Topical Bible: The Ear: Not Satisfied With Earthly Things

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The human ear, a remarkable organ designed for hearing, is often used metaphorically in Scripture to represent the human desire for knowledge, understanding, and satisfaction. Despite its capacity to receive a multitude of sounds and information, the ear is depicted in the Bible as never fully satisfied with earthly things, symbolizing the insatiable nature of human desires and the futility of seeking fulfillment in worldly pursuits.

Ecclesiastes 1:8 provides a poignant reflection on this theme: "All things are wearisome, more than one can describe; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear content with hearing." This verse underscores the endless cycle of human experience and the inherent dissatisfaction that accompanies it. The ear, like the eye, is constantly exposed to new stimuli, yet it never reaches a point of complete contentment. This dissatisfaction points to a deeper spiritual truth: earthly experiences and knowledge, no matter how abundant, cannot fulfill the deepest longings of the human soul.

The pursuit of wisdom and understanding is a noble endeavor, yet Scripture warns against the belief that such pursuits can ultimately satisfy. In Ecclesiastes 12:12, the Preacher advises, "But beyond these, my son, be warned: there is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body." Here, the ear's exposure to endless words and teachings is acknowledged, yet it is also cautioned that such endeavors can lead to weariness rather than fulfillment.

The New Testament echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of seeking spiritual rather than earthly satisfaction. In 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Paul warns, "For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." The phrase "itching ears" illustrates the human tendency to seek out teachings that align with personal desires rather than divine truth, further highlighting the ear's dissatisfaction with what is truly edifying.

The ear's insatiable nature serves as a reminder of the limitations of earthly wisdom and the necessity of seeking fulfillment in God. In Isaiah 55:2-3, the prophet invites, "Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live." Here, the call is to incline the ear towards God, whose words offer true satisfaction and life.

In the teachings of Jesus, the importance of hearing and understanding divine truth is paramount. In Matthew 13:9, Jesus concludes the Parable of the Sower with the exhortation, "He who has ears, let him hear." This call to attentive listening is not merely about physical hearing but about spiritual receptivity and the pursuit of truth that leads to genuine fulfillment.

The ear's inability to be satisfied with earthly things ultimately points to the need for a relationship with God, who alone can fulfill the deepest desires of the human heart. Through attentive listening to His Word and seeking His wisdom, believers are invited to find the satisfaction that eludes them in the temporal world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ecclesiastes 1:8
All things are full of labor; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Spiritual Hunger Shall be Satisfied
... Perhaps God is not satisfied with your hunger ... Though you have opened your mouth you
have stopped your ear. ... to Christ; and do you wonder you are not filled with ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/14 spiritual hunger shall be.htm

The Psalmist --Setting the Lord
... and His glory as I had seen Him heretofore in His sanctuary, till my soul was satisfied
as with ... And then, say it not into the air, but into the ear and the ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/viii the psalmistsetting the lord.htm

On the Same Words of John I. , "In the Beginning was the Word ...
... the sound of my voice I somehow through the ear lay up ... and to set loaves before you
to be satisfied therewith; would ... I spake, I had it, and ye had not; I spake ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxx on the same.htm

Sermon for Christmas Day
... and thirst after salvation can neither be satisfied here nor ... ridicule of others,
and refuse to give ear to those who ... to be torn to pieces, and did not learn to ...
/.../iv sermon for christmas day.htm

Lessons for Worship and for Work
... He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver ... not rash which waits to
speak until the ear has heard ... God, not money or money's worth, is the satisfying ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/lessons for worship and for.htm

Matt. x. 23
... tell you in darkness," and "What ye hear in the ear"? ... But why is He not satisfied
with the faith in the ... And how many idolatries would not have arisen from hence ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxxiv matt x 23.htm

"If we Say that we have Fellowship with Him, and Walk in Darkness ...
... any more account of it, than a sound in the ear or any ... What earthly mindedness ... Be
not satisfied, O be not satisfied, with knowing these truths, and discoursing ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xiii if we say.htm

Letter ccxx. (AD 427. )
... who could have more ready access to your ear when bearing ... finally in those who love
God, than satisfied even for ... world serviceable in good works, and not to do ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter ccxx a d 427.htm

"But if the Spirit of Him that Raised up Jesus from the Dead Dwell ...
... glory, for though a man should be abundantly satisfied if he ... pull away the shoulder
and stop the ear, and make ... are not laid, and men's hearts not digged deep ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxx but if the.htm

"Seek First the Kingdom of God," &C.
... Paul writes, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard neither ... things, as David, who held
himself well satisfied with the ... kingdom and house go, it matters not, if he ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xix seek first the.htm