The question of God speaking in an audible voice is sure create a lot of discussion. History is filled with stories of people who have claimed to hear the voice of God as justification for unspeakable atrocities. Wars have been fought over the, "Voice of God." Even today, mental hospitals and prisons house hundreds of people who claim to have heard the voice of God. I would suppose that today honest and devout believers who may have heard the voice of God, keep it to themselves. In all honesty, I have never heard God speak in any way in which my ears hear a distinguishable voice. I will not now, nor ever say, that God can not speak in an audible voice. God can do whatever he chooses.
Now, as we continue to look at God's communication and our understanding of that communication in the Old Testament methods begin to change. Up to the time of Samuel it appears that the Lord chose to speak in audible ways. At least, that is the way Moses records his accounts as he is the author of the first five books. God did not choose audible communication as the only method, just a very common one. As Samuel sleeps he hears the voice of God. He believes that he is hearing Eli speak. The event occurs again until Eli discerns that Samuel is hearing God's voice. Scripture does not give us any indication that Eli heard the voice as well.
As the prophetic voices begin to sound in the region it seems the method of God speaking and the discernment of the message changes. Almost all recorded instances, as far as I can find, the prophets stand upon the conviction that they are speaking for the Lord. Time after time they declare, "Thus says the Lord." And then they bring forth the message that God has revealed to them and in their understanding, speak forth. We find in the prophetic record some remarkable events in which the Lord is seen giving aid, communication, support, or a message of doom. The Hebrew boys in the furnace have a divine presence that gives them courage and protection. Daniel finds protection from the lions as his heart and spirit were known to God.
With the closing of the Old Testament we find about four hundred years of divine silence. Malachi ends with the promise of a new voice and new discernment. I have not put down any references to God speaking and human understanding that might be found in other writings or the Apophraca. This decision might create some thoughts of bias or selectivity. The Old Testament is viewed as part of the Divine Revelation of God to men, so the choice.
As we begin to look in the gospels for the voice of God, or in his methods of communication, the events surrounding the birth of Christ burst forth with his voice. Angels seem to be the messenger of choice in bringing communication from God to the people involved. Mary, Joseph, Zacharias, Elizabeth and the shepherds all listen to the angels who communicate for God. The communication is understood and acted upon.
So, even in the beginning of the New Testament discerning the will of God is based on understanding God's communication, our(mankind's) understanding and accepting the message. Acting upon the understanding and acceptance is not really a requirement, remember Jonah.
Showing posts with label discern. Show all posts
Showing posts with label discern. Show all posts
Friday, January 21, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Discerning the Will of God-Part 1
I am sure that this topic is one that has confused many honest and sincere followers of Christ. Just the sound of it, Discerning the will of God, seems somewhat like a mystery. I don't believe that it is God's intention for us to be confused in regards to accomplishing His purpose through our lives. Our Church language can add to the mystery. When we speak of spiritual realities, like, being the Body of Christ, that in itself can add to a sense confusion or misunderstanding.
What follows is my understanding of scripture, in explicit terms, and in looking at events and characters that shed light on the topic. The conclusion of this will be based on personal experience, based on many years and a very slow and gradual understanding of God working in my life. In all of this, it is imperative to remember that what follows is my understanding and my experience.
First, understanding the will of God needs to be looked at in general terms and a wide scope. When that is completed and understood the focus can be upon individuals. The desire and plan of God covers all of creation and time and must be examined by reading His revelation, illuminated by His Presence, and confirmed in humanity by His seal and witness.
The message of scripture is Gods' great desire to have fellowship with the people He created. That desire has been communicated in many ways and methods. In the Old Testament God used very explicit and easy to understand methods. Visions, angels, direct voices, theophanies, burning bushes and many other methods directed individuals to understand the desire and will of God. The experiences left little or no doubt in the life of the person on the receiving side.
In the beginning of the New Testament the desire and will of God was also explicit, yet at times not easy to understand. Jesus spoke the eternal mind and heart of the Father. The character of the Triune God was made visible through Christ. But, even in the presence and words of Christ, the early followers did not understand everything.
On the Day of Pentecost the followers of Christ experienced the imparting presence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised that the Great Illuminator would come and teach all things and bring the important to remembrance. It is apparent to me that the methods of communication between God and man have slowly changed. The changes seem to coincide with the passing of the early followers of Christ. That point is purely speculative on my part, as scripture ends with one of the greatest revelations imagined.
I must add that later church history will detail many miraculous manifestations of God and His presence. The period that we know as the, Dark Ages, seems to show us a general change in the direct explicit communication between God and men.
In a sense of overview of this portion we can understand that God desires communication and fellowship with all of humanity. Peter's second epistle is quite clear, God is not willing that any should perish, but all come to repentance. The communication and invitation to fellowship is open to all. Paul leads us to another understanding of the desire and purpose of God, This is the will of God, even your sanctification. It is the will of God and desire that we have a relationship based on communication and love.
What follows is my understanding of scripture, in explicit terms, and in looking at events and characters that shed light on the topic. The conclusion of this will be based on personal experience, based on many years and a very slow and gradual understanding of God working in my life. In all of this, it is imperative to remember that what follows is my understanding and my experience.
First, understanding the will of God needs to be looked at in general terms and a wide scope. When that is completed and understood the focus can be upon individuals. The desire and plan of God covers all of creation and time and must be examined by reading His revelation, illuminated by His Presence, and confirmed in humanity by His seal and witness.
The message of scripture is Gods' great desire to have fellowship with the people He created. That desire has been communicated in many ways and methods. In the Old Testament God used very explicit and easy to understand methods. Visions, angels, direct voices, theophanies, burning bushes and many other methods directed individuals to understand the desire and will of God. The experiences left little or no doubt in the life of the person on the receiving side.
In the beginning of the New Testament the desire and will of God was also explicit, yet at times not easy to understand. Jesus spoke the eternal mind and heart of the Father. The character of the Triune God was made visible through Christ. But, even in the presence and words of Christ, the early followers did not understand everything.
On the Day of Pentecost the followers of Christ experienced the imparting presence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised that the Great Illuminator would come and teach all things and bring the important to remembrance. It is apparent to me that the methods of communication between God and man have slowly changed. The changes seem to coincide with the passing of the early followers of Christ. That point is purely speculative on my part, as scripture ends with one of the greatest revelations imagined.
I must add that later church history will detail many miraculous manifestations of God and His presence. The period that we know as the, Dark Ages, seems to show us a general change in the direct explicit communication between God and men.
In a sense of overview of this portion we can understand that God desires communication and fellowship with all of humanity. Peter's second epistle is quite clear, God is not willing that any should perish, but all come to repentance. The communication and invitation to fellowship is open to all. Paul leads us to another understanding of the desire and purpose of God, This is the will of God, even your sanctification. It is the will of God and desire that we have a relationship based on communication and love.
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