"Pay attention, and listen to me;
be silent, and I will speak."
I've seen this verse from Job used a few times lately to say God will speak if we'll only listen. Do we have that promise from God?
Not from this verse. It's Elihu speaking to Job.
This is a danger inherent in using concordances and Bible search programs — it's too easy to find something that falsely appears to support your position when removed from its context. Of course, there are plenty of other ways to take verses out of context too.
Why is this a big deal? When people mistakenly take statements in the Bible to be promises to them, they are frequently disappointed. They're disappointed with God, even though He never made them a promise.
Remember, never read a Bible verse. Read a paragraph or more to be sure you're reading in context.
It's no small thing to decide to live your life after the precepts of the Bible. Let's make sure we're living by what it actually says.
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Related:
All for Good?
Bad Verses on Tithing
1 comment:
God has innumerable means of "communication" and I agree that the verse that you mentioned doesn't actually promise the spoken word of the Lord, but there are other indications that we can indeed expect to hear from Him through the Holy Spirit.
Knowledge of God's past dealings with mankind is one and the fact that He is the same and changes not is another.
John 14:21 (King James Version)
21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
The verse above is more appropriate for the case...spoken as it was by Jesus Himself. But wouldn't you say it would be quite strange to have the Holy Spirit of God move into you as His dwelling place and never hear Him speak? Practicing God's presence is learning to listen...communing through prayer IS a two way conversation. At the very least we should from time to time expect to hear Him singing over us as did Zephaniah. He has also given us eyes to see and ears to hear...so might we not also expect to hear and see many wonderful things from the one who loves us so completely? We shouldn't be afraid of these forms of communication if we are grounded in His Word. The Holy Spirit does not, will not work contrary to the Word of God...they always work together. Does He "promise" to speak? Maybe not specifically...but shouldn't we expect it?
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