Writing

While these include speaking, observing and hearing; the most fundamental is writing. How was writing used to communicate the thoughts and instructions of God? What were the reasons God’s instructions had to be written?  While the Bible is the inspired word of God, there were occasions in which He instructed persons either to write His words verbatim or to record exactly what they observed. There is also a third dimension, where God writes with His own hands. This article identifies some ways in which God communicates with us, yesterday, today and tomorrow, through writing. 

The fundamental purpose of writing, is for God to reveal Himself to us, and in the first book of the Bible we see God wooing us.  The passage, ‘In the Beginning was the Word and the Word was God… (John 1: 1and 14) illuminates the fact that God sought to demonstrate His everlasting love for us by becoming human. This statement is quite profound, because whatever else we may think, God makes it very clear from the onset – His desire for an abiding relationship.  Indeed, we can accept the fact that the Word of God is a light unto our feet, to lead us in the path of righteousness. 

At other times, God writes His words on the minds and in the hearts of His people.  Jeremiah 30:2 and 31:33 says, “…I will put My laws into their minds, and write it on their hearts.” These passages accentuate God’s love for us. It is intriguing how God continues to seek ways of connecting with us. The Word of God is a keepsake, which we should have with us always. 

We not only write what we are told, but also what we observe. For example, the book of Revelation provides numerous examples of God’s instructions to, “write, therefore, the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.”(Rev. 1:19)  This strategy is very powerful as  it enables us to be active participants in the creation of the written word. It speaks volumes of how God perceives His people. Imagine, God entrusting us with the responsibility of recording what we observed.  

God also literally wrote with His hands. The first example is Exodus 34:1, “Chisel out two stone tablets … and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke”. The second example is found in Daniel 5:5-8 when during Nebuchadnezzar’s feast he suddenly saw the fingers of (God) a man’s hand emerged and began writing opposite the lampstand … “and the king saw the back of the hand that did the writing.” Both instances offered different meanings. There is indeed life and death in the pen or finger. Moses’ experience offered life, while Nebuchadnezzar’s showed death.