Hebrews 1:1-2 places God’s speaking into two different parts. Look at each of these:
TIME HAS TWO PARTS
”Long ago” (1:1)
”in these last days” (1:2)
GOD’S PEOPLE ARE IN TWO GROUPS
”God spoke to our fathers” (1:1)
”He has spoken to us” (1:2)
GOD HAS USED TWO METHODS
”by the prophets” (1:1)
”by His Son” (1:2)
In the past God used the prophets as His main method of speaking. He used them “at many times and in many ways.” Yet all along God planned to use a better method for the last part of history. “In these last days” He has spoken “by His Son.”
The verses which come next in Hebrews show why the Son is far better. He is the same as God, and He represents God in the most clear and exact way.
”He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature” (Hebrews 1:3).
ERV: The Son shows the glory of God. He is a perfect copy of God’s nature.
The old prophets give us much of the basic knowledge that we need. What they said is still true. Yet God wants us to know more fully what He is like. God has much to say especially “to us.” That is why we should learn from God’s Son, Jesus Christ.
The Bible becomes much easier to understand when we realize that God has dealt with two major groups in two major ways. This is especially important when we try to obey the commands of the Bible. Should we have the priests of the Old Testament or the priests of the New Testament? Should we be circumcised or baptized? Should we keep the Sabbaths? Should we still worship in the ways given by the Law of Moses? Hebrews chapter 7 helps us to find the answer.