JESUS HAD EARS

This is a revision of one sent earlier in the month...

“When He comes into the world, He says, ‘Sacrifice and offering You have not desired, But a body you have prepared for me.” (Heb 10:5)

Hebrews 10:5 is an often quoted passage believers, and my pastor in Austin, like because it appears to allude to the coming of God in the flesh.  However, Dan Lancaster has pointed out that the passage is a quotation of Psalms 40:6, which reads somewhat differently, “Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired; My ears you have opened” (NASB), or “Ears Thou hast prepared for me” (YLT), or “But you have given me an open ear” (ESV).  Somehow, the “ear” of the Psalmist became the “body” in our New Testament translation of the Book of the Hebrews. 

 

It is not clear how the “ear” became the entire “body”.  Some have suggested translational difficulties as the word for ear and body are similar in the Greek Septuagint.  Others have speculated that the translators did not appreciate the Hebrew idiom used for ear and expanded the anatomy to include the body. 

In scripture, the ear often represents hearing that leads to obedience, as Moses wrote, “Give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes,” (Ex 15:26).  While on earth, Jesus frequently told His listeners, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear,” (Luke 11:31)(Matt 11:15).  To “hear” in scripture means to “do”, as in the prelude to the greatest commandments, “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is One;” which is immediately followed by the commandment, “and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all you strength…” (Mark 12:29-31).  Stephen criticized members of the Sanhedrin using three phrases related to disobedience originating from unrepentant hearts,

“Stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears…always resisting the Holy Spirit,”  (Acts 7:51).   

Zechariah prophesized against disobedient people saying, “They refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing,” (Zech 7:11).  In the book of Hebrews, the author used similar language warning against the people who “have become dull of hearing,” (Heb 5:11).  Among the many messages of Hebrews, the Book is a warning, “So that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience,” (Heb 4:11). 

When “ear” is substituted in Hebrews 10:5 for “body”, then the verses that follow are consistent with the context of obedience, “In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have taken no pleasure.  Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come (In the scroll of the Book it is written of Me) to do your will, O God’” (Heb 10:6-7).  Jesus came with body that was offered up on the cross.  Jesus also came with a hearing ear to do the complete will of the Father.  What God desires from His people is obedience, a hearing ear in place of sacrifice. 

“Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams,” (1 Sam 15:22).

 

In the coming year, maybe all of us can strive, empowered by the Spirit, to put on better ears than in the past, ears prepared for obedience and service.  The world certainly needs better examples than those being portrayed in the movies, the news, and on television.  If the LORD was capable of given Jesus, "an open ear," will He not surely do the same for those who want to be like Jesus?

 

As always, Scott