GODS INCONCEIVABLE GREATNESS ROSS SMITH
ALL REFERENCES FROM AMPLIFIED VERSION UNLESS NOTED
Sometimes a passage of Scripture seems to contain so much detail that it is hard to consolidate the content into meaningful bite-sized pieces that can be digested so that the nourishment of the passage can be absorbed.
Such is the case with Hebrews 1:2-3, where even breaking the subject into headings only serves to expand the subject further. But it is worth the effort in trying to harness the extent of such a short passage, potent in its description of the complexities of our God.
Why then do these two verses command such a need for revision and understanding? Why is it so important? Well, simply because it is intended to draw and focus our attention on the “INCONCEIVABLE GREATNESS” of the God we serve and to establish a mindset that thinks outside that which we see with our eyes and perceive with our mind and begin to appreciate that He Who chose us has an objective and purpose in mind for us. What a remarkable privilege.
It would be inappropriate to proceed with our identifying how the “BUT” connects in this discourse. Verse one describes that in the Old Testament period, there were many revelations delivered in many different ways by the Old Testament prophets, and some of which we are witnessing today.
And so, the “BUT” introduces a new day, new dimension and era, one in which we have access to the very source Himself, the very Son of God.
Hebrews 1:2-3 [BUT] IN THE LAST OF THESE DAYS He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of ALL THINGS, also by and through Whom He CREATED the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time [He MADE, produced, built, operated, and arranged them in order]. He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God’s] nature, UPHOLDING AND MAINTAINING AND GUIDING AND PROPELLING the universe by His mighty Word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high,
- HE CREATED = THE DIMENSION
- HE MADE = THE FACILITIES
- HE SUSTAINS = THE FUTURE
Jeremiah 10:12 God MADE the earth by His power; He ESTABLISHED the world by His wisdom and by His understanding and skill STRETCHED OUT the heavens.
Jeremiah has crystallised the thought in this short verse, “He made, established, stretched out”, highlighting this supremacy of his power, wisdom and skill.
- HIS POWER = THE ABILITY – to create and make
- HIS WISDOM = THE INTELLIGENCE – of the design
- HIS UNDERSTANDING = HIS FORESIGHT – before time began
- HIS SKILL = HIS GENIUS – in controlling the Universe.
As mentioned, these two verses in Hebrews 1 are prefaced by the explanation in verse 1 that the Lord spoke to His people in many different ways in Old Testament times. In every revelation, there was truth to enhance the relationship of His people to their God. Nothing has changed. His Word is constant, relevant, and contains the same power by which Jesus said He “Made the earth”.
Nothing has changed in His INTENTION, just in His manner of communication. He still speaks but has upgraded the source to direct contact with His Son. The “old-new” contrast presented in Hebrews is not between bad and good but between good and superlative. It was no easy thing for God’s revelation in Christ to surpass the old ways — but it is wonderful that it does!
So, “IN THESE LAST DAYS,” we have the recommendations and qualifications of Him Who would communicate with us, and in two short but absolutely potent and intensely eloquent verses, Paul sets up the scene.
HE CREATED
To “CREATE” requires more than just a good idea. Let’s list some requirements,
- A plan
- A design
- An ability
- A dimension
- A direction
- A purpose
It is a very different thing to be an ARTIST and a CREATOR. An artist can conceive a concept, develop a picture or thought in their mind, and even convey it to paper or canvas, but a “CREATOR” can CONCEIVE, DEVELOP, CONVEY, and CONSTRUCT. To “CREATE” demands a level of genius, and the dictionary description, in the light of Scripture, is rather puerile but conveys some idea.
“CREATE = Is to cause to come into being, as something unique that would not naturally evolve or that is not made by ordinary processes.” This definition debunks evolution and the big bang theory and shows what extraordinary and “Inconceivable Greatness” is the nature of our God.
A PLAN God is a first-class planner, Isaiah says,
- “AS I HAVE THOUGHT AND PLANNED it shall come to pass” (Isaiah 14:24),
- God predestined (PLANNED BEFOREHAND) for us (Ephesians 2:10)
- and Solomon records, quite graphically, “The Lord formed and brought me [Wisdom] forth at the beginning of His way, before His acts of old. I [Wisdom] was inaugurated and ordained from everlasting, from the beginning BEFORE EVER THE EARTH EXISTED (Proverbs 8:22-23)
But I like even more the planning Father has in place for those who genuinely own Him as Lord, not just as a profession but as a practical and evident life of obedience, becoming clearer as we explore Hebrews 1:2-3
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts and PLANS that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. (This statement will no doubt be part of “HE SUSTAINS – THE FUTURE … comments mine)
A DESIGN It is without a doubt that the universe is the product of a genius creator, a mastermind and exquisite designer and an imponderable manager. Should one stop for a moment and explore the colours, designs, mechanics, the myriad intricacies of a single blossom, it provides adequate confirmation that this is as a result of a Creator “par excellence”.
But this design pales into insignificance when we consider God’s original “DESIGN” as it is spelt out in,
Romans 8:29 For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], HE ALSO DESTINED (Or “Designed”… comments mine) from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be MOULDED INTO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON [AND SHARE INWARDLY HIS LIKENESS], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.
The outward design is equally as awesome, for it was prepared and readied before we became an entity in the womb, fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14) A casual perusal of an Anatomy and Physiology textbook will prove this point, but are we grateful for every breath, heartbeat and blink of our eyelids?
Psalm 139:15 My frame was not hidden from You when I was being formed in secret [and] intricately and curiously wrought [AS IF EMBROIDERED WITH VARIOUS COLOURS] in the depths of the earth [a region of darkness and mystery].
Proverbs 8:22(KJV) The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
Both the Psalmist and Solomon identify God’s design for each individual way back in antiquity, and as the Psalmist said, it is “as if embroidered with various colours“. The design of the human frame is still beyond the comprehension of men despite the progress made in medical science.
AN ABILITY Whilst we may mentally concede that nothing is too hard for God, we are prone to incarcerate the magnitude of his ability by our co-relating it to the dimension of time and the limits of our perceptions. We fail to comprehend His “INCONCEIVABLE GREATNESS” not only in the universal sense but in the arena of his PURPOSE. For too long, we have overlooked the ability of God concerning His church, and when we tie “His Purpose” of Ephesians 3:10 together with the expression of Ephesians 3:20, the enormity of His ability that individually and corporately begins to dawn.
Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of HIS] POWER that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His PURPOSE and] do SUPERABUNDANTLY, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]—
DOES THIS NOT BEGIN TO DESCRIBE, IN TERMS WE UNDERSTAND, HIS “INCONCEIVABLE GREATNESS”?
A DIMENSION I would suggest that attempting to impose or imagine a dimension in relation to God is a futile exercise. Our puny minds are provoked to resile from any attempt to comprehend the dimensions of a God who knows no restriction to time or space. Even His nature knows no bounds as Paul expressed so eloquently.
Ephesians 2:7 He did this (He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together) that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the IMMEASURABLE (LIMITLESS, SURPASSING) RICHES OF HIS FREE GRACE (His unmerited favor) in [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus.
Job 38:5 WHO DETERMINED THE MEASURES (Or the “DIMENSIONS”) of the earth, if you know? Or who stretched the measuring line upon it?
The prognostications of Job in chapter 38 are an illuminating insight into the immeasurable abilities of God and the genius attached to the origin of creation.
A DIRECTION Gods purpose has only one direction, and that is forward. How often does Scripture exhort us to “press on”, to “make progress”, to “build-up” and numerous other expressions that point us forward, and advise against “looking back” (Luke 9:62)
Hebrews 12:13 And cut through and make firm and plain and smooth, straight paths for your feet [yes, make them safe and upright and happy paths that go in the RIGHT DIRECTION],
We often conceive that directions consist only of North, South, East and West, and fail to realise that God’s Word is the most comprehensive “DIRECTION” that can possibly be afforded to mankind. Unfortunately, men seek “DIRECTION” from many other sources and consequently forego the wisdom that Father has recorded in His Word to ensure we maintain progress both in the manner required and the nominated goal. See how comprehensive is the “DIRECTION” spelt out in 2 Timothy.
2 Timothy 3:16 Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and PROFITABLE for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action),
Nothing is left out in His directives in Scripture, with the ultimate purpose of “CONFORMITY“, a restoration to His original design.
HE MADE
“HE MADE” is very different from “HE CREATED“. To “MAKE” is to take available resources and turn them into something useful. And so, having “CREATED” now comes the evidence of the ability and versatility of God’s genius.
“HE MADE” constitutes all the functional attributes of the universe, not just the planet we live on, which is our most valuable “MADE”, but the revolving and expanding of the heavenlies, of which we know so little, as He continues to “stretch out the heavens”. (Isaiah 40:22)
The integration of what “HE MADE” is incomprehensible; we acknowledge the change of tides but wonder at the involvement of the moon, we experience daily the cycle of day and night, but overlook the precision of which it occurs, we are mesmerised by the sight, sound and significance of the sea but forget that every grain of sand has been strategically placed as a border, we cherish the perfection of a Rose bloom, forgetting that part of its intent is to “prove men are without excuse“, (Romans 1:20) we marvel but hide from the explosive and powerful display of lightning, but seldom reflect that each bolt originates from his knuckles.
When will we appreciate “HE MADE” the wind to strengthen the vegetation, to disburse the pollen, to clear the sky, to move the ocean, then to understand that the rain falls where and when He chooses the occasion, and last but not least, “He made everything beautiful in its time“. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
Whilst God “Created” man, He “MADE” him in His image and likeness. (Genesis 1:26) and continues to make “straight paths” (Proverbs 3:6) “still makes me lie down in green pastures” (Psalm 23:2). He is indefatigable in design, delivery and detail, and His constructive genius. When Genesis records God’s approval of the things He made, the description only serves to confirm that the God we serve is “INCONCEIVABLY GREAT“.
Genesis 1:31(A) And God saw EVERYTHING THAT HE HAD MADE, and behold, it was very good (suitable, pleasant) and He approved it completely.
Act 4:24 And when they heard it, lifted their voices together with one united mind to God and said, O Sovereign Lord, You are He Who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything that is in them,
HE SUSTAINS
Our introductory verse extends the thought of “SUSTAIN” with an elaborate description of the extent to which Father goes to tend and look after His creation and His manufacture. It is one thing to” MAKE” something; it is another to keep that dimension in pristine condition and continuing operational function. You have only to consider your motor car and be able to understand that everything has a perpetual demand for maintenance.
UPHOLDING AND MAINTAINING AND GUIDING, AND PROPELLING
Colossians 1:16-17 FOR IT WAS IN HIM THAT ALL THINGS WERE CREATED, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; ALL THINGS WERE CREATED AND EXIST THROUGH HIM [BY HIS SERVICE, INTERVENTION] AND IN AND FOR HIM. And He Himself existed before all things, AND IN HIM ALL THINGS CONSIST (COHERE, ARE HELD TOGETHER).
When things seem to be falling apart in our world, as we have seen over the last 18 months, we only have to reflect on Colossians 1:17 to appreciate that it is only in our minds, concepts or perceptions that things are not going as they were intended. I say that respectfully because many folks are caught up in circumstances that we may never understand, but if God is sovereign as Colossians 1:16 states, then it is contingent on the “steadfastness of your faith in Christ [that leaning of the entire human personality on Him in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness]. (Colossians 2:5)
We fail to recall that the precision of Fathers creation is meticulously controlled in EVERY respect. The absolute supremacy of Jesus Christ should motivate us to an enduring faith in the face of trials. As “Creator”, there is no part of our lives that are out of his control, despite what we see, and the Word says, “regardless of outward conditions”. (See Matthew 5 for this truth)
1 Corinthians 8:6 Yet for us there is [only] one God, the Father, Who is the Source of all things and for Whom we [have life], and one Lord, JESUS CHRIST, THROUGH AND BY WHOM ARE ALL THINGS AND THROUGH AND BY WHOM WE [OURSELVES EXIST].
As human beings, we take the predictability of the created order for granted. When we go to bed, none of us expects that the sun might not rise the next morning; we plan for the future and expect the future to be there when it is time to act. Everyone expects the world to hold together today, tomorrow, and throughout the rest of their lives, without a single thought as to how the universe is maintained.
Christians have long recognised this point because of the teaching of Scripture. God’s work to sustain all things is just one aspect of His providence, which is a necessary outworking of His nature as the self-existent Creator of all. If all things come from His hand, then all things depend on Him for their continued existence.
John Calvin writes, “All things would instantly come to nothing, were they not sustained by his power.” We depend on the Lord’s sustaining grace for every breath we take, every word we say, every move we make — for everything. The Psalmist was well aware of this fact,
Psalm 3:5 I lay down and slept; I wakened again, FOR THE LORD SUSTAINS ME.
Nehemiah 9:6 [And Ezra said], You are the Lord, You alone; You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and YOU PRESERVE THEM ALL, and the hosts of heaven worship You.
2 Peter 3:5-7 FOR THEY WILFULLY OVERLOOK AND FORGET THIS [FACT], THAT THE HEAVENS [CAME INTO] EXISTENCE LONG AGO BY THE WORD OF GOD, and the earth also which was formed out of water and by means of water, Through which the world that then [existed] was deluged with water and perished. But by the same Word the present heavens and earth have been stored up (reserved) for fire, being KEPT UNTIL THE DAY OF JUDGMENT AND DESTRUCTION OF THE UNGODLY PEOPLE.
With all the debate and confusion over “CLIMATE CHANGE” occupying the minds and energies of so many who would contemplate the complexities of the day instead of contemplating the greatness of our God. Sure, we are not to be ignorant, but misplaced concentration on things over which we have little or no control occupies the valuable time spent on thinking in accordance with the Word of God. If we maintain a proper concept of God, His creativity, His manufacturing, His “SUSTAINING” ability, then we will divest ourselves of so many “worthless thoughts”. Just one such reinforcement is found in,
Jeremiah 5:22 DO YOU NOT FEAR AND REVERENCE ME? says the Lord. Do you not tremble before Me? I placed the sand for the boundary of the sea, a perpetual barrier beyond which it cannot pass and by an everlasting ordinance beyond which it cannot go? And though the waves of the sea toss and shake themselves, yet they cannot prevail [against the feeble grains of sand which God has ordained by nature to be sufficient for His purpose]; though [the billows] roar, yet they cannot pass over that [barrier]. [Is not such a God to be reverently feared and worshipped?]
Matthew 4:4 But He replied, It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and SUSTAINED by bread alone, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT COMES FORTH FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD.
SELAH
Ross Smith 