Dad and Mom have to go to a funeral several states away and will be gone 4 days. Joe and John, their teenaged sons, can’t go because they have finals at school. The parents decide to allow the sons to stay at home and take care of things. The parents could just tell them verbally to do whatever they have seen them do. However, they probably know from experience the preoccupied and oblivious mind of a teen. If they are wise, they will write down everything specifically and then give them a call periodically.
In the beginning of mankind’s history the Godhead communicated verbally their wishes to Adam and Eve (Gen 2:16-17) (Gen 2:2-3). They did the same with Noah (Gen 6:13-22), Abram (Gen 17:1-22), Moses (Ex 3:4-10), and several other Patriarchs. They also made their desires known through dreams to Jacob (Gen 28:10-15), Abimelech (Gen 20:3-7), Joseph (Gen 37:5-9), Solomon (1 Ki 3:5-15), old men (Joel 2:28), and others. The Angel Gabriel also brought God’s messages to Zechariah (Lk 1:11-21) and Mary (Lk 1:26-38). Presumably the first time that God Himself wrote His expectations was on the tablets of stone holding the Ten Commandments (Ex 31:18).
The Holy Spirit inspired these words, “…since what may be known about God is plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities----His eternal power and divine nature----have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made…” (Rom 1:19-20). Nevertheless, God knew that we humans are forgetful and oblivious and needed a God with skin on Him, so He sent God the Son who became like us (Heb 2:14-18). Jesus was tempted in every way like we are, and yet was without sin (Heb 4:15).
In His human form He spoke only the words He received from God the Father (Jo 8:28). The Holy Spirit knows the very thoughts of the Father (1 Cor 2:10-16) and passes them on to inspired men to write out for mankind (v 3) (1 Pe 1:20-21). Jesus Christ is the Word of God (Jo 1:1, 2, 14). Christians today are blessed beyond measure to have God’s mysteries and message revealed in one book---The Bible (Heb 4:12) (Eph 6:17). We have two tasks to do with this message---absorb it (2 Tim 2:15) and teach it to others (Mt 28:19-20).
Jim Bailey
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