He Has Spoken unto Us by His Son • Deshen Daily

After God spoke long ago in various portions and in various ways to our ancestors through the prophets, in these last days he has spoken to us in a son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he created the world. (Hebrews 1:1–2, NET)

God has spoken to us in a son, showing Jesus speaking to a crowd

What does it mean that God “has spoken unto us by His Son”? Typically, based on the English translation, we might think that the writer meant God spoke His words to us through Jesus as His spokesperson, similar to prophets like Jeremiah. However, the original Greek text uses “in His Son” instead of “by His Son,” which significantly alters the interpretation.

Historically, God communicated through the prophets in diverse manners. The teachers of the law and the scribes taught from the scriptures available to them. The prophets prophesied, and the scribes preached about who God is, His desires for us, and His plans. Yet, the incarnation of Jesus marked a profound shift.

While the KJV and ESV translate this passage as “by His Son,” the NET preserves the original Greek, awkward as it may sound: “He has spoken to us in a son.” How does this differ from “by His Son”? Traditionally, God revealed Himself through prophets like Jeremiah, who spoke His words to the people. This is the essence of “by.” But Jesus represented a different mode of revelation. In Jesus, God Himself became a human being. His person, personality, character, and words openly displayed who God is—God revealed Himself in a Son, in the Person of Christ.

Here’s the key takeaway: Christ, as a person and not merely through His teachings, was the revelation of God. This leads to an intriguing and somewhat daunting reality: Just as Jesus revealed God, His followers are called to be living epistles, living letters to reveal God to the world.

The most profound sermon or teaching you can offer to reveal who God is comes from being and living like Him, enabling others to see how God talks, thinks, moves, or lives as a human being!

Meditate

Consider this: God wants to reveal Himself “in you”?

Apply the Word

You are the most effective sermon or gospel message anyone around you could witness. How can you speak or act today to fully reveal God’s character to those around you?