Ears to hear

Next Sunday at my church, we’ll be looking at Mark 4:1-20. One of the themes of that passage is, “Do we have ears to hear God’s word?”

That in fact is a major theme of Jeremiah 5-6. Unfortunately, the Israelites didn’t have ears to hear.

God said these things about them.

“Hear this,
you foolish and senseless people.
They have eyes, but they don’t see.
They have ears, but they don’t hear. (Jeremiah 5:21)

“But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts.
They have turned aside and have gone away.” (Jeremiah 5:23)

“Who can I speak to and give such a warning
that they will listen?

Look, their ear is uncircumcised,so they cannot pay attention.

See, the word of the Lord has become contemptible to them—
they find no pleasure in it.” (Jeremiah 6:10-11)

“This is what the Lord says:

“Stand by the roadways and look.
Ask about the ancient paths,
“Which is the way to what is good?”

Then take it
and find rest for yourselves.

But they protested, “We won’t!”

I appointed watchmen over you
and said, “Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.”

But they protested, “We won’t listen!”” (Jeremiah 6:16-17)

What about us? Do we have ears that are open?

As we read the Bible or hear the Sunday message, when we hear or read something that hurts, do we simply close our eyes and our ears to it?

Or do we welcome that word and receive it?

What kind of ears to do you have?