“blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it”

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 9, 2010

“blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it”

Today’s devotion is Luke 11:27-28.

^“27While Jesus was saying these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed.”

²⁸But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” Luke 11:27-28. (Emphasis added.)

I wonder why the word “observe” is here, rather than the words “obey” or “do”. This devotion will “ponder” on that thought.

While Scripture clearly and repeatedly teaches the blessings of obedience, we would not do justice to this verse if we are satisfied with receiving this verse as just another one of those verses which teach the blessings of obedience.

Merriam-Webster “on-line” dictionary defines “observe” as –

“transitive verb

1 : to conform one’s action or practice to (as a law, rite, or condition) : comply with
2 : to inspect or take note of as an augury, omen, or presage
3 : to celebrate or solemnize (as a ceremony or festival) in a customary or accepted way
4 a : to watch carefully especially with attention to details or behavior for the purpose of arriving at a judgment b : to make a scientific observation on or of
5 : to come to realize or know especially through consideration of noted facts
6 : to utter as a remark

intransitive verb

1 a : to take notice b : to make observations : watch
2 : remark, comment

synonyms see keep“

(Note: the King James Version translates that word as “keep”.)

We can blindly try to obey Scripture without understanding it. Or, we can truly “observe” it.

In the language of Merriam-Webster’s definition, we can “observe” by “carefully” “inspect” God’s Word “with attentions to details” “for the purpose of arriving at a judgment”.

Psalm 1:2-3 teaches the blessing upon the man that meditates on God’s Word:

^“2But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
         And in His law he meditates day and night.
    ³He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
         Which yields its fruit in its season
         And its leaf does not wither;
         And in whatever he does, he prospers.

So, how does Merriam-Webster “on-line” dictionary define “meditate”?

“intransitive verb

1 : to engage in contemplation or reflection
2 : to engage in mental exercise (as concentration on one’s breathing or repetition of a mantra) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness

transitive verb

1 : to focus one’s thoughts on : reflect on or ponder over
2 : to plan or project in the mind : intend, purpose

synonyms see ponder“

We can blindly try to “just do it”, that is, obey Scripture without understanding it. Or, we can truly “meditate” upon it.

In the language of Merriam-Webster’s definition, we can “meditate” by “focus one’s thoughts on” it and “engage in contemplation or reflection” of Scripture and “ponder” it.

In conclusion, when we write and read these daily devotions, we “carefully” “inspect” God’s Word “with attentions to details” “for the purpose of arriving at a judgment”. When we write and read these daily devotions, we “focus one’s thoughts on” it and “engage in contemplation or reflection” of Scripture and “ponder” it. This is at least one way in which we “observe” and “meditate” on God’s Word, and thereby are blessed.

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Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions