Power Symbols
Behold, the Lord YHWH will come with strength and His arm rules for Him. Isaiah 40:10
Rules – Isaiah chapter 40 is the great chapter of consolation. It begins with the wonderful proclamation, “Comfort, comfort My people.” The repeated Hebrew word nachmu puts emphatic stress on the consolation of the Lord. It is not just comfort. It is exceedingly great comfort. It is comfort saturated with the mercy and grace of the Most High.
We need that kind of comfort. So much of life seems to be face to the grinding wheel. So often we are burdened and heavy laden. We need the gentle hand of the Lord to soothe away our fears and our tears. We need extra virgin comfort oil straight from heaven. But how will that happen in a world so filled with disorder, chaos and rebellion.
Fortunately, Isaiah has the answer. The Lord will come with strength and His arm will rule. Of course, this Hebrew idiom is about power. God will bring comfort with power. He will not come as a descending dove. He will come on wings of eagles. Why? Because the true comfort that His people seek, and need, is only to be found in His reign over the earth, in His vanquishing all His enemies and in His restoration of harmony. The Spirit may settle on us like a dove of peace while we wait for the great day of the Lord, but when that day comes, it will be a lightning bolt of renewal, a sword struck at the enemy and a victory song.
This verse of power and majesty uses a familiar word, mashal. You may remember that mashal and radah both mean rule. But mashal is about the instrument of order, the vehicle by which God governs His proper universe (for example, the sun and the moon as regulators of the order of day and night). Here, God’s mighty arm, the symbol of His unlimited power, governs the world. It brings order out of chaos and a hierarchy of control. The verb here is not radah, a word about authority granted by someone else. Mashal is power by position alone. God’s arm is the final symbol of absolute power over His creation.
Why are we comforted? Because God will rule. Why are we comforted today? Because God’s rule is guaranteed. Nothing is stronger than His arm. Therefore, nothing can prevent His purposes from coming to pass. We can wait, if we must, because there is no one stronger than our God. His plans cannot be thwarted.
If you need comfort today, you need look no further than the mighty arm of God. Yes, your life might be troubled and filled with trials, but none of those things will ever prevent God from coming with strength. You serve the King of the universe. Comfort today is knowing that your hope will not be denied. “Comfort, comfort my people”, says your God.
Topical Index: comfort, nachmu, mashal, rule, radah, Isaiah 40:10
Our G-d is king. Our G-d is a king who is. He is not a king that was, nor a king that will be. He reigns. We need to remember (that’s our job as Adam!), and obey His instructions. We need to choose this day Who we will serve, because as Bob Dylan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqxW6E24Jh8) and the book of Romans declare we gotta serve somebody. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills. From whence cometh my help? My help (nachum) comes from the LORD- Maker of heaven and earth. Our G-d reigns. I love His words.. “and it came to pass”, and “Thy will be done”- on earth as it is in heaven. But we cannot give away what we do not have- Acts 1.8 is still in force today- we must (daily)-wait upon the LORD.
AMEN, AND AMEN,
I find this one of the most powerful and truthful offering you have written, that speaks much truth to my heart. and it is so true. In all my life experiences this is what has carried me and gives me the courage to forge on, to share the word, and the strength, that our G-d has given me.
Through my life experiences and G-d’s power I go on and give where I am needed to his children, share what he provides in presence and power to His children. G-d be praised. Thank you Skip for this offering to me. Praise G-d.
Everyone, I need ya’lls help. I need to know where in scripture it is told that those who are not living right are to be shown the error of their ways. I am not sure of the word but it is like when you tell someone something they need to correct, but they ignore you, you bring another with you and that person ignores of correction of both of you, then you have the body show them and they still ignore you. I need to know where there are as many scriptures as I can find on that subject and some examples of when it is or is not followed. Come to mind is David when he ignores his son raping his sister because he felt guilty over his own error with Bathsheba so he fails to discipline his son, or when one of the priests, Aaron I think, that didn’t discipline his sons and then they were killed? Help! Please. Thank you.
Shalom Yolanda,
Here are a few passages that might help. Just some thoughts for you anyway! Some may argue they do not apply to us regular believers today … but I will let you glean any value if you can!
As you know if the heart is right in helping a community member then we do need to help … don’t we?
Ezekiel: : 3,17 ‘Son of man, I have appointed thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; and when thou shalt hear a word at My mouth, thou shalt give them warning from Me. 3,18 When I say unto the wicked: Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at thy hand. 3,19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. (We have an obligation to not warn believers of errors … I would think serious ones … don’t you?)
1st Thessalonians: 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, …. (need to reign in the community … it is a reflection of the community and Mashiach)
Matthew: 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. (certainly need to address personal trespass … but it seems that this would extend out to the community as well)
2nd Thessalonians: 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Yeshua Mashiach, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 3:7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 3:8 Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 3:9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 3:11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 3:12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Yeshua Mashiach, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. 3:14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 3:15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. (we all need to watch out for each other … not in a legalistic sense but in a brotherly love sense. If one starts to sprial away they might gt lost without intervention … no)
2nd Timothy: . 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of Elohim, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 3:17 That the man of Elohim may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (If a brethren is not in the Word then who will deliver the gospel of light …. we would hope Ruach HaKodesh but sometimes Ruach is not being let in the door … and then it is up to the brethren to help us out)
Drew, thank you so much. I really appreciate the New Testament referrences. Skip had told us earlier in the year that Isreal was instructed to follow this with children in the old testament (I am hoping Skip is reading these and will refresh my memory, please) but I didn’t know what or where the New Testament ones were. Thank you so much. This is going to be very helpful.
Just an add on as well…. In Proverbs there is great wisdom regarding the true friend and how we might best act on each other’s behalf with humility and love. Again the stress is on motivations while there is no question about pointing out wayward behavior.
🙂
Proverbs is a big place, and again, I know Skip probably covered this but I don’t remember which chapter. I wish memory worked better. Thank you for caring and helping. I really appreciate you and the time you put into responding.
b/t/w Just a thought to consider perhaps. Might there not be a local minister or shepherd that you could seek advice from? Certainly these are the brethren that have to deal with wayward behavior in the flock. They might be able to give you guidance on how best to approach the individual in question that you desire to help.
You can well imagine that not all instances are equal and in most cases they are unique. Different folks respond to different approaches in such matters. So despite the Scriptural precept upon precept that supports loving correction, in both the Tanakh and B’rit Chadasha, we still have the human element to contend with.
Sometimes the best advice may be to hand off to someone that has experience in such matters or perhaps even influence as a person in a spiritual leadership role. You can be sure that such folks are well versed in specific Scirpture verses as well regarding such matters.
Sometimes the message can be completely on target but the delivery of the message is off or the messenger is not the right person for the job. Sad to say … I speak from experience and I tend to tread lightly in these matters. 🙂
I will certainly pray for you and your loved one!
Have peace Yolanda
Yolanda,
It sounds to me as though you are thinking of Paul instruction about correcting one who is in error. Try 1 Corinthians 5.
No. Skip. You remember when you were teaching us how in the old testament that a rebellious child was first corrected by his parents but if the child continued being rebellious he was taken out and stoned? I was wondering where that portion is. Please tell me.
Drew, I didn’t want advise, so I don’t need to seek a local minister. I needed to know where to find something in the scripture and I appreciate the help.
Returning our thoughts to Skip’s above Word, ” Power Symbols “:June 24, 2009. The security system, that we renewed, BitDefender, kept us from getting into the web for over two weeks, then with several days of feeding people, and some of them staying with us, just the past few days have I been able to start reading Skip’s materials. Usually when I get behind, I start with the dates that were first written, and progress up to current date; but yesterday when I saw that Skip’s Rabbi Bob Gorelik was writing I chose to read his. Then some of you may noticed, I chose to reply to that. So now, today, I read this one, and am working back up to July1.
Oh me, Oh my, Yes, Glory came down on this one. As I completed reading it carefully, reflecting and mediating on it, these thoughts came to me with much love and praise. Remember in Luke 24 , what we often call “On the Road to Emmaus” v. 13,” And behold, that very day two (of the disciples), were going to a village called Emmaus, (which is) about seven miles from Jerusalem.——–v.25. And ( Jesus) said to them, O foolish ones (slugggish in mind, dull of perception and slow of heart to believe (adhere to and trust in and rely on) everything that the prophets have spoken! ——- v. 31. When their eyes were (instantly) opened and they ( clearly) recognized Him, and He vanished (departed invisibly) v.32.And they said to one another, Were not our hearts greatly moved and burning within us while He was talking with us on the road and as Heopened and explained to us ( the sense of) the Scriptures? The Amplified Bible-Expanded Edition– I hope you will read v. 13-through all of chapter 24.
Yes, ” Comfort, comfort My people.” Awesome– the anointing of the Word of God through His power.