THE GLORIOUS SON OF GOD: A DEVOTIONAL STUDY OF HEBREWS CHAPTER ONE

/ Michael Battle

THE SON IS GREATER THAN THE PROPHETS

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds…” — Hebrews 1:1–2

Hebrews opens with a bold comparison:

  • The prophets spoke the Word of God in part and at various times.
  • Jesus the Son speaks as the full and final revelation of God.

All other prophets were servants who delivered God’s words in fragments; Jesus speaks as the very Word made flesh (John 1:1,14).
He is the heavenly Prophet foretold in Micah 5:2 and testified of by Moses (Acts 3:22–23).

John the Baptist confessed: “I am not the Christ… I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’” (John 1:20-23).

Jesus is Lord, not merely a servant—He speaks with the authority of God Himself.

THE SON IS THE HEIR OF ALL THINGS

“…whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high…” — Hebrews 1:2-3

Jesus is heir of all things:

  • Heir of God’s glory and nature — the express image of the Father.
  • Heir of creation and its Redeemer — through Him all things were made.
  • Heir of God’s throne — “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever…” (1:8).

The voice of the Son is not merely spoken truth but the revealed Person of God Himself.

THE SON IS SUPERIOR TO THE ANGELS

“Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they…For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee?… And let all the angels of God worship him.” — Hebrews 1:4-6

  • Angels are mighty ministering spirits, yet none was ever called “My Son.”
  • The name that sets Jesus apart is “Son”—a title of eternal relationship and divine inheritance.
  • God commands the angels to worship Him.

THE SON IS EXALTED

“…But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.” — Hebrews 1:8

Though exalted above angels, He humbled Himself to take on flesh:

“Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour…” — Hebrews 2:7

He became lower than angels for our redemption (Hebrews 2:9-10; 2:16), yet after purging our sins He was exalted to the right hand of God’s Majesty.

The enthronement of the risen Son is the foundation of Hebrews. Missing this truth diminishes the whole message of the book.

THE SON IS ENTHRONED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS

“Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” — Hebrews 1:8-9

Jesus is the King of Righteousness, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy:

“Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end… to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever…” — Isaiah 9:7

THE SON IS LORD FROM THE BEGINNING AND FOREVER

“Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth… they shall perish, but thou remainest… thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.” — Hebrews 1:10-12

Jesus is both Creator and Redeemer:

  • Creator: “by whom also He made the worlds” (1:2).
  • Redeemer: “after He had purged our sins…” (1:3).
  • Eternal Lord: “Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool” (1:13).

“God… hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 4:6

REFLECTION & STUDY GUIDE

Key Themes to Meditate On

  1. The fullness of God’s revelation in His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2).
  2. The Son as Heir of all things and upholder of creation (Hebrews 1:2-3).
  3. The superiority of the Son to angels (Hebrews 1:4-6).
  4. The exaltation of Christ after His suffering (Hebrews 1:3, 8).
  5. The eternal throne and unchanging nature of the Son (Hebrews 1:8-12).

Discussion / Journal Prompts

  • How does seeing Jesus as heir of all things shape your trust in His care for you?
  • Why is it significant that God speaks to us by His Son rather than by prophets alone?
  • In what ways does the humility and exaltation of Christ inspire worship and obedience?
  • How does His eternal kingship encourage your faith in uncertain times?
  • What difference does it make to know that the same One who created the world also redeemed it?

Prayer Focus

“Lord Jesus, exalted Son of God, help me to see Your glory in all things—
to trust Your Word as final, to bow before Your throne in reverence,
and to live in the joy of Your eternal kingdom. Amen.”

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