"By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth." Ps.33:6,9.
In the Century Magazine of May, 1891, there was a very interesting description of the production of voice-figures. The article was entitled: "Visible Sound." Mrs. Watts Hughes had employed a simple device to test the intensities of vocal sounds. It was an elastic membrane stretched over the mouth of a receiver into which receiver the voice was introduced by means of a wide-mouthed tube.
On this membrane sand or a fine powder was sprinkled. It was found that upon singing into the tube the powder was gently agitated by the vibrations of the membrane, which vibrations corresponded to those of the voice, differing according to the pitch and intensity of the sound. This, of course, is what might be expected. But the wonder was that in every instance the agitation produced the shape of some plant or flower, or even of some of the lower forms of animal life. Something similar to this may be seen when one breathes upon the window pane in frosty weather.
It was found that when the powder was dry, it would not retain the form after the vibration of the voice ceased. So the expedient was adopted of slightly moistening it, when the various shapes could be retained and photographed. Specimens of these voice forms may be seen on page 21.
This shows that the breath, as it comes from the lungs has the shape of living things, and to the singer suggested a thought which she thus expressed:--
"Closing now my brief sketch of these voice-figures, as I have observed them, I would add that my experiments have been made as a vocalist, using my own voice as the instrument of investigation; and I must leave it for others more acquainted with natural science to adjust the accordance of these appearances with facts and laws already known. Yet, passing from one stage to another of these inquiries, question after question has presented itself to me, until I have continually felt myself standing before mystery, in great part hidden, although some glimpses seem revealed. And I must say, besides, that as day by day I have gone on singing into shape these peculiar forms, and, stepping out of doors, have seen their parallels living in the flowers, ferns, and trees around me; and, again as I have watched the little heaps in the formation of the floral figures gather themselves up, and then shoot out their petals, just as a flower springs from the swollen bud--the hope has come to me that these humble experiments may afford some suggestions in regard to Nature's production of her own beautiful forms, the revelation of yet another link in the great chain of the organized universe that, we are told in Holy Writ, took its shape at the voice of God."
Man is made in the image of God, but he has no creative power. In his breath there can be only the forms of living things; but in the breath of God there are not only the forms, but the very living things themselves, for He is the living God, and with Him is 'the fountain of life.' When he speaks, the word which names the thing, contains the very thing itself. Whatever the word describes exists in living form in that word.
This is indicated by the words of the apostle Paul concerning God that He 'calleth those things that be not as though they were.' Rom.4:17. This is an attribute of God alone. If a man calls a thing that is not, as though it were, it is a lie. But God does so, and he cannot lie. How is this? Simply because that when He calls a thing by name, or says that a thing will be, it already exists, even though it cannot be seen. The thing is in His word. When He names a thing that previously had no existence, that instant the thing exists, for His word forms it as it names it.
So then when the worlds were to be brought into existence, God spoke, and there they were. They were formed by the breath of His mouth. Now see how firm a foundation is given the believing one who knows that all things were created by the word of God, and then when God speaks, the thing named exists, full of life." E.G. Waggoner, Gospel in Creation, p.20-25.
See what a blessed thing this is. When you read the word, receive the word, and think upon the word, what is it to you all the time? O, it is creation! The creative energy is in you producing the things which the word speaks; and you are living in the very presence of the power of creation. Creation is going on in your life. God is creating, in you, righteousness, holiness, truth, faithfulness, every good and gracious thing.
Then for your soul's sake put yourself upon that creative word. Recognize the creative energy in the word of God which comes to you in the Bible; for this word of God in the Bible is the same here to you to-day that it was when it spoke into space the worlds on high, and brought light out of darkness, and cleansing to the leper. That word spoken to you to-day, if received, creates you new in Christ Jesus; that word, spoken into the dark waste and void space of your heart, if received, produces there the light of God; that word received, immediately cleanses you. Let it. Let it. How shall I be clean?--By the creative energy of that word, 'Be ye clean.' Therefore it is written, 'Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.' John 15:3. Will you from this moment be a creationist? Or will you go on being an evolutionist?" A.T. Jones, Lessons on Faith, p.61.
The psalmist says, "I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for He will speak peace unto His people, and to His saints." Ps.85:8. He speaks peace through the Divine Word, for He is our peace. Eph.2:14. But peace means righteousness. "I the Lord speak righteousness." Isa.45:19. And "Great peace have they which love Thy law; and nothing shall offend them." Ps.119:165. And again, "O that you had hearkened to My commandments! Then had your peace been as a river, and your righteousness as the waves of the sea." Isa.48:18. Then it must be that God speaks righteousness when He speaks to us in the words of His law. "All Thy commandments are righteousness." Ps.119:172.
"Peace be to you." And it is so if we do not interpose an evil heart of unbelief! Heb.3:12,7.
"Believing unto righteousness." Rom.10:10.
P.S. And the ten commandments are to be received as the voice of God speaking to the soul in promise!
[ February 03, 2002: Message edited by: adventbeliever ]
