Topical Bible: The Ear: Not to be Stopped at Cry of the Poor

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In biblical literature, the ear is often symbolically associated with obedience, understanding, and responsiveness to God's commands and the needs of others. The concept of the ear not being stopped at the cry of the poor is deeply rooted in the biblical mandate for justice, mercy, and compassion.

Biblical Mandate for Compassion

The Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of listening to and aiding the poor and needy. Proverbs 21:13 states, "Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer." This verse underscores the principle that ignoring the needs of the impoverished leads to divine disfavor and a lack of response in one's own time of need. The ear, in this context, is a metaphor for one's willingness to be attentive and responsive to the plight of the less fortunate.

God's Concern for the Poor

Throughout Scripture, God expresses a profound concern for the poor and marginalized. In Deuteronomy 15:7-8 , the Israelites are commanded, "If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother. Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs." This passage highlights the expectation that God's people will be generous and attentive to the needs of the poor, reflecting God's own compassion and provision.

The Example of Jesus

Jesus Christ exemplified the principle of not stopping one's ear to the cry of the poor. In His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently reached out to the marginalized, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and offering hope to the downtrodden. In Matthew 25:35-40 , Jesus teaches that acts of kindness and service to the "least of these" are acts of service to Him: "For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me."

The Role of the Church

The early church took seriously the call to care for the poor, as seen in Acts 4:34-35 : "There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need." This communal approach to addressing poverty reflects the biblical ideal of a community that listens to and acts upon the cries of the poor.

Warnings Against Indifference

The Bible warns against indifference to the needs of the poor. In James 2:15-17 , believers are admonished, "If a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, stay warm and well fed,' but does not provide for their physical needs, what good is that? So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." This passage emphasizes that true faith is demonstrated through action, particularly in response to the needs of the poor.

Conclusion

The biblical teaching on the ear not being stopped at the cry of the poor is a call to active compassion and justice. It challenges believers to reflect God's heart for the needy and to respond with generosity and love, ensuring that their ears remain open to the cries of those in distress.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 21:13
Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"They have Corrupted Themselves; their Spot is not the Spot of his ...
... preaching thus, "Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth ... his guiltiness, till his
mouth be stopped, and condemn ... I think likewise, that oppression is not the spot ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon iv they have corrupted.htm

The Blind Beggar
... Surely, if but one story told into the ear of the poor blind man could give him ... How
many times has Christ not only passed by, but stopped and knocked at ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the blind beggar.htm

Spiritual Hunger Shall be Satisfied
... Though you have opened your mouth you have stopped your ear. The child that
will not hear his parent, is made to do penance by fasting. ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/14 spiritual hunger shall be.htm

Remembering How Far the Writer of Our Book Excels all who have ...
... No spirit feels waste, Not a muscle is stopped in its ... of rest"(consider it), a listening
ear, whilst the ... says that this good portion must not be regarded as ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter vi remembering how far.htm

A Chime of Gospel Bells.
... Scripture not only uses the ear, but the eye, in illustrating the way ... you were; and
if the sentinel at the gate stopped you because you did not wear a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sovereign grace/chapter viii a chime of.htm

A Few Nights after This, Diamond Woke up Suddenly...
... another: all the words mixed up in his ear in a ... And as soon as he stopped singing,
the cabman began to ... his temper a little smoother, and his heart not quite so ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 18 a few nights.htm

Heavenly Rest
... the wilderness of life, like a weary camel, which has only stopped on the ... there are
joys that the eye hath not seen, which the ear hath not heard, and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/heavenly rest.htm

Three Important Precepts
... devil, the priests, the sceptics, and the down-graders, have stopped their ears ... high
praise he sang many times in his friend's ear, but he could not get him ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/three important precepts.htm

The Reward of the Righteous
... As eye hath not seen, or ear heard, so neither ... doubtless to the surprise of many,)
"Weep not?" And did he surprise them still more, when he stopped her flowing ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 99 the reward of.htm

How Long?
... The people in the street smiled as we stopped our bandy ... "Will you go?" said the mother
very roughly in her ear. ... Hast Thou not said that whatsoe'er is done Unto ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xxviii how long.htm