See What You Say

“Must I not be careful to speak what the LORD puts in my mouth?” Numbers 23:12

Be Careful – Shamar is a word that take a wide range of “protection” ideas. It can mean to keep, to preserve, to guard, to watch over, and to be careful. But the essence of shamar can be seen in two Old Testament stories. Once you know that shamar is the word behind these two stories, you will see something new about what you say.

The first story comes from Genesis 2:15. God tells Adam and Eve to shamar (watch over) the Garden. Before the fall, before the entry of sin into our lives, God expected human beings to be careful with His creation. The authority given us as stewards includes the assumption that we will take great care of His handiwork. There is no room, before or after the fall, for apathy or indifference. Whatever God gives obligates us to fiduciary responsibility.

The second story comes from 1 Samuel 2:12. Hannah prays for a son and the priest “carefully watches” her lips move. Here the word shamar shows us that great attention to every detail is part of the responsibility of being His steward. The fact that Jewish theology considers this story to be the ultimate expression of prayer only adds to the picture. God’s gift embraces my thought, my emotions and my words, even when I am unable to speak them aloud.

What we learn is this: before and after sin invaded humanity, God expected us to protect His creation. Why? Because His creation reflects His character. Guarding what God gives is nothing less than worshipping Him.

What I speak are not just my words. If I am in the Way, if my steps are ordered by my Lord, then my words become a reflection of my Master. What I speak is His.

How would your words change if every one came with a stamp of approval from God?