A Soft Place in God’s Heart
“but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 9:24 NASB
Delight – The psalmist declares that YHVH will provide us with the desires of our hearts. Of course, that doesn’t mean we will get what we want. It means that He will give us His desires, and we will discover that these are the things we really needed—and wanted. But what are these desires? For a lot of groups today, they seem to be focused on Torah obedience. “What God really wants is for us to follow His instructions.” Yes, that is certainly true, but is that all? What about those who, for whatever reasons, have not embraced the 613? What about those who don’t even know the God who gave the 613? Are they hopelessly lost, devoid of spiritual awareness, destined for hell? What do we say about Paul’s statement, “For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, . . ”?[1] Perhaps Jeremiah offers some insight.
YHVH is delighted in three things: hesed, mishpat and tsedaqah. Jeremiah is not the only prophet to enumerate these three. They are fundamental to YHVH’s character and to His purposes in creation. Unless we know these, even Torah compliance will not suffice. In fact, one might argue that Torah is built on these three.
Hesed needs no further elaboration. By now we had better know this word. It occupies center position in the character of YHVH. Uniquely Hebrew, it summaries who He really is—a God of covenant-keeping faithfulness. Mishpat is also well known. Far more than simply justice, it covers the entire range of overseeing actions for both animate and inanimate worlds. And tsedaqah, the word translated “righteousness,” also bursts the bounds that our Western theological boxes have placed over the text. Covering peace, prosperity, ethical integrity, obedience, duty, compassion, graciousness and benevolence, tsedaqah summaries the responsibility we have toward God and others. It is a one-word envelope for the second great commandment.
Do you know these words? Are they part of the fabric of your being? Do they describe who you are? If you wish to be a delight to the Lord, you might take the HMT test (hesed, mishpat, tsedaqah). How do you score in these three categories? Perhaps just as important is the question, “When you see someone who does not ‘believe’ acting with hesed, mishpat or tsedaqah, do you say to yourself, ‘Oh, that person is delighting God even if they don’t know it’?”
Topical Index: delight, hesed, mishpat, tsedaqah, Jeremiah 9:24
[1] Romans 2:14-15
This I like. You ask if those who do not ‘believe’ are acting with hesed, mishpat or tsedaqah are delighting YHVH even if they don’t know it, but I can tell you that we are hardwired for love. Oh, they know He is delighted, all right. How? We always can tell, for we actually experience His delight when we please Him. We are designed for reward, and that delight is the reward we all want most. We learn to love because of the feedback loop that activates all the pleasure centers that addictions vainly try to recreate or activate in all the wrong ways. The real stuff is much better! Anybody can learn love through this design!
Yes, Seeker, doctrine not necessary! IF you are following those rewards correctly, that is. I think that would be analogous to being “open to the Spirit”, but this is slippery ground, for we are very susceptible to listening to snakes in the grass telling us that they are the voice of that reward. I think we would be safer just sticking with the reward system directly!
Hello out there. Just a quick reminder we are also encouraged to do. If we see anything good in a person let them know it is of G -D
This is a nice contrast from Micah 6:8 (what the LORD requires) to Jeremiah 9:24 (what delights the LORD). The former has often been comforting to me because of its simplicity, particularly when teaching. But the latter convinces me that I know God, and it is my belief that others experience that same knowing.
Hey Gayle,
Great point! I agree, they eo work hand in hand.
Do you remember that Micah 6:8 song that Maranatha put out so long ago? That is actually how i came to know the Scripture and I love it. I wish i could find it again. I hear it in my head, but haven’t heard it in its original form for a long time.
Yes, I remember it. (I just put “maranatha micah 6:8” into the you tube search bar, and it came right up.) I also have greatly benefited from so many groups of a few decades ago, that made it their mission, to share scripture through music. We just don’t forget it so easily.
i thought of youtube as soon as i hit post. I love that song. and yes, scripture put to music is an amazing tool.
Amen and amen. Turns out, THIS (and not the hokey pokey) is what it’s all about!
Praise YHVH that He cares so intimately for us that He gives us HIS instructions for living! HIS Desires for our hearts carried out is life. (Nobody said it was going to be easy. We actually have to do hesed, mishpat and tsedaqah to/for people WE DON’T EVEN LIKE!!! Now THAT is sacrificial love. Ouch.)
Skip, you said it beautifully. Thank you so much.
Skip.
I do not follow the 613, but I do not disobey their intent. I honour and try to achieve them in my interactions. So do I find those proclaiming to promote them who just disrespect others and only consider their achievements…
I do not promote messianic lordship. King of kings etc. I proclaim God in control when we humble ourselves to the things that please him. The two commandments of love…
Does this make me a lost case… So be it.
Do I appreciate the commandments and judgements 100% they teach me how to be righteous.
Does God condemn me, will only discover when I cannot do anything to change the outcome.
Is this not why the bible reflects God is a God for the living not the dead…
When are we living and when dead…
I’ve been shown the scriptures that speak of them being anointed for teaching in righteousness for rebuking etc. Are referring to the Old Testament remember also the teachings that your forefathers had told you , I’ve Been Told that the only scriptures the apostles had were the Old Testament scriptures? What do you think?
I thought this to be true once but the more I read their translated writings the more I noticed that they must have had other references as well. Then the possibility also exist that the other records created by the other apostles followers or the other apostles self could have been available. I just wonder where did they get these from… Given their travel and postage systems.
True love would answer: “It pleases me to please You..”
~ I take joy in doing Your will, my God, for Your instructions are written on my heart ~
(Psalm 40.8)
A couple of years ago my sister who is a non-practising Christian asked me, “what do I think happens to people such as a couple of her Nordic friends who are avowed atheists, but are also the most loving, sharing, helpful people she knows, whose children are also model respectful students and all of them give much more to society than they take?
I said, I don’t know but the first commandment (meaning the most important) effectively tells us to put God first so….? Her blunt reply did not sit too well with me but it cut to the quick as it should have.
Who really “delights the Lord” indeed?
Only God will truly have this answer.
we know someone by their fruits, and similarly we learn and know about God’s through the commandments and teachings (though it helps to practise them); the first commandment then is in essence to love what is good with all our hearts, mind, and being
I think many practise this in all but name and we see even without the personal awareness of these commandments many will ask ‘did I really do this for you’ when the Messiah will govern the nations (Matthew 25:34 – 38)