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The Scriptorium

So Great a Salvation

Because it's so great, we ought not neglect it.

Hebrews 2 (2)

Introduction
Building on his argument from chapter 1, the writer of Hebrews urges his readers not to neglect their salvation. For the word of salvation did not come from angels. If it had, of course we know it would prove steadfast and reliable. But the word of salvation came from Him Who is greater than the angels, and it was confirmed by God Himself. No wonder this salvation is so great. 

Meditate on Deuteronomy 18.15-19.

Read Hebrews 2.2-4.

Think it through.
1.  As early as Deuteronomy 18, God had been telling of a coming Prophet Whose words all should heed, for they would be the very words of life. First-century Hebrews understood well the authoritative role of angels in bringing words and visions from God in the Old Testament; but in the Son of God, He Who upholds the vast cosmos by His Word of power (Heb. 1.3), God Himself brought the message of salvation. Why should we expect that word to be so much greater and more reliable than one brought by angels? The writer refers to our salvation as “so great a salvation”. What makes our salvation “so great”? Meditate on Ephesians 3.20 and Philippians 2.13. What expectations should we hold out for this salvation? Have we realized it in its fullness just by believing in Jesus and being assured of a place in heaven? Explain. 

2.  The Greek word for neglect here is ἀμελέω, and it means “to not think about, and thus not respond appropriately to – to neglect, to disregard, to pay no attention to” (Louw & Nida). What does it look like when one is neglecting this great salvation? The writer of Hebrews points to “signs and wonders” and “various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit” which confirmed the message of salvation that came through the Son. Give some examples of each of these. Meditate on Ephesians 2.8-10. What is the primarymeans by which this great salvation is confirmed? The writer of Hebrews chooses to remain anonymous. Compare verse 3 (“what at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard”) with Galatians 1.11, 12. Is it likely that Paul is the author of Hebrews? Explain. Hebrews was early on recognized as Scripture, in spite of its anonymity, because of the consistency of its message with Old Testament revelation, its focus on Christ and His work, and its close association with the apostles (cf. Heb. 13.23).

Meditate.
“I urge you all … not to neglect your own salvation but in every way to strive to be raised even a little from the earth. For if this wonder should come to be, amazing you—I mean this hanging above the earth in the air—then you would not wish to go down toward the earth and make your stand there.” Symeon the New Theologian (949-1022 AD)

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1.6, 7

Stir up the gift of salvation in me today, O Lord, and lift me above this world to greater heights of glory and obedience, that others might see in me…

Pray Psalm 8.
There is a kind of “in-betweenness” to this psalm, indicating our relationship to God, on the one hand, and to the world, on the other. How does this psalm guide you to pray concerning each?

Psalm 8.1-9 (Aurelia: The Church’s One Foundation)
O Savior, how majestic, Your Name in all the earth!
The heav’ns display Your glory, and tell Your wondrous worth! 
From babes and nursing infants, Lord, let Your strength increase, 
Till all Your foes surrender, and all their boasting cease. 

When I regard Your heavens, Your handiwork above, 
Ordained by Your good pleasure, according to Your love, 
Then what am I, O Savior, that You take thought of me? 
Or I should know Your favor and thus delivered be? 

Yet we in Your own image with glory have been crowned, 
To worship and to serve You throughout creation ‘round. 
These works that sing Your glory in our poor hands are placed, 
That we may rule before You to magnify Your grace. 

Let every beast and creature, in sky or sea or field, 
In our hands bring You glory as we Your favor wield. 
Let all things sing Your praises, let all declare Your worth! 
O Savior, how majestic, Your Name in all the earth!

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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