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To the believing Jews Paul writes his letter to the Hebrews endeavouring to strengthen
their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He has to contend against the bitter hatred of the
bigoted religious leaders of the nation who strenuously opposed the claims made both by
the Lord Himself, and by the words and actions of the apostles during that period covered
by the Book of the Acts. In Heb. 2: 15, 16 Paul quotes from Psa. 8: showing that the
One Who came as Jesus of Nazareth took upon Himself human flesh in order to destroy
him that had the power of death, that is the devil, and deliver them who through fear of
death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
"For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of
Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that
He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make
reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself hath suffered being
tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted" (Heb. 2: 16-18).
Here was One Who was infinitely greater than angels, yet Who willingly
condescended to be made lower than the angels for the suffering of death. Angels have
no blood, and it was necessary that blood should be offered, that is, death, for the
salvation of mankind. Redemption which is God's way of getting rid of all barriers
between Himself and us, could be made possible no other way. All the offerings and
sacrifices of the animals that were without blemish as worship, look forward to the One
Offering made by the Lord Jesus Christ, when He came to lay down His Life for His
friends, made like the children of flesh and blood; made like unto His brethren, His
object in coming the first time was to deal with sins. To make a propitiation for the sins
of mankind, that God might have mercy upon the descendants of Adam and wipe out,
obliterate for ever, that which separated Himself from His creation. So the glorious hope
of resurrection was made possible, and our salvation and life with Him made absolutely
secure.
In the Book of Ruth we saw that it was the eldest brother who had the right to redeem
the inheritance and marry Ruth. The firstborn son, the heir, the one who occupies the
position of privilege and responsibility; so in Scripture he holds a unique position.
Israel was the Lord's son, even His firstborn. In Egypt, God warned Pharaoh that if he
would not let His people go, He would slay Pharaoh's first-born son.
The passover lamb was not selected "for sin", but "a lamb for a house", and if the
household were too small to be represented in this way, they were to join with another.
The house was not connected with death. "There was not a house where there was not
one dead" (Exod. 12: 30), which was as true of Israel as of Egypt. The difference was
that in Israel's home the lamb died instead of the firstborn son.
So we see that the passover lamb really sets forth the Kinsman-Redeemer, the great
firstborn Son, the Lamb of God. ". . . . . Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel
of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not till she had
brought forth her firstborn son . . . . ." (Matt. 1: 24, 25). John writes concerning this
amazing birth, "In this manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His
only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him" (I John 4: 9). But see