Saturday, January 10, 2004
FREE GRACE and Psalm 1:1 Revisited
Great is the joy of forgiveness!! Last Sunday morning I was cooking breakfast in the kitchen before the children came to the table and I was singing "FREE GRACE" at the top of my lungs.... Actually I was listening to a song called FREE GRACE and the chorus goes like this:
Free grace has paid for all my sin
Free grace, though it cost so much to Him
Free grace has freed even my will
Free grace, to the end sustains me still
and everytime the song came to that part of chorus I would sing/shout FREE GRACE -- and Jane said she could here me down stairs. (Great music! The CDs are here -- and a few MP3's for you to try out.)
Thank GOD I have received that FREE GRACE, that is stronger all my sins and shortcomings. Now for some FREE GRAMMAR... another lesson from Milton Terry in Biblical Hermeneutics ... "in Psalm 1:1 -- Happy the man who walks not (has ceased from walking) in the counsel of the wicked ones." -- This incredible joy is even greater as I ponder the way I used to walk.... So its not that he is happy because he never walks in the counsel of the wicked, but the man is happy because he used to walk in the counsel of the wicked, and now he has ceased from walking with the wicked and is walking in the counsel of the wise. It took me a while to catch this. I hope you are catching it now.... as Milton Terry says "Here it is not difficult to apprehend, in the tense-form used, and ideal of the past, but it is scarcely practicable, except by undesirable circumlocution, to transfer the conception into simple ideomatic English." [Biblical Hermeneutics, Chapter IV, Hebrew Language, page 85]
Free grace has paid for all my sin
Free grace, though it cost so much to Him
Free grace has freed even my will
Free grace, to the end sustains me still
and everytime the song came to that part of chorus I would sing/shout FREE GRACE -- and Jane said she could here me down stairs. (Great music! The CDs are here -- and a few MP3's for you to try out.)
Thank GOD I have received that FREE GRACE, that is stronger all my sins and shortcomings. Now for some FREE GRAMMAR... another lesson from Milton Terry in Biblical Hermeneutics ... "in Psalm 1:1 -- Happy the man who walks not (has ceased from walking) in the counsel of the wicked ones." -- This incredible joy is even greater as I ponder the way I used to walk.... So its not that he is happy because he never walks in the counsel of the wicked, but the man is happy because he used to walk in the counsel of the wicked, and now he has ceased from walking with the wicked and is walking in the counsel of the wise. It took me a while to catch this. I hope you are catching it now.... as Milton Terry says "Here it is not difficult to apprehend, in the tense-form used, and ideal of the past, but it is scarcely practicable, except by undesirable circumlocution, to transfer the conception into simple ideomatic English." [Biblical Hermeneutics, Chapter IV, Hebrew Language, page 85]
Friday, January 09, 2004
Footnote from Milton Terry on Psalm 91:1
Milton Terry says in Biblical Hermeneutics
"Such passages as Psalm xxvii:5, xxxi:20, xci:1, are best explained by understanding an allusion to the Holy of Holies. The symbolico-typical portraiture of the Messianic kingdom, in the closing chapters of Ezekial and John, is largely based upon the symbolism of the tabernacle. [chapter XVII, Interpretation of Symbols, page 368, footnote 2 -- cited here for linkage to Psalm 91:1]
"Such passages as Psalm xxvii:5, xxxi:20, xci:1, are best explained by understanding an allusion to the Holy of Holies. The symbolico-typical portraiture of the Messianic kingdom, in the closing chapters of Ezekial and John, is largely based upon the symbolism of the tabernacle. [chapter XVII, Interpretation of Symbols, page 368, footnote 2 -- cited here for linkage to Psalm 91:1]
Almighty
Psalm 91:1 "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."
The Hebrew word for the day is Shadday {shad-dah'-ee}, which appears 48 times in the OT and is always translated almighty by the KJV scholars. The concept: almighty, most powerful, Shaddai, the Almighty (of God).
Where did this name of God (Almighty) come from?
Abram is 99 years old, has no children and God is getting ready to make a great nation out of him, and bigger than that -- God says He will bless all the nations of the world through Abram. So we see -- the first occurence of this name of God - Almighty - in Genesis 17:1 "And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I [am] the Almighty (Shadday) God; walk before me, and be thou perfect."
The Hebrew word for the day is Shadday {shad-dah'-ee}, which appears 48 times in the OT and is always translated almighty by the KJV scholars. The concept: almighty, most powerful, Shaddai, the Almighty (of God).
Where did this name of God (Almighty) come from?
Abram is 99 years old, has no children and God is getting ready to make a great nation out of him, and bigger than that -- God says He will bless all the nations of the world through Abram. So we see -- the first occurence of this name of God - Almighty - in Genesis 17:1 "And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I [am] the Almighty (Shadday) God; walk before me, and be thou perfect."
Thursday, January 08, 2004
Shadow
Psalm 91:1 "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."
The Hebrew word of the day is tsel {tsale} , translated here as shadow. tsel {tsale} appears 49 times in the OT scriptures, and is has various shades of meaning such as shadow, shade, shadow (on dial), shadow, shade (as protection), shadow (symbolic of transitoriness of life).
The first occurence of the word tsel (shadow) is found in Genesis 19, which is the same chapter that holds the first occurence of abide (luwn) . (See notes on abide from 7-Jan-2004) In the Genesis 19 narrative, two angels come to visit the city of Sodom one evening, and Lot offers them food, shelter and hospitality (made them a feast -- vs. 3). Lot wants to protect the two angels from the evil men of Sodom (vs. 5-8) , but the angels end up protecting Lot and his family from the evil men of Sodom (vs.9-11) -- and helping Lot and his family escape from the destruction of Sodom (vs. 12-25). In vs. 8, when Lot is trying to protect the two angels, he says "for therefore came they under the shadow (tsel) of my roof."
So these words abide (luwn) and shadow (tsel) both appear first in Gen. 19, and now we find them in Psalm 91:1.
The Psalm 91 passage is clearly about dwelling and abiding in a safe place, being protected from enemies, under the shadow of God's almighty and merciful power, and even supernatural protection by the angels of God (vs.11).
The Hebrew word of the day is tsel {tsale} , translated here as shadow. tsel {tsale} appears 49 times in the OT scriptures, and is has various shades of meaning such as shadow, shade, shadow (on dial), shadow, shade (as protection), shadow (symbolic of transitoriness of life).
The first occurence of the word tsel (shadow) is found in Genesis 19, which is the same chapter that holds the first occurence of abide (luwn) . (See notes on abide from 7-Jan-2004) In the Genesis 19 narrative, two angels come to visit the city of Sodom one evening, and Lot offers them food, shelter and hospitality (made them a feast -- vs. 3). Lot wants to protect the two angels from the evil men of Sodom (vs. 5-8) , but the angels end up protecting Lot and his family from the evil men of Sodom (vs.9-11) -- and helping Lot and his family escape from the destruction of Sodom (vs. 12-25). In vs. 8, when Lot is trying to protect the two angels, he says "for therefore came they under the shadow (tsel) of my roof."
So these words abide (luwn) and shadow (tsel) both appear first in Gen. 19, and now we find them in Psalm 91:1.
The Psalm 91 passage is clearly about dwelling and abiding in a safe place, being protected from enemies, under the shadow of God's almighty and merciful power, and even supernatural protection by the angels of God (vs.11).
Wednesday, January 07, 2004
Abide
Psalm 91:1 "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."
The Hebrew word for the day is luwn {loon} translated here as abide. The word luwn {loon} appears 87 times (in the OT) and means to lodge, stop over, pass the night, abide, remain, to cause to rest or lodge, or to dwell.
The first occurence of the word luwn is found in Gen 19:2 where two angels have come to warn Lot of the coming destruction of Sodom, and Lot provides them a place to stay for the night...."And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night (luwn), and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide (luwn) in the street all night (luwn)."
The next place we find the word luwn is when Abrahams eldest/most trusted servant goes out to find a wife for Abrahams son (Isaac) and the servant prays that God will grant him success in finding the perfect wife for Isaac, and asks God for a sign such as someone willing to provide water for him and his camels. As he finished praying, Rebekah came out carrying a pitcher for water and offers to draw water for all the camels to drink also. And there (in Genesis 24:15) we see the servant saying "Whose daughter [art] thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room [in] thy father's house for us to lodge (luwn) in?" And Rebekah replies (Gen. 24:25) "We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge (luwn) in."
There is also an aspect of this word luwn that means murmuring (something like complaining?) I don't understand the connection. If anyone can help please add a comment....
The Hebrew word for the day is luwn {loon} translated here as abide. The word luwn {loon} appears 87 times (in the OT) and means to lodge, stop over, pass the night, abide, remain, to cause to rest or lodge, or to dwell.
The first occurence of the word luwn is found in Gen 19:2 where two angels have come to warn Lot of the coming destruction of Sodom, and Lot provides them a place to stay for the night...."And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night (luwn), and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide (luwn) in the street all night (luwn)."
The next place we find the word luwn is when Abrahams eldest/most trusted servant goes out to find a wife for Abrahams son (Isaac) and the servant prays that God will grant him success in finding the perfect wife for Isaac, and asks God for a sign such as someone willing to provide water for him and his camels. As he finished praying, Rebekah came out carrying a pitcher for water and offers to draw water for all the camels to drink also. And there (in Genesis 24:15) we see the servant saying "Whose daughter [art] thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room [in] thy father's house for us to lodge (luwn) in?" And Rebekah replies (Gen. 24:25) "We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge (luwn) in."
There is also an aspect of this word luwn that means murmuring (something like complaining?) I don't understand the connection. If anyone can help please add a comment....
Tuesday, January 06, 2004
Highest, Most High
Psalm 91:1 "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."
The Hebrew word for the day is 'elyown {el-yone'} meaning 1) high, upper a) of Davidic king exalted above monarchs or 2) Highest, Most High a) name of God b) of rulers, either monarchs or angel-princes. The word appears only 53 times in the OT, and the KJV team translates it High 18 times, most high or high 9 times each, upper 8 times, higher 4 times, highest twice, -- above, uppermost and Highest one time each.
The name for God 'most High' goes way back to the time of Abraham and Melchizedek. "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he [was] the priest of the most high God ('elyown {el-yone'})." In fact, the first four occurences of the word/phrase "most high" appear in this short passage where Abraham receives God's blessing from Melchizedek. [Genesis 14:18-22] (Side note: here is the bread and wine - always a symbol of God's covenant mercy.) "And he blessed him, and said, Blessed [be] Abram of the most high God ('elyown), possessor of heaven and earth." (see also - Hebrews 7:1 regarding Melchizedek priest of the most high God)
The Gospel of Luke declares of Jesus Christ: "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:" [Luke 1:32] For as the angel told Mary... "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." [Luke 1:35]
The Hebrew word for the day is 'elyown {el-yone'} meaning 1) high, upper a) of Davidic king exalted above monarchs or 2) Highest, Most High a) name of God b) of rulers, either monarchs or angel-princes. The word appears only 53 times in the OT, and the KJV team translates it High 18 times, most high or high 9 times each, upper 8 times, higher 4 times, highest twice, -- above, uppermost and Highest one time each.
The name for God 'most High' goes way back to the time of Abraham and Melchizedek. "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he [was] the priest of the most high God ('elyown {el-yone'})." In fact, the first four occurences of the word/phrase "most high" appear in this short passage where Abraham receives God's blessing from Melchizedek. [Genesis 14:18-22] (Side note: here is the bread and wine - always a symbol of God's covenant mercy.) "And he blessed him, and said, Blessed [be] Abram of the most high God ('elyown), possessor of heaven and earth." (see also - Hebrews 7:1 regarding Melchizedek priest of the most high God)
The Gospel of Luke declares of Jesus Christ: "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:" [Luke 1:32] For as the angel told Mary... "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." [Luke 1:35]
Monday, January 05, 2004
Secret Place
Psalm 91:1 "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."
The Hebrew word cether {say'-ther} is translated secret place or hiding place is found approx. 36 times in the OT manuscripts and means covering, cover, shelter, hiding place, secrecy, hiding place, shelter, protection, secret place, secrecy, or sometimes secrecy (of tongue being slanderous - 1 time is translated backbiting) In the KJV cether {say'-ther} is translated 12 times as secret, 9 times as secretly, 3 times as secret place, and 2 times as hiding place.
"Thou [art] my hiding place (cether) and my shield: I hope in thy word." (Psalm 119:114)
The Hebrew word cether {say'-ther} is translated secret place or hiding place is found approx. 36 times in the OT manuscripts and means covering, cover, shelter, hiding place, secrecy, hiding place, shelter, protection, secret place, secrecy, or sometimes secrecy (of tongue being slanderous - 1 time is translated backbiting) In the KJV cether {say'-ther} is translated 12 times as secret, 9 times as secretly, 3 times as secret place, and 2 times as hiding place.
"Thou [art] my hiding place (cether) and my shield: I hope in thy word." (Psalm 119:114)
Sunday, January 04, 2004
Hoping in God and Trusting in His Perfect Word
I have not always been so bold or confident about this reality. Let me liken it unto a man who has been in a long battle, and trusts no fortress and no companion, for all have betrayed him and all others forts have crumpled under the weight of battle. And yet he is still alive and wandering (running in terror ya-boy) across the face of the earth and comes upon a Great King who offers him refuge in his castle. The King is so powerful and yet appears so full of compassion and as the man examines the foundations of the castle, he gathers more confidence. He walks around and around the castle and sees that the foundation of this castle is perfect and has no flaws. This is the confidence we gain as we closely examine and daily meditate on the Word of God. We see that it's foundation is perfect and we rejoice... God, the Almighty is my fortress
Yashab - abide, sit, dwell
Today, I begin the study of Psalm 91 and Romans 8.
You should start by reading the whole chapter(s) to get the context.... OK, now.... let's start to break it down.
Psalm 91:1 "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."
Romans 8:1 "[There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
Both verses talk about a special place for believers to dwell in -- a place of protection, a place of comfort, and a place or position where we are close to God.
Wow! Here is that same word - (yashab) we studied in Psalm 1:1 (on Jan. 1, 2004)
Psalm 1:1 says "Blessed [is] the man that walketh not .... nor sitteth (yashab) in the seat of the scornful."
Psalm 91:1 says "He that dwelleth (yashab) in the secret place of the most High..."
God wants us to walk, talk, abide, sit and dwell with Him. Sin has seperated us from God, but since there is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, we can be close to Him, and we can enjoy His presence.
-- The first place we find this word (yashab) in the OT scripture is in Genesis 4:16 where we see Cain is no longer in Eden, near the presence of God, but is dwelling in the land of Nod. "And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt (yashab) in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden."
-- When God is consecrating Aaron and the priesthood, he says in Leviticus 8:33-35 "And ye shall not go out of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation [in] seven days, until the days of your consecration be at an end: for seven days shall he consecrate you. ... Therefore shall ye abide (yashab) [at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation day and night seven days, and keep the charge of the LORD..."
-- We could be in the middle of a battle field, and totally protected -- because we are in two zones at once -- in the battle-zone, and the secret-safety-zone at the same time. We are totally protected in this special place... Psalm 4:8 "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell (yashab) in safety."
-- God inhabits (yashab) the praise of his people. (Psalm 22:3)
-- As a believer, we have great hope and confidence, knowing this special place is always there for us: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell (yashab) in the house of the LORD for ever." (Psalm 23:6)
-- This confidence and hope becomes greater as we focus our intentions and purpose in our hearts to trust in His Word, even though our human eyes see great dangers and snares all around, and the path seems so full of obstacles. How do we find the secret place? It is hidden. Who can find it? Singleness of purpose to following God is one of the paths that leads us to the secret place... "One [thing] have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell (yashab) in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple." (Psalm 27:4)
You should start by reading the whole chapter(s) to get the context.... OK, now.... let's start to break it down.
Psalm 91:1 "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."
Romans 8:1 "[There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
Both verses talk about a special place for believers to dwell in -- a place of protection, a place of comfort, and a place or position where we are close to God.
Wow! Here is that same word - (yashab) we studied in Psalm 1:1 (on Jan. 1, 2004)
Psalm 1:1 says "Blessed [is] the man that walketh not .... nor sitteth (yashab) in the seat of the scornful."
Psalm 91:1 says "He that dwelleth (yashab) in the secret place of the most High..."
God wants us to walk, talk, abide, sit and dwell with Him. Sin has seperated us from God, but since there is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, we can be close to Him, and we can enjoy His presence.
-- The first place we find this word (yashab) in the OT scripture is in Genesis 4:16 where we see Cain is no longer in Eden, near the presence of God, but is dwelling in the land of Nod. "And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt (yashab) in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden."
-- When God is consecrating Aaron and the priesthood, he says in Leviticus 8:33-35 "And ye shall not go out of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation [in] seven days, until the days of your consecration be at an end: for seven days shall he consecrate you. ... Therefore shall ye abide (yashab) [at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation day and night seven days, and keep the charge of the LORD..."
-- We could be in the middle of a battle field, and totally protected -- because we are in two zones at once -- in the battle-zone, and the secret-safety-zone at the same time. We are totally protected in this special place... Psalm 4:8 "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell (yashab) in safety."
-- God inhabits (yashab) the praise of his people. (Psalm 22:3)
-- As a believer, we have great hope and confidence, knowing this special place is always there for us: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell (yashab) in the house of the LORD for ever." (Psalm 23:6)
-- This confidence and hope becomes greater as we focus our intentions and purpose in our hearts to trust in His Word, even though our human eyes see great dangers and snares all around, and the path seems so full of obstacles. How do we find the secret place? It is hidden. Who can find it? Singleness of purpose to following God is one of the paths that leads us to the secret place... "One [thing] have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell (yashab) in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple." (Psalm 27:4)
