Everyone Bow Your Ears

(Proverbs 22:17 KJV)  Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

It is impossible to “incline” (5186) your ears without moving every other sense organ.  When you move your ears you move your eyes, nose, taste buds and the brain that processes their input.  God is saying "I want you to focus on what I have to say."

In looking at how this word was used I think it means to concentrate or listen, not so much to bow down in respect.  The reason I say that is that there are places where God is asked to incline his ear to a human speaker.  It also has the idea of spreading out and staking down a tent.  It means to settle down and pay attention. 

How many times have you been “listening” and suddenly realize that you don’t know what the person was saying because your mind was wandering?  I know it happens to me and although she might disagree it is probably more of a problem when I miss what God says than when I miss what my wife said.

So?  Are you listening?  Or as I might say to the kids at school, “Earth to John.  Are you there?”  Maybe every time you come to a red light today you could pause a moment to listen.