Spoke and Wheel
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2 NASB
Take refuge – In the Semitic world, metaphors are often linked to tangible entities, especially geographical locations. Sometimes a word that has some application in the physical world is more often at home in the metaphorical world. Such seems to be the case with this word, hasa. Consider the analysis in TWOT:
While it is used literally of taking shelter from a rainstorm (Isa 4:6; 25:4; Job 24;8) or from any danger in the high hills (Ps 104:18), it is more often used figuratively of seeking refuge and thus putting confident trust whether in any god (Deut 32:37) or in the “shadow” (protection) of any major power such as Egypt (Isa 30:2; cf. the plant in the parable of Jud 9:15).
This idea of taking refuge may well derive from the common experience of fugitives or of men at war, for whom the adjacent hills provided a ready “safe height” or “strong rock” to which the often helpless defender could hurry for protection. In this way the noun maḥseh “place of refuge” is used as a synonym of māʿôz “stronghold,” miśgāb “secure height,” or mānôs “place of escape.”
As is the case with the parallel terms, the “rock” (ṣûr, Ps 62:7), “rock of my refuge” (ṣûr maḥsî Ps 94:22), “the shield, cover” (māgēn, Ps 144:2; Prov 30:5), or the “wings” denoting protection (Ruth 2:12; Ps 17:8; 36:7 [H 8]), the “Refuge” is used as an epithet for God. He above all is the Refuge (maḥseh, Ps 14:6; 46:1 [H 2]; 62:8; 91:9), the Shelter (Ps 61:3 [H 4], KJV), the “strong Refuge” (Ps 71:7), and Fortress (Ps 91:2). God is ever the sole refuge of his people. Trust in him (godliness) protects the individual by its solidarity (Prov 14:26; Jn 4:10). The Qal stem of ḥāsâ is primarily used of man putting trust in God as his Rock (II Sam 22:3), Strength (Ps 18:2 [H 3]), and Stronghold (neb “sure refuge,” Nah 1:7). It is always better to trust in God rather than to trust (bāṭaḥ) in princes (Ps 118:8–9). He acts as the shield or cover (māgēn) of all who take refuge in him (II Sam 22:31; Ps 18:30 [H 31]).[1]
David’s verb choice recalls all of these connections. Trust, strength, covering, protection and safety are all tied to hasa. hasa is the center of a wheel, every spoke a nuance that expands the idea. Do you take refuge in YHVH? Don’t be too quick to answer. Give it some thought. Do you really look to Him for your safety or are you keeping one eye on the bank account? Do you really trust Him or are you holding back an ace to play if things get tough? Do you really feel secure in His care or are you enlisting your own safety net? How much refuge in YHVH really shows in your life?
Topical Index: refuge, hasa, Psalm 18:2
[1] Wiseman, D. J. (1999). 700 חָסָה. In R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer, Jr. & B. K. Waltke (Eds.), Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer, Jr. & B. K. Waltke, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (307–308). Chicago: Moody Press.
In your view, then, believers should eschew many precautions in life; e.g., insurance, some of which Proverbs considers prudent? Is insurance where legally enjoined Biblical? Should real believers make a case for exclusion based upon freedom of religion or decline to drive, and so forth? I think a sentence or two in the article about such ramifications would be helpful.
All good questions. But don’t put words in my mouth. I asked if you were holding back in some areas where trust in the Lord is important. I did not ask if you had life insurance, etc. The manifestations of your personal trust issues are yours alone. I can easily imagine situations where life insurance is the prudent thing to do AND DOES NOT violate the ultimate trust in God. But there are other circumstances where getting life insurance is a clear sign of lack of trust. As always, it depends. How you live out the IMPLICATIONS of Torah often depends on the circumstances. For example, spending a week in a Sukka in Nome, Alaska is not advisable.
One of the penchants of Western thinking is the need for universally applicable regulations or principles. Since X is a commandment, all must do it in the Y way. But Torah was given to a particular tribe in a particular land during a particular time. Application in other situations requires finesse.
Finesse. That’s a bit of an understatement! 🙂
Anyone available for a discussion on witchcraft? I have a family member involved in the Wiccan practices. Other than prayer which needs to be first and foremost…any suggestions? I do not want to be judgemental towards this individual.
bill schnoebelen has a book out called ‘Wicca, Satan’s Little White Lie’. It will help immensely. Find it on Amazon, get 2, they are small (jk).
Email me at repins@juno.com for other resources.
Thank you. Will go check it out. As the “keeper” of my grandchildren I do not want to offend this individual…yet I do not want to forsake or be drawn away from what I have come to believe.
Know your enemy. Sun Tzu.
Your best approach is to educate yourself on what it is, where it came from and where it can lead.
Ditch the quoting Scriptures approach and just respond w/facts lovingly presented.
Expect the tension but let it be one sided. Truth in unshakeable and confidence can be misinterpreted as arrogance. Let it be a misinterpretation. (don’t be arrogant).
Thank you…I was looking at some info. I will be in prayer about it.. Most of all I need to love and respect this individual. Most of the people around me do not even believe there is a God or hate Him. I try my best to be an example rather than speak out.
Kathleen, our prayers are with you for your grandchildren, and the family. May truth shine into their lives to see and seek YHWH. May that person be delivered from that deception. Amein.
May ABBA’s shalom fill you, and with wisdom to handle the situation. Amein.
Are we really trusting Him?
It’s a question that comes to the fore again and again.
We’re practicing ?
I look at what Skip said and I can’t help but see how much the Lord shows me what I really trust in. He has allowed a lot of things to happen (not good, even tragic). They are all designed to remove the false “fig leaf” that I put in place so that HE can be the GROOM that rescues and gives refuge. Sadly, I still haven’t completely trusted HIM in some areas. Please help us Lord!