Let us return to the distant past to the man who exemplifies the very term “exact” relative to obedience to God. This is the man against whom we all can measure ourselves when it comes to faith in and obedience to the Word of God. This spiritual giant’s name was Abraham–the “father of the faithful.” But Abraham’s faith alone was not enough to keep him in good standing with the Lord.

In the 11th chapter of Genesis we are introduced to this Chaldean/Babylonian heathen who would become the progenitor of God’s Chosen People–the Israelites. We do not know exactly why God chose this multi-god worshiping pagan to create the race of people whom He would use to take His light (Word/Truth/Bible) to the Gentile (heathen) world. But the first three words of Genesis 12:4 give us a clue.

“So Abraham departed.” Notice that Abraham did not simply depart upon hearing the voice of the God who appeared to him. He departed “as (according to what) the Lord had spoken to him.” Abraham obeyed God’s Words with exactness. As instructed, he gathered his wife, his servants, livestock, gold, silver, etc. and headed in the exact direction God had shown him even though he did not know where he was going. Abraham asked no questions and offered no suggestions. He simply departed. His unquestioning obedience to the Lord did not stop with his departure for an unknown destination. When God told him to circumcise himself and all the males in his employ, Abraham did so. When God told him to kill Isaac, Abraham set out to do exactly that and was prevented from doing so at the last moment. What God said, Abraham did. It should be noted that Abraham’s God–the One Who would later come to earth as Jesus of Nazareth–obeyed His Father with that same exactness. See The God of the Old Testament.

In days of old before the written word was available to the masses, God spoke to man audibly, often while appearing to him. Today He speaks to man by way of two venues: His written Word and His Holy Spirit. His written Word/Truth is available to anyone at any time. He is much more selective when it comes to His Spiritual voice. As a general rule He speaks through His Holy Spirit to those who are determined to know His Truth.

The Lord has given us His written Word and made it available universally so as to make salvation available to “the world.” He said in Matthew 24:14: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached as a witness to all nations ….” That gospel is His written Word. He “preaches” His Holy Word through His messengers who “hear” His voice coming from the pages of His Bible as He “speaks” to them through His Holy Spirit. Only those who truly seek His Truth will in fact hear His “voice.” These are they who “have ears to hear” God’s voice as He communicates with Truth-seeking man through His Spirit. Abraham the heathen was one such Truth-seeker. L.J.