Topical Bible: The Ear: God: Judicially Closed

◄ The Ear: God: Judicially Closed ►

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In the biblical narrative, the concept of God judicially closing the ears of individuals or groups is a profound theme that underscores divine judgment and the consequences of persistent disobedience. This motif is evident in several passages where God, in response to hardened hearts and continual rebellion, withholds the ability to hear and understand His word, leading to spiritual deafness.

Isaiah's Prophetic Commission

One of the most explicit instances of God closing ears is found in the commissioning of the prophet Isaiah. In Isaiah 6:9-10 , God instructs Isaiah: "Go and tell this people: ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed." Here, the judicial closing of ears is a response to the people's persistent refusal to heed God's messages, resulting in a divine act that prevents them from repenting and receiving healing.

The Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart

The narrative of Pharaoh in the book of Exodus also illustrates this theme. Although the text primarily speaks of the hardening of Pharaoh's heart, this hardening is intrinsically linked to a refusal to listen. In Exodus 7:13 , it is noted, "Yet Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said." The repeated refusal to listen to God's commands through Moses and Aaron leads to a judicial hardening, where Pharaoh's ability to hear and respond is divinely impaired.

New Testament Reflections

The New Testament echoes this concept, particularly in the teachings of Jesus. In Matthew 13:14-15 , Jesus cites Isaiah's prophecy to explain why He speaks in parables: "In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes.’" This judicial closing of ears is a response to the people's unwillingness to accept the truth, resulting in their inability to comprehend the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.

The Role of Human Responsibility

While the closing of ears is a divine act, it is crucial to recognize the role of human responsibility in this process. The judicial closing is often a response to a prolonged period of willful disobedience and rejection of God's word. In Zechariah 7:11-13 , the people are described as having "refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped their ears from hearing." Consequently, God declares, "‘Just as I called and they would not listen, so when they called, I would not listen,’ says the LORD of Hosts."

Implications for Believers

For believers, the theme of God judicially closing ears serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of maintaining a receptive heart towards God's word. It underscores the necessity of obedience and the dangers of spiritual complacency. The biblical exhortation is clear: "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts" (Hebrews 3:15). This call to attentiveness and responsiveness is vital for maintaining a vibrant and faithful relationship with God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 6:10
Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 13:15
For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Life of Mr. James Mitchel.
... upon a condition, and that condition is judicially rescinded, the ... of thy people,
Psalm 42:6. O God, my soul is ... me; but withal he spoke in mine ear, that there ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr james 5.htm

The Life of Mr. David Dickson.
... of the bishops whispering in his ear (as if ... ministry was singularly countenanced
of God, and multitudes ... the year 1650, and though never judicially approven by ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr david 3.htm

The Life of Mr. Thomas Hog.
... attested by those who were eye and ear witnesses ... because he would not decline that
party judicially; and afterward ... to pray, and commit his soul and body to God. ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr thomas.htm

The Barren Fig-Tree;
... God, whose omniscience penetrates through every disguise, himself examines every
tree in the garden, yea, every bough. ... And, indeed, it displeaseth God. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the barren fig-tree.htm

The Saybrook Platform and the Toleration Act
... keep the word of promise to our ear and break ... and Queen Mary, granting libertie of
worshipping God in a ... the right to decide the question judicially, the colony ...
/.../chapter vii the saybrook platform.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... comprised necklaces, bracelets, ankle, finger, and ear rings; their ... as the single
figure of a god or goddess ... of their liberty, and criminals judicially condemned ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm