Scripture

And the people said to Moses, “You speak to us and we will listen. But don’t let God speak to us directly or we will die.”

Observation

The Lord gives the Israelites the Ten Commandments: do not worship other gods; do not make idols; do not misuse the Lord’s name; remember the sabbath; honour your father and mother; do not murder, commit adultery, steal, testify falsely, or covet other people’s things.

When the people hear the voice of the Lord and thunder, and they see the smoke and lightning, they are afraid. They ask Moses to speak to them from God.

Application

The biggest mistake a person or a group of people can make is to say, “Don’t let the Lord speak directly to us.”

God wants us to have friendship with Him. He loves us and longs to dialogue directly with us.

Most of His words are more ”still small voice” than thunder and trumpet blasts. But some people remain afraid of hearing God for themselves.

The demand that a pastor or prophet does all the communing with God places too heavy a burden for the minister, and absolves other christians from their own responsibility.

It can lead to error, arrogance or manipulation.

God wants each of us to hear His Holy Spirit for ourselves. He wants each of us to read the Scriptures for ourselves. He wants each of us to pray to Him for ourselves.

God is a relational God. He loves people and He wants us to talk to Him and listen to Him.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the knowledge that you want me to listen to you as well as to speak to you. Please help me to be open to your Spirit all the time. Amen.