What does "I have heard what the prophets say" reveal about God's awareness? The Verse in Focus “I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in My name, saying, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’ ” What the Phrase Reveals about God’s Awareness • God’s listening is active and personal – “I have heard” shows He is not distant or inattentive; He is personally monitoring human speech (Psalm 94:9). • God hears every claim made in His name – Speaking “in My name” invites His immediate scrutiny; nothing labeled “from God” escapes His notice (Deuteronomy 18:20). • God discerns truth from deception – He identifies these voices as “prophets [who] prophesy lies,” proving His awareness goes beyond hearing words to knowing motives (1 Samuel 16:7). • God’s awareness precedes judgment – By stating He has heard, He sets the stage for holding false prophets accountable (Jeremiah 23:30-32). Supporting Scriptures on God’s Comprehensive Awareness • Psalm 139:4 — “Even before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, O LORD.” • Hebrews 4:13 — “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight…” • 2 Chronicles 16:9 — “For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth…” • Matthew 12:36 — “I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.” Practical Takeaways • Speak with reverence: God hears every word, especially those spoken in His name. • Test teachings: Since God judges false prophecy, we should weigh every message against Scripture (Acts 17:11). • Find comfort in His vigilance: God’s awareness protects His people from deception and affirms that truth will prevail. |
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