Hebrews 2:5-9
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The writer of Hebrews has maintained a persistent focus on the superiority of the Son of God. In this passage, he shifts to the incarnation of the Son of God. He beings his discussion of the shift of the heavenly role and position of the Son of God to the earthly ministry of the Son of God. This is a transitional passage of Scripture.
1. All things are subjected to Jesus. ()
1. All things are subjected to Jesus. ()
All things are subjected to Jesus. ()
The ancient Jewish belief was that God appointed particular angels over particular nations of the world. This understanding is based on .
When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance and divided the human race, he set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the people of Israel.
Basically, the understanding is that God set up the borders of nations and in doing so has set angels to watch over particular nations, delivering his messages to the people of that nation, and even at times defending that nation. We see this concept played out in the book of Daniel.
He said, “Do you know why I’ve come to you? I must return at once to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I leave, the prince of Greece will come. However, I will tell you what is recorded in the book of truth. (No one has the courage to support me against those princes except Michael, your prince.
At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress such as never has occurred since nations came into being until that time. But at that time all your people who are found written in the book will escape.
Angels are designated as the “prince of Persia” and the “prince of Greece”. Michael is the “great prince” who watches over the nation of Israel. The New Testament also echos this concept.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.
A. The angels are not going to be in charge over nations in the world to come. ()
A. The angels are not going to be in charge over nations in the world to come. ()
This is the declaration of the Lord to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.”
For he has not subjected to angels the world to come that we are talking about.
“Subjected” is a word often used in the New Testament. Humans are subject to God. People are subject to one another. Wives are to submit to their husbands. Young people are to submit to older people. Slaves are to be subject to their masters. Believers are to be subject to the governing authorities. Submission is a fundamental element of Christian practice.
B. The author quotes from .
B. The author quotes from .
what is a human being that you remember him, a son of man that you look after him? You made him little less than God and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet:
Notice that the author is making a from the Septuagint rather than from the Hebrews which is why we have the discrepancy in quotation. The Hebrew says, “made him but a little lower than God”. The Septuagint says, “made him a little lower than the angels for a short time.” The word that causes the most theological problem is the word “little”. “Little” can be understood in two ways.
i. “little” - a small measure of distance or substance.
i. “little” - a small measure of distance or substance.
ii. “little” - a small amount of time “for a little while”.
ii. “little” - a small amount of time “for a little while”.
The later meaning seems to fit the context a little better. The author does not seems concerned with the degree, but rather the duration. In other words, Jesus came to earth and lived as a human for a time before being exalted back to heaven.
2. The tension between present experience and future reality of the subjugation by the Son of God. ()
2. The tension between present experience and future reality of the subjugation by the Son of God. ()
and subjected everything under his feet. For in subjecting everything to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. As it is, we do not yet see everything subjected to him. But we do see Jesus—made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace he might taste death for everyone—crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death.
So which is it? Previously, the author said that everything has been made subject to the Son of God and yet we know from experience that such is not the case. People still live in open sin and rebellion against Jesus. Creation is still effected by the curse. The church, in many parts of the world, is being severely persecuted and is ravished by the forces of darkness. I can imagine that persecuted Christians in Rome would have had the same question, “How can we say everything is subjected to Jesus when we are being hurt by powers you say are under his authority?”
So which is it? Previously, the author said that everything has been made subject to the Son of God and yet we know from experience that such is not the case. People still live in open sin and rebellion against Jesus. Creation is still effected by the curse. The church, in many parts of the world, is being severely persecuted and is ravished by the forces of darkness. I can imagine that persecuted Christians in Rome would have had the same question, “How can we say everything is subjected to Jesus when we are being hurt by powers you say are under his authority?”
This is what has become to be know as the “problem of evil”.
How do you deal with the “problem of evil”?
How do you deal with the “problem of evil”?
Some phrase it the problem this way, “Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?” I tend to flip the argument. The problem to me is not a “problem of evil”, but rather the “problem of good”. In other words, why does God allow good things to happen to bad people.
as it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one.
We must first understand that there is no one that is good. None of us deserves anything good to happen to us because we are under the curse of God because of sin. Good happens in the world because of God’s mercy and grace. God gives mercy and grace to us, not because of anything we have done, but because it is intrinsic to his character.
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alone.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.
Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the person who takes refuge in him!
So what is going on when Christ does not seem to be in control? Here is the reality. Often we are more concerned with relieving the pain and discomfort of our situation than we are with God’s glory. Feeling better has become more important than finding God. Following Jesus often, if not always, involves some sort of significant sacrifice and suffering. The fact that there is good in the world is a testament to the God who is good. The fact that there is evil in the world is a testament to man’s free will which rebells against the good God. The problem of evil is not about God and what he can do; it is about our understanding of who Jesus is. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith and he is always good
A. The tension is between the “now” and the “not yet”.
A. The tension is between the “now” and the “not yet”.
The reign of Jesus has been inaugurated by his ascension. The Son’s rule is already a reality, but we won’t see the full impact until the consummation at the end of the age. The reality of the Son’s rule is confessed by faith until our faith becomes sight.
B. To “see Jesus” is not a physical sight, but a spiritual perception. ()
B. To “see Jesus” is not a physical sight, but a spiritual perception. ()
But we do see Jesus—made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace he might taste death for everyone—crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death.
3. Summary
3. Summary
A. All things are subject to Jesus.
A. All things are subject to Jesus.
B. The subjugation of all things is a present reality that will not be fully perceived until the end of the age.
B. The subjugation of all things is a present reality that will not be fully perceived until the end of the age.