[NOTE: In the “30 Days in the Bible” devotional, the
reference for this is given as Psalm 10:7-14. It is actually Psalm 19:7-14.
This is a typo on my part, and one I failed to correct before sending the
document to be printed. I apologize for the error.]
We think of the Bible as a book, but it might be better
to view it as a library. Not only are there 66 individual books in the Bible,
written by 40 or more authors, but there is a variety of literary genres
represented. There is narrative (stories), poetry, epistles (letters), wisdom
(sayings), apocalyptic (strange-seeming writings about the future), and several
other types of writing. Most books contain more than one kind of literature;
for example, many prophetic books are written in poetic form. When we read
Scripture, we are getting a cross-section of the kinds of writings that were
written over 1500 years of history.
Despite all the differences in form and style, however,
the Bible has one message to convey. Every genre brings out different aspects
of that message, and we may find we appreciate some forms more than others. The
Bible tells us about God, about His standards, about our condition, and about
the way of salvation.
In the Old Testament, the Law was the revelation of God’s
holiness and the terrible price that had to be paid for sin. Prior to the
coming of Jesus to fulfill His earthly ministry and mission, the Law, with its
sacrifices, showed that sin required the shedding of blood for forgiveness. The
lambs, goats, and bulls that were sacrificed pointed to the ultimate sacrifice
that would be made when Jesus went to the cross and sacrificed Himself for the
forgiveness of our sins.
The psalmist here uses several words to describe the Word
of God. Many of these words refer to aspects of the Law, including the word for
Law (Torah) itself. He writes of statutes, precepts, commands, and decrees.
While each of these terms has a slightly different shade of meaning, the idea
that comes across is that whatever is written in the Word has an incredible
value for us.
Perhaps more striking is the inclusion of “fear” in the
list. We think of the “fear of the Lord” as our proper response to the majesty
of God, not a fear that trembles afraid but one that recognizes our place in
light of His glory. Here, though, the emphasis is probably more on the Word as
what demands that reverential fear, the revelation of the Lord that calls us to
come before Him with humility and holy respect. That use of the term fits in
with the general structure of the poetry here.
Each word is connected to both an attribute and an
effect:
1)
The Law is perfect, which refreshes the soul.
2)
The statutes are trustworthy, providing wisdom
to those open to it.
3)
The precepts are right, and a source of joy for
the heart.
4)
The commands are radiant, enlightening the eyes
of our hearts.
5)
The fear is pure, and eternally existing.
6)
The decrees are firm, all of them righteous.
This could be a discussion for many posts, but the point
is not to dissect the Word into its various component parts and assign them
each a specific value, but to open up a larger, glorious vision of just what
the Word is and does. As we continue to read and study the Word, may all of its
parts continue to bless us in a variety of ways.
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