trapperhoney

13 hours ago, Jerry said:

Here is a word that is translated "ever" 24 times, usually in the phrase "for ever." Twice it is translated "strength."

1 Samuel 15:29 And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.

Interesting that the word Strength in the verse above has this meaning:
“from 5329; properly, a goal, i.e. the bright object at a distance travelled towards… usually (adverbially), continually (i.e. to the most distant point of view).”
Strong’s # 5329 has this definition:
“properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent… to excel, be bright, be preeminent, be perpetual, be overseer, be enduring.”

The picture that comes to my mind is that of travelling towards a city and seeing the bright lights off in the distance, knowing that those lights bring you closer and closer to your destination, your home. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Strength of Israel - He’s the bright object in the distance, dwelling with Him forever in Heaven is the goal we are travelling towards. Our eternal home is in Him.

That is interesting, but it has no connection to the word used as "for ever" in this verse and therefore doesn't fit in with the passage and doesn't really add to the conversation.

40 minutes ago, BrotherTony said:

. There's no doctrinal reason to leave, and the Lord still wants us there.

That's where we are at the moment. Kind of in a "holding pattern." Doing what we can and waiting to see where the Lord leads.

I was working on my Bible study lesson, and saw a lot in it today. I first go through the passage, this week it is Psalm 119:105-112 with the heading NUN, and define words, then I read the corresponding chapter from Spurgeon's The Golden Alphabet. After that I work through the workbook lesson. All three usually bring things to mind that I can interconnect.

In relation to verse 105, which states, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Spurgeon explains, "Having no fixed lamps in eastern towns, in old time each passenger carried a lantern with him, that he might not fall into the open sewer, or stumble over the heaps of ordure which defiled the road." I found it interesting, and more relatable, knowing that individuals had to possess their own light sources in order to get around. This is exactly where we are at. Each person on earth needs their own light source to survive and make their way in the world. Some choose inferior sources (nature, humanist philosophy, etc.) which leaves them stumbling and lost. The Christian has the Word of God. But how well it lights our way and keeps us from stumbling is directly related to how much of it we hide in our heart and turn to for guidance. Just having it is enough to light the way to keep from stumbling, the more we know, though, the brighter the path gets and the more detail we can see.  This also reminded me of the parable of the Ten Virgins and their lamps in Matthew 25. Five had tended their lamps and kept them ready, five had not. The wise virgins had light to draw upon when they needed it, and the other five were left in the dark. Staying in the Word keeps the oil level in our heart where it needs to be, so it can be used at a moment's notice.

In verse 106 David says, "I have sworn...." The Hebrew word for sworn is 'shaba' and means seven. When making a legally binding oath, the person swore, or stated, his declaration seven times to indicate his sincerity and obligation to abide by what he was stating. So this is a serious promise, basically a covenant, that he is entering into with the Lord, that he will keep God's righteous judgments. 

Verse 107 says, "I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according to thy word." The Hebrew word is 'chayah' and means to live or revive. For the unsaved it would mean to be made alive, and for the Christian is means to be stirred up or brought back to life. I immediately thought of Psalm 51:12, "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit." Spurgeon made an interesting comment, "Frequently the affliction is made the means of the quickening, even as the stirring of a fire promotes the heat of the flame."

My husband has been doing an informal study on worship. People talk about worship, but from what we have seen what they call a 'worship service' is actually just a 'feel-good' service' because the focus is on them and not God. Hubby asked a group of preachers what worship was. One gave a definition he liked, I don't remember it exactly, but basically it was when someone is suddenly so moved by the truth and reality of God and his presence that you are moved to praise.  In verse 108 is says, "Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings or my mouth...." The Hebrew word for 'freewill offerings' is 'nedabah' and means 'spontaneity.'  Spurgeon says, "He pleads that the homage of his mouth was cheerfully and spontaneously rendered: all is utterances were freewill offerings." This all is sounding a lot like what the one preacher told hubby. So is a freewill offering worship? He will be looking into that.  Spurgeon goes on to say, "There can be no value in extorted confessions, God's revenues are not derived from forced taxation, but from freewill donations."  It struck me that 'forced taxation' would equate with the sacrifices under the Law, and that 'freewill offerings' would equate to the cheerful giving of those who are now under Grace. I particularly liked this quote from Spurgeon, "there is no work of free grace where there is no fruit of freewill."

Verse 110 says, "The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts."

The enemy is cunning, crafty and deceitful.  There is always an element of truth in what he presents us, and that is what captures our attention, but then he subtily and cunningly twists it slowly but surely until it is no where close to the truth and we have been drawn away. My husband was a trapper as a teenager. In order to be successful at trapping he had to understand the animals he was trying to catch. He had to know what their food sources were, where those food sources could be found, what the animal did when it was hunting and stalking it's food, the movement habits of the animal when it was moving from area to area looking for food. He had to basically get inside the mind of the animal, know how it would react to new things in it's environment, etc. Spurgeon says, "Hunters set their traps in the animals' usual runs, and our worst snares are laid in our own ways." A person who abhors drunkenness will not be led to a bar or a party in an attempt to ensnare him. No, the enemy will take something that you like, something you are already inclined to, and will put it right in the paths you are always on. For the Christian, this will involve, most frequently, family or even church. Not every good thing is the right thing. This is why we need to weigh carefully what is presented to us and above all seek God's leading in all matters. 

Spurgeon also said, "From this verse let us learn to be on our guard, for we, too, have enemies both crafty and wicked." It reminded me of the verse in 1 Peter 5:8, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." My husband was at a field training exercise one year, and they were working on convoying and recognizing improvised explosive devices, or booby traps. The commander had set up some booby traps along the route they had to take. Hubby was the only one to spot every one, including the one the commander was very proud of and sure no one would see. But hubby was on alert and he knew what subtle clues to look for. Because of this trapping experience he was familiar with what forest terrain would like like, what was natural and what was man made. Because he had spend years placing and camouflaging traps for animals he knew how to apply this to the situation he was now in -- the hunted. He even spotted a potential ambush point, and alerted the others in the vehicle and urged them to treat it as such, but was chastised and ignored because they were not told that an ambush would be part of the exercise. They continued along the route and ran right into an ambush. We are being hunted by someone who wants to take us down. Being familiar with God's word and living according to his precepts will help us be alert and identify the traps that have been laid for us in our path.

A couple weeks ago I posted what I had learned about "for ever." The word comes up again in verse 111. This word will "for ever" stand out to me, lol.

In the second half of verse 111 it speaks of the rejoicing of the heart. Spurgeon says, "It is not the head knowledge but the heart experience which brings joy." There are a good many Christians that know a lot about the Bible, they may have a lot of the Bible committed to memory, but it hasn't touched their hearts, they haven't truly experienced the truth of God's Word, and they live joyless lives.

"That which rejoices the heart is sure to be chosen and treasured." -- Spurgeon. This brought to mind these verses:

Matthew 5.8
Matthew 6.12
Matthew 12.35
Matthew 22.37
Matthew 12.33
Mark 12.33

Verse 112, "I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end."

The word 'have' is an action word, David has done it to himself. This implies proactive, determined and disciplined action in his life to achieve this state. What came to my mind was a bonsai tree or fancy topiaries in gardens. These things must be trained, wires and guides are used to lock limbs in place to grow the direction that is desired. The person doing this work has to inspect it regularly and make adjustments. It takes time, diligence and dedication. The same is required of us if we want to make the Word such a part of our lives that we live according to God's statutes.

My childhood church, the church I attended college, church after college, church upon being married, church hubby co-pastored, 4 churches after moving out of state. We've been at our current church about 8 years. Every church we went to we intended to stay at, but different incidents and circumstances made it necessary to move.

7 hours ago, farouk said:

@trapperhoneySome helpful thoughts there indeed!

Thank you!

10 minutes ago, Hugh_Flower said:

My church is also going through psalm 119 on Wednesday

that is awesome!

31 minutes ago, Jim_Alaska said:

I have always thought that the word "ever", when used after the word "forever" multiple times, was redundant and uncalled for. Forever is just what it says and adding the word "ever" multiple times does not and cannot make the time span longer.

But that's just me being "picky".

in English that is true, and if I had just gone on that assumption I would have missed this new insight that really made it come more alive for me.

Our church is currently working through Psalm 119 as our Bible study on Wednesday evenings. 

Psalm 119:44
So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.

It pays to look up every word! I work my way through each word in the verse, checking the Hebrew words to see what they mean. In English we use the phrase "forever and ever" to just mean ongoing, to just emphasize that we mean "always." So, I went to look up the first "ever" and assumed they would both be the same Hebrew word. They weren't.
ever = H5769 "olam" properly, concealed; that is, the vanishing point
ever = H5703 "ad" (as in ad infinitum) properly a (peremptory) terminus; that is (by implication) duration,  in the sense of perpetuity
 

So when I looked up both words it indicates that the distance/time period talked about here it to the point that can no longer be seen, and past that, it keeps going, which immediately brought to mind Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story where his call to arms is "To Infinity and Beyond!"

I will always see "for ever and ever" in scripture now as "To Infinity and Beyond" lol. 

It's the little things that make scripture meaningful and memorable.

15 hours ago, farouk said:

Hi @trapperhoneyI've heard the term, using the fleece, to refer generally to persistent prayerful enquiry of God as to His will about specific matters...

I have also used the term, but in reference to asking God to give one a sign to confirm something, much like Gideon did.

2 hours ago, farouk said:

Probably baking cookies into which very carefully measured cannabis resin has been added is a better way of ingesting it medicinally rather than smoking it, isn't it?

There are other options, such as CBD oil or tinctures, many without the concerning THC, and still gives excellent pain relieving benefits. My husband has a serious degenerative arthritis and the VA wants to give him narcotics for the pain. He does not want to become dependent or an addict so he has refused. He has had success with CBD that does not contain the THC that gives the typical side effects.

3 minutes ago, farouk said:

Ms. trapperhoney: So on the subject of diet and natural remedies, etc., what do you think of herbal remedies and marijuana, etc.?

God put plants/herbs here for our benefit. If there is a legitimate health/medical benefit from ANY herb I support it. There is always a danger of abuse, so it needs to be handled carefully. I do not support "recreational" use of any herb/drug. As to specific herbs, that is up to the individual's judgment and conscience to use responsibly.

Amen!

Continuting my research into "DEW"

(Jdg 6:37)  Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said.

(Jdg 6:38)  And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.

(Jdg 6:39)  And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.
 

Here dew was used as a "test" to assure Gideon of God's instructions. So far, from the verses I've read it appears that the dew was considered to be "sent" by God, as well as rain. The people didn't understand the science behind clouds, air pressure, temperature etc. that we now know about which contribute to the formation of these things. But God designed all that, and He can still prevent those things if the conditions are right. Something we tend to forget. But these verses seem to indicate that the arrival of dew was seen as coming from God, which may explain the phrase "dew of heaven."

On 8/25/2021 at 4:53 PM, Ukulelemike said:

God made the official allowance of the eating of meat after Noah and his family left the ark. I suspect, if it was common, to some extent, to eat meat before that, the Lord wouldn't have had to say much. And if they were eating meat before the flood, and it was a sin and a reason for bringing the flood, I don't suspect the Lord would have then allowed it. 

But the main problem is, the Bible is completely silent about it IF people were eating meat before the flood. If it never occurred to them, because all they ate, or needed to eat, was plants, there's no reason to assume they would have. 

Indeed! Possibly the unrighteous were eating meat, but the Bible does not say. Because it is silent on it, and God tells Noah after the flood that animals are now okay to eat I had just assumed they were not eaten before that point. I have also assumed that this change in the diet probably had to do with the changes to the earth that took place during the flood, and those changes would call for a need to change the diet. It is assumed that there was a water canopy that deluged the earth and was no longer there, which would change the earth, and obviously people's lifespans shortened considerably afterward. We can't know for sure because it isn't spelled out in scripture, but those were always my thoughts on it.

21 hours ago, SureWord said:

There are many censored doctors say the vax is causing the variants especially since there are surges during the summer coinciding with the surge.

my husband had a icu nurse come into his office this week, pushing for him to get the vaccine, but then also admitted that it was very likely that the vaccines have created the variants.  Last year, over the summer, transmission rates dropped, just like you would expect. They rose again late fall, during "flu season" just as it would be expected. By February it was dropping again. Then they started pushing the vaccines, and now transmission rates are blowing up during a season you would expect it to be dropping. If we had left things alone it is quite likely it would largely be over by now.

This passage is important in showing what man is really like. They asked Jesus for a sign to prove what he said, but they had already seen a sign -- the feeding of the crowd. What they really wanted was for him to go it again, to provide more free food for them, or something even bigger. They were fixated on their physical needs/desires and completely missing the spiritual implications of what he was telling them. This is frequently true of us when reading scripture.

Right now I'm working on the the "dew" of the Exodus passage and the possibility of it being a picture of the Spirit, especially in light of the Spirit and receiving Christ. Attempting to work through it methodically.

Thank you. I did reference this passage in my original post, though not all the verses you have shared. It is certainly important.

14 hours ago, SureWord said:

The dew came before the manna. I sure there's a good devotional there.

yes, indeed!

So, I decided to look up all verses with the word "dew" in them. The first few in the Bible are interesting:

(Gen 27:28)  Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:

(Gen 27:39)  And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above;

(Exo 16:13)  And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.

(Exo 16:14)  And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground.

(Num 11:9)  And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.

(Deu 32:2)  My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:

(Deu 33:13)  And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath,

(Deu 33:28)  Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew.
 

I don't remember ever seeing the two in Genesis before. I know I've read them because I've read the book of Genesis several times, but these verses never stood out to me, and then they are "recapped" in Deuteronomy 33:28. Will have to look closer at this!

sounds like a lovely trip. the pie looks very yummy. I love the bears! I can't wait until Autumn, then hubby and I will have to take a road trip on the backroads of WV. I can't wait until the cool air arrives.

1 hour ago, SureWord said:

As I mentioned in another post we tend to look for the sensational in these things. Most demon possessed people probably appear very sane, sophisticated and have their act together, not rolling around foaming at the mouth. There's plenty of "ministers of the angel of light" and politicians who are full of devils and yet they appear smooth and in control.

Fauci looks like a demon to me.

yes, indeed!

I have noticed a great reluctance in IFB circles to acknowledge demonic activity. We were called on by a friend who was pastoring a church (SBC) and experiencing some intense spiritual warfare, and we met with him for prayer, prayed and anointed his office, and conducted a prayer vigil for him during a business meeting they had, and we experienced some very odd things while this was going on, which really could only be explained as attacks on us, though they were very mild. When trying to relate these issues to others they looked at us like we were crazy. We made sure to be in the Word constantly, praying scripture, being diligent in prayer and we fasted. Something that comes to mind is where Christ tells his disciples that this kind only comes out by prayer and fasting Mt 17:21. As far as individuals facing oppression and depression I think a circle of prayer warriors are needed to help them, similar to what is described in James 5:14.

yes, indeed! Thank you for the Deuteronomy reference, I will certainly look into it! I appreciate your input.

Well, the repairman didn't show up this evening. Hoping for tomorrow.

Since we married hubby and I have almost always been together, except for his weekend drills with the Army.  His last few years in the military he ended up in a unit where he had to go away for annual training, the first was three weeks and that was rough. Most of the time he was able to stay local and come home each evening. The last unit he was in he took me to drill with him. I sat in the lobby and crocheted until the supervisor of the survey team (who is a Christian and lay preacher) took pity on me and put me up in a corner of his department. When hubby retired I gifted him a blanket I had crocheted while camped out there, lol. Hubby takes me on the road with him when he has to work out of town, one of the main reasons is for me to navigate, but also because he doesn't want to go without me. The trips are fun, the travel gives us time to be alone and talk.