What other biblical instances show God speaking directly to His people? Hearing God in Jeremiah 13:3 “Then the word of the LORD came to me a second time” (Jeremiah 13:3). God speaks; Jeremiah hears Him clearly. This moment is one thread in a fabric of direct, unmistakable divine speech that runs from Genesis to Revelation. Voices in the Garden and the Patriarchal Tents • Genesis 1:3 — “And God said, ‘Let there be light.’” Creation itself begins with an audible word. • Genesis 3:9-13 — “Then the LORD God called to the man…” Adam and Eve converse with their Maker. • Genesis 12:1-3 — “The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Leave your country…’” A clear command launches the covenant people. • Genesis 22:1-2, 11-18 — “God said… ‘Take your son…’” and later, “the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven.” Direct instruction and immediate follow-up. At the Burning Bush and Mount Sinai • Exodus 3:4-6 — “God called to him from within the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’” Holy ground conversation. • Exodus 19:9; 20:1-19 — Israel hears God thunder His own law: “And God spoke all these words.” • Numbers 12:5-8 — “With him [Moses] I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles.” Guidance through the Wilderness and into the Land • Joshua 1:1-9 — “The LORD said to Joshua… ‘Be strong and courageous.’” • Judges 6:11-24 — The LORD speaks to Gideon, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” Prophets Who Heard the Word • 1 Samuel 3:4-14 — “Then the LORD called Samuel.” A child learns to recognize God’s voice. • 2 Samuel 7:4-17 — “That night the word of the LORD came to Nathan.” • 1 Kings 19:11-13 — Elijah encounters “a gentle whisper.” • Job 38:1 — “Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind.” • Isaiah 6:8-13 — “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send?’” • Ezekiel 2:1-3 — “He said to me, ‘Son of man, stand on your feet and I will speak with you.’” • Daniel 10:10-14 — A heavenly messenger delivers God’s words. The Father’s Voice in the Gospels • Matthew 3:17 — “A voice from heaven said, ‘This is My beloved Son…’” • Matthew 17:5 — “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said…” • John 12:28-30 — “Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it…’” Christ Speaks after His Ascension • Acts 9:4-6 — “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” • Acts 10:13-16 — “Then a voice said to him: ‘Rise, Peter, kill and eat.’” • Acts 18:9-10 — “The Lord said to Paul in a vision at night, ‘Do not be afraid…’” • Acts 23:11 — “The Lord stood near Paul and said, ‘Take courage!’” • Acts 13:2 — “While they were worshiping…the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul…’” Revelation: The Last Word • Revelation 1:10-11 — “I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet.” • Revelation 2–3 — Repeated refrain: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” • Revelation 21:3 — “I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.’” What These Moments Reveal about God • He initiates relationship—speaking first, calling us by name. • His voice comes in varied settings: gardens, deserts, thrones, prisons. • He speaks through audible words, whispers, visions, and heavenly proclamations. • Every word is purposeful: creating, commanding, correcting, comforting, commissioning. The same God who spoke to Jeremiah still speaks through His written Word, reliable and living. Listening remains essential for every generation that opens Scripture with attentive hearts. |
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