Weekend Bible Reflections With Jon
shows Jesus’ superiority to angels.
He emphasizes the point again by speaking of what two Old Testament psalms say about the son of God (Hebrews 1:8-112; cf. Psalm 45:6-7; 102:25-27). He uses Psalm 45 to speak of the son’s throne being eternal (cf. Daniel 7:14; 2 Peter 1:11), the scepter of his kingdom being upright, and his love for righteousness and hatred of wickedness. For these reasons “God, your God” – the Son of God’s Father – “has anointed you with the oil of gladness” – a metaphorical Semitic expression referring to a joyous occasion (cf. Psalm 23:5) – “beyond your companions,” referring to the angels. He then quoted from Psalm 102 to show how the son of God was involved in the creation of the world (cf. John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-18). Eventually the world and the universe will cease to exist because the son will “roll them up” like “a robe” and “change” them “like a garment” (cf. Matthew 24:35; 2 Peter 3:10-11), “but you” – the son, Christ – “are the same, and your years will have no end.”
By speaking of his eternal power in this manner, the Hebrew writer again shows Jesus’ superiority to the angels.
He emphasizes the point a final time in chapter 1 by asking, “And to which of the angels has he ever said, ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet’? Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:13-14; cf. Psalm 110:1). The Psalmist was alluding to the ancient custom of a victor putting his foot on the neck of his defeated enemy (cf. Joshua 10:24). Jesus applied this same verse to himself (Matthew 22:41-46), as did Peter (Acts 2:34-36).
The Hebrew writer uses it to show how God sat the victorious Christ at his right hand, a position of royalty which was never offered to angels. Angels by contrast are servants whose function is to serve rather than rule. They serve on behalf of Christians – “those who are to inherit salvation” – in ways not specified in scripture.
Next week’s column will start a study of Hebrews chapter 2.