Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, ²but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. Hebrews 1:1-2
God spoke. God speaks. This is an incredible truth. The God of the universe is not a God who has spun the cosmic top, let it loose, and hopes it will not wobble and fall. God is near to His creation. God speaks through His creation. God speaks to His creation–in the past, and now at last.
In this week’s passage, the author of Hebrews delivers this astounding truth.
God spoke in the past (v. 1)
The author shows this with his opening, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways.” The Old Testament records God speaking to His people. He spoke through Moses on tablets of stone. He spoke through Ezekiel’s animated displays of God’s message. He spoke through Daniel’s interpretation of dreams. There are a myriad of ways in which God spoke through the prophets of old to “our fathers”—ancestors of the people of Israel.
God has not been silent. He has not left His people without direction or revelation. The Old Testament records over 2,000 years of the history of God speaking to His people. But all of it pointed forward to a greater communication to come.
God speaks now at last (v. 2)
In the fullness of time, and at the right time, the Son of God came (Galatians 4:4-7). Now at last the Creator God speaks in a new way, through the incarnate Son of God. When Jesus Christ came, He was (and is) the greatest revelation of God. There are seven reasons given in verses 1-4 for why Jesus is the greatest. In our verses the author of Hebrews offers two: Jesus is the heir of all things and Jesus is the agent of creation.
Jesus made it all, and it all will belong to Him. This creation is by Jesus for Jesus. You are part of the creation. You are made by Jesus. You are made for Jesus. This reality gives purpose and direction to every area of life—my life is for Jesus, my marriage is for Jesus, my work is for Jesus, my parenting is for Jesus. As important as this is, it’s secondary to the author’s intention in the text, which is to elevate our view of Jesus as the greatest demonstration of the character and nature of God.
You can know what God is like by reading the revelation of God through the prophets. You can also know what God is like by looking to the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He at last made the invisible God known in a unique way when He took on flesh, lived a perfect life, died a substitutionary death, and rose again to save all those who would belong to Him. So today, remember that God speaks, and look to Jesus.
May you recognize the wonder of the God who speaks and may it lead you to seek Him and find salvation in Jesus Christ!
For Reflection
Have you thanked God today for being a God who is not only near, but speaks? How can you listen for Him in His Word?
Have you recognized the wonder of who Jesus is? If you haven’t studied the Gospels before, or haven’t studied them lately, why not start reading through Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John today!
All things were created through Jesus. As you go through your day, take a minute to thank Him for each amazing thing He created.
Nate Miller is the Associate Preaching Pastor at Revive Church in Brooklyn Park, MN. Nate and his wife, Angela, live in Brooklyn Park and have three children.