Prayer IX: GOD speaking in an audible voice

Moses and the burning bush

I am so sorry that I could not post this on Tuesday as regularly scheduled. I was a little under the weather. But here we goooo!

The final way (at least from the list we identified here) that GOD speaks to us is in a clear audible voice, you know, like you talk to your friends? Actually, that was the original plan of GOD, we were meant to be HIS friends:

Genesis 3

 ⁸ Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. ⁹ But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” 

Apparently, Adam and Eve were used to strolling and gisting with GOD before things fell apart.  Can you imagine that? Despite the fact that they lost that privilege when they were kicked out of the garden for disobedience (read the rest of Gen 3), several  people have been recorded who were able to converse with GOD like Adam and Eve did. I will start with Moses - who unambigously heard the voice of GOD. It began at HIS call:

Exodus 3: 1-6

¹ Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. ² And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. ³ Then Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.”
⁴ So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!”
And he said, “Here I am.”
⁵ Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” ⁶ Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God. 

Powerful encounter no? And as their relationship progressed, Moses graduated to being able to talk with GOD face to face. Imagine that. Incredible is it not? A very unique relationship it was. So that when Aaron and Meriam, his sister and brother disrespected Moses as he lead the Isrealites, this is what GOD had to say:

Numbers 12

 ¹ Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married; for he had married an Ethiopian woman. ² So they said, “Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?” And the LORD heard it. ³ (Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.)
⁴ Suddenly the LORD said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “Come out, you three, to the tabernacle of meeting!” So the three came out. ⁵ Then the LORD came down in the pillar of cloud and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam. And they both went forward. ⁶ Then He said,

      “Hear now My words:
      If there is a prophet among you,
      I, the LORD, make Myself known to him in a vision;
      I speak to him in a dream.

 ⁷ Not so with My servant Moses;
      He is faithful in all My house.

 ⁸ I speak with him face to face,
      Even plainly, and not in dark sayings;
      And he sees the form of the LORD.
      Why then were you not afraid
      To speak against My servant Moses?” 

Just on a side note: There is some controversy in the literature over whether or not this woman was black. If she was, we have the first recorded case or racism here folks - and we also see how GOD felt about it!!

Moving right along,  take a good look at verse 8: GOD spoke to Moses - face to face. Wow!

Thinking about this a little more actually, this was also what the disciples enjoyed when they walked with JESUS - they walked with GOD, spoke to HIM and learned from HIM - face to face. I don't  need to give verses for that - just read the gospels.

I will end on a thoughtful note: We lost so much when Adam and Eve sinned - including our abilities to communicate freely and easily with our maker. Now along with everything else, it is hard work. CHRIST came to once again open up the lines of communication. There may still be people who talk with GOD like Moses did, but they are not too many. But there will be a day...! Like Paul said:

I cor 13:12

 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

Now we see dimly and know in part. But the day will come when we shall know fully - see fully,  hear fully.

Stay the course folks. Stay the course.

Next time: How to pray!

Song of the day: I am convinced this song was inspired by Moses encounter at the burning bush:

A version by the incomparable Sandi Patti:

And beautiful choral version - loves it!


Have a wonderful day!