Why is it important to "hear" and "learn" God's statutes and ordinances? Key Verse “Gather the people—men, women, children, and the foreigners within your gates—so that they may listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and to follow carefully all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy 31:12) Hearing God’s Word: The First Step • Hearing precedes faith—“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) • God designed public reading of Scripture to keep every generation rooted in truth (Nehemiah 8:1–3). • Hearing refreshes memory and guards against drifting (Hebrews 2:1). Learning God’s Word: Going Deeper • Learning moves truth from the ears to the heart—“I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11) • It cultivates reverence: “Listen and learn to fear the LORD your God.” (Deuteronomy 31:12) • True learning produces obedience—“Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I will keep them to the end.” (Psalm 119:33) Blessings That Flow from Hearing and Learning • Spiritual life and prosperity—“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth…then you will make your way prosperous.” (Joshua 1:8) • Wisdom and discernment—“For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:6) • Intimacy with Christ—“Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me.” (John 14:21) Consequences of Neglect • Spiritual dullness—“You have become sluggish in hearing.” (Hebrews 5:11) • Stumbling into error—“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6) • Loss of blessing—“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse.” (Deuteronomy 11:26) Practical Ways to Keep Hearing and Learning • Read Scripture aloud at home and in gatherings. • Memorize key passages; review them during daily tasks. • Study systematically—book by book—so nothing is skipped (Acts 20:27). • Meditate day and night; let Scripture shape thoughts and decisions (Psalm 1:2). • Apply immediately—be “doers of the word, and not hearers only.” (James 1:22) |
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