By
Shelby G. Floyd
The Hebrew writer without introduction states his main theme: the superior rank and dignity of Jesus Christ over angels, Moses, prophets and priests:
“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:1-3 NKJV).
The message is simple—God has spoken to man! God has spoken to us at the end of the Jewish economy by His Son—Jesus Christ. And he spoke to us through his apostles “once” (hapax), for all time: “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3 NKJV). Therefore, the “last days” includes the whole Christian age.
Christ is superior to all who spoke for God that went before him because: (1) He is the unique Son of God; (2) God appointed him heir of all things; (3) God made the world through Christ; (4) Jesus is the effulgent image of God the Father; (5) Christ upholds all things by his powerful word; (6) He purged our sins by the sacrifice of himself on the cross; and last of all, (7) He sat down as the reigning Monarch of the Kingdom of Heaven at the right hand of His majesty Jehovah!
Thus Christ is our prophet—he spoke for God; he is our great high priest—he purged our sins; and he is our Mighty King reigning on David’s throne on high—reigning over the Everlasting Kingdom that will stand forever (Daniel 2:44-45).
The term “spoke” in verse two is aorist indicating completed action in the past. It is the leading verb in the context. God previously in ancient times “spoke” to the fathers by (in) the prophets. He did so in many ways and at various times. “Spoke” is from (laleo) and means to speak to one using words in order to declare one’s mind and to disclose one’s thoughts. God therefore speaks to man today through the written word handed down to us in the Old and New Testament. Let us then give heed to and obey God’s Word.
Copyright © 2017 Shelby G. Floyd, All Rights Reserved
Shelby G. Floyd
Heartland Church of Christ
1693 West Main Street
Greenwood, IN 46142