The Semitic equivalent to elpizomenon is sbr which is the Semitic root word for a positive imagination. Although Paul most likely wrote this in Greek, He was Jewish and had a Semitic mind and was fluent in Aramaic and Hebrew. The word hope in Greek is elpizomenon which means to expect or anticipate. In Hebrews 11:1 Paul tells us that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. His imaginations will become our imaginations. When our imaginations cover God, His peace will become our peace. The word stayed is samuk which is like a mattress covering, it is an overlay. God will keep us in perfect peace if our imaginations are stayed on him. We begin to imagine ourselves as homeless, on a street corner with a tin cup. We hear the news on the economy and we begin to imagine that we will loose our job and if we loose our job we imagine what will happen to us if we do. Much of our stress and anxiety comes from our imaginations. Hence God will guard over our imaginations with perfect peace. The word yeser comes from a Semitic root sbr which is a word used for imagination. Both are spelled with a Sade and Resh which represents a humble submission to the Holy Spirit. This is sort of a play on the word for keep. The word mind in the Hebrew that is used here is yeser. So too if God is our captain, we will draw courage from Him.
If they see their captain is not afraid, they will draw courage from that. A true leader will be able to instill courage in his followers. If a commander leads his troops into battle and is expressing fear, his followers will be fearful. The way we gain access to this peace is by having our minds stayed on him. It is not only rest, but it is also healing, safety, and security, hey whatever goodies you name you will most likely find it in the word shalom.īut we must keep in mind that He is this perfect peace. Now the word shalom has a wide range of meaning. God Himself is at perfect peace, or the best peace. So this is not just peace, but the best peace, better than the world can give according to Jesus (John 14:27). Hebrew grammar does not have comparative and superlative adjectives like good, better, best. It is simply the word shalom repeated two times. The word perfect is not found in the Hebrew here. We are fearful, worried, and we go to God and He’s says: “Hey, I’m in control, it’s ok.” And do you know what? Suddenly, it is ok. We face a frightening situation or crisis. His calm, peaceful response reassures you. After all if the doctor says you are ok, what do you have to worry about. You go to a doctor who smiles and says: “You’re ok.” Suddenly, all your fears and worries disappear, you sigh with relief. You worry and fret and you have no peace. Look at it this way, it is sort of like when you notice you have physical problem, your first thought is that you have cancer, or some fatal illness. So it is not so much that he is giving us or keeping us in perfect peace but he is watching over us in perfect peace. The word for keep is tisor which in its Semitic root has the idea of guarding or watching over. The context makes it clear that it is Jehovah who will keep us in perfect peace. If you wish to make perfect peace your New Year’s resolution for 2014 you are welcomed to follow me on my personal journey through Isaiah 26:3. Surely thirty five years of studying and teaching ancient Semitic languages ought to count for something, so I shall sharpen up my Hebrew grammar and break this verse down step by step. Then I start getting stressed out that there must be something wrong with my relationship with God if I am not experiencing the fulfillment of this promise. I try with all my might to keep my mind stayed on Jesus, but I just don’t seem to experience that perfect peace. I am certain this works for a lot of people but I don’t seem to be one of them. I don’t know about you, but like so many other New Year resolutions my determination to keep my mind stayed on Jesus and live in perfect peace last about as long as my resolution to stay away from Big Macs. With world and national events moving the way they are, perfect peace would be a great promise to claim. Perhaps a good New Year’s resolution would be to keep one’s mind stayed on Jesus rather than the news coming over the internet. Indeed, for many, the prospects are often frightening and worrisome.
Most of us on New Year’s Eve not only reflect on the events of the past year but we also ponder what may be in the New Year.
If you are in the habit of claiming a verse for the New Year, might I suggest a great verse for 2014, it is Isaiah 26:3. Isaiah 26:3: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trust in you.”
0 kommentar(er)
