Speech, divine

Scripture assumes and affirms that God has spoken to many different people throughout the ages in a variety of ways.

Speech as a synonym for revelation

Hebrews 1:1–2 See also Deuteronomy 8:3; 1 Samuel 3:1, 1 Samuel 3:7; Psalm 147:19; John 17:6–8, John 17:14; 1 Corinthians 2:6–10

On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.

Different modes of divine speech

The voice of nature

Isaiah 30:30–31 See also Psalm 29:3–9; Job 37:1–5 God's voice is depicted as thunder, the most awesome sound in nature; Isaiah 33:3

And the LORD will cause His majestic voice to be heard and His mighty arm to be revealed, striking in angry wrath with a flame of consuming fire, and with cloudburst, storm, and hailstones. For Assyria will be shattered at the voice of the LORD; He will strike them with His scepter.

A literal, audible voice

Matthew 17:5 parallels Mark 9:7, Luke 9:34 See also 1 Kings 19:9–13; Daniel 4:31; John 12:28–29; Acts 9:3–7

While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”

Visions

Genesis 46:2 See also Isaiah 6:8–13; Jeremiah 1:11–14; Ezekiel 1:28–2:1; Acts 18:9–10, Acts 22:17–18

And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. “Here I am,” replied Jacob.

Dreams

Genesis 31:24 See also Genesis 20:3–7; 1 Kings 3:5–14; Job 33:15–18; Matthew 1:20–21, Matthew 2:13, Matthew 1:19–20

But that night God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream and warned him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”

Divine speech through human messengers

Jesus Christ

John 14:10 See also John 7:16, John 8:28, John 12:49–50, John 14:24

Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works.

Prophets

2 Peter 1:21 See also 1 Samuel 8:7–9; 1 Kings 17:24; 2 Chronicles 36:15; Isaiah 38:4–8; Ezekiel 3:10–11; Zechariah 7:4–12

For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Apostles

1 Thessalonians 2:13 See also Galatians 1:11–12; 2 Peter 3:2; 1 John 1:1–3

And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is also now at work in you who believe.

Divine speech through angels

Acts 8:26 See also Daniel 9:20–23; Luke 1:11–20, Luke 1:26–38

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go south to the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”

Examples of divine communication

Dialogues between individuals and God

Genesis 4:9–15 See also Genesis 18:16–33; Exodus 3:3–4:17; Acts 9:10–16

And the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know!” he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” “What have you done?” replied the LORD. “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you till the ground, it will no longer yield its produce to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” But Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, this day You have driven me from the face of the earth, and from Your face I will be hidden; I will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” “Not so!” replied the LORD. “If anyone slays Cain, then Cain will be avenged sevenfold.” And the LORD placed a mark on Cain, so that no one who found him would kill him.

Messages received by people

Genesis 35:1 See also Genesis 12:1–3; Joshua 1:1–9; 2 Samuel 7:4–16; 1 Kings 6:11–13

Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel, and settle there. Build an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.”

Descriptions of divine speech

The sound of God's voice

Ezekiel 43:1–2 See also 1 Kings 19:12; Revelation 1:15

Then the man brought me back to the gate that faces east, and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of many waters, and the earth shone with His glory.

The effect of God's word

Isaiah 55:10–11 See also Psalm 119:105; Jeremiah 23:29; Zechariah 1:13; Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 19:15

For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.

The character of divine speech

Psalm 12:6 See also Psalm 18:30, Psalm 19:7–11, Psalm 119:89, Psalm 119:160; 1 Peter 1:24–25; Isaiah 40:6–8

The words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace, like gold purified sevenfold.

God's word is recognised and loved by his people

Psalm 119:103 See also Ezekiel 3:1–3; John 10:3–5, John 10:27; Acts 13:48

How sweet are Your words to my taste— sweeter than honey in my mouth!

God's word is supremely revealed in Jesus Christ

John 1:14 See also Hebrews 1:2

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.