Hear and God Will Speak

"Hear, O My people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you; I am God, your God!"

Psalm 50:7

If people are unwilling to listen, it is pointless to speak to them.  Because God loved His people He spoke to them, revealed Himself to them, and gave them His laws.  When the Hebrews heard God speak from Mount Sinai in power they begged for Moses to speak with God, to interceded on their behalf "lest they die."  Nothing was lost in communication between God and Moses, but subsequent generations were raised who did not know God.

Pious Jews were faithful to keep the Law given to Moses and offered sacrifices.  Their lives were filled with religious activities, worship, and prayer, yet the hearts of the people were not always right before God.  God allowed the nation of Israel to be attacked and plundered, the rain did not fall, and the crops did not grow.  Both in seasons of abundance and famine God sent prophets and raised up priests and Levites to instruct, correct, and shepherd His people.  When God spoke to little Samuel in the night he was instructed to say, "Speak LORD, for your servant hears."  But God's people did not always listen.

Perhaps people wondered why the almighty God remained silent in their plight.  The words of Psalm 50:7 are most instructive:  "Hear, O My people, and I will speak."  I would have expected God to say something like, "When I speak, hear Me."  God told his people he would speak if they would first listen.  No doubt they felt like they had much to say, but they were instructed to listen first.  Unless we seek and listen for the LORD intending to obey, it is no surprise when we do not hear Him.  And if God in His sovereignty knows we are unwilling to hear, at times He will refrain from speaking:  He will not cast pearls before swine.  The last days of King Saul provide an example of a man faced with deafening silence in response to his pleas because he refused to heed the Word of the LORD previously.

If we will hear the LORD, He will speak.  To those under the threat of judgment a gracious promise was provided in Psalm 50:14-15, "Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. ¹⁵ Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me."  Our mouths ought to praise the LORD and we ought to keep our word before Him.  If we make a promise and go back on it, it is clear to us words mean little.  Should we not see value in keeping our own word, why should we see God's Word as guiding or binding?  All who are wise desire to hear God speak, and if we will hear He will.  The things He says we ought to take to heart and do.