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The Scriptorium

Whom Angels Worship

Christ is superior to the angels.

Hebrews 1 (2)

Introduction
As we shall see, the first recipients of this epistle had begun to draw back from their former confidence in Christ. They were experiencing some push-back from their fellow Jews, and this led them to pull back from their bold and public commitment to the Lord. The writer of Hebrews was not content for this to happen, so he wrote to remind his readers of the excellence of Christ, and to encourage them to hold fast to their former confidence, firm to the end. He begins his argument by showing the superiority of Jesus over angels.

Meditate on Daniel 10.1-10; Psalm 97.1-9.

Read Hebrews 1.4-6.

Think it through.
1.  Those first Christians who read the Old Testament understood that angels are powerful beings. As was the case with Daniel, people who encountered angels were awestruck and terrified. But angels, though powerful, do not compare with the greatness of our Lord Jesus Christ – either in majesty or might. Jesus “has obtained” a more excellent Name than Gabriel or Michael or any of the angels. What Name has Jesus obtained? How did He obtain that Name (cf. Rev. 5.11, 12)? Meditate on Philippians 2.9-11. What is the effect of His having obtained that Name? 

2.  How does the writer explain the Word’s relationship to God the Father (v. 5)? What does God mean by the term “begotten”in verse 5? How does this compare with the phrase “brings the firstborn into the world”in verse 6? What does this tell us about the Word Who became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn. 1.14)? How do the angels now relate to this Word (v. 6; cf. Ps. 97.7 [gods refers to angels], Rev. 5.11-13)? Since angels worship the Word and Son of God, what’s the message to the readers of Hebrews? Does it make sense to leave off worshipping this Word and Son? Why not?

Meditate.
“This is the way, dear friends, in which we found our salvation, Jesus Christ, the high priest of our offerings, the protector and helper of our weakness. Through him we fix our gaze on the heights of heaven. In him we see mirrored God’s pure and transcendent face. Through him the eyes of our hearts have been opened. Through him our foolish and darkened understanding springs up to the light. Through him the Master has willed that we should taste immortal knowledge. For, since ‘he reflects the glory of God,’ ‘he is as much superior to the angels as the name he has obtained is more excellent than theirs.’” Clement of Rome (fl. 92-101 AD)

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” 
Revelation 5.11, 12

There is no name as great as Your Name, Lord Jesus Christ! And You have put Your Name upon me so that I…

Pray Psalm 45.10-15
The Church is the “daughter” mentioned here, who is called to worship her Lord and King. As you pray these verses, meditate on the beauty and favor of the Lord and the gladness and rejoicing of all who know Him.

Psalm 45.10-15 (Manoah: When All Your Mercies, O My God)
Let none keep us from hearing You; desire our beauty, Lord! 
We bow, submitting humbly to Your ever-faithful Word. 

The Church in robes of woven gold assembles to the King. 
With joy complete and gladness bold His praise she e’er shall sing.

T. M. Moore

For a better understanding of the book of Hebrews, and all the books of the Bible, order a copy of the workbook, God’s Covenant, from our online store. The studies in this workbook will show you how the parts of the Bible connect with one another to tell the story of God’s redemption and glory (click here). To learn more about Christ in His exaltation, order the book, The Kingship of Jesus (click here).

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
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