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

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.

Sometimes you read Scripture and something sticks in your mind and bothers you day after day until you act upon it. I've experienced this before. One time, I felt like God wanted me to do something that I wasn't particular happy to have to do. I procrastinated for ages, months and months, but eventually it became a certainty in my mind that I needed to do this thing and finally I said, alright, I'm going to go insane if I don't do it, so here I go!

Sounds a bit like Jonah
...xox...

I love your avatar btw Rosemary ❤️💖🦋

Day to day guidance and wisdom is found in the word of God.

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.

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

It is not clear that God often spoke audibly, we often see it as "the word of the Lord came to" whoever. God speaks to us all the time, He POURS His thoughts upon us.

... I have found that folks who have low esteem for God's written word are not very recipient of the living word of God.

Sounds a bit like Jonah
...xox...

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 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 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 know what you mean as most people do not have the blessing of being able to hear audibly from God. It's mostly due to a lack of faith like what you're demonstrating here. A lot of people have weak faith like you do and these sorts of threads only reinforce it. I hope after reading what I am about to say you will try to have more faith.

People should reach a point they believe that prayer is a two-way conversation. When you pray, do not say amen then walk away to go about your day. When you are done talking that is when God begins talking. Stay there on your knees and keep listening intensely close for a still small voice. God often choses to speak quietly but occasionally speaks in a way that sounds like running water. It's hard to explain, but that's biblical.

I believe God can and does speak audibly to people in the present day. To believe otherwise is a thinly-veiled form of atheism. I don't mean insult you by that, but if you claim to have faith in God but deny His power then clearly something is amiss. You're basically saying that God is there but under no circumstances will He engage with the people He loves. That's false.

I have experiences where I believe God has spoken to me. Actually, how I converted to Christianity was through an audible dialogue with who I believe was God or maybe an angel. You can't experience my experiences, but I can share them with you and others and hopefully inspire others. I am no one, but I guess God saw it fit to allow me to have the gift of prophecy. Occasionally, as the Spirit sees fit, I have given people the proof they need to substantiate my claims by foretelling signs.

You made a ton of assumptions about me and were pretty graceless about them. Lack of faith and essentially calling me an atheist? Lol.

Best wishes. We won’t be interacting any in the future.

It is not clear that God often spoke audibly, we often see it as "the word of the Lord came to" whoever. God speaks to us all the time, He POURS His thoughts upon us.

... I have found that folks who have low esteem for God's written word are not very recipient of the living word of God.

The Lord spoke to me audibly, once in my life, 26 years ago. It was clearer than any voice I’ve ever heard in my life. It is the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me in my whole nearly 50 years of life. I have had 5 precious children but even these experiences were not as amazing as Him speaking audibly to me. I treasure it; and what always strikes me as profound is that it happened when I turned to Him and was not behaving in a particularly reverent manner- I was just being myself and totally honest with Him-I was actually upset with someone and had gone to tell Him all about it... but when His presence was apparent in the room, it was then I put my face to the floor, I could not get low enough, it was scary but so awesome... He showed me different things and it seemed to be a test to see how devoted in my heart I wanted to be to Him. Prior to this I remember around that time I just wanted to steal away and be alone with Him and when opportunities arose I would be secretly away in some room just spending time with Him, He was my first love. My heart was open and toward Him, besotted with Him...😊
It’s good to be reminded 🦋

You called everyone who hears God speak to them "legitimately insane" and I don't think anyone charged that against you.

I believe you misunderstood what was said...

Kris affirmed that God has spoken to people...

Maybe go back and re-read the OP?