Listen to Me, O My Church

Listen to Me, O My Church

This urgent exhortation was necessary for the church of Israel, and it is even more necessary today. Israel was supposed to be a glory on earth through the laws and commandments that the Lord had given them. “For the law will proceed from Me, and I will make My justice rest as a light of the peoples.” V. 4.

“Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, you people in whose heart is My law . . . .” V. 7. God was able to talk to such hears about the great and glorious things He wanted to do, but their ears had to be turned to Him to hear His voice. The Lord calls them “My people, My church.” They were supposed to guard their high and holy calling as Abraham’s and Sarah’s descendants. “Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who bore you.” V. 2.

The Gentiles did not qualify for giving their ears to the Lord in order to hear. They were outside the covenants and the promises. But the Lord could speak to the ears of Israel. The laws were in their hearts, but that did not help them if they did not give their ears to hear and to do.

God wanted to comfort His people by making Zion’s wilderness like Eden and her waste places like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness would be found in it, thanksgiving and the voice of melody. V. 3.

Now—in the new covenant with all its promises—it is vital to hear what the Lord will do in His church. She will be made ready as a bride for her Bridegroom.

Jesus began by hearing as a disciple hears and by doing. Israel was to be confirmed in their high calling that they had received, because they were descendants of Abraham and Sarah.

We have been redeemed from among men to be the firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. Rev. 14:4. All seven churches in Revelation had spiritual ears, but they had to be awakened to hear what the Spirit had to say to the churches.

The church is to be made ready as the bride of Christ. She is to be presented in glory, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing—holy and without blemish. Eph. 5:27.

Christ has put apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers into this work, so that the saints might be fully equipped for the work of ministry, for the edification of the body of Christ.