In verses 10-12, the author quotes from Psalm 102 to further emphasize their point. The context of Psalm 102 clearly indicates that the “Lord” is the One who would appear in the future to Israel and the nations (Ps 102:12-16). Thus, the psalm can only refer to Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity, the only One who would become incarnate. Jesus is God become man. The universe will perish (2 Pet 3:10-13; Rev 21:1), but the Son will remain forever. The universe will be changed, but the Son will remain the same (Heb 13:8). The psalmist was showing that only God provides stability and security. God is anchored like a rock, and we can anchor our lives to this mountain of immobility.
The seventh quotation comes from Psalm 110:1. Verse 13 shows that Christ’s ascension lifted Him to a place of authority and power at the Father’s right hand. Jesus claimed that this verse referred to Him (Mark 12:36). Although we live at a time when the Son’s enemies are not yet a footstool, the New Testament promises the Son’s complete victory at the end (1 Cor. 15:24–27).
10 And, “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of Your hands; 11 They will perish, but You remain; And they all will become old like a garment, 12 And like a mantle You will roll them up; Like a garment they will also be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not come to an end.” 13 But to which of the angels has He ever said, “Sit at My right hand, Until I make Your enemies A footstool for Your feet”? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? (NASB)
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Jesus is identified as the Lord who is to be praised.
- Only God provides stability and security. We can anchor our lives to Him, the epitome of stability and security.
- Christ’s ascension lifted Him to a place of authority and power at the Father’s right hand.
- Chapter 1 Summary: God has spoken through the Son more fully and authoritatively than through the prophets or the angels.
CLOSER LOOK:
Verses 10–12: The immutability of the King-Son is further stressed by the statements now quoted from Psalm 102:25–27. This is the longest of the seven quotations and show that God will completely change the created order. A simple “and” (kai) links the quotation in these verses with that in Hebrews 1:8–9. That the author understood the words of Psalm 102 as likewise addressed to the Son cannot be reasonably doubted. The Son, then, is Lord and has created both “the earth, and the heavens” (cf. Heb. 1:2). But even when the present creation wears out like an old “garment” and is exchanged for a new one, the Son will remain unchanged. The reference here of course is to the transformation of the heavens and earth which will occur after the Millennium and will introduce the eternal state (2 Peter 3:10–13). Yet even after those cataclysmic events the Son’s “years will not come to an end.” This certainly points to His personal eternality, but it is also likely that the word “years” stands for all that they contain for the Son, including an eternal throne and scepter as well as unending joy with His companions.[1] The writer definitely taught that Messiah’s kingdom would survive the final “shaking” of the creation (cf. Heb. 12:26–28).
Verses 13–14: The writer drew this section to a climax with the seventh and final Old Testament quotation, one which is crucial to the entire thought of the epistle. It is taken from Psalm 110 which the author later employed in their elaboration of the Melchizedek priesthood of the Lord Jesus. Here the author cited verse 1 of the psalm to highlight the final victory of the Son over His enemies. If the Son is to have an eternal throne (Heb. 1:8), such a victory obviously awaits Him. But the victory is His and not the angels‘.
Their role, by contrast, is to serve “those who will inherit salvation.” In contrast to the authority of God’s Son, angels have a servant role. They serve in God’s behalf. He gives them orders which they carry out. Their primary duty is to care for believers. The Old Testament promised that angels would deliver believers (Ps. 34:7). The New Testament records angelic rescues (Acts 12:7–10). Christ sits at the right hand of God until the final victory over all His enemies (1 Cor 15:25-28).
It should not be automatically assumed that “salvation” here refers to a believer’s past experience of regeneration.[2] On the contrary it is something future as both the context and the words “will inherit” suggest. The reference is to believers who inherit the Kingdom or rule in God’s kingdom as a reward for their service to the Son (9:28; Col 3:24). The author is speaking about “the world to come” (2:5). References to salvation in 2:3, 10; 5:9; 6:9 probably also concern the future. As always, the writer of Hebrews must be understood to reflect the spirit of Old Testament thought, especially so here where a chain of references to it form the core of their argument. And it is particularly in the Psalms, from which the author chiefly quoted in this chapter, that the term “salvation” has a well-defined sense. In the Psalms this term occurs repeatedly to describe the deliverance of God’s people from the oppression of their “enemies” and their consequent enjoyment of God’s blessings. In the Septuagint, the Greek Bible so familiar to the writer, the word “salvation” (sōtēria) was used in this sense in Psalms 3:2, 8; 18:2, 35, 46, 50; 35:3; 37:39; 71:15; 118:14–15, 21; 132:16; and elsewhere. This meaning is uniquely suitable here where the Son’s own triumph over enemies has just been mentioned.
That the readers were under external pressure there is little reason to doubt. They had endured persecution in the past and were exhorted not to give up now (Heb. 10:32–36). Here the writer reminded them that the final victory over all enemies belongs to God’s King and that the angels presently serve those who are destined to share in that victory, that is, to “inherit salvation.”[3]
Chapter 1 Summary:
Why Jesus is so special is provided in this chapter. First, He is the Creator. All things belong to Him. All things began with Him. Second, He is God. He is the radiant outburst of the Father’s glory, and He unveils the divine nature. Third, He carries the Father’s plans forward by His powerful word. Jesus is bringing the events of history to a God-honoring conclusion. Fourth, Jesus has met our spiritual needs. He has removed our sin. Today He is at God’s right hand in heaven praying for us (Heb. 7:25).
We must show more commitment to Jesus than curiosity about angels. Five reasons explain why Jesus is more important than the angels. First, Jesus is more important because He is the Son of God and not merely a servant caring for believers. Second, Jesus is superior to the angels because they worship Him. Third, Jesus is superior because He is a ruler before God, a ruler who loves righteousness. Fourth, Jesus is superior because He is unchanging. Fifth, He is superior because God has given Him authority over His enemies.
These facts about Jesus show it is impossible to give too much attention to Jesus. Jesus is not merely a good example, a beautiful friend, a teacher of ethics, or a narrator of parables. He is the eternal God, worthy of our worship, and deserving of our constant obedience.
Ideas of Chapter 1
• God has spoken through Jesus. Jesus is the Person who the prophets pointed to.
• Jesus is superior to angels because He is a Son with superior dignity and unchanging authority.
• God uses His angels to serve and care for His children.
APPLICATIONS of Chapter 1
• The Old Testament prophets provide genuine insights into God and His plans.
• Jesus is the Son of God. He is superior to angels and the prophets. He sits at the right hand of God. He will conquer all His enemies.
• Worship Jesus because He is righteous and kingly; love, adore, and serve Him.
[1] Zane C. Hodges, “Hebrews,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, eds. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1985), 782.
[2] Zane C. Hodges, “Hebrews,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, eds. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1985), 782.
[3] Zane C. Hodges, “Hebrews,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, eds. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1985), 783.