"The Assurance of Our Heritage"(Hebrews 1:1-4)

 Hebrews 1:1-4

 

The book of Hebrews has great truths about our lives as Christians. Although we do not know who the author is, this book is part of the Bible. It was accepted for a long time that it was written by Paul, despite the fact it does not follow his style. Paul's style includes beginning his letters with a salutation which introduces himself to the readers, but this this greeting is absent. When the Bible was being put together, Hebrews was almost not included in the cannon because the author was unknown. Clement of Alexandria saw Hebrew’s worth and concluded that Paul must have written it but had written it originally in the Hebrew the language for its audience, and then when it was translated into Greek, the salutation was left out.

 

Since we are not entirely sure who the author is, there is also debate when Hebrews was written. Some scholars say it was written sometime before the temple destruction in 70 AD. This is assumed because there is no mention of the temple destruction. Some argue that it could have been written after 70 A.D. but before 96 A.D.

 

We can say that Hebrews was written for a Jewish audience. There are many references to the Old Testament and how Jesus continues these traditions and fulfillment if prophecy. The writer also makes many assumptions that the reader is familiar with Jewish traditions which would include a Jewish audience, but not necessarily a gentile one.

 

For our purposes, we will assume it is Paul who wrote this book. Paul wrote to the Jewish believers if Christ because they had started to doubt Jesus since Jesus had not come back yet. The Christian Jews were also told that Jesus would come to their defense, but Roman persecution intensified as well as the Jewish persecution. Hebrews encourages the Jewish Christians to keep their faith.

 

Modern day Christians can identify with the same issues as we deal with long standing problems or wait for the promises of God. The message of Hebrews is that God has spoken to us and is still speaking to us that we have a heritage with Him. Yes, it might take a long time, but it is true.

 

The author tells us why God has spoken to us.

 

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

Hebrews 1:1-2 ESV

 

The author makes it clear that in the past God used prophets but then in our time God sent his Son who has all authority. This is also to show that we are to take part of this heritage.

 

having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Hebrews 1:4 ESV

 

We read in Deuteronomy that God had plans to give an inheritance to the people he chose.

 

“You are the sons of the Lord your God. You shall not cut yourselves or make any baldness on your foreheads for the dead. For you are a people holy to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

Deuteronomy 14:1-2 ESV

 

In the New Testament, Peter further tells us that we have a part in God’s inheritance.

 

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

1 Peter 2:9 ESV

 

We do not have a full knowledge of what He has for us. We have read this method of God before with Abraham. God leads Abraham but does not tell Abraham the precise events which will happen.

 

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.

Genesis 12:1 ESV

 

The problems happen when we disobey God or work against God's will. Our listening to Him gives fulfillment of the inheritance to us.

 

God knows what the end is going to be, but He does not tell us what is going to happen exactly. We must believe that what God has planned for us is good. God has a plan for us.

 

Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”

Isaiah 42:9 ESV

 

Many times, we do not see the providence of God because we are so focused on our problems. Since we focus only on the injustice to us while ignoring the purpose of why our circumstance happened, we fail to see how great and merciful God is by sustaining us through our difficult times. We also forget that God may need to train us or change us, so we may achieve the purpose and plans he set aside for us.

 

God has spoken to us and continues to deal with us. He has a purpose and plan for you, and we need to live in the moment while being grateful to God for all that happens to us. God will allow events to happen in our lives, both pleasant and unpleasant, to bring fulfillment to His plan. God has not forgotten us, we just need to hold fast to His promises.