Circling The Earth
Many are the sorrows of the wrong; but as for the one trusting YHWH, kindness surrounds him. Psalm 32:10 (ISR)
Surrounds – The Hebrew word sābab is spelled samech-bet-bet. Samech paints the picture of twisting slowly or turning. Bet is the picture of a tent or house. Let’s combine these images. Sabab is the picture of something slowly circling the house twice. This Hebrew word picture doesn’t show us a single circumnavigation of the house. It shows us the action of going around and around and around the house. This action is continuous.
When we apply this picture to David’s psalm, we see that the idea here is not simply being held in God’s hand (surrounded). It is the picture of God’s continuous action encircling the righteous. Just as the Torah is a fence around those who uphold it, so God is constantly moving around and around the lives of His children, protecting and guiding them. The Creator circles the earth, searching out those who put their trust in Him in order that He may shelter their lives inside His protection (2 Chronicles 16:9a).
David contrasts God’s reliability with the many sorrows of the wicked. We would do well to reflect for a moment about this contrast. Why do the wicked have many sorrows? On the surface, it often appears that the wicked are blessed. They seem to have the secret to powerful and plentiful life. The psalmist Asaph eloquently described the apparent success of the wicked and the possible envy of their fortunes in Psalm 73. He concludes that it is all a sham. They face judgment. No amount of success in this life will rescue them from that fateful day. But this isn’t the only reason the wicked have many sorrows.
David might agree with his son that money and power make life easier. So, David’s insight can’t be about the inevitable twists and turns of living. Everyone experiences those traumas. What distinguishes the righteous from the wicked is something deeper. In the end, the wicked have no protection. Without a moment’s notice, everything can be taken away. Disaster can strike without warning. No amount of insurance, bodyguards or safety nets can ultimately protect us. As the Greeks clearly understood, in a world of random chance, anything can happen to you. The wicked are exposed to any possibility. So, the Greek poet Theognis said, “Not to be born is the best of all things for those who live on earth, and not to gaze on the radiance of the keen-burning sun. Once born, however, it is best to pass with all possible speed through Hades’ gates and to lie beneath a great heap of earth.” A man without God is alone in the universe. That is a great sorrow indeed! If you want the biblical parallel of this Greek poet, read Ecclesiastes. The Teacher comes to virtually the same conclusion. Without God, it’s all just hot air.
God’s encircling protection means much more than disaster prevention. It means purpose and hope in spite of disaster. My life has meaning because He cares for me.
Topical Index: Psalm 32:10, samba, surround, 2 Chronicles 16:9
Shalom one and all,
It does seem that the clear line of distinction is drawn between those that live with a temporary outlook versus those that live with an eternal outlook. Meaning that like Abraham our “eternal” outlook needs to be towards the future inheritance instead of the temporal/temporary outlook that calls for “getting it now”! We should be a sojourner instead of a personal empire builder.
Sort of puts a damper on the old saying “a man is king of his castle” … LOL! It is more like “YHVH is King of my castle” … now we are talking! 🙂
As Skip has commented upon and taught about time and time and time again … it is a matter of personal choice: self determinism (temporal outlook) versus YHVH determinism … the eternal outlook!
So do we run to Yeshua and His Torah to surround us or do we subscribe to the Greek mindset and chase after every new “self help” recipe that will deliver that “completeness” which is so sorely lacking?
The only way to have joy and shalom is to submit and walk along the path that enables us to escape the destruction of this dying creation. Cleaving to this world will only result in going down with this world! Walking with Yeshua ends all fears and prepares us for the tribulation that is experienced as a consequence of being in this sinful and chaotic world.
Praise HE WHO surrounds us with loving kindness! Ahmein!
“Meaning that like Abraham our “eternal” outlook needs to be towards the future inheritance/”
Hi Drew,
I’m with you, but wondering if there isn’t a contradiction in your statement above?
Isn’t the future already here in the concept of the eternal?
Drew’s statement: “…self determinism (temporal outlook) versus YHVH determinism … the eternal outlook!”
What this means to me is that I must regulate what I believe and how I act according to Biblical truth rather than my own (fleshly) desires. The key is in discovering real Biblical truth! Thanks, Skip, for leading us in this direction.
You’re right, Cyndee. Sha’ul (Paul) said it this way in his letter to the believers in Rome:
Sha’ul clearly contrasts 2 lifestyles – the life of one living according to fleshly desires and the life of one living “according to the Spirit of God”. If the mind set on the flesh does not “submit to God’s law” and this is contrasted with one led by the Spirit of God, then what must the one led by the Spirit of God do? Life a live in accordance with God’s law. Which law? The greek “nomos” is the word used in the LXX for Torah.
I’m sure Skip has probably discussed this before, but in Hebrew thinking, belief and action are not two separate things. Belief is not “mental assent to a series of propositions”. The word believe is aman – aleph-mem-nun – which pictorally means “the strength of the living waters”. It is transliterated into English as “Amen” and is usually translated “let it be so”, however it is a verb so it is connected with the act of bringing something into being. The word “faith” is emunah – aleph-mem-nun-hey. The “hey” carries the meainings of “behold”, “glory” or “something revealed”. So faith – emunah is the strength of the living waters revealed. How is it revealed? By how I walk, how I live, by my actions and lifestyle. This is why James could say,
And from where do we find this “strength of the living waters”? In the words of Yeshua at the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem;
Oops, I missed out a closing bold tag after “faith”. Sorry – the last part wasn’t supposed to be all bold…
“but as for the one trusting YHWH, kindness surrounds him. Psalm 32:10 (ISR)”
I don’t want to “steal your thunder” brother Skip- I hope you return to the “kindness” listed in this first to give a fuller deeper study into this marvelous covenant word “kindness.” Big,big,big!!
YHWH always gives us what we need, and when we need it. He never fails. However, this is no easy pathway “trusting G-d.” But, in story after story (including our own!) we learn again and again, our G-d is forever faithful. He cannot deny himself and dear family, the LORD is good. (Always, and to everyone!) G-d is a Lover and He is a Giver. His love flows in one direction. Outward. G-d is love.
The problem is not on the part of the Sender (or Source). The problem lies with the receiver. We are not always “tuned-in”/ “dialed-in”/rightly related or able to receiver. Our spiritual receivers have drifted off station. We have been successfully distracted and wandered off course.
I’ve had a difficult day today. That’s okay though- no one said this was going to be easy. If anyone ever says to walk by faith is “all honey and no bees”, a reminder needs to be posted- Yeshua said to us- “in this world you will have tribulation.” Ah, but thank you Holy Spirit for reminding me of the “rest” of the story- “but be of good cheer- I have overcome the world.”
Yes, the world is “pulling on me” today. The cure? I know what it is- but “knowing” ain’t doing. I’m headed for the prayer closet nearby and yes, kneel before the LORD, my Maker.
See, this is what makes this website so valuable to us because we learn about words such as “blessing.” I need a “blessing” and I need to be “blessed”. “Barak” in Hebrew. (thank you Skip!), but barak not only means or translates into “blessing” but also (in Hebrew) means “bow the knee.”
Because I am capable of fifth grade level thought I can see the “place of blessing” is “bow the knee.” I have an “unction” from the Holy One to pray. S.D. Gordon called it (in his excellent little book)- “Bent-Knee Time.”
I’ll be back, but today I am carrying a burden. I’m feeling the “weight” of the world. But Yeshua is our burden-bearer and His instructions say: “Casting all your cares upon Him for He cares for you.” It’s so wonderful to have access to our Father. Praise to the One who made our petitions posssible.
Dear forever family, would you pray for me? (I know you will!), and thank you in advance. G-d answers prayer and that is the reason I’m asking.
This is my specific prayer: Create in me a clean heart, O G-d; and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51.10) I need to fix my focus on Him.
Thank you Carl. And Drew…”As Skip has commented upon and taught about time and time and time again … it is a matter of personal choice: self determinism (temporal outlook) versus YHVH determinism … the eternal outlook!”
My personal choice IS to view my immediate circumstance as temporal. My personal choice is to believe His word to me that HE makes every piece of my circumstance fit together for my good and His glory and HE’s not sadistic. My current circumstance limits my ability to understand which is why faith in His kindness, His mercies, His non-mortal viewpoint, is essential to my good cheer.
I’ll leave the argument to whether or not I can choose or whether HE draws me to the choice [or do I choose to stop saying no to His drawing?] to mysteries. Some-where all my heart, strength, mind and soul make a difference. Some-times it takes all that to choose to do His command(s) His way. All-times He is in/with me to assure that choice when it is Him I seek.
Whew. Gotta get closer.
“self determinism (temporal outlook) versus YHVH determinism … the eternal outlook!”
Just to clarify what we are talking about here…
YHVH determinism as a concept, which has a “mechanistic” ring to it, doesn’t make sense to me.
If God determines our actions, we don’t have free will and are therefore not responsible for our actions.
But we do have free will, a right to self determination, and we determine our actions in time (temporal outlook).
As CYndee says: “I must regulate what I believe and how I act according to Biblical truth rather than my own (fleshly) desires.”
Many things influence or “determine” our actions, such as: gender, race, history, economics, religion, and God.
He creates our world and we have two choices: to serve Him and others or to serve ourselves.
Shalom Michael, … always digging … you go for it! 🙂
“If God determines our actions, we don’t have free will and are therefore not responsible for our actions.”
Our outlook can be self deterministic (WE CHOOSE and decide on the behavior and the standard of those actions) or our outlook is eternal (WE CHOOSE and decide on behavior that is determined by YHHV and His standard … or we are His slaves). There are no machinations about this … it is in fact very spiritual and very emotional! Hence Torah is circumcised upon the heart … it is much more than a mental realization!
And let us not get caught up in this idea of “personal freedom” … Scripture is very clear … at the end of the day everyone of us is a slave. A slave to sin and death or a slave to Yeshua and life! So at the very best we choose to be enslaved! We either delude ourselves or we don’t!
Now regarding the issue of looking towards the eternal versus the here and now!
There is no mingling of the kingdom of YHVH and this dying old creation. There is light and there is dark and the two do not mingle … they only do battle! We are in the world (darkness) but commanded not to cleave to it. Knowing then that the kingdom building we engage in is a shadow of its fullness to come in the Mashicach Yeshua, there is no contradiction in living in this world while applying an eternal outlook to our lives. We always need our Mashiach and He will come and rescue the remnant before the darkness engulfs all of the light … as in Revelations!
In fact … living the picture of the promise to come is part of OUR (Israel’s) primary objective … (as Skip loves to point out … living Torah for PURPOSE) . So if our lives are reflective of this dying world order versus being a picture of the coming Kingdom in fullness, we are in big trouble … if we are not among the witnesses (HaEdah) then what community to we belong to?
The eternal will not tolerate the impurities of this dying world order … but the Kingdom will continue beyond this world order. As such we must live and look for the transformation that will enable us to survive with the Kingdom.
I would agree that this idea of YHVH’s Kingdom being here and now … but not in fullness … can be difficult to grasp … yet Scripture tells us this is true. Some day (ever closer) Yeshua will return and take up His throne and drive away the darkness. Until such time we can only live in faith towards the promise.
Our Yovel/Jubilee has been promised, even paid for already … we know it is coming … as such it is a reality and His faithfulness insures it.
Have a good one!
To all following this thread:
I hav a lot more to add to this, but you will find it in a TW in the next few days (about Kingdom). So, get ready.
Hi Drew,
Very nicely argued and a pleasure to read!
Can’t seem to find a “bone to pick” or a word out of place 🙂
Just a few comments:
Drew: “So at the very best we choose to be enslaved!”
Mike: I think that is what I said.
Drew: “The eternal will not tolerate the impurities of this dying world order …”
Mike: Yahweh God shows Himself to be a very kind and forgiving God (Cain’s second chance).
Drew: “I would agree that this idea of YHVH’s Kingdom being here and now … but not in fullness … can be difficult to grasp.”
Mike: Maybe more of the fullness is here now than we can see 🙂
David might agree with his son that money and power make life easier.
Are you saying that Asaph is David’s son? If so, where do you get that from?
NO, of course not. David might agree with Solomon. The reference is oblique. Sorry
Ok, that makes sense. Just got confused…thanks for clarifying!