The book of exodus
“The main way God speaks to us is through what he has already spoken in the Scriptures – his ‘teaching’ and ‘commands’” proverbs 3:1. As a Christian, I have grown up knowing that the Bible is the word of God. Therefore, he speaks to us through the word, and it is our responsibility to obey Him.
The book of Exodus is a narrative of the history of Israelites and their bondage in Egypt. It describes the movement of God’s people from Egypt and their journey to Mount Sinai under the leadership of Moses. It also talks about the covenant that God had with his people at Sinai, together with the promulgation of laws that ordered the lives of Israelites. The entire book is based on the conversation between God and the Israelites. Listening to God’s voice had a significant impact on their movement. The book shows that failing to listen to God’s words has serious consequences. In Exodus 7-10, Pharaoh was unable to listen to God’s command to release His people. Therefore, he experienced implications in the form of plagues. Similarly, Moses was punished when he was asked to talk to the stone to release water, but Moses opted to hit the rock. The stone released bitter water that the Israelites could not consume.
Today, God speaks to Christians through the Bible, which was written by His prophets and apostles led by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, God expects Christians to listen to the words rather than merely reading as stories. The word should be personalized, just as God spoke to the Israelites during the Exodus (Davis, np). Christians need to learn that God expects them to obey the word and follow it to the latter. In this case, there is a reward of obedience in the form of blessings and punishments for disobedience. This is similar to the exodus case where God punished all those that went against his will.
My way of listening to God as a Christian is by doing all that God asks us to do in His Holy Bible. I ensure that I follow the Ten Commandments to the latter. The Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 are the first direct communication between God and people. As a way of listening to God, I ensure that I acknowledge God in all that I do, and I do not have any other God apart from Him. Additionally, I respect the name of God and ensure that I do not use it in vain. I respect the Sabbath, honor my parents, do not kills, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness against others, and do not covet. Obeying the Ten Commandments are the basis for living a life following God’s will. During difficult times in life, like during a complex exam, I always read the word and listen to his words as they give me reassurance. “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here,” Exodus 33:15. I find peace and calmness in knowing that God is there to help me through all challenges of life.
I believe that God speaks to me through the stories told in the Bible. All the promises of blessings that He gives in the Bible are mine if I obey his will. For instance, I believe and trust for a long life after obeying and honoring my parents. This is the promise that he gave to Israelites, but he speaks it to us through the Bible. In my experience of listening to God as a Christian, his words are presented to me in writing. God’s word is his way of talking to me, similarly the way He spoke to Moses in the Bible but through speech. God and Moses had a direct conversation, where he was supposed to tell the information to the Israelites and ask them to obey. Preachers today play the same role as Moses; they interpret the word and communicate it to Christians to follow. I believe that doing what God directs us is the only way to have His blessings that comes in the form of health, wealth, peace, and harmony between people.
References
Davis, R.J. (n.d). Moses: Listening to the Voice of God. Focus on God. http://focusongod.com/Exodus03.htm