{"id":45545,"date":"2019-04-30T09:55:05","date_gmt":"2019-04-30T16:55:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/?p=45545"},"modified":"2022-03-01T13:32:12","modified_gmt":"2022-03-01T21:32:12","slug":"the-speaking-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/the-speaking-god\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does God Speak to Us?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the most fundamental characteristics of the God who created all things and who has definitively made himself known in Jesus Christ is that he speaks. God speaks. But how<\/em> does God speak to us?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The below excerpt comes from the NIV Proclamation Study Bible<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.\u201d <\/em><\/p>

\u2014Hebrews 1:1\u2013<\/a>2<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

IDOLS DON’T SPEAK<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unlike the idols of the nations, which can neither hear nor speak, Israel\u2019s God is the one who spoke to the patriarchs (Genesis 12:1<\/a>;\u00a026:2<\/a>;\u00a031:3<\/a>), spoke from the mountain (Deuteronomy 4:12<\/a>), and spoke through the prophets (Daniel 9:6<\/a>;\u00a0Hosea 12:10<\/a>;\u00a0Jeremiah 10:5<\/a>). In fact, the overarching narrative of the Bible begins and ends with God speaking (Genesis 1:1-3<\/a>;\u00a0Revelation 21:5-8<\/a>). God\u2019s words are powerful and effective, the agency by which he accomplishes his purposes (Isaiah 55:10-11<\/a>; cf.\u00a0Hebrews 4:12<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

JESUS IS “THE WORD”<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Against this background, it is not at all surprising that Jesus is described as \u201cthe Word\u201d (John 1:1-18<\/a>;\u00a01 John 1:1-4<\/a>). As the eternal Son of God, he is the perfect expression of God\u2019s character and purpose. The writer to the Hebrews sums up God\u2019s involvement in human history in a way that highlights his use of words: \u201cIn the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son\u201d (Hebrews 1:1-2<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is highly significant that the words God speaks are addressed to men and women created in his image. God has no difficulty in communicating effectively with his creatures in a verbal way. The words he uses are human words. They can be understood by those to whom they are addressed. They are meant to be heard and heeded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

COMMUNICATING WITH GOD & ONE ANOTHER<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even the multiplication of languages after the Babel incident poses no obstacle to God\u2019s effective communication. Nevertheless, even in the Garden of Eden it proved possible for creatures to twist God\u2019s words and resist their claim on our thoughts and wills. Indeed, a refusal to let the words God has spoken shape our response to him and every aspect of life in his world is the essence of human sin (Genesis 3<\/a>;\u00a0Hebrews 3:7-19<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whereas every human word must be tested because we know that we can all miscommunicate or mislead or perhaps both at the same time, God\u2019s word stands firm as the good gift of a generous heavenly Father who wants us to know him, what he has done and what he is yet to do. He wants us to learn from him how we should respond to him (Deuteronomy 12:29-32<\/a>;\u00a0John 4:19-26<\/a>). His word stands judge over all human words. It bears God\u2019s own authority. Only by seriously attending to these words will we become \u201cwise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus\u201d (2 Timothy 3:15<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO YOU?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"NIV<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What do you believe God is saying to you? Read the Bible alongside helpful notes that take the Word of God as seriously as you do. Get your copy today!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
NIV PROCLAMATION STUDY BIBLE<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

One of the most fundamental characteristics of the God who created all things and who has definitively made himself known in Jesus Christ is that he speaks. God speaks. But how does God speak to us? The below excerpt comes from the NIV Proclamation Study Bible In the past God spoke to our ancestors through<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":51045,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_cf_multicollab_revision_bundle":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5341],"tags":[6766],"class_list":{"0":"post-45545","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-topical","8":"tag-niv-proclamation-bible"},"yoast_head":"\nHow Does God Speak to Us? - Olive Tree Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What is one way our God is different than other gods? 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