What other biblical figures received direct communication from God like Jeremiah? Setting the Scene: “The word of the LORD came” Jeremiah’s calling begins with a simple but profound statement: “Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying” (Jeremiah 1:4). Scripture records many others who experienced this same privilege—hearing God speak directly, audibly, or through unmistakable visions and angelic encounters. Below is a survey of those moments. Foundations in Genesis • Adam – “The LORD God called out to the man, ‘Where are you?’” (Genesis 3:9) • Noah – “Then God said to Noah, ‘The end of all flesh is coming before Me’” (Genesis 6:13) • Abram/Abraham – “Then the LORD said to Abram, ‘Leave your country…’” (Genesis 12:1) • Isaac – “The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, ‘Do not go down to Egypt’” (Genesis 26:2) • Jacob – “There at the top the LORD stood and said, ‘I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham’” (Genesis 28:13) Deliverers and Leaders • Moses – “God called to him from within the bush, ‘Moses, Moses!’” (Exodus 3:4) • Joshua – “The LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant” (Joshua 1:1) • Samuel – “Then the LORD came and stood there and called as before, ‘Samuel, Samuel!’” (1 Samuel 3:10) • David (through Nathan) – “That night the word of the LORD came to Nathan” (2 Samuel 7:4) Prophets of the Monarchy and Exile • Elijah – “Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah” (1 Kings 17:2) • Elisha – “The angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite” (2 Kings 1:3, pointing to Elisha’s mentor) • Isaiah – “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send?’” (Isaiah 6:8) • Ezekiel – “The word of the LORD came expressly to Ezekiel the priest” (Ezekiel 1:3) • Daniel – “In a vision at night I, Daniel, saw…” (Daniel 7:2; cf. 8:16 where “I heard a human voice calling”) The Twelve (and More) Minor Prophets Each begins (or nearly so) with a direct communiqué: • Hosea 1:1 — “The word of the LORD that came to Hosea” • Joel 1:1 — “The word of the LORD that came to Joel” • Amos 1:3 — “This is what the LORD says” • Obadiah 1:1 — “This is the vision of Obadiah” • Jonah 1:1 — “The word of the LORD came to Jonah” • Micah 1:1 — “The word of the LORD that came to Micah” • Nahum 1:1 — “An oracle concerning Nineveh” • Habakkuk 2:2 — “Then the LORD answered me” • Zephaniah 1:1 — “The word of the LORD that came to Zephaniah” • Haggai 1:1 — “The word of the LORD came through Haggai” • Zechariah 1:1 — “The word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah” • Malachi 1:1 — “The oracle of the word of the LORD to Israel through Malachi” Voices in the New Testament Era • Zechariah (John’s father) – “An angel of the Lord appeared to him… ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah’” (Luke 1:11-13) • Mary – “The angel said to her, ‘Greetings, favored one!’” (Luke 1:28) • Joseph – “An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream” (Matthew 1:20) • Jesus at His baptism – “Suddenly a voice from heaven said, ‘This is My beloved Son’” (Matthew 3:17) • Saul/Paul – “He heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’” (Acts 9:4) • Peter – “A voice spoke to him a second time” (Acts 10:15) • John on Patmos – “I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet” (Revelation 1:10) Common Threads to Notice • God initiates—He speaks first, affirming His sovereignty. • The message is clear and personal, addressing the hearer by name or specific situation. • Revelation often commissions the listener for service or prophetic witness. • These encounters span the entire biblical timeline, underscoring God’s unchanging commitment to reveal Himself. Takeaway for Today Jeremiah stands in a long line of men and women who literally heard the voice of God. Their obedience and faithful proclamation remind us that when God speaks, He means what He says, and His words never return void (Isaiah 55:11). |
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