WORD SECRETS by J. O. C.

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jul 6, 1915

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 42, No. 26.

WORD SECRETS

By J. O. C.

HENRY DRUMMOND offered a suggestion concerning words that is worthy of study. He said that a man's whole life can be unlocked if the words he uses are closely watched. If this be true, the cultivation of choice words is of great importance.

Viewing the subject from Mr. Drummond's statement, one is reminded that the associations of men have much to do with the form of words they use in regular conversation.

THE USE OF THE WORD “FATHER”

As an illustration of this line of thought, the word “father” was scarcely ever used by the ancient house of Israel except with reference to an earthly ancestor. The term did not carry, with them, the weight of loving attachment which should have bound them closely together, but simply indicated pedigree, and their pride of ancestry. With scarcely more than a single exception, no one thought of using the word to express relationship with the heavenly Author of their being. In consequence, every reference to the Creator was made the occasion of fear and trembling, and the voice of His words from Sinai brought forth the united demand that God cease speaking to them, lest they die. They could bear any statement from their earthly leader, Moses, because their knowledge of humanity far exceeded their understanding of Him who had their best interest most deeply at heart. Ex. 20: 19.

Even though, at the same interview, the people were asked to make a sanctuary for God, that He might dwell among them (Ex. 25: 8), yet their experience in Egyptian bondage had caused them to regard Jehovah more as a taskmaster than as a Father who had loved and was yet loving them with an everlasting affection. Jer. 31: 3. Thus their words were the true reflection of their life history, and also clearly indicated the faithless attitude they maintained toward the future.

Later in the history of that people, one came upon the stage of activity who had a wider view of God's relation to humanity. Elijah was trained under the direct supervision of Heaven's power, and thus learned something of divine gentleness and paternal promptness. When he vindicated the authority of Jehovah before the host of Baal worshipers, although he manifested much human weakness in doing so, God quickly responded to his petition for a heavenly manifestation. 1 Kings 18: 24-38. But when this same prophet became derelict in duty, heavenly reproof was gently administered at Mount Horeb. 1 Kings 19: 9-18. In all this, he learned that God was more than a severe judge of human action — he found Him to be a loving Father. So when his earth work was done, and horses and chariot of fire appeared to convey him above, he was enabled to cry, “My Father, my Father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.” 2 Kings 2: 12.

“I GO TO MY FATHER”

Like the Son of God, the prophet foreknew that he was going to the Father. Doubtless this knowledge was the cord that bound the prophet to his work under the varying circumstances in which it came to him. But there is another thought in this connection which naturally comes forward, and that is that the prophet, in being thus taken “to the Father,” was a forceful type of the Saviour's declaration, “I go unto My Father.” John 14: 12.

The term “my Father” expresses one of the grandest sentiments language affords, because it embodies love and childlike trust that no other two words can convey with a single exception. Christ made it the center of His life work, and the password of His approach to the throne of the universe. He made it also the rallying cry of unity for those who would be members of God's household. He had come from the Father, and constantly anticipated the time when He would return to the Father, and in the end connect His followers with the perpetual life right which He had purchased for them.

“OUR FATHER”

With this end in view, His early instruction to believers when approaching God was to say, “Our Father”—that is, Christ's Father and mine. Thou didst love Him “before the foundation of the world,” and Thou didst also love me enough to give that beloved Son to redeem me. Now that He has gone to Thee to prepare a place for me, that I may be with Him where He is (John 17: 24), I am His, and He is mine. Thou art our Father.

Then, as the expression on the lips of the Saviour became more touchingly tender as the close of His earthly ministry drew near, reminding one of a wistful eagerness to reach the home of His ardent love, so as life draws near its close with those who have daily gone “to the Father” in daily preparation for the final face-to-face meeting, He will become the one more loving, tender Parent, drawing the soul upward toward Him in deep yearning for the concluding event, where one will be satisfied with long life in the presence of eternal glory.

Those precious words will thus become a deep-scented fragrance of heavenly knowledge in every place as the expression of the Spirit's mysterious indwelling and control of human effort. 2 Cor. 2: 14, 15. J. O. C.