Consider the fact that God “has spoken” (Hebrews 1:2). Our God is not an impersonal, silent “first cause” or an unknowable deity. From the beginning of creation, He has spoken (Genesis 1:3). He has issued promises, predictions, commands, and warnings. It wasn’t enough that God spoke through angels and prophets; He ultimately chose to speak to us by His Son. We could never know deliverance from sin or experience a relationship with God, except in the Son, the Word of God who “became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). It was not possible for Old Testament believers to know God as we may know Him today through saving faith in His Son.

When a person speaks, he indicates that he believes the one addressed is capable of understanding and exchanging thoughts and messages. That God has spoken is proof of His desire for fellowship with His children. He communicates His glory, His love, His blessings through His Word. People’s words have influenced nations and changed the courses of history. Words carry weight, measured by what we think of the speaker, his wisdom, his knowledge of his subject, his truthfulness and forcefulness. What then should God’s words be worth to us?

That God has spoken is proof of His desire for fellowship with His children. He communicates His glory, His love, His blessings through His Word.

When a person speaks, he expects that those addressed will give him courteous attention. God asks that we listen as He speaks to us by His Son. Christ Himself is God’s message to us. The Bible is the channel communicating His thoughts and purposes for our lives and for the world. But unless there is a response in our hearts, the fact that God has spoken will be of no effect in our lives. This truth is illustrated in the parable of the farmer recorded in Mark 4:1–20. Unless the “seed” of the Word is accepted—sprouting and producing a crop of faith—it will not be fruitful in our lives.

John 1:1–4, which speaks of Jesus, shows that God’s Word is much more than a spoken Word: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.” Jesus is the Living Word, evidenced in the lives of all who listen and yield to His presence and power.

The phrase, “In these last days” (Hebrews 1:2), refers to the entire period from the birth of Christ until His second coming to earth—so its message is for you and me. The glory of the Lord Jesus and His continued ministry as our high priest are explained in Hebrews. As we study [the book of Hebrews], the words, “God has spoken,” will become a reality and fill our hearts with joy and adoration. Have you heard Him say, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24)? Have you heard Him urging you to be filled with the knowledge of His will?

Spiritual wisdom and understanding will enable and empower you to live in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all things. Either you will hear God speaking in His Son, or you will turn an indifferent and deaf ear to His claims. How will you respond?

Excerpt from Joy of Living Bible Studies: Hebrews Part 2, Commentary by Jean W. Randall. Order the full study here: Part 1; Part 2.