Have you ever questioned why some people know how to recognize the voice of the Lord and others do not? Have you read my sheep hear my voice, and questioned why you don’t hear? I want to encourage you that we all hear the voice of the Lord but sometimes we need other sheep to help discern.
One thing to remember is that the Lord speaks to us individually, but in His word He is often speaking to us collectively. An example of this is the name Israel. Does it refer to a person or to a nation? Yes, it means both. Throughout the book of Genesis, the name of Israel and Jacob are synonymous, referring to one person:
Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel …”
But in the book of Exodus, we see it refer to many people, the descendents of Jacob:
But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.
Similarly, Judah was one of Jacob’s sons and his name is also used to refer to a group of people:
For behold, days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will restore the fortunes of my people, Israel and Judah, says the Lord …
When Jesus refers to sheep, who exactly is He talking about? The surrounding verses give context:
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
When reading this passage it’s important to understand that Jesus is speaking of His sheep collectively. In english sheep refers to both singular and plural which can be confusing. But all of the surrounding pronouns refer to many sheep, instead of speaking about an individual. It’s important to view the Bible through the appropriate lens, and not through a western, individualistic world view.
You may be questioning if you are hearing from the Lord clearly, or if at all. My encouragement is to seek out people who are able to discern the Father’s voice, and they can help you dial it in. One sheep may not be hearing clearly, but there will be those in the flock that now how to and will teach others.