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they were not united by faith with them that HEARD." Dullness of hearing, moreover, is
another mode of expressing the truth of chapter 2: 1:--
"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard,
lest at any time we drift away."
"Hearing" together with "seeing" may be reckoned as the chiefest of the senses. How
sad to allow any precious sense, even in the physical realm, to be atrophied through lack
of use. How doubly sad to have the precious gift of hearing spiritually, and then through
not having "the senses EXERCISED" (Heb. 5: 14) to fail, to come short, to drift. Over
against this drifting and dullness the apostle places endurance, obedience, suffering,
steadfastness unto the end. Surely we, too, need the exhortation of the Lord, "Take heed
how you hear".
#31.
Babes 5: Perfect (5: 12-14).
pp. 104 - 107
The apostle in verse 12 proceeds to expand what lies in the expression "dull of
hearing".
(1). It indicates lack of progress.
"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you."
(2). It indicates spiritual infancy.
"Ye have need of milk and not of solid food."
(3). It indicates lack of experience.
"For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness."
(4). It indicates the opposite of being "perfect".
"But solid food belongeth to them that are perfect."
(5). It indicates a culpable neglect.
"Perfect, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised."
(6). It indicates lack of discernment.
"Senses exercised to discern both good and evil."
Let us take these six points and gather their lessons.