And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec: ) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. ~ Hebrews 7:20-22

The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. ~ Psalm 110:4

Under the Old Testament we have moments recorded when the scriptures tell us that God repented (changed his mind). That the all sufficient, all powerful, all knowing, and all wise God would have moments of repentance (changing his mind), is a mystery.

During the days of Noah, we read the following.

… God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. ~ Genesis 6:5-7

Notice that it was the great wickedness of man that brought on the repentance of the Lord, (the changing of God’s mind).

In Numbers 23:19 we read that God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

On the surface this text seems to contradict the other texts in the Old Testament which speak of God repenting. However, the emphasis in Numbers 23:19 is placed on the character of God and not his response to humanity’s rebellion.

God is fundamentally holy and good, and he will never change in his glory and holiness. This truth is bore witness to throughout the scriptures. In Malachi 3:6 God says, I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Hebrews 13:8 bears the same witness to Jesus, the Son of God.

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. ~ Hebrews 13:8

The steadiness and reliability of the character of God is the most important truth that undergirds the true faith of those who follow Jesus. We are not consumed because God is faithful and he never changes in his good and holy character. He who comes unto God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. ~ Hebrews 11:6

We are told in the 6th chapter of Hebrews, For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee (v. 13-14).

God’s promise to Abraham was backed by the very character of God himself. It wasn’t just a promise made, but a promise by which God swore by himself, putting his own reputation on the line.

For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath. ~ Hebrew 6:16-17

God’s oath to Abraham was that he himself would fulfill the promise! And he did just that in due time in the person of Jesus Christ, who is brightness of God’s glory and the express image of his person (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s own holy, righteous, and good character (the oath that undergirded the promise to Abraham).

In Hebrews 11 we read that Sara (Abraham’s wife) gave birth to Isaac in her old age because she judged God to be faithful!

Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. ~ Hebrews 11:11 

Sara’s persuasion that God is faithful gave her the strength in her old age to give birth to the child that God promised Abraham in his old age. She took hold of the faithfulness of God, for she judged him to be faithful!

This is also what Moses took hold of when the idolatry of the children of Israel provoked God’s wrath against them. 

And the Lord said unto Moses, Go, get thee down (from the mountain); for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And the Lord said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people. ~ Exodus 32:7-14

Notice that Moses interceded for the Israelites whom God wanted to consume in his wrath, based on the two following truths:

First, God’s reputation: Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth?

God’s reputation among the nations was the first appeal that Moses made to God. Moses was making the case before God that if God destroyed his people, then his reputation among the heathen nations would be no different than the false gods worshipped among those nations. What a powerful appeal to the Almighty God! What an example we should follow in our own prayers.

Secondly, God’s oath to Abraham: Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (Jacob), thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.

It was when Moses appealed to the reputation of God’s own character and God’s oath to Abraham, that God relented.

And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.

Moses was an Old Testament type of Jesus, for he represented God to the people (though in a veiled manner) being the one through whom the law was given, and he represented the people to God, making intercession for the people.

Jesus in the fullest sense of the word, is he who represents God to humanity, and humanity to God. He is both God’s representative to us and ours to God. This is what the surety of Jesus is all about, and this is why the New Covenant is guaranteed to never need to be replaced.

God has sworn with an oath that Jesus, his beloved Son, will be a priest forever! Thus forever, Jesus will be the one and only representative of the character and nature of God, and the only representative we will ever need in the presence of God for unhindered access into the grace of God.

He is our Great High Priest, and the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob has sworn it and will not repent!

The book of Hebrews places a heavy emphasis on the exalted Christ as our Great High Priest in the Heavens. This emphasis comes within the framework and context of the writer of Hebrews admonishing his audience to preserve in faith.

Laced all throughout the letter to the Hebrews is a warning to his audience of the danger of apostasy which was a real and present temptation. The writer minces no words in telling them of the dangers of apostasy.

In chapter 2, he writes, Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him… ~ Hebrews 2:1-3

The message of the great salvation spoken by the Lord and the apostles is greater than the message given under the law by angels, who served as mediators.

He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. ~ Hebrews 10:28-31

The book of Hebrews is a book of comparison, and a book of many themes that ultimately come together to point us to Christ.

The writer of Hebrews stands at the intersection of the two most pronounced themes in the epistle: the danger of apostasy, and the glorified Christ. The latter being the answer to the former. For this reason, the writer of Hebrews continually undergirds his warnings of the danger of apostasy with the hope and expectation that his Hebrew kinsmen will overcome because we have such a High Priest that lives in the presence of God.

Consider the following example.

For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. ~ Hebrews 6:7-12 

In Hebrews 10, after telling his audience that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God, the writer says the following:

Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.” But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved. ~ Hebrews 10:32-39 TNLT

The writer repeatedly, in the midst of warnings, speaks hope and encouragement that those to whom he is writing are going to be OK. The hope that he sets before them over and over is Jesus.

It is Jesus who calls them brethren (chapter 2). It is Jesus who is the apostle and High Priest of their faith (chapter 3). It is Jesus who brings them into the promised rest (chapter 4). It is Jesus who is the author of their salvation (chapter 5). It is Jesus who has entered within the veil on their behalf (chapter6). It is Jesus who lives forever to save them to the uttermost (chapter 7). It is Jesus who is the mediator of a better covenant that takes away their sin (chapter 8). It is Jesus who has obtained eternal redemption for them (chapter 9). It is Jesus who cleanses them based on his merrit (chapter 10). It is Jesus who is the author and finisher of their faith (chapter 12).

Though the threat of a hard heart through sin which leads to apostasy was a real danger, the writer of Hebrews was confident that his audience would make it because of Jesus!

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews has often been called the Hall of Faith chapter in the Bible. Admittedly, I too have referred to it as such, but as I have been considering the contents of the book of Hebrews, I find this description to be one that misses the point of the writer entirely.

The book of Hebrews was written as an appeal to Hebraic believers in the first century to persevere in their faith. The 11th chapter of Hebrews is an appeal to them to consider those who had come before them and persevered in their faith.

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews is not a shrine of heroism for exploits of greatness. Rather, in the mind of the writer of Hebrews, it is a reference to only a few because there had been so many upon looking back who had persevered in faith. In verse 32 the writer says, And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets…”

Consider that even Gideon, and King David’s personal triumphs of faith are not actually expounded on in this chapter. They are only mentioned along with others that the writer says, … for the time would fail me to tell of.

He then follows this by telling us that through faith they subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise… ~ v.33-39

The point of the chapter is not about admiring those who demonstrated extraordinary faith, but to remind his audience that others have gone before them and endured and finished their race. Thus in the mind of the writer, those mentioned in Hebrews 11, as well as those not mentioned, who persevered in faith to the end, are a great cloud of witness concerning the reward of faithfulness unto the end.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. ~ Hebrews 12:1-3

The message of chapter 11 is not about admiration for heroes of faith, the aim was always to bring the reader to set their sights on Jesus and to consider him!

May our gracious Heavenly Father give us an understanding heart.

In the first two chapters of Hebrews the writer sets before us the superiority of the resurrected and glorified Christ in contrast to the angels. 

Among the Old Testament texts referenced by the writer is Psalm 8:3-6

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet… ~ Psalm 8:3-6 

Unfortunately, many Christians who have been influenced by Word of Faith and/or the New Apostlic Reformation doctrine have been taught that they have the authority to give directives to angels, and this belief has fostered a wrong interpretation of the text above. 

In Psalm 8:5, the Hebrew word for angels is elohim, which is often used as a reference to God in the Old Testament, though not exclusively as reference to God. However, since it does often refer to God, Word of Faith and New Apostolic Reformation indoctrination persuades Christians that they have authority over the angels because the phrase “a little lower than the angels”  is said to be a misinterpretation and should be rendered as “a little lower than God.”

Is there scriptural grounds for this view?

Well, no, not if we believe in interpreting scripture with scripture. The fallacy of this conclusion is easily understood when we consider how elohim is used elsewhere in the Old Testament,and when we consider how the writer of Hebrews interprets Psalm 8:5.

As stated, the Hebrew word elohim does not refer exclusively to God though it is used to refer to God in the Old Testament at various times. It also refers to human judges and rulers, false gods and goddesses, and the angels.

Below are some examples of its use when not referring to Yahweh, the One true God.

Judges:

If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man’s house; if the thief be found, let him pay double. If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges (elohim), to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour’s goods. ~ Exodus 22:7-8 

In Psalm 82:1-2 it is used in reference to God (elohim) holding the rulers and judges (elohim) accountable for their injustices.

A Psalm of Asaph. God (elohim) stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods (elohim). How long will you judge unjustly, And show partiality to the wicked? Selah ~ Psalm 82:1-2

False gods and goddesses:

For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods (elohim) of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. ~ Exodus 12:12

Thou shalt have no other gods (elohim) before me. ~ Exodus 20:3 

And call ye on the name of your gods (elohim), and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. 1 Kings 18:24

Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods (elohim): for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them. ~ Exodus 18:11

Will you not possess whatever Chemosh your god (elohim) gives you to possess? So whatever the LORD our God takes possession of before us, we will possess. ~ Judges 11:24 

Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess (elohim) of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god (elohim) of the Moabites, and Milcom the god (elohim) of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father. ~ 1 Kings 11:33

Angels:

In Psalm 97:7 we read, Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods (elohim).

The word, gods, at the end of this text is a reference to the angels and echos the language found in Job 1:6; 2:1; and 38:7 which refers to the angels as “sons of God”, not to be confused with the only begotten Son of God. A few Old Testament texts use the language “sons of God” as a reference to angels because they are heavenly beings that were created by God. They are not begotten sons.

For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? ~ Hebrews 1:5

When the writer of Hebrews references Psalm 8:3-6 in Hebrews 2, he interprets the meaning of man being made a little lower than the angels as meaning exactly that! He does not set forth the doctrine that man was made a little lower than God.

For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. ~ Hebrews 2:5-9

Notice that the word angels is used three times in Hebrews 2:5-9, and notice that the writer of Hebrews is quoting from Psalm 8. In all three mentions of the angels in this section the Greek word is aggelos, which is a reference to angels and messengers throughout the New Testament. It never refers to God.

The majority of the time it refers to angels which serve as messengers of God all throughout the scriptures. At other times it refers to messengers such as John the Baptist who was sent as the forerunner of Jesus. 

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. ~ Mark 1:1-2 

And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. ~ Matthew 11:7-10  9 (See also Luke 7:27)

In Luke 7:24 it is used as a reference to those who were sent by John the Baptist to enquire of Jesus. In James 2:25 it is a reference to the Israeli spies that Rahab the harlot protected, and in 2 Corinthians 12:7 it is a reference to Paul’s thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan.

Throughout the New Testament, aggelos occur 176 times. Never once does it refer to God. It almost always refers to the angels, with a few exceptions such as mentioned above, at which times it refers to messengers.

Now, If we know that the writer of Hebrews uses this word when he quotes from Psalm 8:5, we ought to be able to reach the conclusion that the writer of Hebrews understood that Psalm 8:5 is telling us that man was made as little lower than then the angels, and not a little lower than God.

In Hebrews alone, this word is used12 times (1:4,5,6,7,13;   2:2,5,7,9,16; 12:22, and 13:2 ).

In closing, I want you to consider that when the writer of Hebrews quotes Psalm 8:5, he is making a point about Jesus. He tells us that we do not yet see all things that God has put under man’s feet, but we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. ~ Hebrews 2:9

When the Word of Faith and New Apostlic Reformation doctrine attempts to make Psalm 8:5 to mean that humanity was made a little lower than God, the emphasis is not humility, but exaltation. When the writer of Hebrews mentions it in reference to Jesus, it is the humbling of himself and taking on flesh and blood so as to be acquainted with human suffering so that he might make reconciliation between God and sinners.

The very spirit behind the interpretation that man was made a little lower than God is in opposition to the self sacrificing love that Christ demonstrated when he being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. ~ Philippians 2:6-8

If Jesus was simply made a little lower than God, but remained above the angels, there would be no point in the writer of Hebrews making an emphasis that Jesus was exalted above the angels when God glorified him after his resurrection.