“Listen And Hear, Pay Attention And Hear God’s Word!”

“Listen And Hear; Pay Attention And Hear God’s Word!(Is.28:23-29).
Poetry is a compulsory genre of literature for students of literature. Unfortunately, over the years Christian teachers and lecturers of poetry have hardly considered teaching biblical poetry. The books of Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and Lamentations are poetic books; amounting to about one third of the Old Testament.
Other than the above, other biblical books contain sections of poetry. About half of Isaiah, above one third of Jeremiah, and one fifth of Ezekiel are poetry.
When we overlook the poetic twists of the prophets we may not get to the depth of feelings during their moments of inspiration..
I listened to a talk by Mohammed Khatani on the power of words. He says “words when said and articulated in the right way can change someone’s mind, they can alter someone’s belief. You have the power to bring someone from the slums of life and make a successful person out of them, or destroy someone’s happiness using only your words…” He concludes that “Words have power, words are power, words could be your power. You can change a life, inspire a nation and make this world a beautiful place…Your mouth can spit venom, or it can mend a broken soul. Ladies and gentle men, let that be our goal.”
Khatani’s words are poetic in the same way some biblical writers demonstrated their poetic know-how. And we know that poetry expresses feelings and ideas with intensity by the use of distinctive style and rhythm.
When we miss the poetic in the manner in which the prophetic is presented, we may not grasp the depth of the prophecy.
Indeed, words have power; and can make or mar! So the LORD command us, “Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say…” Even a farmer goes about his work in a patterned way because “his God indtructs him and teaches him the right way.”
Those who listen to the LORD and pay attention and hear what he says engage in activities that yields great dividends, because the Lord Almighty is “wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom.”
My friend, God’s word has power and has been given to us by his prophets with power so that they can become our words of power to build or destroy, beginning with self, then others. The choice is yours.
Prayer: Holy Spirit help me to listen and hear the voice of the LORD and to pay attention to what he says and do it. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.