Jump Start # 609

Hebrews 3:7-9  “Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, “TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME, AS IN THE DAY OF TRIAL IN THE WILDERNESS, WHERE YOUR FATHERS TRIED Me BY TESTING Me, AND SAW MY WORKS FOR FORTY YEARS.”

This passage pleads for us to “Hear His voice.” The voice of God—what a great thought for us to consider. I’ve been thinking about voices lately. Being a preacher, taking care of my voice is pretty important. My dad had surgery recently on his vocal cords. He had something that was affecting his voice. How important our voice is.  A mother will recognize the voice of her child without even having to turn around. Most all of us have a distinct voice. Some have a regional dialogue that makes their voice unique. Some speak high pitched. I have a friend who’s voice is very deep. Some speak slowly and drawn out. Others talk very fast. I’m one of those fast talkers. Always have been. Folks have encouraged me to slow down but I just have a hard time doing that.

The idea of “voice” is found throughout the Bible. God told Cain that the voice of his dead brother’s blood was calling out. In Hebrews we find that the voice of Abel, though he is dead, still speaks. God praised Abraham for obeying His voice. The voice of God spoke to Moses through the burning bush. After Jesus was baptized the voice of Heaven spoke. John, in the book of Revelation, heard a voice speaking behind him. He turned and it was Jesus. In Psalms 29, the expression, “the voice of the Lord” is repeated seven times. The Romans were encouraged to speak “one voice,” which signified unity of heart, mind and purpose. Voice.

I’ve heard a recording of Thomas Edison’s voice. I’ve heard a recording of President Roosevelt telling the American public that there was nothing to fear, but fear itself. I’ve heard a recording of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous “I have a dream” speech. I’ve heard a recording of Lou Gherig’s famous farewell speech from Yankee Stadium. I’ve heard the voice of Neil Armstrong as he stepped upon the moon. When I traveled overseas, I heard voices speaking a different language. I didn’t know understand what was being said. I’ve heard the voice of my son as he lead singing on a Sunday morning. I’ve heard the voice of another son as he preached the word of God. Voices. Voices of excitement. Voices of sorrow. Voices trying to sell you things. Voices of tenderness. Voices of love. Voices of anger. I read that the average adult speaks nearly 20,000 words a day. Voices.

Our passage today calls upon us to hear His voice—the voice of God. The voice of God. I wonder what God sounded like when Moses heard Him in that burning bush? I wonder what Jesus sounded like when He preached the sermon on the mount? The emphasis of this passage is not upon the pitch or tone of God’s voice, but what was said. Hearing God means to listen to His word.

The page before in Hebrews reminds us that there was a time that God spoke in many ways. He spoke through a burning bush. He spoke through prophets. He spoke once through a donkey. He used dreams and visions to get His message across. But today, in these last days, He speaks through Jesus. Jesus speaks through the word of God. There are no voices from God today. There are no visions, dreams, signs, or other forms of communications. God speaks through Jesus. His voice is the Bible. This is why we call it “The Word of God.”

Those today who claim God is still speaking, at least they think He’s speaking to them, are missing the thrust of these Hebrew passages. God leads through the word of God (Jn 6:44-45). God speaks through the Word of God.

So important is this word of God that Paul said it comes before the voice of angels or anything that the apostles might say differently. God’s word comes first.

So important is this word, that once it was given, the place for signs, wonders and miracles would not be needed. The word is what people would have. The word would lead to faith in Jesus Christ.

So important is the word of God that it will be used to judge us. Jesus said to reject His word, was to reject Him. I can’t have Jesus without having His word. Many don’t seem to understand this. So close is Jesus to the word that John begins his gospel by calling Jesus “the word.” In the beginning was the word…He’s talking about Jesus.

So, what is God saying to you? It’s in the Bible. What does God say? It’s in the Bible. That’s how He speaks. We need the Bible. We need to treasure it, know it, follow it, and let it sink deeply within us. The Bible is the voice of God. It defines what is right. It is the answer. There is nothing that tops the Bible. Man can fuss about who can and cannot get married. We can argue about when life begins or when it ends. What God says is it. God has spoken.

Years ago, RCA used to have an image of a dog sitting in front of an old phonograph. The caption read, “the voice of the master.” That’s what we have with the Bible—the voice of our master.

Someday, we will hear God calling our name—calling us home to Him. What a wonderful day that will be…the voice of God.

Roger