Definition and Usage:
The term "inclining" in the biblical context often refers to the act of bending or turning one's ear, heart, or mind towards something. It implies a deliberate action of paying attention, being receptive, or showing a willingness to listen and obey. This concept is frequently used in the Scriptures to describe the posture one should have towards God's words, commands, and wisdom.

Biblical References:

1. Inclining the Ear:
The act of inclining the ear is a metaphor for attentiveness and readiness to listen. In Proverbs 2:2, the Berean Standard Bible states, "making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding." This verse emphasizes the importance of actively seeking wisdom and understanding by being attentive to God's teachings.

2. Inclining the Heart:
Inclining the heart is a deeper, more personal commitment to align one's desires and will with God's. In Joshua 24:23, Joshua instructs the Israelites, "Now therefore, put away the foreign gods that are among you and incline your heart to the LORD, the God of Israel." Here, inclining the heart involves a conscious decision to turn away from idolatry and devote oneself fully to God.

3. Inclining to God's Commands:
Psalm 119:112 reflects a psalmist's dedication to God's statutes: "I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes, even to the very end." This verse illustrates a steadfast commitment to obeying God's laws throughout one's life.

4. Inclining to Prayer:
Inclining is also used in the context of prayer, where God is depicted as inclining His ear to the prayers of the faithful. Psalm 116:2 expresses this beautifully: "Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live." This portrays God as attentive and responsive to the cries of His people.

Theological Implications:

· Receptivity to Divine Wisdom:
Inclining one's ear and heart signifies a posture of humility and openness to divine instruction. It is an acknowledgment of the need for God's wisdom and guidance in all aspects of life.

· Commitment to Obedience:
The act of inclining the heart towards God and His commandments reflects a deep-seated commitment to live according to His will. It is a conscious choice to prioritize God's desires over personal inclinations or societal pressures.

· God's Attentiveness:
The imagery of God inclining His ear to His people underscores His personal involvement and care. It reassures believers of His readiness to listen and respond to their prayers and needs.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to cultivate a lifestyle of inclining their ears and hearts towards God. This involves regular engagement with Scripture, prayer, and a willingness to be led by the Holy Spirit. By doing so, they align themselves with God's purposes and experience the fullness of His wisdom and guidance in their lives.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Incline.

2. (a.) Same as Inclined.

3. (n.) Inclination; disposition.

4. (n.) Party or side chosen; a following.

Sundry Quotations from Hermogenes Now Uncertain and Vague are his ...
... Now this is not unrest; this is not turbulence or inconstancy; [6567] but rather
the regularity, and evenness, and exactitude of a motion, inclining to neither ...
/.../tertullian/against hermogenes/chapter xli sundry quotations from hermogenes.htm

Whether Sin Has an External Cause?
... A[2]), the internal cause of sin is both the will, as completing the sinful act,
and the reason, as lacking the due rule, and the appetite, as inclining to sin ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether sin has an external.htm

Whether God is a Cause of Sin?
... to do those things which are not right [Douay: 'convenient']," and a gloss comments
on this by saying that "God works in men's hearts, by inclining their wills ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether god is a cause.htm

Whether Charity is Something Created in the Soul?
... that the act of charity surpasses the nature of the power of the will, so that,
therefore, unless some form be superadded to the natural power, inclining it to ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether charity is something created.htm

Whether the Movement of the Saints Will be Instantaneous?
... Now sometimes it is to be observed that the moved resists the mover by itself, either
because it has a force inclining it to a contrary movement, as appears in ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the movement of the.htm

The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
... But from especial causes our age peculiarly doth abound in this practice; for, besides
the common dispositions inclining thereto, there are conceits newly ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part.htm

Elegance and Grace
... But this embellishment, I must again and again repeat, ought to be manly, noble,
and modest; neither inclining to effeminate delicacy, nor assuming a color ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/elegance and grace.htm

To My Fellow Presbyter, Timothy, Dionysius the Presbyter.
... that which is higher than the harmoniously imparted Divine manifestation, nor, in
regard to a lower level, lapse downward through their inclining to the worse ...
/.../dionysius/dionysis on divine names/caput i to my fellow.htm

The Hymnwriter
... Beautiful the radiant sky,. Where the golden stars are shining,. And their rays,
to earth inclining,. -: Beckon us to heaven above :-. It was on a Christmas night ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter fourteen the hymnwriter.htm

The Scheme of Necessity Makes God the Author of Sin.
... his Maker; no decree of mine Concurring to necessitate his fall, Or touch'd with
slightest moment of impulse His free-will, to her own inclining left In even ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter ii the scheme of.htm

Inclining (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Inclining (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 2:2 So that thou make
thine ear attend unto wisdom, and thy heart incline to discernment; (See RSV) ...
/i/inclining.htm - 7k

Inclineth (10 Occurrences)

/i/inclineth.htm - 9k

Violet (3 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) Dark blue, inclining to red; bluish purple; having a color produced by red
and blue combined. Multi-Version Concordance Violet (3 Occurrences). ...
/v/violet.htm - 8k

Up (25836 Occurrences)
... 11. (a.) Inclining up; tending or going up; upward; as, an up look; an up grade;
the up train. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. STIR, STIR UP. ...
/u/up.htm - 9k

Leaning (11 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Lean. 2. (n.) The act, or state, of inclining; inclination;
tendency; as, a leaning towards Calvinism. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/l/leaning.htm - 10k

Lean (22 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To incline, deviate, or bend, from a vertical position; to be in a position
thus inclining or deviating; as, she leaned out at the window; a leaning ...
/l/lean.htm - 14k

Inclose (1 Occurrence)

/i/inclose.htm - 7k

Equal (70 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Evenly balanced; not unduly inclining to either side; characterized
by fairness; unbiased; impartial; equitable; just. 5 ...
/e/equal.htm - 30k

Dipping (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Dip. 2. (n.) The act or
process of immersing. 3. (n.) The act of inclining downward. ...
/d/dipping.htm - 8k

Disesteem (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Want of esteem; low estimation, inclining
to dislike; disfavor; disrepute. 2. (vt) To feel an ...
/d/disesteem.htm - 8k

What is a vice? | GotQuestions.org

Inclining: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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