The Power of the Non-verbal
Studying the book of Ezekiel and teaching a survey class through the book this
summer, many “secondary lessons” have come to my attention. One is the power of
the nonverbal.
In addition to visions, allegories, indictments and judgment passages, one
method of communication was symbolic actions or enactments. Ezekiel was told to
go through certain actions; to act out or dramatize various things in front of
the people. These actions, though often accompanied by words, become examples of
how powerful the nonverbal is. {See examples in Ezek. 3:22-27; 4:1-3; 4:9-17;
24:15-24].
While nobody today lives in the time of the Jewish exile and nobody today is
called to do what the prophet did, there is a “secondary lesson” concerning the
power of the nonverbal.
While Christians are charged to speak the truth, we are likewise charged to live
out that truth in all our behavior. We communicate not only through words but
deeds. People see how we live, in addition to hearing what we say.
Therefore, all our self-examination should take into sober account not only what
we speak but what we do. One must accompany the other and both must be in
submission to God’s authority. In fact, this is so important – it becomes
critical for us to realize that what we say may have little impact, if what we
do contradicts it! Some people who have very little Bible knowledge,
nevertheless can spot a hypocrite at some distance.
Or as James once said, “So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the
law of liberty,” (Jas. 2:12).
By Warren E. Berkley
The Front Page
From Expository Files 17.9; September 2010
