Growing up in a household with two working parents, I can remember there were days when I would come home from school and both of my parents would still be at work. My mother, knowing her son wanted to come home and watch television, made sure that I was reminded of the chores that needed to be done before I was able to watch afternoon cartoons. To ensure I knew exactly what needed to be done, my mom would leave a note.

My mom would do this because she knew that I would often forget what she told me before I left for school in the mornings. The note would ensure that there was no shadow of a doubt what needed to be done.

God’s Note

Just like my mom would leave notes of instruction, did you know that God also left us a note reminding us of His instructions? We call that “note” God’s Word, and that Word is housed in a book called the Bible.

1.) How was God’s Word communicated before there were books and scrolls?

Before God gave us His written instructions, His Word was passed verbally. In Genesis 3, notice how God’s instruction was given:

But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. Genesis 3:3

Notice, it doesn’t say, “It is written.” This reveals to us that at the beginning of creation, humans were able to hear God’s Word and retain it without forgetting. However, God knew that the human mind would loose its sharpness and mankind would begin to forget.

2.) How was God’s Word communicated some time after creation?

And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua… Exodus 17:14

God ensured that His instructions would be heard and understood, and so He commanded His servants to write what He told them.

3.) What does the Bible tell us?

In essence, the Bible is God’s instructions for the world. If we want to know what God is telling us, we don’t have to ask someone, we can simply open up the Bible and God will speak to us.

Regarding these powerful instructions, God’s Word says, 

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. John 5:39

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2Timothy 3:17

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalms 119:105