Abraham – David – Hebrews – Solomon
With reproofs You chasten a man for iniquity; You consume as a moth what is precious to him; surely every man is a mere breath. Selah Psalm 39:11 NASB
Precious– Do you suppose that David took a page from the life of Abraham, and that the author of Hebrews borrowed the same page from the life of David? Consider the connection between the Akedah, David’s statement and the exhortation in Hebrews. Abraham is asked to sacrifice what is most precious to him. David’s poem recalls that sacrifice and the legacy of trauma it perpetuated. What is precious to him has also been taken, namely, the first-born child of Bathsheba. Abraham might not have been punished in the Akedah, but the result was the same. The child was lost. Life’s fragile and fleeting moments of joy are washed away by the hand of God. The author of Hebrews writes:
You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.” (Hebrews 12:4-6)
But he is also citing Proverbs:
My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord or loathe His reproof, (Proverbs 3:11)
From Abraham (Genesis) to David (Psalms) to the apostolic writings (Hebrews) and back to Solomon (Proverbs), the Scriptures connect the dots. Each passage helps us understand the whole and the circumstances of each author illuminate the others.
David’s poem employs the Hebrew term ḥāmad (desire, delight). The word itself provides other connections. It is the same word used to describe the trees in the Garden of Delight (Eden). But that means it also describes the forbidden tree. ḥāmad is central to the story of the forbidden tree as it describes the “desire” to eat from it. The word appears in Song of Songs, describing the woman’s lover with great delight (Song 2:3). And, of course, it also describes God’s desire and delight in Jerusalem (Psalm 68:16). This bipolar word is also associated with the Messiah. “Though God’s anointed king appears as the desire of Israel (I Sam 9:20; contrast II Chr 21:20), Isaiah must predict for the messianic servant an absence of beauty, that we should desire (ḥāmad), ‘be drawn to’ him (53:2).”[1] We see that connections abound, not just with the concepts in the verses but also with the vocabulary itself. And once again, we are back to the biblical game of CLUE.
Topical Index: ḥāmad, connections, Psalm 39:11, Hebrews 12:4-6, Proverbs 3:11
[1]Payne, J. B. (1999). 673 חָמַד. R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer Jr., & B. K. Waltke (Eds.), Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament(electronic ed., p. 295). Chicago: Moody Press.
ANNOUNCEMENT:
The first weekend in November I will be speaking at the NCS retreat in upstate New York. There are two different sessions. The first is for men only. We will be studying the Hebrew idea of community and its importance for personal restoration.
The second is for couples. It starts on Saturday night. That conference will concentrate on the work in Guardian Angel and continue with a practical workshop for those who attend.
I have been informed that there are still open spots for these sessions, so if you want to attend, CLICK here for the information.
Connecting the dots in the Scriptures provide breath-taking
evidence to the astounding and intricate details of God’s
truthful ways that have been divinely interwoven and meticulously
established by His Spirit over all the many years and through
all the diverse writers who contributed to this wonderous Book.
Only God Himself could pull this off. And thanks for today’s
specific dots.
Skip, re the NCS, I wasn’t aware of your connection. Back in the
late 90’s and early 2000’s, I spent my early Friday mornings at
Jim Lane’s home in New Canaan, CT. Such wonderful memories.
Rich, if you are still in the CT area, come join us. It is actually at Jiminy Peak in Hancock, MA–not far from CT.
Thanks, Paul, but FL has been home for 14 years. Just a tad warmer!
the verse cited 1 Samuel 9:20 I think is wrong nothing to do with “Though God’s anointed king appears as the desire of Israel.” which is the correct verse?
the verse is correct. “Though God’s anointed king . . .” is the citation from the author, not the verse. The verse is about Saul as the desired king.
So interesting that you mentioned the verses on discipline/ chastening /scourging. I feel like I have been in a season of being disciplined. It has been brutal. But it is during that season that I have begun to see and understand so much of what has happened in my life and what is happening now. I feel like I am in the “afterwords “portion of that verse . No discipline at present seems to be joyous, but grievous, but AFTERWARDS it reaps or yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness! It is proof of my son ship and that I am not illegitimate.
I’ve entered into a season of joy and peace, despite circumstances.
I am surprised in the Christian community I’m involved in that they have such a hard time when I talk to them about this . I tell them that I’m not saying that God is punishing me, rather he is teaching me, training me, correcting me. They say, “you’re just being hard on yourself!” Like it says in Timothy, “all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable/beneficial for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness that the man of God maybe perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works“.
It felt like this season of discipline was never going to end. It SEEMED like no matter where I turn I was constantly recognizing my poor decisions/ choices/behavior. Sometimes we confuse instruction and correction with condemnation. Sometimes we need to feel uncomfortable, it’s a necessary part of growing in God. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus but there is discipline. Also in the middle of all of it recognizing that God is teaching me that he never leaves me although quite often it feels like he has disappeared. But those feelings are lies. I know that I am in his company whether I feel like it or not! So we walk by faith and not by our senses ! I was like the child, ( insecure) who has a fit when the parent leaves the room, because he assumes the parent has left the house! Even though he leaves the room, he still remains in the house forever. What an awesome God we serve!
Hi Larry. I can relate to your experiances in many, many ways. I can confirm it actually is the way of Yeshua… (Hebrews 5:8)Just sayin..You said it so well. It seems the end of the lesson’s actually begin when we join James in 1:2-8 who suggests ” – My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” N.K.J.V.
P.S you might remind yourself that the word perfect is generally a miss-translation of the Hebrew for “whole or complete”. Perfection is a Greek word that is entirely theoretical and not actually attainable.
Pss in Hebrews 5:8 the word obiediance better translates as ” to listen attentively “.