SOAP: Hebrews 2:2-3 - The Great Question

Scripture: For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. Hebrews 2:2-3

Observation: IMHO, this might be one of the best questions in the Bible.

When I was in college, I sublet a friend of mine's room while she went to Europe for the summer. She had scrawled this verse on a notecard (because we all know how abundant notecards are in college) and attached it to her door. Since I kept my door closed when I wasn't there (not for my privacy, but for the courtesy of people visiting our apartment - that way they didn't have to be subject to my pig sty of a room), every time I went in there I saw this verse, and it has stuck with me ever since.

We've talked before about the tradition of the angels delivering the Law to Moses. I did some research on it; there is no OT reference to the angels delivering the Law. However, since Paul and the author of Hebrews wrote about it and Stephen referenced it in his speech, I'm going to believe it's true since it was included in the inspired NT books - even if it was Judaic tradition.

The author is continuing his theme here of making a lesser-greater argument in regards to Jesus. He did it in the first chapter with the angels and now he's moving on another point.

Verses like verse 2 are some of the most severe in the Bible, and make me hurt for the atheists and godless who deny Him and His law (or as they call it, "archaic morality"). Look at what the verse says: "Every violation and disobedience received its just punishment." Many of these punishments were death, and there was no bargaining. It was hit or miss, black or white. No gray area, or as we say here in NOLA, neutral ground.

Look at the amazing logical conclusions the author draws: the message given of angels was binding; disobedience was, in effect, deadly; Jesus is superior to the angels; therefore how much more superior is His message?

I mean, it's sheer (inspired) brilliance. The Greek philosophers got nothin' on the author of Hebrews.

Let's look at the next part of the verse: "... how shall we escape?"

This is not a man who is nonchalant or sort-of concerned. This is a desperate man using desperate language. He understands the severity of the matter. It's heaven or hell. There is no in-between.

To use a Beth Moore phrase, I think you will be blessed by the Greek definition of escape (ekpheugo): "to seek safety in flight."

But probably my favorite part of this verse is is what follows: "... how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?"

Do you see the ramifications of what he's saying here?

To obtain righteousness under the Law, rules had to be obeyed, rituals performed, sacrifices made.

Under grace, all we have to do to obtain salvation is to not ignore the grace of Jesus.

Could God have made it any easier than that? I don't think so.

There's no legalism tied up with this. It's not "don't ignore the salvation and keep the Ten Commandments"; "don't ignore the salvation and live a holy perfect-as-can-be life."

The dictionary definition of ignore is to disregard willfully and causelessly.

How many people do we know of (or know personally) who willfully and causelessly disregard the redemptive work of Jesus?

And finally, the last part of verse three is just one more testimony of the continuity of the Word of God. The message was preached by Jesus and confirmed by His disciples.

The Word of God will always be confirmed, because it is alive and powerful. The most powerful, eloquent words of a critic are mindless babbling compared to the simplest words of our God.

Application: This is a serious question the author has asked. How will we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? The answer is, we won't. Which is why it is so important to pray for and share with non-believers, even those who scoff at the "archaic morality." They have a dreadful fate awaiting them if they don't turn their hearts.

Maybe you've been burdened lately in your own life. Be blessed that God made it so easy for you, that all you have to do is believe in Him and not willfully put your mind against Him. Jesus said His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Yes, we are called to live holy lives - but that doesn't make us righteous. Jesus makes us righteous. It's nothing we have to work for. And even when we fail (which we will - often), He is glorified in our weakness. And it is only through Him we can live a holy life. Embrace the liberty Jesus offers and be set free!

Prayer: Lord, thank You for making it so easy for us - for making it all about You and nothing about us so there was no room for us to mess it up by the work of our own hands. I pray for those who speak out against You - for those who criticize Your law and Your goodness and Your justice. They are deceived by the evil about who "god" should be and I pray Lord that those bonds would be broken and they would see and embrace the freedom in Jesus Christ. Thank You Lord for setting me free, for delivering me from a fate I don't even want to contemplate. Thank You for the amazing book of Hebrews and its wonderful "arguments" for Your cause. I've been blessed studying this book and learning more about You.