Hebrews 1:1-4 New International Version
1In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 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. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
1 First Impression
I’m 54, been in church since I was born, and I have never studied Hebrews. I am a visual learner and just seeing it broken out the way I did with the quotes set out was impressive to me. I expect you guys to teach me a lot going through this.
2 How did God speak to our ancestors? Why did He change His messenger? What other big picture changes impact you between the earliest Old Testament books to the New Testament books?
Visions and dreams through imperfect people. To speak directly from the divine experience. Either way required faith to walk with God; before through shear depth of relationship, after through revealed path.
3 How does the message from Christ differ from the message before?
From personal perspective. Instead of “I saw a vision”, it became “I saw it”.
4 As heir, what does Christ inherit?
Everything.
5 Made the universe. What does this phrase mean to you and how does it impact your thoughts of God?
Just shows how big He really is.
6 The radiance of God’s glory. What does this mean to you? How can you be the radiance of God’s glory or can you?
A brightness that others can see. Be so different that our relationship to God shines through all we do.
7 The exact representation of His being. How can you explain this term to someone who knows nothing of God?
This is the result of so much that you have to start small and build to this point. It requires a relationship or at least a very long slow progressive discussion of the underlying assumptions.
8 Sustaining all things by His powerful word. Is this a one and done speaking, continual modification, the Bible or what?
Continual modification based on the obedience of people or their prayers.
9 God rested after 6 days of creating, Christ sat down after “providing purification for sins”. What can we learn from these two examples? Are they the same?
For me it was that we have a certain amount to do here on earth and then we will rest in heaven. I am sure they are more different in other ways than the same in this one way.
10 “the Majesty”. Have you heard God addressed this way before? What does it tell you about Him?
I had not. It tells me God is inherently sovereign, and nothing is or happens that He is not Lord over.
11 Christ inherited a name. What name is that?
God.
12 Became superior and a superior name. Was He not already superior with a superior name? What do we learn?
I assumed having started as God, He was always superior. The separation was real although beyond my comprehension. Jesus as the Son of Man fulfilled the need of paying for our sins and returned to being God.
I heard a new idea that God was like a piece of clay. Take off a little piece like Jesus and it is still identical to the main piece of God in ever aspect, but separate. When returned, He is indistinguishable from the whole. The same applies to the Holy Spirit that lives in us. As an engineer tough to apply science to reality, I identify with this example.
I learned a lot from these few verses and questions and I look forward to this study.