God has communicated to us in three ways. First, in creation itself – in nature: David describes the function of the heavens, for example, as declaring His glory (Ps 19:1-6). Paul adds that, “since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made…” (Rom 1:20).
Second, God has communicated through “men moved by the Holy Spirit [who] spoke from God” (2 Pet 1:21), and He did so “in the prophets in many portions and in many ways” (Heb 1:1). These men wrote, over a period of roughly fifteen hundred years what God revealed to them, and what Paul describes in this way: “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16).
The third way God has communicated to us is in His Son (Heb 1:1), who has uniquely explained the Father (Jn 1:18). Those who were with Jesus during His earthly ministry and heard Him speak were receiving real-time revelation from God, but even still Jesus constantly directed His hearers back to the written word. When facing the temptations of Satan, Jesus responded, “It is written” (Mt 4:4, 7, 10). When announcing His own messianic ministry, He read from Isaiah 61:1-2a (Lk 4:17-21). Further, He explained that He was Himself a central theme of the Scriptures (Jn 5:39). In other words, even those who heard Him teach were reminded that His teaching was rooted in God’s written revelation. For us today, we can only know of Jesus through what has been written. Consequently, God’s written word holds great value for us, and should be treasured (though not worshipped, of course, because it is the means, not the end, but it is His means of allowing us to know Him).
David proclaims the value of God’s word, as “perfect, restoring the soul…sure, making wise the simple…right, rejoicing the heart…pure, enlightening the eyes…clean, enduring forever…and true, and righteous altogether” (Ps 19:7-9). David adds that it is more desirable than refined gold and sweeter than the best honey (Ps 19:10). Further, it warns its readers and offers great reward (19:11). Paul likewise recognizes the lofty value of God’s written word as, “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16). He also tells us the purpose for which God’s word was committed to writing: “so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:17).
In His word, God has given us everything we need in order to know how to know Him (e.g., Jn 3:16). In those pages He has told us much about Himself, allowing us to increase in our knowledge of and intimacy with Him (Jn 17:3). And in His word He has provided for us all that we need for our daily walk with Him – including our continual, moment-by-moment growth and service.
So how could we not value His word above wealth and pleasures (i.e., gold and honey)? What might capture our gaze so that we give little or no attention to that which offers the greatest of rewards? What deceptions might draw us away from His majesty and splendor, revealed in writing? When our priorities don’t include the greatest of treasures, then we need to reset our priorities. Instead of settling for mere gold and honey, let’s cherish something far greater.
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