Near to the Heart of God A Study of the Book of Hebrews Lesson 6 Hebrews 2:10 – 18 The Necessity of the Incarnation: Why God Drew Near to Man – Part 2

I. Introduction – What does the incarnation mean to men? A.If I had my choice, this would be a Christmas message B.At Christmas, we rejoice at the coming of our Lord, but it’s implications for us are not usually stressed C.Occasionally, as in Philippians 2, the incarnation is an example to us D.But it is here, in Hebrews 2, that the implications of the incarnation are most fully spelled out

II. The Propriety of the Incarnation – v For it was fitting for him, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. A.“For” takes up where v. 9 left off B.“Fitting” = appropriate and necessary C.“Him” = God the Father D.“Bringing many sons to glory” = salvation E.To “Perfect” or “make perfect” – Friberg: “to completely prepare”

F.“Pioneer” or “captain” or “author”: “Given its full range of meaning, the word designates an individual who opened the way into a new area for others to follow, founded the city in which they dwelt, gave his name to the community, fought its battles and secured the victory, and then remained as the leader-ruler- hero of his people.” J. Julius Scott, Jr., JETS, vol. 29, pp G.“It was fitting... to perfect through sufferings” – The answer is coming in the following verses. – The answer is coming in the following verses.

III. Implications of the Incarnation – 2:11-18 A.We gain a family – 2: For indeed he who makes holy and those being made holy all have the same origin, and so he is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, 12 saying, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers; in the midst of the assembly I will praise you.” 13 Again he says, “I will be confident in him,” and again, “Here I am, with the children God has given me.” 1. “I will proclaim your name to my brothers; in the midst of the assembly I will praise you” (Psalm 22:22). 2. “I will put my trust in Him” (Isaiah 8:17) 3. “Here I am with the children God has given me” (Isaiah 8:18).

4. “I will proclaim your name to my brothers; in the midst of the assembly I will praise you” (Psalm 22:22). a. Psalm 22:1 – “ My God, My God...” b. 22:1-11 – “Why are you silent?” c. 22:12-18 – crucifixion details d. 22:19-21a – plea for help e. 21b – assured of an answer f – Praise in the assembly g. Saved from His sufferings, He praises God with His family. h. Saved by His sufferings, we are one. 5. “I will put my trust in Him” (Isaiah 8:17)

6. “Here I am with the children God has given me” (Isaiah 8:18). a.In the middle of messianic texts (7:14 and 9:6). b.The setting – Israel and Syria threaten Judah, terrifying them (7:1-2) c.The enemies of Ahaz will soon be gone. d.Maher-shalal-hash-baz is the sign. Assyria will carry Israel and Syria off. e.Many will stumble, a remnant saved 7. “I will put my trust in Him” (Isaiah 8:17) 8. “Here I am with the children God has given me” (Isaiah 8:18). a.Isaiah is a type of Christ b.Christ places His trust in the Father. c.His sons are a sign of God’s salvation. d.Thus, Christ can will have a remnant of “children” who will be saved with Him.

B.Satan’s defeat, and freedom from the fear of death – 2: Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, he likewise shared in their humanity, so that through he likewise shared in their humanity, so that through death he could destroy the one who holds the power of death he could destroy the one who holds the power of death (that is, the devil), 15 and set free those who were held in slavery all their lives by their fear of death held in slavery all their lives by their fear of death (Hebrews 2:14-15). (Hebrews 2:14-15). 1. “He shall crush your head” (Gen. 3:15) 2. Thus, incarnation was necessary to defeat Satan. 3. So, too, went the fear of death which enslaved men.

C.We become Abraham’s descendants – 2:16 For surely his concern is not for angels, but he is concerned for Abraham’s descendants (Hebrews 2:16). 1. God’s concern is for Abraham’s seed, not angels. a.Not to angels (verse 5) b.Not for angels (verse 16) 2. All who trust in Jesus are Abraham’s seed (Romans 4:11-16; Galatians 3:29) 3. The objects of divine concern and blessing.

D.We gain a merciful and faithful High Priest – 2: Therefore he had to be made like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he could become a sisters in every respect, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in things relating to merciful and faithful high priest in things relating to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 For since he himself suffered when he was tempted, he For since he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted (Hebrews 2:17-18). is able to help those who are tempted (Hebrews 2:17-18). 1. Propitiation – atonement for sin 2. Priestly ministry – assistance in sanctification a. Merciful (4:14—5:10) b. Faithful (3:1—4:13)

IV. Conclusion – What does the incarnation mean to us? A.This is not about what we should do, so much as it is about who we are, as a result of the incarnation. B.Compare and contrast chapters 1 and 2 1. Chapter 1 – higher than the angels 2. Chapter 2 – lower than the angels C.Blessings of the incarnation for believers D.Consequences for those who reject the Son

Copyright © 2008 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPoint presentation of Lesson 6 in the series, Near to the Heart of God, A Study of the Book of Hebrews prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for August 17, Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit.