Listening - (Psalm 81)

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God’s call to listen is a command to surrender your life and eternity to him and place your life in his hands.

  1. HEARING, BUT NOT HEARING (vv. 4-10)

    a. The Cry from Egypt (vv. 4-7; Exodus 2:23; Deuteronomy 6:4-15)

    b. The Test at Meribah (vv. 7-10; Exodus 17:1-7)

  2. THE WORST PUNISHMENT IMAGINABLE (vv. 11-12)
    a. They Did not Listen (v. 11)
    b. I Gave them What they Wanted (v. 12; cf. Romans 1:18ff)

  3. OPEN WIDE YOUR MOUTH (vv. 1-3, 13-16)
    a. Honey from the Rock (vv. 10, 13-16; John 7:37-38)
    b. Like a Bear Catching Salmon (v. 10)
    c. Two Things to Do with Your Mouth (vv. 1-3)

    Discussion Starters:

    Monday—Why do you think the Bible places so much emphasis on listening over speaking? Why do we struggle to listen?

    Tuesday—What is the “shema”? (Deuteronomy 6:4-15) Why do you think God told the people to listen before this most important command?
    Wednesday—How was God testing Israel at Meribah? What lesson should they have learned? Thursday—Why is giving us what we want the worst punishment God could give us? What happens when we get what we want?
    Friday—What does God mean that you only need to open wide your mouth? (v. 10) Why does the psalmist say that honey came out of the rock? (v. 16)