◄ Proverbs 28:9 ►
Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.
Study Bible
Whoever turns his ear away
This phrase emphasizes a deliberate action of ignoring or rejecting. In the Hebrew context, the word "turns" (סוּר, sur) implies a conscious decision to deviate or withdraw. The ear, often symbolizing obedience and receptivity, is turned away, indicating a willful neglect of divine instruction. Historically, the ear was seen as a gateway to the heart, and turning it away suggests a hardened heart resistant to God's voice.

from hearing the law
The "law" (תּוֹרָה, torah) refers to God's instructions, teachings, and commandments given to guide His people. In ancient Israel, the Torah was central to life, encompassing moral, ceremonial, and civil laws. Hearing the law implies not just auditory reception but an active engagement and willingness to obey. The historical context underscores the importance of the law as a covenantal guide for righteous living, and neglecting it was tantamount to rejecting God's covenant.

even his prayer
Prayer, in the Hebrew tradition, is a sacred communication with God, a means of expressing dependence, worship, and supplication. The phrase "even his prayer" suggests that the act of praying, which is inherently good and desirable, becomes compromised when one is disobedient. This highlights the integral relationship between obedience to God's law and the efficacy of prayer.

is detestable
The word "detestable" (תּוֹעֵבָה, to'evah) is a strong term used in the Hebrew Bible to describe something abominable or repulsive to God. It conveys a sense of moral and spiritual repugnance. In the scriptural context, actions or attitudes that are detestable are those that violate the holiness and righteousness of God. This underscores the gravity of turning away from God's law, as it renders even sincere acts of devotion unacceptable.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He compiled these sayings to impart wisdom and understanding.

2. Israel
The nation to whom the Law was given. The Israelites were expected to live according to God's commandments as revealed in the Torah.

3. The Law
Refers to the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, which contain God's commandments and instructions for His people.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Obedience
Obedience to God's law is crucial for a healthy relationship with Him. Ignoring His commandments can lead to spiritual consequences, including unanswered prayers.

The Role of the Heart in Prayer
God desires sincerity and righteousness in our prayers. A heart that disregards His law cannot expect to be heard favorably.

The Consequences of Disobedience
Turning away from God's law not only affects our spiritual life but also our communication with Him. It is essential to align our lives with His will.

Self-Examination
Regularly examine your life to ensure you are not turning away from God's instructions. This self-reflection helps maintain a strong connection with God.

The Call to Repentance
If you find yourself straying from God's law, repentance is key. God is merciful and willing to restore those who return to Him with a contrite heart.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Proverbs 28:9 challenge your current understanding of the relationship between obedience and prayer?

2. In what ways can you ensure that you are not "turning your ear away" from God's law in your daily life?

3. Reflect on a time when you felt your prayers were not being heard. How might Proverbs 28:9 provide insight into that experience?

4. How can the teachings in James 1:22-25 help you become a doer of the word and not just a hearer?

5. What steps can you take to regularly examine your heart and actions to ensure they align with God's commandments?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 66:18
This verse highlights the importance of a pure heart in prayer, similar to how Proverbs 28:9 emphasizes the necessity of obedience to God's law for prayers to be acceptable.

Isaiah 1:15
This passage speaks about God not listening to prayers when hands are full of blood, illustrating the principle that disobedience and sin hinder communication with God.

James 1:22-25
James encourages believers to be doers of the word, not just hearers, which aligns with the call in Proverbs 28:9 to heed God's law.
Sermons
Conditions of Communion with GodProverbs 28:9
The Prayer of the DisobedientHugh B. Moffat, M.A.Proverbs 28:9
The Source of Disturbance and the Secret of SecurityW. Clarkson Proverbs 28:1, 13, 25
The Moral Quality of LifeE. Johnson Proverbs 28:6-12
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Abomination, Anyone, Deaf, Detestable, Disgusting, Ear, Hearing, Law, Listening, Prayer, Prayers, Turneth, Turning, Turns
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 28:9

     5147   deafness
     6103   abomination

Library
Two Coverings and Two Consequences
A Sermon (No. 3500) by C. H. Spurgeon, April 4th, 1875, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. Published February 24th, 1916. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper."--Proverbs 28:13. "Thou Hast covered all their sins."--Psalm 85:2. In these two texts we have man's covering, which is worthless and culpable, and God's covering, which is profitable and worthy of all acceptation. No sooner had man disobeyed his Maker's will in the garden of Eden than he discovered to his surprise and dismay …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Right Kind of Fear
A Sermon (No. 2971) published on Thursday, January 18th, 1906, delivered by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington on Thursday evening, September 2nd, 1876. "Happy is the man that feareth alway."--Proverbs 28:14. But did not John say that "fear hath torment?" Then how can he be happy who hath fear, and especially he who hath it always. Did not John also say that "perfect love casteth out fear?" How is it then that he is happy in whom love is not made perfect, if so be that the fear …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

"If we Confess Our Sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us Our Sins",
1 John i. 9.--"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins", &c. The current of sin dries not up, but runs constantly while we are in this life. It is true, it is much diminished in a believer, and it runs not in such an universal flood over the whole man as it is in the unbeliever. Yet there is a living spring of sin within the godly, which is never ceasing to drop out pollution and defilement, either upon their whole persons, or, at least, to intermingle it with their …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"When Solomon was Old. "
"It came to pass when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other Gods." 1 KINGS xi. 4. Who could have predicted that this would come to pass? And yet it is often so, for it is still true that NO AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE WILL SAVE FROM BACKSLIDING THOSE WHO REFUSE TO LISTEN TO GOD. We learn from verse 10 that God had taken pains to save Solomon from idolatry, (see 1 Kings vi. 12, and xi. 6). But what good is it for even God to try to save a man who will have his own way? And …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread

Letter xxiv (Circa A. D. 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
To Oger, Regular Canon [34] Bernard blames him for his resignation of his pastoral charge, although made from the love of a calm and pious life. None the less, he instructs him how, after becoming a private person, he ought to live in community. To Brother Oger, the Canon, Brother Bernard, monk but sinner, wishes that he may walk worthily of God even to the end, and embraces him with the fullest affection. 1. If I seem to have been too slow in replying to your letter, ascribe it to my not having …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Epistle xxv. To Gregoria.
To Gregoria. Gregory to Gregoria, Lady of the Bed-chamber (cubiculariæ) to Augusta. I have received the longed for letters of your Sweetness, in which you have been at pains all through to accuse yourself of a multitude of sins: but I know that you fervently love the Almighty Lord, and I trust in His mercy that the sentence which was pronounced with regard to a certain holy woman proceeds from the mouth of the Truth with regard to you: Her sins, which are many, are forgiven her, for she loved …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

"And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

"And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

How to be Admonished are those who Give Away what is their Own, and those who Seize what Belongs to Others.
(Admonition 21.) Differently to be admonished are those who already give compassionately of their own, and those who still would fain seize even what belongs to others. For those who already give compassionately of their own are to be admonished not to lift themselves up in swelling thought above those to whom they impart earthly things; not to esteem themselves better than others because they see others to be supported by them. For the Lord of an earthly household, in distributing the ranks and …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Adoption
'As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.' John 1:12. Having spoken of the great points of faith and justification, we come next to adoption. The qualification of the persons is, As many as received him.' Receiving is put for believing, as is clear by the last words, to them that believe in his name.' The specification of the privilege is, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.' The Greek word for power, exousia, signifies …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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