(Links have not yet been updated for his study)
By Ronald R. Day, Sr.
What does the Bible in Hebrews 1 tell us about the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? (Exodus 3:14,15; Acts 3:13-26) Some have claimed that in Hebrews 1:2, the Son is "not different from God." However, in Hebrews 1:1-3, is "God" presented as one person, or more than one person? Is not Jesus differentiated from God, since he is presented as being God's son? Does "God" signify a Godhead of three persons? Obviously, He is presented as one person, and Jesus is depicted as the "Son" of that one person. The unipersonal God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob spoke through another who is not Himself, that is, His son. In Hebrews 1:3, God and His works are seen and performed through His Son.
In Hebrews 1:4, the Son, who, while in the days of his flesh (Hebrews 5:7) was a little lower than the angels (Hebrews 2:9), is shown to now be exalted above the angels. Who exalted Jesus above the angels? Paul tell us it was the unipersonal God. -- Philippians 2:9.
In Hebrews 1:5-13, we find that the unipersonal God is being quoted as speaking to His Son, and thereby describing various roles that the unipersonal God has given to His Son, while also showing the superiority of the exaltation that He has given to His Son above the angels.
In Hebrews 1:8, as it appears in most translations, Jesus is referred to by the Greek word often transliterated as "THEOS." It should be obvious, however, that the word THEOS is not being applied to the Son of the Most High (Luke 1:32) in the same sense as the same word is used to apply the Most High Himself. So if the scripture is meant to apply this word to the Son of the Most High, it would have to be in the general sense of one possessing power and authority as given to him by the Most High. Indeed, this is what is shown by Hebrews 1:9, for in that verse, the unipersonal God of Hebrews 1:1 is the One who is depicted as giving to Jesus this exaltation above his "fellows". Thus, Jesus is not being depicted as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in Hebrews 1:8, but, if anything, as one made mighty by the only the Most High. This goes back to the Hebraic usage of forms of the the Hebrew word EL, which forms can, and most often do, refer to the Most High and source of all might, Yahweh, but may also be used of anyone or anything to whom the only Most High Might has given any kind of special might, authority, or power. The quote of Hebrews 1:18 is from Psalm 45:6, where a form of EL (ELOHIM) is used.
In Hebrews 1:10-14, we find that the unipersonal God of Hebrews 1:1 is speaking to His son, as the one whose hands had made the present heavens and earth, which heavens and earth have become corrupted (2 Peter 1:4) through sin (Romans 5:12) and are to pass away. (Matthew 5:18; 24:35; 2 Peter 3:10) As Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 3:10), it was actually the unipersonal God who, by the hand of Moses and Aaron (Psalm 72:20), led the children of Egypt out of Egypt (Exodus 3:8), so it is evident that the unipersonal God of Hebrews 1:1 made the present heavens and earth, which has become the present evil world (Galatians 1:4), by means of the hand of His Son.
In Hebrews 1:13,14, the unipersonal God of Hebrews 1:1 speaks to His Son again. The quote is from Psalm 110:1, which thus identifies Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, as the unipersonal God who speaks to His son, as also shown by Hebrews 1:1.
All the way through the first chapter of Hebrews, as well throughout the entire Bible, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, is depicted as one person, and not once is he presented as more than one person.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. -- Ephesians 1:3; 1 Peter 1:3.
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We have been asked concerning Isaiah 44:24 as to how a unipersonal God could make the heavens and earth through the hands of another if he was alone?
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We have been asked concerning Isaiah 44:24 as to how a unipersonal God could make the heavens and earth through the hands of another if he was alone?
As pointed out in the study linked to in the original post (Does Yahweh Speak to Yahweh?),
In context, the heavens and earth being spoken of is said to pass away. Therefore, we can conclude that this is not speaking of the heavens where God’s throne is, or where God and angels dwell, and we can further conclude that it is not speaking of the physical heavens or the physical earth, which will never be removed. — Psalm 72:17; 78:69; 89:36; 104:5.
Heavens, earth, do not always mean the same thing. Isaiah 44:24 is evidently speaking of actual creation of the universe and the earth in that universe, before that which is being spoken of Hebrews 1:10.
See our related studies on this:
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