Hebrews on Inspiration and Authority

"It is important to observe how distinctive is the manner of introducing Old Testament citations in Hebrews. In the majority of cases God himself is the speaker through the person of the prophet or psalmist (e.g., 1:5, 6-12; 4:3-5; 5:5-6). In four quotations from three passages the words are attributed to Christ (2:12-13; 10:5-7) suggesting that these verses find their true or ultimate meaning in what he says and does. In three quotations from two passages the Holy Spirit is the speaker (3:7-11;10:15-17), though the same passages are also more generally attributed to God at 4:7 and 8:8-12, respectively. In four instances the human authors are mentioned: Moses (9:20; 12:21), David (4:7, God 'saying through David'), and 'someone' (2:6, Greek tis).

In many cases the words of Scripture are introduced by the writer as being spoken in the present (e.g., 3:7-11; 8:8-12; 12:5-6). He makes no distinction between the word written and the word spoken, and he treats the words of human authors as the words of God. In this way the writer expresses his belief in the divine inspiration of the Old Testament documents and in God's intention to continue speaking through them to his people.

For example, God can use Psalm 95 to sustain faith in Christ and the promise of sharing in his 'rest' (Heb. 3:7-4:13). Through Proverbs 3:11-12, God can teach his children under the new covenant how to respond to the discipline of suffering, literally addressing each one as 'my son' (Heb. 12:5-6). The same Spirit who inspired the human authors to write the words of God in the first place continues to illuminate, challenge, encourage, and warn through those definitive words once given.

For all generations of believers, the written record is the voice of God, and 'as a necessary consequence the record is itself living. It is not a book merely. It has a vital connexion with our circumstances and must be considered in connexion with them.'" [quoting B.F. Westcott, The Epistle to the Hebrews]

-- David Peterson, "God and Scripture in Hebrews" in The Trustworthiness of God (pp. 120-121)