Rules of the Game
Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O LORD, and teach me your rules. Psalm 119:108 ESV
Rules – Does the God of grace have rules? You bet! If you thought grace meant “no rules,” then you are not only Roman/Greek in your worldview, you have also never read Scripture in its own culture. Just as hesed implies obligation, so mishpat involves ordinances, customs, social expectations and manners. The “rules” of the Bible are not limited to written legislation. The biblical term covers much more. It is a summary term for all of the social and cultural expectations that govern proper behavior in the Hebrew way of life. That means some of the rules are official and some are not. Some are written and some are only implied. Some are formal and some are informal. When David asks the Lord to accept his offering and teach him the rules, he does not mean a course in the theology of the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments are only summaries of an entire worldview; a worldview that embraces everything about how a person should live under the sovereignty of the King.
By the way, every social structure and every community has rules. The opposite of rules is not freedom. The opposite of rules is chaos. Take a trip to a society where rules are being abandoned and social order is breaking down (Somalia comes to mind), and see what life is like without rules. The question is not, “How can I live free?” The question is “What rules must I have in order to live without fear?” Freedom from rules is a myth. Even Somalia pirates have rules. It’s just that their rules put you in danger.
So don’t tell me about the God of grace who gives you freedom to do what you want! That is utter nonsense. Tell me what God demands of me and of you. That is a God of order. Then show me the customs, the social expectations, the unwritten rules of proper behavior that belong to the Kingdom of God, the society of His chosen people. Then I will have a vague understanding of the term mishpat.
Can Sabbath be any day I choose to rest? Not according to the mishpat of the Bible and the customs of its people? Can I worship any way I choose? What do the customs and social expectations of the Hebrew people of Scripture say? How should I treat a stranger? Look at the behavior of nomadic Hebrews. What about tithing? Investigate what the Bible says – and does not say – regarding the distribution of funds brought to the priests. You see, it’s not so straightforward. How you behave determines which human social group you belong to. It’s far more complex than just what “laws” are on the books.
David asks YHWH to teach him all the mishpat. He is willing to conform to the whole biblical way of life. Are you?
Topical Index: mishpat, rules, ordinances, customs, Psalm 119:108
I am intrigued by this topic, and how each question that you posed for us to research and ponder will be responded to. Shabbat is fairly straight forward,as it is regulated by the signs in the heavens -the setting sun on erev shabbat until the setting sun the following day.(Gen1:16) I made a video to honour the traditions of entering into the Shabbat. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuo-wP7j9fw
The other questions also have direction in Torah that will give clarity. Any contributions to these questions?
What a beautiful youtube video Antoinette.
“G-d foresaw the need and already had a gateway for intimacy with Him in place on the 7th day of creation.” So true. Such a blessing.
Thank you for sharing that.
ברך השׁם
Wow…my Hebrew classes are starting to pay off. I can actually read that. :-)))
I appreciate your video Antionette and I love your name. It is beautiful.
I don’t really have a contribution but I will say the key is that you have to choose to investigate what Bible does say (or not) about these issues. To often we are willing to simply accept what others say and I personally have found that that can lead to some very wrong thinking!
Oooo, this was very well written! Thank you! What I really admire is the logic and naturalness of what is Good. Choose life.
Skip, what a great, on-target commentary. I hope you don’t mind, I posted a link to this on Facebook. I wish more people understood what you are saying in this TW. Blessings to you brother!
Mel, where do you live ?
Carol, southwest Missouri, near Joplin.
I like to receive this good material for my teaching to my students in my Bible School and teaching colleges. Thanks.
~ LORD, can you hear me? This is David.
~ LORD, please accept my willing offerings of praise, and teach me Your judgments ~ (Psalm 119.108)
First, – who is speaking? It is David. Who is David speaking to? David is not only speaking, but he is speaking to God. This is a prayer! It is a prayer for instruction! Peter’s (pithy and powerful) prayer of petition was “LORD, save me!” When you on your way down, there isn’t time for anything longer, than “LORD, save me!” It was a prayer for deliverance – the hand of need went up and our Redeemer’s hand of grace reached down to deliver Peter.
But right now, it is David who has a request. A petition. A prayer. (An excellent prayer!) And here’s the wonderful part of it-we too may pray this very same prayer and (more wonderful news!)- to the very same God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David! This is not only wonderful, but falls more into the “awesome” (for lack of better vocabulary) category.
We (as in all of us who are students/learners/-young “apprentices”/ children of God), need to hear and to obey, (yes, to “shema”) what God has to say.
He conversed with Adam in the first garden. He told Noah to build an ark. He spoke to Moses in a burning bush. He promised Abraham a son. Paul heard His voice on the way to Damascus. But does God still speak to us today? If so, how? When? Where? -(Excellent question!)
Does He? Does the One who once spoke unto these Old Covenant saints still speak unto us today?
Are the words of the prophet Isaiah still true? ~ Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a Voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left. ~ (Isaiah 30.21)
David is asking for instruction, for leadership, for guidance. He is saying, I need You “Teacher,” to teach me. I am willing to be taught and to be led, -“God, are You willing to teach?” Will You be my Teacher?
Consider the “diversity” of the ones who heard from God and the ones who were used by God to accomplish His purposes (His will) upon the earth. Even in “only” these three (Abraham, Moses and Noah) we can easily distinguish great diversity and (again, for lack of better vocabulary), “uniqueness.”
Selah. (may I?) Always remember, “you are unique!”- (just like everyone else!) But… (!)
Each of us (corporately and individually) have a “Personal Trainer!” It is true.
Is God “at work” in my life? (yes? no?) Is God “at work” in your life? (yes? no?). God is tirelessly, endlessly working in every man’s life! Oh friend! For years (too long) I would read and wonder concerning these words from God’s holy word: ~ and Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.. ~
May I? May I “confess” a holy jealousy? Noah found grace, (yes, he did!) but (is it selfish to ask?)- where is mine?
Question, (for self). ~ Who daily loads us with benefits? ~ Answer (to self). Mr., “it is the LORD!”
Note to self: “WAKE UP!!” Dont you know how good God has been (and is and forever more will be) to you? What has God given (Carl) unto you? Somebody (please) stick this guy with a hat pin and wake him up to the blessings that come from Above. Mr. Carl, are you listening? Good, now hear this!
~ Every good gift and EVERY perfect gift is from Above ~ Is it good? – It comes from God. Is it “perfect?” It comes from God. Every good thought- every “happy” thought- these are all gifts from God!
Every day is a gift! Every tasty mouthful of food is a gift. Being able to breathe and to taste my food is a gift. My family is a gift. My “employment,” and my ability to work is a gift! My very next heartbeat is a gift.. Now hear “my” prayer! Please, I beg You, my Father, Lover and Giver of every good and perfect gift, may I never be blind to my blessings! Elohim, open my eyes!.
And with eyes wide open and ears “tuned” to hear Your voice, may I, with Your permission, view my Savior once again and shema Your instructions, ~ today, if you will hear His voice, harden not your heart!~ Teach me, the Supremacy, the Sovereignty and the Sweetness of the Savior!
~ God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.…~ (Hebrews 1.1)
~ Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved ~ (Romans 10.1)
~ Sirs, what must I do to be saved? ~ (Acts 16. 30,31)
~ Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us!
~Will you be angry with us forever?
~ Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
~Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?
~Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.
~ Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for He will speak peace to his people, to His saints;
but let them not turn back to folly.
~ Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land.
~ Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.
~ Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky.
~Yes, the LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.
~ Righteousness will go before Him and make His footsteps a way to walk in.
David asks YHWH to teach him all the mishpat. He is willing to conform to the whole biblical way of life. Are you?
Being willing is a start however, you must then choose to act upon what you are learning and put it into action.
I am willing but I am still learning and making my choices. Am not getting it all right all of the time either. It is certainly a process but the sooner one gets started, the better!