⁵ For it is not to the angels that God has subjected the inhabited earth that is to come about which we are speaking. ⁶ Yet someone has testified somewhere, saying, “What is man, that You think of him? Or a son of man, that You are concerned about him? ⁷ You have temporarily made him  lower than angels; You have crowned him with glory and honour; ⁸ You have put everything in subjection under his feet.” For in subjecting all things to (mankind) He left nothing that is not subject to him. But we do not as yet see all things subjected to (mankind). ⁹However, we do see Him who was (also) temporarily made lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, who  as a result of His suffering death was crowned with glory and honour, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone (Heb2:4-9).

Some commentaries I have seen imply that this passage is all about Jesus. As the opening verses suggest it also concerns the glorious destiny of mankind. It’s not all about Jesus but it is all because of Him, what He did for us and the fact that He became a Man: “The Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us” (Jn1:14). Above all it is because He died on the Cross and rose again. The Word of God was incarnated, died, was resurrected and glorified. None of those things would have happened if sin had not entered the world. Satan believed himself to have gained a supreme victory at Eden whereas he effectively shot himself in the foot. I am in the process of explaining why and the letter to the Hebrews is the ideal material.

In terms of translations, οἰκουμένην (v5) might best be described as the inhabited earth. It is the same word used  as when Satan displayed  all the kingdoms of the earth to Jesus during His temptations (Lk4). In terms of vv7-8, some translations infer man (and Jesus) was made a little lower than the angels; others that for a short time or temporarily they were made lower than the angels. I have taken it to be the latter, as the point being made, particularly about Jesus, was that although (as the previous few posts have considered) He has always been superior to the angels, taking the form of a man He became (or appeared to be) lower than they.

Angels are indeed superior in terms of their power, majesty, authority and function compared to man in mortal flesh. The point being made is that this is a temporary arrangement, as was hinted at in the last but one post/passage that concluded: ¹⁴ Are (the angels) not all ministering spirits, sent out to provide service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? (Heb1:3b-14).

AUTHORITY OVER WHAT?

But note the passage says that we do not currently see all things under man’s authority, yet purely in terms of the current arrangements on earth that is not the case. Man is supreme over all earthly  creation – he controls it all, albeit in view of the Fall, not terribly well. In Genesis, mankind was given authority over all things: “Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground” (Gen1:28); and that applied, even after the Fall.

However, the writer to the Hebrews declares: “In subjecting all things to (mankind) He left nothing that is not to be subject to him,  but we do not as yet SEE all things subjected to (mankind)”. To which he adds “but we see Jesus!!!” – and we all know what happened to Him in that regard: “Jesus came up and spoke to (His disciples), saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me (Mt28:18). Note also the astonishing (and for some, perplexing) statement that it was as a result of His suffering that Jesus was crowned with glory and honour (v9) – and a few verses later, the writer to the Hebrew writes something even more astonishing (next post).

Paul affirmed that suffering is a prerequisite for glory (Rom8:17; 2Tim2:12), Hebrews shall explain why! This is the mystery of evil – why a God who is love personified facilitated the introduction of sin into the world (cf. Rom8:20), knowing the suffering it would cause for its people and His own Son. And this is why so many angels, headed by Lucifer had a problem with His plan, yet through their vengeful response at Eden and Calvary, they have unwittingly facilitated it!

FUTURE PROSPECTS FOR HUMANITY

As our featured text indicates, there are aspects of creation that are not currently under mankind’s control, but they shall be – not under angels but under man. What are they? May I suggest, the entire universe: everything that has been created and has yet to be established in the universe, or should I say multiverse. Unless, that is, you reject Paul’s teaching that “all things were created by Christ, through Him and for Him (Col1:16). Planet earth, this miniscule spec within a seemingly empty, stunningly enormous and ever expanding universe is of supreme significance  because the Word of God made flesh lived and died on it, so that in the words of our passage, He might taste death for everyone (v9).

And in terms of God’s elect, who are “a kind of first fruit for all creation” (Jam1:18), they are the corporate bride of Christ. And if you are a married man, for what do you wish? Surely that your wife should share and participate in all that is yours, which in the case of Christ is His universal domain, not to mention a living, loving  and enduring relationship with the In-Laws (cf. Heb1:5).

If this is currently too wondrous to contemplate, join the club.

יִצְחָ֔ק