Resources/Articles
"...I Will Be Your God..."
“Hearken unto my voice,
and I will be your God...”
Jeremiah 7:23
The expression “obeying the commandments” is very seldom used in scripture. Most often the expression is “Obey Me,” “Obeying,” or “Hearken unto my voice.” With the commander of an army, the teacher of a school, the father of a family, it is not the code of laws, however clear and good, with its rewards or threats that secures true obedience. It is the PERSONAL LIVING INFLUENCE and the voice of the One who speaks to us. It is the joy of ever hearing the Father’s voice which gives the joy and the strength of true obedience. The voice gives power to obey the word.
How clearly this is illustrated by the contrast of what we see in Israel. The people of God were ready to obey whatever God commanded (Exodus 19:8). The people heard the voice of God on Sinai and were afraid (Exodus 20:180. At that point, their feelings toward God changed. They believed if God spoke to them, the would die (Exodus 20:19). Therefore, they wished Moses would receive the word of God and bring it to them. They did not realize the power to obey was in the presence of God and His voice speaking to us. This is what Moses’ point was in saying, “Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that His fear may be before you, that YE SIN NOT” (v. 20). Moses wished they would keep the heart to obey God for its prevented sin, which was God’s aim all along. It is truly said, God wishes for all men to be saved. Hearing His word and hearing HIs voice gives power to obey the word, not fear to run away.
Learn a great lesson from Jesus, “who learned obedience” by every moment waiting to hear what the Father wanted Him to do (John 8:29). It is only when we, like Him, listen to the voice of Jehovah will we walk forever with God.
