I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will disclose my dark saying on the harp. (Psalm 49:4)
The Hebrew word translated here as “proverb” is equivalent in meaning to the word “parable” which literally means “throwing alongside.” In other words, a parable is a story, oftentimes fictional, that is meant to be an illustration or analogy intended to convey a greater principle. By using everyday situations to make a point, one is able to disseminate difficult and complex issues in a way that is more easily grasped by the average person. As we know, this was a method that Messiah employed on many occasions to teach people the Word of God. He used this method so often that His disciples felt compelled to ask, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” (Matthew 13:10). His answer to them speaks to our topic today.
In response, Messiah quoted a passage from Isaiah about the inability or unwillingness of God’s people to listen to God’s Voice. His parables were intended to distinguish between those who had the desire to hear what God was saying and those who did not. Thus He said, “Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand” (Matthew 13:13). To be clear, parables are not intended to keep us in the dark but to provoke us to listen intently to what is being said. When we give ear to hear the Lord’s voice, He will open our understanding.
Let’s face it — God’s infinite being and wisdom is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for us to understand with our physical limitations: as it is written, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord (Isaiah 55:8). Therefore, He gives us His Word in order to disseminate ineffable and eternal truths, in human terms, so that we might begin to comprehend the God we serve. Even then, we often fall short of truly grasping His heart and will, which is why the Word became flesh and dwelt among us; so that we might clearly see His heart demonstrated by the Messiah’s example. So as the psalmist encourages us to do, we should all incline our ear to His proverb; let’s always be ready to hear the Word within the Word and discern the message within the message.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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