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OBEDIENCE

The English translation of Heb. šamaʾ, referring to the physical act of hearing and, in certain contexts, the combination of hearing with the intent to obey (Exod. 19:5, 8; Deut. 28:1; 30:11-14). If one truly hears the word of God, then obedience is inevitable. Thus, if people fail to obey, the prophets often accuse the Israelites of being deaf (Isa. 6:9-10). Obedience is what is expected of one’s relationship to God (Jer. 3:13, 25) and a son’s relationship to his father (Prov. 4:1-2). Clearly, there is an implied expectation of obedience in “hearing” a message (Gen. 3:17; 23:15; Exod. 24:7).

In the NT there is also the expectation of obedience when hearing a message. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus summarizes his entire message with the parable of the two builders (Matt. 7:21-27). The one who hears the words of the sermon and then translates that hearing into action is like the one who builds his house upon a rock — he is on solid foundation. Not only is obedience the expected response to the ethical injunctions of Christ, but it also should be one’s response to the gospel (Gal. 3:2). Paul reminds the readers of the Philippian letter that Jesus Christ’s death on the cross is the ultimate example of obedience (Phil. 2:8; Gk. hypkoos).

Rick W. Byargeon







Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)

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