Topical Bible: The Ear: should be Bowed Down to Instructions

◄ The Ear: should be Bowed Down to Instructions ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical literature, the ear is often symbolically associated with obedience, understanding, and receptivity to divine instruction. The Scriptures emphasize the importance of inclining one's ear to wisdom and guidance, underscoring the necessity of a humble and teachable spirit.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of the ear being attentive to instruction is rooted in various passages throughout the Bible. Proverbs 22:17-18 states, "Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge; for it is pleasing when you keep them within you and have them all ready on your lips." This passage highlights the importance of actively listening to wisdom and internalizing it, suggesting that the ear is a gateway to the heart and mind.

Similarly, Proverbs 4:20-21 instructs, "My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart." Here, the ear is portrayed as a crucial instrument for receiving and retaining divine wisdom, which ultimately leads to life and health.

Obedience and Submission

The act of bowing down the ear is synonymous with submission and obedience to God's commandments. In Isaiah 55:3 , the Lord invites His people, "Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, My loving devotion assured to David." This invitation to incline the ear is a call to enter into a covenant relationship with God, marked by attentive listening and faithful obedience.

The New Testament also echoes this theme. In James 1:19 , believers are admonished, "My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger." The emphasis on being "quick to listen" underscores the value of a receptive ear in the life of a Christian, fostering an environment where God's word can take root and flourish.

Warnings Against Deafness

Conversely, the Bible warns against spiritual deafness and the refusal to heed divine instruction. In Jeremiah 6:10 , the prophet laments, "To whom can I speak and give warning? Who will listen? Their ears are closed so they cannot hear. The word of the LORD is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it." This passage illustrates the peril of a hardened heart and closed ears, which lead to spiritual stagnation and judgment.

Jesus Himself frequently admonished His listeners with the phrase, "He who has ears, let him hear" (Matthew 11:15). This call to attentive listening is a reminder of the responsibility to not only hear but also to act upon the teachings of Christ.

Practical Application

For believers, the call to bow down the ear to instruction is a daily practice of humility and submission to God's will. It involves a conscious effort to prioritize God's word, seeking His wisdom in all aspects of life. By doing so, Christians align themselves with the divine purpose and experience the transformative power of God's truth.

In summary, the biblical portrayal of the ear as an instrument for receiving instruction underscores the importance of a humble and obedient heart. Through attentive listening and faithful application of God's word, believers are equipped to live lives that honor and glorify Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 5:1
My son, attend to my wisdom, and bow your ear to my understanding:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Exile --Continued.
... watchful eye fixed upon the righteous, and His ear open to ... foe nor the perils of
the crags should break them ... feet he bowed, he fell; Where he bowed, there he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/vi the exilecontinued.htm

The Upbringing of Jewish Children
... eighty, advanced old age; at ninety, bowed down; at a ... surroundings, they would fall
upon his ear like sounds ... the youngest at the Paschal table should rise and ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 7 the upbringing of.htm

Elijah's Weakness, and Its Cube
... all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal ... are the assurance of His listening ear
and sympathising ... the enigmatical promise that Elisha should 'slay' those who ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/elijahs weakness and its cube.htm

Scenes in the Lives of the Patriarchs.
... Orion and the Pleiades, if they had bowed with the ... of receiving his parting blessing,
which should secure the ... tone of the young shepherd to that father's ear. ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/scenes in the lives of.htm

Concerning Worship.
... be good and refreshful, though from the sitting down to the ... Lord: nothing less than
if I should busy myself ... who is quietly whispering into my ear, and informing ...
/.../proposition xi concerning worship.htm

The Figurative Language of Scripture.
... were shaken, because he was wroth;" that God "bowed the heavens ... And if the ear shall
say, Because I am not the ... was of his earthly welfare when he should be put ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxv the figurative language.htm

I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also-
... night" (Psalm 77:2). Again, "I am bowed down greatly; I ... by a similitude:"set the
case, there should come two ... though at the last "he inclined" his ear "unto me ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/i will pray with the.htm

The American Experiments, 1734-1762.
... hymns had been published in a volume we should have had ... men of war around him, and
the war-whoop in his ear.?". ... Before him the haughtiest chieftains bowed in awe ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xiv the american experiments.htm

The First Stages. Ch. 9:51 to 13:21
... and what ye have spoken in the ear in the ... if judgment has not fallen the delay should
be regarded ... of infirmity eighteen years: and she was bowed together, and ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/a the first stages ch.htm

The Faith of Little Children.
... Her head was bowed, but I could see the tears flowing like ... not mean to be rude; but
I thought I should like to ... that came to my own mind, meet the ear of that ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/the faith of little children.htm