Once More Only
For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, “In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength.” But you were not willing, . . Isaiah 30:15 NASB
Repentance – Once before we looked at this verse, but we didn’t mention that the Hebrew word shuva is a hapax legomenon. That means this word occurs only one time in all the Scripture. It is still a derivative of the underlying verb shuv, but in this occurrence it is quite unusual. Perhaps that’s why various English translations choose different words to try to explain the meaning. Regardless of the English choice, the idea is clear. Salvation (deliverance) comes from a change in direction. It could be understood as turning to God. It might be turning back. It could even be turning around. But somewhere, somehow, things must be different. Life must change. Goals must change. Preferences must change.
The important point about shuv and its derivatives is that it is not primarily cognitive. Shuv is about movement, not mentality. It simply is not possible to experience YHWH’s deliverance by changing your thoughts alone. Unless walking follows talking, there is no change in direction. So when I proclaim that I have been set free from my guilt by the grace of the Lord, anyone should be able to tell the difference between my former ways of walking and my current ways of walking. The promise of salvation comes after course correction! “In changing direction (shuva) and rest (nahat) you will be saved” (Niphal, imperfect). The verb tense indicates that the action (deliverance) happens to us (we are passive recipients) in continuing occurrence. In other words, deliverance (salvation) is the continuous experience of the presence of YHWH. It’s not being transported to heaven. It’s not the momentary relief of guilt. It’s not the confident assurance that our sins have been forgiven. It is fellowship with the Father. And if that isn’t a present reality in your life, then perhaps you need to examine yourself in light of shuva’ and nahat.
Some Hebrew terms like shuv are almost bi-polar. They contain both positive and negative components. So shuv can mean “to turn to God” and it can also mean “to withdraw from God.” It isn’t the action that matters. It is the direction. It is possible to demonstrate all the apparently religious actions but be going in the wrong direction. That is a very scary thought. Perhaps this is what Yeshua had in mind when He addressed those who claimed such religious fervor but still heard the words, “I never knew you.” Don’t examine your religious behavior and think you have settled the issue. Inspect your direction. Look where you are going by making sure it isn’t where you have already been. Then you will understand that the sign of repentance is only visible when you are confronted by the same circumstances but you act differently.
Topical Index: repentance, shuv, shuva, return, withdraw, Isaiah 30:15
From TW 4/26/2008, “… my rest begins with my repentance.”
Perhaps that is why I have been so tired lately. I have been going in the wrong direction and it is now time to turn. Thanks Skip for your message.
Hmmmm…..
Skip,
This got me thinking about 2 Corinthians 7:10
“Godly sorrow works repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”
My first thought was, “What does God’s sorrow look like”, and I was taken to Genesis 6:6-6:7, where as a result of God’s grief and sorrow He was willing to destroy what He created. First I believe its a hint of what true Godly sorrow is to produce in us toward our old life; that old adamic life.
Secondly I found this: In my Interlinear Bible this verse reads,
“For according to God grief repentance unto salvation, unregrettable works. But of the world grief, death works.”
Wow! Seems the emphasis is on the unregrettable works that you don’t even see in our modern translations because of punctuation and flipping of words. In our modern translations our “Godly sorrow works our repentance.” In the original syntax, “Godly grief repentance unto salvation, should be seen in unregrettable works.” I believe this can be seen in the list of “observable” list of things that Paul gives in verse 11 that was produced as a result of Godly sorrow, repentance leading to salvation.
Am I misreading/interpreting this wrongly?
David
This is such an important self-reflection. Unfortunately for me, when I ask these questions and look at myself, I don’t like what I see. I need the help of others to turn, walk and remain on the right course. I don’t seem to be strong enough to do it on my own…
~ I need the help of others to turn, walk and remain on the right course. I don’t seem to be strong enough to do it on my own… ~
Another “amen” as to why we are designed by our Creator to live in community and with “one another..”
~ “Shuv” is about movement, not mentality ~
I would tweek this, just a bit, to read “shuv” is not only about mentality, but also movement as well. Why? “Throw your heart over the fence, and your feet will follow.” Repentance is a choice- our choice. It is our choice to trust God and to do what He instructs. We must decide to “think different” and then we will “act accordingly.” Yes, Abraham “believed God,” but the next morning – what did he “do?” He saddled his donkey, gathered his supplies and set out to “do” what God had instructed him to do. Our attitudes affect, alter, antedate and activate our actions. Our beliefs go before our behavior. Our creeds conduct our course. Our doctrines determine our deeds. Think. – And then do. ~ Be “doers” of the Word and not “hearers only!”
There is common ground here.. What is the word (and the witness it will manifest here?) “Life must change. Goals must change. Preferences must change.” Too bad a “bold” font is not available here, or else I would use it. The repeated word, – a good word- a wonderful word used all three times is CHANGE!
What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought
Since Jesus came into my heart!
I have light in my soul for which long I had sought,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
Since Jesus came into my heart!
Since Jesus came into my heart!
Floods of joy o’er my soul like the sea billows roll,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
I have ceased from my wand’ring and going astray,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And my sins which were many are all washed away,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
I’m possessed of a hope that is steadfast and sure,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And no dark clouds of doubt now my pathway obscure,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
There’s a light in the valley of death now for me,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And the gates of the City beyond I can see,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
I shall go there to dwell in that City I know,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And I’m happy, so happy as onward I go,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
Have we made the delightful discovery of all of the “from/tos” which result from our relationship with our Redeemer? ~ from darkness to light? ~ from the miry clay to a Rock? ~ and are there more? – Friends, not only “more.. BUT “so much more!” From rags to riches.. from sinner to saint.. and on and on, etc.. From cloudiness and confusion to lambent light..
Oh yes, (amen) and then there are the “much mores!”
~ How *much more* will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God ~(Hebrews 9.14) lol! How much more? ~ exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask or think!
~ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how *much more* will your Father in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him! (Matthew 7:11)
But wait!- Is there more? Yes, – there is.. “so *much more!*
Was (is) Jesus *more than* a Jewish carpenter’s son?
🙂 testing bold
Perfect choice of song lyrics for today!
When I think of so much of my walk and others and learning what it is to be a follower of God, all of the many things I learn are important. But, I have found working with so many people that this is the toughest principle of God. We humans must love the merry go round.
“I never knew you.”
I have long been frightened by those words, lest they apply to me.
Now I know why…
Me too John…
Brothers,
God loved us first. There was nothing we did or could do to earn his love.
The only love we know from God is perfect love. It can’t be anything else.
How do we love a God who is Spirit and invisible and greater than anything in his creation?
By loving each other, and even our enemies. But what if we don’t do that perfectly?
So long as we fear God’s punishment, our love is not complete.
For perfect love casts out fear!
Is perfect love acceptable, or had we better — just in case — hold onto just a little fear?
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but wisdom is not our destination.
Love is our destination. To be like Him. God is love. Perfect love.
The fear of punishment is a slow, knawing death to receiving/believing unconditional love.
Perfect love drives out fear!
And that is written. 1 John 4:18
In other words, deliverance (salvation) is the continuous experience of the presence of YHWH.
Hmmm
I don’t typically think in terms of salvation, but in the case above I do
“Thy kingdom come, thy will be done” puts me into the “here and now”
It also allows me to accept God’s will, and if it’s God’s will, I’m OK
For me it has nothing to do with perfection or God’s love
But helping other people also allows me to sense God’s will
When I sense God’s good will, I feel like I’m on the right path
On the other hand, when I don’t sense God’s good will
Typically, it’s a “tough row to hoe” 🙂