Another strong reminder that hearing without doing is a bad thing. It’s from Mark’s account of the death of John the Baptist:

For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Now Herodias was holding a grudge against him and was wanting to put him to death and was not able; for Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he was keeping him safe. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; but he used to enjoy listening to him. (Mark 6.18 – 20, LSB)

An interesting mix:

• John the Baptist is condemning Herod for his stealing his brother’s wife.
• This new wife wants John dead.
• Herod is afraid of John and recognizes that he is what Herod is not: righteous and holy.
• Herod listened to John and was “perplexed”. Nothing magic about “perplexed.” it’s used at Mary’s reaction to Gabriel’s greeting in Luke 1, Herod’s reaction to reports about Jesus after he beheaded John in Luke 9, the women’s reaction to the open tomb in Luke 24, and the disciples’ reaction to Jesus talking about Judas in John 13. What was Herod perplexed about? I’m sure John was clear.
• Herod “used to enjoy listening to him.” Why? Reminds me of what The Lord told Ezekiel:

But as for you, son of man, the sons of your people who talk about you by the walls and in the doorways of the houses, speak to one another, each to his brother, saying, “Come now and hear what the word is which comes forth from Yahweh.“ They come to you as people come and sit before you as My people and hear your words, but they do not do them, for they do the lustful desires expressed by their mouth, and their heart goes after their greedy gain. Behold, you are to them like a lustful song by one who has a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument; for they hear your words but they do not do them. (Ezekiel 33.30 – 32, LSB)

“They hear your words, but they do not do them” – twice. Jesus said:

And everyone hearing these words of Mine and not doing them, may be compared to a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.” (Matthew 7.26, 27, LSB)

It’s not the hearing that counts. Never has. Here’s another snippet:

And He was passing through from one city and village to another, teaching, and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem. And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!’ then He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ And He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from; depart from me all you workers of unrighteousness.'” (Luke 13.22 – 27, LSB)

“We ate and drank in your presence” even reminds us of Exodus 24: “They saw God and ate and drank,” and then Aaron made the golden calf as recorded in Exodus 32.

Hearing doesn’t count. Over and over and over…

Applies to me. Even fellowship with God doesn’t count if it’s not followed by action. Paul talks about his response after encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus:

And I said, “What should I do, Lord?” And the Lord said to me, “Rise up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been determined for you to do.” (Acts 22.10, LSB)

A vision is not enough. “What should I do?” is the appropriate response.

Are we acting on what God is telling us to do?