One meaning for attend, our Word of Life for this week, is taken from the same Hebrew word as attentive which we have studied already, but with variations. This study reminded me of teaching my grandchildren these three words concerning the Word of the Lord: HEAR, HIDE  and HEED. We must HEAR Him speaking to us even as we read. We must meditate and memorize ~ HIDE it in our hearts. We must live by it ~ HEED what we READ.

Old Testament  H7181
Strong’s Concordance defines ATTEND, qashab kä·shav’; to hear, be attentive, heed, incline (of ears), attend (of ears), hearken, pay attention, listen. The same word is used for hear and hearken.

These references from the Psalms all speak to God to attend to their cry, prayers and their supplications Psalm 66:19; Psalm 55:2;Psalm 61:1;Psalm 86:6

 “Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.” Psalm 142:6

 Soloman uses the word attend as to a son and to children.

“My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.” Proverbs 4:20

“My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:” Proverbs 5:1

“Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.” Proverbs 4:1

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The word H995 biyn bene is used in Job 32:12; meaning to perceive, discern, understand, consider relating to God as He spoke to Job’s accusers. Nothing was hidden from His understanding and consideration of the things they had spoken.

“Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:”

New Testament G4337
Strong’s Concordance defines ATTEND, prosechō pros-e’-khō; give attention to, take heed; to devote thought and effort to.
The same word is used for heed and beware

“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” Acts 16:14

Paul writes to Timothy of his need for attendance and devotion to God’s Word

“Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”
1 Timothy 4:13

The writer of Hebrews 7:13 speaks of the attendance of a priest at the altar

“For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.”

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G4342 proskartereō pros-kär-te-re’-ō;to be steadfastly attentive unto, to give unremitting care to a thing.
We find a different word here in Romans 13:6 relating to those in civil authority who act as God’s ministers over evil.

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Still another meaning is the following word and reference.
G2145  euprosedros yü-pro’s-e-dros; sitting constantly by, devoted

In this context, Paul is speaking to those who are single to encourage their constant devotion to the Lord. that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction (1 Corinthians 7:35).

Whether in a civil office or as the Lord’s personal servant, we are to give attention to, take heed, to devote ourselves to the Lord and His Word ~ to sit constantly by in devotion to our Lord.

Our Father in heaven, you know well our thoughts and distractions. Work in our hearts by your Holy Spirit, drawing us continually to your Word ~ to our Lord and Master who steadfastly devoted Himself to your Holy will. Open our eyes to our Savior and High Priest who daily attends to our needs ~ at your right hand making intercession for us ~ and here with us ~ for your glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Fran