The "Booming" Voice of God
When most people imitate the “voice” of God–especially Hollywood–the “voice” drops many octaves and sounds very thundering. I have always found this somewhat amusing because I too see the “voice” of God like this and yet I am also reminded that His voice is likened to a “still, small” voice as in 1Kings 19:12. Here is the contextual passage:
11 Then he was told, “Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by.” A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn’t to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn’t in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn’t in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper. 13 When Elijah heard the quiet voice, he muffled his face with his great cloak, went to the mouth of the cave, and stood there. A quiet voice asked, “So Elijah, now tell me, what are you doing here?” 1Kings 9.11-14
So where do we get the thought that God’s “voice” is loud, thundering and booming?
I came across this passage (Psalm 29) in my personal study yesterday and–man–did it shed light on the “voice” of God:
1 Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.
3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is majestic.
5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the LORD strikes
with flashes of lightning.
8 The voice of the LORD shakes the desert;
the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the LORD twists the oaks
and strips the forests bare.
And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
the LORD is enthroned as King forever.
11 The LORD gives strength to his people;
the LORD blesses his people with peace.
So how do I NOW picture God? A God with a thundering, booming voice who chooses to meet me with a whisper.
Oh how intimate it is to hear the “still, small” voice of a thundering God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
