Genesis 27:8 (KJV)
8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.
Genesis 27:13 (KJV)
13 And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.
Genesis 27:43-45 (KJV)
43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;
44 And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother’s fury turn away;
45 Until thy brother’s anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?

I have begun a personal study on the words obey and obedience using the King James Bible. I mentioned in a previous post the definition of the terms according to Strong’s was not what I had expected, to obey is to hear not to do. This morning I reviewed other translations. The NIV, The Voice and the NASB all translated the word “shama” in the above mentioned verses to “listen” not “obey. I prefer the term obey.
As I mentioned in my previous post: Hearing and Obedience (08/05/2024): “If you believe what you hear to be truthful and or just your behavior will reflect such.” In other words obedience is based on what you hear.

The story of obeying that presents itself in Genesis chapter 27 begins with the head of the household giving instructions to his first born son Esau: ”And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.” -Genesis 27:4. Rebekah his wife (Isaac) heard this conversation and decided her son Jacob should receive this blessing not Esau. Rebekah devised a plan that would usurp any words Isaac said.

“Obey my voice according to that which I command thee” she instructed her son. Jacob knew his father was the head of the household and he knew that his brother should be the one to receive the blessing from his father. “Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch”; Rebekah said she would take responsibility for the consequences of his listening to her and not his father.
There are consequences to listening to the wrong voice. When Esau discovered what his mother and brother did he became angry.

Genesis 27:41 (KJV)
And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.

When I look at all the anger in the world it saddens me. I believe the words they heard have fed into the behavior that is being manifested. Hours of listening to music that talks about perceived injustices, sexuality, and materialism; hours of listening to the words of media personalities, entertainment personalities and messages from the pulpit that promote perverted truths, has led to individuals doing what God does not want them to do. “If you believe what you hear to be truthful and or just your behavior will reflect such.”

Recently, I blocked a few family members because many of their conversations were contrary to God’s word. I need to hear God’s voice more than anyone else’s. They confess to be Christian yet their pro-abortion, pro same-sex relationship acceptance is contrary to my belief and they do not want to hear my understanding of God’s word. I also monitor what I listen to on the Internet. I am considered by some as being reclusive, I am not. I am sanctified

John 17:15-19 (KJV)
15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

My personal goal, my desire is to hear and obey Eloheem. Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” (John 10:27 KJV) It is easier to hear His voice if I am not listening to the voices of others. There are people of authority and or influence that are not sharing His truths, many of these individuals are family or long time friends. Therefore I am making a conscious decision to be sanctified (1 Peter 1:15-16) which means I cannot associate with individuals who choose to remain worldly.

Who are you listening to?

Written by Marsha L Floyd
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