By Brother R. Michel Lankford
“He who has ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 11:15)
Please Read: Matthew 11:1-19
, (Which is the full context of the command), The Command in This Specific Context
It was well understood by the prophets and teachers of Torah that before Messiah came, either Elijah himself, or one operating in the spirit and power of Elijah would come to usher in the coming of Messiah. The key message of this latter Elijah would be repentance and a strong call for people to return to adherence to the written Word and Will of God (Malachi 4:4-5; Luke 1:13-17). Jesus Christ was declaring that John the Baptizer was indeed that prophesied precursor to the Messiah. The apostle Matthew agrees. At the time, the people listening to Christ's words were struggling with the question. Who are these two men (meaning Joshua of Nazareth and John who baptized in the wilderness)? Are they agents of God? Are they impostors and frauds? Or are they simply insane? Is John the baptizer the forerunner of Messiah which was foretold or is he a fraud? Is Joshua, this Jesus of Nazareth truly the Messiah, the Christ who was promised by God and foretold by the prophets?
Yes! I believe that John the baptizer was the forerunner who operated in the spirit and power of Elijah, and I believe that Jesus/Joshua of Nazareth is in fact the Messiah and Christ sent by Almighty God. We must remember though, that at the time this discourse (Matthew 11:1-19
) occurred, people were not at all sure who these two people were. They had certain expectations of the Messiah which teaching and tradition taught them to expect. While Jesus was meeting the biblical standards that were prophesied concerning Messiah, Jesus was not meeting the expectations that developed concerning Messiah according to the traditions of men. That left people in a quandary including John the Baptist himself. When John the baptizer was preaching in the wilderness, he was absolutely certain who and what Yeshua is (John 1:29; John 3:1-36), but when Yeshua did not fulfill what human traditions had taught that Messiah ought to be (remember He fulfilled the Scriptures but not the traditional teachings and expectations of men). People, including John the baptizer expected that Messiah would immediately overthrow all of Israel's enemies, and that the eternal kingdom would be instantly established. They completely forgot about the prophecy concerning the fact that Messiah would have to be cut off and killed for the sins of others (Daniel 9:26; Isaiah 53:1-12). Even though it was completely prophesied concerning Messiah, these ideas had been completely pushed out by what had become the traditional teachings, beliefs and expectations of men concerning the Messiah. So when John the baptizer, who had faithfully preached the message of repentance and returning to God before the coming of Messiah suddenly found himself being arrested by Herod, I believe this was not what he expected. He struggled with doubts, because that turn of events ran completely contrary to what tradition concerning the Messiah had trained God's people to expect. That's why Jesus the Messiah sent John the reassuring message (Matthew 11:1-6
). Messiah then went on to give His affirmation of who John the baptizer was, and what John's ministry meant (Matthew 11:7-19
). As it is written:
“And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear. ” (Matthew 11:14–15, NASBThat phrase, 'And if you are willing to accept it...' is a very interesting terminology because on its face, it clearly suggests that each individual has a personal responsibility to accept the truths of God with which we are presented. Therefore this clearly refutes the idea that God's grace is absolutely irresistible, as some erroneously teach.
In A larger sense each human being will face the same exact questions that first century Israelites encountered. Is this John the baptizer who baptized people into repentance in the River Jordan, was he the forerunner of the Messiah. If you believe that he is, then believing and obeying Messiah becomes that much easier. Messiah then proceeds to give the woeful curses on those cities that refuse to listen or refused to hear (Matthew 11:20-24
). The Command in Its Broader Biblical Context
“He who has ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 11:15
Both Yahweh Almighty God and His Word Who became flesh, Jesus the Messiah have been constantly pleading for people to hear and hearken to His voice. Almost from the very beginning unto this very day, God has been pleading for people to hear, to receive, to pay attention to, to believe and to obey the voice of the LORD. That is a constant chorus throughout the Whole Testament of Scripture. He repeats it constantly, because we need constant reminding. In fact, the very phrase in our command, 'He who has ears to hear, let him hear,' is repeated no less than 16 times in the 2nd writings (a.k.a. The New Testament). I have not counted how many times the sentiment is repeated through the whole counsel of God, but the concept is often repeated throughout the Whole Testament of Scripture. The point is that God is pleading for people to hear, to recognize, to receive, to believe and to obey the Voice of the LORD.
We will not do an exhaustive study of the command throughout the entire counsel of the Whole Testament, but I want to do a flyby of the concept spanning the entire Testament, so that you understand how important God considers this command. I do this not to exhaust your patience, but because this concept is so simple and yet so critical, and it is often the very simple yet most critical things that get neglected:
In Genesis, we see that God's word is so powerful that it created everything (Genesis 1). That way we can see that it can certainly re-create us. We see that Abraham and the patriarchs heard God, they were counted righteous because they believed, and through them God established the precedent of righteousness through faith (Genesis 12). By contrast we also see the effects of listening to the devil instead of listening to God (Genesis 3). In Genesis 4, we also see that Cain refused to hear God's counsel, therefore sin overtook him and he murdered his brother.
In Exodus, we see that Moses routinely heard and favorably responded to the voice of the Lord. God revealed Himself in special ways to Moses and those who heard God's word and acted upon it were delivered from God's judgment (i.e. Exodus chapters 3,12).
In Numbers, we see the tragedy that comes from listening to our own fears and refusing to hear God's voice (Numbers chapters 13, 14). The people refused to enter the land that God promised them because of their fears, but Joshua and Caleb were faithful to God's voice, and they were the only ones of that generation to enter the promised land.
In Deuteronomy, we see the entire law of God repeated for a new generation coming out of the wilderness and about to enter the promised land. The second telling of the law of God begins with a great cry of God's heart, which is often repeated every Sabbath day in congregations of God's faithful people throughout the world: "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! Deuteronomy 6:4 (NASB)
In the book of Joshua, we see that when God's people heard and obeyed God's voice, they won many miraculous victories against more powerful enemies (Joshua 6:1-27
), but when they failed to either seek God's advice, they were deceived (Joshua 9:3-15). Or if they failed to obey God's voice, they lost even the so-called easy battles (Joshua 7:1-26). In the book of Judges, we see the constant teeter totter of deliverance. For a while the people listen to God's voice, and obey His written word, but repeatedly they drift away from hearing and obeying God. They commit idolatry and other vile sins. God warns them to repent. They resist his voice. Israel's enemies triumph over them and oppress them for a while. They become overwhelmed under the burden. They cry out to God for deliverance. He sends a judge or deliverer who defeats the oppressor. Israel is then grateful and starts obeying God for a while but then repeatedly returns back into the old pattern of rebellion and disobedience and the pattern repeats itself through the entire book of Judges. That pattern of Israel's behavior is recounted also in Psalm 107. It is written there as an example for us not to repeat that bad habit.
In 1 Samuel, we see that offerings and ministries are okay, but they are only accepted by God after we hear and obey God's voice and directions. If we are willfully disobedient, our offerings are meaningless: 1 Samuel 15:22-23
Samuel said, "Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. "For rebellion is as the sin of divination, And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king." (NASB) In Job, we see a man who was constantly crying out to hear God's voice. He stayed faithful to what he knew God wanted him to do, and God rewarded him with seven times more than anything he'd lost.
In Psalms, we routinely see the psalmists begging God to help them to take heed and to obey God's word (i.e. Psalm 19; Psalm 119:36
; Psalm 119:11, 112; Psalm 141:4). He also warned us not to repeat the sins of Israel in the wilderness (Psalm 95:7-11; cf. Hebrews 3:15-19). In Proverbs, God's word is constantly pleading for us to listen to the voice of wisdom and to turn away from every foolishness.
In Ecclesiastes, we see that the whole point of human existence is to reverentially fear the Lord, and to hear, to learn and to keep His Commandments. Comparatively everything else is meaningless because we will all have to answer to God someday (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
). I could go on to find many other examples throughout the First Writings, but you get the idea. The exact same sentiment is repeated constantly throughout the second writings:
In Matthew, we see that Messiah defeated the devil with the rightly divided Word (Matthew 4). We also see that hearing God's word and doing God's will actually ensure our entry into the kingdom of God (Matthew 7:21
). Hearing His words will also ensure that we are not torn asunder, but that we successfully endured through the storms and difficulties of this life (Matthew 7:24-25). In Mark, He warns us to be attentive and receptive to the word (Mark 4:3-9
). In Luke, He repeats the exact same instruction (Luke 8:4-8
). In the same book we have clear examples that both Joseph the husband of Mary and the wise men were receptive to God's leading, and so Messiah was saved from premature death, thus helping to guarantee our salvation. In John, we see that hearing, receiving, and abiding in God's word will make us disciples. It will cause us to know the truth, and it will free us from slavery to sin (John 8:31-36
). We know that hearing His voice is one of the things that identifies and marks us as one of His people, because Christ's sheep hear His voice, and won't follow another (John 10:27). We know that hearing and doing His commands is what demonstrates that we really love Him (John 14:21). Hearing and doing His Word is what makes us fruitful and productive in Him (John 15:1-7). It's what brings us into friendship with Him (John 15:14). It's what sanctifies us and sets us apart unto God (John 17:17). It is also what unites us to Him (John 17:20). In Acts, the entire book is absolutely filled with one account after another people who heard God's word, and the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit, and their lives were forever radically changed (i.e. the people on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2); and Paul the apostle (Acts 9).
In Romans, we see that hearing and responding to God is what identifies us as one of His children (Romans 8:14
). Hearing God's word is what produces faith (Romans 10:17), and believing God's word when it is preached is what grants us God's salvation Romans 10:8-14). In 1st Corinthians, the entire book deals with the idea of how the Word of God functions together with the moving of the Holy Spirit to transform lives (i.e. 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14).
In Ephesians, we see that the Word and the Spirit seals us (Ephesians 1:3
). A husband can use the Word to sanctify his wife (Ephesians 5:26). God's Word is our principle weapon in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-20). In Philippians, we learn how important it is that we hold on to God's word without fear (Philippians 1:14
). We learn to hold on to the word through all our difficult circumstances so that all our struggles will not be in vain (Philippians 2:16). In Colossians, we learn that the Word is the foundation for our hope (Colossians 1:5
). We are encouraged to make the word of God fully known (Colossians 1:25). We are encouraged to allow the Word to dwell in us richly, to encourage, and admonish each other using the words that are found throughout the Testament (Colossians 3:16). In 1st Thessalonians, we are to comfort and encourage one another with the hope that we find in God's word (1 Thessalonians 4:18
). In 2nd Thessalonians, we are told to comfort one another with the word (2 Thessalonians 2:17
, and we are told to pray God's word will speed forward and the people will be open and receptive to the word (2 Thessalonians 3:1). In 2 Timothy, we are told to follow the word (2 Timothy 1:13
). We are told to be faithful to the word, correctly dividing and interpreting it (2 Timothy 2:14-15). We are guaranteed that if we stay faithful to it, it is sufficient to salvation, and it will leave us completely equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:14-17). In Hebrews, we encounter the word of God that is living and active, sharper Than a two edged sword. It's able to discern the soul and the spirit, joints and marrow, and to judge the thoughts and intentions of our heart, so that we can repent before we have to be judged by God (Hebrews 4:12
). We are encouraged to become mature and skillful in using the Word of God (Hebrews 5:11-13). We have an encouragement to remember all of those who live by God's word in the past, and to learn from their positive example (Hebrews chapter 11-12:1-2). In James, we are encouraged to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. We again see that the Word is able to Save us. We are also warned that hearing and doing God's Word is our best safeguard against self-deception (James 1:19-25
). In 1 Peter, we are reminded that the word of God endures forever, and through it, we are born again (1 Peter 1:23-25
). Therefore we should crave the word, in the same way the newborn babies crave mother's milk (1 Peter 2:2). In the epistles of John, we are told that keeping God's word will perfect us in God's love, and confirmed that we are indeed in him (1 John 2:5
). We are reminded that by abiding in God's word we overcome the evil one (1 John 2:14). In the book of Revelation, God makes a final plea for us to hear His Words. He repeats this exact command, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." He repeats it some seven or eight times.
Beloved, that is not an exhaustive list but you get the point. He offers His Word to everyone who's willing to receive it (Isaiah 55:1-11
). God doesn't want anybody to perish. He wants everyone to be saved (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4). He is eagerly willing to receive everyone that comes to Him (Matthew 11:28-30; John 6:37; Romans 10:13). The simple truth is that we will either hear God's Word and favorably respond to it so that we will be saved, or we will resist, neglect, diminish it, reject, or misuse God's word to our own destruction (Hebrews 3:15; 2 Peter 3:16). I've said it in the past, and I will say it again:
I believe that Almighty God created the heavens and the earth and everything in them by speaking His Word (Genesis 1:1-3
, 31). Therefore, I believe that God said what He meant and means what He says. I believe that all Scripture (Old Testament and New Testament) is God breathed, anointed and appointed by God. I believe that it is all completely sufficient for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the people of God will be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17
). I believe that it is the refusal to rightly divide and obey God's word that is at the root cause of every human ill and character defect we will ever encounter.
I believe that when it is rightly divided and obediently applied in the context of being in right relationship with God and Jesus Christ, His Word is completely sufficient to give us true wisdom in every situation, guidance and comfort through every hardship, and victory in every battle.
This is why you want to avoid preachers and teachers who tickle your ears, who tell you what you want to hear or who diminish or change the word to suit their own purposes instead of faithfully pursuing God's purpose. It's not as though God has failed to repeatedly warn us. God is pleading with us to hear Him, to believe Him, to obey Him and to persevere with Him, and His Word. I want to be one of those people who enjoys the blessings of hearing and doing God's word, how about you?
Prayer: Almighty God Who created heaven and earth by the words of His mouth, have mercy upon me. Save me according to Your unfailing love. I admit that I have at times been willful, hardhearted, unreceptive and disobedient to Your Word. Please forgive me. Speak forth Your Word afresh in my heart, and save me from destruction (Psalm 107:20
). Mercifully give me ears that truly hear You and what Your Holy Spirit says. Graciously transform my heart to be good, fertile ground for the seed of Your Word. Fill my heart with so much love toward God, that obeying Your Word doesn't even feel like a burden, but is instead always a delight and a joy. Grant that Your Word will produce an abundance of good fruit in my life. I commit my will to Your hands. I choose to be willing and obedient to You, but I need Your constant help to correctly fulfill that choice. Help me to be willing and obedient and to persevere in doing what truly pleases You, so that Your Word will truly become my salvation, and not my destruction. Graciously transform me and sanctify me by Your Word into one of Your children, who brings authentic joy and delight to Your heart. Mercifully grant this according to Your unfailing love, and also through Your Living Word made flesh, Yeshua the Messiah, amen.
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