Conversion
The young lions have lacked and been hungry, but those who seek YHWH shall not lack any good thing. Psalm 34:11
Those Who Seek – The Hebrew word vedorshei might be translated “but those who seek,” but such a translation converts the Hebrew grammar into English grammar. You see, vedorshei is the combination of a conjunctive (ve) “but” with a verb, not a noun. This verb, darash, is a plural participle in the active tense. That means it is an on-going action of many. We might think of it like this: “but seeking (ones).” In other words, the Hebrew construction doesn’t describe people who happen to be seeking God. In Hebrew, the action of seeking is the essence of who these people are. Without seeking, they just don’t exist.
In our language base we see the world as component parts strung together by actions. John hit the ball. John is one component; the ball is another. These two components are connected by the action of hitting. One component hits the other. But Hebrew is a world comprised of actions. John hitting is the action, not the subject and the action. Without the hitting, there is no purpose for John to be connected to the ball. Since all actions have a purpose, John exists in the active purpose of hitting. Similarly, seeking is the action purpose of followers of YHWH. Without the active purpose of seeking, there is no follower.
Stop for a moment and consider what this means for our Greek-based understanding of Christian terms. What is the purposeful action of faith, justification, trust, salvation, the community, confession, forgiveness, etc.? How does our understanding of these terms change when we do not apply them as descriptions of “believers” but rather see them as constituting what a believer is. Without actions, there is no faith. Without works, faith is dead.
Followers are seeking ones, trusting ones, praising ones, praying ones, studying ones, hoping ones, waiting ones, walking ones, obeying ones. Without the actions, there are no followers. They do not exist except in the actions themselves. Darash is their verb of being. They seek, inquire, examine and require.
Oh, yes, by the way, God is the speaking One, creating One, sustaining One, delivering One, forgiving One, redeeming One.
Are you beginning to see that being human is not a biological state but rather an active purpose to model the Creative One?
What actions bring about your purpose for being today?
Topical Index: those who seek, vedorshei, darash, participle, Psalm 34:11
I reposted this and linked to this post on my website. I hope you don’t mind! If you do, let me know and I’ll erase.
Anyway, I think the mindset that action is the essence of a person, it’s what makes us who we are, is a fundamental mindshift that would dramatically change the way we look at life and the way we “do life.” It’s really hard to stop “thinking Greek” though! It’ll take me a while to totally process it.
“In Hebrew, the action of seeking is the essence of who these people are. Without seeking, they just don’t exist…How does our understanding of these terms change when we do not apply them as descriptions of ‘believers’ but rather see them as constituting what a believer is.”
Ah, the light is beginning to come on. From your words today (and not just today), in Hebrew thought the believer IS DYNAMIC as opposed to static. Whereas, in Western thought the believer is, in a sense, static, in that he or she once upon a time professed a belief in God and Jesus Christ, and now and forevermore they are a believer. This type of thinking (Western) can be very dangerous! Thanks Dr. Skip.
I recently buried a very good long-time friend of mine. This man “knew” the truth. But he did not “do” the truth. He even went as far as to “speak” the truth, but his lips and his life did not equate. And to speak on thing and to do another is..a destructive way to live.
When he spoke, men responded. People living in darkness will “be drawn” to the light. Of course there are those who prefer darkness, but these men were desperate men- at the end of themselves. And my friend was “one of them.” He spoke to them from his wounds and ministered unto them as one ragamuffin to another. It wasn’t very long ago- he was on the “other side” of the table- listening instead of speaking. But he failed “to do” the truth. Practical application of “whatever He says unto you”- do it. (that came from the mother of the Messiah).
In the end- my friend failed. He did not finish, but because he was aware of the ever widening gap between “knowing” and “doing”,and because he was lucid enough to realize the untold damage he had incurred upon his wife and children, he took what did not belong to him, and did what he erringly thought was the right thing to do and shot himself in the head two weeks ago.
His wife asked me to speak at the funeral and I had a whopping five minutes to compress and comment upon a thirty year friendship. The wife also spoke and the daughter who discovered his lifeless body upon her return from school spoke as well. I was stunned at their ability to speak. “How is this possible?” that they have strength to do this? (you know the answer, and so do I)
Yes, they “know” Someone. And because they “know” Someone- they are empowered and enabled to speak, and to live. Not only to live,but to love. Not only to love, but to laugh. Yeah.. human “doings.” Living, breathing, speaking, hugging- all “ing” words. Cool beans.
Now they live in a house with one man missing. How do they “do” it? Life occurs- doesn’t it? Life goes on. And “action”- the Director calls out. We all have a role to play. I think I’ll volunteer to be a tree somewhere in the background just standing there watching and thinking. Yeah.. right- sure. Sounds like a plan.
My daughter when she was about eight, decided to jump off the front porch wearing her rollerblades. It was a “danger trick” she explained when she came home from the hospital with a fiberglass cast on her arm. “What were you think- “ing”, I foolishly asked. “Why daddy!”, she replied, “we are not supposed to “think”, that’s so Greek, were are just supposed to “do”. Don’t pause to thing about the consequences of your actions – “just do it.” Jump-“ing”, Crash- “ing”, Hurt-“ing”, Cry-“ing”. Human do- “ings”. ok.
My attitudes antecede my actions. My behavior is based on my beliefs. My conduct communicates my creeds. My doctrines determine my deeds. Need we go on? If I were to extend my hand and “offer unto you” a one thousand dollar pile of Benjamins, (no strings attached) – would you believe my words and “respond” my extending your (needy or greedy) palm to receive the proffered gift?
What happens first when I (the crazy man) extends to you with outstretched arm this “gift?” Would you first “consider” the source? “I dunno Ethel, he look rather strange to me.” “But honey- I know this man- and he said it was a “gift.” Some heavy-duty think- “ing”, go- “ing” on here. Whatchoo gonna do? Are you going to receive this gift or not. (My arms getting tired). Are you going to believe my words, are you going to welcome my words? Are you going to “receive” this or not? “Take it- it’s yours- I want (so very bad) to give this to you. “Are you listen “ing?” “Oh look!- a butterfly float-“ing”- let’s go follow it. Yes, let’s “do.”
What about that “gift?”..- “What gift?”
Thank you brother Carl, not only for the personal reflection, but also the well presented amplification of today’s lesson.
Ooops – forgive the noo-bee mistake in not clicking on “Reply” on commenting on Carl’s post.
Shalom,
Skip … how so very important this commentary today is … 🙂
It is indeed a matter of life and death! It is very difficult to escape the connection between seeking and living and seeking and dying when studying The Word.
Duet: 4,29 But from thence ye will seek the LORD thy God; and thou shalt find Him, if thou search after Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
Psalms 22:27 Let the humble eat and be satisfied; let them praise the LORD that seek after Him; may your heart be quickened for ever!
Psalms 69:33 The humble shall see it, and be glad; ye that seek after God, let your heart revive.
Matthew: 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. …. 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Notable regarding the selected passages are the two respective Psalms where the combination of “darash” and “chayah” are used together.
Our seeking is no passive matter … it can be our only state!
The Lord is seeking after us … passionately … Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. John: 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Search the Scriptures and one will find that all seek … we either seek the The Lord or we seek as the nations do … for stuff … for gratification, etc.
But it is not enough that we simply do a cursory search … we must seek diligently and passionately. Otherwise we will experience the downside of “darash” which is used in the context of “require”. Duet: 18,18 I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee; and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 18,19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto My words which he (Yeshua) shall speak in My name, I will “REQUIRE” it of him.
17:33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. … And how do we lose our life? As Skip clearly points out in today’s commentary: “Followers are seeking ones, trusting ones, praising ones, praying ones, studying ones, hoping ones, waiting ones, walking ones, obeying ones.” Or perhaps more simply … those that are quickened and alive … the passionate ones! Clearly the Lord seeks a love affair with us … are we really being faithful to the Lover of our souls or do we try and fit The Lord in around “our” hectic life?
Good message Skip … forces the necessary gut check!
thank you Fred and thank you Drew- I never have met you but I’m connected “with you!” LOL!- where two or three are “gathered” – even in cyberspace!- LOL!- whoodathunkit?
“Hearken” unto me young man!.. “Say what?” I said- “hearken”- didn’t you hear me? Uh… ok. I will “hearken”- (whatever that means..). Well thanks to one Skip Moen- I now know the meaning of “hearken.” Before SM it was just a word I glibbly skipped over. A “filler” word on the way from here to there. So what if I miss a word or two- it’s the final thought that matters- right? No. Not right. Every word of G-d is pure. All of them. Every one. How can I be so sure of this?
Y’shua said, “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds forth from the mouth of (Yes, brother Skip-still speaking) G-d. “The words- “the words” I speak unto you- they are spirit (breath) and they are life. There is a world contained within a word. “Stupid” (a hateful word) “Sexy” – (a healing word!)- leastwise got your attention anyway! LOL!) One word can make such a difference!
Just to learn about “is” a few days back- was that not a blessing? How many times have we read “for the LORD “is” good? Now every time I am exposed to “the LORD “is” good- I will eliminated the added “is” and equate “LORD” with “good”. Yes, (amen,verily,it is so,so be it,let it be)- the LORD (is) good!.
Focus for a moment on “seek”. One word- “seek”. Like “hide and seek?” No. – (I remember this illustration brother Skip- it made quite an impact!) “Seek” as in losing your 2 year old daughter at the crowded shopping mall. A full-blown wipe open panic attack- kind of “seek.” – Do you (newbies) now realize the value of this website? We MUST know these things. SEEK and you will find. (Passionately) seek and you will find. Now I understand better what my pastor meant by saying- “God does business with those who mean business. Brothers- G-d don’t play. We must (daily) seek Him. (and I love His response to our seek-“ing” (an action word!). You will find Me. (I recommend keeping your seatbelt fastened!)- LOL!
How passionately we “worship” at the football game. It has always amazed me. But come Sunday morning- “check out” the faces in the crowd. Dull and disinterested. Tired, weak, worried and slap wore out. (too much “football?”- ) I would laugh, but actually it is rather sad. We have failed to give unto the LORD the glory due His name. As the kids would say- “epic failure!”
Seek (diligently, passionately) the LORD while He may be found- call upon Him while He is near. G-d is more willing to reveal Himself to us than any of us realize. The problem is not with the Speaker. The problem is with the hearers. (Us.) We need to learn (again) how to listen. “If any have ears to hear- let him hear.” G-d spoke. How many were listening? (then). G-d speaks. (How many are listening today?)
Carl … “achi”
Connected? You betcha! 🙂
I can safely say that the connection with you brother (and others through this site) and more importantly the connection through the blood of our most HOLY and AWESOME MASHIACH … has been a blessing.
I can feel the passion brother … and it is “tov”!
B’ahava,
Drew