09/30/2025
Listening Heart
It’s kind of crazy when you think about it. Wisdom in the Bible is all about listening. Of course it makes sense that wisdom would start with listening to God, to God’s law and commandments, as well as the promptings and leadings of the Holy Spirit. Solomon wants to be a good king so he asks God to deepen his relationship with his Lord (as David did) and to be able to hear the cries, concerns, and needs of the people he is charged with leading.
In Sunday’s sermon we talked about having a listening heart but here is a fuller definition of what Solomon asks for when he asks for wisdom:
Meaning of "Lev Shomea"
Literal Translation
"Lev shomea" is a phrase from Biblical Hebrew that translates literally to "listening heart" or "hearing heart."
Contextual Usage
- The term is often associated with the request made by King Solomon to God for wisdom. In 1 Kings 3:9, Solomon asks for "an understanding mind" to govern the people, which is derived from "lev shomea."
- The purpose of having a "listening heart" is to discern between good and evil, enabling wise governance.
Implications
- The phrase emphasizes the importance of being attentive and receptive, not just in a physical sense but also in understanding and empathy.
- It reflects a deeper spiritual quality, suggesting that true wisdom involves listening and understanding the needs of others.
This concept encourages individuals to cultivate a heart that is open to learning and compassionate towards others.
If we want to live a larger life then, the first step is empathy and understanding borne of attentiveness to God. May we all find the inspiration we need from God’s gift of a listening heart.
Archived Posts
One of the Longest Benedictions I Ran Out of Time to Share
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I wonder what Mary and Martha’s phones might look like:
* Martha = the open browser with 27 tabs
* Mary = the single window that matters
* Psalm 46 = God saying, “Close the tabs.”
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“When you try to control everything, you don’t just exhaust yourself—you quietly replace trust in God with trust in you.” & more
There is a challenge when it comes to preaching the Word of God.
Preachers are called to open up and interpret the word—inspired and written down thousands of years ago—and make it relevant to a very different world. On top of that there’s a degree of persuasion that goes along with the process.
What Jessica Really Meant to Say in Her Sermon…
When Jessica or Rick or a guest preacher takes the pulpit it’s hard for me to write a One More Thing Blog. I can’t share with you what didn’t make it into the sermon because I have no idea, not having written or delivered it.
Jesus Keeps On Ruining Funerals!
I didn’t have anything this last week that didn’t end up in the sermon. No catchy illustrations that didn’t make the cut. No theological insights that slowed down the main point. No one can ruin a funeral like Jesus. Told as I saw it and that was it. So I did some quick research and I thought I’d share just a reminder of what Easter is all about.
When I Don’t Get To Give My Benediction
Yesterday’s sermon talked about how we are in the thrall of self-centeredness—caught in a system that rewards those who climb to the top, even when you have to climb on the back of others. I talked about a famous sermon by Dr. Martin Luther King, ....