One person says God speaks to them. Another has a testimony of their religious experience. Yet another clings to a warm feeling. Do you feel left out? Is God “playing favorites” by communicating to some and not to others?
In the Past
“Long ago, God spoke to the fathers by the prophets at various times and in many ways” (Hebrews 1:1 McCord’s Translation). For example, in the beginning God spoke directly to Adam (Genesis 3:9-11). However, it became the norm for God to reveal Himself to a select prophet by a vision (Numbers 12:6-8). We are told that Moses was an exception, since God spoke directly to him.
In the subsequent years, God chose various prophets to deliver His message to the people. Consider the example of Jeremiah. “And it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that Jehovah had commanded him to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people laid hold on him, saying, Thou shalt surely die” (Jeremiah 26:8). Notice that God did not speak directly to each person; God’s prophet served as His mouthpiece.
The Greatest Prophet
“God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners, hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2). In the New Testament era, God spoke to us by His Son (fulfillment of Deuteronomy 18:18-19). Jesus is greater than the wise man Solomon and greater than the prophet Jonah (Luke 11:31-32). However, Jesus has gone to heaven; how can we now hear Him?
Jesus inspired select men of the first century to write down His message (John 14:26; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 3:15-16). Take Paul as an example. Paul declared, “revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ” (Ephesians 3:3-4). Consider the elements in this text. (1) Paul received God’s revelation, (2) he wrote it down (New Testament Scripture) and (3) others can read and understand. We can read and understand God’s will.
If I need to be away, I might leave a note in a prominent place for my wife to read. I love her, and communication is important for any relationship. Jesus speaks to us today, not directly, but through His Word – the New Testament. God is not silent, but you close your ears when you close your Bible. The Father spoke from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him” (Matthew 17:5). Are you listening to Jesus?
