Topical Encyclopedia The ear, as a physical organ, serves as the primary means by which humans receive auditory information. In the biblical context, however, the ear often symbolizes the spiritual capacity to receive and understand divine wisdom and instruction. The Scriptures frequently exhort believers to incline their ears to wisdom, emphasizing the importance of attentive listening to God's Word and the teachings of the wise.Biblical Exhortations to Listen The Bible underscores the importance of listening as a pathway to wisdom. Proverbs 2:2-3 instructs, "making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding, if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding." Here, the ear is metaphorically linked to the heart, suggesting that true understanding requires both attentive listening and a receptive spirit. In the New Testament, Jesus often used the phrase, "He who has ears, let him hear" (Matthew 11:15), urging His listeners to not only hear His words but to understand and act upon them. This call to listen is a recurring theme in His parables, where the deeper truths of the Kingdom of God are revealed to those who are spiritually attentive. The Ear and Obedience Listening in the biblical sense is closely tied to obedience. In Deuteronomy 6:4-5 , the Shema begins with the command, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." The act of hearing is directly connected to the command to love and obey God fully. The prophet Isaiah also highlights the relationship between listening and obedience. In Isaiah 55:3 , God invites His people, "Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, My loving devotion assured to David." Here, the promise of life and covenantal blessing is contingent upon the willingness to listen and respond to God's call. Warnings Against Deafness to Wisdom Conversely, the Bible warns against spiritual deafness, which leads to folly and destruction. Proverbs 28:9 states, "Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable." This verse highlights the grave consequences of ignoring divine instruction, as it severs the relationship between the individual and God. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul warns Timothy about those who will "turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths" (2 Timothy 4:4). This turning away from truth is depicted as a deliberate act of closing one's ears to wisdom, resulting in spiritual deception and error. The Role of the Ear in Community and Worship The ear also plays a vital role in the communal and worship life of believers. In the early church, the public reading of Scripture was central to worship, as seen in 1 Timothy 4:13 : "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching." Listening to the Word together fosters unity and mutual edification within the body of Christ. Moreover, the Psalms frequently call the community to listen to God's voice in worship. Psalm 95:7-8 exhorts, "For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care. Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts." This call to listen is an invitation to enter into a deeper relationship with God through worship and obedience. Conclusion The biblical emphasis on inclining the ear to wisdom underscores the importance of being attentive to God's Word and the teachings of the wise. Through listening, believers are called to understand, obey, and live out the truths of Scripture, fostering a life of wisdom and spiritual growth. Torrey's Topical Textbook Proverbs 2:2So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Beginning and End of Wisdom But You Will Say, the Good Will of a Friend Towards Me, Although I ... He Proves by Several Examples that the Greeks Drew from the Sacred ... Psalm 49 How Lovely God Is. Of the Various Ways in which Christ is the Logos. "That which was from the Beginning, which we have Heard, which we ... Of the Cause of the Incarnation of Christ. The Word of the Truth of the Gospel God's Providence Resources What does the Bible say about body piercings? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is emblematic parallelism in Hebrew poetry? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean to live by the sword and die by the sword? | GotQuestions.org Ear: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Ear: Anointed With Oil in Purifications Ear: Blood Put Upon, in Consecration of Priest Ear: Bored As a Sign of Servitude The Ear of Servants Who Refused to Leave Their Masters, Bored to The The Ear of the Wicked: Itching The Ear of the Wicked: Not Inclined to Hear God The Ear of the Wicked: Stopped Against God's Word The Ear of the Wicked: Turned Away from God's Law The Ear of the Wicked: Uncircumcised The Ear: Blood Put on the Right Ear of Priests at Consecration The Ear: Blood Put on the Right Ear of The Healed Leper in Cleansing Him The Ear: Capable of Trying and Distinguishing Words The Ear: God: Judicially Closed The Ear: Instruction Received Through The Ear: Not Satisfied With Earthly Things The Ear: Not to be Stopped at Cry of the Poor The Ear: Often Adorned With Rings The Ear: should be Bowed Down to Instructions The Ear: should be Given to the Law of God The Ear: should be Incline to Wisdom The Ear: should Hear and Obey Reproof The Ear: should Receive the Word of God The Ear: should Seek Knowledge The Ear: That Hears and Receives the Word of God, Blessed Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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