Hear, Hear

(Proverbs 4:1 KJV)  Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

We often do not really “hear” (8085) the important things.  We don’t want to hear things that make us uncomfortable.  Our minds filter out things that are inconvenient.  If you want an illustration, tell a child in the other room it is time to go to bed.  He will not hear you.  In a softer voice ask if he wants some ice cream.  You already know what will happen.  Often hearing is a matter of the heart, not the ears.

The one key ingredient that people don’t admit is to “attend” (give attention NASB) (7181).  How often do we miss key announcements because our focus has wandered.  This is another reason why we need to cultivate the habit of personal worship and study.  No one can be at the height of attentiveness all the time.  Our minds wander when they should wonder.  We are human.

This is where the “father” (1) comes in.  The obvious intent is to emphasize the teaching that is to go on inside the family.  Fathers have a great responsibility for teaching.  Children have a responsibility to listen.  A father is aware of the wandering nature of a child’s mind.  He is persistent.  Also inferred in this is the fatherhood of God.  God is the role model for human fathers.  He also teaches us.  He does this through the work of the Holy Spirit.

An early indication of this is in the prophets:

(Jeremiah 31:33 KJV)  But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Jesus told us how this would be done:

(John 14:26 KJV)  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

We want to “know” (gain NASB) (3045) [yada] a proper understanding of our world.  This word means intimate knowledge, not just to add to our pool of knowledge.  This reminds us that God is not teaching us how to make cookies but how to walk in holiness. 

So, what do we do different?  When you read, pray, meditate, study or any other form of worship, expect there to be a lesson.  Ask yourself, “What is God trying to say to me today in this hymn I have sung a thousand times?”  You will surprised at how often there is an answer to that question.