Why does God not talk directly/audibly to us as in the OT?

[KrisWampler]

I think I know the answer to this one, but I’m curious to see what you all think.

The God of the Old Testament was directly and personally involved in the daily lives of His people. And surely He is today, with us. However, one significant difference between then and now is that we do not hear God talking to us audibly.

No, I’m not talking about legitimately insane people who claim to “hear the voice of God.” Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and many other OT figures literally, actually, and AUDIBLY heard God speak directly and intimately with them on numerous occasions.

I want to understand more about why this doesn’t happen today.

And let me clarify: I know that many of us have heard the voice of God in a way that’s not audible. God has spoken to us in our lives and led us, and most of us have truly and really had that experience. My question is more about the audible voice of God that was recorded throughout the Old Testament. Jesus came to earth - God in human form - but we simply do not see that level of interaction today.

I hope this question makes sense. And I don’t doubt that God is active in our lives and speaks to us in other ways. Just curious about the difference between the OT and now.

Thank you for your insights.

 

[JaumeJ]

.Many people around this old, decaying world must be as whacked out as I since I know the Father has spoken to many individuals, even this nut case. He does talk to us all, I believe.

 

[Lifted_by_the_word]

I'm sure there are people today that God speaks too.Maybe not always in a voice,but through dreams,visions.Doubt any of them are really popular among the people.Just like they weren't in the scripture.There's scripture that say that God's voice is mighty like thunder.I'm paraphrasing,but he did speak like this to me once and it was scary.Like his voice could shake the earth and you can feel it vibrate your body.He tones it down while in your presence.Kind of got me thinking of why Moses couldn't see God's face and live.It must have to do with his brightness and love.

 

[KrisWampler]

.Many people around this old, decaying world must be as whacked out as I since I know the Father has spoken to many individuals, even this nut case. He does talk to us all, I believe.

But audibly, like another human talking to you? Not internally but externally, and audibly?

 

[tstumf]

These books may help you

 

[JaumeJ]

For sure He has spoken to me two times on. Several times He has spoken through me, that is to say, the Holy Spirit would come upon me as I shared with others the Word, and I would be used to deliver a message. It was only afterwards I realized I had been used as His to do a work. He actually did it, I was just there as an availed instrument, and I learned also from the experience.

 

[tstumf]

Also. we just went over this in my Sunday church service a couple weeks ago.
“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

 

[tstumf]

Also. we just went over this in my Sunday church service a couple weeks ago.
“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

One more that just came to mind.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
‭‭John‬ ‭1:1-14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

 

[Aaron56]

You have really good questions, @KrisWampler

”..but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.”

In the original language, “his“ is omitted. It reads “He has spoken to us by Son”. This is a new language that embodies the first connection between the Son and the Father; you cannot have a son if you do not have a father.

God has two sons: one was Adam, the last son is Christ. Adam was a man who died. His legacy was brining death to all men. Now, Christ is not a man. He is a life-giving Spirit. He died as Jesus but was raised as Christ because, without sin, Death had no right to keep Him in the grave.

As Christ, all who receive Him as Lord and Savior are likewise given victory over death AND included into the Body of the Son. Believers actually become the Body of the Only Begotten of God: His flesh and bones. Now (and this is where you’ll get thrown out of any group that declares “we are merely still sinners saved by grace”) when we are included in the Son, we, likewise, become the sons of God. Sons of God are neither male nor female, so this is nothing about the flesh.

Sons are sanctified by God to be better and more reliable representations of the One who sent Him: God the Father. This occurs as God works in our lives to purify us, from glory to glory. And this is keeping with Christ when He said “As my Father has sent me, so I send you”. This is a one to one correlation that sons of God are sent to represent Christ as Christ was sent to represent the Father. So, there is no schism here between the Father and the sons: we, in Christ, represent the Father as Christ represented the Father.

Christ is the Word of God. And yet, even though we know the Bible was written by men we know they did so by revelation from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit doesn’t speak anything on His own, He only speaks what He hears from Christ. So, we may be sure that whatever He reveals He received it from Christ who received it from the Father. So, again, no schism.

This is getting long: let me land the plane. God speaks to us in three ways: through the scriptures, directly to us, and through someone He sends. This is the pattern recorded in scripture and this is the pattern that continues today. But, because He speaks to us by Son, it is His desire that the Body of Christ encourage and nourish itself but what every part supplies to the other. In this, we see the Son in the Body and world may see the Father in us. In the absence of this grace (mature sons who know and hear God and know when they are sent) God will speak to us directly, typically to our spirits. But He does not prefer this. He prefers that the Body supply the needs of the Body by the grace that is in each member so that the Son may be seen in us.

As an aside: this is why the “just me a Jesus” attitude is demonic. It denies the need for the corporate Son, the precise manner in which God speaks to us today.
And this is why denying that God speaks to us today and only uses the scriptures is equally egregious: how may one preach unless they are sent? Without the sent ones who preach there can be no faith; for faith comes by hearing the Word of God.
This is also why anyone truly sent by God will not contradict the scriptures: it’s what God already said. He cannot lie. But He can say something new, especially when we consider His timing of events.

This was long. But you have great questions.

 

[Artios1]

Mostly recognizing the still small voice ....but I have had a few audibles in some critical situations when I wasn't adhering to the voice.

 

[p_rehbein]

And let me clarify: I know that many of us have heard the voice of God in a way that’s not audible. God has spoken to us in our lives and led us, and most of us have truly and really had that experience. My question is more about the audible voice of God that was recorded throughout the Old Testament. Jesus came to earth - God in human form - but we simply do not see that level of interaction today.

Well, congradulations! You finally figured out how to Author a proper Thread OP!

There is hope!

 

[Lanolin]

The reason why is cos Hed just be repeating what Jesus already said and its written down in His word for everyone to read so He does not have to keep repeating Himself.

also it would actually shock everyone if God suddenly spoke (in Israel it was kinda normal cos they all knew who He was and could recognise His voice) just out of the blue.

He only speaks on certain occasions when its totally necessary because otherwise it would be overwhelming for us humans...and many people dont like what He says which is why many of the prophets were not listened to!

I mean, people would also get a bit jealous and some would say well I heard God but He doesnt speak to you or maybe you are just not listening! With Israel and the prophets He picked them out as a holy nation and it was easier to do that. But now we have Jesus as our advocate and the bible has been translated in many langauges so that everyone can understand Him. He has given us his Word as a gift already!

 

[KrisWampler]

The reason why is cos Hed just be repeating what Jesus already said and its written down in His word for everyone to read so He does not have to keep repeating Himself.

also it would actually shock everyone if God suddenly spoke (in Israel it was kinda normal cos they all knew who He was and could recognise His voice) just out of the blue.

He only speaks on certain occasions when its totally necessary because otherwise it would be overwhelming for us humans...and many people dont like what He says which is why many of the prophets were not listened to!

I mean, people would also get a bit jealous and some would say well I heard God but He doesnt speak to you or maybe you are just not listening! With Israel and the prophets He picked them out as a holy nation and it was easier to do that. But now we have Jesus as our advocate and the bible has been translated in many langauges so that everyone can understand Him. He has given us his Word as a gift already!

excellent points.

 

[Lanolin]

God was silent for about 400 years before Jesus appeared so...yea. Back in the day everyone just kinda stopped listening to Him so, He was like, ok they not gonna listen to me...they will BEG to have a word from me when theres a famine of the word.

 

[JStates]

One reason why we are told to "try the spirits" is because there ARE actually many voices telling us things. Physical voices and otherwise.

I think that's all I'll say about this for now.

 

[Blik]

I think I know the answer to this one, but I’m curious to see what you all think.

The God of the Old Testament was directly and personally involved in the daily lives of His people. And surely He is today, with us. However, one significant difference between then and now is that we do not hear God talking to us audibly.

No, I’m not talking about legitimately insane people who claim to “hear the voice of God.” Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and many other OT figures literally, actually, and AUDIBLY heard God speak directly and intimately with them on numerous occasions.

I want to understand more about why this doesn’t happen today.

And let me clarify: I know that many of us have heard the voice of God in a way that’s not audible. God has spoken to us in our lives and led us, and most of us have truly and really had that experience. My question is more about the audible voice of God that was recorded throughout the Old Testament. Jesus came to earth - God in human form - but we simply do not see that level of interaction today.

I hope this question makes sense. And I don’t doubt that God is active in our lives and speaks to us in other ways. Just curious about the difference between the OT and now.

Thank you for your insights.

Under the old covenant God communicated with man in a fleshly manner. For example, God communicated that man was to be circumcised by the fleshly example of cutting flesh. God gave him laws to man in stone. When God gave us the new covenant he communicated with man heart to heart, and we are to understand the spirit of those fleshly communications and not to use the fleshly commands any longer.

God communicates with us heart to heart, not by literal voice. We are under the new covenant, a spiritual one.

 

[JaumeJ]

When our Maker speaks to us it seems absolutely natural while occurring,; afterwards the wonder strikes and it is glory to God, amen.

 

[Magenta]

But audibly, like another human talking to you? Not internally but externally, and audibly?

Why make this distinction? Since His children KNOW His voice, do we need witnesses who also hear at the same time in order to believe it was truly Him? When Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus, His voice was externally heard but nobody besides Paul understood the words which had been spoken. One account states: The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Another says: My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me. Also, it seems reasonable to assume audible direction from God would best be received when not in the perhaps noisy company of others. Would it not be something personal? Since we all have the Bible for general instruction...

 

[JTB]

I think I know the answer to this one, but I’m curious to see what you all think.

The God of the Old Testament was directly and personally involved in the daily lives of His people. And surely He is today, with us. However, one significant difference between then and now is that we do not hear God talking to us audibly.

No, I’m not talking about legitimately insane people who claim to “hear the voice of God.” Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and many other OT figures literally, actually, and AUDIBLY heard God speak directly and intimately with them on numerous occasions.

I want to understand more about why this doesn’t happen today.

And let me clarify: I know that many of us have heard the voice of God in a way that’s not audible. God has spoken to us in our lives and led us, and most of us have truly and really had that experience. My question is more about the audible voice of God that was recorded throughout the Old Testament. Jesus came to earth - God in human form - but we simply do not see that level of interaction today.

I hope this question makes sense. And I don’t doubt that God is active in our lives and speaks to us in other ways. Just curious about the difference between the OT and now.

Thank you for your insights.

I must be legitimately insane. Oh well, I've been called worse!

 

[John146]

I think I know the answer to this one, but I’m curious to see what you all think.

The God of the Old Testament was directly and personally involved in the daily lives of His people. And surely He is today, with us. However, one significant difference between then and now is that we do not hear God talking to us audibly.

No, I’m not talking about legitimately insane people who claim to “hear the voice of God.” Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and many other OT figures literally, actually, and AUDIBLY heard God speak directly and intimately with them on numerous occasions.

I want to understand more about why this doesn’t happen today.

And let me clarify: I know that many of us have heard the voice of God in a way that’s not audible. God has spoken to us in our lives and led us, and most of us have truly and really had that experience. My question is more about the audible voice of God that was recorded throughout the Old Testament. Jesus came to earth - God in human form - but we simply do not see that level of interaction today.

I hope this question makes sense. And I don’t doubt that God is active in our lives and speaks to us in other ways. Just curious about the difference between the OT and now.

Thank you for your insights.

We have all the words we need from God in the King James Bible.