Topical Bible: The Power of God: Expressed by the Voice of God

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The concept of the power of God as expressed by His voice is a profound theme throughout the Scriptures. The voice of God is depicted as a dynamic and authoritative force, capable of creation, judgment, guidance, and revelation. This entry explores various aspects of God's voice as a manifestation of His power, drawing from biblical passages and theological insights.

Creation and Sustenance

The voice of God is first introduced in the creation narrative, where it serves as the instrument of divine power. In Genesis 1, the repeated phrase "And God said" underscores the creative authority of God's voice. Each command brings forth existence from nothingness: "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light" (Genesis 1:3). The psalmist echoes this creative power, declaring, "By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the stars by the breath of His mouth" (Psalm 33:6).

Revelation and Law

God's voice is also a medium of revelation, conveying His will and law to humanity. At Mount Sinai, the Israelites experienced the formidable power of God's voice as He delivered the Ten Commandments. The scene is described with awe-inspiring imagery: "And Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. The smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. And as the sound of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in the thunder" (Exodus 19:18-19). This event underscores the authority and holiness of God's voice in establishing His covenant with His people.

Judgment and Authority

The voice of God is also a vehicle of judgment, demonstrating His sovereign authority over creation. In the prophetic literature, God's voice often heralds judgment against nations and peoples. Isaiah records, "The LORD will cause His majestic voice to be heard and will show the strength of His arm, with a furious anger and a consuming fire, with cloudburst, storm, and hailstones" (Isaiah 30:30). The power of God's voice in judgment serves as a reminder of His righteousness and justice.

Guidance and Comfort

In addition to its role in creation, revelation, and judgment, the voice of God provides guidance and comfort to His people. The psalmist expresses a deep longing for God's voice, recognizing its power to lead and sustain: "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters" (Psalm 23:1-2). The voice of God, as the Good Shepherd, offers reassurance and direction, reflecting His intimate care for His flock.

The Incarnate Word

The ultimate expression of God's voice is found in the person of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. The Gospel of John opens with the profound declaration, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). Jesus, as the incarnate Word, embodies the power and authority of God's voice, speaking life, truth, and salvation into the world. His teachings, miracles, and resurrection testify to the divine power inherent in His words.

Eschatological Fulfillment

The power of God's voice will culminate in the eschatological fulfillment of His purposes. The book of Revelation describes the final victory of God, where His voice will once again assert His sovereignty: "Then I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God'" (Revelation 21:3). The voice of God will usher in a new creation, where His power and presence will be fully realized.

Throughout the biblical narrative, the voice of God is a powerful expression of His divine nature, revealing His creative, revelatory, judicial, and redemptive purposes. It is a testament to His omnipotence and a source of awe, reverence, and hope for believers.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 29:3,5
The voice of the LORD is on the waters: the God of glory thunders: the LORD is on many waters.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 68:33
To him that rides on the heavens of heavens, which were of old; see, he does send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Bread of God
... men stray from Him, the more tender and penetrating His recalling voice. ... in the
wilderness is that men are fed by the power of God's expressed and active ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the bread of god.htm

The Being of God
... The thing expressed. ... who is in all places of his kingdom authoritatively, by his
power and authority ... God, who is infinite, is in all places at once, not only by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 the being of god.htm

God.
... of God is that by which his nature is expressed, and since ... of his hand, and there
was the hiding of his power. ... When God roars out of Zion, and utters his voice ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/i god.htm

The Wisdom of God in the Means Used to Propagating the Gospel.
... That book is chiefly prophetic; and therefore expressed in the ... of God is manifest
in them; for God hath shewed ... that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon ii the wisdom of.htm

'God is no Respecter of Persons'
... out clearly the thought which is more obscurely expressed in a ... the Christ, the Son
of the living God.' But in ... with the Holy Ghost and with power.' God is with ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/god is no respecter of.htm

The Speaking Voice
... A word is a medium by which thoughts are expressed, and the ... God's word in the Bible
can have power only because it corresponds to God's word in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tozer/the pursuit of god/vi the speaking voice.htm

Second Day. God's Provision for Holiness.
... a claim on Christ, on His Love and Power, to make ... different words for what in the
original is expressed by one ... When God or Christ is called the Holy One, the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/murray/holy in christ/second day gods provision for.htm

Elijah Standing Before the Lord
... of our wills to the will of God expressed by external ... I did eat it.' When we thus
take God's command into ... of that meat many days.' The secret of power and of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/elijah standing before the lord.htm

The God who Dwells with Men
... the Old Testament system is gathered into and expressed by almost ... which will fit
us to dwell with God, our present blessedness, all our power for daily ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the god who dwells with.htm

On Living Without God
... properly the new birth; all the particulars whereof are admirably well expressed
by Dr ... heart of a man be filled (by the grace of God, and the power of his ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 125 on living without.htm