10.7.25 ~ A Simple Life of Openness

Good morning!

Six of the seven yearly moedim/appointed times have been completed. We are in the time of Sukkot/Tabernacles now. It's a time of complete trusting; as we see with the children of Israel when they made the decision to follow God into the wilderness (Ex. 12:37; Jer. 2:2).

Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown. (Jer. 2:2)

And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Sukkot, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. (Ex. 12:37)

It's the climax of the year. An appointed time where we are commanded to 'rejoice' (Lev. 23:40).

And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days. (Lev. 23:40)

Like with anything, participation is what gives understanding.

The unfolding/petah of Your word/dabar gives light/or; it gives understanding/binah to the simple/petayim. (Psalm 119:130)

I'm sure it's true with you, but this book, we call the Bible, can be pretty convoluted and difficult to understand; text, grammar, history, doctrines, idioms, and all the opinions that are thrown at us can make it difficult to make spiritual connections.

Then, we stumble on a verse where God tells me that His words/dabar are given for the simple...boy do I need that! Then I take an honest look at myself in the mirror and say, 'who are the 'simple' lucky ducks'? Because, frankly, I feel way below simple too much of the time.

But these simple ones are not just good ole country folk, they are the individuals that are open to all kinds of enticements, lacking discernment and judgment towards right and wrong; the person who believes anything just because they are told  by the tik-tok and youtube influencers of the day (Prov. 14:15).

The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looks well to his going. (Prov. 14:15)

Ahh, but these 'simple' ones aren't just blindly following whatever narrative they are told, these simple ones/petayim are petah/open to God's light/or from His Word/dabar. Their problem is not resistance.  It’s ignorance.  They just don’t know the majesty of God’s instruction.  It’s always possible that they will wake up and learn.  So the psalmist is encouraging us in the great Psalm of 'Torah love' to be open to God's fresh revelation of light :-).  “Unfolding/petah" of God's Word/dabar  gives light to the "simple/petayim"  If you expose such a person to the truth, there’s nothing standing in the way of receiving it (Acts 17:11). Ahh, this is who I want to be!

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11)

Clearly there is a difference between a simple man/peti and a foolish man/kesil, ewil or nabal.

A fool/kesil is someone who chooses an enticing but immature way of life.  He’s in the dark because he doesn’t understand the danger of the path he’s on.  He doesn’t concentrate on seeking the truth, and as a result, he’s easily led astray.  It’s possible to get him back on the path because he hasn’t openly resisted instruction.

The fool/ewîl, on the other hand, knows what is right but chooses the opposite.  For him it is not a matter of ignorance.  It’s a matter of self-will.  He comes first regardless of the circumstances.

And finally, the fool/nabal displays insensibility to God, as well as a moral insensibility, closing the mind to reason.  This is a person who not only resists God’s ways but encourages others to do the same.  He is, according to Proverbs, irredeemable. Not a good one to become (Rom. 1:28-32).

At this time of the year, God uses His word/dabar to enlighten/or live in His presence.  After all, the Bible is not about information.  It’s about transformation (Rom. 8:29); collecting lexicons and commentaries means nothing if the behavior isn’t altered.

Chag Sameach Sukkot!

Shalom,

Alan

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