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00 10 08 God Has Spoken

God Has Spoken
Hebrews 1:1-2

The past four decades have witnessed the Christian church wrestling over the authority of Holy Scripture for faith and life. Battle lines have been drawn. Denominations have split. Seminaries have been overturned. Accusations have been made. Books have been written. And in the aftermath, the Word of God is still the same; its authority undiminished; and our need for the Word of God unchanged.

We must admit that there are many opinions over the Word of God. Some hold a high view of Scripture while others find biblical authority and its inerrancy laughable. Admittedly, most of the debate on the Scripture’s authority and inerrancy has taken place in the realm of academia. Local churches rarely enter the fray other than on the coattails of noted pastors whose high profile positions demand that they offer opinions. Meanwhile churches pay little attention to the personalities or substance of the debates. They just want to know what the Word of God has to say to them in the nitty-gritty demands of life.

While I have appreciated so many that have rightly stood for the authority of God’s Word over the years, there is a greater appreciation for the unnamed believers that simply want to know what God has spoken. For the beleaguered Christians living around Rome to whom this letter was addressed, their concern was the same. What has God spoken? Was there an authoritative word from Heaven? They had endured imprisonment, confiscation of their worldly goods, and public humiliation (Heb. 10:32-34) during the persecution of the Roman Emperor Claudius in 49 AD. Now they faced it again, but this time with more intensity under the reign of the madman, Nero in the early part of the AD 60s. Christians were being blamed for the empire’s problems. The heat increased upon this small group of Christians who battled Jewish religious influence on one hand and Roman persecution on the other. Would they continue in the faith? Would they be able to stand firm upon what they had been taught? Would they find the Lord and their relationship with him to be sufficient for the intensity of their days?

But that was centuries ago. Times have changed. Or have they? Most of the world’s population faces persecution for openly expressing faith in Jesus Christ. With the likes of the Jesus Seminar, postmodern religious philosophy, New Age mysticism, and the plurality of religious beliefs becoming common, the tug away from historic Christianity increases. Our need is not to know what the great theologians have to say or what the leading pulpiteers think, in spite of how helpful they may be. Rather, has God spoken?
If God has spoken, then we can stand firmly upon the rock of divine revelation in the midst of the storms of persecution and anti-Christian religious influence.
If God has spoken, then we can face the temporal problems before us knowing that there is an eternal Word directing us.
If God has spoken, then we can endure political upheavals, Middle East conflicts, global economic problems, and a multitude of other despairing circumstances. If God has spoken, then we can press on in our faith relationship to Jesus Christ.

God has spoken! We must bring our fears, questions, anxieties, and problems to this singular reality: God has spoken.
What does it mean to know that God has spoken? Consider with me the striking reality that God has spoken.

I. God spoke

The book of Hebrews has been described as a sermonic exhortation rather than simply a letter. It begins without personality introduction and the normal elements of an ancient letter or epistle. It is “the most extensively developed and logically sustained piece of theological argumentation in the whole of the New Testament” [Philip E. Hughes, The Epistle to the Hebrews, 35]. Its beginning is majestic; confronting us with the message that God has spoken to sinful mankind. The emphasis upon the Word of God and hearing the Word that is spoken continues in the exhortation. In 2:1 we are told that in light of the greatness of Jesus Christ in comparison to the angels, “we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.” Then he explains that if the word that was delivered through the work of angels “proved unalterable,” so that those who disobeyed that word were duly punished, “how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” (2:3). That is, how will we who have heard the revelation concerning Jesus Christ and responded to that revelation, escape neglecting it or withdrawing from it? Three times in chapters three and four the unknown author exhorts from the Old Testament, “Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as when they provoked Me” (3:7-8, 15, 4:7). He ends chapter four with the immortal words, “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (4:12-13). Each of these texts reminds us of the thrust of the opening lines: God has spoken.

With every trying time of life, it seems that we want to hear a voice of authority speaking to help us through such times. I remember the Wednesday, almost a decade ago, that news broke that American planes had bombed Iraq. I had a steady stream of thoughts running through my mind: would this be a global war? Would we face terrorists? Would this mean that germ warfare would begin? Would this mean that the draft would be reinstated? Like most of you, I waited to hear what the President had to say about this event. It was the voice of authority that assuaged my fears and gave courage to face the days ahead.

In greater fashion, as these believers struggled with the mounting pressures of persecution and religious confusion, they needed to hear from God. Christianity was certainly not dominating the religious scene of the Roman Empire. Christians were only a small portion of the empire, certainly in the minority. Persecution by Jews and now by Nero made it questionable in their minds that the church could continue to exist. But now the divine authority spoke to their fears.

1. Ascribes personality to God

The Bible is the record of God’s revelation to us. In it, God has spoken. “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son.” It is the Almighty, the Creator of the universe that has broken the silence between heaven and earth. Hearing an emperor or president or king speak is wonderful, but unimportant in comparison with the Voice of the Almighty speaking.

The church father Athanasius records that the monk, Antony, was of such reputation that he received letters from the Roman emperors. He called the monks to him and told them, “Do not be astonished if an emperor writes to us, for he is a man; but rather wonder that God wrote the Law for men and has spoken to us through his own Son” [Philip E. Hughes, The Epistle to the Hebrews, 37]. Are you ever astonished by the fact that God has spoken to you? When we consider that there is nothing that man has or can do that will add one infinitesimal drop to the greatness or perfections of God, it is a wonder that he has spoken to us. There are no advantages to him by speaking to us. Yet God has spoken.

Only persons can speak. The wind, an inanimate force, can make noise but cannot communicate with us. Wind has no personality, no ability to think or make decisions or carry out plans. Our God is not a force or a philosophical concept but a living person. “God…has spoken to us,” the writer says with amazement. This same God that created the world, destroyed it by the flood, chose Israel from the nations, and raised up and conquered kingdoms has spoken to us. He is a person with the personality that enables him to communicate with humanity.

Relationships come with personhood. But with this personhood is also the realization that man’s relationship with God has been offended and thus broken by sin. God had communicated with Adam in the Garden, giving him instruction to exercise dominion over the earth, to be fruitful and multiply in the earth. With this he also gave man a command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But the relationship was broken when man disobeyed God’s communication. Due to the purpose and mercy of the Lord, for man to be restored in his relationship to God, then God the Almighty had to communicate with man. Thus, “God…has spoken to us.”

2. Assumes communication with man

Since God has spoken then we understand that he is communicating to man. “God…has spoken to us.” There are occasions when we see God speaking to the elements as in the wind and waves, but here we find that he speaks to us. If God is speaking then it means that we had better hear what he is saying. Do you consider this as you pick up the Bible to read or sit in a class to hear the Word taught or proclaimed? If God is communicating then it demands that we hear and respond.

Communication requires the use of symbols or words that have some kind of meaning to all involved in the communication. If a baseball catcher flashes a series of finger signs to a pitcher it communicates something to the pitcher but may not communicate anything to the others who see the signs. Communication has taken place between two people while others do not understand what is being said through signs.

Language communicates, if you understand the language being spoken. Someone who speaks Swahili could stand in front of our congregation and carry on a thirty-minute discourse but he would not communicate with us. Communication requires that certain words or symbols be used between the speaker and hearer that both understand.

While it is true that God has communicated to us through nature to a degree, the revelation coming through nature is limited. We understand the basic idea of Creator and order through nature, but know nothing of God’s personhood or what he requires of us through the revelation of nature. But when he uses words that we understand then communication goes to a completely different level. It is through the use of words that have meaning that God has communicated with us. Every word God has spoken has significant meaning for those with whom he communicates. This is why the issue of the inspiration of Holy Scripture is of such magnitude. Paul tells us, “All Scripture is inspired by God,” or all Scripture is God-breathed or breathed into by God (II Tim. 3:16). The word (theopneustos) was a rabbinic term that referred to every word coming from the mouth of God. Proverbs declares, “Every word of God is tested,” then adds, “Do not add to His words or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar” (Prov. 30:5-6). Some would say that it is just the concepts of Scripture that are important. But the Bible deems every word as important, inspired, and inerrant. For it is in words that are common to man that God puts together precisely to communicate his will and purpose to man. Through a time-span of 1500 years utilizing over 40 authors and three languages, God communicated his words to man with precision. Centuries later we have translations in hundreds of languages of the words God has spoken so that men from every ethno-linguistic group might hear the Word of God in their own tongue. God has spoken, and he has something to say. Are you listening to the words of God spoken to you through the Scripture?

3. Affirms that He has something to say

To the Jewish Christians and smattering of Gentiles addressed in this epistle, “God…has spoken.” To us who face the uncertainties of the new millennium, “God…has spoken to us.” We need what God has spoken.

If an analysis could be done of how much time we give to God’s Word, how much we value it, and how much it affects our lives, what would this analysis say about you and the Word of God? We are so engaged with a plethora of activities and demands that we often give only scant attention to the Word of God. But the fact that “God…has spoken,” demands that we give attention to what he has said. For God does not waste words. He is not speaking to simply hear himself! God has spoken so that we might know him.

Peter did not always make the right comment when confronted with a difficult situation. But on the occasion when many who claimed to be followers of Christ had left him, Jesus asked the disciples, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” Peter declared, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life” (John 6:67-68, italics added). It was the communication of Jesus Christ in words to these poor Galileans that impacted them. They understood that he was none other than God himself, clothed in humanity, and the one who came to redeem them from their sins. It was these “words” that changed their lives. Words awakened them to their need and Christ’s provision for their eternities.

Paul affirmed that it was these words as the spoken word of God “which performs its work in you who believe” (I Thes. 1:13). Jesus described the seed planted upon the soil of the heart as “the word of God” understood, that bears the fruit of salvation in our lives (Matt. 13:23). James explains that we are brought forth in regeneration “by the word of truth” (James 1:18). What God has to say through his Word is the only means that sinful men have to be delivered from their sins and brought into a right relationship with God. It is not by some feeling that we might work ourselves into, it is not by some great deeds that we might do, it is not by our association with the right kind of people, but it is the words of God, spoken in communicative terms, that reveals the depth of our sin and the certainty of God’s provision of salvation through Jesus Christ in his death and resurrection.

II. God has spoken to us

The fact that God has spoken is wondrous in itself. But even grander is the reality that God has spoken to us. “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.” Consider how the writer personalizes his statement. “God…has spoken to us.” Do we deserve the voice of God speaking through Scripture? Do we realize that we must have the words of God spoken through Scripture?

1. Progressively through the prophets

Old Testament revelation was incomplete. One prophet built upon another in anticipation of the completion of divine revelation in the Messiah. Though the underlying theme of God’s grace runs throughout the Old Testament, it is there that we see the austerity of the Law and divine judgment upon the nations. There we learn the seriousness of God’s demands, the certainty of judgment, and see the glimpses of God’s promises through the Messiah.

The author declares, “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways.” The term, “many portions,” points to the fragmentary character of the former revelations that we find in the Old Testament. Part of the Jewish religious leaders’ problem was that they held tenaciously to the fragmentary rather than clinging to the whole or complete revelation in Christ. God had spoken through the prophets but not with finality as he did through Jesus Christ. The people of Israel “were like men listening to a clock striking the hour, always getting nearer the truth but obliged to wait till the whole is heard” [Expositor’s Greek Testament quoted by Kenneth Wuest, Word Studies, 32].

He adds, “God…spoke long ago…in many ways.” This reminds us of the varied geographical locations from which the prophets spoke as well as the variety of manner they received revelation. Moses spoke God’s revelation in the wilderness of Sinai; Joshua received it in Canaan land. Amos spoke the divine word in Israel while Jeremiah spoke it in Judah and Egypt. Daniel received God’s word in Babylon while Jonah spoke his brief message in Nineveh of Assyria. The locales varied as did the manner the prophets received God’s revelation.

Through theophanies or appearances of God in some physical manner, as in smoking fire or a burning bush, God spoke his word. He also spoke through dreams and visions as with Joseph, Daniel, and Ezekiel. Joshua and Gideon received the divine word through angelic messengers. Moses held in his hands stone tablets that God himself had written on. Most often the Lord inspired men to speak and write his revealed will. Peter said that they spoke as the Holy Spirit moved them (II Pet.1:21). Under the Spirit’s influence, God spoke his words progressively through the Old Testament prophets. This revelation was marked by incompleteness and anticipation of God’s final revelation in the Lord Jesus Christ. Raymond Brown has expressed this clearly:
Ezekiel portrayed the glory of God, but Christ reflected it…. Isaiah expounded the nature of God as holy, righteous and merciful, but Christ manifested it…. Jeremiah described the power of God, but Christ displayed it…. He far surpasses the best of prophets in earlier times and those wavering Christians [along with us] must listen to his voice [The Bible Speaks Today—Hebrews, 28].
2. Finally in His Son

But “in these last days” God has spoken in a complete, final way: “in His Son.” The “last days” points to the culminating era of humanity and the ending of the progressive and partial revelation given in the past. This was a common rabbinic term referring to the time of the Messiah. The Bible states that we are in “the last days,” for we live in the era of God’s final revelation in Jesus Christ.

“God…has spoken to us in His Son.” The Greek structure expressed the nature and character of this voice of finality by say he “has spoken to us in His Son.” The absence of the article “the” points to the nature of Christ being one with the Father. His character as Son qualifies Him to speak with finality. The verb tense for “has spoken” shows that the revelation is complete and final. We cannot add to what God has spoken through and concerning his Son. Philip Hughes writes, “God has spoken to us by a Son” crystallizes in a single sentence the message and the meaning of the New Testament, not only because the New Testament is the witness to the redeeming act of God in Christ but also because it is the summation of the teaching of him who himself is the authentic Word of God (Jn. 1:1ff.)” [P. Hughes 38]. There is no other gospel than that given in Jesus Christ.

Paul adds that we, as the church, are built upon the revelation given to the apostles and prophets with Christ Himself being the cornerstone in which the entire revelation fits together completely (Eph. 2:19-22; note the order of “apostle” before “prophet” to demonstrate the priority of their authority). Why do men look beyond Jesus Christ, beyond the gospel to find a relationship with God? They have not believed the authoritative voice of the living Word (John’s Logos), Jesus Christ. God has spoken to us ultimately, authoritatively, and finally in His Son.

But what qualifies Jesus Christ to exceed the voice of the patriarchs, prophets, and angels? He is Son. As Son, “all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form” (Col. 2:9). As Son, He is the One in whom all the attributes, character, and nature of God has been manifest. ‘If you have seen Me,’ Jesus declared, ‘you have seen the Father…I and the Father are one’ (John 14:9; 10:30).

As Son, Jesus Christ is heir in a unique sense. Plummer comments, “…in his own right and by reason of his infinite and glorious righteousness the Lord Jesus is heir of all things. He merits all honor and riches. He deserves all the glory he has ever received from men, from angels and from God the Father” [William Plummer, The Epistle to the Hebrews, 22-23]. “Heir of all things” includes all kingdoms, all nations, all worth, and glory. The concept of heir is likely derived from Psalm 2:8, “I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession.” There is nothing that will not be his as heir of God.

“Through whom also He made the world,” expresses “what the Son was to possess he had been instrumental in making” [Moffatt quoted by R. Brown 30]. Consider that the writer’s audience felt that their whole world was coming unglued. They faced untold fears by the chaos wrought through the devious actions of Nero. So he reminded them that the One who created the universe out of nothing, who brought the chaos of darkness into creation light, this one has spoken with finality; this one is sufficient for the chaos of life.

On the occasion when Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John, the disciples were thrilled that Moses and Elijah had appeared with Christ. Moses the lawgiver and Elijah the representative of the prophets stood before them conversing with Christ. Peter had a bright idea: build three booths, one for Moses, one for Elijah, and one for Christ. The implication was that he was equating them. But the Voice from heaven settled this mistaken idea. “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” (Matt. 17:5). You have heard the Law and the prophets, but now the revelation of Jesus Christ excels them all. God has spoken with finality in Jesus Christ. Do you listen to Him? Are there other words directing and dominating your life outside the revelation of Jesus Christ?

Conclusion

“God has spoken…” are you listening? When our hearts are bent on following after our own desires and designs, then we are not listening. When our affections toward Christ are cold, then we are not listening. When we think nothing of neglecting the Word of God, whether written or spoken, then we are not listening. When we have heard the gospel of Christ, but refused to repent and believe, then we are not listening. God has spoken to us in his Son: listen to him.