WORDS STRONGER THAN THE LAW

WORDS STRONGER THAN THE LAW 

"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away" Heb. 2:1

The "therefore" of these words carries us back to the arguments of the previous chapter, and on to those of this chapter. The Hebrew people maintained, and rightly, that their whole religious and national economy had been ministered by ANGELS. The writer agreed, but proceeded to show the superiority of the SON OF GOD to the ANGELS, and the consequently greater authority of the speech of the Son, to that of the word spoken by ANGELS. That superiority being granted, it follows irresistibly that we should give the more earnest heed to what He has to say. The conclusion is so self-evident that we are almost inclined to wonder that there was any need for so solemn a warning. We shall find an answer to that wonder in the writer's description of the peril, and in the contrast which he makes between the word of ANGELS and the message of the SON. Note this contrast first. The word spoken by ANGELS was STEADFAST, and disobedience brought a just recompense. The word of ANGELS was the word of law, stern, inflexible. The message of the SON is that which can be summarized in one word, "Salvation." It is the word of GRACE, compassionate, unfailing. That in itself is one reason why the foolish heart of men may fail to give earnest heed to it. Then again the peril is that of DRIFTING. The figure is that of a boat which, caught by unseen currents, may be carried out of its course. This is so easy a thing to do. But it ought not to be. The message of Salvation, spoken by the SON, should make an even STRONGER APPEAL THAN THAT OF LAW, uttered by ANGELS.