Where Does the Bible Say 'Today if You Hear His Voice'?
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The voice of God is precious, to be treasured above all. Therefore, we must give God’s voice the value due, and the phrase, “Today if you hear his voice,” reflects this eternal urgency.
A vast gap exists between humanity and God. This is rooted in the extreme difference between Creator and creation. God must humble himself with his creation, even in perfect circumstances, and he does so from his love. But from the event we call the Fall, when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden, all humanity became embroiled in corruption and violence. The gap between humanity and God widened.
We would never know him unless he decided to reveal himself to us. Any who seeks or knows God is dependent upon God’s self-revelation. We couldn’t do this on our own. Our limited vision and perception blind us. God loved us so much that he entered our world to redeem and reconcile us into relationship with him.
God reveals himself through his voice, the Word of God, his Son, and the Spirit. If we hear his voice, it’s no accident. God engages with us to save us. Even Jesus said many times, “Those with ears to hear, let them hear” (Matthew 11:15).
Therefore, when we hear his voice, we must respond accordingly.
Does “Today If You Hear His Voice” Appear More than Once in the Bible?
The first notable occurrence of this phrase is found in Psalm 95:7-8. “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness.” The psalmist refers to incidents in the wilderness when the Israelites rebelled and hardened their hearts despite witnessing God’s miraculous provision. The psalm encourages the reader to learn from the past and respond to God’s voice promptly and obediently.
The second instance of this phrase is found in Hebrews 3:7-8, echoing the sentiment of Psalm 95. “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness.’” The author of Hebrews addresses the first-century church, particularly Jewish Christians, drawing a parallel between their situation and that of the Israelites in the wilderness. The urgency of responding to God’s voice remains a central theme, emphasizing the need for steadfast faith and obedience.
The third occurrence is a continuation of the theme in Hebrews, found in the next chapter, Hebrews 4:7: “Again he appoints a certain day, ‘Today,’ saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.’”
Here, the writer reinforces the idea that God continues to speak to humanity. The call to respond remains ever-present. The use of “Today” underscores the urgency, equating waiting with rebellion.
This urgency expresses a persistent call to faith, reminding believers they need a responsive and open-hearted attitude toward God’s guidance. The rebellion in the wilderness becomes a cautionary tale, urging individuals to avoid the pitfalls of spiritual hardness. Instead, they must embrace God’s immediate, ever-present call.
Why Does Psalm 22 Warn “Today if You Hear His Voice Do Not Harden Your Hearts”?
The events referred to in Psalm 95 occurred during the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt, as they traversed the wilderness en route to the Promised Land. As Exodus 17 records, the Israelites had a critical need for water by the time they reached Rephidim. Their desperation led to a pivotal moment of testing and rebellion against God.
The first incident, Meribah, unfolds in Exodus 17:1-7. The Israelites quarreled with Moses, demanding water and questioning God’s presence. In their distress, they doubted God’s ability to provide, despite witnessing miraculous signs and wonders when they were delivered from Egypt. Their lack of trust manifested in hardened hearts which stubbornly refused to believe in God’s faithfulness.
The second incident is recorded in Exodus 17:7. Moses provides water and named the place Massah, meaning “testing,” and Meribah, meaning “quarreling,” because the Israelites had tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” This questioning of God’s presence and provision marked a profound turning point in the Israelites’ relationship with their divine deliverer. This first generation out of Egypt was marked with rebellion and disobedience, from making an idol (as seen in the book of Exodus) to refusing to enter Canaan because they feared its giant inhabitants (as seen in the book of Numbers).
When the Israelites refused to enter Canaan, God told them they would wander in the wilderness until the next generation rose. The people tried to obey after hearing God’s judgment, but it was too late. They lost out on the Promised Land, demonstrating the danger of not taking God’s word seriously.
While God didn’t condemn the Israelites to wander for 40 years when they rebelled at Mirabah and Massah, the psalmist implies their later rebellion at Canaan began with complaining and arguing with God. The complaining appeared small but had great consequences later. Their hearts became practiced in rebellion.
The psalmist draws on this narrative to urge subsequent generations not to repeat their forebears’ mistakes. The call to “hear his voice” is to remember the past’s lessons and trust God and his provision now. To obey in faith today. Otherwise, our unbelief will lead us to disobedience.
Unbelief is different than disbelief. Disbelief says, “God doesn’t exist.” That’s not what the Israelites did. Unbelief says, “God exists, but we can’t trust him.” The Israelites didn’t trust God at Meribah and later didn’t at the Jordan when told to invade a land of giants.
The book of Hebrews also deals with the dangers of unbelief.
Why Does Hebrews 3 Warn “Today If You Hear His Voice Do Not Harden Your Hearts”?
Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians, who would have immediately understood the Psalm 95 reference and the further connection to the unbelieving Israelites at Meribah and Massah. Hebrews focuses on Christ’s new revelation and gift through the New Covenant: God’s awesome work through his Son and the Spirit. The writer of Hebrews continually shows how Jesus is greater than angels, priests, and the Law from the Old Testament.
Therefore, Hebrews encourages Jewish people to learn from the Old Testament Israelites—the generation whom God delivered from Egypt but didn’t receive the full promise because of rebellion, rooted in a lack of trust. Trusting obedience should be immediate, as in “today.”
The phrase “if you hear his voice” highlights divine communication is personal and relational. God is portrayed as actively speaking to individuals through the Holy Spirit, and the onus is on the believer to listen and respond. The emphasis on hearing God’s voice underscores the importance of cultivating a receptive and attuned heart. The Christian journey requires recognizing that divine communication is ongoing.
The warning against hardening hearts is at the heart of the Hebrews 3 appeal. The author is cautioning against somethingdangerous—resisting, rebelling, or becoming insensitive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings. By alluding to the Israelites’ rebellion, the author shows potential pitfalls that believers may encounter on their spiritual journey. Spiritual hardness, evidenced by doubt, disobedience, or a lack of trust, hinders the intimate relationship between believers and God.
The overarching message in Hebrews 3 is fidelity and perseverance in the Christian faith. By recounting the Israelites’ historical failures, the author underscores the need for unwavering faith and trust in God’s promises. He encourages believers to learn from past mistakes, to actively engage with God’s voice in the present, to ensure their hearts remain open and responsive to divine guidance.
Again, this is all related to the injunction against a heart of unbelief, only a few verses:
“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:12-13)
How do believers guard against the evil heart of unbelief? The church daily exhorts one another. This makes sense: the Spirit (individually and collectively) fills the church. It gives each person gifts to encourage and exhort one another.
How Do We Know if We Hear God’s Voice Today?
Discerning whether we hear God’s voice today is deeply personal, yet also communal. Here are several guidelines to recognizing God’s voice in our lives.
- Scripture as a Guiding Light. Studying and contemplating Scripture is foundational to discerning God’s voice. The Bible is the revealed Word of God and serves as a reliable guide for understanding His character, principles, and will. Regular engagement with Scripture provides a framework for recognizing God’s voice. In doing so, we learn how to align personal experiences with the truths revealed in the Word.
- Prayerful Reflection. Cultivating a habit of prayerful reflection is essential in discerning God’s voice. Intentional moments of silence and solitude allow individuals to attune their hearts to the Holy Spirit’s promptings. In prayer’s stillness, one can listen attentively for God’s guidance, seeking His wisdom and direction.
- Spiritual Discernment. Spiritual discernment involves developing sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s movements and learning to distinguish God’s voice from others (even our own). This discernment is nurtured through a deepening relationship with God, a commitment to spiritual disciplines, and an openness to how God may communicate—whether through impressions, intuitions, or a quiet inner voice.
- Confirmation through Community. As we’ve already discussed, we need the Body of Christ. Seeking confirmation and guidance from a community of believers is instrumental in discerning God’s voice. Fellow Christians’ collective wisdom and experiences can provide valuable insights and affirmations. Open, honest conversations with trusted spiritual mentors or peers can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of God’s guidance.
- Praise and Worship. The largest book in the Bible is Psalms, which is filled with worship. The last book in the Bible, Revelation, describes worship and praise continually happening around God’s throne. We enter God’s courts, his presence, in praise. As with prayer, this discipline engages with a God who speaks back to us when we praise him.
- Peaceful Assurance. God’s guidance is often accompanied by a deep, abiding peace that surpasses understanding. This inner peace is a confirming factor, signaling alignment with God’s will, fostering confidence in our decisions.
- Promptings Toward Righteousness. God’s voice will always lead toward righteousness, virtue, and moral integrity. Discernment involves evaluating whether the promptings and guidance align with God’s character as revealed in Scripture. If the direction encourages righteousness and conforms to God’s moral standards, it is more likely to be His voice.
We may overuse the phrase “a relationship with God,” but it is appropriate. In a relationship, we must hear and see each other. And it takes time to know a person well. Knowing the voice of God takes consistent participation in these spiritual disciplines. But it is worth it. The Promised Land awaits for any who seek him.
Peace
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