The oracles of God refer to the holy scriptures that convey the word and will of God. In the Bible, the term “oracles” is used to describe the divine laws, commandments, prophecies, and revelations that God has given to humankind. Some key points about the oracles of God:
- They originate from God and express His divine truth.
- They were given to prophets, apostles, and inspired writers who recorded them in scripture.
- The Old Testament oracles include the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20), prophecies, wisdom literature, and psalms.
- The New Testament oracles include the teachings of Jesus and the letters of the apostles.
- Together, the Old and New Testaments form the complete biblical canon and revelation from God.
- The oracles provide authoritative instruction for doctrine, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).
- They point people to salvation in Christ and guide them into God’s truth and wisdom.
Divine Origin of the Oracles
A key aspect of the biblical oracles is their divine origin and inspiration. Although God utilized human instruments, the Holy Spirit supernaturally guided them to receive and record His true words without error (2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Timothy 3:16). Paul says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God” (2 Timothy 3:16). Peter affirms that prophets “spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). The oracles are not of human origin but come directly from the mind and voice of God.
Several passages emphasize that the oracles originated from the Lord, not sinful people. After recounting Israel’s rebellious history, Paul still affirms, “they were entrusted with the oracles of God” (Romans 3:2). Peter says prophets spoke God’s words as they were “moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). God spoke directly to Moses (Exodus 19:19), Solomon (1 Kings 9:2), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:4), and others to deliver His divine oracles. Jesus confirmed that the Law and Prophets proceeded directly from God’s mouth, not human initiative (Luke 16:17; Matthew 15:1-9). Although the oracles were transmitted through imperfect people, their ultimate source is the Lord Himself.
The Oracles Given to Prophets and Apostles
God chose specific individuals to receive and transmit His divine oracles by the power of the Holy Spirit. Moses was given the Law on Mount Sinai after direct encounters with God (Exodus 19-20). The prophets repeatedly declared, “Thus says the Lord” as they conveyed His words. Zechariah prophesied, “The law shall go out from Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Zechariah 8:8), indicating the divine origin of these revelations. Isaiah claims he spoke messages directly from “the mouth of the Lord” (Isaiah 40:5). Jeremiah testified that the Lord put His words directly in the prophet’s mouth (Jeremiah 1:9). Jesus told His disciples that the Holy Spirit would speak directly through them, not from themselves (Mark 13:11). So the human instruments were specially selected by God.
The New Testament apostles received special revelation from God to write authoritative teachings and prophecies under divine inspiration. Paul declared that his gospel came directly from Jesus Christ, not human sources (Galatians 1:11-12). John testified that his prophetic visions originated from God, not human initiative (Revelation 1:1). Peter confirmed that the apostles preached the good news by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven (1 Peter 1:12). The biblical writers understood they were transmitting God’s direct words through supernatural inspiration. The prophets and apostles were set apart as God’s mouthpieces, moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21).
The Old Testament Oracles
The Old Testament scriptures contain many examples of God’s verbal oracles and revelations. The Ten Commandments were directly spoken by God Himself and written on stone tablets (Exodus 20:1). The Mosaic Law constituted the “oracles of God” given to Israel to order their lives (Romans 3:2; Acts 7:38). In addition to the Law, the Old Testament oracles include:
- Prophecies and visions – God spoke through visions, dreams, and direct words to prophets (Jeremiah 23:16; Isaiah 1:1).
- Divine wisdom – Books like Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job contain God’s wisdom.
- Inspired songs – The psalms are full of oracles from God’s Spirit (2 Samuel 23:2).
- Covenantal promises – God pledged His faithful word to Israel (Deuteronomy 29:29).
- Moral commandments – The Lord commanded what is just and right (Amos 5:24; Micah 6:8).
- Divine dealings – The historical records reveal God’s miraculous works and judgments.
- Messianic prophecies – Specific predictions point ahead to the coming Messiah.
Therefore, the Old Testament as a whole testifies to God’s activity in revealing His character, laws, plans, and dealings with Israel. They serve as instruction, warnings, guidance, and promises for God’s people (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11). As divine oracles, they authoritatively teach truth and expose sin.
The New Testament Oracles
The New Testament continues the collection of God’s oracles, now centered and fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The apostle John calls Jesus Christ the “Word” who reveals the Father (John 1:1, 14). The writer of Hebrews says God spoke definitively through His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2). Jesus claimed His words were from the Father, not Himself (John 7:16-17; 12:49). The New Testament oracles include:
- Gospels – The teachings and actions of Christ (Matthew 5-7; John 3:16).
- Acts of Apostles – The mission and growth of the early church.
- Epistles – Doctrinal instructions and encouragements to churches.
- Revelation – Apocalyptic prophecies and visions from Jesus.
All Scripture is “breathed out by God” for teaching, reproof, correction, and training (2 Timothy 3:16). The entire canon of scripture forms the authoritative oracles of God, centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Bible is the complete divine revelation, relaying the truth about God, humanity, salvation, judgment, and eternity with divine authority and accuracy.
Purpose and Function of the Oracles
As authoritative revelations from God, the scriptural oracles serve many crucial functions. They testify about Jesus Christ and God’s plan of salvation (John 5:39; Luke 24:27). They reveal the truth about God’s nature, laws, and plan (Deuteronomy 29:29). The oracles expose the sins of humankind and point to Christ as the remedy (Romans 3:19-20; Galatians 3:24). They warn people to repent and flee coming judgment (Colossians 3:6; Hebrews 2:1-3). God’s word equips believers for every good work and guards them from deception (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Ephesians 4:14).
Additional purposes and uses for the divine oracles include:
- Instruction for wise living (2 Timothy 3:16; Psalm 119:98-100)
- Guidance for God’s will (Psalm 119:105; Isaiah 30:21)
- Reproof for sin (Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16)
- Correction for erroneous living (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 4:2)
- Training in righteousness (Psalm 119:171; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
- Prophecies of Christ and the future (Luke 24:27; 1 Peter 1:10-12)
- Source of joy, peace, and hope (Jeremiah 15:16; Romans 15:4; Psalm 119:111)
In summary, the scriptural oracles thoroughly equip Christians for faith and godliness, by revealing the truth about God’s plan, human nature, salvation, ethics, and eternal realities (2 Peter 1:3). They form the church’s foundation and final authority in doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in godliness (1 Timothy 3:15-17).
Characteristics of the Divine Oracles
As the very words of God, the holy oracles exhibit unique attributes that reflect their divine inspiration. Some key characteristics include:
- Infallible – As God’s words, the oracles contain no errors or falsehoods (2 Samuel 7:28; Psalm 12:6; 19:7).
- Authoritative – They command obedience and judge human thoughts and actions (Isaiah 55:11; Hebrews 4:12).
- Complete – Nothing needs to be added to scripture (Revelation 22:18-19).
- Effective – The oracles accomplish God’s purposes infallibly (Isaiah 55:11; Matthew 24:35).
- Enduring – Scripture stands forever though the earth perishes (Psalm 119:89-91; Matthew 24:35).
- Empowering – God’s word gives spiritual life and renewal (Psalm 119:25, 37, 107; Ezekiel 37:4-6).
- Enlightening – The oracles give God’s wisdom and understanding (Psalm 119:98-100,130).
As divinely inspired utterances, the scriptural oracles speak God’s words with absolute truth, authority, power, and light. They endure above all human writings.
Treasuring the Oracles
Since the scriptures come from God Himself, they deserve our utmost reverence and care. The psalmist treasured God’s word more than money or food (Psalm 119:72, 103). Jeremiah delighted in the joy and riches of the divine oracles (Jeremiah 15:16). After encountering Jesus, the Samaritans believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony, saying, “we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world” (John 4:42). Authentic faith comes from hearing God’s word (Romans 10:17), not physical evidence or human wisdom (Luke 16:31; 1 Corinthians 1:18-21). Peter exhorts believers to “long for the pure spiritual milk” of God’s word so they may grow in their salvation (1 Peter 2:2). The scriptures thoroughly equip Christians for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Paul charges Timothy to guard and carefully transmit the scriptural deposit to faithful people (1 Timothy 6:20-21; 2 Timothy 2:2). Believers must handle the word properly (2 Timothy 2:15), live by every word from God’s mouth (Matthew 4:4), and put its teachings into daily practice (James 1:22). As the light for life’s path, no other wisdom compares to the holy oracles of God revealed in scripture (Psalm 119:105, 130). The divine oracles expose, cleanse, and change hearts to make people wise for salvation through faith in Christ (2 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 4:12).
Conclusion
The holy oracles of God recorded in scripture provide His definitive, authoritative self-disclosure and teachings to humanity. The central message of the Bible is God’s redemption of sinners through the sacrificial death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ. The Old and New Testament scriptures reveal God’s truth without error through the Holy Spirit’s inspiration of chosen prophets and apostles. As the written form of God’s verbal revelations, the Bible deserves the utmost honor, study, obedience, and proclamation from Christ’s church. The divine oracles thoroughly furnish Christians for understanding God’s purposes, living righteously, proclaiming the gospel, and enjoying eternal life.