Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, both low and high, rich and poor together! My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre.1
The more we apply the various tools or methods to understand the context of Scripture, the more we gain understanding and a deeper appreciation of God’s Word. One of the tools is to know the meaning of the word in its original language; e.g., the word Davar,2 which in Hebrew means both word and thing; the Jews know that words have power to create. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. As children we heard magicians say, ‘abracadabra’ before performing a trick. Recently, I discovered that it was actually borrowed from the Aramaic word avra k’davra, which means, I create as I speak.3
Even more mind boggling, the word hear is the English translation for the Hebrew Shema. Interestingly, its meaning has a deeper connotation; it is interchangeably used to mean obey.4 To the Jews hearing God’s word is synonymous to obeying.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.5 Wouldn’t you likewise be excited to hear from God if you understand that God’s words have life? Is it any wonder that that the Psalter writes, As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirst for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?6 He so wants to be in God’s presence, to incline his ear, that he may hear even the silent whisper and so obey. Hopefully, you are encouraged to be intentional and decide to start a daily study program, reading at least a chapter from the bible; that seeking God first7 becomes a habit.
The Mighty One, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth . . . Gather to me, my faithful ones . . . Hear, my people, and I will speak . . .8
Zechariah was shown visions that he didn’t understand, then he asked, ‘What are these, my Lord?’9 He had the confidence to ask directly.10 The angel who talked with me said to me, I will show you what they are.11 But to the wicked, God says: “What right have you to recite my statutes or take my covenant on your lips? For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you. If you see a thief, you are pleased with him, and you keep company with adulterers.12
[Jesus Christ] came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.13Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”14
My Notes:
1. Psalm 49:1-4
2. https://www.thejc.com/judaism/jewish-words/davar-1.5953
3. https://www.reddit.com/r/harrypotter/comments/cohbxx/avada_kedavra_derives_from_avra_kdavra_aramaic/ #:~:text=Avada%20Kedavra%20is%20based%20on,let%20the%20thing%20be%20destroyed%22.
4. https://firmisrael.org/learn/shema-prayer-hebrew-word-and-declaration-to-know/
5. Proverbs 18:21
6. Psalm 42:1-2
7. Matthew 6:33
8. Psalm 50:1, 5, 7
9. Zechariah 1:7-21
10. Hebrews 10:19-22
11. Zechariah 1:9, 19
12. Psalm 50:16-18
13. John 1:11-12
14. Romans 4:7-8
