God Speaks and Makes a Personal Appearance
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God Spoke
If you’re around Christian believers much, you may hear someone say, “The Lord told me…” or “God spoke to me about….” You might wonder if they’re hearing voices no one else hears, or whether it’s possible to hear God speak personally.
Our primary guide for hearing God speak needs to be the Bible—God’s written Word—illuminated by the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). When Jesus taught His disciples, He did so from the Law, Prophets, and the Psalms—our Old Testament (Luke 24:44).
During the last night Jesus shared with His closest followers, He told them of the Holy Spirit who would guide them in understanding the truth. Jesus even called the Holy Spirit the “Spirit of Truth” (John 15:26).
So, when someone says something like, “The Lord told me…,” you’ll want to see if what they say agrees with the Bible and bears witness to the Spirit of God in your heart.
As the book of Hebrews begins, we’re told how God spoke to Israel in the past. Then we’re told that God spoke in a specific and personal way when He came to earth as the Son of God (John 1:1-3).
Scripture Text
In the past God spoke to our ancestors at many different times and in many different ways through the prophets. In these last days he has spoken to us through his Son.
God made his Son responsible for everything. His Son is the one through whom God made the universe. His Son is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact likeness of God’s being. He holds everything together through his powerful words.
After he had cleansed people from their sins, he now holds the honored position—the one next to the majestic God the Father on the heavenly throne. (Hebrews 1:1-3 GW)
[Context– Hebrews 1]
Key Phrase —
In these last days he [God] has spoken to us through his Son.
Dig Deeper Into the Text—
To whom did God speak in past times? Through whom and how did He speak to them?
How did God speak in later times and how is this relevant for all people?
What are we told about Jesus—the Son of God? How is He greater than the prophets?
What do the descriptions and explanations given tell us about Him?
Things to Consider—
This scripture text reveals two important things about God’s Son—who He is and what He did for all humanity. We find out several things in these three verses. First, God didn’t just speak through His prophets, He came to earth and spoke in person through His Son—Jesus Christ. This is extraordinary!
The God who created all that exists humbled Himself and became human, yet without losing His divine nature. God—who is by nature spirit and sovereign over all—entered the world He created. God embedded Himself in His own creation to reveal Himself to us!
He is supreme (sovereign) over all things and people. Jesus is the one who spoke all things into existence as Creator (Genesis 1:3) and sustains all creation through His powerful word (also see Colossians 1:17). He reveals God's very essence as the Light of the world and the perfect picture of God the Father (John 14:9).
Because of who He is, He provided a way for all people everywhere to be free from the dominion of sin. He proved this by rising from the dead to sit at the place of authority next to His Father.
I also see what I call the Essential Gospel—He (Jesus) Came, He Died, He Rose. The Essential Gospel is the foundation for what the book of Hebrews reveals throughout its thirteen chapters.
Answer These Questions to Apply God’s Word in Your Life—
If God spoke in person, shouldn’t we listen and hear what He says?
What is God speaking to you about in these verses regarding your life?
How is what God made known through His Son relevant to your daily life?
Here’s a link to a free study guide for the book of Hebrews— Study Guide and Study Questions for Hebrews
