Are there song lyrics, or passages of Scripture, or a section of the Gettysburg Address that you haven’t heard or read lately but when you do, you immediately know the words and find yourself joining the singer/speaker? I love when it happens “out in the wild” as my nieces say, out in public somewhere where you have no control over the content coming forth but it triggers something in your memory. A good something in your memories.
The beginning of the Book of Hebrews is one of those places for me. Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son …
The first time I recall reading those words comes to mind immediately. I remember the room, the women I was with, and a physical something that brought awareness that this paragraph we had just read together was stating a most amazing truth to grasp and consider deeply and often.
It was like a clunk in my brain, a good clunk. A moving of my understanding that connected what I can know about God and Jesus from brain-work to heart-work.
But I admit I have never memorized this passage. I know it in bits, but I think it is time to put the bits together and claim it. Will you join me? Over the next few weeks, let’s memorize Hebrews 1.1-4. Let’s start with the first verse:
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets. Hebrews 1.1
So what does it mean that God spoke to our fathers by the prophets? Verse 2 next week will help fill in the answer. But for now … Right from the beginning, the author acknowledges God the Father inspired His chosen messengers to deliver His truths and warnings out of His great love for His people. Through his letter, the author will encourage the recipients to claim Jesus’ superiority is far, far above all other messengers.
To set the stage for this so meaningful passage … The Book of Hebrews was inspired by God as is all of the Holy Bible. But it is never stated who wrote this letter to the Hebrew people (likely about 40 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection) and scholars generally concur that the author remains anonymous. What we can infer from Scripture is that it was written by a person Jewish (Hebrew) by heritage and Christian by faith in Jesus as the Son of God who became a man to be our Savior. This letter is written to Jewish Christians (and Gentile Christians) who are finding it a difficult life. The author strongly encourages perseverance in the faith and offers warnings of the dangers of not staying connected to the Christian community.
Need some encouragement to persevere? To stay connected to your Christian community? Need the best reason to persevere? Jesus is the reason!
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets. Hebrews 1.1
Trusting the Lord with you, Colleen