But now...
In his farewell address to the nation Israel, Moses said:
“Ask now of the days that are past… since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it? Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?” (Deut. 4:32-33).
Moses referred, of course, to the giving of “the Law,” when God spoke to Israel by word of His mouth amid the lightning and thunders of the Sinai. In Israel’s case alone “God spake all these words” (Exo 20:1) audibly. Never before had God undertaken to address any nation personally.
This was a great honor the children of Israel... But God has since spoken to all mankind in an even more striking manner.
“God… Hath In These Last Days Spoken Unto Us By [In] His Son… who… when He (Jesus) had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” (Heb. 1:1-2)
Consider these contrast.
- At Sinai God spoke the words and demands of “the Law” ... But Now, in Christ, God speaks of His mercy and His grace.
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
- There at Sinai God spoke of the righteousness which He demands of men... But Now God tells us of the righteousness that He provides to us "in Christ." "For (God the Father) he hath made him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; (so) that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."2 Corinthians 5:21
Some suppose that the absence today of miraculous demonstrations, the want of divine intervention in the affairs of men, etc., indicate indifference on God’s part, but actually this apparent indifference speaks to us of His love, grace and longsuffering toward mankind. Remember, the Psalms and all prophecy have predicted God’s judgment upon men for their rejection of Christ, yet today the Son still remains a voluntary Exile from the world He created, while neither He nor the Father do anything to avenge His cruel crucifixion.
Meanwhile, still lingering in mercy, He sends “His ambassadors” to offer reconciliation to His enemies by grace through faith. Thus His silence actually cries: The door of grace is still open.
"And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:18-19