Deuteronomy 4:1-40 Now therefore listen, O Israel, to the statutes and to the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that you may live… ! — Moses called upon Israel to "hearken." Who can hear? Who has ever met a man, in any congregation, that could listen? What is wanted today may be described as good hearers. It is not given to man to rush away from his business, place himself down suddenly in the sanctuary, and call for revelations that he can appreciate. Men must be prepared to hear as well as prepared to preach. To "hearken" is not a mechanical exercise. The word "hearken" is charged with profound meaning; it represents the act of acute, ritual, profound, fervent attention. He who "hearkens" is in an attitude of eagerness — as if he would complete the speech, anticipate it, or elicit from the speaker a broader eloquence by the gratitude and expectancy of his own attention. Would that they who say much about speaking would learn the elements of good listening! — so learned, they would be dispossessed of themselves, their ears would be purged of all noises and tumults and rival competitions; and importunity being dismissed, anxiety being suspended, and the soul set in a posture of expectation, would receive even from slow-speaking Moses statutes and precepts ,solemn as eternity, and rich as the thought of God. "He that hath ears to hear," — not for noises to please, — "let him hear." Such hearing is almost equal to praying; such listening never was disappointed. (J. Parker, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. |
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