As Job suffered, he had none of the promises of God that we have, yet he was able to say, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15).
Tag: hope
How are you?
שלום/Shalom is a simple word with a great depth of meaning. It means peace, hello, goodbye, and even carries a connotation of justice in modern Israel.
שלום/Shalom is not simply an absence of strife or conflict; you may picture it as the prosperity, or blessing, in time that allows for a vineyard to grow, mature, and bring forth fruit. Captured in this picture is also your well-being; as you need good health to tend the vineyard.
In modern Hebrew, when greeting someone, asking them “How are you?” the question goes far deeper than these three words convey in English.
To Men: מה שלומך/ma shlomcha?
To Women: מה שלומך/ma shlomech?
Translated as “How are you?” the question is far more interesting, and much more loving. How so?
Literally, you are asking, “What is your peace?,” or “What is your well-being?” It is like asking, “How is your vineyard? Are you well enough to tend to it? Do you have water? Time? Help? What is the lack disturbing your peace? What is the condition of your life? How is your peace?
While Western sensibilities often restrain us from answering with our list of problems or concerns, this simple Hebrew question, in its meaning, wants to know. It is a question of deep, loving concern, as it speaks not only to their labor, but their harvest. What is your peace?
It is a question of community, responsibility, and faith.
The question wants to know, in order to join in the supply that will help bring your crop to harvest, “And the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Messiah Yeshua” (Phil. 4:6; cf. Phil. 4:19).
Be well. Shalom.
The Out Called
The ἐκκλησία/ekklēsia, meaning “out called assembly,” often translated as “church,” was nothing new in the Ancient Greek world when the Apostolic Scriptures were written. They were a regular part of life in cities, towns, and villages.
The ἐκκλησία/ekklēsia, out called ones, were brought together by someone calling out, like a town crier. He would summon together those hearing, to himself. The ἐκκλησία/ekklēsia were those surrounding him.
In this assemblage all manner of public business was attended to. It was not at all an unusual sight.
Numerous times the apostles remind us that we have graciously been called to Messiah, as Paul writes, “among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ (Ro. 1:6; cf. II Thess. 2:13-14; II Tim. 1:9; I Pet. 1:15; 2:9; 3:9; 5:10).
Messiah called those whom the Father had given to Him out of this world (Jn. 17:6). The calling, and assembling, the ἐκκλησία/ekklēsia, was not accidental or of human achievement. It is the result of the sovereign, and gracious call of the Father.
Yet, unlike the Ancient Greek ἐκκλησία/ekklēsia, out called assembly, who departed in much the same way that they arrived, those called out to Messiah, surrounding Him, are conformed to Him, sent out with His message, and encouraged:
“He said to them, “But who do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it (Matt. 16:15-17).
With all that we face today, we must remember that we have been called to He who overcame this world, and in that calling, we will not be overcome, as the gates of hell will not prevail (Ro. 8:28-29), even when we face apparent setbacks.
Be well. Shalom.
the mountain mensch 