The Voice of God (Hebrews 3:7-19)
This is one of the great passages that should be read frequently by everyone who wants to go to heaven. At some point in every person’s life, God speaks, we hear the voice of God. Those who listen and respond to Him are blessed. Those who do not pay a high price for their failure to give heed to His voice.
There are many people throughout the Bible who were blessed by God and used for His honor because they listened to His voice. We read about Noah in Genesis 6-8; Moses in Exodus 3; Samuel in First Samuel 3; Paul in Acts 9. This list could go on and on.
The voice of God is His guidance to lead us to the center of His will for our lives. Without God’s voice, we are like an airplane without instruments, We are clearly led through life’s journey.
All of us need to listen to the voice of God. Let’s read Hebrews 3:7-19.
7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says,
“Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, 9 where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. 10 Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’ 11 As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.'”
12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. 15 As it is said,
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
16 For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? 17 And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.
Look at the Possibility of Hearing (v. 7)
The emphasis is very clear that God is speaking in our world. There are many radio stations on the air but only those who are listening hear what they are broadcasting. God is speaking because He has special plans for each one of us.
The emphasis of this verse places the responsibility on the listener.
- According to Hebrews 1, God still speaks to those who are listening.
- Wise persons set their minds and hearts to receive God’s voice and guidance. There are many voices clamoring for our attention. God’s voice is the one that really matters.
Look at the Wisdom of Listening to His Voice (v. 15)
Two times in this scripture the urgency of paying attention to God is emphasized.
- Verses 12 and 13 issue strong admonitions to the urgency of listening.
- The voice of God is analogous to the channel markers that guide great ships in and out of safe harbor. This is a clear message of God’s desire to lead us to the safety of His will.
Today is the day of salvation. There will never be a tomorrow. It is always today. Those who wait on tomorrow will miss out on the plans that God has for them.
Look at the Responsibility We Have to Respond Positively (v. 16-19)
The scripture is very clear about where the responsibility lies for enjoying God’s blessings.
- The Israelites were unable to enter the Promised Land because they failed to take the responsibility to obey God’s guidance (Exodus 13-14).
- God had better plans for the Israelites than they had for themselves. They failed to remember the verification of His promises through the early years of the Exodus (v.7-11). Note the account God gives in Deuteronomy 29:1-15.
The scripture indicates that we may or may not respond to God. God will not force himself upon anyone. The option of listening to God and obeying His voice is an individual choice.
Voice of God Conclusion
When we hear the voice of God it is very critical that we obey Him. Those who do not heed His voice are like those described in verses 16-19. Are you listening to the voice of Jesus as He calls you to the great life the Father had in mind when He created you?
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