Deafening Dullness

“The children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid… And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD” (Exodus 14:10-13).  “The Stone which the builders refused is become the Head Stone of the corner” (Psalm 118:22).  “The ear of the wise seeketh knowledge” (Proverbs 18:15).  “So also [of] Christ… we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing” (Hebrews 5:5-11). 

With Pharaoh and his army nearing,

The Hebrews were afraid of him,

For yet their ears were dull of hearing,

And still their eyes of faith were dim.

Yet Moses saw with clarity,  

And so to those who were afraid

Said “Fear ye not, stand still, and see

Salvation of the Lord” displayed! 

The people soon would understand

When Egypt’s army had been drowned,

Yet later in the desert land

Their dullness would again be found. 

The psalmist also made this clear

When he portrayed our Lord foreshown:

The builders, by their deafened ear,

Rejected Christ, the Corner Stone.

Yet we may have an ear that’s wise

If we will truly seek the Lord,

For God still opens blinded eyes,

And by Him hearing is restored. 

The treasures yet abound in Christ

That God in mercy would reveal

To those who will not be enticed

By things that kill, destroy, and steal! 

O may our dullness thus be broken,

As God restores our hearing thus,

To hear the things that He has spoken

Of Christ our Lord, so glorious! 

O Lord, we thank You for reproof

That teaches us to listen well,

For why should we now stand aloof

When there’s so much of You to tell? 

O Lord, we search Your great salvation

And learn to love You more and more! 

You are the Lord of all creation: 

How much there is to yet explore!

Since all these blessings of Your favor

Are offered now to every soul,

We preach Your Gospel, precious Savior,

And pray that ears may not be dull.