A "Message from God" refers to the communication from the Divine to humanity, often delivered through various means such as prophets, angels, dreams, visions, or directly through Scripture. These messages are central to the biblical narrative and serve to reveal God's will, guidance, and purposes to His people.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, God frequently communicated with His people through prophets. Prophets were chosen individuals who acted as intermediaries, delivering God's messages to the Israelites. For instance, Moses received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, which were direct messages from God to His people (Exodus 20:1-17). The prophet Isaiah also received messages from God, as seen in Isaiah 6:8-9, where God calls Isaiah to be His messenger: "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!' And He replied, 'Go and tell this people...'" .

God also communicated through dreams and visions. Joseph, the son of Jacob, received divine messages through dreams, which foretold his future and the future of his family (Genesis 37:5-10). Similarly, Daniel received visions that revealed God's plans for the future (Daniel 7:1-28).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the ultimate message from God is embodied in the person of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of John describes Jesus as the "Word" (Logos) made flesh, indicating that He is the living message of God to humanity: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us" (John 1:1, 14).

Jesus' teachings, parables, and actions conveyed God's message of salvation, love, and redemption. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is a prime example of Jesus delivering God's message directly to the people, offering guidance on how to live a life pleasing to God.

The apostles also played a crucial role in spreading God's message after Jesus' ascension. The Apostle Paul, for instance, received direct revelations from God, which he shared in his epistles to the early churches. In Galatians 1:11-12, Paul emphasizes that the gospel he preached was not of human origin but received through a revelation of Jesus Christ: "For I certify to you, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not devised by man. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ" .

Means of Communication

Throughout the Bible, God used various means to communicate His messages:

1. Angels: Angels often served as messengers of God. The angel Gabriel announced the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah (Luke 1:11-20) and the birth of Jesus to Mary (Luke 1:26-38).

2. Dreams and Visions: As mentioned, God used dreams and visions to convey His messages. The Apostle Peter, in Acts 10, received a vision that led to the inclusion of Gentiles in the early Christian community.

3. Scripture: The Bible itself is considered the written message of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work" .

Purpose of God's Messages

The messages from God serve several purposes:

· Revelation of God's Character: Through His messages, God reveals His holiness, justice, mercy, and love.
· Guidance and Instruction: God's messages provide direction for living a life that aligns with His will.
· Warning and Correction: Prophets often delivered messages of warning to call people to repentance and return to God.
· Encouragement and Hope: God's messages offer hope and assurance of His presence and future promises.

In summary, a "Message from God" is a vital aspect of the biblical narrative, demonstrating God's desire to communicate with His creation and guide them according to His divine will.