How does Jeremiah 6:10 relate to Jesus' teachings on hearing God's word? Jeremiah 6:10 – Closed Ears, Offended Hearts “‘To whom can I speak and give warning? Who will listen to me? Their ears are closed so they cannot hear. The word of the LORD has become offensive to them; they find no delight in it.’” (Jeremiah 6:10) Jesus Repeats the Same Urgency • Matthew 13:9 – “He who has ears, let him hear.” • Mark 4:23 – “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” • John 8:47 – “Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God; the reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” • John 10:27 – “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” Key Parallels Between Jeremiah and Jesus • Both expose spiritual deafness: Jeremiah laments closed ears; Jesus diagnoses the same condition in the crowds and religious leaders. • Rejection of the Word leads to judgment: Jeremiah foretells impending disaster; Jesus warns of judgment in parables like the tenants (Matthew 21:33-46). • Delight vs. offense: In Jeremiah, God’s Word is “offensive”; in John 6:60-66 many disciples turn away because Jesus’ words are “hard.” • Hearing is inseparable from obedience: Jeremiah pleads for repentance (6:16-17); Jesus links hearing and doing (Luke 8:21, Matthew 7:24-27). How Jesus Deepens Jeremiah’s Message 1. Personalizes the Word: Jesus is the Word made flesh (John 1:14). Refusing Him equals refusing God directly. 2. Reveals the heart condition: The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-23) illustrates why some ears remain shut—hard, shallow, thorn-choked hearts. 3. Offers new-covenant power: Through the Spirit (John 14:26), believers receive open ears and responsive hearts promised in passages like Ezekiel 36:26-27. Practical Takeaways for Today • Examine your heart soil daily; ask, “Am I truly hearing or merely absorbing information?” • Treat Scripture as a delight, not an offense; savor it (Psalm 119:97). • Act promptly on what you hear; obedience keeps spiritual ears sensitive. • Pray for those with “closed ears,” remembering that only God can grant the willing heart (Acts 16:14). |
    |