Genesis 16:16 (NKJV) Abram [was] eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram. 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, "I [am] Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.
INTRODUCTION
Abram's move from Ur to Haran was prompted by a visitation from God.
Acts 7:2 (NKJV) And he said, "Brethren and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, 3 "and said to him, `Get out of your country and from your relatives, and come to a land that I will show you.'
In 12:7, "The LORD appeared unto Abram, and said."
In 13:14, "the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated
from him."
In 14:18-20, Melchizedek, God's priest, blessed Abram.
In 15:1, "the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision."
During the 10 years that Abram had been in Canaan, God broke the silence 5 times to speak to Abram. However, when we move from Chapter 16 to Chapter 17, we are confronted with 13 years of silence. This is the first word to Abram since Chapter Fifteen. God has been silent for at least 13 years.
I. REASONS FOR GOD'S SILENCE
A. The silence of testing - Not hearing God was Job's greatest difficulty.
Job 23:3 Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, [That] I might come to
His seat! 8 "Look, I go forward, but He is not [there], And backward,
but I cannot perceive Him; 9 When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold
[Him]; When He turns to the right hand, I cannot see [Him]. (NKJV)
Job 31:35 (NKJV) Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my mark. [Oh],
[that] the Almighty would answer me, [That] my Prosecutor had written a
book!
B. The silence of opposition - The angelic messenger was dispatched
the day that Daniel began to pray, but the prince of Persia withstood him.
Satan cannot stop God, but he does hinder God's messengers.
Daniel 10:2 (NKJV) In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks.
C. The silence of judgment
1. The Days of Eli - "And the child Samuel ministered to the LORD before
Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no
open vision." 1Samuel 3:1
2. Saul - "And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer
him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets." 1Sam 28:6 (NKJV)
D. The silence of wisdom - God's silence in Abram's case seems to
be a part of His plan. Why didn't God speak up and stop the relationship
between Abram and Hagar? I do not know, but I trust His wisdom.
II. RESPONSES TO GOD'S SILENCE - As end-time believers we must
properly discern the silence of God.
A. Misunderstanding
1. Indifference - Many times people interpret the silence of God as
a lack of concern. Jesus' disciples, faced by a life threatening storm,
awakened Him and asked, "Master don't you care that we are perishing?"
(Mark 4:38). Even when we can't sense Him or hear His voice, He is there.
Job declared: "Behold, I go forward, but He is not there and backward,
but I cannot perceive Him: on the left hand, where He doth work, but I cannot
behold Him: He hides Himself on the right hand, that I cannot see Him: BUT
HE KNOWS THE WAY THAT I TAKE" (Job 23:8-10). Jesus Himself said, "I
will never leave thee or forsake thee, lo, I am with thee always."
2. Isolation - Many see God's silence as proof of God's detachment
and alienation from them. "God is too big and too busy to involve
Himself in my life."
Psalm 138:6 (NKJV) Though the Lord [is] on high, Yet He regards the lowly;
But the proud He knows from afar.
Luke 12:6 (NKJV) "Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins?
And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 "But the very hairs
of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value
than many sparrows.
B. Motivation
1. Inspiration - God's silence motivates some to seek Him with all their
heart.
Psalm 83:1 (NKJV) Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, And
do not be still, O God!
Psalm 35:22 - "This you have seen O LORD: keep not silent: O Lord,
be not far from me."
Psalm 28:1 - "Unto you will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to
me: lest, if you maintain your silence I become like them that go down into
the pit."
2. Investigation - Many are motivated to sound the depths of their
hearts.
a. For their knowledge of God
Psalm 143:5 (NKJV) I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works;
I muse on the work of Your hands. 6 I spread out my hands to You; My soul
[longs] for You like a thirsty land. Selah 7 Answer me speedily, O Lord;
My spirit fails! Do not hide Your face from me, Lest I be like those who
go down into the pit.
i. I remember past blessings.
ii. I meditate on thy ways.
iii. I meditate on the works of thy hands.
iv. I discover my deep need for God.
b. For their knowledge of themselves - As we search our hearts we become
aware of the condition of our heart.
i. my motives
ii. my sin
iii. my rebellion
iv. my love for Him
v. the work He has done in me
III. THE REVELATION OF GOD'S SILENCE
A. CONCERNING GOD
1. It reveals His power (Jn. 11) - God does not need help from us or
conducive circumstances to perform His will. The compound problem of Sarah's
age and her barrenness was no problem for God.
2. It reveals His patience - God's timetable will not be compromised
by one second. In the fullness of time…
3. It reveals His purity - His motives are right. God cannot be
manipulated and will not be corrupted.
B. CONCERNING MAN
1. It reveals man's ignorance (Mt. 22:29)
2. It reveals man's impatience - God's silence reveals our impatience
and our impatience reveals our selfish motivation and attitude toward the
promise of God.
3. It reveals man's impotence
CONCLUSION
The way to handle God's silence is to "wait" on Him.
Action apart from God is based on ignorance, impatience, and impotence.
As such it is destined to bring heartache and trouble. Our best success
apart from God is failure.
(C) copyright 1998 by Louis Bartet, all rights reserved.
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