WORD OF THE WEEK: HEARKEN

A study of old and/or unique words from the Bible that are worth knowing

“And when He had called all the people unto Him, He said unto them, “Hearken unto Me every one of you, and understand…”” (Mark 7:14 KJV)

hearken (härkən) verb: to hear, give audience to, come to the ears, understand, give self wholly to listening

    The now archaic word, “hearken” is used five times in the King James Version of the New Testament, six times if you include the alternate use of hearken that is ‘listening as a subordinate, be obedient, and obey’ as found in Acts 12:13 when Rhoda hearkened to the door when Peter knocked.

    N.T. uses of the word ‘hearken’: Mark 4:3, Mark 7:14-23, Acts 4:19, Acts 7:2, Acts 15:13, and James 2:5, translated as “listen.”

    When we read/hear the word hearken it should alert us to pay attention to what is about to be said. It is an instruction telling us to give our full attention to the words, to not only hear them, but listen to them so that we may understand what is being said.

    Do we hearken unto Jesus’ words as we should? Do we try our best to listen as we read the Bible so that we may comprehend His Truth? Do we truly hear the words spoken by His apostles, those sent out by Him to teach people to observe all things that He commanded them (Matthew 28:20), to preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15)? Do we hear attentively so that we can obey the instruction?

    Let us hearken unto Jesus, and let us hearken unto the apostles – every word in the Bible is important! Let’s determine to listen in such a way that we may properly understand and wholly obey God’s instructions and commands (Ephesians 5:8-10, 15-17)! It is a worthwhile endeavour to make every effort to truly hearken unto God’s word and will!

You can do it! So can I!!

  

Walking as a Christian: Our Five Senses – Hearing

“…the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” (Proverbs 18:15 NKJV)

    Continuing in our five-lesson study of our five senses, we will look this week at hearing and how to use this sense to glorify God who made us and gave us these benefits (Proverbs 20:12, Psalm 139:13-14).

    Wisdom, personified, says “Now therefore, listen to me, my children, for blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not disdain it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favour from the LORD.” (Proverbs 8:32-35). We need to use our ears to hear what is good and beneficial!

    Using our ears to really hear and listen is important, so much so that Jesus, Himself, calls for our use of them repeatedly – “he that has an ear, let him hear” – at the beginning of the New Testament (Matthew 11:15, 13:9, 43, Mark 4:9, 23, 7:16, Luke 8:8, 14:35) and at the end (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29, 3:6, 13, 22, 13:9). Why is it so important? Because God calls us through the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14) and faith comes from hearing God’s word (Romans 10:17).

    Our hearing is limited by our heart’s interest in the subject matter. Consider Pharaoh who hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses (Exodus 8:15, 19, etc.), the Israelites who turned from God (Zechariah 7:8-14, Proverbs 28:9), and those who refuse to hear the pure gospel message (Acts 7:51-57, 2 Timothy 4:3-4).  

“O, be careful little ears what you hear…” (Children’s song, 1956, Zondervan Music)

    What we listen to daily can affect our heart’s capability to develop interest and limits. Think on Jesus’ parable of the sower (Matthew 13, Mark 4, Luke 8) where the heart’s ability to really listen to the word of God is hindered by the “rocks and weeds” of persecution, trials, and cares of this world. If we give our ears to the people who criticize us for believing in God or listen to the world who says “money is everything” our interest in hearing “pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44-48) and “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19) we will be minimal at best. That is why we need to be careful what we listen to regularly (ungodly people, TV shows, movies, music, audiobooks, podcasts, etc.) and why we are cautioned against using our ears for evil things like listening to slander/gossip (Proverbs 18:8, 26:22) and empty words that deceive (Ephesians 5:1-7).

“Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…” (Hebrews 4:7b NKJV)

    We need to have a heart that is constantly developing interest in hearing God’s word so we can be doing what He has told us in His word (James 1:21-25), this very thing shows true wisdom on our part (Matthew 7:24-29). Let us be like the multitudes who pressed about Jesus to hear the word of God (Luke 5:1) and the noble Bereans who received the word with all readiness (Acts 17:11) and let’s determine to keep our ears open to His word, letting it correct us and guide us toward full maturity (2 Timothy 3:16-17)!

You can do it! So can I!!