Hebrews 1 The Mirror Translation

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The Mirror Translation

1:1 Throughout ancient times God spoke in many fragments and glimpses of prophetic thought to our fathers.

1:2 Now, the sum total of His conversation with man has finally culminated in a son; He is the official heir of all things, He is after all the author of the ages. In Him everything find their destiny. (Christ is the crescendo of God’s conversation with us.)

1:3 He makes the glory (intent) of God visible in radiant reflection, He gives stature to the character and person of God. (Gen.1:26,27.)This final powerful utterance of God (the incarnation) is the vehicle that carries the weight of the universe.
The content of His message celebrates the fact that God took it upon Himself to successfully purge and acquit mankind. Jesus is now His right hand of power, seated in the boundless measure of His majesty. He occupies the highest seat of authority.

1:4 No angel can compete with Him in rank or name. This is His rightful portion.

1:5 God did not address the angels when He said, (in Psalm 2) "You are my son, today I celebrate your birth! I am to you all that a Father can be to a son, and you are to me all that a son can be to a Father.

1:6 Also when he leads his son in triumphant parade before the inhabited world as His first born, He says, "Let all God's angels kiss his hand in adoration."

1:7 What He does say about the angels is that they are His messengers, He made them to be swift like the wind and moving at the speed of lightning.

1:8 But when He addresses the son, he says, "Your throne O God extends beyond the ages. The sceptre of your kingdom sets the standard and remains a symbol of absolute integrity." Ps.45:6.

1:9 "You love righteousness and detest evil. Therefore O God, your God anointed you with the oil of joy to stand out amongst your close comrades." Ps.45:7.

1:10 "The earth traces its foundation in you, also the heavens are your invention; they are all hand made by you.” Ps.102:25

1:11 They shall become obsolete but you will remain, they shall show wear like an old garment;

1:12 and eventually You will roll them up as a mantle; they shall be replaced, but You remain “I am”, and your years will never cease.

1:13 Neither was it the angels He had in mind when He said, “You are the extension of my right hand, take your position and witness how I make your enemies a place upon which you may rest your feet.” Math.22:42-45.

1:14 Where do the angels fit into God’s strategy? They are all employed by God in the apostolic ministry of the Spirit to help administrate the inheritance of salvation that belongs to mankind.

Notes on Hebrews by Theodore Van Zijl

I believe that it is essential to understand a bit of the background (not a difficult task - just look in any study bible). This letter was extensively written to a group of Jews who from the context were very well versed in the Mosaic law. The writer uses terminology and concepts throughout the letter, indicating that the recipients were not novices in the law. In the context we constantly see a contrast between the works of the law and mans effort to attempt to gain favor with God, and faith that leads to salvation and Gods favor based on grace alone. The writer himself is very well schooled in the law and continuously uses portions of old testament scripture to illustrate and clarify his message. He is obviously well aware of what these Jews believe and communicate in return to every willing ear. From the start of this letter the writer says to his audience that God spoke to 'our forefathers' at various times and in various ways, continuously indicating what was to come; but there is a final word spoken in His Son. Our responsibility is to pay closer attention to what is spoken in His message than what the forefathers did to the message of the prophets. Then here in the middle of his letter (chapter 5:11-6:6) he says to these learned friends that they are not getting the message. Because of the time they should be teachers but again need to be taught the basics, like little babies they are not able to progress past the elemental things concerning the teachings and doctrines of Christ because their ability to hear has been affected by their inability to identify their right standing with God (Unskilled in the doctrine of righteousness) and this because of their inability to discern the completed work of Christ. He says that the contrast to this is like a full-grown man who can eat solid food, someone who has his mental faculties developed by habitual practice to differentiate between what is of value and what has no value (regarding the teachings concerning Christ). Therefore get past the basics - grow up! Don't be caught up in the act of continuously laying foundations build something. Doing so we can continue to more advanced teaching IF GOD PERMITS (if you have become mentally able to grasp these concepts [see 5:11]). Because it is impossible to turn someone’s thinking (metanoia - to reverse a mindset) again if in an immature state he has been exposed to such great enlightenment, being absorbed in this heavenly gift and being overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit, experiencing how good the word of God is and the power that comes with the revelation. An immature person will not understand this and will only make a mockery of Christ as if crucifying Him again publicly. For that reason God protects him in his growing up process. Even so you are past that stage; I am convinced that God has something better in mind for you.

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