"If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." Mark 4:23
I pray for ears that hear God. But what does that really mean? Sometimes it means I just want to hear from God. To know He is there. It’s relational, like hearing the voice of a friend. But I also want to hear God in the sense of understanding Him, similar to how we might say, “I hear what you are saying.”
The Hebrew word for ear is ozen, and besides referring to our physical ear, it is used extensively in Jewish idioms and associated with ideas like reveal and inform. Boaz went to “uncover the ear” of his relative, or to let him know about the matter. (Ruth 4:4). Ozen is also used in association with obedience. To hear is linked to obedience and action.
The English Standard Version translates Proverbs 15:31, “The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise” but the NIV translates it “Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.” The connection between hearing and heeding are clear.
"Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live" (Isaiah 55:3). Being within the sound of those words doesn’t bring life – but hearing them in the sense of absorbing them or receiving them does.
In contrast, closing your ears refers to inaction: "Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered" (Proverbs 21:13).
This picture is even used of God when He says that “they will cry in my ear but I will not hear" (Ezekiel 8:18). In other words, He won’t act on their behalf.
Much of what God says is given to us clearly in the Bible. Less often, but never contradicting, it is a more subtle leading by the Spirit. I resisted God’s call to teach for a long time. I’m so glad I finally heeded His call. I have grown and been blessed by walking that path. I want to be more responsive to Him. So when I say I want ears that hear, I’m calling myself to action - a heart that receives what God is saying and is obedient to it.
"Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught." Isaiah 50:4
