After studying Spanish for over 3 years, I have come to appreciate some differences between the Spanish and English languages. For example, when I person says, “Did you hear me?”, that question can either be translated as “did you hear me?” or “did you understand what I said?” In Spanish the verb “oír” means to register a sound through your ear. While the verb “escuchar” refers to paying attention to what a sound or a person’s words mean. Thus, having two different verbs for hearing clarifies the question.
There are many verses in the Bible that distinguish between these two meanings. But when it comes to the words of Jesus in these Scripture verses, there is no question as to its meaning
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” (John 5:24, NIV)
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (Matthew 7:24-27, NIV)
God created the human ear with specific structures and function in the three different sections: outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. The outer ear is cup-shaped to capture the sound waves and direct them to travel down the external auditory canal. The sound waves strike the eardrum (tympanic membrane), causing it to vibrate. The sound waves are then passed to three tiny bones, the stirrup, the anvil and the hammer in the middle ear. These three bones are collectively called the ossicles. The ossicles amplify the sound and send the sound waves to the inner ear and into the fluid-filled cochlea. Inside the cochlea are tiny hair cells. Just like the ossicles, even though they are tiny, they serve a crucial function. The hair cells convert mechanical vibration induced by sound waves into electrical signals that are transmitted to the auditory cortex located in the temporal lobe of the brain via the auditory nerve. The brain then translates these electrical impulses as sound.
One reason for hearing loss is damaged hair cells. When the ear is exposed to loud noises, the hair cells are damaged and can no longer function. Hearing loss caused by this is irreversible because the hair cells do not regenerate. Yes there are hearing aids and cochlear implants but as I often said to my anatomy students, “take care of your body. God made you special, just the way you are!”
Someday these words of Jesus will be fulfilled. “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.” (John 5:25, NIV). I will close with one of my favorite verses, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20 NKJ). If you haven’t heard the knock on the door, heard the voice of Jesus, and opened the door to let Him in, what are you waiting for! Open the door of your heart to Jesus and enjoy the blessings of feasting with Jesus forever!
Illustration 117520013 / Anatomy © Viktoria Kabanova |dreamstime.com
Illustration 218434512 / Anatomy © Axel Kock | Dreamstime.com
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made 