It is estimated that there are between 5,000 and 7,000 languages throughout the world. Each language has its own alphabet, the majority of them have 26 letters in their alphabet but there are some that differ for example, Hebrew has 22, Arabic has 28, Scandinavian languages have 29, Russian has 33 and so on. As children in primary school we were taught the alphabet of our native tongue but most children have the ability to speak their native language before they go to school.
At the United Nations the representatives for each nation sit at their desks in the debating chamber. There is a room overlooking the chamber that houses the interpreters who can translate what is being said into the language of their representative country. This reveals to us the importance of having the correct understanding of any communication being made, accuracy is of prime importance. The two main languages spoken in the United Nations building are English and French. Most notices around the building are written in these two languages.
The graphics of the letters of each alphabet differ and some will convey extra meanings than a plain A, B, C type understanding of the alphabet. For example the English alphabet carries 26 letters and each letter has no meaning to it whereas the Hebrew alphabet has 22 letters and each letter has a particular meaning. Beginning with Alef which means oxen, Bet which means House, Gimel which means Camel and Dalet which means Door. Many towns and cities names begin with Bet so Bethlehem means House of Bread and Bethesda means House of Mercy. This extra information to each letter conveys meaning and understanding of truth being revealed. Psalm 119 is a prime example of this structure. It is comprised of 176 verses that are divided into 22 stanzas of eight verses each. Each verse in the stanza begins with the same letter that heads the stanza, so the first eight verses each begin with the letter Alef. This construction of the Psalm is known as an acrostic. Alphabet letters are the building blocks to construct words, and words can convey all manner of helpful information. Wikipedia’s explanation of the origin of language follows an entirely evolutionist view, suggesting that animals developed a sound in their throat that they understood to be the foundation of human language. As the animals got more upright so the grunts became more communicative. This unfortunately is as foolish as the rest of the evolution theories. Whether a child in primary school or a student at university the learning and understanding of words can enhance intelligence to understand matters that are complex. Some people think that the words in the Bible are difficult to understand but by reading them one can discover truths not previously understood.
When God created the world words were spoken to initiate that creation, Genesis chapter 1 says on each of the first seven days “and God said”. He was speaking to the component parts of planet earth and the universe. Psalm 33 v 9 confirms “For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast”. The second voice to be heard was that of Adam; he saw the beautiful person that was to be his wife and identified her as woman, naming her Eve. The third voice heard in the Garden of Eden was that of Satan when he sowed a doubt in Eves mind when he said, “hath God said”, questioning the truth of Gods word. But then God speaks again and he asks the question “Adam where art thou”? that question exposes Adam in relation to his sin of disobeying God. Whether it was God who spoke or Adam or Satan, it was with one language. One language was used in the world for approximately 1700 years and then something dramatic took place. We read in Genesis chapter 11 v 1 – 9 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.6 And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
Since that time there has been a diversification of language throughout the world with the exception of what took place fifty days after Jesus arose from the dead. On that day, which is called the day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter preached the gospel in his native tongue but there were present over 16 nationalities that heard the words he spoke in their own language.
The Holy Spirit became the United Nations Translator so that everyone could hear the gospel and understand it. Three thousand souls were converted to Christ that day. Those three thousand souls formed the first part of the heavenly choir which will sing with one common language the praises and exaltation of their loving Saviour for all eternity. Millions will be there. Will You?
God bless,
Written by Guest Blogger for FTMP
No comments
Post a Comment