Definition: Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this beautiful and slightly poignant verse from Isaiah 42:20. It's a really thought-provoking one! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse is saying: “Seeing many things” : The person speaking (Isaiah) sees a lot of things – perhaps a vast amount of information, opportunities, or even challenges. “But thou observest not” : This is the key part. They don't pay attention to these things. They’re looking past them, drifting away from the important details. “Opening the ears, but he heareth not” : This means they’re willing to listen and hear, but they don't actually understand or respond to what’s being said. Their ears are open, but their heart isn't receptive. Here’s a breakdown of the layers of meaning: It speaks to our tendency to be distracted: We often get caught up in the details and lose sight of the bigger picture. We can be overwhelmed with information and miss important truths or opportunities. It highlights the importance of deep listening: This verse encourages us to really listen – not just passively hear words, but to understand the meaning behind them, to connect with the truth, and to respond thoughtfully. It’s about spiritual discernment: Isaiah is talking about a person who needs to be more focused and attentive to God's guidance. It suggests a need for a shift in perspective – to open our hearts and minds to receive His message. In short, the verse warns us against being too busy to truly see and understand what’s happening around us, especially with God. Think of it like this: You're looking at a beautiful sunset – you see the colors, but you don't really feel the warmth or understand why it's beautiful. This verse is about needing to fully engage with something meaningful and profound. Do you want me to: Explain another part of Isaiah 42? Give you a related story or example?