Lest We Forget - Lesson 1, God Spoke
We are studying Hebrews 1:1-4 and Hebrews 2:1-4, eight verses broken down into fifteen or so lessons full of history, truth, inspiration, encouragement, and hope. We will be studying these verses through an expository lens wrapped in a current day life application. Thank you for joining me on this journey.
Lest We Forget: Lesson 1 - God Spoke
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son - Hebrews 1:1-2a
The Bible consists of two parts: Old Testament written over the period between 1450 BC and 450 BC with 39 section, referred to as books, which were written by 25 authors. The New Testament was written by 12 authors over the period of 50 AD to 95 AD. It is made of 27 books which were mostly letters of which 13 were letters written by Paul.
In the Old Testament God spoke both audibly whereby his physical voice was heard directly. He also spoke through angels and prophets, and through visions and dreams. He made his presence known through spectacular phenomena such as a burning bush that didn’t actual burn, fire from heaven, clouds, etc.
However, there is a gap between the Old Testament and the New Testament of 400 years during which we have no record of God speaking either audibly or through the prophets, just silence. Then Jesus enters the earth as a human baby. Jesus was not created at that point, he simply takes on human form as a baby.
In the New Testament God still speaks through his people such as John the Baptist (Jesus’ cousin). He spoke audibly when, at Jesus’s baptism, God stated for all who were present to hear, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” And Jesus, after he left the earth, speaks audibly directly to Paul but was also heard by those with him on the the road to Damascus. However, from the time the Holy Spirit was given to believers (he existed prior to that just not specifically connected to believers) we hear in our minds and hearts the words from God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit rather than audible messages.
What that means is, we now have direct access to God by way of the Holy Spirit through Jesus. Romans 8:26-27 and Ephesians 2:18 explain this process.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. - Romans 8:26-27
For through him [Jesus] we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. - Ephesians 2:18
Lastly, in our Scripture for today the word Son is capitalized, he has spoken to us by his Son. The original word for Son is υἱός, the Greek transliteration of which is, huios [hwee-os’] which means a son or descendant. We, as Christians, are sons and daughters of God but in the less formal sense, as adopted through our spiritual rebirth when we accepted the free gift of grace and mercy for the forgiveness of our sins. However, the author of Hebrews (who is unknown) capitalized Son which indicates a formal title, or divine figure for which we should have reverence. By capitalizing Son the writer was indicating that Jesus is to be revered as God is revered and worshipped. The Ten Commandments states (paraphrase), you shall have no other gods nor shall you worship anyone or thing other than God. However, the author of Hebrews and in other writings, Jesus himself states, you should worship him. Those statements would be contradictory to God’s words given in the Ten Commandments. Therefore, Jesus must be God and worthy of being revered and worshipped.
What This Means For Us Today
It means we will likely not have the privilege of audibly hearing a message from God while on this earth. But, we do have direct access to God and his messages through the Holy Spirit and Jesus. Sometimes those messages are very clear, other times they are mere whispers. Sometimes they are deep in our heart, other times they are through dreams, through others, and through events. Regardless of how we receive the message or even how long it takes to receive the message we should be diligent in our prayers, sensitive to soft whispers, but most importantly patient while we wait. In all answers, they should be confirmed against the Scriptures because without exception, God will never contradict his Holy Word. If what you think you heard is not in line with Scripture, it is not from God…period. Paul was very clear about this even to the point that if he himself says anything against the message from God he should be accursed:
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. - Galatians 1:6-9
God’s Word [Bible] is his Word and should not be manipulated, taken out of context, or cherry picked meaning only believe some of it, nor should it ever be discarded because we don’t like the message.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
My prayer is that of Paul’s prayer in the book of Philippians
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. - Philippians 1:9-11
God still speaks, we just have to be intentional about listening, trusting, and following his words.
