V. 5 – For to which – This is an argumentative or logical phrase – because of the previous statement, this next argument is logical. He is going to explain, in case they weren’t convinced, that Jesus, eternally, has always been superior to the angels. As we work through these next few chapters though I want us to keep in mind, the author isn’t just saying Jesus is better. In every “he is better” is also implicitly echoed the truth that he is worthy of worship – he is worth of obedience – he is worthy of honor – of our allegiance. We all agree he is better, but the result of that academic acknowledgement must be obedience – otherwise it won’t do us any good. Always he has been the eternal Son who has always been the only one deserving of worship and obedience. This first quote is from Psalm 2:7

​

It is easy to miss how Messianic/prophetic the Psalms are. Some chapters are obvious, like Ps. 22-24, but interspersed throughout praise and worship are prophecies about the coming king. We worship God based on the truth that he has revealed to us in His Word. It makes sense that he would have carefully included all members of the Trinity as being worthy of praise – even in the OT. Those stuffy religious leaders had been singing songs of worship to Jesus for years – even if they weren’t really worshipping in spirit and truth within their hearts.

While Psalm 2 does not identify the author, the disciples in Acts 2:25-26 specifically identify the author as David – an earthly forefather of the coming Messiah.

​

Interestingly, there are places where angels are called “sons” of Elohim (Genesis, Psalms, and Job in particular). However, the term is used collectively (the sons, or the mighty) not singularly as it is here. Additionally, the note that he was “begotten” adds a new level of depth. This has the idea of birth, to bring forth, to bear. The angels were created – they were not born. Too, the Son who is begotten in verse 7, is the same Son in verse 12. The son in verse 12 carries the additional idea of heir. The angels are not the heirs of God – they do not have anything else waiting for them. The 2nd quote adds weight to this distinction. It comes from 2 Samuel 7:14. This is the covenant that God gave to David regarding an eternal heir – someone who would always sit on the throne.

​

I do want to clarify part of the verse from 2 Samuel. That covenant is a mix of David’s literal sons and the eventual Messiah that would come through his line. Jesus obviously never sinned. Plenty of David’s sons committed horrible sins. This promise was important because it was an unwavering promise that regardless of their actions, God would be faithful. Their behavior would not dictate the terms of an unconditional covenant. The Law, a conditional covenant said if you do “X” then “Y” will happen. However, it did not matter what David’s descendants did, the promises would still be fulfilled because ultimately, they pointed to Christ who has no sin. However, it should have also been a warning to David’s sons not to sin. Just because they were chosen by God didn’t mean that God wouldn’t judge. They would still experience his wrath if they sinned. This promise is a foreshadowing like much of prophecy of both the more immediate fulfillment in some cases and then the ultimate fulfillment at the end of all things.

​

I also couldn’t help but think of something during the Revive conference that I had never considered before. Satan, for many years, had attacked the nation of Israel (Egypt, intermarriage, Canaanite wars, etc.). However, once the line of kings was established, he went after them with a vengeance because he finally had a target group. It wasn’t just any line that Jesus would come through. It was David’s. You think about the drama of the kings (Tamar was raped by her own half-brother who was then murdered by Tamar’s full-blooded brother, Absalom rebelled, David committed many serious sins, and then later the kings committed horrible sins such as human sacrifice. Athaliah tried to exterminate the royal line, etc.). The attacks didn’t stop. And yet you get to the exile/post-exile and the attacks go back to the nation. Something interesting happened that must have so frustrated Satan. He has been attacking the royal line, hoping the coming Messiah would be killed before he could crush his head (as prophesied in Gen. 3:15). However, he gets to almost the end of the line of kings and God pronounces that none of Jehoiakim’s descendants will sit on the throne (Jer. 36:30). All of his work had potentially been for naught. Who was the ancestor of the Messiah? At which point did the line branch off? David had so many sons Solomon had even more – which was the right line? Satan didn’t know. He had to go back to the strategy of trying to exterminate the Jews as a nation (i.e., Haman, Antiochus, Herod, Hitler, and so many others). Yet he was not successful. Can you imagine the frustration, when despite all of his efforts Jesus survived? That offer when he had been in the desert for 40 days fasting was not a new strategy. It was a continuation of a long-standing effort to exterminate the seed and ruin God’s eternal plan. I do kinda picture him, once Jesus was born, sitting there and saying, “Nathan – I should have known it would be him.” I also feel like this was a validation of Nathan, the prophet’s, faithfulness despite risk. Regardless, Satan was not successful in exterminating the seed of the woman and he will definitely not be successful in stopping Jesus’ return in glory even though he continues to try and destroy the Jews so that they cannot call Jesus back to earth. Eventually, all Israel will be saved (Rom. 11:26) and they will call Jesus back to Bozrah (Isaiah 63:1) where he will deliver them and reign from Jerusalem in glory for 1,000 years.

​

V. 6 – This is a continuation of his argument. Jesus is the firstborn. This has a few different connotations. Primarily though, in this case, it carries the idea of the pre-eminent one. It is a place of chief importance, and it is also the primary heir (a vitally important place of leadership and blessing in Jewish families). It is also an echo of Isaiah 9:6 that a child is born, but a son is given. It also builds on Romans 8:29, which calls Jesus the “Firstborn among many brothers.” This is a reminder that by his physical birth, death, and resurrection he opened the path to God. He tore the veil so that we could in turn approach God. Interestingly, this idea of bringing into the world carries a lot of connotations of labor pains/travail. This points to the notion of the world travailing and waiting in hope for deliverance (Rom. 8:18-25), it points to Mary’s pain in childbirth, and the intricate nature of God’s eternal plan. God wasn’t toiling or struggling, but everyone else was ever since Adam brought sin, thorns, death, and hatred into the world.

​

This next quote is the most complicated depending on which translation you are looking at. Scholar’s source this to two different verses in the Old Testament. The first is Ps. 97:7, “Worship him, all you gods!” In the Septuagint (the Greek translation of Old Testament), gods is actually rendered angels. So, while Ps. 97:7 may not seem immediately to be the correct reference, it is connected as it can be translated, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”

The second source is from Deuteronomy 32:43, “Bow down to him all gods.” Deut. 32 is a song of Moses that was written not long before his death (ch. 34). Of all the things Moses could instruct the children of Israel on, this prophecy was one of them. Can you imagine Moses in Heaven looking down on the writer of Hebrews and thinking, huh…who knew that verse would be used for this moment? I think that is such an encouraging thought.

​

This chapter, this song of Moses is about God’s faithfulness, his creation, his righteousness, the sin of Israel, a call for repentance, and God’s rescue. Yet, there was a prophecy about the coming Messiah built into this. So often, the writers of Scripture were given visions, prophecies, and insight that they would not have understood. Yet from Abraham’s bosom or from Heaven (depending on the timing) they have been able to see history unfold. I think our lives are like that sometimes. We aren’t writing inspired Scripture, and yet how many times do we not fully understand how God will work? Jim Elliot did not understand how he would change modern missions. Lottie Moon did not see the fruit of her labors that continues. John Newton did not see the full influence he would have over Wilberforce and thousands of enslaved people…and yet God is writing and continues writing a story (if we let him) that is greater than we could imagine. Again, this sovereignty is part of why we worship him alone – no angel can bring about this perfect plan.

​

This topic of worship and not always being able to see God’s full plan in the middle of our circumstances has been on my heart. I felt like just running through these quotes would not do justice to the weight of what the author was communicating with their choices of Old Testament Scripture. Think about it, he could have pulled verses from anywhere. The angels were instructed to worship, the authors of this passage, and the others quoted were instructed to worship. It is no mistake that most of these quotes are from the Psalms, the Hebrew hymnbook. Not only is the author saying the obvious, that the angels worship because they are less than Jesus, but it is also a reminder to these readers that worship is ultimately about submission. It is about bowing our knee in obedience to the moment that God has called us to.

​

So, let’s think about this idea of worship as God works in our lives and as a result of who he is. There are many passages that speak of this, but Ephesians 3:14-21 is a beautiful doxology of praise and that is the one that God laid on my heart. I want us to look at that passage and think about why the angels were told to worship – why the Hebrew Christians needed to keep their eyes focused on the only one worthy of worship – and why we are called to worship him alone, even when we don’t fully understand his plans. Paul starts this passage with the attitude of Moses, the Psalmist, and the author of Hebrews, and the angels. It starts with worship. It starts with humble submission. Paul did not see all of God’s plan, yet he still chose to worship. He wrote because he wanted to encourage believers, but also to share in the following verses why he chose to bow – why God alone is worthy of worship. The author of Hebrews is brief on this point, Paul says let me tell you why you give him glory.

​

This entire passage is beautiful, but I want to pick it up in more detail in V. 17. The instruction is to let Christ dwell, to reside, inhabit your hearts. He can never leave us or forsake us, but let him fully settle in. No hiding the dirty laundry. He isn’t a guest that you straighten up for, he is your family. Dwell with him, be changed and shaped by his presence.

​

Dwell in your hearts – interestingly this not only has the idea of the seat of the thoughts/feelings, but also is translated broken hearted in one place. That is such an awesome thought that he dwells in our hearts, but especially in our brokenness. He isn’t only there for the beautiful moments. He is there on our darkest days.

​

By faith – this is affirmed in Eph. 2:8-9 it is through expressing our faith in him, by placing our trust in him that we are saved. He extends mercy and grace, but we must repent and act in faith.

​

That we can be rooted – that we can become stable, regardless of what happens around us. That despite our circumstances, we are not blown over. A timely message for what is getting ready to hit us. Rooted and grounded – not only that we would be stable, but that we would lay the foundation for or consolidate our faith in the love God. I think this is so important because yes, we need to be grounded in the word and truth – but Paul said the thing we need more than anything else to be rooted is to know Christ’s love for us. Now, we find that the truth of his love in his Word, so you know I’m not discounting that. However, when the world is falling apart, we need to understand that we are loved – not just on an academic knowledge level, but a deep abiding assurance that transcends our circumstances. This is the question the disciples asked in the middle of the storm, “Do you not care?” On the days that you are brokenhearted, understand his finished work on the cross and do not doubt that despite your circumstances, he loves. Hang your faith on the truth that God has demonstrated his love. That is a truth that does not change.

​

To comprehend – to grasp, to seize eagerly and be equipped with all fellow believers the breadth (width), length, depth (extent), and height. The size, the dimensions, the enormity and comprehensiveness of Christ’s love and to know the love of Christ. This know is to perceive, know,  understand. The love that passeth – goes beyond the mark, surpasses, exceeds – knowledge. It doesn’t ignore knowledge but it does go beyond mere human understanding. That is why Paul was praying that these believers would be granted this insight.

 

Filled – such a great word – to be replete with, to satisfy, to finish, to complete, to cram full – be filled to bursting with the fullness, the completion of God. To be fully assured that we have all we need in Christ.

​

This assurance is the thing that allows us to be faithful – to worship and bow the knee in surrender. In the middle of not understanding, be rooted. In the middle of suffering things that are not just for our personal sanctification, let Christ dwell and fill your hearts. Trust that Christ’s love is sufficient and beyond what you can comprehend because, like these believers in Ephesus who were facing persecution and the Hebrews in Jerusalem, Christ’s love may not seem apparent in heartache.

​

And yet he is able (v. 20) – this is such an awesome thought! He isn’t just wanting to, he is fully empowered to execute his own will. He is capable of accomplishing his purposes. No other God has this power. This isn’t the idea that he does the bare minimum – this isn’t him straining or striving. He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above, very highly more – but even more awesomely built into this connotation is the idea of acting on anther’s behalf. Exceeding, abundantly (abundantly is two Greek words) – the first is superabundant (of both quantity and quality – he doesn’t lose power or excellence in his work), pre-eminence, superfluous, beyond measure and tied to the concept of the one that it proceeds from. Almost like, Paul is asking a rhetorical question, “Who is able to do abundantly? Who is our source?” God is able – it goes out from him, betwixt, the place the action proceeds from – directly from his intervening hand. Above – same word as exceeding again. All, whatsoever, whosever, everyone, all things we ask. This word, “ask” is the things we desire, crave or beg for.

​

Now it is so important here to note that he doesn’t say he will give us anything we crave. It actually says he will give us more than. Sometimes, the things we crave and beg for are not granted because they are not more than. They are not part of his plan. They are not abundant and that is so hard to understand, which is the next word – comprehend. This has the idea of to understand, comprehend, perceive. Beyond what we perceive to be “good” and what we desire. He gives us more. It is so hard to trust that. Our senses are so linked to this world. These believers in Jerusalem and believers today are often so connected to their circumstances. The prospect of persecution, betrayal, loss, and death certainly seem to be bad. They were certainly not asking God for any of those things – and yet that was where they found themselves. The author of Hebrews, Moses, the cloud of witnesses that we are going to read about in Hebrews 11, Paul – they so desired these people to understand that our finite perceptions are not eternal. Worship should never be tied only to what we perceive because that cannot transcend our circumstances. It is not the end nor is it the full picture of the superabundant life that Jesus came to give (Jn. 10:10). This abundant life in John is the same word here in Ephesians. When Paul says according to the power, it is Christ. He came so that we could have this life rooted in him. Grounded in truth so that we will not be blown about with every wind of doctrine. He is the very abundant, overflowing life.

​

So according to the power, this word is miraculous power or might. It isn’t just strength like we think of athletes – this is supernatural power that God alone possesses. The power that worketh – is active, effectual, causes to happen – in us. Could be translated “through” us. He isn’t just working in our circumstances, but he is working in our very spirts and lives and through us to those around us. He is transforming us to that what we crave is drawn into alignment with his will. So that what we desire is not so disconnected with the work he is accomplishing. It is the ultimate prayer in the garden of not my will, but yours be done or Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah saying but if not or the disciples saying we must obey God, not men.

The result of this, understanding of God is worship. There is no other response that should be possible as our hearts are overwhelmed by what he is offering us and the power that lives in us. Verse 21 almost feels like Paul just couldn’t help himself. This exclamation of praise – unto him. Unto God alone – not angels, Moses, spiritual leaders – unto God, be the glory. Be the worship, honor and praise in the church. In the bride of Christ, in the assembly of believers, united in the oneness that Christ prayed for in John 17 – by his power. During all, daily and eternally, the ages, time.

​

So, like Moses who was facing uncertainty and death who had an imperfect idea of how God was going to use the details of his life or like the Psalmist who wanted to praise, but had no idea that the author of Hebrews was going to pluck this one phrase out of 12 verses. It isn’t just the angels that are instructed to worship, it is all of us that are being called to worship – to surrender because he alone is worthy. There is no other substitute. I’m going to wrap up with this final thought, because I don’t think you can top this and it is so much to consider for tonight.

 

This word for worship in Hebrews 1:6, is the word picture of a dog kissing his master’s hand. This is not only the emphatic praise, but also supplication. This is an acknowledgment that apart from him, we can do nothing. This is total reliance, dependence, and devotion to the one who sits on the throne. We may not know why or when. Our responsibility is to be rooted and grounded. Contemplate the love of Christ. Let him dwell, not just visit. Understand that this life is meant to be abundant. If our job, hope, grace, rest, and life are not abundant – even in trials, be sure that we are allowing him to empower us and operate in and through us. Thank God, we were not meant to do this on our own. We are not meant to understand all circumstances. We are meant to be obedient and to be overwhelmed in worship because he alone is worthy. The angels are called to bow down, but so are we. They are called to dependence, and so are we. Trust in the more – in the abundant stuffed full, overflowing, even when nothing but desert surrounds us. The saints of old and more recent years did not fully understand God’s plan, but they trusted that God’s "no" was actually God’s promise for more, not less and they rested in that promise, just as we can, and when you read better – heed the call to worship.