Hebrews i.1-2, Application

From this, three points of application (Owen: But before we proceed we shall stay here a little, to consider some things that may be a refreshment to believers in their passage, in the consideration of those spiritual truths which, for the use of the church in general, are exhibited unto us in the words we have considered):

I. The revelation of the will of God in all things pertaining to his worship, our faith and obedience, is ultimately from the Father.

A. Before its revelation, it is said to be hid in God, meaning the Father. The order of acting in the Trinity is the same as the order of subsistence. As the Father is the fountain of the Trinity as to subsistence, so also he is as to operation. John v.26, as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. This he does by communicating to him his subsistence by eternal generation.

B. All the revelations of the will of God were given out in the pursuit of the accomplishment of the purpose of the Father. This is observed in the salvation of the elect, the purpose towards which all revelations of his will are made. He speaks through Christ directly to the elect.

C. The Father communicates this purpose to the Son, promising this inheritance unto him in the accomplishment of the purpose. He dies for them, and they are gathered to him by the power of God in the revealing of his will for their obedience and salvation. Note that all the elect must be freed from their captivity to another and delivered unto Christ.

D. And so we see that the whole work is belongs to the Father, from the beginning to the end, and so it is the mind of the Father that the Son reveals, as he himself said when he was on earth. He reveals himself by the power of the Holy Spirit through the Son. Remember Paul’s words, we have become Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.

This leads us to three observations.

1. The authority of God is displayed in the gospel, and disobeyed at great risk. They are instead to be considered as an act of sovereign authority, requiring us to subject our soul and conscience to his Word. To the Word we owe “holy reverence, humility and universal subjection of soul.”

2. Consider also the great love of God. It is from love that all the revelations of his mind come. He might have for all time locked up all the treasures of his wisdom, leaving all the sons of men in the horrible darkness where we had cast ourselves in our sin. But instead in infinite love and condescension, he revealed himself. This holy mixture of love and authority requires all readiness, willingness, and indeed cheerfulness in receiving and submitting to it.

3. We also see great care revealed to us in it, as God the husbandman takes care of his vine and vineyard. In revealing his mind in the way he did he made sure that not one of his elect would ever fall.

Also, some instructions from this to those who would preach:

1. Take heed of carelessness and negligence in handling the Word, since it has its authority in God himself!
2. Remember to look to God for support, help, ability, and encouragement in your pursuit of this work.
3. Do not be discouraged if you meet with opposition, since it is God’s authority behind it.
4. Know how to dispense the Word, in imitation of the place it comes from, namely with authority, love and great care for his flock.
5. Remember that you will give an account to the one whose word you handle. This should make us all sober-minded in our preaching.

II. Briefly, that the authority of God speaking in and by the Scriptures is only foundation of our assenting to them with divine faith.

He is brief here because he actually wrote an entire book on this subject, which incidentally I HIGHLY recommend. It is an essential book for this age. It is called “The Reason of Faith.”

III. God’s gradual revelation of his mind and will unto the church was a fruit of his infinite wisdom and care towards the church.

Owen: Though all his ways and dispensations are ordered in infinite wisdom, et we can but stand at the shore of the ocean, and admire its glory and greatness. Little it is that we can comprehend. Yet what may be for our instruction, what may further our faith and obedience, is not hidden from us.

1. God gave as much light as they were able to bear. No generation needed more light than they had.
2. In this way, he kept them in continual dependence upon himself. This was for his glory, and also exceedingly suited for their safety.
3. He gave enough light so that the great purpose he came for might be accomplished, as Owen says enough to believers to enable them to receive them, and not so much as to hinder obdurate sinners from crucifying him.
4. There was tender care also included in this infinite wisdom.