“And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: ’The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet ‘Go to this people, and say, ‘You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.’ For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ 

 Therefore, let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.’“

Acts 28:25-28 (ESV)  

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JUNE 30, 2025

When I think of the verb to hear, I immediately think of all the sounds that constantly hit my ears. Right now, as I sit on my porch, I hear a noisy chickadee, the steady chorus of power tools, a train whistle, an airplane, and Chris Thile’s Wayside playing on my phone.  

But in the Bible, the word hear has a richer meaning. According to The Bible Project, the word we translate as “hear” in the Bible is shema. Shema is not just the physical act of sound entering our ears; it has a layered meaning. When the biblical writers use shema they mean not only hear, but listen, pay attention to, focus on. Shema was what God required of His people in order to keep the covenant. For shema is not only listening but responding and acting based on that response. In the Hebrew there is not a separate word for obey. Listen and obey are one word: shema. 

Paul’s Jewish listeners would have known this well. And if we think about it, we do too. If I ask my 9-year-old daughter Sora to pick up her room and she doesn’t do it, what do I say? I say, “Sora, you’re not listening!” We understand that authentic listening demands action and response.  

In our passage this week, we observe Paul speaking with the Jews in Rome. As we’ve listened to Paul these past several weeks, we have seen him speak clearly, truthfully, and articulately. We’ve seen him speak contextually to his listeners. We have seen him diligently share the truth over and over.  

And here he is, explaining everything all over again. There is still doubt, still arguing. There are still questions. And Paul uses their shared language and prophesy to describe his audience, always hearing but never understanding.  

Questions for reflection and discussion:  

  • Have you ever found yourself to be in a place where you heard God’s truth but not understand or obey it? What do you think makes it hard to hear? 
  • Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal ways you may be hearing but not understanding. Spend quiet time with the Holy Spirit and ask for ears to hear.   
  • What are some examples you have seen in your community and in the world of hearing God’s truth but not understanding or obeying?  

 Church Reading Plan: Joshua 2; Psalm 123-125