God repeatedly urges us to hear, to listen, and to pay attention to Him, His words, His servants, and the times, for without focus, we risk missing or forgetting something vital to our salvation. In the book of Deuteronomy, the theme of hearing is paramount, with the Hebrew words for hear, listen, take heed, give ear, and perceive appearing approximately seventy times, roughly twice per chapter. These often come as imperatives, commanding us to concentrate and understand what is being said. In Deuteronomy 4:1, the call to listen is presented positively for the first time, following earlier negative examples where failing to hear led to dire consequences. When the Israelites did not listen, they faced death and God's refusal to hear them in return. Moses himself lost the reward of entering the Promised Land for not heeding God's precise instruction, showing how critical it is to hear even the smallest detail. The benefits of hearing God's words are clear in Deuteronomy 4. First, listening enables a person to hold fast to the Lord, remaining loyal and alive by weighing the penalties and rewards of obedience. Those who listened survived, while those who ignored God's instruction perished. Second, hearing generates understanding and wisdom, as God's words offer the most beneficial advice, leading to skill in living when put into practice. Third, listening provides an opportunity to ease the way for children, perpetuating God's blessings on the family by diligently teaching and modeling His way of life. In Deuteronomy 5, God urges us to hear the covenant and obey the commandments, fulfilling our part to secure His blessings and grow in character. Hearing and obeying lead to a joyful, abundant life, as God promises to pour out blessings if we uphold our vows. Deuteronomy 9 emphasizes hearing the truth about our weaknesses and insignificance, reminding us that we are junior partners in the covenant, dependent on God's grace rather than our own merits. God has opened our eyes and ears to comprehend the mysteries of His way, a rare and precious gift. As He has given us ears to hear, let us listen intently and act upon what we receive, building upon it to bear fruit in our lives.

A key to life and good relationships is effective communication, which requires both parties to be effective listeners. We must take the study of the Bible seriously to listen to God through His Word and the human instruments He has chosen to communicate with us. Forms of "hear" appear 687 times in the Bible, often relating to hearing God's Word, while forms of "listen" appear 149 times, mostly connected to listening to God. The specific command to hear the word of the Lord occurs 34 times in the New King James Version, and the phrase "hear or listen, O Israel" appears seven times. Similar expressions like "incline your ear," "give ear," or "pay attention" call God's people to listen intently to Him. In the New Testament, Jesus advises to take heed what and how we hear, as seen in Mark 4:24 and Luke 8:18. He also warns, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" in Mark 4:9, 23 and Luke 8:8. The phrase, "if you will hear His voice," appears three times in Hebrews and once in Psalm 95:7. In Revelation 2 and 3, the resurrected Christ urges seven times, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." A large part of our responsibility is to listen, equipped with ears to hear by the anointing of the Holy Spirit, allowing us to comprehend spiritual things. The words we hear from Christ enable eternal life, as He states in John 6:63 that His words are spirit and life. God charges us emphatically to hear Him, as seen in Deuteronomy 18:15, where Moses speaks of a Prophet to come whom we shall hear. As the Logos, Jesus Christ is the living Word of God to man. God has much to say and teach us, and as the all-wise and sovereign God, it is imperative for us to listen carefully, though we are prone to distraction. Like Mary, who sat at the feet of the Savior to listen raptly to His Word, we should prioritize hearing the words of the Lord over temporary service, for Jesus promises that such a choice to listen will not be taken away.

Mankind possesses a unique ability to hear and recognize voices, a capacity that sets us apart from other creatures God has made. Only humans have a voice that, when combined with our mind, allows us to articulate instruction and communicate with precision. Hearing a voice can forge a deep connection, conveying intimacy second only to the sense of touch. The sheep recognize and trust the shepherd's voice, hearing in it safety, security, sustenance, joy, hope, encouragement, love, warmth, and correction that guides without repelling. This voice serves as the effective means of communication between Christ and us, identifying and revealing both character and emotion through its tone and timbre. The power of hearing God's voice is profound, as illustrated when the Israelites at Mount Sinai were terrified by its awesome force, a sound so mighty that it was a miracle they survived the experience. This connection between voice, words, and power is vital, as Jesus declared that the words He speaks are spirit and life, carrying immense strength. Though we cannot literally hear His voice, we perceive it through the creation, which declares God's glory, through the written word, the preaching of His truth by His ministers, the events of His providence, and sometimes in our own conscience. In each instance, when His truth is present, His word speaks personally to us, expecting His children to hear, listen with understanding, and apply it immediately. However, there is a danger in refusing to hear God's voice. An unwillingness to listen, to allow God to reign, or to pay attention to our relationship with Him can lead to a hardened heart, insensitive to His call. Even Christians, standing before a spiritual Mount Zion, have the potential to reject His voice, cherishing their own will over His purpose, thus stifling His message. Faith, which comes by hearing the Voice of God through a duly ordained messenger, is the key to salvation, but only for those who will hear and believe. To reject this message is to reject Christ and the Father, while accepting and believing it allows the faith of Christ to dwell within us. Our salvation hinges on yielding to the Voice found in God's word, for the words Jesus spoke are spirit and life, and hardening ourselves to them leaves no possibility of possessing the faith of Christ.