What other scriptures emphasize the importance of heeding God's instruction? Psalm 50:17—The Wake-Up Call “For you hate My instruction and cast My words behind you.” (Psalm 50:17) The verse exposes a heart posture that treats God’s counsel as disposable. Scripture repeatedly urges the opposite—listen, treasure, obey. Below are key passages that echo and expand that plea. God’s Pattern Established in the Law • Deuteronomy 6:1-3 — “Hear, O Israel, and observe them carefully, so that it may go well with you…” • Deuteronomy 30:15-16 — “See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity…by loving the LORD your God, by walking in His ways, and by keeping His commandments…” • Joshua 1:7-8 — “Be careful to observe all the law…This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth…then you will prosper and succeed.” Wisdom Literature’s Plea to Listen • Proverbs 3:1-2 — “My son, do not forget my teaching…for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life.” • Proverbs 4:20-22 — “Pay attention to my words…they are life to those who find them.” • Proverbs 13:13 — “He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command is rewarded.” • Psalm 1:1-3 — Delighting in the law of the LORD makes a person “like a tree planted by streams of water.” • Psalm 119:105 — “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Prophets: Hear and Live • Isaiah 55:2-3 — “Listen carefully to Me…incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live.” • Jeremiah 7:23 — “Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people.” • Ezekiel 3:10 — “Receive into your heart all My words…listen closely.” Jesus’ Call to Action • Matthew 7:24-27 — Wise builders hear Christ’s words and act; foolish builders hear and ignore. • Luke 11:28 — “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” • John 14:23-24 — Love for Christ is proven by keeping His word. Early Church Echoes • James 1:22-25 — “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only…he will be blessed in what he does.” • 2 Timothy 3:16-17 — All Scripture is “God-breathed…so that the man of God may be complete.” • Revelation 1:3 — A blessing rests on those who “hear and obey what is written.” Putting It Into Practice Today • Approach Scripture expecting God to speak authority and life. • Read with intent to obey, not merely to inform. • Memorize and meditate so His words stay “in front” of you, not “behind.” • Check daily choices against the clear counsel of the Word. • Celebrate the promised blessings—strength, stability, fruitfulness, and intimacy with God—that follow humble obedience. |
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