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. Hebrews 1:1-2
God took the initiative to reveal himself to us. He was the one who spoke to our forefathers through the prophets, and not just once but many times and in various ways. He was persistent and creative. Even this wasn’t enough so he sent his son, who has spoken to us not only through his words but even more powerfully through his actions in dying for us. God has gone to extraordinary lengths to make himself known.
Jesus describes, in the form of a parable, how God sent many servants but they returned empty-handed and were treated “shamefully” (Mark 12:3-4). In the end, we read “so He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son’” (12:6). God had every right to expect his people to listen to his son but mostly they didn’t. Generally, God’s people hadn’t responded well to the many prophets that God sent and in the end, they killed his son, too.
Surprisingly God didn’t give up! His unchanging purpose (Hebrews 6:17) was to have a people for himself who chose to be in relationship with him. Constable in his commentary on Hebrews writes: “If God had not spoken, we would not have known about him.” It’s not people who take the initiative but rather it’s God who calls us to himself. Often we are slow to recognise his voice, yet if we are open to the possibility, he will allow us to find him.
