The author of Hebrews begins the letter by reminding the readers that God speaks in various ways. Hebrews 1:1 Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets.[1] These people knew Scripture and would remember Isaiah 6 and how God had called Isaiah through a vision. God met Jacob in a dream (Genesis 28) and met with Abraham and Moses personally (Genesis 18, Exodus 31). As God led the people in the wilderness, He used a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13). Hosea’s marriage proved to be an object lesson of Israel’s lack of faithfulness.
Now, God was speaking in a new way through His Son. Hebrews 1: 2 And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. 3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. [2]
God Gave Progressive Revelation
As we consider the stories of the Old Testament, we can see that God revealed Himself gradually. The first story in Genesis reveals God as the Creator. The story of Noah shows us God’s character as a judge as He destroyed evil through a flood. But God shows us His faithful promise immediately after through His covenant with Noah. This promise increases through the covenant with Abraham and his descendants.
Even when the people were not faithful, God continued to do what was necessary to bring His people back to Himself. God sent prophets to call people back to faith and to foreshadow the coming of a Messiah. He used exile as a timeout to help them consider their actions. Then, He brought a remnant back to Jerusalem. Now, God had sent His Son to show His mighty power and grace to forgive sin.
Throughout history, God has spoken in bits and pieces using visions, dreams, personal encounters, and His Word. The writer of Hebrews wanted the people to realize that God continued to speak to them and used their history to demonstrate this.
Jesus Demonstrates the Father
Now, God was speaking through Jesus, and the people needed to pay attention. Jesus Himself said this. John 14: 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him… Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. “[3]
This would have been a new revelation to Jews of the first century. It is even a new revelation today to those who don’t know Jesus. Be assured that Jesus is the way to the Father. Jesus paid the price for our sins on the cross. As we confess and repent of those sins, they are forgiven, and our relationship with the Father is restored. We have the promise of new life here and life eternally with Jesus after we die.
To learn how God speaks in various ways, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/jesus-is-greater-than-angels
[1-3]Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.