Double Down
YHWH, in Your strength the king rejoices and in Your deliverance how he rejoices greatly! Psalm 21:2 (Hebrew text, my translation)
Strength / Deliverance – It’s Oz, but there’s no wizard. It’s deliverance but there’s no background music. Of course, you have to be “old” to understand these allusions. I won’t apologize for that. Age is the grist of insight. It takes a certain amount of hindsight to be able to see the forest from the trees.
The Hebrew word for strength is ‘oz. The word be.az.kha converts the root to “in Your strength.” You can see the root in the middle to the word. It’s not just anyone’s strength. It’s not the strength of weapons, wisdom or wealth. It’s God’s strength. That implies, of course, that it is my weakness. I don’t need God’s strength if I am doing just fine, thank you. Of course, that is the claim of the fool. The only strength capable of rescue (our next word) is the strength of the Lord Himself. The letter to the Hebrews (a nice commentary on the Psalms) reminds us of this fundamental truth. “that He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives” (Hebrews 2:14-15). That’s us! We were subject to slavery all our lives because no power on earth can overcome the terror and threat of death. Deliverance from death takes a power from outside this world. It takes az.kha (Your strength). The king rejoices in that truth. So do we. We’ll have something to say about rejoicing as we look deeper into this psalm.
What is the purpose of God’s strength. Once again, we are reminded of the Hebrews commentary. Deliverance! Rescue! Salvation! That’s how God uses His strength on our behalf. The Hebrew word here is yeshu’ah. Surprise, surprise! The very name of the purpose of God’s strength is the name of our Messiah. No wonder the king rejoices greatly.
Notice, if you will, that this word (and this name) is translated not only as salvation but also as deliverance and rescue. This is important. In the Christian world, we have nearly obliterated the nuances of this word. We think only in terms of guilt and forgiveness. But that is not the “home” of this word. The word is at home in the throes of battle. The word finds its first application where a man needs reinforcements. The word comes to life when life itself is threatened. This is first and foremost a word about rescue.
Rabbi Bob Gorelik often says that if you ask a Jew if he is saved, he will respond, “Was I in trouble?” His first interpretation of your question will be in regard to the need to be rescued. Deliverance, salvation and rescue mean nothing unless I first realize that I need help, and the most obvious way that I realize my need for deliverance is when I perceive a threat. Christians have shifted the meaning of the term so that it is no longer understood as reinforcements arriving to save me. It’s too bad. Jesus understood the word in its Jewish context. His deliverance is much more than dealing with our guilt. Perhaps we need to reconsider the fuller implications of “strength” and “salvation.” Maybe the God who is a Rock and a Fortress is also a God who shows up when the battle is almost lost. He is ‘oz without a wizard, yeshu’ah without a halo.
Topical Index: Strenght, ‘oz, salvation, rescue, deliverance, yeshu’ah, Psalm 21:2, Psalm 21:1
Two years ago a friend of mine and his wife were having trouble in their home with an adult child still living with them. She was rebellious and troublesome to her them and her young siblings. Her self-centered life was leading her to make unwise choices and her self-interests was of no value to the family. They asked her to leave home, although, they loved her very much.
Jump to today and the story has changed significantly. This rebellious daughter, through a turn of heart, is working with orphan children as a volunteer in Swaziland. I am not altogether sure why she is there, but today I heard from her and this is her story in her words.
“When I first got to Swaziland and I started working with the orphans here I got angry with God. I asked him “How can you let all of these terrible things happen to the thousands of innocent children here?” I told this to a GoGo (grandmother) at the Care Point I was working at and she said to me very calmly “Kat, maybe these children are persecuted because they are chosen.” That hit home for me. She is absolutly right. I am learning more about our Father and how he can make good out of any situation no matter what.”
Skip’s message from Psalm 21:2 rings true in my heart and in my friend’s heart. It is so much more than forgiveness. It is about service to others who cannot return the favor; it is about being useful. We are redeemed to serve no matter if you are a frustrated former pastor, a self-centered coed, or an AIDS orphan in the middle of a jungle. In the Great Physician’s hands we are his instruments for his purpose of healing and service to others.