Breathingbook

In Heb 1:8-9, the book of Hebrews turns from pointing to scriptures that say Jesus is superior to angels, to those that point to Jesus as God. Again, because these verses point to Psa 45:6-7, we look at the whole of Psa 45 to bring things into context. We’ve just done that in our post, Psa 45 A Wedding For Jesus.

Heb 1:8-9 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. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows.

Most of Heb 1:8,9 is a Key Phrase quoted from Psa 45:6-7.

Psa 45:6-7 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of Thy kingdom is a right sceptre. 7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows.

Key Phrases are used by the Holy Spirit to trigger more information than readily appears to the eye. Consider a forty year old man sitting with a friend he’s known all his life. In referring to past events, only key phrases are necessary to trigger memories they’ve both shared in the past. A person sitting next to them without that history would not be able to understand the references they make, because they don’t share the memories the two men share.

So it is with the Bible. It’s been written through the contribution of many writers, but the Holy Spirit has overseen the entire juncture to insure the cohesiveness of all of it. If someone knows God’s Word, then Key Phrases work to tie things together, and reveal more than reads evidently at first glance.

So it is with Psa 45 and Heb 1:8,9. Psa 45 not only establishes Jesus as the second God of the Godhead (Psa 45:6-7), but also establishes the OT basis for New Jerusalem, the city of God: (Psa 45:9-17). New Jerusalem is covered more in depth in the closing chapters of Hebrews (Heb 12:18-24), but it’s introduction in Psa 45 is evident. Please see Psa 45 A Wedding For Jesus for more on the meaning of Psalms 45.

Now, for the sake of length, I’m going to cut Heb 1:8,9 into two parts. Therefore, beginning with Heb 1:8, on with our study…

Heb 1:8 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.

But unto the Son He saith Thy throne, O God Although “But unto the Son He saith Thy throne, O God“ might seem like a simple phrase, it’s not. This establishes five things:

1. But unto the Son He saith Because Heb 1:8,9 is quoting Psa 45:6-7, this establishes that Psalm 45 is ABOUT Jesus. For example, Jesus is “the King “(Psa 45:1), He is “God,” and His throne is “eternal” (Psa 45:6).
2. But unto the Son He saith Clearly, the Father is addressing the Son (Jesus Christ) and is about to call Jesus “God” (see point 4 below). Once the Father called Christ “God” there’s no way that can ever change.
3. Thy Throne Here the Father is speaking to Jesus about the eternal throne He has been given. This is a fulfillment of God’s promise to David that David’s heir would have an eternal throne (2 Sam 7:13).
4. O God The Greek word for “God” is “theos.” This is the main word used in the New Testament for God and means the Supreme Deity. That the Son would also be “God” was promised to David in 2 Sam 7:14, where God said He would be the heir’s Father and the heir would be His Son (God’s). Since son’s naturally hold their father’s attributes, it stands to reason the Son would also be God. Jesus called God “His Father” over and over again during His Earthly ministry and the Jews continued to wrestle and be offended by it (Jn 5:18).
5. O God This establishes Jesus Christ as the “second member of the Godhead.”

is for ever and ever This attests to the eternal nature of Jesus’ Kingdom. Again, it was promised to David that his heir would have “an eternal kingdom” (2 Sam 7:13). An eternal kingdom points to “an eternal life.”

Heb 1:8 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.

a sceptre of righteousness The Gk. word for “sceptre” in Heb 1:8 is “rhabdos” and describes a stick or a rod for writing, walking, ruling, punishing, fighting, etc. A sceptre should give one the idea of the authoritive means available to the Son to carry out His rule in His kingdom.

The Gk. word for “righteousness” (this particular one used only once in the entire NT) is “euthutes” and has to do with being straight, true or level in one’s conduct (or foundations of moral principles). Since Psa 45:6 is the OT equivalent of this verse, we can examine the Heb. word for “right” (miyshowr) for more explanation (see also Psa 26:12; Psa 67:4; Isa 11:4; Isa 40:4-5).

Psa 45:6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of Thy kingdom is a right (miyshowr) sceptre.

Miyshowr reveals additional meanings of justice, equity, concord, and uprightness in righteousness.

Thus, the Lord’s “sceptre of righteousness” has to do with leveled, balanced, equal dealings and concord with people. It makes straight what the devil has made crooked and levels out the dips and valley’s. Thus, ”a sceptre of righteousness” speaks of the Lord’s great equalizing and straightening out, both of man’s ideas of God and certain social standings in community which are not from God. John the Baptist also described this as he cried in the wilderness before the start of Jesus’ Earthly ministry (Lk 3:5-6; Isa 40:4-5).

is the sceptre of Thy kingdom The Messiah’s rule straightens things out and sets them right before God. His entire kingdom is ruled by this sceptre and His people are to follow and obey Him in this.

Look for Heb 1:9 Jesus the Righteous for part two of this quote from Psa 45:6-7.

Peace out!

Loris Anne James