In the context of the Bible, the term "heeded" refers to the act of paying attention to, listening to, or obeying a command, instruction, or warning. This concept is significant throughout Scripture, as it underscores the importance of obedience to God's word and the consequences of ignoring divine guidance.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament frequently emphasizes the importance of heeding God's commandments and the words of His prophets. In Deuteronomy 28:1 , the Israelites are promised blessings for obedience: "Now if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God and are careful to follow all His commandments I am giving you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth." Here, the act of heeding is directly linked to receiving God's favor and blessings.

The prophets often called the people to heed God's warnings. In Jeremiah 6:10 , the prophet laments the people's refusal to listen: "To whom can I speak and give this warning? Who will listen to me? Their ears are closed so they cannot hear. The word of the LORD is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it." This passage highlights the spiritual peril of ignoring God's word.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the concept of heeding is closely associated with listening to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus Himself emphasizes the importance of hearing and acting upon His words in Matthew 7:24 : "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock." Here, heeding is equated with wisdom and stability.

The apostle Paul also stresses the necessity of heeding sound doctrine. In 2 Timothy 4:3-4 , he warns, "For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." This passage underscores the danger of failing to heed true teaching.

Theological Implications

Heeding God's word is a central theme in biblical theology, reflecting the relationship between God and His people. It involves not only listening but also responding in obedience. The Bible presents heeding as a matter of the heart, where true listening leads to action. In James 1:22 , believers are exhorted, "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves."

The act of heeding is also tied to faith. Hebrews 11:7 commends Noah for his obedience: "By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family." Noah's heeding of God's warning demonstrates faith in action.

Practical Application

For believers, heeding God's word involves regular engagement with Scripture, prayerful consideration of its teachings, and a commitment to live according to its principles. It requires discernment to recognize God's voice amidst the many competing messages in the world. The call to heed is a call to align one's life with God's will, trusting in His wisdom and guidance.

In summary, the biblical concept of heeding is integral to the life of faith, encompassing listening, understanding, and obeying God's word. It is a demonstration of love and reverence for God, leading to spiritual growth and blessing.(imp. & p. p.) of Heed.8085. shama -- to hear
... 2), give earnest heed (1), given heed (2), hear (270), hear* (1), heard (363), heard
for certain (1), hearing (5), hears (33), heed (5), heeded (2), indeed ...
/hebrew/8085.htm - 7k

The Message Heeded
... Lesson 31 The Message Heeded. [This chapter is based on the Second Epistle
to the Corinthians.] From Ephesus Paul set forth on another ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 31 the message heeded.htm

Chapter xxx
... God's institution of the order of marriage is ignored. The lesson taught to Abraham
is not heeded. Human expedients are trusted in rather than God's blessing. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxx.htm

On Matrimony
... If your parents are bad, it is because they have not heeded the advice given them.
If they are good, it is because they have heeded and followed it. ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 26 on matrimony.htm

The Strait Gate;
... These are the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and are, therefore, in especial manner
to be heeded; besides, the subject matter of the words is the most weighty ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the strait gate.htm

Chapter xxxiv
... for them exceedingly." Both these reactions are seen to be more than the ordinary
carnal reactions of brothers when the explanatory clause is heeded which we ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxiv.htm

The Manner in which Christ Served.
... The healed leper heeded not the admonition of his Benefactor, instead, we read,
"But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/why four gospels/iii the manner in which.htm

The Principle of Fasting Traced Back to Its Earliest Source.
... and the Church, and no longer being "capable of the things which were the Spirit's,"
[1020] yielded more readily to his belly than to God, heeded the meat ...
/.../chapter iii the principle of fasting.htm

Abraham, the Man of Prayer
... had entreated God once more, and asked Him to spare the city if even one righteous
man was found there, for Lot's sake, He might have heeded Abraham's request. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/prayer and praying men/iii abraham the man of.htm

The Divided Kingdom.
... The older and more experienced men counseled him to grant their request, but he
heeded the advice of the young men, who were ignorant of conditions, and ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiii the divided kingdom.htm

John the Baptist
... of life, threatening his people with coming wrath and calling to repentance while
yet there was time; a preacher of practical righteousness heeded by publicans ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/vi john the baptist.htm

Heeded (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Heed. Multi-Version Concordance
Heeded (11 Occurrences). Genesis 37:27 Come, and let's sell ...
/h/heeded.htm - 9k

Uncared (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not cared for; not heeded; -- with for.
Multi-Version Concordance Uncared (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah ...
/u/uncared.htm - 6k

Heedeth (2 Occurrences)

/h/heedeth.htm - 6k

Heed (223 Occurrences)

/h/heed.htm - 36k

Inspiration (4 Occurrences)
... prophetic word" (English Versions of the Bible, unhappily, "the word of prophecy"):
and this, he says, is "more sure," and therefore should certainly be heeded...
/i/inspiration.htm - 57k

Herod (45 Occurrences)
... The foolish ambition of Herod Antipas led to his undoing, and the emperor, who had
heeded the accusation of Agrippa against his uncle, bestowed on him the ...
/h/herod.htm - 57k

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