We are in Numbers chapter seven with our word for today. דָּבַר speak, word, matter, affair, thing, something. Our word is used 1,135 times in the Old Testament, 3 times in our chapter. Our word is used in the sense to speak, to express in speech. We find it used of people speaking such as Abraham, Moses and David. Genesis 18:27 Abraham answered and said, “Behold, I have undertaken לְדַבֵּ֣ר to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Numbers 14:39 When Moses וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר told these הַדְּבָרִ֣ים words to all the people of Israel, the people mourned greatly. 1 Samuel 24:16 As soon as David had finished לְדַבֵּ֞ר speaking these הַדְּבָרִ֤ים words to Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. We also see it used to refer to God himself speaking. A great example of this is the first occasion when God spoke to Samuel. 1 Samuel 3:4-11 Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, דַּבֵּ֣ר ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, דַּבֵּ֔ר “Speak, for your servant hears.” Then the Lord said to Samuel. This is how our word is used 3 times in our chapter today. Numbers 7:89 And when Moses went into the tent of meeting לְדַבֵּ֣ר to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice מִדַּבֵּ֣ר speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim; וַיְדַבֵּ֖ר and it spoke to him. What makes the Bible unlike any other book is that we have the very words of God himself recorded without error or omission. This concept of God speaking is used over 3,800 times in the Bible. Because the messenger, message & whole process is inspired (produced by God, literally breathed out) the Bible is inerrant (without error or omission in originals). There can be no doubt that the Bible contains what God wanted written. God’s word is the most practical thing we can put our hands on in regard to how to live our lives so that we can experience all that God desires us to enjoy. Which all flows from a close relationship with Him. I’ll close with this great passage that points to God speaking throughout the history of his creation all culminating to his son Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1:1-4 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
