Have you had your ear pierced? This seems to be coming more into vogue again, for men and women alike. This meditation’s purpose is not to discuss the rights and wrongs of this practice. Rather, it’s to make sense of a phrase in Psalm 40:6, where David speaks about having his ears pierced. In this passage David confesses that the Lord isn’t interested merely in sacrifices from his people, but He wants them to do his will.

So what does David mean by speaking about having his ear pierced? The word translated “pierced” literally means “to dig, or excavate.” Scripture commonly uses this word for digging a well (e.g., Genesis 26:25), or for cutting out a tomb in the rock (e.g., 2 Chronicles 16:14). Thus “to dig through an ear” has been translated “to open” or “to pierce an ear.” To have your ear “opened” means you are receptive to instruction. That’s one commonly accepted interpretation of Psalm 40:6.

But there’s another meaning for “piercing the ear.” The practise of having one’s ear pierced is found in God’s law, specifically in Exodus 21:2-6. Here Moses relates the laws concerning Hebrew servants. When an Israelite faced bankruptcy, he could offer himself as a bondservant to his neighbour. He would sell his labour, but for a period of no more than six years because the law stipulated that in the Sabbath year he was to be set free.

Yet if a servant loved his master and wanted to continue in his service, he could do so. This involved a ceremony of making a vow before the judges. The servant would say, “I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out as a free man.” And to make this official the lobe of his ear was pierced with an awl, leaving a permanent scar. This was a mark of his permanent servanthood.

We know from the New Testament that Psalm 40 is a Messianic Psalm, for in Hebrews 10:5-7 the words of Psalm 40:6-8 are quoted. These words are said to have been spoken by Christ when He came into this world. In verse 6 David says, “My ears you have pierced,” referring to Christ’s choice to become a servant. In verses 7-8 he speaks about how Christ would come to do the will of his heavenly Father, for ultimately He came to offer Himself as a sacrifice for sin. Thus Hebrews 10 draws a direct link between the law of the Hebrew servant and Christ.

There are four things about the commitment offered by the Hebrew servant that are noteworthy. First, it was based on the servant’s love for his master. Second, it was voluntary; the servant had an opportunity for freedom and chose to be a servant. Third, it was permanent; once he committed himself, there was no way out. Fourth, it was total; he was committed to do the will of his master in all respects.

Christ came to render that kind of service for us! For Jesus’ sacrificial service was motivated by love for his heavenly Father. In John 14:31 Jesus says,

The world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.

What’s more, his service was voluntary. Philippians 2:6-7 speaks about how Christ emptied Himself; He laid down his divine glory and honour and made Himself nothing, taking on the very nature of a servant. Also in John 14:15 Jesus expresses his willingness to give up his life for us; He said, “I lay down my life for the sheep.” And finally, Christ was committed to doing the will of his Father in heaven in all respects. Philippians 2:8 speaks about how our Lord humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.

Such service was not easy. Our Saviour struggled greatly in Gethsemane, praying that the cup of suffering might pass Him by. But in the end He added, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). As a servant, Jesus committed Himself whole-heartedly to our redemption.

So what is our response to our Saviour’s sacrificial servanthood? It must be to give thanks and praise for the wondrous salvation that He has accomplished for us! And how do we do that? By having our ear pierced. Not physically, but figuratively: by committing our hearts and lives to God’s service. By loving and serving Him through the power of the Spirit. By doing the Father’s will in all areas of our lives. Our calling is to have open ears that heed the Father’s Word and willing hearts that obey his commands.