thematic studies in bible basics. lesson 8 Ù respecting god’s silence a very common question...

Thematic Studies In Bible Basics


Lesson 8 Respecting God’s Silence• A very common question asked whenever

God has not spoken re: a matter is “Why can’t we…?”

• This is basically decided by 2 extremes – God’s silence is permissive God’s silence is prohibitive


Lesson 8 Respecting God’s Silence• A key verse containing a guiding principle in

this “debate” is Deut 29:29• What God has said belongs to us• What God has not said is a “secret” – belongs

to Him

• This is a principle that even earthly parents understand, employ with their children


Lesson 8 Respecting God’s Silence• Principles re: God’s silence from the O.T.

• Israel at the Red Sea Ex 14:10-14• They had to “wait” for God’s answer vv. 13-14• They had already asked the “Why couldn’t we…”

questions vv. 11-12• They were eventually told to “Go forward” toward

the sea God helps in “bleak” situations• This teaches us to “wait” for God’s answer


Lesson 8 Respecting God’s Silence• Principles re: God’s silence from the O.T.

• Israel during the Passover Num 9:1-14• They were told to observe the Passover as the

Law directed vv. 2-3• A situation arose that was an exception vv. 6-7• Moses’ reply, “Wait…I’ll go ask the Lord” v. 8• God made additional provisions re: this situation

vv. 10-12


Lesson 8 Respecting God’s Silence• Disregarding God’s silence from the O.T.

• Saul and his offering 1 Sam 13:8-14• Saul reasoned, “People are leaving…Samuel’s not

coming…I’d better do something” vv. 8, 11-12• After all, isn’t doing something better than doing

nothing?• Samuel rebukes the king’s “foolishness” and his

“disobedience” v. 13



• Saul and his offering 1 Sam 13:8-14• The lesson We cannot allow “the moment” to

justify doing something God has not authorized• God had already given the authorization re: who

was to offer sacrifices Num 3:1-10• Did He say anything about a king offering them?• What did this “silence” mean?



• David and the Temple 2 Sam 7:1-7• David planned to build God a house v. 2• How would you judge his intentions, his motive?• He even had the “approval” or “endorsement”

from Nathan the prophet v. 3• Modern-day equivalent many act in ways

because their preachers give their approval



• David and the Temple 2 Sam 7:1-7• God’s response to David’s plans is the theme for

this lesson vv. 4-7• What does this “silence” teach us?• Did God have plans for His house? vv. 8-16

cp. Isa 46:8-10 Rom 4:17 Acts 2:29-31

• Practical lessons for us today? cp. Prov 14:12


Lesson 8 Respecting God’s Silence• Statements Re: God’s Silence From The N.T.

• The oracles of God 1 Pet 4:11• If any man is going to speak (teach), he needs to

“speak as the oracles of God”• “Oracles” = utterances, words God has spoken• This limits us to only say what God has said• If God hasn’t spoken about it (SILENCE), we

must not speak about it



• The superior Son of God Heb 1:5• He is Divine…He is a “Son,” a “Spokesman,” the

“exact Representation of God’s nature,” and “better than the angels” vv. 2-4

• No angel was ever told, “Thou art My Son…”• God was silent about that…an angel could not

assume such a vaunted position



• The Priesthood of Jesus Heb 7:11-14• His Priesthood is perpetual…“after the order of

Melchizedek” 5:1-10; 7:1-28• For Him to be a Priest now necessitates a change

in the Law also 7:11-13• Moses (i.e. God) “…spoke nothing” (SILENCE)

re: a priest coming from the tribe of Judah 7:14



• Circumcising Gentiles Acts 15:24• Certain men decided to teach something v. 1• The apostles (Christ’s official ambassadors) “…

had given no such instruction” v. 24• Their silence on this matter was prohibitive



• A Final Word Of Caution…• We must be careful not to confuse silence in the

Scripture with the earlier study of General & Specific Authority discussion of expediencies

• We should not conclude that silence in a specific matter constitutes a prohibition re: a general command



• A Final Word Of Caution…• The Scripture is silent about song books…but it is

not silent about ________________

• The Scripture is silent about church buildings… but it is not silent about ___________________

singingEph 5:19; Col 3:16

assemblingHeb 10:25



• A Final Word Of Caution…• The Scripture is silent about gospel meetings…

but it is not silent about ________________preachingMk 16:15; Rom 10:14-15


Lesson 8 Respecting God’s Silence• Conclusion

• God’s silence is authoritative & prohibitive• We must never think too much of ourselves or

our ideas above God’s Rom 12:3 1 Cor 4:6• We must stay within Christ’s doctrine 2 Jn 9• Whatever we do must be done “in the name of”

(by the authority of) Christ Col 3:17

thematic studies in bible basics. lesson 8 Ù respecting god’s silence a very common question...

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