God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways …

We believe in a God who speaks. From the very beginning we read, “And God said …” (Gen 1:3). The Lord spoke creation into existence with a mere spoken phrase, “Let there be …” But He didn’t stop there as though He created and threw the universe out there to operate on its own. He continues to speak in creation. “The voice of the Lord,” Psalm 29:3 tells us, “is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders.” The Hebrews used the word, Qol. Creation is a manifestation of the Qol of the Lord, God speaking. And creation echoes back in response, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands” (Psalm 19:1).

God has a very intimate conversation with that which He has created. He is a personal God, not a static, unfeeling, recluse that simply exists in theory. He is a God who is active and communicating. In fact, the only way we can know Him is if He makes Himself known. There is simply no other way to discover Him. Yet He wants us to know Him, so He speaks first.

Like an artist, God reveals Himself through His artwork. This is what theologians call “general revelation.” But He also speaks directly to us through the literal, spoken word, called “specific” revelation. He didn’t drop a book down from the sky, but communicated “through” human beings.

Hebrews 1:1 refers to God communicating through the Jewish ancestors, beginning as far back as Abraham. As history unfolded, He used a string of patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob), two deliverers (Moses and Joshua), a series of judges, a succession of kings. But His primary vehicle of communication was through the prophets who continually brought God’s message to the people. There were men like the prophets to the kings (Samuel, Nathan, Elijah and Elisha), the so-called Major Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel) and the Minor Prophets (like Hosea, Obadiah, etc.). Some were shepherds, some were priests, some were public officials, and some were “professional prophets.” God’s communication covered some 2,000 years (from the time of Abraham to the time of Christ). Yes, He spoke in a variety of ways at different times.

If the Creator of all that is, has reached out to us, we should reach back. He has spoken through the Jewish people, their history and their religious institutions. We now need to hear His message in Christ.

Lord, open my ears that I might hear Your voice. Penetrate my mind that I might understand Your voice. Entice my heart that I might desire Your voice. Provoke my will that I might follow Your voice.