behindthewillowtrees » Lent 2008 http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:52:47 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 My Lent Words 40: Peace to live with http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-40-peace-to-live-with/ http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-40-peace-to-live-with/#comments Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:31:00 +0000 John Smith http://hollidaysjohn.wordpress.com/2008/03/21/my-lent-words-40-peace-to-live-with Finally, the Hebrew word shalom is often translated as ‘peace’ but it means more than that. It incorporates the ideas of wholeness and well-being. ‘When Uriah came to him, David asked him how Joab was, how the soldiers were and how the war was going’ (2 Samuel 11:7)

Literally, the word shalom appears in [...]]]> Finally, the Hebrew word shalom is often translated as ‘peace’ but it means more than that. It incorporates the ideas of wholeness and well-being.

‘When Uriah came to him, David asked him how Joab was, how the soldiers were and how the war was going’ (2 Samuel 11:7)

Literally, the word shalom appears in this verse three times. David asks: Is Joab shalom? Are the soldiers shalom? Is the war shalom?

Two shaloms in a row are translated ‘perfect peace’.

‘You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.’ (Isaiah 26:3)

]]> http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-40-peace-to-live-with/feed/ 0 My Lent Words 39: The Law of the Lord http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-39-the-law-of-the-lord/ http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-39-the-law-of-the-lord/#comments Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:43:00 +0000 John Smith http://hollidaysjohn.wordpress.com/2008/03/20/my-lent-words-39-the-law-of-the-lord Tora is one of several words translated ‘law’, ‘instruction’ or ‘teaching.’ Sometimes the books of Moses (Genesis to Deuteronomy) are referred to as the Law. ‘Yet he did not put the sons of the assassins to death, in accordance with what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses…’ (2 Kings 14:6)

[...]]]> Tora is one of several words translated ‘law’, ‘instruction’ or ‘teaching.’ Sometimes the books of Moses (Genesis to Deuteronomy) are referred to as the Law.
‘Yet he did not put the sons of the assassins to death, in accordance with what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses…’ (2 Kings 14:6)

The English word ‘law’ has legal connotations which are not always there in the Hebrew.

‘The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.’ (Psalm 19:7)

‘Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the Lord.’ (Psalm 119:1)

But it is a general word for teaching or instruction.

‘Do not forsake your mother’s teaching.’ (Proverbs 1:8)

For a Christian, the law of the Lord is the body of teaching that we love. We should want to obey because then we will reflect God’s character. We do not need to obey it to be acceptable to him.

]]> http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-39-the-law-of-the-lord/feed/ 0 My Lent Words 38: Time of God http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-38-time-of-god/ http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-38-time-of-god/#comments Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:38:00 +0000 John Smith http://hollidaysjohn.wordpress.com/2008/03/19/my-lent-words-38-time-of-god The Hebrew word ‘et is not the date on the calendar but the right occasion for the event. ‘In the time of my favour I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you;’ (Isaiah 49:8a)

To God all times are soon. With Babylon’s destruction still some centuries away [...]]]> The Hebrew word ‘et is not the date on the calendar but the right occasion for the event.

‘In the time of my favour I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you;’ (Isaiah 49:8a)

To God all times are soon. With Babylon’s destruction still some centuries away it was still inevitable.

‘Hyenas will howl in her strongholds, jackals in her luxurious palaces. Her time is at hand, and her days will not be prolonged.’ (Isaiah 13:22)

In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 every couplet begins with ‘‘e’t.

‘a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build’ (Ecclesiastes 3:12-3)

So much to life depends on timing and opportunity Lord – I put it all in your care.

]]> http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-38-time-of-god/feed/ 0 My Lent Words 37: Empty http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-37-empty/ http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-37-empty/#comments Tue, 18 Mar 2008 20:35:00 +0000 John Smith http://hollidaysjohn.wordpress.com/2008/03/18/my-lent-words-37-empty Tohu means nothing, empty, formless, void, vain, meaningless. Put it together with the similar word bohu and there is a rhyme, as in: ‘Now the earth was formless and empty…’ (Genesis 1:2)

The earth was tohu wa bohu. (The same rhyme is in Jeremiah 4:23.) But God gave it shape and purpose: ‘…he did [...]]]> Tohu means nothing, empty, formless, void, vain, meaningless. Put it together with the similar word bohu and there is a rhyme, as in:

‘Now the earth was formless and empty…’ (Genesis 1:2)

The earth was tohu wa bohu. (The same rhyme is in Jeremiah 4:23.) But God gave it shape and purpose:

‘…he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited – he says: ‘I am the Lord and there is no other. I have not spoken in secret from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right.’’ (Isaiah 45:18b,19)

In Isaiah 24:7-9 much of society’s apparent sophistication is listed and then seen as empty.

‘The ruined city lies desolate.’ (Isaiah 24:10a)

Without God’s ongoing hold on creation the world is empty. Without him our lives are purposeless.

]]> http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-37-empty/feed/ 0 My Lent Words 36: Keep my soul safe http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-36-keep-my-soul-safe/ http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-36-keep-my-soul-safe/#comments Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:33:00 +0000 John Smith http://hollidaysjohn.wordpress.com/2008/03/17/my-lent-words-36-keep-my-soul-safe The Hebrew word samar means keep, watch, guard, look after or observe. Two meanings are found in Deuteronomy 4. ‘Observe (my laws) carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations…’ (Deuteronomy 4:6)

‘Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen [...]]]> The Hebrew word samar means keep, watch, guard, look after or observe. Two meanings are found in Deuteronomy 4.

‘Observe (my laws) carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations…’ (Deuteronomy 4:6)

‘Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live.’ (Deuteronomy 4:9)

It occurs six times in the following passage:

He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and for evermore. (Psalm 121:3-8)

]]> http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-36-keep-my-soul-safe/feed/ 0 My Lent Words 35: Compassionate God http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-35-compassionate-god/ http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-35-compassionate-god/#comments Sat, 15 Mar 2008 21:45:00 +0000 John Smith http://hollidaysjohn.wordpress.com/2008/03/15/my-lent-words-35-compassionate-god The Hebrew word raham normally means to show mercy, compassion or pity. Closely related to the word for ‘womb’ raham is the word for that compassion which stirs our emotions. ‘The woman whose son was alive was filled with compassion for her son and said to the king, ‘Please, my lord, give her the living [...]]]> The Hebrew word raham normally means to show mercy, compassion or pity. Closely related to the word for ‘womb’ raham is the word for that compassion which stirs our emotions.
‘The woman whose son was alive was filled with compassion for her son and said to the king, ‘Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!’’ (1 Kings 3:26)

‘…they will have no mercy on infants nor will they look with compassion on children.’ (Isaiah 13:18)

‘He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.’ (Isaiah 49:10)

‘For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back.’ (Isaiah 54:7)

‘As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;’ (Psalm 103:13)

It is God’s compassion that reached out for me.

]]> http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-35-compassionate-god/feed/ 0 My Lent Words 34: Woe is me http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-34-woe-is-me/ http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-34-woe-is-me/#comments Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:17:00 +0000 John Smith http://hollidaysjohn.wordpress.com/2008/03/14/my-lent-words-34-woe-is-me Hoy or oi is a means of attracting attention, but it is translated as woe, ah! oh! alas or come. It is at the beginning of many passages. ‘Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;’ (Isaiah 55:1a)

‘Come! Come! Flee from the land of the north…’ (Zechariah 2:6)

It is the [...]]]> Hoy or oi is a means of attracting attention, but it is translated as woe, ah! oh! alas or come. It is at the beginning of many passages.

‘Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;’ (Isaiah 55:1a)

‘Come! Come! Flee from the land of the north…’ (Zechariah 2:6)

It is the same God of love who calls oi to the hungry and oi judgement is coming.

‘Woe to the obstinate children, declares the Lord.’ (Isaiah 30:1)

‘Woe to you O destroyer, you who have not been destroyed! Woe to you O traitor, you who have not been betrayed!’ (Isaiah 33:1a)

‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!’’ (Ezekiel 13:3)

Not every time when God is trying to get my attention do I have to assume it’s a woe!

]]> http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-34-woe-is-me/feed/ 0 My Lent Words 33: The glory of Jesus http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-33-the-glory-of-jesus/ http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-33-the-glory-of-jesus/#comments Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:30:00 +0000 John Smith http://hollidaysjohn.wordpress.com/2008/03/13/my-lent-words-33-the-glory-of-jesus In Isaiah 60 glory is linked with wealth, beauty and worship. Tip’eret describes a beauty which comes from within. ‘The glory of Lebanon will come to you, the pine, the fir and the cypress together, to adorn the place of my sanctuary; and I will glorify the place of my feet.’ (Isaiah 60:13)

‘Then all [...]]]> In Isaiah 60 glory is linked with wealth, beauty and worship. Tip’eret describes a beauty which comes from within.

‘The glory of Lebanon will come to you, the pine, the fir and the cypress together, to adorn the place of my sanctuary; and I will glorify the place of my feet.’ (Isaiah 60:13)

‘Then all your people will be righteous and they will possess the land for ever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendour.’ Isaiah 60:21

The New Testament writers only had one word available to them – the Greek doxa -so we have to guess which meaning is intended.

And so this idea is picked up in the NT:

‘The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only.’ (John 1:14)

When the glory of the Lord shone around as the angels announced Jesus’ birth it pointed to all the possible meanings – a beautiful thing of heavenly consequence. God is revealing his glory in us. When we let Jesus spirit shine we are the splendour of God.

]]> http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-33-the-glory-of-jesus/feed/ 0 My Lent Words 32: The glory of the Lord http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-32-the-glory-of-the-lord/ http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-32-the-glory-of-the-lord/#comments Mon, 10 Mar 2008 22:12:00 +0000 John Smith http://hollidaysjohn.wordpress.com/2008/03/10/my-lent-words-32-the-glory-of-the-lord Kabod describes honour, splendour and wealth. It suggests external qualities of quality and weight. It has a certain heaviness about it as a word. Perhaps we might imagine someone weighted down by treasure. ‘ The glory of Lebanon will come to you, the pine, the fir and the cypress together, to adorn the place of [...]]]> Kabod describes honour, splendour and wealth. It suggests external qualities of quality and weight. It has a certain heaviness about it as a word. Perhaps we might imagine someone weighted down by treasure. ‘
The glory of Lebanon will come to you, the pine, the fir and the cypress together, to adorn the place of my sanctuary; and I will glorify the place of my feet.’ (Isaiah 60:13)

‘Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.’ (Isaiah 60:1)

‘Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.’ (Exodus 40:34)

‘And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’ (Isaiah 40:5)

This glory is outstanding quality.

]]> http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-32-the-glory-of-the-lord/feed/ 0 My Lent Words 31: Breath again http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-31-breath-again/ http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-31-breath-again/#comments Sat, 08 Mar 2008 22:09:00 +0000 John Smith http://hollidaysjohn.wordpress.com/2008/03/08/my-lent-words-31-breath-again God’s actions are often carried out by his Spirit/breath. ‘By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.’ (Psalm 33:6)

‘The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them.’ (Isaiah 40:7)

Leaders are endowed with it [...]]]> God’s actions are often carried out by his Spirit/breath.

‘By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.’ (Psalm 33:6)

‘The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them.’ (Isaiah 40:7)

Leaders are endowed with it (Numbers 11:16,17; 1 Samuel 16:13), prophets promise a general outpouring of it (Joel 2:28) and the servant of God has it put in him (Isaiah 42:1). The New Testament Greek pneuma has similar ambiguities, e.g. John 3:6-8 swaps the words ‘wind’ and ‘Spirit’

]]> http://behindthewillowtrees.org.uk/lent/lent-2008/my-lent-words-31-breath-again/feed/ 0