"The Twelve Days of Christ" series looks at Psalm 119's twelve Hebrew words for God’s Word, and a connection to the church for each one.
"The world has many religions;
it has but one Gospel."
~ George Owen
Day One: Law
torah: fem. noun, "instruction"
from yarah: verb, "to flow (as water), shoot, throw, point"
Great peace have those who love Your law,
And nothing causes them to stumble.
~ Psalms 119:165 (NKJV)
[You are] ... built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone ... in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
~ Ephesians 2:20-22 (NKJV)
The collection of the first five books of the Bible is called The Torah, or the Law of Moses. Though the Hebrew word torah is translated ‘law,’ it is much bigger. Consider that the United States Constitution is more than the laws which govern our land—it is a foundation of words upon which our government is established.
The Torah is a foundation to establish God as Creator, Judge of evil, Most High God above all false gods, Almighty God of Abraham, Deliverer of the Hebrews from Egypt. Having revealed a wondrous God and making clear His right to rule, the Torah then lays out His government.
Where would the church be without the foundation of the apostles and prophets, the many saints who have gone before? They have preserved the Gospel of Jesus Christ, often at the cost of their lives. Like the patriots, they gave us what we enjoy today at the cost of their blood.
In every era is a readiness to throw off what is seen as outdated. Indeed, religion which is devoid of love, of fresh anointing from the Lord's Spirit, and of active relationship with God was condemned by Jesus in His own era. But let us discern between empty tradition of man and the foundations of faith by which we are established as the church.
Open my eyes, that I may see
Wondrous things from Your law.
~ Psalms 119:18 (NKJV)
A last thought. As the torah reveals God to man and establishes His rule, the church is the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ, Ruler of our hearts by His Word and Spirit.
Sovereign Lord Jesus, Your dominion is over all. Bend our hearts to Your rule over all we are, do and have—over all the talent, time and treasure You’ve entrusted to us.
#churchunity #powerofwords
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo from saintsandblesseds.wordpress.com
I'm eager to read your 12 Days series. Psalm 119 has treasures upon treasures regarding the importance of God's Word. And in your hands - dear teacher - we shall learn much.
ReplyDeleteI'm so very blessed by you.
I need to ask the Lord to bend my heart towards his rule. I yearn for His will, so then I must accept it.
ReplyDeleteLovely start. I love me some educational theology me does.
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"But let us discern between empty tradition of man and the foundations of faith by which we are established as the church."
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking more about orthodoxy lately. I'll meditate on that more today. thanks Anne.
I had a hard time concentrating after I read about yarah. It's meaning was somewhat complicated and I couldn't picture it exactly.
ReplyDelete~ Wendy
Jennifer, since I'm a nut for the Word of God anyway, Psalm 119 has long been a favorite meditation and study of mine. I'm looking forward to sharing, especially with people I love like you! :D
ReplyDeleteT. Anne, I think of it like a dance, letting Him lead without resistance from me. I skip happily when the music is light, hold tighter on the moves that feel risky, and cling to Him for closeness at other moments.
Shark Bait, as much as I love me some Biblios Hokku, I'm delighted to offer food for thought for you to nibble on, favorite fish.
Russell, one of the aspects of church I most appreciate is diversity. As the Lord gifts individuals, I think He also gifts congregations. Like individuals, when the focus of a congregation turns onto the gift rather than Giver, it's not pretty. But when the gift is used as empowered by the Giver, each one shines with different dynamics.
Wendy, how'd you like a short lesson on yârâh?
ReplyDeleteStrong's says the verb's literal meaning is to flow as water (that is, to rain); applied, it means to lay or throw (especially an arrow, that is, to shoot); figuratively to point out (as if by aiming the finger), to teach.
My own take on this is that instruction has direction, and an intended target—in both the one who receives it, and the direction indended by the one who shares it for the listener.
When I teach a class, I do feel I give instruction, that is, I am giving my students direction. There is a certain authority involved.
Here, I try to avoid that, though I think I slip sometimes. I try to share information and insight, and give suggestions on how it might be applied. But too often in the past I think I've tried to give actual instruction outside a context of the role of teacher. I don't want to do that when I'm sharing here, because I really do want the Holy Spirit to be the One giving the actual instruction.
My regular prayer is that the Lord will direct my words, then empower them for each reader as He sees fit.
May the Lord richly bless you as you seek Him, Wendy!
Wow, bless you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteDenise, bless you for listening. :D
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