For a long time, I have been receiving emails, which go into the very depths of Scripture and allows the reader to understand what God is saying from the Old Testament straight through to the New, but I wasn’t reading them! I started off okay, but then trailed off. I must admit that I was not being diligent at all, when receiving these. In fact I became very overwhelmed because I had joined too many mailing lists, so was receiving data from different places. It became a state of information overload! I will not even say how large my mailbox is! I have issues with my memory, so would read one thing one place and wouldn’t remember who said what, where, when or in what context! However, I restarted reading emails from Jeff A. Benner, who is an Author, Researcher and Bible Translator. On his webpage, analysis is done of the Hebrew text, breaking it down, so that there is no doubt of what is being said. Personally, my preferred translation has been the Amplified Bible for several years now, because it expands and provides an enhanced meaning to text.
Many read the Holy Bible and whilst speaking, we use one word, but when the full meaning is expanded with several words, a deeper understanding of what is meant can be reached. A deeper and richer knowledge of God, His love and His requirements can then become clear and our walk solidified OR our prayers directed to correct areas so we are strengthened. We can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us!
I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]
Philippians 4:13 (AMP)
Scripture tells us that the Word of God is living, active and full of power.
For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 (AMP)
This means that when we consume and digest it, we should believe and understand every word being said to us, by our Heavenly Father. We will then reach a deeper and richer level of faith. We need to take it to heart, take it to spirit.
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (KJV)
Translated directly from the Hebrew it becomes the below:-
Israel, pay careful attention and respond: Yahweh works in unity with himself: and you shall act upon your love to YHWH with your thoughts and mind, with your entire body and with everything that you possess.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (Hebrew interpretation)
I have noted it as Hebrew interpretation, but of course, it is the original and it is from it that all other Word flows. So, the words that are improved upon, expands the text and gives it more meaning.
Hear becomes to hear, pay attention to what is spoken and obediently act upon it.
One portrays YHWH being in unity with Himself. The example given online is ‘the pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. A cloud and fire are opposites—one provides coolness and shade and the other heat and light. Yet, they work together to preserve the people during the day and the night’ (excavatingthebible.com – Jeff A. Benner).
Love – there are several types of love, i.e agape, eros, pragma, to name just three, but the one in this verse is not of emotion but of action. We are not to do it because of a feeling; we are in a good mood today or everything appears to be going well, but it is an action. We are to love God, no matter what. Not as a reaction to how we are feeling or what we have received but just because. Thankfully, it is the same for Him towards us. He never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. If He is to rebuke, it is with these same characteristics and reprimand and judgement can only be moved by repentance and correction.
Heart – to love YHWH by keeping our focus on Him. In the western world we think of love in conjunction with the heart, which is a fluttering in our chest when we are attracted to someone, or when we experience joy at something that is happening. When heart is referred to in this text, it is to do with the thoughts of the mind. We need to keep our mind/heart stayed on Him. In other words, steadfast and fixed, no matter what the circumstance.
Soul – our whole body, not only the mind/heart. This means that our actions will also be directed and motivated. However, this can only be achieved through prayer and supplication, because with our minds we can be very willing, but the body weak.
Keep actively watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the [a]body is weak.”
Matthew 26:41 (AMP)
Footnotes
[a] Matthew 26:41 Lit flesh.
Might is everything we have.
YHWH wants the whole of us. Being a Christian, follower of Christ, isn’t to be taken lightly or on a surface level. We love Him because He first loved us and is calling us into His presence. When we diligently seek Him, He will take us to higher heights and deeper depths.
Stay blessed. Remain focused. Be diligent. Be unapologetically you.
Unapologetically Marcia 