God’s Silence: Red Light or Green Light?

Introduction:

Numbers 22: Israel journeying from Egypt to Promised Land. Moab is greatly afraid of their presence. Balak, king of Moab, sends messengers to have Balaam curse Israel. Balaam goes to God. 22:12 – God’s answer. God’s answer is understandable & final. But, Balaam disregards and goes anyway. What we see in Balaam is a general attitude in mankind. That is, a disposition that constantly looks for a loophole to get around God’s clear, concise, and understandable instructions. See Psalm 119:160. When the “sum” of God’s word is taken into account, there is no “what else.” Is the silence of God a red-light or a green light? Is the silence of God permissive or prohibitive?

I.  Scriptural principles for respecting God’s silence

A. OT passages: Deut. 4:2; 12:32; Josh 1:7; Pro. 3:5; 14:12; Isa. 65:1-3; Jer. 10:23.

B. NT passages: Mt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22-23; 1 Cor. 4:6; 2 John 9; Rev. 22:18-19

C. These passages should be enough to convince us that the silence of God is prohibitive rather than permissive.

II. How we apply this principle determines our direction as a congregation.

A. Apply the principle of silence to the way we practice religion.

B. If we are permitted to introduce that which pleases us into the work & worship of the church, there is no limit to what churches can do.

III. This principle is seen in Hebrews 7.

A. Heb. 7:11-13. Jesus could not serve as a priest under the Mosaic Covenant.

1. Law specified priests come from Levi & was silent about men from any other tribe serving.

B. Num. 16:1-4 – Korah, Dathan, Abiram. From tribe of Ruben.

1. Said they were no different from Levites – they should have been allowed to serve as priests.

2. 16:32 – what happened when they failed to honor the silence of Scripture?

C. When God specified what was to be done…He did not have to say any other way will not please me.

1. Heb. 7:14 – even Jesus could not be priests under Mosaic covenant.

2. 7:14 – God spoke nothing of it.

a) 2 Tim. 3:15-17 - bible furnishes all the info we need…

3. Apply this to instrumental music in worship

a. Eph. 5:19 – God specified singing.

b. Col. 3:16-17 – does He have to specifically forbid all that He does not want in worship?

IV. The Bottom Line:

A. 2 Peter 1:3; John 16:13 – Apostles revealed to us “all the truth.”

B. If something is missing from the bible, is it intentional or unintentional?

1. If God has unintentionally omitted it, then He is not God!

C. If God has intentionally left it out, then who are we to override His will?

D. The issue boils down to an attitude that God seeks in us. Isa. 66:2

Conclusion:

A. How is your attitude toward God?

B. Will you humble yourself to Him today?