Connection, Dabar and God’s People

Over the last decade, social media has exploded in popularity. The pandemic only increased the use of this means of communicating and connecting with others. Communication is a basic human function.

We all have a need to be connected to others or something. Politics is a means for people to connect and support others who share the same beliefs.   Republicans are supposed to be the party of the people.

• Traditional
• Hard-working
• Honest

Recently the actions of many conservatives have betrayed their conservative beliefs, no matter what they may say. This week’s physical altercation in the House was a result of individuals’ thirst for power and control.

Our actions speak louder than words. Politicians know how to say the right words to connect with people. God’s “Word” has a lot to say about words.

Words

Words are powerful and serve a purpose. Writers know how to shape and use them to communicate with their audience. The authors of the Bible used the written word to convey the very words of God. John tells us that in the beginning was the Word (John 1:1-5). There is a very spiritual power in our words.

The prophet Moses wrote that God spoke everything into existence through His words (Genesis 1:3). Then in the garden God walked and talked with Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:15; 3:9-15).  They listened to God until Satan deceived them with his deceptive words (Genesis 3:4-6). Words can influence our actions, so we must be careful who we talk to.

Dabar

Judaism has a lot to say about words and who we talk to. The Hebrew word for talk is Dabar and it also means “word. ” The Torah has a lot to say about God talking to His people.

Moses spoke the words of God to Israel and told them to listen (Deuteronomy 6:4). God speaks to us because we were created to commune with Him. Below are the main ways God speaks to His people in Judaism.

1. Prophets
2. Scripture
3. Visions
4. Creation
5. Prayers

The promised Messiah was believed to be a great politician who would lead God’s people to rule the world. When Jesus arrived and chose His Disciples He taught them to obey and practice His teachings (Luke 11:28, John 15:14).

Jewish disciples are expected to do everything their rabbis did, they aspired to be just like their teachers. The rabbinic code shows that our words and actions are connected.

Connected

Dating and relationships begin with our words, eventually, they lead to physical actions and commitment. But, everything begins with words, even if there is no physical attraction.

The right words can win or shun a person’s heart. The wise know that our words and actions are connected. Christianity gives dire warnings about corrupt speech (Matthew 12:36-37, Ephesians 4:29).

Jesus warned His followers that our words come from our evil hearts (Matthew 12:34-35). This was a very Jewish teaching because our Jewish stepfathers understood the powers of our words (Psalm 141:3, Proverbs 13:3). Our words reveal the truth about our hearts.

• Love
• Hate
• Greed
• Pride
• Lust

As a Christian man, I have learned to be cautious about believing every word a woman says. Again, we must pay attention to the actions more than just the words. Words can be twisted into anything we want to hear or believe.

Many godly men have had to learn this the hard way; King David and King Ahab are just two Jewish examples (2 Samuel 11-12:25, 1 Kings 21:1-17). This is why Judaism has conservative views on human sexuality; our actions always say more than our words (dabar)!