2 And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son.
. . .
4 This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.
5 For to which of the angels did He ever say,
“YOU ARE MY SON,
Psalm 2:7
TODAY I HAVE FATHERED YOU”?
And again,
“I WILL BE A FATHER TO HIM
2 Sam 7:14
AND HE WILL BE A SON TO ME”?
The comparison in this portion is between the categories of Son and Angels. The author of Hebrews here makes it simple by the sense of the name given. There is the category of Son and the category of Angel. The mere fact that one is named Son and the other is named Angel decides any debate. The author has started the letter with the definitive statement that in these final days God has spoken through a Son. No intermediary angels are involved now communicating the revelation of God through the prophets to the people. In these final days God has spoken directly through the Son.
This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.
Hebrews 1:4
Now the writer of Hebrews either ponders those references in the Old Testament where God makes this clear, or the verses came to mind at the moment of writing through the hupomimnesko work of the Holy Spirit. The folllowing two references are quoted.
PSALM 2:7
Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the LORD and against his anointed one.
“Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.”
But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.
Then in anger he rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury.
For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.”
The king proclaims the LORD’s decree: “The LORD said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father.
Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession.
You will break them with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.’”
Now then, you kings, act wisely! Be warned, you rulers of the earth!
Serve the LORD with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—for his anger flares up in an instant. But what joy for all who take refuge in him!
Psalm 2:1-12
I trust that makes this choice of quote clear. This wording is set in the context of the statement made by God through Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15-19. The One Who would come in the tradition of the Prophet Moses. “The One Who would personally deal with anyone who will not listen to the messages the prophet proclaims on my behalf.” Who is ‘this King who proclaims the Lord’s decrees’? None other than the ultimate King who would come when the Israelites rejected the LORD as their king. Read 1 Samuel 8, the whole chapter, then I think things will fall into place for you. Jesus is both the Coming Prophet in the form of Moses and the Coming King in the form of Messiah. So Psalm 2:7 picks up on this purple, royal thread in Scripture. Who this King coming for the LORD who was rejected as King in 1 Samuel 8. Is it clear to you now?
But there is more. The writer of Hebrews chooses a second quote to emphasize his point.
2 Samuel 7:4-17
But that same night the LORD said to Nathan (the prophet),
“Go and tell my servant David (the king), ‘This is what the LORD has declared: Are you the one to build a house for me to live in?
I have never lived in a house, from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until this very day. I have always moved from one place to another with a tent and a Tabernacle as my dwelling.
Yet no matter where I have gone with the Israelites, I have never once complained to Israel’s tribal leaders, the shepherds of my people Israel. I have never asked them, “Why haven’t you built me a beautiful cedar house?”’
“Now go and say to my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel.
I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before your eyes. Now I will make your name as famous as anyone who has ever lived on the earth!
And I will provide a homeland for my people Israel, planting them in a secure place where they will never be disturbed. Evil nations won’t oppress them as they’ve done in the past,
starting from the time I appointed judges to rule my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. “‘Furthermore, the LORD declares that he will make a house for you—a dynasty of kings!
For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong.
He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever.
I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do.
But my favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight.
Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’”
So Nathan (the prophet) went back to David and told him everything the LORD had said in this vision.
2 Samuel 7:4-17
I think there are two meanings to this. The one referred to in the first instance is Solomon. That is, it won’t be David who builds the temple but his son, Solomon. However, there is also a hint, a remez, to the fact that there is another Son to Whom the text is referring- The One Who is Coming as a Prophet in the likeness of Moses and a King the likeness of David – the epitome of all kings good who prefigures the Ultimate Coming King – Jesus. Hence the writer of Hebrews has probably chosen the best two quotes of the Old Testament to make his point.
But all of this is to point out a Son is far higher than the angels. Son versus Angel – which do you choose? The Son every time! Especially if THIS SON is the One described in Hebrews 1:3. Do you want to go back to the time when the only communication we had with heaven was via angels to the prophets from time to time. Why would you make that choice when you now have the SON? How much closer to the Father can you get than the Son? The Jews gave the angels exalted status as heavenly messengers or intermediaries. But they and we need to know our true position in ‘these last days’. We have the Son who by HIs Spirit lives within us.
Finally in this quote we need to address the rhetorical question the author of Hebrews posed:
For to which of the angels did He ever say, “You are my son, today I have begotten you”?
or the indicative statement as the Easy to Read Version puts it:
God never said this to any of the angels: “You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.” God also never said about an angel, “I will be his Father, and he will be my son.”
Hebrews 1:5
Whichever way it is phrased, the rhetorical question needs to be answered with the indicative statement – “Never, God never said this to any angel!” God has only ever said this of the Christ, the Messiah, His One and Only Uniquely Begotten One. THIS SON and the angels are worlds apart; there is no comparison by any standard you may use for comparison.
The human race crave the experience of awe & wonder. And there is no reality more breathtaking than Jesus Christ.
John Piper
The Christ of the galaxies is the Christ of your Mondays. You have a friend in high places.
Max Lucado
If a thousand steps separate you from Christ, He has taken 999. Walk in His direction. He is waiting.
Max Lucado
Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly.
G. K. Chesterton