In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. ~ Hebrews 1:1-2
My introduction to Hebrews started with 12:1-3, verses I will, no doubt revisit. But now I begin in earnest to journey through Hebrews, from start to finish, verse by verse. To produce a sort of lay-man's commentary. It will be responsive and reflective rather than academic or learned. Where I have learning, I will attempt to apply it, and doubtless (and also hopefully) I will also learn 'on the job'. This is as much for my own devotion as your encouragement, but I pray it (and I), will be an encouragement to you.
Hebrews is a book with the sternest of warnings but also the strongest of hopes. It is as exotic and mysterious as Melchizedek, the enigmatic priest if refers to. It's writer is unknown (as he was) and it speaks of Christ Jesus' priesthood as other and superior to the Aaronic one. His priesthood is in the order of Melchizedek. But all this is to come.
Jesus' humanity and divinity is delved into in ways that are unique to this wonderful letter. I can't even begin to imagine how much poorer we would be without it. It is such grace to us from God and it summons us to come confidently to his throne of grace, to receive the help we need when we are tested and tempted. I praise God for it.
So, here goes.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors
In the past; the days preceding the advent of Jesus, from the beginning up until this point, from creation to the cross, God spoke.
In the beginning God spoke. He spoke and there was. God speaking is an act of creation. He speaks and it springs forth. He calls things that are not as though they were (and they are)
And, once he had spoken, there never was a time of silence. In history we refer to the dark ages, where nothing was recorded. But in pre-history or dark ages, there has never been a time when God was not speaking. If the earth and the heavens weren't speaking to us all the time, 'pouring forth speech' of the glory of their creator, (which they never stop doing) then God was making himself known, revealing himself to individuals and to a whole people.
He spoke to our ancestors. The ancestors the writer speaks of, writing, as he is, predominantly to Jewish believers, are likely to be the patriarchs, going back to Abraham, whom God called out of Ur of the Chaldean's. Gentiles like myself might initially feel here as though it was not our ancestors God spoke of, not being children descended from Abrahams race, but we all share ancestry with Noah and with Adam. But if those two men were too tenuous a connection we can remember that Abraham is the Father of all who believe (Rom 4:11b). Paul develops this argument further in the fourth chapter of his epistle to the Romans. Jesus speaks about himself as 'The Vine' (John 15) which is how Israel was referred to throughout the Old Testament (Psalm 80:8-9 being an example). Jesus says I am The Vine and you are the branches. Paul continues, as the apostle to the gentiles, to talk of how gentile believers are grafted into the vine.
All this to say, in a spiritual sense, if you are a believer in Jesus, you can claim ancestry (spiritually speaking) with Abraham.
So yes, in the past God spoke to our ancestors.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets
He is a God who reveals himself. There were prophets. Firstly he spoke to them. He made himself known to individuals of his own choosing. They were a disparate bunch of individuals Ranging from shepherds to courtiers and even Kings. From the uneducated and wild to the sophisticated academics. These people had one thing in common. They were chosen by God, at his pleasure. God does not seem to have a type, he can speak to anyone he chooses and use anyone he likes.....and he does. Amos, Joseph, Daniel, Jeremiah, David, Moses, Ezekiel, Isaiah, etc, etc.
And of course not only did he speak to the prophets but also spoke through the prophets. With varying degrees of willingness, skill and obedience, these people bought the message with which they were charged to the people of God. We might conclude that God had special love for the prophets themselves, because he chose to speak to them, but we would be mistaken. What ever God's reason for choosing an individual, it was not favouritism. In his grace he chose these messengers because he cared about those to whom the message was to be delivered. Even if the message was an angry one, his heart was towards his people to save them, to turn them, to deliver them, to teach them!
At many times and in various ways,
We can marvel at the creativity God uses in the ways he speaks. From burning bushes and tablets of stone to Ezekiel lying in a dung heap. From an object lesson through verbal illustration (Thou art the man- Nathaniel to David), From the dreams of Joseph and Daniel to the quiet whisper in Elijah's cave to the braying of Balam's donkey. We serve a creative God. Creative and timely.
But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son
In these last days. The writer of the Hebrews understands that the times have shifted in the advent of Christ Jesus. A milestone was arrived at. A new era has begun. The fulfilment of prophecy in Jesus began in Bethlehem but will end in the Heavenly Jerusalem. All days from here on in are last days. We are living in the outworking of this fulfilment, which has already met its conclusion in him. As my pastor likes to allude to, we are living between the D-day landings and VE day. The outcome is secured but the battle still to be fought.
And of course, I wouldn't be doing my Evangelical bit if I didn't say, if it was the last days then, how much more, 2000 years later?
It's a reminder that this sinful world and the powers that attempt to rule and corrupt it will be vanquished. The end will come. And it is a reminder not to build our empires here, not to store up treasures here, but to look to Jesus.
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory~ Col 3:2
But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.
He HAS spoken. This is past tense. He has spoken. IN Jesus his statement has been made, never to be revoked. Once and for all time. Jesus is the living word, the eternal word and the final word.
But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son
In the parable of the wicked vine-dressers (Matt 21:33-46), Jesus spoke about the owner of a vineyard who left his property in the hands of some rogue vine-dressers. When the time for the vintage came he sent various servants to receive it's fruit. The vine -dressers who've been left in charge beat, stone and kill the servants. Finally he sent his son, saying surely they will respect him. But they killed him too.
The vine is Israel, The vine-dressers the Scribes and Pharisees and rulers of Israel. The servants are the prophets.
In these last days he spoke to us by his son. In the parable they killed the son. This of course turned out to be prophetic.
When the owner sends his son, you know he means business. If we should listen to the servants we should serve the Son, give him full attention, follow his instruction and example. He is the final word.
Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.~ Psalm 2:12
But this wrathful side of the parable is only part of the story.
Jesus also assures us, God SO loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should have eternal life. Romans 8:32 speaks love to us as we are told:
He (who) did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all~ Rom 8:32
He cared so much for the state of his people that in love he held nothing back. It was a grace to send the prophets, but to send his son was costly and personal. He sent the one he loved most. There could not be more weight behind God's message in Christ. The words he spoke verbally and the word he spoke in his life death and resurrection. Weighty, weighty words. Words of love, hope and rescue....for those who have ears to hear.
whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe
Here we have the bookends again. Beginning and the end. The son is eternal. Everything was made through him and for him. He is the Alpha and Omega, ruling in creation and over time. The king eternally crowned.
Ask of me and I will give the nations as your inheritance, said the Father.
All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.~ John 1:3
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.~ Colossians 1:15-20
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen~Rom 11:36
Amen. Amen and amen.
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