Exodus 20:22
And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.
Exodus 20:22
God explicitly addresses Moses to relay a message to the people: they have witnessed that God has spoken from heaven. The cylinder of revelation is moving from a direct, dramatic display to a defined, communicative promise: what they have heard from heaven is reliable and binding. The phrase emphasizes God’s personal initiative to reveal Himself and to articulate expectations. The setting reinforces the reliability and authority of the revelation the people received at Sinai. The historical context shows that God desires to be known and appealed to through trusted mediators, yet He remains the source of authority—He has spoken. This verse anchors the divine initiative in the covenant relationship, ensuring the people understand that their God is living, speaking, and present.
Theologically, this is a declaration of God’s faithfulness to reveal Himself and to be heard. It underlines the reliability of revelation—what the people have heard is not a myth or a trick but a direct discourse from heaven. It also reinforces the role of Moses as the mediator and the ongoing need for faithful transmission of God’s word to the community. The verse has christological resonance: Jesus stands as the ultimate Word from heaven, the fuller revelation of God, who speaks truth and life. The emphasis on heaven-sent speech anchors doctrinal confidence in Scripture and divine self-disclosure.
For today, this verse invites us to trust the Bible as God’s authoritative speech. Read Scripture as a hearing from heaven that shapes belief and practice. In practical terms: when unsure, return to God’s revealed Word rather than popular opinion or personal whim. Cultivate habits that help you hear God—regular Bible reading, prayer, and communal teaching. If you feel distant from God, remind yourself that He has spoken and continues to speak through the Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and the church. Model: join a Bible study, memorize key verses, and discuss what it means to live out God’s voice in daily decisions.
Cross-References: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Psalm 19:7-11