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Jarrod Jacobs: The Silence of God: Restrictive or Permissive?

            In our last article, we began a study to show that God’s silence is restrictive. We started by noting that man’s silence is restrictive. When we order something from a menu or online, it is understood we only want what we ordered. We do not list all the things we do not want as well as what we want. In our jobs, there are rules that must be respected. For example, if our job calls for us to wear a hard hat, we cannot substitute a paper hat or no hat at all. We must respect the rules of the company.

            The same is true in the word of God. God’s silence is restrictive and not permissive. For example, in Exodus 14:10-14, Moses led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage, and they soon reached the Red Sea. Knowing that the Red Sea prohibited their movement and the Egyptians were quickly catching up, what were they to do? We know that God later parted the water, and they crossed on dry ground (v. 15-16), but at this point, the people had not heard that command. Seeing that God had not spoken at this time about what they were to do at the Red Sea, Moses commanded the people to stand still. Moses made it clear that they were not to act until God had spoken to them! God’s silence did not permit the people to swim ahead, dig a tunnel, go around the Red Sea, or anything else. Moses did not tell the people, “God didn’t tell us not to swim the Red Sea, so let’s go.” Until God spoke, they stood still!

            Read Numbers 9:2-11. The nation of Israel was to observe the Passover. However, two came and said they were unclean. They asked what to do. What did Moses say? Did he assume they could keep the Passover anyway? Did he tell them to wait until next year? Moses answered: “Stand still, and I will hear what the LORD will command concerning you” (Num. 9:8). Once he inquired of the Lord, the matter was resolved (Num. 9:9-14). Let us learn the lesson that when God is silent, we stand still! God’s silence is intended to stop us from acting. It is not permission to do what we please.

            Deuteronomy 28:1-14 makes an excellent case for respecting God’s silence. This is because God promised blessings to those who were obedient to Him. The New Testament promises the same thing to Christians (Rev. 22:14; Matt. 7:21; etc.). In Deuteronomy 28:15-68, we see curse after curse that would come upon the people if they acted when God was silent. Why is it wrong to act when God has been silent? This is because, “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deut. 29:29). God has revealed all we need to live a pleasing, acceptable, and enjoyable life (II Pet. 1:3; II Tim. 3:16-17). Why would we want to act when God has been silent? This type of thinking often opens the door to sin and error that cannot be shut!

            Lord willing, in our next article, we will see what the New Testament teaches about God’s silence. Is it consistent with what we have seen in the Old Testament? We will find out together.

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167

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