This is the third post in a series on characters in the Bible. In the first post, we thought about the fact that characters in the Bible function as mirrors for the reader. In the second post we thought about the truth that characters in the Bible lack the details that modern story characters have. Today we are going to think through the importance of characters dialogue.
If you read modern fiction or even watch modern television shows or movies, you are probably used to a lot of fast and quick action. Action, character movement, and character interaction drives much of the modern story telling. We, as readers and watchers, want to see and hear our characters do things. We focus more on the action than on the dialogue. In today's world, character actions trumps dialogue to the point we are used to quips and short memorably lines, over the heart-felt morally expressing, character speeches.
In the Bible, characters quipping or giving short memorable lines, is not found. Yes, a characters in a story, might give a one line response or ask a single sentence question. But these single lines are not the focus, not what is to be remembered about the story. The longer speeches and dialogue is what the focus of the story is and the memorable part of the story. In fact, in Biblical stories, you will most times only find characters giving longer speeches. And when a character gives a speech, this is critical to notice.
Take a few examples. In Genesis 50, Jacob finally dies, and Joseph and his brothers are left without their father. The brothers get nervous about what will happen and try to make a peace treaty with Joseph. Joseph summons his brothers before him and explains the situation. Genesis 50 is only a few verses long, yet a lot of action takes place in a short amount of time. But it is the speech of Joseph that drives the story. It is the speech of Joseph that not only drives the story, but also carries the theology of the story, the intention for the reader, and the big idea for the entire book of Genesis. Joseph, in his long speech and explanation to his brother declares, "what you meant for evil, God meant for God, to save the lives of millions". This speech by the character in this story is what we are to see and hear. Joseph's dialogue carries this final story in the life of Abraham's descendant.
Another example is the story from David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11 and 12. For almost 2 chapters, we have fast paced action. David sees a woman. David sends for a woman. David sleeps with a woman. David tries to cover up the sin, multiple times. David finally kills the woman's husband. All of this action begins in a single night. But after the single night, at least 2 months flies by. In these 2 chapters we have a lot of quick action, with little dialogue, and no moral commentary. But then the story slows down in the middle of chapter 12. When Nathan enters the scene, the story's pace draws to a halt. Nathan begins a longer speech to David, by telling him a story. And as the story of Nathan, in his speech, comes to a close, he confronts and accuses David. It is the speech of Nathan that wraps up the story, explains the morals of the story, points to the theological emphasis of God, and pushes David to repent. Nathan's speech does not carry the story, like Joseph's did, but rather it functions as the commentary to all the fast paced action that took place before it. Nathan's speech is critical for this story and must not be missed.
Both of these examples, of character's speeches, show what I am explaining today. Character dialogue in the Bible is critical for understanding the characters in their story. When a character talks, we need to stop and read their words carefully. When a character gives a speech, we need to stop and study what they are saying. And most critically, if the character who talks is God, we need to understand them clearly. A character's dialogue in Biblical narrative is critical for correctly understanding the stories.
So next time you are reading a story in the Bible and come across a character talking, especially in a longer speech, stop and really study what they are saying. Action in Biblical narrative is a good thing. But it is the characters words and speeches that truly bring the beauty, depth, and theology of the Bible to life. See and know what the characters are saying.
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