Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.1
Hear and be attentive! which connotes listening intently. Leaders and educators know that hearing has a direct bearing on learning, understanding, and growing; it curbs the heart to maturity. Thus, Moses instructed Israel, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart . . . And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them . . .”2
My son, be attentive to my words, incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.3
Hearing God’s Words daily has a transformative effect.4 It cleanses;5 it sanctifies;6 it sets us free.7
God’s Words are food for our souls. Jesus Christ’s daily habit was to commune with his Father. And said, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. . . .”8 Hearing attentively God’s Words is like watering a tree which allows the nutrients from the soil to seep through its roots; and consequently, the tree bears fruit.
In the absence of hearing God’s Word, we gradually wither and die. We digress and lose appetite for anything or everything about God. Faith is not developed. As faith comes through hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.9 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.10 For those dull of hearing their end is likened to a ship that is shipwrecked.11 Without God’s guidance they are like a ship without a rudder.
And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth.12 When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you. For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, . . .13
And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.14
Notes:
1. Proverbs 4:1-6
2. Deuteronomy 6:4-9
3. Proverbs 4:20-23
4. Romans 12:2
5. John 15:3
6. John 17:17
7. John 8:31-32
8. John 4:34-38
9. Romans 10:17
10. Hebrews 11:6
11. 1 Timothy 1:18-20
12. Proverbs 5:7
13. Proverbs 6:22-23
14. Hebrews 6:11-12
