One of the TV shows that has been causing a stir recently is the Disney+ series called “The Mandalorian”. It’s a spin-off of the Star Wars movies and tells the story of a bounty hunter who becomes personally attached to an asset he is hired to find (enter ‘Baby Yoda’).
Probably my favourite character in the series is an endearing little guy named Kuiil (voice of Nick Nolte) who helps out the Mandalorian. Whenever the Mandalorian speaks with him and tries to change his mind on some course of action, his regular, discussion-ending response is, ‘I have spoken’. This little phrase seems to carry such authority. It dismisses opposition and firmly asserts that he is unmoving on his position.
My wife and I have been trying to use this technique with our kids… with mixed results.
The phrase “I have spoken”, or variations of it, are found frequently in scripture. Scripture is full of accounts of God speaking. In creation, God speaks, and everything comes into being. God speaks to individuals like Abraham, Isaac, Joseph and Moses. God speaks to his chosen people through the prophets, and finally God speaks through Jesus who is called the ‘Word of God’. In the opening verses of Hebrews we are reminded that “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son”.
The whole of Scripture is the inspired account of the fact that we have a personal God who speaks to us. J.I. Packer writes “God’s friendship with men and women begins and grows through speech: His to us in revelation [Scripture], and ours to Him in prayer and praise. Though I cannot see God, He and I can yet be personal friends, because in revelation He talks to me.”
God has spoken. His words carry unsurpassed authority. They are unchanging and steadfast and trustworthy. Jesus says that ‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.’ (Mat 24:35). So, if you want to hear from God, the place to start is scripture. God wants to speak to each of us, and the way he does that is through his word.
God has spoken. He has spoken for our ultimate joy and his ultimate glory. Will you listen to him in 2020?