Why We Must Know Him - Hebrews 1:5-14

Today's post is in answer to some follow up questions spurned by Wednesday's scripture study. Why, Lord? Why is it important that I know your character? How does knowing your character change me? I did not have to travel very far in my Bible for the answer, for I found it as I continued to read in the first chapter of Hebrews. This was how He answered me:

The Scripture

Hebrews 1:5-14:

5For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son"? 6And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him." 7In speaking of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire."

8But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. 9You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."

10He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 11They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. 12You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end."

13To which of the angels did God ever say, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"? 14Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

 

The Facts

1. To which angel did God say, “You are my son; today I have become your Father? Or “I will be his Father and he will be my Son?” (vs. 5)
   
2. Let all God’s angels worship him. (vs. 6)
   
3. He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire (vs. 7)
   
4. About the Son, he says: Your throne will last forever and ever; righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. (vs. 8)
   
5. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; God has set you above your companions. (vs. 9)
   
6. You laid the foundations of the earth; the heavens are the work of your hands. (vs. 10)
   
7. They will perish, but you remain. (vs. 11)
   
8. You remain the same; your years will never end. (vs. 12)
   
9. To which angel did God say: sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool (vs.13)
   
10. All angels are ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation. (vs. 14)
    

The Lessons

1. God calls no one else His Son, not even angels. There is no one else who can take Jesus’ place (vs. 5)
   
2. All of the angels worship Jesus (vs. 6)
   
3. The angels serve Jesus (vs. 7)
   
4. Jesus is a King, sitting on a throne. Righteousness is his scepter. (Historical note: a scepter was an ancient symbol of authority: Jesus’ righteousness is his authority!) (vs. 8)
   
5. Jesus is set apart from all others because He loves righteousness and hates wickedness (vs. 9)
   
6. Jesus is the Creator of the heavens and the Earth (vs. 10)
   
7. Even the heavens and Earth, which Jesus created, will die, but Jesus will never die (vs. 11)
   
8. Jesus never changes. He is always the same. There will be no end to Him. (vs. 12)
   
9. Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father. His enemies are his footstool. (vs. 13)
   
10. The purpose of angels is to serve believers. (vs. 14)
    

The Lessons for Me

1. There is no one else who can take the place of Jesus. In what ways do I try to use other things to take Jesus’ place in my life? 
   
2. How do I worship Jesus in my attitude?  How do I worship Jesus in my actions?
   
3. How do I serve Jesus in my attitude?  How do I serve Jesus in my actions?  What does the Bible say about how we serve Jesus? (Item for further study)
   
4. Do I acknowledge Jesus as King?  Does Jesus have authority over my life?  Do I approach Jesus in my posture, emotions, attitude, reflections, obedience the same way I would if it were a political King or Queen present in this world?  If I were invited to the home of the Queen of England, how would I approach her?  What would my posture be?  Would I be brimming with excitement?  Would I feel honored just to be in her presence?  How would I feel if she actually began to talk to me?  How closely would I listen to her words?  If she gave me advice, how would I consider it?  Do I acknowledge Jesus at KING and approach Him in my attitude, attentiveness, focus and respect that same way?
   
5. Do I love righteousness?  Do I hate wickedness?  Truly?  What does it mean to love righteousness and hate wickedness?  In attitude and in action?
   
6. Do I see Jesus every time I observe Creation?  In a tree? A meadow of wildflowers? The expansive blue sky?  The rain?  The mountains?  Do I really see Jesus’ handiwork and worship Him for it?
   
7. Do I put my full faith in Jesus, knowing that all else will perish but him?
   
8. Jesus never changes!!!  Do I trust that promises of Jesus from the Old Testament as much as the new?  Do I call on and trust in the power of Jesus in the same way the prophets of the Old Testament did or the apostles of the New Testament did? 
   
9. Do I live a life of victory!!!???
   
10. In what ways do I serve others? 
    

Facts Outline

A.      The Angels:

1.       Who they are

a.       Are not the Son (vs. 5)

b.      Worship Jesus (vs. 6)

2.       What they do

a.       Are in the winds and fire (vs. 7)

 B.      Jesus:

1.       Who He is

a.       Has a lasting throne, the authority of which is established by his righteousness (vs.8)

b.      Loves righteousness; hates wickedness (vs. 9)

1.       What he does

a.       Created heaven and earth (vs. 10)

b.      Lives forever (vs. 11)

c.       Remains forever (vs. 12)

 C.      The Angels (again)

1.       Who they are

a.       Are not equal to Jesus (vs. 13)

2.       What they do

a.       Minister to Believers (vs. 14)

Conclusion: What I've Learned

God is very specific in this passage about telling me who the Angels are and what they do; as well as who Jesus is and what He does. Therefore, I think that these are two equally important distinctions to God not only about Jesus and the angels, but also about us. It’s not just what do we believe?  But also, how do we live out our beliefs?  It’s not just what are my actions – how do I serve others?  But also, what is the heart attitude of my service?  Both our attitude and our actions define us.

By learning more about whom Jesus is and what He does, I receive greater understanding of God’s purpose for my life!  

My Aim

To demonstrate Christ in me in both who I am and what I do -- everyday!