Hebrews chapter 1

vs 1

Straight away, we have a marker, in my opinion, as to who this was written. It was the Jews whose ancestors had God speak to them at many times and in various ways. While I am aware about the several passages in the NT that claim a spiritual heritage for Christians of Abraham, that language is slightly different to here. While I am sure that such a spiritual heritage allows modern day Christians to read this book with meaning, primarily surely it existed to correct some misapprehensions from Jewish and proselyte Christians.

vs 2

We are living in a new era, and it's not just because there's an African American president (go 'Bama). It's because this is the time period that God has chosen to reveal himself through his own Son. Straight out of the gate, that Son is given a statement of authority - he was involved in the creation of the universe. We will spend chapters seeing the authority of Christ built up.

vs 3

This is sounding fairly Colossians-y. More statements of powerful authority for Jesus - he is God, an exact representation, with not only the creative power but the sustaining power. He is responsible for the purification of sins - the enormity of this verse gets chapters later, because it means he has replaced an entire sacrificial system. Finally, he is at the right hand in majesty. Sorry, of the Majesty. All my translations capitalise Majesty, so I'm assuming it relates to a God title.

vs 4

It's not a question I would have even asked, but apparently some people needed this cleared up - as Son of God, he is above angels in the spiritual pecking order. It could be that people were getting confused by the psalm 8 reference. Perhaps there were questions about his divinity. The author here leaves no questions as to his opinion of Christ's divinity.

vs 5

Some Old Testament references there. One obviously from the psalms, but the other from Samuel. And both, interestingly, are regarding David. The strength of this Sonship link to the Davidic covenant is a big thing.

vs 6

You won't find this quote in your OT , as I am sure you are well aware. It's from the Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls. But the author here seems to think that's it's worth basing his point on - that the angels are to worship the Christ, hence their lowliness before him.

vs 7

An interestingly different translation to that we are given in our Psalm 104:4. Of course, since wind and spirit are the same word in Hebrew (and Greek, I think) the change is contextual. Still, the verse in 104 seems to mean angels to me. The point is that God has made angels as servants for himself. They have a defined role to play. Sure, to us, they seem awesome - made of fire, flying around with flaming swords, cool stuff. But they are servants of God, and of Christ too. You worship the King, not his messenger, which again in Greek and Hebrew is the same word for angel.