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Commentary on Proverbs 28 verse 9
Note, 1. It is by the word and prayer that our communion with God is kept up. God speaks to us by his law, and expects we should hear him and heed him; we speak to him by prayer, to which we wait for an answer of peace. How reverent and serious should we be, whenever we are hearing from and speaking to the Lord of glory! 2. If God's word be not regarded by us, our prayers shall not only not be accepted of God, but they shall be an abomination to him, not only our sacrifices, which were ceremonial appointments, but even our prayers, which are moral duties, and which, when they are put up by the upright, are so much his delight. See Isa 1:11, Isa 1:15. The sinner whose prayers God is thus angry at is one who wilfully and obstinately refuses to obey God's commandments, who will not so much as give them the hearing, but causes his ear to decline the law, and refuses when God calls; God will therefore justly refuse him when he calls. See Pro 1:24, Pro 1:28.
What is written in the book of Solomon we ought to read with great anxiety and fear, not with indifference: “He that hardens his ears from hearing the law, his prayer shall be an abomination.” A person should first be willing to listen to God, if he wants to be heard by him. Indeed, with what boldness does he want God to hear him when he despises God so much that he refuses to read God’s precepts?How is it, my brothers, that some Christians and, what is worse, even clergy, at times, when they are about to make a journey, order bread, wine, oil, and different items to be provided for themselves, but, while such great preparations are being made for his earthly journey so that his body may live, a man does not bother to read a single book to refresh his soul both here and forever?
Just as Scripture says, “When one turns away his ears from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.” Why should we be surprised, then, if God is slow to hear our petitions when we on our part are slow to hear God’s command or pay no attention whatever to it?
Let [anyone] beg, however, in faith, in no way hesitating. Let him, by living well, show himself to be worthy of being heard when he begs. For anyone who remembers that he has not obeyed the Lord’s commands rightly loses hope that the Lord pays attention to his prayers. For it has been written, “The prayer of one who closes his ear that he may not hear the law will be detestable.”
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SUMMARY
Proverbs 28:9 delivers a profound and sobering warning: an individual who deliberately and willfully disregards or rejects God's revealed instruction, His "law," cannot expect their prayers to be acceptable to Him. Instead, such prayers are deemed an "abomination" in the sight of the Lord, underscoring the critical and inseparable link between a posture of obedience to divine truth and the efficacy and acceptance of one's spiritual devotion.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Proverbs 28:9 employs several literary devices to convey its stark message. Metonymy is evident in the phrase "turneth away his ear," where the "ear" stands for the entire person's attention, willingness to listen, and ultimately, their obedience. This emphasizes that the rejection is not merely intellectual but volitional and deeply rooted in the individual's disposition. The use of Hyperbole is striking in declaring prayer an "abomination." This strong exaggeration underscores the extreme severity of willful disobedience in God's eyes, indicating that such a posture renders even sacred acts utterly detestable rather than merely ineffective. Finally, there is an implicit Contrast between acceptable and unacceptable prayer. The verse highlights that true worship and effective prayer flow from a heart submitted to God's authority, standing in sharp contrast to the hypocrisy of those who perform religious rituals while actively despising His commands.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This proverb articulates a fundamental principle woven throughout Scripture: God desires genuine obedience and a submissive heart more than mere outward religious performance. It reveals that the quality of our relationship with God, characterized by our willingness to heed His Word, directly impacts the efficacy and acceptance of our worship and prayers. A life lived in deliberate defiance of God's revealed will creates a barrier to true communion, rendering even the most devout-seeming acts offensive to His holiness. This truth serves as a powerful reminder that God is not impressed by ritual divorced from righteousness, but seeks sincere devotion that flows from a life aligned with His truth.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 28:9 serves as a crucial and challenging reminder for believers today, urging us to deeply examine the posture of our hearts. It compels us to ask: Is our prayer life genuinely accompanied by a sincere desire to understand, embrace, and obey God's Word? This verse emphasizes that true worship and effective prayer are not isolated spiritual disciplines but flow organically from a life submitted to God's authority and a willingness to align our actions with His truth. It calls us beyond mere religious observance to a holistic faith where our devotion is sincere, our lives reflect the God we claim to serve, and our obedience is not a burden but a joyful response to His love. We are encouraged to be not just hearers, but also doers of the Word, ensuring that our spiritual practices are rooted in a heart that genuinely desires to honor and follow God.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does this verse mean God never hears the prayers of any sinner?
Answer: Not necessarily in the broad sense of someone who is imperfect or struggles with sin. The key phrase is "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law," which implies a deliberate, willful, and persistent rejection of God's revealed will and instruction. It speaks to a heart hardened against God's truth, not merely someone who occasionally stumbles or is in a state of general sinfulness. God hears the cry of the repentant sinner (e.g., Psalm 34:17-18), and He desires all to come to repentance (e.g., 2 Peter 3:9). This proverb specifically warns against the hypocrisy of attempting to approach God in prayer while simultaneously and intentionally despising His commands.
What does "turning away his ear" truly imply in this context?
Answer: "Turning away his ear" signifies a deliberate and intentional act of refusal to listen, understand, and obey God's "law" or instruction. It's not about accidental ignorance or a momentary lapse. Instead, it describes a hardened heart that actively chooses to disregard divine truth, perhaps out of rebellion, stubbornness, or a preference for one's own way. This posture of willful disobedience indicates a lack of reverence for God and His authority, making any outward religious act, like prayer, a hollow and offensive gesture.
Is all prayer from disobedient people an abomination to God?
Answer: The verse specifically targets those who willfully turn away from God's law. This is distinct from someone who is struggling with sin but genuinely seeking God, or someone who is ignorant of God's ways but open to truth. God is merciful and compassionate, and He invites all to come to Him, especially in repentance (e.g., Matthew 11:28). However, for those who knowingly and persistently reject His commands while attempting to engage in religious practices, their actions are deemed an "abomination" because they lack sincerity and a genuine desire to submit to His will. It underscores that God values the heart's true posture over mere ritual.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 28:9 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied obedience to God's law and provides the sole means by which our prayers can be acceptable to the Father. While the proverb highlights the consequence of human disobedience, Christ stands as the perfectly obedient Son, who did not turn His ear away from hearing the Father's will but rather declared, "I always do what pleases him" (John 8:29). He fulfilled the demands of the law on our behalf (Matthew 5:17), and through His atoning sacrifice, He removed the barrier of sin and disobedience that separates humanity from God. Now, through faith in Him, believers are declared righteous, not based on their own perfect obedience, but on His imputed righteousness (Romans 3:21-26). It is by virtue of our union with Christ, who is our great High Priest and Mediator (Hebrews 4:14-16), that we gain access to the Father and our prayers, offered in His name, are heard and accepted, no longer an abomination but a pleasing aroma to God (Ephesians 5:2). The Holy Spirit, given through Christ, enables us to walk in new obedience, transforming our hearts so that we might genuinely desire to hear and follow God's law, making our prayers true expressions of a life submitted to Him (Romans 8:1-4).