To Which Of The Angels Did God Ever Say This?

Hebrews 1:5-14

“For to which of the angels did God ever say, ‘You are my son, today I have begotten you?’ Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son?’ And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’ Of the angels he says, ‘He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.’ But of the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprighteness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.’ And, ‘You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same and your years will have no end.’ And to which of the angels has he ever said, ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet?’ Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?”

Hebrews 1:4 declares that Jesus is superior to angels. In this section from verse 5 to the end of the chapter, the writer proves that by citing various passages from the Old Testament. It is like the writer goes through a list of statements from the Old Testament and says to his readers – was God talking about angels or the Messiah? “You are my Son, today I have begotten you” was not directed to any angel. So, the passage uses Old Testament statements to establish who Jesus is. He is higher than angels, worthy of praise and obedience.

What does this mean to us now? Well, it puts angels in their place and calls upon us to give honor and praise to Jesus. If God speaks through One who is superior to angels, I need to listen. I need to read the New Testament as God’s word to me through His only begotten Son. Angels have their place. Jesus is superior.