Divine revelation refers to the disclosure of God's will and truth to humanity. The Bible, as the inspired Word of God, is the primary source of divine revelation, and the response to this revelation is a central theme throughout Scripture. The response to divine revelation involves recognition, acceptance, obedience, and worship, each of which is illustrated in various biblical narratives and teachings.

Recognition and Acceptance

The initial response to divine revelation is recognition and acceptance. In the Old Testament, the Israelites are repeatedly called to recognize the Lord as the one true God. In Deuteronomy 6:4-5 , the Shema declares, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This call to recognize God's uniqueness and authority is foundational to the covenant relationship between God and His people.

In the New Testament, the recognition of Jesus Christ as the Son of God is a pivotal response to divine revelation. Peter's confession in Matthew 16:16 exemplifies this: "Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'" This acknowledgment of Jesus' divine identity is essential for salvation and discipleship.

Obedience

Obedience is a crucial response to divine revelation. The Bible consistently emphasizes that true recognition of God's revelation leads to a life of obedience. In the Old Testament, the Israelites are commanded to obey God's laws as a response to His revelation at Sinai. Deuteronomy 11:1 states, "You shall therefore love the LORD your God and always keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments."

In the New Testament, Jesus underscores the importance of obedience in response to His teachings. In John 14:15 , He declares, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." The apostle James further emphasizes that faith without works is dead (James 2:26), highlighting that genuine faith in response to divine revelation manifests in obedient action.

Worship

Worship is another vital response to divine revelation. Throughout Scripture, encounters with God's revelation often lead to worship. In the Old Testament, the Psalms are replete with calls to worship in response to God's mighty acts and His revealed character. Psalm 95:6-7 invites, "O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care."

In the New Testament, worship is directed toward Jesus Christ as the revelation of God in human form. The Magi's visit to the infant Jesus in Matthew 2:11 illustrates this response: "On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him." Worship, therefore, is a natural and appropriate response to the revelation of God's glory and grace.

Rejection and Consequences

While many respond positively to divine revelation, Scripture also records instances of rejection and its consequences. In the Old Testament, the Israelites' repeated disobedience and idolatry, despite God's clear revelation, lead to judgment and exile. In the New Testament, Jesus laments over Jerusalem's rejection of Him, saying in Matthew 23:37 , "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling."

The rejection of divine revelation results in spiritual blindness and separation from God, as seen in Romans 1:21 : "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts."

Summary

The response to divine revelation is multifaceted, involving recognition, acceptance, obedience, and worship. These responses are essential for a faithful relationship with God and are consistently emphasized throughout the biblical narrative. The consequences of rejecting divine revelation serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of responding rightly to God's self-disclosure.