v.9 The one who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
even his prayer is an abominationturns away his ear ="his individual will not listen—it indicates a deliberate refusal to follow the instruction of the law." NET note. We always overestimate the people who pray and this verse reminds us to look at the life of the person who prays. In addition, in today's society, not every one who prays prays to our God. Almost all religious groups pray. Even for people who pray to our God, this verse tells us that not all prayers are good. Our lives need to match up with our prayers. We can pray for our children's needs or other needs in the family. Is our lives turning towards God or away from God? Especially, this verse mentioned turning our ear away from hearing the law. If we dont listen to God why would God listen to our prayer.
See NET notes for another point of view, "It is hard to imagine how someone who willfully refuses to obey the law of God would pray according to the will of God. Such a person is more apt to pray for some physical thing or make demands on God. (Of course a prayer of repentance would be an exception and would not be an abomination to the LORD.)" What do we pray for lately? Is our prayers according to God's will?
As a conclusion, NET notes, "one who fails to attend to God’s law is a wicked person, even if he is a man of prayer."
Be careful next time if people ask you to join them in prayer. Know whom they pray to. Second, pay attention to our lives and especially our listening ear before we pray. Lastly, pray according to God's will. Not just our our physical needs.
I was listening to a sermon while I did my dishes early. The lame person who had 4 friends to bring him to Jesus was told by Jesus that his sin was forgiven. His cripple leg probably was the focus of his life and all he wanted was to stand up. However, when he finally met with Jesus, Jesus told him that his sin was forgiven. Of course, this passage showed that Jesus has the power to forgive sin and the prove of this claim was in the miracle of making the lame to walk again. But it also pointed out that we focused on something that might not be the main concern that Jesus thought about for us. Are you too carried away from poor health, financial instability, or family? What would Jesus thought would be the focus of your life at this time? Good time to do some thinking at the beginning of the year.
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