Hebrews 2:1 (ESV)
[2:1] Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.
Hebrews 2 begins with a conclusion in the form of a warning based on chapter 1. Jesus, the Son and Heir who sits at the right hand of the Father, is superior to the prophets and the angels (messengers). Therefore, pay attention to his message. Chapter 2 will then go on to further support this conclusion. The language of the first four verses of Hebrews 2 is very unique. At least two words used are found only here in the Bible. One word appears to have been coined by the author. The language is both unique and picturesque for the purpose of getting people's attention.
The single Greek word the ESV translates "pay much closer attention" is a boating term. It is used in classical Greek to refer to bringing a ship to land and tying it up. It is appropriate then that the warning in verse 4 is a warning about drifting. We have all seen someone bring a boat up to a dock, jump out and watch the boat drift away before it gets tied up. That is the idea here. Bring the boat to land and tie it up securely so that it doesn't drift. In this case the boat is the truth of the message we heard in Christ. How easy it is to bring our boats to the gospel shore only to drift back to the sea of law and tradition. We need to tie up securely in the cove of the gospel and stay there. Even as the storms of life blow it is the gospel that keeps us secure.
Father, thank you for the gift of your Son. May I never drift away from him.
By His grace,
Rick Weinert
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