Hebrew Word Studies

Introduction You will keep him in perfect peace (shalom, shalom),  Whose mind is stayed on You,  Because he trusts in You.  — Isaiah 26:3 The idea and experience of peace sometimes elude us as we live in this chaotic, fallen world and in these bodies of flesh. Our thoughts can become as storm-tossed as a raging sea in these times and conditions. The passage above calls us back to our right mind, right thinking, and rightful positions as children of another kingdom, not of this world.  The Hebrew word translated "mind" in this passage is "yatzar," meaning to frame or form in the mind, with the concept of purpose and intention. It also includes meditative thought. "Yatzar" is the first word in the sentence in Hebrew, showing that perfect peace begins with framing our thoughts and being purposeful and intentional about them. Framing Thoughts By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made ...

  Introduction While reading my interlinear Hebrew Bible, one verse stood out. Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law. — Psalm 119:18 Next, I was doing my New Testament reading for the day, and this was one of the verses.   ... And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. — Luke 24:45 I also have a daily verse on my Google homepage from Bible Gateway, and it was the verse of the day.  The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant. — Psalm 25:14 The first thing that came to mind concerning these verses is the ultimate privilege of having access to His written Word and, more importantly, His Holy Spirit to teach and reveal the depths of its meaning to us.  ... the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things.  — John 14:26 The truth is hidden from us apart from the Holy Spirit's revealing work. Without His work in us, we canno...

Joseph's Dreams by James Tissot Brooklyn Museum Where the Lesson Began In January 2011, our church held a women's conference called "Dreams." The focus was on dreams, including God's plans and purposes for you. Three questions were asked during our small-group activity, which included nearly 20 women in two groups: How many of you are sure of God's plan and purpose for your life, specifically?  How many of you have an idea of what God's plan and purpose for your life is?  How many of you have no idea what the plan is?   I imagined that most people would be at different stages of discovering the plans and purposes for their lives. I expected that most people would raise their hands for the second question, assuming they might have an idea but hadn't quite grasped the details or how to work it out. I was surprised that no one raised their hand for the first question. Two people raised their hands for the second question, and everyone else raised their ha...

  I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart - Psalm 9:1 Psalm 9 This lesson explores the power of praise and worship through Psalm 9. This Psalm combines the ideas of praising God and being rescued from enemy forces. I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad, and I will rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. When my enemies turn back, They shall fall and perish at Your presence. — Psalm 9:1-3 In English, the phrase "When my enemies turn back" in the above verse sounds passive and disconnected from the acts of praise being displayed. The Hebrew text reads more literally. "In turning my enemies backward they will stumble and perish at Your presence" The Hebrew rendering more clearly shows how our praise to God is closely connected to, and invitational to, God's presence, which actively and aggressively turns our enemies back. This idea is confirmed in the Psalm right bef...