God … hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son … the brightness of his glory” — Hebrews 1:1a,2a,3a
How does one express infinity in finite terms? By analogies — and here is a good one.
The term translated, “Brightness”, combines two words — one meaning “off or from” and the other meaning “to beam or shine”. The analogy is that of the Sun.
We don’t actually see the Sun, we see the rays emanating from it. Though the rays and the Sun are not exactly the same they are of the same essence and power. The rays are the Sun’s agents of warmth and life — block them out and nothing is left but cold and dark.
That’s who Jesus is — the brightness of God’s glory.
The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light to people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out … This was the real light, the light that comes into the world and shines on all people. — John 1:4-6,9 (Good News Translation)
Before we object, saying this is a historically unintended view of Christ, we need to recognize these writers were not gentiles imposing their own unique interpretation but were Jews well versed in Hebrew history and culture. Having experienced Christ firsthand they saw what God really meant in the ancient Hebrew texts
[T]he Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (translation:”God with Us”) — Isaiah 7:14
— fritz@langgang.com
