Context – Psalm 78 comes from Asaph (one of David’s worship leaders). In it, He sings the history of God’s faithfulness despite Israel’s continuous rebellion and refusal to listen. It ends with the hope of David, which we know is completed in the Christ to come. Also, when Isaiah sees a vision of God exalted on His throne, realizes the depths of his sin, receives forgiveness, and accepts the call to speak, God gives Him a similar message:

Psalm 78:1-4, Isaiah 6:9-10 – Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! 2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, 3 things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done… Is. 6:9 He said, “Go and tell this people: “‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ 10 Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

Context – Jesus almost always spoke to the crowds and religious leaders in parables. Parables are seemingly simple stories that reveal deeper spiritual truths:

Matthew 13:10-11,13-17,34-35 – The disciples came to [Jesus] and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” 11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them… 13 This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. 14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. 15 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ 16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it… 34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. 35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”

Context – Before Jesus was arrested, He gave his disciples instructions and hope for the future:

John 16:25-28,33 – “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father… 33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

• What’s wrong with everyone’s senses?
• Why did Jesus speak in Parables?
• What does Jesus promise about living in this world?