HEBREWS 1:1

“God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways,”

Okay, let’s get the elephant out of the room. No one really knows who wrote this book. Church tradition says Paul wrote it. I tend to agree with that. However, many others say it could have been Barnabas or Luke or Clement of Rome or even Apollos. We won’t know the true author until we get to heaven unless God drops us a note from heaven. The point is this is the Word of God and is inspired by the same Holy Spirit. Women say it is proof that men should always make the coffee – He-brews! Lol.

The author begins by stating the fact that God has spoken to mankind for a long time. It’s kind of like beginning a story by saying, “Once upon a time.” Look at the word “spoke.” This is the Greek word laleo. It literally means to talk audible words. But when applied to God, it refers to His “divine self-disclosure.” (Topical Lexicon) God has always wanted to communicate with mankind, beginning way back in the Garden when He conversed with Adam directly. He is still speaking to us today. We just have to listen.

ASK QUESTIONS

I am going to employ a different method in our study of Hebrews. It is the method we teach in Every Man A Warrior to help men develop the skill of studying the word. So, I will be asking some questions of each verse. Is there a command to obey? Is there a promise to claim? Is there a sin to avoid? Is there an application to make? Is there something new about God? Every verse will not answer all these questions, but they will all have at least one of these. Let’s apply those questions to verse 1.

I plainly see a promise to claim in today’s verse. It says, “He spoke long ago.” Isn’t that a promise you want answered? If God spoke to people in past days, don’t you think He still wants to speak to us? Why don’t we hear God speaking? We have way too many distractions. Between our cellphones, tv and the pace of life, we do not pause long enough to hear Him.

I see an application to make. He spoke “in many portions and in many ways.” Barnes says, “It was not all in one mode. He had employed various methods in communicating his will. At one time it was by direct communication, at another by dreams, at another by visions, etc.” I cannot put God in a box and expect Him to only speak through one source. I know He speaks through His Word. That’s clear. But He can also speak through a song, a person, creation or any other way He chooses to speak. I don’t expect to hear a booming voice from heaven, but He could speak that way if He chose.

Ask yourself today if you are really listening for His voice. Tune your ears to His frequency. Get alone with God and listen. I mean really listen. I pray you hear Him loud and clear. And when you do hear Him, do what He says. Amen? Amen!

O Lord, speak! I want to hear Your voice. I will do as You ask.