through Jesus. 

 

 

 

Jesus is the Heir of All Things

 

 

 

His point is that long ago, God spoke to people through the prophets (and the law), but now God is speaking to us through Christ Jesus (see verse 1). 

The reason why is because God has appointed Jesus as the heir of all things (read verse 2). 

Let’s talk about what it means to be an heir in the Jewish culture knowing that Hebrews was originally written for the Jews. 

According to Numbers 27 (verses 8 to 10), you discover the following: 

• Only sons were the ones to inherit the father’s estate. 
• If there are no sons in the family, then daughters can inherit. 
• In the case the father had no children at all, then his brothers will inherit his estate. 
• When there are no brothers, the nearest relative will get it. 

 

That’s kind of exclusive. Isn’t it? 

Two reasons why I love Paul’s writings with a special focus on Romans 8:17, and Galatians 3:26-29. Paul says that through Christ, we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Jesus. 

[bctt tweet=”In other words, choosing to believe in Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior make us heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. What is Jesus becomes ours too. ” username=”emmanuelnaweji”]

The question you may ask is: what if I am a woman or a non-Jew? How am I becoming an heir? 

That’s what Paul addresses in Galatians 3 saying the following: 

• In Christ, there is no Jew, nor Gentile. 
• In Christ, there is no slave, nor free.
• In Christ, there is no male, no female. 

The above truths have made any human being eligible to become an heir of God and a co-heir with Christ, whether you are a Jew or not, and male or female. 

 

 

 

God Created the World Through Jesus Christ

 

 

 

Jesus is the heir of all that God created: visible or invisible. What that means is: 

• God the Father has given all things into Jesus’ hands (read John 3:35). God has literally handed all things over to Jesus (Matthew 11:27a). 
• God has given Jesus authority over all flesh (John 17:12). 
• God has given Jesus all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). 

 

The Book of Hebrews makes it clear that Jesus is above everyone and everything in heaven and on earth. His name is the most powerful name ever. 

Jesus is superior to angels, and humans. 

 

 

 

 

Jesus Is The Radiance of the Glory of God

 

 

 

 

As a result, Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God. You see Jesus, then, you have seen God the Father. Read John 14:9. 

[bctt tweet=”Jesus is the exact representation of who God is! ” username=”emmanuelnaweji”]

When you think of who God is, what come to mind includes: 

• God’s splendor.
• God’s holiness.
• God’s majesty.

We experience the glory, power, and majesty of God, our Father, through Christ. 

 

 

In Conclusion

Hebrews 1 isn’t just about trying to prove that the Law and Prophets (or the Old Testament as we know of it today) only make sense through Christ who is the fulfillment of it all (Matthew 5:17). It’s primarily God’s invitation for us to be the exact representation of who God is in our everyday living. It’s for us to reflect God’s glory, power, majesty, and holiness in the ways we conduct ourselves in society.