Heb 1:1-3 | MHM | STEP | Law and Gospel Compared; Dignity and Glory of Christ. The opening verses of Hebrews explain how God has revealed himself to humanity. The passage compares the way God spoke in Old Testament times with the greater way he now speaks through Jesus Christ. The commentary highlights that both the law and the gospel are from God, but the gospel is far superior because of how and through whom God has spoken. This section introduces the unique role of Christ as God’s Son, the final and greatest messenger, and explains his glory, power, and the importance of his work for us. v. 1 : In the past, God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets. These prophets were chosen and prepared by God to reveal his will. God did not speak to everyone, but to the “fathers,” the people of faith in the Old Testament. He spoke in many different times and ways—sometimes through dreams, visions, or even an audible voice. For example, he told Adam that the Messiah would come from Eve’s descendants (Genesis 3:15 ), Abraham that the Messiah would be his offspring (Genesis 22:18 ), and David that the Messiah would be from his family line (2 Samuel 7:12-13 ). Sometimes God spoke clearly, like with Moses, and sometimes in dreams or visions, as he explained in If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known to him in a vision, and will speak to him in a dream. Not so with my servant Moses: with him I will speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches (Numbers 12:6-8 ).

‏ Hebrews 1:1-3

Law and Gospel Compared; Dignity and Glory of Christ.

The opening verses of Hebrews explain how God has revealed himself to humanity. The passage compares the way God spoke in Old Testament times with the greater way he now speaks through Jesus Christ. The commentary highlights that both the law and the gospel are from God, but the gospel is far superior because of how and through whom God has spoken. This section introduces the unique role of Christ as God’s Son, the final and greatest messenger, and explains his glory, power, and the importance of his work for us.

v. 1: In the past, God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets. These prophets were chosen and prepared by God to reveal his will. God did not speak to everyone, but to the “fathers,” the people of faith in the Old Testament. He spoke in many different times and ways—sometimes through dreams, visions, or even an audible voice. For example, he told Adam that the Messiah would come from Eve’s descendants (Genesis 3:15 ^a), Abraham that the Messiah would be his offspring (Genesis 22:18 ^b), and David that the Messiah would be from his family line (2 Samuel 7:12-13 ^c). Sometimes God spoke clearly, like with Moses, and sometimes in dreams or visions, as he explained in If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known to him in a vision, and will speak to him in a dream. Not so with my servant Moses: with him I will speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches (Numbers 12:6-8 ^d).

v. 2: Now, in these last days, God has spoken to us by his Son. The “last days” mean both the end of the Jewish age and the time before the end of the world. The gospel is God’s final revelation—nothing more will be added. God’s Son is the most excellent messenger, greater than any prophet or patriarch. Jesus is the one through whom God has chosen to reveal everything we truly need to know about him.

v. 3: The writer describes the greatness of Jesus. He is the “heir of all things,” meaning God has given him authority over everything (Psalm 2:6-7; Matthew 28:18 ^e; John 5:22 ^f). Through Jesus, God made the universe, both things seen and unseen. Jesus also sustains everything by his powerful word—he keeps the world together and rules over all creation. When sin broke the world, Jesus, through his work of redemption, restored it by his power and goodness. None of the prophets had such a role or power.