Hebrews 2:16

Hebrews 2:16

The descendants of Abraham

The writer here is still contemplating the theme of chapter 1 of his letter, that Jesus Christ is superior to all the angels, that He has been proved to be the Son of God and that He reigns supreme over all created beings. The death that Jesus died, the shame that He suffered the awful events on the cruel cross at Calvary, were all undertaken for mankind. It was as a substitute for the death of men and women that He came to die, it was humanity that He came to save, not angelic beings. The generic term used here is “Abraham’s descendants” which may have a broader implication than many people realise. Firstly, Abraham’s descendants refers, of course, to the nation of Israel. “The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:1-3. Clearly Israel is in view here and the natural descendants of Abraham, however, the Apostle Paul develops this theme in Romans 4:11,16-17. “Abraham is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. – therefore the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abrahm’s offspring – not only to those who are of the law but also those who have the faith of Abraham – he is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed – the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.” 

In other words, everyone who believes by faith in the God of Abraham and in the saving work of His Son, has been given life and is counted as a descendant of Abraham on an equal footing with the Jews. We are exalted by the redeeming work of Jesus and counted by God to have equal rights as His children, both Jews and Gentiles. Hallelujah! I wonder how that was received by the Jewish readers of this letter? It is still rejected by them today.

 

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