Countering anti-Yeshua arguments

Counter-missionaries Jason and Jono pose the question in their video: “Where is this in the Tanach and who is this talking about?” – in their attempt to show that Hebrews 1:5 can't possibly refer to Psalm 2:7 because, God surely wasn’t referring to “Jesus” in Psalm 2:7; rather, they insist, YHWH was referring to David and Solomon….

Well, let’s check to see if that is true!

Psalm 2:1 Why are the nations in an uproar, the peoples grumbling in vain? 2 The earth's kings are taking positions, leaders conspiring together, against ADONAI and his anointed. 3 They cry, "Let's break their fetters! Let's throw off their chains!" 4 He who sits in heaven laughs; Adonai looks at them in derision. 5 Then in his anger he rebukes them, terrifies them in his fury. 6 "I myself have installed my king on Tziyon, my holy mountain." 7 "I will proclaim the decree: ADONAI said to me, 'You are my son; today I became your father.

8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance; the whole wide world will be your possession. 9 You will break them with an iron rod, shatter them like a clay pot.'" 10 Therefore, kings, be wise; be warned, you judges of the earth. 11 Serve ADONAI with fear; rejoice, but with trembling. 12 Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and you perish along the way, when suddenly his anger blazes. How blessed are all who take refuge in him. (CJB)

So, where do Jason and Jono get that Psalm 2 refers to some earthly king, when none is named? Well – get this! - Jono’s cross-references are Acts 4:25 and 2 Samuel 7:12-13. (Yes, these men who insist the New Testament is a MYTH, use an NT scripture in their attempt to help them prove their point!)

Let’s dissect Acts 4, and go BEYOND verse 25 to discover the actual context:

Acts 4:25. And You are He who spoke through the Ruach haKodesh by the mouth of Dawid your servant: Why do the nations rage and the peoples plan worthless (things), 26. The kings of the earth have risen and rulers have deliberated as one against Master YHWH and against His Mashiyach. (See Psalm 2:1-2) 27. For truly in this city were gathered Herodus and Peelatos with the Gentiles and the assembly of Israel against the Set Apart One, Your Son Y’shua, He Whom (you), you have anointed, 28. to do everything that Your hand and Your will foreordained to be. 29. And even now Master YHWH, look and see their threats and give to Your servants, that they be boldly preaching Your Word, 30. while You extend Your hand for healings and mighty works and signs to be in the name of Your Son, the Set Apart One, Y’shua.” (AENT)

Note that that David is mentioned in verse 25, but only as the "mouth" of the Ruach. But the context is clearly about a future son, Yeshua, not David because, looking back at Psalm 2, we see that YHWH is not saying these thing TO David, rather, He is telling David what is to be and David is speaking the words. In Psalm 2:7, YHWH says "I will proclaim a decree," meaning it is yet to happen (most translations agree in this). So, as the verse continues, YHWH is clearly NOT saying David is His son! Rather, He is saying that a coming king will be His son.

Now, to 2 Samuel 7:12-13 … actually, let's go all the way to verse 16 with this!

12 When your days come to an end and you sleep with your ancestors, I will establish one of your descendants to succeed you, one of your own flesh and blood; and I will set up his rulership. 13 He will build a house for my name, and I will establish his royal throne forever. 14 I will be a father for him, and he will be a son for me. If he does something wrong, I will punish him with a rod and blows, just as everyone gets punished; 15 nevertheless, my grace will not leave him, as I took it away from Sha'ul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Thus your house and your kingdom will be made secure forever before you; your throne will be set up forever.'" (CJB)

So, using the two passages above, they insist Psalm 2 refers to David and Solomon! Please re-read the entire passage of 2 Samuel 7 and think really hard about WHO David’s descendant is... verse 12 says "one of David's descendants...one of his own flesh and blood". Now, ALL David's descendants; sons, grandsons, great grandsons, and on and on, are "of his own flesh and blood."

But this descendant will be someone to whom YHWH Himself “will be a father” and he a “son for me.” AND whose "throne will be set up forever!" (HINT: Neither David nor Solomon are the Son of YHWH and David and Solomon are both dead; they are no longer on their thrones, and their kingdoms are no more.) If you still haven’t concluded that Yeshua holds the credentials to be YHWH's son and king, then please read our short blog article on Yeshua’s lineage, which contains passages that counter-missionaries LOVE to twist.

Now, just for fun, let’s try to view the CONTEXT of Hebrews 1, and then decide whether it pertains to Yeshua, or – as Jono and Jason suggest – to David or Solomon:

Hebrews 1: 1. In many ways and many forms, Elohim anciently conversed with our fathers by the prophets: 2. But in these latter days,[1] He has conversed with us by His Son whom He has constituted heir of all things, and by whom He made the worlds; 3. who is the splendor of His glory and the exact image of His nature, and upholds all by the power of His Word; and by his Qnoma[2] he made a purification of sins and sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.[3] 4. And he is altogether superior to the Messengers, as he has also inherited a name which is superior to theirs.[4]

[1] Acharit-hayamim (latter days) is mentioned throughout Torah and the Prophets beginning in B’resheet Genesis 49:1. See also James 5:3; 2 Peter 3:3. This era culminates with the Day of YHWH which is foreshadowed by Yom Kippur when all the earth shall be sanctified.

[2] Occurrence of the singular Divine Nature.

[3] HaG’dulah BaM’romim, Psalm 110:1.

[4] All the names of the messengers have EL in them, the shortened form of Elohim. Only Y’shua as a messenger (e.g. Exodus 23:20-22, Jeremiah 23:5-6) has the name of YHWH in him; YAH is salvation.

Hebrews 1:5. For to which of the Messengers did Elohim ever say, You are my Son, this day have I begotten you [Psalm 2:7]? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he will be to me a Son? 6. And again, when bringing the first begotten into the world, He said: Let all the Messengers of Elohim worship him [Psalm 97:7]. 7. But of the Messengers He thus said: Who made His Messengers a wind and His ministers a flaming fire [Psalm 104:4]. 8. But of the Son He said: Your throne, O Elohim, is for ever and ever; a righteous scepter is the scepter of your Kingdom. Hebrews 1: 9. You have loved righteousness and hated iniquity; therefore Elohim, your Elohim, has anointed you with the oil of rejoicing more than your associates.

10. And again, You have from the beginning laid the foundations of the earth and the heavens are the work of your hands: 11. they will pass away, but you endure; and they all, like a robe, wax old; 12. and like a cloak, you will fold them up. They will be changed; but you will be as you are, and your years will not be finished. 13 And to which of the Messengers did He ever say: Sit you at My right hand until I will place your enemies a footstool under your feet? 14. Are they not all spirits of ministration who are sent to minister on account of them that are to inherit life? (AENT)