The Ear of the Wicked: Not Inclined to Hear God
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In the biblical narrative, the concept of the "ear of the wicked" is often associated with a refusal or inability to hear and heed the voice of God. This theme is prevalent throughout Scripture, highlighting the spiritual deafness that characterizes those who are opposed to God's will and commandments.

Biblical References

1. Proverbs 28:9 · "Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable." This verse underscores the principle that those who deliberately ignore God's law render their prayers unacceptable. The wicked, by turning their ears away, demonstrate a heart that is not aligned with God's righteousness.

2. Zechariah 7:11-12 · "But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped their ears from hearing. They made their hearts like flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets." Here, the prophet Zechariah describes the obstinacy of the people who actively choose to block out divine instruction, resulting in hardened hearts.

3. Jeremiah 6:10 · "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." Jeremiah laments the closed ears of the people, indicating that the wicked find God's word distasteful and unappealing, further alienating themselves from His guidance.

4. Isaiah 42:20 · "Though seeing many things, you do not keep watch. Though your ears are open, you do not hear." This passage from Isaiah highlights the paradox of having the physical ability to hear but lacking the spiritual willingness to listen and respond to God's message.

Characteristics of the Wicked Ear

· Deliberate Rejection: The wicked ear is characterized by a conscious decision to reject God's word. This is not merely a passive oversight but an active choice to ignore divine instruction.

· Spiritual Deafness: The inability to hear God is often linked to a deeper spiritual condition. The wicked are described as having ears that are closed or stopped, indicating a profound spiritual deafness that prevents them from understanding or accepting God's truth.

· Hardened Heart: The refusal to listen is frequently associated with a hardened heart. As seen in Zechariah 7:12, the wicked make their hearts like flint, resistant to the transformative power of God's word.

· Displeasure in God's Word: The wicked find no delight in the word of the Lord, as noted in Jeremiah 6:10. This aversion to divine instruction further alienates them from the blessings and wisdom that come from obedience to God.

Consequences

The refusal to hear God has significant consequences. As Proverbs 28:9 suggests, even the prayers of those who turn away from God's law are detestable. This indicates a severed relationship with God, where communication is hindered by disobedience and rebellion. The spiritual deafness of the wicked leads to a life devoid of divine guidance, wisdom, and ultimately, salvation.

Contrast with the Righteous

In contrast, the righteous are depicted as those who delight in God's law and are eager to listen to His voice. Psalm 1:2 describes the blessed man whose "delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night." The righteous ear is open, attentive, and responsive to God's word, leading to a life of blessing and spiritual prosperity.

The biblical portrayal of the ear of the wicked serves as a cautionary theme, urging believers to cultivate a heart and ear that are receptive to God's voice, thereby aligning themselves with His will and purpose.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Jeremiah 7:24
But they listened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 35:15
I have sent also to you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return you now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and you shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but you have not inclined your ear, nor listened to me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Carnal Mind Enmity against God
... not rebellious, it is rebellion; it is not wicked, it is ... music of hell shall jar
in my ear when gray ... Original or Birth Sin: "Original Sin standeth not in the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the carnal mind enmity against.htm

Third Sunday after Trinity Humility, Trust, Watchfulness ...
... Where the devil finds those who give ear to such fables ... He would not have us feel
terrified nor despair before Satan, even though that wicked one press ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/third sunday after trinity humility.htm

Psalm CXVIII.
... unto the end the intercourse of the wicked, but "these are ... believe, those that hope,
those that love; not in the ... Psalms, "Since He hath inclined His ear unto me ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxviii.htm

Approaching Doom
... fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened ... not burn the roll: but
he would not hear them." The ... been destroyed, the wrath of the wicked king rose ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 35 approaching doom.htm

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them ... with, in league and friendship
with wicked men, when ... society between light and darkness, let not the godly ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

The Sixth Season
... of God which locks up the eye and ear against vanity ... of God, but because your affections
are not engaged ... Paul by wicked suggestions, (as is supposed) he mourned ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/vi the sixth season.htm

Election Confirmed by the Calling of God. The Reprobate Bring Upon ...
... it is that they may turn a deafer ear; he kindles a ... is ready to pardon them; and
that the wicked may feel ... their guilt is doubled, when they respond not to the ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 24 election confirmed by.htm

Parental Duties Considered and Urged.
... "The wicked are estranged ... of a serpent; they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth
her ear."". Such declarations are not indeed to be understood literally. ...
/.../sermon xxii parental duties considered.htm

On the Discoveries of Faith
... Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard this ... of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome
the wicked one." These ... word of God abiding in them." It may not improbably mean ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 110 on the discoveries.htm

1 Thessalonians v. 19-22
... is it also in us: it is the eye and the ear. ... There was a certain maid-servant united
to a wicked man, a ... But they do not sit here only on this account, but that ...
/.../homily xi 1 thessalonians v.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about body piercings? | GotQuestions.org

What 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

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The Ear of the Wicked: Itching
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