The making of a Hearing Ear Pt. 1
In our previous posts we concisely examined the act of “hearing" out of the word. Yet such is the case, this ability is not one that comes naturally. The Bible suggests that it is because of spiritual deafness most are unable to hear. Examine the following verse carefully…
Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. (Heb. 5:11KJV)
The above text is an excerpt taken out of Paul’s letter to the Hebrews. Paul is writing to them in hopes of instructing them pertaining to spiritual things. However adds, it’s difficult to drive the message home, specifically because they are dull of hearing. They are unable to hear.
For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed;…. (Matthew 13:15 KJV)
If we consider the above text, the root cause for spiritual deafness is having a heart that is "waxed gross”.
I’ve seen other translations use the term calloused, dull, or fat.
My chain reference Bible categorizes this word with the word “brutish”, meaning beast-like.
Jeremiah suggests “Every man is brutish in his knowledge… (Je. 51:17KJV).”
Notice the word every.
Simply put, our natural way of thinking makes it difficult for us to understand spiritual things.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Cor. 2:14 KJV)
The word “gross” also means lack of refinement.
Signifying, that the heart lacking refinement, is unable hear.
The word refinement means the process of removing impurities or unwanted elements from a substance.
Study the following verse:
And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger,…;
that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. (Deuteronomy 8:3 KJV)
Refinement is almost never pleasant.
...that he might make thee know… every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord...
OR as I would say, that He would give them a hearing ear.
Often God will send us what we need in a package we don't want. Why? To let us know He's God and we cannot second-guess Him. We cannot search for answers merely with our heads; we must seek Him and His provision with our hearts. Scripture cannot be interpreted from our limited human mental understanding. There must be a breath of the Spirit of God. He alone gives wise counsel and correct application.
Supporting text
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them. (Pr.20:12 KJV)
“...but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves (Jude 1:10 KJV).”
For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. (Acts 28:27 KJV)
To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken… (Je. 6:10 KJV).
Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. (Is. 6:10)
And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. (Mal. 3:3 KJV)
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: (1 Peter 4:12 KJV)
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