GOD SPEAKS TO US

PROCLAMATION

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe.”  Hebrews 1:1-2 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by an unknown human author to the Hebrew believers, and indirectly to all believers.  The Bible Book of Hebrews begins with two assumptions.  The first is that there is a God, and the second is that God speaks to His people.  God spoke to His people through the prophets. (Hebrews 1:1)  Later, He spoke to His people through His Son, Jesus, The Christ. (Hebrews 1:2)  Now He speaks to us through The Holy Bible.  For most of this first chapter, the author provides evidence that Jesus, The Christ, is superior to the angels (Hebrews 1:5-14) by quoting Old Testament scriptures. (Psalm 2:7, 2 Samuel 7:12-14, Psalm 97:7, Psalm 104:4, Psalm 102:25-27, and Psalm 110:1)

 

APPLICATION

This epistle provides Biblical evidence that Jesus, The Christ, is the Son of God.  By His spoken word He is the creator and sustainer of all things. (Hebrews 1:3)  Before Christ came to earth, God provided guidance to His people through His chosen prophets, from Moses to Malachi. Then He spoke through Jesus, The Christ, who spent most of His earthly ministry teaching.  After He had finished the redemptive work on the cross to save our souls and pay for our sins, Christ returned to heaven and now sits at the right hand of God, The Father. (Hebrews 1:3)  Now, God speaks to us through His Holy Bible.  If we want to know what “thus sayeth The Lord,” we need to read and study The Word of God.  All of the guidance and direction that we need is contained therein.

 

LISTEN CAREFULLY BECAUSE THE LORD GOD SPEAKS TO HIS PEOPLE

Proclamation:

“Now Samuel did not yet know The Lord; The Word of The Lord had not yet been revealed to him.  A third time The Lord called, ‘Samuel!’  And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am; you called me.’  Then Eli realized that The Lord was calling the boy.  So Eli told Samuel, ‘Go and lie down, and if He calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’  So Samuel went and lay down in his place.”  1 Samuel 3:7-9 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  The young boy, Samuel, was being raised up in the temple by Eli, the priest. (Samuel 3:1)  His mother, Hannah, had given him to Eli to keep her vow to The Lord God for giving her a son. (Samuel 1:24-28)  Samuel was being trained in the temple but he did not know The Lord God for himself.  That is why he got up from his resting place and ran to Eli three times because he thought that the priest was calling him. (1 Samuel 3:2-8)  Eli finally realized that The Lord God was calling Samuel so Eli told him to answer The Lord the next time that He calls him.  This was Samuel’s call into the service of The Lord and He was with him from this point on, and Samuel was recognized as a prophet of The Lord. (1 Samuel 3:19-21)

Application:

Everyone cannot hear the voice of The Lord God.  Some people hear only a noise, (Acts 9:7) or a sound like thunder (Exodus 19:16) but nothing which they can understand.  Those who hear the voice of The Lord and obey it will be blessed. (Deuteronomy 28:2 and 30:10)  There are times when The Lord God speaks in “a still small voice” to His people. (1 Kings 19:12-13)  At times the voice of The Lord is powerful. (Psalms 29:4-5)  The voice of God can create something out of nothing. (Genesis 1:1-30)  At other times His voice can be soft and gentle.  Jesus, The Christ, said that His sheep know His voice and follow Him. (John 10:27)  This text was Samuel’s call to service of The Lord.  As a believer there a special and unique work which The Lord God has for each one of us to do.  We need to listen carefully for our call, answer it, and then get busy doing whatever it is that The Lord has for us.  He speaks to us today through His Holy Word so read it prayerfully.  Woe be unto them who hear the voice of The Lord and understand it but harken not unto it. (Deuteronomy 28:62 and 1 Samuel 12:15) 

GOD SPOKE TO US THROUGH THE PROPHETS THEN THROUGH HIS SON AND NOW THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD

Proclamation:

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at various times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe.”  Hebrews 1:1-2 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by an unknown human author to the Hebrew believers, and indirectly to all believers.  The Bible Book of Hebrews begins with two assumptions.  The first is that there is a God, and the second is that God speaks to His people.  God spoke to His people through the prophets. (Hebrews 1:1)  Later, He spoke to His people through His Son, Jesus, The Christ. (Hebrews 1:2)  Now He speaks to us through The Holy Bible.  For most of this first chapter, the author provides evidence that Jesus, The Christ, is superior to the angels (Hebrews 1:5-14) by quoting Old Testament scriptures. (Psalm 2:7, 2 Samuel 7:12-14, Psalm 97:7, Psalm 104:4, Psalm 102:25-27, and Psalm 110:1)

Application:

This epistle provides Biblical evidence that Jesus, The Christ, is the Son of God.  By His spoken word He is the creator and sustainer of all things. (Hebrews 1:3)  Before Christ came to earth, God provided guidance to His people through His chosen prophets, from Moses to Malachi. Then He spoke through Jesus, The Christ, who spent most of His earthly ministry teaching.  After He had finished the redemptive work on the cross to save our souls and pay for our sins, Christ returned to heaven and now sits at the right hand of God, The Father. (Hebrews 1:3)  Now, God speaks to us through His Holy Bible.  If we want to know what “thus sayeth The Lord,” we need to read and study The Word of God.  The guidance and direction we need is contained therein.