HF176 - Hebrews 1:3 (God's Resplendent Glory)
To: Hebraic-Foundations@YahooGroups.com
From: "Pastor Buddy Martin" <Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org>
Date: Monday, April 7, 2008
Subject: Bible Study HF176 - Hebrews 1:3 (God's Resplendent Glory)
Hebraics,
In our study of the book of Hebrews, there will be times that I'll simply refer to a single Scripture, and in other instances I will call attention to a larger Scripture portion. The reason is that very often a single Scripture carries considerable weight and needs to be dealt with in itself. Such is the case with this next study.
Once again keep in mind that the book of Hebrews was written to Jewish people. Many terms that are used are best understood in the Jewish vernacular. With this in mind let's get to our next study.
This is Bible Study HF176 - Hebrews 1:3 (God's Resplendent Glory).
"And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high." Hebrews 1:3
'The radiance of His glory' is a way of saying that Jesus is the very outshining of God Himself, or that Jesus is the glory of God. A Jewish reader would see the term 'the glory' [ha kavod] as a manifested appearance of God in the Old Testament.
Another term that they would think about was the term 'Shekinah.' Shekinah is not a Biblical word, but it comes from a root word found in the Scriptures, the word 'shakan', which means to settle down, abide, or dwell. In ancient Judaism, the Shekinah, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Messiah, and the Glory were sometimes used interchangeably.
The Shekinah (or glory) spoke of God's actual presence, sometimes visible, but more often simply felt. Without laboring this too much, keep in mind that the pillar of fire and the cloud that rested over the tabernacle were also known as 'the glory of the Lord.' (Ex16:7) The light over the mercy seat was also known as the glory of God.
The importance in these first few verses in Hebrews was to show the Jewish people that Jesus was and is not merely an angel, or a prophet, but that He was indeed very God of God. This remains the premise of the book. And because Jesus was and is very God, it is His blood that settled the sin debt.
Paul speaks to this in Acts 20:27-29, where he warns the elders, ""For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of GOD WHICH HE PURCHASED WITH HIS OWN BLOOD. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock." (Caps for emphasis only.)
And so the refrain throughout the book of Hebrews is that Jesus is God, that He made a full atonement for sin for all time, that a new covenant was now in place, and that this new covenant is entirely new. It is not the covenant of Moses renovated, or renewed, or patched up, or blended together with the covenant of Christ. It is covenant designed for a born- from-above people.
Jesus Himself said that you cannot put new wine into old wineskins. There has never been a covenant like that which came out of the cross. The new covenant rests entirely upon the finished work of the cross. If the work is finished, then there is nothing to be added. This is what is meant where it says, "When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."
Also keep in mind that some form of the term 'glory of God' is used in a number of places in the new covenant writings with regard to Jesus. The apostolic writers want to make sure that the people realize just who Jesus really was, both as Son of God, and very God of God.
John said, "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)
Paul said, "But we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory ... for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." (1Co2:7,8)
Peter wrote, ""For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased." (2Pe1:17)
Taking into consideration the Hebrew thought forms behind New Testament writings, there is much more to be said. Let me simply add one more thought concerning God's glory and how that this term speaks expressly of Jesus.
When Moses entered the tent of meeting, above the mercy seat was a bright light. It was known as the glory of God. But in the light there was a form that only Moses was allowed to see. Paul said that this form was Jesus Christ.
Here are two Scriptures that speak to this:
"Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the doorway of the tent, and He called Aaron and Miriam. When they had both come forward, He said, 'Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, shall make Myself known to him in a vision. I shall speak with him in a dream.
"Not so, with My servant Moses, He is faithful in all My household; with him I speak mouth to mouth, even openly, and not in dark sayings, AND HE BEHOLDS THE FORM OF THE LORD. Why then were you not afraid To speak against My servant, against Moses?" (Num12:5-8)
Note the words in caps. Now compare this to what Paul wrote to the Philippian believers ---
"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, ALTHOUGH HE EXISTED IN THE FORM OF GOD, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
"For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil2:5-11)
Let me conclude this part of our study for now. There is so much to be said in this one Scripture, Hebrews 1:3. Think about what I have shared. Feel free to ask questions, offer insights, or simply continue with dialogue that relates to the study.
Blessings,
Buddy
---
Lawrence "Buddy" Martin
email: Bro.Buddy <at> ChristianChallenge.Org
Web: http://www.ChristianChallenge.org
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"See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled." (Heb12:15)