Recognizing the Voice by WM. COVERT

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 3, 1908

Recognizing the Voice

By WM. COVERT

WM. COVERT

Jesus teaches that his followers hear and follow his voice, but that they refuse to follow strangers. And this peculiarity of hearing and distinguishing voices is noted by one who says, “Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” Isa. 30: 21. A high degree of attainment in spiritual matters is required to know this voice at times. There are many sounds which claim to be the voice of God, and many trumpet calls are blown which are of such a nature as to deceive the ear of all but the very elect.

In the days of their gladness and on all occasions of joy, the musicians of ancient Israel were instructed by Moses to blow with a trumpet certain calls which were rendered in strains of rejoicing, and the ears of all the people were expected to recognize the true significance of every one of these calls.

Two trumpets of silver were provided for this service. A certain call with one would assemble the princes. The same call with both trumpets would gather the whole people at the door of the tabernacle. To blow an alarm was equivalent to marching orders. All these were understood by the people; for they were trained to distinguish one from another as readily as the veteran soldier can tell the morning “reveille” from the evening “taps,” or the long roll from the marching step.

The calls of gladness in the days of their worshipful assemblies, with the joyful strains of music rendered on these occasions, were designed to fill the hearts of the people with courage and confidence in the Lord’s work. It was with reference to this ancient custom of glad trumpet calls that David wrote those parts in the eighty-ninth psalm in which he said, “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day; and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted. For thou art the glory of their strength.”

Elijah could hear a “still, small voice” and understood its teaching, and because he heeded the lessons it gave, he was kept in the way which led to translation. 1 Kings 19: 12. Job admonishes us to “hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.” Jesus heard a voice which spoke to him and some others when he came from the water at his baptism; and on other occasions during the ministry of Christ on earth a voice from heaven spoke audibly to him in the hearing of the people.

But apart from the audible is a voice which speaks to the heart, and eyes of the heart, which see things invisible to optical nerves. Abel’s blood had a voice which cried, and his life is yet speaking for the Lord to instruct the people. Also the Spirit of God teaches, and the voice of the Spirit is heard by those who are of quick understanding in divine things.

Concerning the manner of communication Christ said to Pilate, “Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” It is of this manner of communication that Christ is speaking when he says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Rev. 3: 20. The hearing of the voice and the opening of the door, are done through the Spirit’s working, which the natural man can not discern. The voice of God is mute to him, and the wisdom which comes from above he does not understand. But he who sups with Jesus is taught of the Holy Ghost, and listens to the voice of the Teacher, thus learning things which none of the princes of this world know.

Chicago, Ill.