Listen to God

Listen to me; listen, and pay close attention. Does a farmer always plow and never sow? Is he forever cultivating the soil and never planting? Does he not finally plant his seeds—black cumin, cumin, wheat, barley, and emmer wheat—each in its proper way, and each in its proper place? The farmer knows just what to do, for God has given him understanding.... Isaiah 28:23-26 NLT

Proceeding from the story of the farmer is the call to “listen.” Just as a farmer has different tasks to perform and must adapt himself to each task, whether plowing or cultivating, so God must do the work that is necessary to bring about His eternal purposes. He knows just what tool to use and when to use it. Emphatically, Isaiah invites the people to listen to what is said in order to learn an important truth. They should not continue to be unwilling to listen (28:12b) to what God has to say to them. God is instructing them in “the right way” to live, for God’s evaluation of their lives will be based on his “justice” (28:17). The analogy of plowing and planting points to the fact that the farmer knew what to do because there is willingness to listen to the instructions given by God. “The farmer knows just what to do, for God has given him understanding” (28:26). There is no use on our part to remain in rebellion towards God. Our upheaval will be fruitless. God will continually to plow through our lives so He could plant new life. God always has a life-enriching purpose. Yield to him. God will teach His people the right way. God himself is smart enough to know exactly how to work with each one of us (see John 21:20–23). He has just the right touch for you. Trust him. During the transfiguration of Jesus, Peter, James and John heard the voice of the Father. “A voice from the cloud said, “’this is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.”’ The Lord Jesus is the ultimate expression of truth. He alone has the words of life. Let us not listen to any other voice.

Blessings,