προσέχω – prosechō – Pay attention!
For this reason, we must pay attention all the more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away.
Hebrews 2:1 CSB
Does this sound familiar? (Perhaps a teacher comes to mind.)
Take heed; beware; pay close attention and remember what I taught you before.
We began by mentioning that the writer of Hebrews was proclaiming to fellow Jews: Jesus is the predicted Messiah. First century Jews knew their scriptures more than most Jews or Christians in these last days. Scriptural messengers included prophets and angels, but the Messiah IS the very Word of the LORD, in Person.
Warning to Pay Attention
Why pay attention to Scripture?
So that we do not fall into faithlessness, so that we will not turn away from the Lord and so that we receive the promises of God made to His beloved chosen souls.
Therefore, receive what the LORD has told us, for the sake of your eternal soul.
We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
Hebrews 2:1 NIV
2 For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment, 3 how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?
Consider the consequences of your neglect. Here is our conviction in legal terms.
Logical consequence of the Law
Legally binding in this translation from the Greek λαλέω conveys a word generally translated as ‘steadfast,’ meaning stable or firm. Law must have a basis, inviolable definition from which judgement may be made. If the LORD sends a message via an angel to a man or woman, obedience to the LORD is legally binding, as if the LORD Himself spoke the command.
We therefore must be held accountable for our own obedience or disobedience to the LORD’S command. The Greek root παρακούω parakouō suggests logically that we may not casually or carelessly dismiss it or be unwilling to hear, i. e. on hearing to neglect, to pay no heed to the messenger. In other words, we are accountable for what Lord has delivered to us though these heavenly messengers.
Transgressions פֶּשַׁע or trespasses more familiarly refer to violating the Law given by the LORD through Moses. But these apply generally in the same manner to mean: falling away, breaking away or turning away from what is right; violating what is good to do what is evil in the eyes of the Lord.
Some versions call for ‘just reward,’ though the Greek meaning of ἔνδικον μισθαποδοσίαν points to the consequences of justice bringing punishment.
Disobedience to God, of course, is a big deal, deserving just punishment.
How will we, the guilty escape the just punishment of the Lord?
Israel’s sons recognized this same guilt and consequence in their treatment of Joseph.
If we neglect
Then they said to one another, “Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us.”
Genesis 42:21 NASB
The writer of Hebrews points his brothers in the faith, fellow Jews, to the conviction of scripture.
Hebrews 2:3 how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation had its beginning when it was spoken of by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us by those who heard him.
God spoke to us through angels and dreams. Yet as Apostles and disciples of the Messiah, we confirm everything from those who heard God’s Word, spoken to us in the Person of Christ Jesus.
Quite a statement! It was confirmed to us by those who heard him, men chosen by God With Us, Immanuel עִמָּנוּאֵל.
4 At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to his will.
He then continues by presenting the testimony of evidence, facts known to various Jewish contemporaries about the miracles of Jesus of Nazareth. Confirmation by the Holy Spirit, also witnessed in the Apostles and others after Pentecost, is also known to many first century Jewish readers. Indisputable evidence.
Jesus and Humanity
Of course the key evidence presented here and in the rest of the letter of Hebrews is that God came to the Jews, as promised, as a man, Redeemer and Savior. If this evidence stands the test of truth, then the Son of Man, or God In Person, is NOT subject to any authorities. In fact, angels serve Him!
5 For he has not subjected to angels the world to come that we are talking about.
Once again, the writer points to the evidence of scripture. Psalm 8 in the Greek Septuagint, translated from the Hebrew.
8:1 εἰς τὸ τέλος ὑπὲρ τῶν ληνῶν ψαλμὸς τῷ Δαυιδ κύριε ὁ κύριος ἡμῶν ὡς θαυμαστὸν τὸ ὄνομά σου ἐν πάσῃ τῇ γῇ ὅτι ἐπήρθη ἡ μεγαλοπρέπειά σου ὑπεράνω τῶν οὐρανῶν
8:1 לַמְנַצֵּחַ עַֽל־הַגִּתִּית מִזְמֹור לְדָוִֽד׃ יְהוָה אֲדֹנֵינוּ מָֽה־אַדִּיר שִׁמְךָ בְּכָל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר תְּנָה הֹודְךָ עַל־הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃
Psalm 8:1 Greek SEPTUAGINT & Hebrew
Adonai! Our Lord! How glorious
is your name throughout the earth!
(4) what are mere mortals, that you concern yourself with them;
humans, that you watch over them with such care?
(5) You made him but little lower than the angels,
you crowned him with glory and honor,
7 (6) you had him rule what your hands made,
you put everything under his feet —
Jesus, King and Lord
What is a King? What is the Authority of a Lord?
Important questions the writer of Hebrews addresses immediately – questions to which the answers, in truth, establish the nature of the Messiah Jesus (יְהושֻׁעַ ).
8 and subjected everything under his feet.
Hebrews 2:8, ref. to Psalm 8
For in subjecting everything to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him.
The Messiah King will be in charge of all creation! This is quite clear. Yet clearly, Jesus, having been crucified, had not taken charge of everything.
So the writer of Hebrews presents the obvious question immediately. Why not?
9 But we do see Jesus—made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace he might taste death for everyone—crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death.
Why should God suffer death?
God’s grace for everyone — even Greeks, Romans and other gentiles?
Yes, and grace for a remnant of Jews who will believe through Him.
It is a topic so important to the Jew and gentile alike that we must pursue it separately as we complete this chapter.
יָשַׁע יְהֹוָה יְהוֹשׁוּעַ
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus = “Jehovah is salvation”
Strong’s G2424 – Iēsous
Hebrews 2: To be continued
