The Book of Hebrews
Chapter 1:1
GOD, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,. (Hebrews 1:1) To understand the book of Hebrews one must understand the introduction. This sets the stage on which everything in this book is grounded upon, the All Existent Being who created all things for His own pleasure — GOD. The first word in this introduction, by the Holy Spirit, encompasses the entire book. Authority and power are shown in the magnitude of the God who is All in All. No other book in the cannon of Scripture has the very God of heaven introducing Himself in such a way. Although the theme of this book reflects on Old Testament types and the moral law and ordinances, God is always the center showing us a better way in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore, the key that unlocks Hebrews is the Holy Spirit’s one word, that fills all eternity with His glory then God will be “all in all.” So let us begin our journey precept by precept, line upon line, and led by the Holy Spirit of God.
Why such boldness? There is no salutation, just the word “God.” God wants your eyes to be on Him, God declares Himself first “I AM THAT I AM“(Exodus 3:14). Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM. ( John 8:58)
What you are about to read is the God of heaven revealing Himself. You are standing at the burning bush, which is never consumed, but ever glowing with the glory of God. “For our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:29) The God of heaven and earth begins this book with Himself, all the names of our great Creator are met with majesty, so that we bow to Him, as the Great God, the Only God, the True God, who has done all things well.
“God who in sundry times” the first revelation is “time.” The limits that man has been set into and the primary controlling aspect of man’s life — time. God has counted my days, He has set the time of my departure, and given me breathe for the time of His pleasure. In “time” He has revealed Himself, but these times are at His choosing, for God is not subject to time. He has spoken to us, from the first word spoken to Adam, to the end of our cannon of Scripture “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Revelation 22:20, 21) It is God revealing Himself in the tapestry of time, to all men throughout all time, so that man would be without excuse for not knowing the God of heaven and earth. Man might deny God or His existence but his inner man knows. Though his conscience has been seared by sin, man knows and he has been told, thus the outward witness of sin and death will trouble him all the days of his life. For the word of God has told us, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1)
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. Romans 1:18 -32
Read Genesis 6:1-7; Revelation 6:1-17
In Hebrews verse 1, the word “sundry”seems to be a cosmic word relatingto us. God speaks to us from heaven, and at times in Scripture we are allowed to go into His presence and hear His voice from heaven and in heaven.
And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.
And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.
And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.
And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade
him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. 1 Kings 22:19-22
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
The God of heaven and earth is One God revealing Himself at different times, to manifest His glory and to draw man back to the knowledge of God. So intimate is this knowledge that Scripture declares man can acquire the knowledge of the Holy and can also realize the great plan of redemption. This plan was already prepared when Adam sinned, the very animals that God sacrificed for Adam and Eve to clothe them were for an example of the spotless Lamb without blemish to come in time, the Lord Jesus Christ. This was the first sin offering which would be the first blood sacrifice to cover the sin of man. We are reminded of this offering by Abel’s offering, and through the Old Testament we see a continuous path of sacrifices till our blessed Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ gave Himself as our sacrifice, to bare our sin in His own body on the cross of Calvary. “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)
Time is the first element that God deals with in our verse, He says “sundry times” —time (our time). All men are born into a window of time, a man’s lifetime is his window of time, it may be short or long in years, but, never the less, it is his window of time. History has gone on before him, and future will come after him, but he lives in his time. And so, even the revelation of time is given from God Himself, for He sets the sun to rule byday, and the moon to rule bynight. Most men judge their lives by the time period they have been born into, their surroundings, their political structures, their religious beliefs, and the history that preceded them. These things will never lead men to a knowledge of God. The world is always going it’s own way, and only through the Spirit of God in imparting a new heart can man know God. The world is always going it’s own way without Christ, and the people of God going their way in the presence of Christ. There has always been a division of darkness and light. In Genesis and in the gospel of John, we see the first division and in the gospel of John we see the fruition of this division
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. John 1:1-15
In these verses we see the Son of God come to divide the darkness from the light in the hearts of men. God reveals himself “in sundry times” for all men, so that they are without excuse. As God divided the darkness from the light in creation, the Spirit of God in the Gospel of John tells us that the Word became flesh, and in Him was life, and that life was the light of man. The light shineth in the darkness and the darkness comprehended it not. This is the great division of man under sin and darkness, and the Light sent forth into the world as the Son of God to the redeem man unto Himself.
Verse 12 reveals to us that as many as believed Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God. I would like to emphasis that the Word of God declares that we are the sons of God if we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Our sonship, however, is not equality with Christ but adoption of sons, we are brought in to be joint-heirs with Jesus Christ, and as sons with the Father, we can cry out, “Abba, Father.”
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Romans 8:14-16
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Galatians 4:4-7
In John’s Epistle, he reaffirms this position by writing “behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God.” (1 John 3:1) So the Light shines in the darkness and we have the great division of man without Christ, and the sons of God with Christ. God has revealed Himself at “sundry times.” God walked with Adam, in the cool of the day, and instructed him. There was only one tree that Adam could not partake of, and yet Adam disobeyed God and spiritual darkness descended into the world in the form of sin. God also revealed Himself to Cain and Abel. Abel obeyed and because Cain’s mind was enmity against God, Cain disobeyed, his evil thoughts and his sin drove him to slaughter his brother Abel. God promised the woman a new seed in Seth, and in Seth’s descendants men began to call on the name of the Lord. We read of Enoch the prophet, who walked with God, and he was not, for he pleased God, and God took him. It was as though Enoch began walking one morning with God and God walked him right into heaven to be with Him, but before Enoch’s departure, he prophesied the word of God.
God revealed Himself to a preacher of righteousness, and that preacher found grace in His sight. Then Noah was instructed by God to build an ark, and fulfilled the purpose of God. Throughout Scripture God revealed Himself. He sent men and prophets to draw men unto Himself, and not only at different time periods, but in “diverse manners.” He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings as the great High Priest. He spread before Abraham a table of bread and wine; they fellow shipped together over the symbols of redemption. The Lord Jesus declared in John 8:56, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.” This was the day of all days, when Christ died for the world and for me. God appeared to Abraham many times, they talked about Sodom and Gomorrah, the five cities of the plain, and after their conversation Abraham saw the judgment of God when God rained down fire on unrepentant sinners, and consumed all except Lot and his two daughters, Lot’s wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt.
God appeared to Moses at the burning bush, and at the Holy Mount of Sinai. Moses spoke with God, face to face, and when Moses’ face was aglow the people became frightened, so much so that Moses had the cover his face with a veil. Darkness cannot stand the light of God. Moses probably spent more time with God then any other person. Moses penned five books of the Bible under the direct guidance from God Himself. Moses was sent by God, and his parents saw that he was a proper child.
Moses my servant is dead; Joshua 1:2
So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.
And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. Deuteronomy 34:5, 6
And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face. Deuteronomy 34:10. Thus, God closed the record of Moses.
Next, we have our blessed Lord, revealing Himself to Joshua as“captain of the lord’s host.” And unto us, as captain of our salvation, Hebrews 2:10 “For it became him, for whom [are] all things, and by whom [are] all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” There are many more “diverse manners,” He appeared to Elijah, to Isaiah, to David, to Nebuchadnezzer (a heathen king) as the Son of God, “He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” ( Daniel 3:25) Each time increasing God’s revelation to those who loved Him and delivered them from the fire as a symbol or type of our deliverance from eternal judgment.
(Pausing now, I wish to issue a warning to the unsaved. Time is against you, each second you are without Christ, time is bringing you closer to the judgment of God, and only repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will save you from God’s eternal judgment in fire.)
Our verse of Hebrews 1:1 continues to tell us of the fathers and the prophets, in such a way, to speak directly to them. They became the direct vehicle for God’s word, so they could announce “thus saith the Lord.” “Diverse manners” also brings in the creation. The entire universe is the pulse of His voice, the scientists listen to the stars singing of the glory of God, and don’t even know it because of their hard hearts and the deafness of their ears. The angels of God visit and we are unaware of them, for our eyes have been blinded to their realm.
And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15, 16, 17
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:2
(See the article — The Great Equalizer— Sin)
And in the greatest diverse time period, was the revelation of God the Son. Was this not in a “diverse manner” “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14) In another “diverse manner” John the Baptist was sent by God to Zechariah and Elizabeth when they were past the age of child bearing. At other times the hand and voice of God spoke with thunder and lightening, and at other times with a still small voice.
And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:
And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. 1 Kings 19:11-14
God sent prophets in all manner of conditions, in wars, in peace, in drought, in plagues, in storms, in conflict with government, in conflict with people, in conflict with evil, and some in conflict with their very own lives. (Read the entire book of Jeremiah.) Throughout all these times and manners, His prophets had holy fortitude and strength to say, “thus saith the Lord.” Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:20, 21
These men were led of the Spirit of God and not by the spirit of men. Today, many say the Bible has many interpretations, this is a false statement. The Word of God has only one interpretation, and that is God’s and not man’s. There is no error with or in the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit still hovers over those who are sent by God, so that they can truly say,“thus saith the Lord.” verse 20 of 2 Peter 1, states “no private interpretation” this means not a committee of men. The word “interpretation” here specifies only one and that is God’s. Those who walk in the Spirit of Christ know that God the Father is jealous for His Son. Therefore, God feels contempt for men of reprobate minds who try to mislead God’s people and who attempt to pervert the Word of God.
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 1:4
It is up to God’s people to try the spirits in order to know if they be of God or not. Before I end with this verse in Hebrews 1:1, I would like to mention “time” one more time. Time is a progressive constant, it is historical, present, and future. The Bible in a divine way treats all three, historical, present and future, it looks back in time, treats and reveals the present and looks on to the future when time will be no longer. This is done in complete unity with God’s mind, only the Creator of all things could have penned this book. As one said, “the only book.”
Time — what is in time? God’s creation, man’s fall, God’s revelation of Himself, God’s plan of redemption, with God Himself paying my debt, dying for my sin on Calvary’s cross — this is all in God’s time. Be still, oh my soul, and muse on the Great God and my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hebrews 1:1
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10
Amen.
© Copyright 2014, Michael C. Haigh
Hebrews 1:2 will soon follow.
All Scripture references are from the Authorized King James Bible (KJV).