What a great image God uses to describe those who refuse to hear the law and the words that the Lord of Hosts sent by His Spirit. They wouldn't pay attention but instead turned a stubborn shoulder and then stopped their ears. Amazing! It goes beyond just ignoring it to actively rejecting it. Also it seems as if it is a very childish response. Children act this way because they are so "I" centered. They have trouble paying attention. They do the shoulder shrug body language, and they stop their ears. Man in his rebellion and sin reverts to this spoiled childhood behavior acting as if they are the only ones who are important. It is as if they thinl that their refusal to listen is actually changing the Word of God and making it so it doesn't affect them very much like the child who believes someone can't see them because they have covered their eyes. How foolish is the heart of man! What terrible judgment is coming for those who persist in this behavior! What must they have done to make their hearts diamond hard? They can't even allow themselves to hear the Word because the Word can penetrate any heart no matter how hard.

Lord,
Keep my heart tender and supple, listening carefully to everything that you say to me. Help me to obey immediately and not delay because I think my way is better. Help me to crucify my flesh so that You might reign unhindered.
In His Name,
Amen