What other biblical instances show God controlling someone's speech? Context: Ezekiel’s Muzzled Mouth Ezekiel 3:26 — “I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth, and you shall be mute and unable to rebuke them, for they are a rebellious house.” God’s sovereignty over Ezekiel’s ability to speak sets the pattern: the Creator can silence or loose any tongue whenever it serves His purposes. Other Times God Restricts Speech • Zechariah — Luke 1:20, 64: silenced for unbelief, then speech restored when John is born. • Balaam — Numbers 22:38; 23:12; 24:13: repeatedly declares he can speak only what God puts in his mouth. • Balaam’s donkey — Numbers 22:28: “Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth…” • Job’s friends indirectly (Job 42:7-9): God rebukes and limits their words by demanding sacrifice and Job’s intercession. • Additional Ezekiel moments — Ezekiel 24:27; 33:22: mouth reopened only when God permits. Moments God Opens Mouths • Moses & Aaron — Exodus 4:11-12, 15: “I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” • Isaiah — Isaiah 6:7: live coal touches lips, freeing him to say, “Here am I! Send me.” • Jeremiah — Jeremiah 1:9: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.” • David — 2 Samuel 23:2: “The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; His word was on my tongue.” • Saul — 1 Samuel 10:6, 10: Spirit comes on him and he prophesies. • Apostles at Pentecost — Acts 2:4: “began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” • Early-church boldness — Acts 4:8, 31: Spirit-filled speech before authorities. Prophets Given Specific Words • Balaam (again) — Numbers 23–24: prophetic oracles dictated by God. • Ezekiel — Ezekiel 2:7; 3:10-11: commanded to speak God’s exact words. • Jeremiah — Jeremiah 26:2: “Do not omit a word.” • Isaiah — Isaiah 50:4: “The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of those who are taught.” New Testament Echoes • Jesus to the Twelve — Matthew 10:19-20; Mark 13:11; Luke 12:12: in persecution, “it is not you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father.” • Paul — 1 Corinthians 2:13: words taught “by the Spirit.” • Prophetic utterance in the churches — 1 Corinthians 14:30-33: Spirit governs who speaks and when. Summary From silencing Ezekiel and Zechariah to empowering prophets, kings, donkeys, apostles, and ordinary believers, Scripture repeatedly shows God exercising complete authority over human (and animal) speech. He closes mouths to judge or protect, and He opens them to reveal His will, ensuring that every word ultimately serves His redemptive purposes. |
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