The Unvarying Requirement: To Hear God’s Voice

Yesterday, we began to see that we can discern three major dispensations: 1) the patriarchs, 2) Israel under the law, and then 3) the dispensation of the Gospel in which we are still living today. God’s requirements in these different dispensations were somewhat different. However, in the midst of all the differences, there remained one unvarying requirement, one thing that God always required, which never changed from dispensation to dispensation: to hear God’s voice. I believe that was what always marked out those who belonged to God and made them different from all other people. It was that they had learned to hear God’s voice.

I’d like to give you now some examples from the Pentateuch (the first five Books of Moses) all of which show the unique importance of hearing God’s voice. The first is found in Exodus 15, verse 26. Israel had come to a stage in their journey through the wilderness where they were very thirsty. There was a pool of water there called Marah, but when they wanted to drink the water they couldn’t because it was bitter. And Moses prayed to the Lord. The Lord showed him a certain tree. When he cast the tree into the water, the waters were healed and the people could drink. In the context of this, the Lord said this to Moses:

“If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.” (Ex 15:26)

What is the primary requirement? “If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God.” The Hebrew says, “If you will listen, listening.” I interpret that to mean that we have to listen to God’s voice with both our ears: the right and the left; that is to listen, listening. God said to Israel, “If you’ll do that, you’ll never be sick. I’ll keep you healthy. I’ll be your doctor. I’ll accept responsibility for your physical well-being.”

Tomorrow, I’ll share a little of my personal history regarding this wonderful Bible verse.