The Son Superior to Angels 

     Why would the author of Hebrews begin with prophets and angels? No other New Testament book does so. His readers were followers of Christ, special because they were born Jewish. They had background, beliefs, methods of worship, and practices that gentile converts did not. Angels had played an important role in OT covenant history. 

     These people were suffering and being persecuted (as Jews would for centuries). Our note: Returning to their roots would not have made life any better in the long run. Satan hates both Jews and Christians.

< 45 thousand teachings condensed in 45 words > 

     The author begins: In the past, God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets in various ways...but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 

     He continues: 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. 

     The radiance: When angels appear in human form - like the two who visited Abraham in Genesis 18 - it's called incarnation. As for the third person - Abraham knew him as the Lord, an Incarnation, capital I. 

     People know of angels appearing as adults. Jesus, the Incarnation, came by birth, as prophesied in Isaiah and elsewhere. The Holy Spirit easily provided what virgin Mary needed to carry and give birth to - the radiance, the exact representation - Savior of the world. 

     The author of Hebrews asks his readers, For 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?" 

     And, when God brings his first-born into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."

Tomorrow: Chapter 1 continued