11.13.24 ~ Backing Into the Future
Good morning!
Over the past week of studies, we have been focused on living our lives like Abraham, his seed (Gal. 3:16, 29; Jn. 8:39; Isa. 41:8). Let me introduce to you a connection between Abraham and a very popular verse found in Jeremiah 29:11
'I know the plans/machshavot I have/chashav for you ...'
This word is really not “have”, as in past tense. We translate it this way because it makes sense in English, but in Hebrew the verse really says “I know the plans that I plan for you” or “I know the purposes that I purpose for you”. It is the same as the verb used to describe Yahweh's decision to see Abraham as righteous (Gen. 15:4). Perhaps there is more to this verse than simply that Yahweh has purposes for our lives. Could it be that His purpose includes being like our father Abraham to be counted as righteous? That sense of the verb is certainly in His purpose for each of us. In fact, without that sense of the verse, none of Yahweh's plans will ever meet His purpose.
'...the plans that Yahweh plans for us are prosper/shalom us and not to harm us...'
Are you surprised by that word being used to prosper? It primarily means “peace”. But it also has the meanings “perfect, whole, complete, prosperity, well, health and safety”. It is far more than just the absence of conflict and strife. It encompasses the entire range of well-being. Therefore, it includes spiritual and physical completeness, harmony and fulfillment. But shalom comes from a Hebrew culture, not a Greek culture. The word is couched in relationship, not possessions. Ultimately, shalom is about our relationship to the One who can provide all of the other aspects of completeness. Without the primary relationship as the fundamental purpose of life, all of the other aspects of living are unsteady. They will lack a solid foundation. In this verse, the active agent is Yahweh Himself. We do not find prosperity, peace and wholeness on our own. Yahweh’s direct activity in our lives is the basis of shalom. The intention of God’s purposes for us is shalom!
Are you starting to get the picture that the plans Yahweh has for us are for our good and not to harm us?
'...not/v'lo for evil...'
Literally, this phrase not for evil should say “and not for evil”. First, it means that Yahweh’s new ideas for you are for your good. His purposes are to bring you shalom not evil. He is not a vengeful or malicious Elohim. He is The Elohim of holy grace, compassion and care. He has no plan to do you evil. In fact, His plan is just the opposite.
The word for “evil” is ra. The root behind ra is a noun that means “rotten, spoiled or good for nothing”. It is most often used in conjunction with the word tov/good (Gen. 2:17). The Bible recognizes that men often have varying ideas about what is evil. We acknowledge this fact about cultural differences every day. Sometimes it surprises us when we see what other cultures consider morally correct. However, even though the Bible recognizes this fact, the final verdict on good and evil is always in Yahweh’s hands. Thank His goodness! Since He is the Judge of the world, His determination about what is evil is the last word on the subject. If He says that some act or event is evil, there is no negotiation on the matter. The essence of evil is disobedience to His Word and will. It is progressive. Evil begins with a lack of acknowledgement – we do not recognize Yahweh as God, we refuse to give Him honor as the Creator. From this lack of acknowledgement, we proceed to an attitude of ingratitude. We are not thankful for what He has done. Refusal and ingratitude become ingrained as habit, then compulsion. The result is that we do injury to others and to ourselves...yikes! Definitely a slippery slope!
In this verse, Yahweh tells us not only that He has no plans to harm us, but His plans and purposes will keep us from self-inflicted harm. Yahweh's plan is for harmony, unity, peace and life. Ignoring His plans for us will lead to strife, hostility, injury and death.
'I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a future/acharit with hope/tikvah.' (Jer. 29:11)
The last part of the verse reiterates the intention of Yahweh’s plans. Yahweh has two goals in mind. Do you see them? 'A future/acharit and hope/tikvah. What is unusual about this word is that it literally means “afterward, backwards or after part”. Huh? So, how can it be about the future? On many occasions I've shared with you the Hebrew concept of time...it's like a man rowing a boat. He sees where he has been, but the future is toward his back. He backs into the future. It is entirely unknown to him because it is behind him!
This picture has some very powerful theology in it. First, Yahweh must set our course since only He can see “behind” us. But secondly, we have as our guide what we see, the course we have been following. We see the past because we are facing it. The past is in “front” of us. No wonder our history with Yahweh is so important. It is not just about where we came from. It is the visible guide for our course into the future. Finally, there is a great connection with the idea that we must trust Yahweh's direction and not fear; living by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). If we are “backing” into the future, we must trust the guide. We cannot see where we are going, but He can. Hence, the three things I've always emphasized to you...never forget where you've been, take inventory where you're at and never forget about your future :-)
So much of our lives seems to be consumed with plans for our future. We all want to 'look ahead' as though we will be able to guide and protect ourselves from what may come. But Yahweh says that the real direction of our life should be to the past (Isa. 46:10). The course of our life was set in the past. The victory over the future happened in the past. It is our history with Yahweh that gives us peace and confidence.
Have an amazing 4th day of the week!
Shalom
'I know the plans/machshavot I have/chashav for you ...'
This word is really not “have”, as in past tense. We translate it this way because it makes sense in English, but in Hebrew the verse really says “I know the plans that I plan for you” or “I know the purposes that I purpose for you”. It is the same as the verb used to describe Yahweh's decision to see Abraham as righteous (Gen. 15:4). Perhaps there is more to this verse than simply that Yahweh has purposes for our lives. Could it be that His purpose includes being like our father Abraham to be counted as righteous? That sense of the verb is certainly in His purpose for each of us. In fact, without that sense of the verse, none of Yahweh's plans will ever meet His purpose.
'...the plans that Yahweh plans for us are prosper/shalom us and not to harm us...'
Are you surprised by that word being used to prosper? It primarily means “peace”. But it also has the meanings “perfect, whole, complete, prosperity, well, health and safety”. It is far more than just the absence of conflict and strife. It encompasses the entire range of well-being. Therefore, it includes spiritual and physical completeness, harmony and fulfillment. But shalom comes from a Hebrew culture, not a Greek culture. The word is couched in relationship, not possessions. Ultimately, shalom is about our relationship to the One who can provide all of the other aspects of completeness. Without the primary relationship as the fundamental purpose of life, all of the other aspects of living are unsteady. They will lack a solid foundation. In this verse, the active agent is Yahweh Himself. We do not find prosperity, peace and wholeness on our own. Yahweh’s direct activity in our lives is the basis of shalom. The intention of God’s purposes for us is shalom!
Are you starting to get the picture that the plans Yahweh has for us are for our good and not to harm us?
'...not/v'lo for evil...'
Literally, this phrase not for evil should say “and not for evil”. First, it means that Yahweh’s new ideas for you are for your good. His purposes are to bring you shalom not evil. He is not a vengeful or malicious Elohim. He is The Elohim of holy grace, compassion and care. He has no plan to do you evil. In fact, His plan is just the opposite.
The word for “evil” is ra. The root behind ra is a noun that means “rotten, spoiled or good for nothing”. It is most often used in conjunction with the word tov/good (Gen. 2:17). The Bible recognizes that men often have varying ideas about what is evil. We acknowledge this fact about cultural differences every day. Sometimes it surprises us when we see what other cultures consider morally correct. However, even though the Bible recognizes this fact, the final verdict on good and evil is always in Yahweh’s hands. Thank His goodness! Since He is the Judge of the world, His determination about what is evil is the last word on the subject. If He says that some act or event is evil, there is no negotiation on the matter. The essence of evil is disobedience to His Word and will. It is progressive. Evil begins with a lack of acknowledgement – we do not recognize Yahweh as God, we refuse to give Him honor as the Creator. From this lack of acknowledgement, we proceed to an attitude of ingratitude. We are not thankful for what He has done. Refusal and ingratitude become ingrained as habit, then compulsion. The result is that we do injury to others and to ourselves...yikes! Definitely a slippery slope!
In this verse, Yahweh tells us not only that He has no plans to harm us, but His plans and purposes will keep us from self-inflicted harm. Yahweh's plan is for harmony, unity, peace and life. Ignoring His plans for us will lead to strife, hostility, injury and death.
'I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a future/acharit with hope/tikvah.' (Jer. 29:11)
The last part of the verse reiterates the intention of Yahweh’s plans. Yahweh has two goals in mind. Do you see them? 'A future/acharit and hope/tikvah. What is unusual about this word is that it literally means “afterward, backwards or after part”. Huh? So, how can it be about the future? On many occasions I've shared with you the Hebrew concept of time...it's like a man rowing a boat. He sees where he has been, but the future is toward his back. He backs into the future. It is entirely unknown to him because it is behind him!
This picture has some very powerful theology in it. First, Yahweh must set our course since only He can see “behind” us. But secondly, we have as our guide what we see, the course we have been following. We see the past because we are facing it. The past is in “front” of us. No wonder our history with Yahweh is so important. It is not just about where we came from. It is the visible guide for our course into the future. Finally, there is a great connection with the idea that we must trust Yahweh's direction and not fear; living by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). If we are “backing” into the future, we must trust the guide. We cannot see where we are going, but He can. Hence, the three things I've always emphasized to you...never forget where you've been, take inventory where you're at and never forget about your future :-)
So much of our lives seems to be consumed with plans for our future. We all want to 'look ahead' as though we will be able to guide and protect ourselves from what may come. But Yahweh says that the real direction of our life should be to the past (Isa. 46:10). The course of our life was set in the past. The victory over the future happened in the past. It is our history with Yahweh that gives us peace and confidence.
Have an amazing 4th day of the week!
Shalom
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