Mistakes Will Be Made
He has given freely to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be exalted in honor. Psalm 112:9 NASB
Horn – In Hebrew, the word qeren means both the literal horn like the horn of an animal and the figurative expression of power. The mistranslation of this word as literal horns resulted in Michelangelo’s representation of Moses with horns. The translation should have described Moses with radiant streams like horns coming from his face after his encounter with God on Sinai. It is this figurative meaning that the psalmist uses in this verse. The author does not have cornucopia in mind. He is writing about power, not plenty. “Schmidt further notes that whereas teeth, mouth and claws are images of violent exercise of force, the horn denotes physical might and power. It is for God to exalt or trample down the horn; when men exalt their horn, it denotes arrogance (Ps 75:4–5). Consequently, ‘horn’ becomes a symbol for men endowed with such power (Dan 8:20–21).”[1]
What kind of power does the man of God possess? Actually, none! The man of God is a channel for the power of God. He does not possess the power at all. In fact, in Hebrew there is no word for possession as if a man permanently held ownership. All is loaned. God is the only owner. So what kind of power does the man of God exhibit? Anything God wants to do through him and, at the same time, nothing at all. God is on display, not the man of God. The key to this “horn” is its transparency. When it is exhibited, the man disappears behind the hand of the Lord. We might want to rethink our penchant for titles and positions in the religious world. The reason that the man of God will be exalted is simply because we can see God’s handiwork through him. And not much else.
It’s difficult for us to be used without credit, isn’t it? We want just that little bit of recognition for all our hard work. In fact, we even have laws that demand we be credited. Proper citation. Infringement. Copyright. Plaques. Street signs. You name it; we want it. The eternal quest for validation. But the man of God seeks a different kind of recognition—the recognition of anonymity. God knows. That’s enough.
Is it enough for you?
Topical Index: horn, qeren, power, recognition, Psalm 112:9
[1] Coppes, L. J. (1999). 2072 קָרַן. R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer Jr., & B. K. Waltke (Eds.), Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (electronic ed., p. 816). Chicago: Moody Press.
Perhaps it’s used because horns are hollow and often were used as cups?
No one ‘discovers’ or invents reality, but that is what truth is. This is why truth cannot be patented or credited.
But that is not the only problem. Truth has a peculiar effect on people; it either rings a bell or it shines a light. It either confirms or it exposes. Either way, the messenger, or medium, is beside the point. The one whose bell got rung says; of course, I suspected that already. The one who got the light shone on their carefully crafted dark spot is going to be looking to shoot the messenger.
Credit is for people who come up with something that allows others to not have to change, I suspect. I think I may have lived too long.
Laurita, This post, I suspect, may have struck something in you that you weren’t yet able to fully process before commenting, because your usual erudite commentary always either illuminates me or challenges me, but your words on this subject baffles me and leaves me wanting clarification. I admit that sometimes I have to read your posts several times, often slowly and even aloud to grasp what you are saying, but I am usually rewarded and illuminated, but those tricks haven’t helped me this time. Maybe it’s just me or maybe you were rushed, but please try again. Your views, opinions and thoughts are to me (and I suspect to many readers) not just among the best of the best comments but (almost) an addendum to the original content. (Maybe Skip will allow you to change your name on this site to “anonymous” if you are concerned with the credit issue?) In love. Michael
Michael, thank you for giving me a caveat in case I needed one (sure! I always can use one!), but thank you even more for ENGAGING. That is what I need the most. Feed back. Correction, etc. but mostly just have where you are at meet me where I am at. I need connection the most. We all need connection! The most! BTW, you are way, way too kind to me. I am not near that kind to myself, for sure. But to answer your question…
For starters, if Skip would let me be anonymous, I would. That would be great! But, unfortunately, on his site, anyway, I have to take responsibility for what I say.
We were talking about truth, which is not the same thing as information, etc. Truth for truth’s sake is in a singular category which no one – I am going to stand behind my statement here – can claim credit for. Other things, sure. Truth, no.
Look at Jeremiah telling the truth. I bet he would have LOVED to be anonymous! Did the people who did listen to him listen because they thought what he said originated with him? No. If you thought Jeremiah was just making it up, you wouldn’t listen either. The ones who wanted to think he was, were shooting at him. Truth, I believe, is all about connection. Jeremiah was connected with the source of truth. There was his validity; the fact that it WASN’T him.
I learn with my mouth open, unfortunately. What I say can be easily amended by any input from anyone. I don’t have to worry about representing the truth (although I try to only say what I believe is the truth at the time), nor credit because I am still just trying to learn. What I say anybody can pass on, and they don’t need to reference me, either. To the extent that I DO happen to say something true, it did NOT come from me, but is just passing through. If there is credit, it isn’t mine, and if you want to shoot me, well, I’m just the messenger, and truth won’t die with me.
That probably did not answer your question, but I have to get back to grouting stone on my front walk. Later.
Laurita, Thanks for your response. It helped, but you are right when you stated: “that probably did not answer your question”! It wasn’t, however, for a lack of effort on your part, but mine. Somehow the one section I was really requesting clarification about got left on the cutting floor of my editing department! So I apologize if I seem to be the Emperor of Caveats. It was mainly the concluding thoughts that most befuddled me. I slogged my way through the main part regarding the bells and lights, but admittedly I got lost in the thickets of: “Credit is for people who come up with something that allows others to not have to change” (though now after oft repetitions I think I finally got it). But, I am still completely stuck in the boggy slough phrase: “I think I may have lived too long”…I trust you aren’t and believe you haven’t. In His love, Michael
You are right, Michael. I did not finish my sentences, and am sorry to make you work when I should have done that work. I will try to complete thoughts in future. Your patience with me is above and beyond what I deserve. Thank you for another chance!
Finish sentence #1: “Credit is for people who come up with something that allows others to not have to change” is too harsh and broad. I should have clarified “credit” better. What I think I had in mind was that the world runs a value system that TENDS TO reward confirmation bias, and value is accorded to what validates what already is, as a rule. We think we award innovation, but usually only when it makes it easier to be what we already are. Reason: the world is stuck in what is. If you don;t sound anything like anyone else already does, you are automatically invalidated, as a rule. The more sources you can cite, the more cred you get. We may think this protects us from bull leavings, but it also means we have effectively cut ourselves off from everything else that could have been.
Finish sentence #2: “I think I may have lived too long TO be able to think that people want to change.” Its because they have tried and can’t – without help, any way, which kills it for most.
Got any more of those fantastic caveats, O Emperor? I could get used to that stuff!
Hi to Arnella, hope you can see me waving to you!
Ahhh. Much, much better. I can see clearly now! I agree with both thoughts- now that they are complete. Thank you for your patience and kindness. He isn’t finished changing you by any stretch of His immagination, so please start being kinder to one of the best of His glorious creations … YOU!
While His arm is not too short to save, my arm is too short to wave… as we are spending our final few days tabernacling in Jerusalem before returning to Jamaica next week. Shalom!
Thank you Michael. Again! I will start by copying your kindness, and thank you for it. You are always a gentleman. And with that peerless humor to boot!
Is Arnella there, too? If so, you have one of the best of tour guides, I am quite sure!
I figure the One with the arm “long enough to save” can do the waving for us, too. May we be one in the Spirit. A little piece of me is with you there. My love to both of you.
If you’ve ever been around goats or sheep you’ll get it. With a he goat, don’t turn your back r look him in the eye. If you do his head goes down and the horn is displayed. Trouble is, there’s always another younger stronger he goat comin’ up. Actually it’s easy to let God engage in the head butting, He never wears out or loses His strength. Just make sure you always say what He says.
Thank you Robert Lafoy. I didn’t get the picture of horn as power until you posted. Shalom!