How God Bridged the Gap of Sin

How could the sin-gulf be bridged? God always has a solution. He knows how to adapt to changing circumstances. For example, instead of face-to-face communication He “speaks” to everyone through “conscience” (see John 1:9; Romans 2:15). In some meaningful way, the Holy Spirit calls reasoning people to choose right over wrong, whatever their situation. Further, for those who specifically call for divine help, even though not much may be known about God, the promise is open to all: “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:6). ^{2See also Isaiah 30:21; Matthew 10:19, 20.}MOL 9.1

He also reveals Himself through angels: “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14). ^{3See also Genesis 19:15; Judges 6:11-14; Psalm 34:7; Matthew 1:18-25.}MOL 9.2

Though marred by the results of sin, the physical world still reveals much about the nature and character of God: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). People on all continents and throughout history have associated God with such “attributes” as order, beauty, predictability, and design that they have seen in the heavenly bodies or the wonders of earth, both animate and inanimate. ^{4See also Acts 14:17 and Psalm 19:1, 2.}MOL 9.3

Before Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt God had been communicating with men and women through such patriarchs as Noah (Genesis 5-9), Abraham (Genesis 12-24), Isaac (Genesis 26:2-5), and Jacob (Genesis 32:24-30). Moses was the shining example of a human being with whom God conversed (Exodus 3, etc.).MOL 9.4

In relating to the nation of Israel in its early years, God “spoke” through the Urim and Thummim, two precious stones set in the breastplate (the ephod) of Israel’s high priest. When the nation’s leaders wanted to know the will of God, the high priest asked specific questions that were answered by light resting on either the Urim or Thummin. ^{5See Exodus 28:30; Leviticus 8:8; Numbers 27:21; 1 Samuel 22:10; 28:6.} For a young nation so soon out of slavery and before the establishment of the written Word, this dramatic communication method was decisive and affirming.MOL 9.5

God also spoke through dreams. Think of Joseph’s dream that had prophetic significance (Genesis 37), the dreams of Pharaoh’s butler and baker (Genesis 40), Pharaoh’s dream (Genesis 41), the dream of the Midianite soldier (Judges 7), and Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams (Daniel 2, 4).MOL 9.6

Beyond question, the clearest revelation of God and His will for men and women has been through Jesus Christ: “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son” (Hebrews 1:1, 2). Jesus was explicit: “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). But Christ did not point to God as all prophets had been doing; He was the One to whom they had been pointing.MOL 9.7