TAMMUZ 1
Hear
"Sh'ma …” (Deu 6:4 ISR)
“The ear that hears the reproof of life shall remain among the wise.” (Pro 15:31 HRB)
Noah Webster
gives, for the definition of the word ‘hear’, the following: “To perceive by
the ear; to feel an impression of sound by the proper organs; as, to hear
sound; to hear a voice; to hear words; To
attend; to listen; to obey”[1]
(emphasis mine). By applying this
definition, we must conclude that we are a generation of ‘selective hearers’,
for how many of us, in reality, choose not
to hear, and consequently, disobey?
We are all guilty of this disastrous affliction, to some degree or another. When working on my writing, I am aware of the washing machine running, but I choose not to hear it. While reading a book, I can hear the ice maker emptying, yet again, I choose to ignore it. None of this is unusual; however, it is the attitude with which we HEAR the Word of our Creator that can scream danger.
The Hebrew word, sh’ma (Strong’s H8085), is the word that has been translated as ‘hear’, and, as with the English definition, this word has many facets to it. A closer rendition of the meaning would be to hear, and listen, with diligence, intelligence, and understanding, with the result of complete obedience to what was heard. With this in mind, let us look again at our second opening verse from Proverbs:
“The ear that [HEARS, AND LISTENS, WITH DILIGENCE, INTELLIGENCE, AND UNDERSTANDING, WITH THE END RESULT OF COMPLETE OBEDIENCE TO WHAT WAS HEARD] the reproof of life shall remain among the wise” (emphasis mine).
Why is it so difficult for us to hear, and to obey? I would venture to say because it is easier to ignore something that is going to require us take action – the obedience factor. Nevertheless, this is a choice that in actuality is no choice. We must hear, listen, and obey, if we desire to see the Kingdom of our Elohim.
“He who believes in the Son possesses
everlasting life, but he who does not OBEY the Son shall not see life, but the
wrath of Elohim remains on him.” (John 3:36 ISR, emphasis mine)
“And by this we know that we have known Him, IF we keep His commandments. The one saying, I have known Him, and NOT keeping His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in that one. But whoever keeps His Word, truly in this one the love of YAHWEH has been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him.” (1John 2:3-5 HRB, emphasis mine)
©2022
[1] American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828
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