Doth Not the Ear Try Words? and the Palate
The sermon emphasizes the importance of discerning the voice of God through the Bible and recognizing it as distinct from the voice of strangers.
F.B. Meyer emphasizes the importance of discerning the truth in words, comparing the ear's ability to judge speech to the palate's ability to taste food. He encourages believers to apply a spiritual test to the Scriptures, recognizing the unique quality and divine authority present in God's Word. Meyer highlights that true followers of Christ can distinguish His voice from others, urging listeners to seek God's guidance in developing this discernment. The sermon calls for a humble approach to understanding Scripture amidst scholarly challenges, affirming that the Holy Spirit speaks through the Word.
Text
Doth not the ear try words? and the palate
tasteth its meat. Job xii. 11 (R.V.).
THERE is no appeal from the verdict of our palate.We know in a moment whether a substance is sweet or bitter, palatable or disagreeable. Now, what the taste is to articles of diet, that the ear is to words, whether of God or man. More especially we can tell in a moment whether the fire of inspiration is burning in them. This is the test which Job proposed to apply to the words of his friends; and it would be well for all of us to apply the same test to Holy Scripture.
The humble student of the Word of God is sometimes much perplexed and cast down by the assaults which are made on it by scholars and teachers, who do not scruple to question the authorship and authority of large tracts of Scripture. We cannot vie with these in scholarship, but the humblest may apply the test of the purged ear; and it will detect a certain quality in the Bible which is absent everywhere beside. There is a tone in the voice of Scripture, which the child of God must recognise. This is the interesting characteristic in the quotations made in the New Testament from the Old. All the writers in the later Revelation detect the voice of God in the Old; to them, it is the Divine utterance through holy lips. Hearken, they cry, "the holy Ghost saith." God is speaking in the prophets, as He spake in his Son.
It is one of the characteristics of Christ's sheep that they know his voice, and follow Him, whilst they flee from the voice of strangers. Ask that the Lord may touch your ears, that they may discern by a swift intuition the voice of the Good Shepherd from that of strangers; and for grace to follow immediately He calls you.
Sermon Outline
- The Ear as a Judge of Words
- Testing the Words of Friends and Scripture
- Recognizing the Voice of God
- Following the Voice of God
- Christ's sheep know His voice
- Following the Good Shepherd
Key Quotes
“There is no appeal from the verdict of our palate.” — F.B. Meyer
“The humble student of the Word of God is sometimes much perplexed and cast down by the assaults which are made on it by scholars and teachers, who do not scruple to question the authorship and authority of large tracts of Scripture.” — F.B. Meyer
“God is speaking in the prophets, as He spake in his Son.” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- Apply the test of the purged ear to discern the voice of God in Scripture.
- Recognize the tone and quality of the voice of God as distinct from the voice of strangers.
- Follow the Good Shepherd by paying attention to His voice and following Him.