Friday, 3 August 2018

Isaiah 57

Tweet

Isaiah 57:15 "For thus says the High and Exalted One who inhabits eternity, whose Name is Holy: 'I dwell in a high and holy place, yet also with a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and revive the heart of the contrite.'"

Ram V'Nisa means "high and lifted up." This is how God describes Himself as we start this great verse of Scripture. The following word, Shochen, is the basis of the Shekeina glory of God. This is the light that accompanies His presence (habitation). Here the word used for eternity is Ad. We use this same root when we pray the word Va'ed which means "and forever." After the entachta (which is a musical rest noting where the comma goes in the verse), we find two words that will be the focus of the remainder of this devotional, Daka and Shafal.

Daka is Strongs H1793. It is only found 3 times in the Hebrew Scriptures (here "contrite", Psalm 34:18 and Psalm 90:3) translated "crushed" and "dust" respectively. We are to have crushed spirits, but that's only half the story. The translation says "contrite and humble." The Hebrew word translated "humble" is "Shafal." It is Strong's H8217 and is used 19 times. It might be where we get our English word "fall." It means "lowly" and is translated "humble."

Yeshua gives us our example of fulfillment. We read, Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and 'you will find rest for your souls.'" Have a great day. Be a reflection of Yeshua to someone today.

Blessings, R. Michael