All Perfect In His Humanity – Chapter 2
In chapter 1 we have the personal glory of the Son of God, typified by the ark overlaid with pure gold, and in chapter 2 we have the acquired glory of the Son of man, typified by the ark made of shittim wood. In chapter 2 we find Jesus as Prophet, v. 3; King, v. 9; Priest, vv. 17-18; Kinsman, v. 14; Redeemer, v. 15.
A Suggested Analysis.
The chapter may be studied in detail as follows:
1. The Great Salvation, vv. 1-4. Listen to Jesus as the Prophet.
Obligation, “we ought”.
Communication, “we have heard”.
Danger, “lest haply we drift away”, R.V., like a boat swept past its anchorage.
Illustration of judgment: inevitable and righteous, 2-3a.
“Neglect” ; only other references are “made light of it”, Matt. 22. 5; “regarded them not”, Heb. 8. 9; “neglect not the gift”, 1 Tim. 4. 14; “I will not be negligent”, 2 Pet. 1. 12.
“So great”; only other mentions are in 2 Cor. 1. 10; James 3. 4.
New revelation, endorsed by the triune God, Heb. 2. 3-4.
2. The Glorious Saviour, vv. 5-18. Look at Jesus suffering yet supreme.
Greater than Adam in His Sovereignty, vv. 5-9. The Ruler of the Universe. Adam’s Dignity and the Divine Purpose, v. 5; authority committed to man. Adam’s Delight and the Divine Pleasure, v. 6; visited by God. Adam’s Dominion and the Divine Power, v. 7; “over the works of thy hands”. Adam’s Downfall and the Divine Probation, v. 8; “not yet all … under him”.
Adam lost his Priestly Faculty, v. 8; it is restored in the last Adam, 5. 10. Adam lost his Prophetic Office, v. 8; restored in 1. 1-3. Adam lost his Kingly Sceptre, v. 8; restored in 1. 8.
All is restored by the incarnation, death and subsequent exaltation of Christ, v. 9. Crowned with glory Godward, ch. 1; honour manward, ch. 2.
Greater than Joseph in His Sufferings, vv. 10-13. The Lover of His Brethren. The glory of His Person, vv. 5-9, and of His work, vv. 10-18. The glory of His identification, v. 11; one with us, all of one Father. The glory of His condescension, v. 10; to effect His relationship with man. The glory of His revelation, v. 12; God’s name revealed. The glory of His vindication, vv. 12-13; pre-eminent in praise and in trust.
Our relationship – children; our fellowship -brethren; our heirship – sons.
Joseph’s sufferings were not vicarious but victorious; Christ’s sufferings were both.
Greater than Boaz in His Strength, vv. 14-15. The Emancipator of souls. His relationship is real -“took part”; Kinsman Redeemer, His purpose is clear – to destroy the Devil; Kinsman Avenger. His conquest was effective – deliver from “fear of death”, v. 15. His victory is complete – He delivers us; the word deliver means “to release”, “to effect a change”. Christ is our Deliverer.
Note. The Subjects of His work, v. 14a. The Satisfaction of His work, v. 15. The Success of His work, v. 14b. The Sphere of His work, v. 16. The Scope of His work, v. 17. The Strength of His work, v. 18.
Greater than Abraham in His Sympathy, vv. 16-18. The Succourer of the tempted. His Fitness, v. 17; the word Hebrew means “one from the other side” – how true of our Priest. His Fatherliness, v. 17; merciful -Abraham delivered Lot and was merciful to him. His Faithfulness to God; He never broke down. His Friendliness; able to succour the tempted, v. 18.
Note. Merciful – manward; faithful – Godward; succour – saintward.
All Pre-eminent In His Fidelity – Chapter 3
In this chapter we consider His official glory; He came to establish a heavenly kingdom.
1. The Contemplation of His Glory, vv. 1-6. Better than Moses.
Association with Him, v. 1. Our Communion – brethren; our Calling – heavenly; our Character – holy; our contemplation – Jesus who is faithful.
Holy because of our standing in Him, 2. 11; brethren because of oneness with Him, 2. 11-14, partakers because we are emancipated by Him, 2. 15.
Consideration of Him, v. 1. Fix your attention upon Him; observe Him closely. We must consider Him in order to know Him, to love Him and to serve Him.
Comparison Drawn, v. 2, between Moses and Jesus. Moses was one of the greatest types of Messiah in the old economy. Both preserved in childhood; both endured murmuring; both contended with evil forces; both had seventy helpers; both fasted forty days; both made intercessory prayers; both introduced a new dispensation; both had radiant faces; both were divinely commissioned; both were willing to die for the nation; both were supported in their work; both established memorials; both suffered at home; both reappeared after death; both exemplified patience; both had seven mountain experiences.
Distinction Made, v. 3. Greater in Name, office, character, dignity, faithfulness. The House and the Builder, vv. 3-4. The servant and the Son, vv. 5-6.
Christ surpasses Moses in the following functions: In leadership – Moses led Israel out, but our Captain leads us home, 2. 10. In headship – Moses was head of the nation,, but Christ Head over all, Eph. 1. In stewardship – Moses lost most of the people, but Christ loses none, John 17. 12. In judgeship – Moses judged Israel only, but Christ is Judge of all, Acts 10. 42; 17. 31. In mediatorship – Christ is the Mediator of a better covenant. In kingship – Moses was but temporarily, Deut. 33. 5, but Christ’s throne is for ever, Heb. 1. 8. In authorship – Moses wrote about Christ, but Christ is Author and Finisher, 12. 2.
2. The Rejection of His Guidance, vv. 7-19. The veracity of His trust.
The Voice of the Spirit, vv. 7-11, appealing to the conscience. A Disregard of God’s power, v. 9. A Distrust of God’s truth, vv. 7-8. A Denial of God’s love, v. 10. A Despising of God’s provision – manna, v.9.
The Voice of the Servant, vv. 12-15, appealing to the heart. The Duty detailed – take heed, v. 12. The Danger present – evil heart, v. 12. The Daily preventative – exhort, v. 13. The Divine provision -partakers, v. 14.
The Voice of History, vv. 16-18, appealing to the will. Divine purpose rejected, vv. 15-16. Divine displeasure expressed, v. 17. Divine retribution experienced, v. 17. Divine explanation given, v. 18.
Note the emphasis on the words “today”, “hearken”, and “harden not”.
Suggestions for Study.
Find eight reasons in chapter 2 why Christ became incarnate.
Consider carefully Ruth 3-4 with Hebrews 2. 14-18. Weigh the Old Testament quotations in Hebrews 2 which establish the Manhood of our Lord. Study the practical exhortations in Hebrews 2. 1-4; 3. 7 to 4. 13; 5. 11 to 6. 20; 10. 26 - 39; 12. 15-29 and heed the danger lights.
Consider the long warning, the second in Hebrews, which commences at 3. 7. Derive lessons for today. There are seven appeals in chapter 3; what are they? Compare the mountain experiences of Moses and the Lord Jesus.
