Whatever It Takes
Make me understand the way of Your precepts, and I will meditate on Your wonders. Psalm 119:27 NASB
Make me – Not many of us would willingly ask God to do what the psalmist asks. He uses the Hebrew bîn which means“understand, consider, perceive, prudent, regard.”[1] That seems pretty tame.
The verb and its derivatives are used 247 times. Its main English usage is “understanding” or “insight.” The background idea of the verb is to “discern,” and this lies behind the derivative nouns and the close relation derived from the substantive bayin (see below) from which comes the preposition bên “between.” The combination of these words, “discern between” is used in I Kgs 3:9, “That I may discern between good and evil.” bîn includes the concept of distinguishment that leads to understanding.
The verb refers to knowledge which is superior to the mere gathering of data. It is necessary to know how to use knowledge one possesses (Pirke Abot 3:12). The verb yādaʿ (q.v.) can also mean “understanding” in the sense of ability (e.g. Esau as a skillful hunter). It can also mean “to be perceptive,” (Ps 73:22). However, yādaʿ generally describes the process whereby one gains knowledge through experience with objects and circumstances. bîn is a power of judgment and perceptive insight and is demonstrated in the use of knowledge.[2]
Wouldn’t you love to have divine insight into God’s oversight of humanity? Wouldn’t it be nice to respond to those who say, “Well, God’s way are not our ways,” with “Yes, but the Lord has revealed to me precisely what He’s doing.” We’d all like to understand, consider, and regard God’s precepts (Remember that that word is? Piqqûdîm. The exercise of oversight. No doubt you’ve asked yourself more than once, “Lord, help me understand why things are happening like this?” But it’s unlikely you’d use the Hif’il imperative. Why? Because the last thing we really want is for God to make us understand. That means “by any measure necessary.” Do you really want God to use all His powers to get you to see what He is doing? What might that mean?
Well, Jeremiah knows. “Cursed be the day I was born! May the day my mother bore me not be blessed! Cursed be the man who brought my father the news, who made him very glad, saying, ‘A child is born to you—a son!’” (Jeremiah 20:14-15). So does Hosea, and Isaiah (“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Isaiah 6:5). You might be able to list a few more of the prophets, men to whom God revealed what He was doing. It wasn’t comfortable. But it’s what the poet wants. Make me! Do whatever You need to do. I’m ready.
Are you?
Topical Index: bîn, understand, insight, Jeremiah 20:14-15, Isaiah 6:5, Psalm 119:27
[1] Goldberg, L. (1999). 239 בִּין. In R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer Jr., & B. K. Waltke (Eds.), Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (electronic ed., p. 103). Moody Press.
[2] Ibid.
You want answers? Truth? You (and I) can’t handle the truth! God’s damnation is right, just and true for each and every one of us!
”And no one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven— the Son of Man” “What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘It is necessary for you to be born from above.’ “ (Cf. John 3:3-8)
“God’s damnation is right, just and true for each and everyone of us!” Hellfire and damnation, interesting. Don’t hear much of this in Hebraic circles. Will you be so understanding if this happens to you? Just a query of thought, not a challenge.
And a piercing inquiry, indeed! One that has a sobering effect on the essential nature of my understanding… and the hope of salvation that is framed within that understanding as well!
Piercing indeed for all of us! What if the only judgment will be is the question, How have you treated your fellow men/women during your journey of life?
As has been stated, “Everybody goes to hell in somebody else’s religion.”
Our faith should sustain us but it must also ignite the fire of love, understanding and compassion for those who walk this existence with us.
Yes, Bill… but by what means or by whom is “the fire of love, understanding and compassion for those who walk this existence with us” ignited? Is it simply a matter of human nature or will alone? And if not, by what means or of whose nature is such consideration “ignited” toward those existing with us?
The Apostle John said this, “God is love, and the one who resides in love resides in God, and God resides in him. By this love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because just as that one is, so also are we in this world… We love, because he first loved us. If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar, for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen is not able to love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: that the one who loves God should love his brother also.” (Cf. NewTestament, John chapter 4)
The Apostle then goes on (chapter 5) to say, “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been fathered by God, and everyone who loves the father also loves the child fathered by him. By this we know that we love the children of God: whenever we love God and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God: that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, because everyone who is fathered by God conquers the world.”
It is precisely the holy nature of this love… the love of God, the Father, for those he has fathered… that demands he must say, “…these will depart into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” It is not of any human will, intention, purpose, prerogative or determination… rather, it is only by the love of God.