Thursday, January 5, 2012

January 5th

Today's passage from the Chronological Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 6-9
Today's scripture focus is Hebrews 2:5-9

It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. But there is a place where someone has testified: “What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor and put everything under his feet.” In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2:5-9

According to my MacArthur commentary, when the writer refers to the world to come he is referring to the millennial kingdom, so he means that the angels will not reign over the messianic kingdom.

Then the question is asked, why would God even bother with mankind.  Verse 9 answers that Christ is the greatest proof of God's love for humanity, and He was not sent in the form of an angel, but of a man.

There's at least two interpretations of the part about v8.  My Life Application Bible says that God put Jesus in charge of everything but we do not yet see Him reigning on earth, though one day He will.

My MacArthur commentary says that God placed mankind in charge of the administration of the earth but that due to the fall, mankind has been incapable of fulfilling this position.

Which do you think rings true?

In v9 we see that though Jesus incarnation, sacrificial death, victory over sin and death, Jesus has fulfilled man's original purpose.  And though He was made lower than the angels for  a short time (when He was a man on earth), now He has glory and honour and all things (including angels) are subject to Him.

Tomorrow's scripture focus: Hebrews 2:10-13
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Job 10-13

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