Hearing God’s Voice: Hebrews 4 Heb 4:7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Contrary to some interpreters of the Bible, I believe God, through the writer of the book of Hebrews, is addressing those who have made a prior profession of faith in Christ and not the unregenerate world. He is warning those who claim to already know God to not harden their minds against God’s Word. The Greek word translated “harden,” in the active sense means to be intentional in hardening, making dry or stiff one’s mind against God’s voice or Word. In the passive sense it can be understood as unintentionally, through neglect of one’s relationship with God, allowing one’s mind to harden toward God’s voice or Word. This last process would not be as noticeable of a rebellion against God’s voice or Word as the first active example. Both are very dangerous routes and end up at the same place through different roads. Concerning the Greek word translated “harden,” God says the following things in the book of Hebrews, all of which is related to Christians: Hebrews 3:8 (note) Do not harden (active voice) your hearts as when they provoked Me, As in the day of trial in the wilderness, (Comment: Dont make a volitional choice or a choice of your will to harden your heart). Hebrews 3:13 (note) But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called Today, lest any one of you be hardened (passive voice) by the deceitfulness of sin. (Comment: The deception of sin - promises one thing, gives another - produces hardening of ones heart.) Hebrews 3:15 (note) while it is said, Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden (active voice) your hearts, as when they provoked Me. (Comment: Dont make a volitional choice or a choice of your will to harden your heart). (Scripture and comments accompanying Scripture from PreceptAustin.org) The writer of Hebrews is teaching that the process of hearing God’s voice is crucial to continuing in relationship with God and not “drifting” away. The Greek Word translated “hear” means to hear with attention, to hear effectually so as to perform or grant what is spoken” (Strong’s). It seems that the person listening is having no problems understanding that God is clearly speaking. The Word is found all through the book of Hebrews: Hebrews 2:1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. Hebrews 3:7 (note) Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, 8 DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME, AS IN THE DAY OF TRIAL IN THE WILDERNESS Hebrews 3:15 (note) while it is said, TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS, AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME. Hebrews 4:7 (note) He again fixes a certain day, Today, saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS. Hebrews 5:9 (note) And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey (literally hear under, listen attentively hupakouo = hupo + akouo) Him the source of eternal salvation, Hebrews 5:11 (note) Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. Hebrews 11:8 (note) By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed (literally hear under, listen attentivelyhupakouo = hupo + akouo) by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. How do we “hear” God’s voice in order that our hearts (minds) are not hardened? I would argue that Hebrews 4:12 is a verse that indicates how we primarily hear God’s voice or the source from which we hear God’s voice. I would say it reveals the most assured way, non-subjective way we as Christians hear God’s voice. The writer of Hebrews states, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” If we want to make sure that we continue in a right relationship with God through Christ, we must continue to keep a receptive heart through a continual ingesting of “the Word of God.” According to the text of Hebrews 4:12 the Word of God is alive, as powerful as dynamite, and is like a sword that can pierce down into our soul and spirit, into the deepest parts of our mind, and therefore, can discern the thoughts and intentions of our hearts/minds, which often are not in alignment with God’s thoughts and intentions. We must stay in God’s Word, hear His voice, so that we can stay in alignment with His will for our lives and so that our minds can continue to be made alive, empowered like dynamite, and contain the mind of Christ and not the wisdom of the fallen world. If you want to hear God’s voice for sure, get into the Bible and read and pray through what you read. For these Hebrew Christians it was the Old Testament Scriptures from which they heard God speak. For us, we are double-blessed with the same OT and the New Testament that is equally full of life, power, and discerning ability. Peace of Christ to you, Kevin Boone
Posted on: Fri, 29 Nov 2013 17:08:46 +0000
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