Does Our Relationship Determine How God Hears Us? Case Study: 2 Chronicles 7:15 and Matthew 15:26
Have you ever noticed how quickly you respond when your child calls your name compared to when a stranger asks for help? There’s an inherent connection, a bond of love and familiarity, that often leads to an immediate and attentive response. Could our relationship with God work similarly? Let’s explore this through two powerful biblical passages: 2 Chronicles 7:15 and Matthew 15:26.
The Attentive Ear of a Father: 2 Chronicles 7:15
In 2 Chronicles 7, we find God speaking after the dedication of the Temple. He declares in verse 15:
“Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer offered in this place.”
This verse speaks of God’s focused attention, His open eyes and attentive ears directed towards prayers offered in a place consecrated to Him. Think of a loving father whose gaze and hearing are naturally attuned to his child’s voice. When his son speaks, there’s an immediate inclination to listen, to understand, and to respond. This passage suggests that when we approach God within the context of a dedicated relationship – a relationship of worship, seeking His presence, and obedience – His response is immediate and focused.
This aligns with the idea of being God’s “children.” As Romans 8:15-16 tells us:
“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you slaves again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”
When we have this spirit of sonship, this intimate connection with God as “Abba,” our prayers aren’t just cries into the void. They are the heartfelt communication of a beloved child to their Father, a Father whose eyes and ears are already inclined towards us.
The Crumbs for the Outsider: Matthew 15:26
Now, let’s contrast this with Matthew 15:26, where Jesus responds to the Syrophoenician woman’s plea:
“And He answered, It is not right (proper, becoming, or fair) to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”
Here, Jesus initially draws a distinction between the “children” (referring to the Israelites, who were in a covenant relationship with God) and the “little dogs” (often understood to refer to Gentiles, those outside that immediate covenant). The imagery suggests a hierarchy, where those in the established relationship have a prior claim.
This could be likened to how we might prioritize the needs of our own children over those of a stranger. It doesn’t mean we don’t care for the stranger, but the familial bond creates a different level of immediacy and obligation.
However, the story doesn’t end there. The woman’s powerful and humble response in Matthew 15:27:
“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “but even the little dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”
This demonstrates her faith and humility, acknowledging her position but also her belief in God’s abundant grace. It’s her persistent faith, even from an “outsider” position, that moves Jesus to grant her request.
The Role of Relationship, Humility, and Diligence
So, does our relationship determine whether we need to “disturb” God?
The “Son’s” Posture: For the “son” – the one who diligently seeks God, walks in obedience, and cultivates a deep relationship – prayer often flows from that connection. Like a child who knows their father’s love and provision, there’s an underlying trust that doesn’t always necessitate repeated, desperate pleas for every need. Their consistent seeking of God’s presence, through prayer and studying His Word, keeps them aligned with His heart. This aligns with the idea of “praying without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), not as endless repetition, but as a continuous state of being in communion with God. Part of this “son’s” relationship is also maintaining a humble reading of His Word. This means approaching Scripture with a teachable spirit, recognizing our need for understanding, and applying it to our lives. This humility mirrors the attitude Jesus commends in the Syrophoenician woman – a recognition of our place before God and a reliance on His grace.
The “Outsider’s” Plea: The “outsider,” who may only seek God in times of crisis, might find themselves in a position where they feel they need to persistently call out to Him, much like the Syrophoenician woman initially did. This isn’t necessarily wrong, as God hears all who genuinely call on Him. However, it highlights that a lack of an established, intimate relationship might lead to a perceived need for greater persistence to break through.
Humility: The Common Thread
Notice the humility in both scenarios. The “son” approaches God with the humble recognition of God’s sovereignty and love. The Syrophoenician woman, even in her persistence, demonstrates profound humility by acknowledging her position and appealing to God’s mercy. Jesus’ words in Matthew 15:26 weren’t meant to be a permanent barrier but perhaps to test and reveal her humility and faith.
In Conclusion:
While God’s ear is open to all who call upon Him (Psalm 145:18), the nature of our relationship can influence our experience of His responsiveness. A consistent, diligent pursuit of God, marked by humility in studying His Word and a posture of prayer, cultivates a “child-like” intimacy where we trust in His attentiveness. Those who are newer to this relationship or only seek Him in times of need may find themselves needing to be more persistent, not because God is unwilling, but perhaps because they are still learning to lean into that familial bond.
Let us all strive to be the “children” who dwell in the Father’s house, knowing His gaze is upon us and His ear is ever attentive.
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