Who do you listen to?
by Carolyn Ehrlich
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And his brothers listened to him (Genesis 37:27b).
Read Genesis 37:23–36
In today’s reading, we read about Joseph’s brothers scheming and taking action to get rid of him. On the face of it, Joseph appears to be an annoying little brother, basking in his father’s favour with no real understanding or knowledge about what has been happening to his brothers.
Maybe this resonates to some degree with you. Perhaps it does not. Either way, in today’s reading, we hear how Joseph’s brothers decided to take things into their own hands. I can almost hear them hatching a plan to deal with this annoying younger brother. Hatching a plan included talking, throwing around ideas (although Rueben did not really go along with the ideas), seeing opportunities and making plans on the fly (so to speak). It required people to talk and listen, and it required action. Speak, listen, act.
This cycle of speaking, listening and acting is an interesting thing to me. We listen to people, and we expect them to listen to us. Listening and speaking are also inextricably linked with discerning – at least, it rightly ought to be. Proverbs 18:21 says: ‘Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit’. This tells me that I need to be careful about what I speak and how I listen.
Further, it tells me that I need to be discerning. As a listener, I wonder what prompts us to listen to one person’s advice and ignore another’s. Who do we gather around and listen to? Do we check what they have to say? How do we assess what is reasonable and what is not? Have you ever thought about who or what you listen to every day? Do you ever consider how much you listen to God each day?
If you are a leader in your family, with your peers, or in your church community, who is listening to you? And is what you are saying worth listening to? So today, ask God to shine his light into your words and the words you listen to. Ask him to show you how to discern what his will is.
My Heavenly Father, you are all-knowing, and your plans are perfect. Reach into my heart today and show me what you want me to speak, hear and discern. Teach me your truth, for your word is truth. Amen.
Carolyn Ehrlich lives in retirement with her husband Wayne in Ipswich, Queensland. Prior to retirement, Carolyn worked as a researcher in the disability and rehabilitation fields. Today, Carolyn keeps busy with hobbies, supporting the Ipswich Lutheran Parish in various leadership roles and supporting her family.
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