The sevenfold occurrence of the phrase the voice of the LORD in Psalm 29 intrigues me. Then, when we come to the Matthew reading, the words of Isaiah Jesus quoted arrest our attention, This people honors Me with their lips but their heart is far from Me. (15:8). The contrast between God’s “voice” and what comes out of human “lips” could not be greater.
What is the nature of the Lord’s “voice”?
The description of that voice given in the psalm reminds me of the human saying actions speak louder than words! The point is God’s “voice” is heard through His actions — except by those with whom He seeks to have a special relationship, then it can be a still small voice (or the sound of a low whisper, 1 Kings 19:12) as Elijah heard in the cave.
To godless men, God “speaks” through His actions. This is the point David is making in Psalm 29. At the time of Noah’s flood the voice of the Lord is over the waters (verse 3). When the fearful people of Israel were at the foot of Mount Sinai, the voice of the Lord is powerful (verse 4). In the ultimate future, the voice of the Lord is full of majesty (verse 4). There was a preview of this when, after Solomon dedicated the Temple, the priest could not enter the house … because the glory of the Lord filled the Lord’s house” (2 Chronicles 7:2,3).
Verse 5 in our Psalm tells us the voice of the Lord breaks the cedars. Great quantities of cedar were brought to Jerusalem to build the Temple. It was a most prized wood, but God brought destruction on that temple because the hearts of those worshiping there had become distant to Him.
This takes our thoughts to Isaiah 2 and its dramatic picture of events before the kingdom is established (verses 2-4). For the Lord of hosts has a day against all that is proud … against all the cedars … against every high tower … and the haughtiness of man shall be humbled … and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day (verses 12, 13, 15, 17).
The word translated “voice” is the simple Hebrew word qol. Edward Young shows it occurs almost 500 times in the Old Testament, but what intrigued us was its very first occurrence … a situation impossible to picture in our minds! And they heard the sound [KJV has voice] of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and [Adam and Eve] hid themselves (Genesis 3:8).
There will come a time, we read in Revelation 21:3, when the dwelling place of God is with men. He will dwell with them. Those privileged to be there will have no need to hide when they hear the voice of the Lord. All will honor the Lord with their lips – and with all their hearts.
How unbelievably wonderful! Can you imagine it? Can you imagine being there?
Today’s Thought from The Christadelphians.
THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Pressure can make or break you. The only difference between a piece of black coal and a priceless diamond is the amount of pressure it has endured. — Joel Osteen