Articles
Giving the More Earnest Heed
Hebrews 2 is about God crowning Jesus with glory and honor (Heb. 2:9). The chapter begins with a warning to give “the more earnest heed” to the things spoken by Jesus.
Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? - Hebrews 2:1-4
In verse 7 God made Jesus a little lower than the angels, but then crowned him with glory and honor and “set Him over the works of Your hands.’ Verse 8 teaches us that there is “nothing that is not put under” Jesus Christ. He was made perfect through [severe] sufferings so that He “might taste death for everyone,” and to “bring many sons to glory” (verses 9-10).
Christians are those who have been sanctified by Jesus’ blood (Acts 22:16; Rev. 1:5). Hebrews 2:11 says, “For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren.” Being born again in baptism (Jn. 3:3, 5) and redeemed by Jesus’ blood (Eph. 1:7) brings you into a family relationship with God as your Father (Gal. 3:25-29; 4:6) and Jesus as your elder brother (Heb. 2:11).
In verse 12 the Hebrews writer quotes David in Psalm 22:22. It says “I will declare your name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You’” (NKJV). The word “assembly” is translated from the Greek word “ekklesia,” “the called out/the church.” The ASV translates this as, “in the midst of the congregation.” Moffatt: “in the midst of the church.” Brother Hugo McCord translated it, “among the called-out ones.”
In verse 14 and 15 it says that Jesus came to destroy the devil who has the power of death and to “release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” What greater gift, what greater blessing could you possibly hope for? Stop here for a moment and ask yourself, “Is there anything that I want more than to be released from the bondage of Satan, from sin and from death?” It is God, through His Son Jesus Christ that this gift is greater than all other gifts that are given.
Will you join with David in declaring, “I will declare your name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You”?
The writer of Hebrews wanted his fellow saints to give the more earnest heed to the things that were written in God’s book. This includes verse 12. Jesus is our example of one who gave the more earnest heed to the things written in God’s book. He declared His Father’s name to the brethren.
If you are Jesus’ brother (or sister) will you join with Jesus in declaring God’s name to the brethren? Will you be in the midst of the assembly, “the called-out ones,” “the congregation,” and “the church” to sing praise to God?
Look at the next phrase in verse 13. “And again: ‘I will put my trust in Him.’ And again: ‘Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.’” Give the more earnest heed and put your complete trust in God.
