An Internal Paradox
Taste and see that the Lord is good, happy the man who shelters in Him. Psalm 34:9 (R. Altar translation)
The Man – What kind of man shelters in the Lord? What kind of man runs to God for rescue? Our first response might be “a man in trouble.” Behind that answer is the assumption that this man isn’t able to handle things on his own. He needs help. He isn’t strong and confident and capable. So he runs to God. If we read this verse in English, we could draw these mistaken conclusions. But we couldn’t make this mistake if we read the verse in Hebrew because in Hebrew the word “man” is geber, not ish or adam. What’s the difference? The difference is the internal paradox in David’s assertion.
Happy is the geber. Happy is the mighty man, the warrior man, the virile man. Geber is more than male gender. The word specifically implies a man of strength, power and spiritual capability. It comes from the verb gabar which mean to be strong, to prevail. This word is exactly the opposite of weak women and children. This is the word God attaches to Himself (Zechariah 13:7), and God is certainly not helpless or in trouble. So why does David pick the one word for male that is exactly the opposite of a man who needs refuge? Ah, but that’s the very reason why David picks this word. It’s quite understandable to suggest that a man who is weak, helpless and in trouble needs God’s shelter, but it’s a very different matter when the strongest man you know still runs to the Lord for refuge.
This paradox gives us a picture of the Hebrew idea of strength. It’s not our view of superheroes and powerful men. Particularly in our culture, self-reliance is the sign of strength. We applaud those who do it on their own. We idolize those who seize the opportunity and make things happen. We castigate the man who displays any sort of weakness. Even in the congregation of the redeemed, no man is likely to admit failure, sinful collapse or psychological terror. We want our heroes to be more like Superman than like Solomon. But David knows better. No man survives on his own. No man is built of solid steel. Every man is broken in the depths of his heart. Every man, even the “mighty” man, needs a direct passage to the rescuing God.
What do you suppose the world would be like – and the Church – if the culture of male power began to reveal its broken bones? Do you think we would allow these mighty men to stop playing hero and become ordinary sinners like the rest of us? Would we open our arms to them and comfort them while they wept? Or would we send them away to get “fixed” so they could rise again? Would we tell them God can’t use them until they are strong again (and no longer in need of shelter)? How much does our image of power contribute to the unrealistic pressures we place on our heroes? Mighty men are blessed when they seek shelter in the Lord. Do you suppose that’s because they can’t find shelter in the rest of us?
Topical Index: shelter, geber, gabar, mighty men, man, hero, Psalm 34:9
Every man, even the “mighty” man, needs a direct passage to the rescuing God. Yes, brother Skip- Amen. “It is so.” “Every man”- “All.” “We (all) need a direct passage to the rescuing G-d.”
Now that I have realized and recognized my need- what is the next step for me? “My name is Carl and I am a _________ (sinner). My Bible (which is true) says “all have sinned and “fallen short” (didn’t quite make it did we?) of the glory of G-d. – So here am I in this “sinful” state of being. As Rabbi Shaul once declared (a most public confession!), “O wretched man that I am!, who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7.24). Now I don’t claim to be the sharpest crayon in the box, but when someone (anyone) cries out, “O wretched man that I am”,- I may be interpreting this wrongly,- but I don’t see that man as too very happy with his current condition. (Houston- we have a problem..). – (Could it be “sin?”).
Has this triple Phd- known throughout the word as “the apostle Paul” (Rabbi Shaul to some), just declared “himself” to “have a problem?” Has he joined with myriads of others (including moi’) who have fallen to their knees before their Creator and declared openly (with tears),- G-d be merciful to me (the) sinner?
For purposes of review- -it is written! -”Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a professing godly man and the other a robber. The godly man stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men – extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax gatherer. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the robber, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a (the) sinner!’” (Luke 18.13)
You know- I know- we know- recognition of “need” is step number one. LOL!- Yes! “the journey of a thousand miles begins with the “first step!” – And what is this first step? – “Repentance”- Hallelujah for the “gift” of repentance!
Moses intreated ol’ Pharoah ten times to repent. (change his mind). (Any significance to the number ten?.. hmmm). – and what did Pharoah do? What was his decision? What was “his” choice? Was he free to choose?- Yes!- that is …up until a point. G-d gave him ample opportunity to “repent,” (did He not?)- Why did Pharoah never repent. And.. what was the end result of his choosing not to repent? – The wages (results, consequences) of sin (disobedience to the words of YHWH) is death (separation). (Romans 6.23)
We (you and I) are totally free in our choices. Isn’t it wonderful- “choice” is good!- G-d is “pro-choice!” We (you and I- and that fellow over yonder) are not free from the “consequences” of our choices. (May I repeat this?) We are not free from the consequences of our choices. Every “choice” is followed by a consequence. (This is the “law” of the harvest- we reap what we sow.) You cannot sow your wild oats, then pray for crop failure- we (all) will reap what we sow. (I think I’ll be more “circumspect’ what gets sown into the ground!- LOL!
Meanwhile (back at the ranch..) here is the Apostle “crying out” – “who shall deliver me?” (I can’t believe I “ran off” and left him in such a sordid state- sorry Paul.) Yes, Paul- “Who shall deliver you?” (poor guy) Should we pity him? Our Bible states- “on some have compassion”- should we share “the good news” with him or leave him to his misery?
In conclusion- (finally!). In lieu of “today’s word” for the past couple days (Bill was right?)- It does depend (amazingly) upon the “meaning” of “is!” (you keepin’ up with this?- LOL!). Whose very name “IS” salvation? (now in Hebrew, repetition is sometimes used to emphasize a point). Whose very Name IS salvation (deliverance)?
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10.13) Whosoever? Does this include Rabbi Shaul? (whosoever?) Does this include Peter who cried out (possible the shortest prayer ever!)- “LORD- save me?” Does this include the “thief” crucified beside the LORD Jesus? Does this “whosoever” include the “Jew?” Does it include the “Gentile?” Black man, white man, male, female,dentist, plumber- (shall we continue?)
When our LORD said “whosoever” (Praise G-d!) He included me! “I” am one of the “whosoevers!” Hallelujah! “Whosoever will may come and drink of the water of life freely.” It’s the “open invitation” of our Savior! “Whosever will” may come! (Come and feast!)
Indeed brother … indeed!
Our Lord is a huge sheltering booth …. HE is quite able to shelter and provision all who may come.
An encouraging word this morning …. thank you kindly and praise Yeshua … our shelter!
Skip … a very enlightening commentary this day!
There MUST be a “why” around David’s use of “geber” because he clearly has no problem referring to man using “adam”, “enosh”, “ish” … etc.
Below are the distinct passages wherein David used “geber” for man (please correct me if I am mistaken):
18:26 With the merciful Thou dost show Thyself merciful, with the upright man Thou dost show Thyself upright;
37:23 It is of the LORD that a man’s goings are established; and He delighted in his way.
40:5 Happy is the man that hath made the LORD his trust
94:12 Happy is the man whom Thou instructest, O LORD, and teachest out of Thy law;
127:5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them (as in children/seed); they shall not be put to shame, when they speak with their enemies in the gate.
128:4 Behold, surely thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.
I think your point Skip is well made … when we look at what David says “collectively” we see a very interesting pattern respective to the man of might:
1) Fears the Lord; 2) Learns the Lord’s teachings; 3) Lives/teaches out of the law; 4) Trusts in The Lord; 5) Is upright (obeys the law); etc.
Perhaps brother Skip we should not be so surprised about David declaring that the “mighty man” will seek shelter in The Lord …. upon closer examination it would seem that the man is mighty BECAUSE of his relationship with the Lord … just as you have concluded!
Once again brother Skip …. if the text is not reviewed within the proper Hebrew context, there is no reason to even point out such nuances. This is one of those “nuggets”! 🙂
The bottom line: He enables us all to be “mighty” while at the same time we are essentially powerless on our own. Want to find a super-hero? … Look within and just maybe we will find the pulsating heart of Yeshua within the fragile shell of our bodies.
All praise to the one and only Super-Hero … YESHUA HAMASHIACH … The NAME above all other names!
I’m not completely comfortable with the concept of a “super heroes” unless they are in cartoon format; and even then their value is questionable, in my view.
Most of the superheroes I see today have certain dangerous characteristics in common.
The most dangerous characteristic, in my view, is that they are above the law.
Their job is to kill the bad guys.
Maybe I’m just getting old, but I prefer the likes of Cool Hand Luke.
They don’t look much like our model of Man, do they?
Thank you for today’s word. Once again you show by illustration of the Hebrew perspective that the one who runs to God and not to self-reliance is the one who is blessed.