“Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him.” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)
Hearing God’s voice requires a response. When God speaks to you, you must act on it. The above quote from a speech by Moses strongly emphasizes that. The people of Israel had received clear instructions from God. Initially, God spoke directly to them from Mount Sinai. This was so impressive that the people begged God to speak only to Moses from then on, so that he could pass on the message. Moses became an intermediary who conveyed God’s words. But it was up to the people themselves to carry out His commandments. If they would listen, God would reward them abundantly: “All these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 28:2) However, if they ignored God’s will, their future would be full of hardships.
Moses had his people’s best interests at heart. That’s why he urged them: “Choose life!” We read a similar urgency further on in the Bible: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…” (e.g., in Hebrews 3:7)
Do you consider God’s voice relevant to your life? When God speaks to you directly or through an intermediary (e.g., a Bible writer), do you act on it?