Walking in YaHuWaH’s Wisdom and Obedience
Throughout Scripture, one of the most valuable qualities a person can possess is a hearing heart, a heart that listens to YaHuWaH’s voice, discerns His will, and obeys His instructions. This concept is best exemplified by King Solomon, who, when allowed to ask for anything from YaHuWaH, requested not wealth, power, or long life, but a hearing heart (lev shomea, לֵב שֹׁמֵעַ) to govern wisely and righteously (1 Kings 3:9).
In contrast, Scripture is filled with examples of people who hardened their hearts, refused to listen, and ultimately walked in rebellion. The ability to hear and obey YaHuWaH is not just about physical hearing, it is about spiritual sensitivity, humility, and submission to His Torah.
This article will explore the significance of a hearing heart, the dangers of a hardened heart, and how we can cultivate the wisdom and discernment that Solomon sought.
What Does It Mean to Have a Hearing Heart?
The Meaning of “Lev Shomea”
When Solomon asked for wisdom, he specifically requested a lev shomea, a “hearing heart” (1 Kings 3:9). The Hebrew word shomea (שֹׁמֵעַ) comes from shema (שְׁמַע), which means more than just hearing, it means active listening and obedience. This is the same word used in the Shema:
Hear (Shema), O Yisra’El: YaHuWaH our Elohim, YaHuWaH is one! And you shall love YaHuWaH your Elohim with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)
In Hebraic thought, hearing is always tied to obedience. A person with a hearing heart listens to YaHuWaH’s voice and follows His ways without resistance.
Solomon’s Hearing Heart in Action
Solomon’s Wise Judgment (1 Kings 3:16-28)
Shortly after receiving wisdom, Solomon demonstrated his hearing heart by rendering judgment in a dispute between two women claiming to be the mother of the same child. Through discernment, he proposed to cut the baby in half, prompting the true mother to immediately surrender her claim to save her child. Solomon knew that a mother’s love would reveal the truth. His ability to hear and discern was proof that YaHuWaH had granted him wisdom.
Solomon’s Downfall: When His Heart Stopped Hearing
Sadly, later in life, Solomon’s heart became divided. Despite his great wisdom, he allowed his foreign wives to turn his heart toward idolatry (1 Kings 11:4). This is a warning that even those who once had a hearing heart can drift away if they allow distractions, sin, or compromise to take root.
The Danger of a Hardened Heart
Pharaoh: The Prototype of a Hardened Heart
The opposite of a hearing heart is a hardened heart. Pharaoh is the most well-known example of this:
YaHuWaH sent Moses to command Pharaoh to release the Yisraelites, but Pharaoh hardened his heart and refused to listen (Exodus 7:13-14).
Even after witnessing YaHuWaH’s plagues, he continued to reject YaHuWaH’s voice (Exodus 9:12).
His hardened heart led to the destruction of Egypt’s firstborn and the drowning of his army in the Red Sea.
Pharaoh’s story teaches us that ignoring YaHuWaH’s voice brings severe consequences.
Yisra’El’s Stubbornness in the Wilderness
The Yisraelites repeatedly hardened their hearts despite seeing YaHuWaH’s miracles (Psalm 95:7-8).
At Mount Sinai, they quickly turned to idolatry (Exodus 32:9).
Their refusal to listen and trust YaHuWaH led to 40 years of wandering in the wilderness (Numbers 14:22-23).
Hardened hearts lead to disobedience, and disobedience leads to judgment.
The Leaders of Yisra’El in Messiah’s Time
The Pharisees and scribes claimed to be righteous but refused to listen to Messiah (Matthew 13:13-15).
They had the Torah but did not have a hearing heart, rejecting both Yahusha and the Ruach HaQodesh (Spirit).
Stephen rebuked them for resisting the Ruach HaQodesh (Spirit) just as their ancestors did (Acts 7:51).
A hardened heart is blind to truth, even when it stands right in front of it.
How to Cultivate a Hearing Heart
Humble Ourselves Before YaHuWaH
Solomon’s humility in asking for wisdom pleased YaHuWaH (1 Kings 3:10-12).
James 1:5 tells us to ask YaHuWaH for wisdom, and He will give it generously.
A hearing heart starts with humility, acknowledging that we need YaHuWaH’s guidance.
Obey the Torah with a Willing Ruach (Spirit)
Ezekiel 36:27: “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes.
Psalm 119:18: “Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your Torah.
A hearing heart does not just listen, it acts. Walking in Torah is evidence that we hear YaHuWaH’s voice.
Be Led by the Spirit
Romans 8:14: “For all who are led by the Spirit of Elohim, these are sons of Elohim.
Galatians 5:16: “Walk in the Ruach (Spirit), and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
The Ruach HaQodesh (Spirit) does not lead us away from Torah but enables us to obey it.
Remove Distractions and Deceptions
Luke 8:18: “Take heed how you hear.
Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am Elohim.
We must eliminate worldly noise and false teachings that hinder our ability to hear YaHuWaH’s voice.
The Reward of a Hearing Heart
Protection and Blessing
Proverbs 2:6-8: “For YaHuWaH gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity.
Isaiah 30:21: “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk in it.
YaHuWaH promises to guide and protect those who listen to Him.
Entering into Life
Matthew 19:17: “If you wish to enter into life, guard the commandments.
John 10:27-28: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life.
A hearing heart leads to life, both now and eternally.
Will We Hear or Harden?
The question before us is: Do we have a hearing heart, or are we hardening our hearts like those before us? YaHuWaH has given us everything we need, His Torah, His Ruach HaQodesh (Spirit), and the example of Messiah, to walk in wisdom and obedience.
Like Solomon, we must pray for a lev shomea, a heart that listens and obeys. The time is short, and YaHuWaH is calling His people to return to His voice. May we all develop hearing hearts that delight in His commandments and walk in His ways!
Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 3:7-8)
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