Mrs. Malaprop
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. Psalm 19:9 (Hebrew World translation)
Clean – The comic figure, Mrs. Malaprop, from the play, The Rivals, has become a shorthand expression for the misuse of words. “She might reprehend the true meaning of what she is saying,” opines Mrs. Malaprop. Shakespeare used the same technique when he wrote “comparisons are odorous” (Much Ado About Nothing, Act 3, scene 5). But when it comes to God’s words, we don’t expect such comic misappropriation. Nevertheless, it certainly seems to be a “malapropism” to ascribe “clean” as an adjective of “fear.” Clean fear? What in the world can this really mean?
The Hebrew adjective tahor usually describes what is ritually clean. For example, it is used in connection with animals for sacrifice, what foods are approved to eat, what utensils can be used in the Temple and what activities are required for ceremonial worship. Today, unfortunately, most believers don’t pay any attention to this important word, but in David’s time, the use of tahor brought the entire spectrum of ritual observance to mind. The pictograph of Tet-Hey-Vav-Resh gives us the proper orientation. It means “what is revealed to surround and protect (secure) the person.” What God calls clean is intended to protect us. We ignore His instructions about clean and unclean at our peril. The psalmist ties the knot for us. Respect and reverence, awe before YHWH is protection. That’s why it is clean. It is the acknowledgement that God’s directions surround us and secure us. Those who show no awe before His majesty are those who ignore or reject His protection. They live outside the fence. May He have mercy upon them because the world under the influence of the enemy will not.
Now that we see how “clean” and “fear” are connected, we should notice the temporal extension of this pairing. In Hebrew, omedet la’ad literally means “standing motionless for continual duration.” We find a good example in Isaiah 9:6 where ‘ad refers to the continual and irrevocable reign of the Lord (usually translated “everlasting”). If the psalmist’s words are correct, then tahor is as permanent and irrevocable as the great name of the Servant-Messiah. I wonder if Yeshua won’t ask, “What part of ‘everlasting’ didn’t you understand when the Father told you what to eat and how to live?”
Maybe we are the ones who are really Mrs. Malaprop. She would say, “It is my detention to follow the Lord in all His way.”
Topical Index: tahor, clean, la’ad, forever, Psalm 19:9
Skip,
When talking about clean and unclean with leaders in the “Church”, often, they respond with Titus 1:15. “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.”
Implying that my mind and conscience are defiled because I don’t put up Xmas trees or eat pork.
What is Paul saying in Titus 1:15?
Thanks
A verse out of context is no text. Take another look at Titus 1:15. What does Paul say in the very next verse? Can a man profess to know God and at the same time act in ways that are disobedient? Wouldn’t we say, along with Paul, that such a man is defiled and unbelieving in both mind and conscience? So, if a man says that he is a follower of the Way and a worshipper of YHWH but he lives without obedience to Torah or rejects the teaching of Torah, is that man not defined and unbelieving?
“To the pure.” What does this mean? Does it mean that anything I want to do I can do if I am “pure?” So, if I want to commit adultery and I am pure in my heart, then I can do so? Would anyone argue such foolishness? If committing adultery is wrong, isn’t dishonoring the Sabbath wrong? Isn’t eating pork wrong? Or do I get to pick and choose because I am “pure?” What nonsense! Being pure means being in alignment with YHWH, being ritually and morally undefiled. In that state, all that I do is blessed by God because it is God’s desire. Paul can hardly be talking about acting against Torah and claiming to be pure (and justified) when he himself lives in Torah obedience.
Context, the number one rule of exegesis.
More than 2 years ago I began to embrace the dietary laws God gave to Israel. After having lived a half century on ham, sausage gravy, pepperoni pizza, and shrimp this was difficult for my pallet. Today it seems so natural to choose otherwise. I don’t miss it and have no desire to return to the former things. Thank You Yeshua for staying with me on this journey, and for giving me a new pallet
It is difficult to distinguish between good wine and bad wine if you don’t have a pallet cleanser. Bread is an effective form that purpose; so too is the daily bread of life.
I hope this will not come across as a “backhanded” compliment, but here goes. I too became increasingly convinced of the solid teaching of abstaining from swine flesh (just the word has a gross sound to it!) and shellfish, fish w/o scales, etc. Within this time, I have developed elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, however, I contribute this to other lifestyle and dietary choices.
I have had the opportunity to witness this area of Scripture to a family member who is intent on seeking YHWH and obediently following His Word. On a regular basis we discuss the Scriptures, including Sabbath, dietary laws, Torah, etc. He is an avid student of Scripture and we generally debate what the Scripture actually means and whether the church/we are living it out.
Recently, during one of our discussions about clean vs. unclean meats, I told him about my cholesterol and blood pressure report. This gave me an opportunity to witness my desire to live according to the King’s Law rather than claim the benefits of doing so for health reasons. Yesterday he admitted he is beginning to sense conviction to abstain from pork. I do truly believe Romans 8:28, in that He will use this and any situation for His own glory and reveal Himself through His Word. Praise Yah!!