โ€œHe that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.โ€ย (Proverbs 28:9)

The verse for our consideration today sets before us the vital importance of being attentive to the Word of God. In an age in which the still, small voice of Godโ€™s Word is increasingly drowned by the incessant cacophony of temporal voices, it is needful for us to be reminded of the essential nature of tuning our ears to hear the voice of God.

The Choice

The verse of our text sets before us the choice of an individual to turn away his ear from hearing the Word of God. How does one engage in such an act? I believe there are several ways in which this choice is enacted.ย 

By Willful Absence from the Sanctuary (Hebrews 10:25). The primary focus of the local church is the preaching and teaching of Godโ€™s Word. When we willfully absent ourselves from a service which we could attend, we are choosing to turn away our ears from hearing the law.ย 

By Willful Negligence in Scripture Reading (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:1-2). As a Christian we have a need, yea, a responsibility to daily partake of the Word of God personally. When we allow the busyness of life, the weariness of the flesh, or the pursuit of pleasure to hinder us from time in the Word of God, we are guilty of turning away our ear from hearing the law.

By Willful Rejection of Scriptural Truth. When we reject the truth of Godโ€™s Word as being applicable to us personally, we choose to turn away our ear from hearing the law.

The Consequence

We must always be mindful of the truth that choices are accompanied by consequences. Along with the choice that is spoken of in our text, there is a consequence which follows, โ€œEven his prayer shall be abomination.โ€ What a tragic result for the individual who refuses to hear the Word of God.

An Almighty Who is Offended. When we turn our ears from hearing Godโ€™s Word and then seek His help in our lives, it is disgusting to God. The reason being that the very Word from which we have turned was given to us to help us in preparation for the situation in which we find ourselves.

An Appeal thatโ€™s Repulsive. When we have turned from hearing the Word of God, the calling out for Divine intervention in the affairs of life is an odious and offensive thing in the eyes of God.ย 

An Answer thatโ€™s Unavailable. As a result, there is no answer to our cry. In turning our ear from the voice of God, we discover that God has turned His ear from our voice. We are left to rely on our own resources to deal with the situation.ย 

Knowing the uncertainty of life and understanding how quickly an unexpected situation can arise, I want to be on speaking terms with God. When an emergency arises, I may not have a lot of time to set things right; therefore, I want to tune my ear to hearing the law so that my prayer will not be offensive to God. โ€œHe shall pray unto God, and He will be favorable unto himโ€ (Job 33:26).


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Craig Burcham

Craig Burcham, GSBC Chairman of the Bible Department

Bro. Burcham serves as the Chairman of the Bible Department at Golden State Baptist College. Before coming to GSBC, he served as a missionary with his family in Japan for several years and then pastored in Missouri.