GOD SPOKE. Hebrews 1:1. “In the past” contrasts with the “last days,” which began with the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, marking the start of the Messianic age of grace. This present age began when “the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.” God is the originating author of both the Old and New Testaments. The Holy Spirit used holy men to put into words the things God spoke. From our ancestors to us, through the prophets, all Old Testament writers are considered prophets; their testimony was preparing the way for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ into the world.
The Epistle to the Hebrews reassured Jewish believers in Christ, who were familiar with the Old Testament scriptures, that their faith was not in vain. Possibly, doubts, persecution, opposition from Jewish and government leaders, or false teaching had caused them to become despondent. They risked reverting to their pre-Christian practices and rituals instead of keeping their focus on the living Person of Christ and what His sacrifice achieved for them.
God spoke in “times past” through visions to Isaiah, in a dream to Jacob, Abraham, and Moses personally, and to Manoah and his wife, even revealing His name, “Wonderful.” It would have been hard for them to believe that God would speak in any other way. “Various times and in various ways” show that God does not limit Himself, nor does it mean that the Old Testament was the complete and final revelation of God to us. The Old Testament contains partial revelations that help deepen our understanding of God, His character, His ways, and ultimate purposes.
The New Testament stands out. Specific warnings are given about adding to or removing from the inspired words of the New Testament. Serious consequences await anyone who claims to have a new or different word from the Lord. Even questioning the infallible words of God has its repercussions.
The voice in the silence is unlike any other. It was heard across the vastness of the universe. In darkness and emptiness, united, God began fulfilling His purpose for our race. He started with light, which came from His own being, saying, “Let there be light,” and the light appeared. Among all kinds of light, each has its own place and season. All of it originated from no other source but Him.
He spoke to our parents with instructions in the garden, but they chose to ignore him instead of obeying. As a result, people's hearts have become hardened. Only a few still fear the Lord and His Word. God used chosen men to deliver His messages so He could reach them with His truths. Sadly, men refuse to listen—His words slip away from them, making each person's potential value useless. If someone refuses to hear the Lord, who has spoken in many ways, and turns a deaf ear to God’s calls, then life indeed has no purpose, only thousands of meaningless days. This neglect has condemned us from the very beginning.
There is still some good news: if men listen to God, He hears when we call to Him in prayer. To those who come in true repentance and faith, He will bless them, speaking peace now and forever. His eternal life will be shared. Many people have wasted time, words, and even their entire lives trying to define and explain God. How can mere men expect to explain the unexplainable or define that which is infinite?
We are limited by our own experiences in defining things. Otherwise, we would have to rely on the negative, saying, "God is greater than..." (anything we know) or "Far beyond the limits of our knowledge, understanding, or ability to express." If it were possible to do that, then God wouldn't be God at all. He would simply be an expression of man's opinion. However, some believe they are gods themselves. Because of their inflated self-opinion, they keep trying to do the impossible and make the tragic mistake of saying, "There is no God."
This epistle was written to Hebrew Christians living in a skeptical society where they worshipped the creature more than the Creator. Like them, there are often things happening around us that can discourage us if we only focus on them.
There were many ways God communicated His messages to His people in the Old Testament. Isaiah "saw the Lord high and lifted up in a vision." Jacob saw the Lord at the top of a ladder reaching to heaven in a dream. In some way, both Abraham and Moses saw the Lord personally. We know God is self-revealing. He is self-evident. His creation, our conscience, life's circumstances, and especially the scriptures of truth in the Bible, reveal God to us. God does not need believers to validate His claims about Himself to others. He doesn't need anyone to testify that He is real. In His ways, He spoke to the forefathers, and now He has spoken to us and revealed Himself, "In Son." These "last days" began when Christ was here, and He who is the Promised Messiah has fulfilled God's revelation of Himself. In the ways God spoke in "time past," there was no complete revelation of God. There were partial types and shadows seen in the Tabernacle, the offerings, the ark, as well as in the lives of people like Joseph. The great variety and differences in creation provide general evidence of the infinite wisdom of the Lord. When He speaks to our consciences about specific things happening in our lives, we become aware of the personal ways God relates to us. His care for us, even in times of trouble, reminds us of God's goodness. In every generation, God has those who speak on His behalf as messengers. The spiritual and national fathers spoke to His people on God's behalf, and the prophets spoke as those who instructed and warned His people for Him.