In this second blog post that’s part 2 after a review I did of Bill Hybel’s The Power of a Whisper, I clarified some the title. The part 1 blog title was, “Does God Speak?” When I read it again, I thought, of course He does. He speaks anytime He wants, and has throughout time.
The clarified question is, “Does God continue to speak audibly to people today like He is portrayed doing in the Bible?”
First, let’s review how God speaks in Bible times:
- Through messengers called Angels (to many)
- Through donkeys (to Balaam)
- Like a friend (to Moses)
- Through tablets (10 Commandments)
- By burning stuff (burning bush, pillar of fire showing presence, burning up wet sacrifices – Elijah)
- Through dreams (Joseph, Daniel, kings, prophets)
- Whispers (Elijah)
- By tricks or tests of God (Gideon – was his fleece test appropriate as a test of God?)
- Direct voice (to Moses, many prophets)
- Prophets themselves as messengers
- Through incarnate Son Jesus
- Through written texts of Law, Prophets, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse
- Through the Holy Spirit in tongues of fire causing Apostles to speak intelligible languages spoken in first century world
- Through blinding light and vision of the Son (to Saul later named Paul)
- Through visions called Apocalypses (to Daniel, John)
- Apostles thought God speaks by casting lots or drawing straws for decisions
Have I left some examples out? I’m sure I have. Comment and write your examples from Scripture, citing who and the situation. Continue reading