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<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center"><u><b>2009-02-24
(Revised) - MEDITATION - PART 2</b></u></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center"><u><b>TENTATIVE
EVALUATION</b></u></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
1. <b>MEDITATION </b>is related to Worship and Prayer. See
Girdlestone, “Old Testament Synonyms,” p. 219.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
2. <b>MEDITATION</b> is related to Singing and Song. See “New
Englishman's Hebrew and Chaldea Concordance,” A P & A, p. 1206,
#7878 SEEagh, and p. 1255 #7891 sheer.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
3. Zodhiates states, “It is possible that the scriptures were read
somewhat audibly during the process of <u>meditation</u>. See #1897,
HaGAH, p. 1587, Hebrew Greek Study Bible, Zodhiates, AMG, 1984.
#1897, HaGAH; to murmur, to mutter, to growl, to coo, to sigh, to
moan, to roar; to <u>meditate</u>, to muse, so speak, to praise; to
whisper. The word occurs mostly in poetry, especially in Psalms and
Isaiah. It describes a low moaning sound</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
like that of a dove (ISA 38:14; 59:11), or the growling of a lion
what has trapped its prey (ISA 31:4). Sometimes it was used to
describe the context of mourning (ISA 16:7; JER 48:31) or the
whispering of the enemy after the collapse of Jerusalem (LAM 3:62).
Wizards made strange noises when they practiced the occult (ISA
8:19). The Psalmist (5:1) cried out to God for help while in
distress. Sometimes the term refers to plots (PSA 2:1; PRO 24:2; ISA
59:3, 12); or righteous ponderings (PSA 35:28; 37:30; 71:24; PRO
15:28), or <u>meditation</u> (PSA 1:2; 38:12; 63:6; 77:12; 143:5). It
is possible that the Scriptures were read somewhat audibly during the
process of <u>meditation.</u></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
1899. Hegah; this mas. noun comes from 1897. It means a murmur,
sighing, <u>meditation</u>, a thought, growling (used of thunder in
Job 37:2, i.e. rumbling). Compare the related term higgayown (1902)
which was a musical notation which possibly referred to a harp PSA
92:3). Or, it may have meant that a period of <u>meditation</u> was
to follow PSA 9:16).</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
1900. Haguwth; this fem. noun which comes from1897 means
<u>meditation</u>, it occurs only once (PSA 9:16).</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
4. <b>MEDITATION, </b>#7878 Siyach, Zodhiates, p. 1645. To ponder,
to <u>meditate</u>, to muse; to speak, to talk, to converse (aloud,
or even with oneself), to utter (with the mouth, Job 12:8; PSA 69:13;
PRO 6:22); to complain (Job 7:11; PSA 55:18), to talk disparagingly
(PSA 69:12); to declare; to pray, to talk with oneself (i.e., to
<u>meditate</u>, especially upon divine things, PSA 77:4, 7, 13;
119:15, 23, 27, 48, 78, 148); to sing (JUD 5:10; PSA 145:5), to
celebrate something in song (PSA 105:2); to consider, to think upon
something in song (PSA 105:2); to consider, to think upon something
(ISA 53:8). This verb conveys the idea of going over a matter in
one's mind, i.e., rehearsing it, whether inwardly or outwardly.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
7879. Siyach; this Heb. mas. noun derives from 7878; it is a
contemplation, an utterance, a <u>meditation</u> (1 K 18:27; PSA
104:34), a thought; a speech, a discourse (2 K 9:11), babbling (PRO
23:29), talking (1 K 18:27); a complaint (1 SAM 1:16; Job 7:13);
prayer (PSA 64:1).</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
7880. Siyach; this Heb. Mas. noun has it origin in 7878. It refers
to a shoot (like a word which has been put forth); shrubbery, a
shrub, a plant, or a bush. There are only four occurrences (GEN 2:5;
21:15; JOB 30:4, 7).</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
7881. Siychah; this fem. Heb. noun comes from 7879. It means
reflection, devotion, <u>meditation</u>, or prayer. There are only
three instances in the O.T. (Job 15:4; PS 119:97, 99). “It is my
<u>meditation</u> (siychah) all the day!”</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
5. <b>MEDITATION. </b>Present day Jews , especially the Orthodox,
use a prayer book while <u>meditating</u>, rocking forward and
backward; while reading, they usually pray and <u>meditate</u>
audibly.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
6. <b>David Yonggi Cho </b>in his “The Fourth Dimension #2, points
out the remarkable effect our <u>tongue</u> has upon our psyche
(soul) when used, either properly or improperly. Our soul and
subconscious is programmed by speech, and when spoken with
conviction, triggers the soul and subconscious to bring to pass the
expressed thought and conviction. Vocal <u>meditation</u> on the Word
will trigger 2 PET 1:4, commencing the tendency and train of events
to bring it to pass. How important it is that we guard our tongue.
How important that we obey Joshua 1:8, by vocal <u>meditation</u>
upon God's word day and night.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
Note that when a sheep chews its cud, it brings back stored food to
the mouth. When we <u>meditate</u>, we bring back the Word memorized
to the mouth. When we speak the Word, it is transformed into the
Rhema word, and we partake of the Divine Nature (2 PET 1:4). The
sheep transform food gathered ahead of time into lamb chops. The
analogy is quite exact.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
7. <b>VOCAL MEDITATION</b> on God's word was not a habit with George
Muller for the first 10 years of his life as a believer. He states in
his autobiography the amazing change that started in his life once he
committed himself to daily vocal <u>meditation</u> upon the Word of
God. In no Bible Commentary nor in any sermon had he run across this
discipline. He found it of such value that from the age of 70 to 87,
he traveled 200,000 miles in 40 different countries, and this was one
of the seven major emphases that he made in each address. It is
unfortunate that believers have not dipped into their Jewish roots,
for there they would soon have found this secret that flows out of
“The Living Talmud.”</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
8. <b>NOTE </b>#7880 Siyach. This Heb. masc. noun has its origin in
7878. It refers to a shoot (like a <u>word</u> which has been put
forth by audible <u>meditation</u>). Just as a shoot from a seed
takes on visible form, so the word of God in our mind when expressed,
drops to our heart, germinates, and tends to form in us the Divine
Nature, an actual shining forth of divine manifestation. Vocalization
with <u>meditation</u> appears to be the key causing germination and
growth to take place.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
9. <b>NOTE JOHN 1:1</b> - and the WORD was GOD. The mind of the
Father is perfectly expressed in Jesus, the Living Word. The Written
word, given by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, is an exact
expression of Him in the letter. When we utilize Joshua 1:8, audibly
<u>meditating</u> upon the entire Bible, we start the process that
can bring us to maturity of sainthood such as is seen in our century
in Oswald Chambers, A. E. Tozer, Watchman Nee, Nicholas Bhengu, Smith
Wigglesworth, and David Yonggi Cho. Deborah and Anna the prophetess
demonstrated this maturity in Bible times. St. Theresa of Avila,
Madame Guyon, Amy Carmichael of Dohnavur, and Pandita Ramabai of the
Mukti Mission outside of Bombay demonstrated this potential in modern
times.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<span style="">10. </span><b>JOSHUA 1:8</b><span style="">
- perhaps the key verse on </span><u><span style="">meditation</span></u><span style="">
from all 77 references. Notice that Hebrew parallelism places
</span><u><span style="">meditation</span></u><span style="">
day and night with Torah in the Mouth. This sets the tempo according
to the law of first reference for hah-GAH.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<span style="">11. </span><b>PSALM 29</b><span style="">
- an expression of God's </span><u><span style="">meditative</span></u><span style="">
voice in THUNDER.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<span style="">12. </span><b>MEDITATION</b><span style="">
finds a parallel between Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:1-3. A lover of the
Word, The Torah, is going to walk like George Muller in Vocal
</span><u><span style="">meditation</span></u><span style="">.
His path will be a shining light, shining </span><u><span style="">more
and more</span></u><span style=""> unto the
perfect day.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<span style="">13. </span><b>HIGGAION: </b><span style="">A
command by the Spirit for us to </span><u><span style="">meditate</span></u><span style="">.
Milk this truth for all it is worth. Look at it line by line, and
word by word. Talk it over with God. Compare this with - SElah.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<span style="">14. </span><b>PSALM 19:7</b><span style="">.
This Law of the Lord, this Torah, is the </span><u><span style="">meditation</span></u><span style="">
of 19:14, and is that which God commanded to be in the mouth of
Joshua.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<span style="">15. </span><b>MEDITATION</b><span style="">
is vertical toward God, horizontal toward man, and inward toward
self. David's spirit communed with his soul in PSA 103:1-5.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<span style="">16. </span><b>ORAL MEDITATION</b><span style="">
in the Word: sets the heart on fire! George Muller found this perhaps
the most transforming act of his daily life. Jeremiah discovered he
could not remain silent when this fire of God in the Word burned in
his bones. God's Word is a </span><u><span style="">fire</span></u><span style="">.
</span><u><span style="">Meditate</span></u><span style="">
upon it, and you will catch on fire.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<span style="">17. </span><b>MEDITATION: </b><span style="">the
key to discover God's hidden secrets (PRO 2:1-12). Kids enjoy an
Easter egg hunt, for God has put this desire in the human heart to
find things. The saint of God has a continual feast through
</span><u><span style="">meditation</span></u><span style="">,
for all of God's hidden treasures then start to turn up for him.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<span style="">18. </span><b>GOD CALLED DAVID </b><span style="">a
man after His own heart. The </span><u><span style="">meditations</span></u><span style="">
of David upon God and His word transformed him, tending to bring him
to God's image. The Psalms reveal David's </span><u><span style="">meditative</span></u><span style="">
heart. Learn his secret and be transformed.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<span style="">19. </span><b>BE FILLED WITH THE
SPIRIT</b><span style="">, and horizontally let
the outflow build one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs. But, let the LOgos of Christ dwell in you richly through </span><u><span style="">vocal
meditation</span></u><span style="">, and find
fulfillment richly in new worship (JNO 4:23-24; Phil 3:3); God </span><u><span style="">seeks</span></u><span style="">
such worshipers, and very few things He seeks.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<span style="">20. </span><b>THE WELL OF
MEDITATION</b><span style=""> dried up? Try
counting your blessings; see what God has done; recall His wondrous
acts; soon your heart will have a new song. What a wonderful way to
prime one's pump!</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<span style="">21. </span><b>NOTICE</b><span style="">:
David often started a Psalm in the depths of despair. But then he
changed gears; took his attention off himself and his circumstances;
transferred it upon God, His former faithfulness and His promises.
Invariably this ended up one's </span><u><span style="">meditation</span></u><span style="">
in praise!</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<span style="">22. </span><b>THERE IS A SPIRIT</b><span style="">
of excellence about David. His music at times commenced with solemn
sound, </span><u><span style="">meditatively</span></u><span style="">.
Even in old age this worked for David, and he assures us that, God
being no respecter of persons, it will work for us too.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<span style="">23. </span><b>MOURNING IS A FORM
OF MEDITATION</b><span style="">, and can be
exercised by the good or the evil. For the righteous, it is a form of
intercession in the light of the second beatitude. It takes our eyes
off ourselves (being poor in spirit), and takes up a mourning burden
for those in need of intercession: to lift them up into Christ. Every
need we see is not a call to criticize and condemn, but to mourn and
intercede. ROM 8:26-27 is an expression of this.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<span style="">24. </span><b>LEARN FROM THE DOVE</b><span style="">
when she is troubled. Then hear the change in the sound of her cooing
when deliverance comes. Hezekiah started out with mournful dovelike
</span><u><span style="">meditation</span></u><span style="">,
but ended up with great deliverance. Use Isaiah 1:18 as a basis for
fruitful </span><u><span style="">meditation</span></u><span style="">.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<span style="">25. </span><b>THERE IS A WRONG USE
OF MEDITATION.</b><span style=""> We can mutter,
grumble and complain against the Lord, expressing our disobedience,
rebellion and hard-heartedness. How we need Your mercy and converting
power at such times, O Lord.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<span style="">26. </span><b>FROM A SEED</b><span style="">
spring up shrubs and bushes. This is a natural analogy what happens
when we take the LOgos as a seed and </span><u><span style="">meditate</span></u><span style="">
upon it. Vocalizing upon the word miraculously causes it to germinate
as a seed, find its way from the head to the heart, and there grow,
bringing forth the Divine Nature, the Christ within. As the female
egg is impregnated and finds its way to the womb, eventually bringing
forth a child: even so Christ lives within us as we discipline
ourselves daily to walk in the way of scriptural </span><u><span style="">meditation</span></u><span style="">
(GAL 2:20; 1 PET 1:23).</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<span style="">27. </span><b>MINISTERING TO THE
LORD </b><span style="">with fasting and prayer
((Acts 13:1-3) is a form of </span><u><span style="">meditation</span></u><span style="">.
When rulers and leaders accept this responsibility, sitting in the
gates of the city; the Lord Himself will build His church through us
(MAT 16:18-19).</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<span style="">28. </span><b>OUT OF ANGUISH AND
DESPERATION</b><span style=""> of heart we pour
out our utterances unto God. This is </span><u><span style="">meditation</span></u><span style="">
in one of its highest senses. It ought to be a regular part of the
life of a believer.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<span style="">29. </span><b>SHOULD DAVID TRY AND
MEDITATE </b><span style="">silently, the fire
would soon burn, and out would come a voice utterance exactly
paralleling his heart contemplation. Jeremiah and David both
experienced this consistently. Here we find David </span><u><span style="">praying</span></u><span style="">
(a synonym for </span><u><span style="">meditating</span></u><span style="">)
evening, morning and at noon.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<span style="">30. </span><b>NOTE</b><span style="">
the three directions of </span><u><span style="">meditation</span></u><span style="">:
unto </span><u><span style="">God</span></u><span style="">,
vertically; unto man, horizontally; unto one's own soul by the
spirit, inwardly (PSA 103:1-5). All three can be vocal. At least, if
they start out silently, they may well end up vocally.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<span style="">31. </span><b>FEW COMMENTARIES,
TRANSLATIONS AND SERMONS</b><span style=""> seem
to catch the strong underlying vocal aspect of </span><u><span style="">meditation</span></u><span style="">.
George Muller marveled at this lack in his day. Religious Jews
continually practised this; but this started to be lost to the
Gentile church from about 500 AD. Messianic Jews became swallowed up
during the centuries in the Gentile church, and lost their roots in
religious historic Judaism. In 1805 they began to form Messianic
congregations in Britain; in 1905 in America; and today Messianic
congregations worldwide composed of both Jew and Gentile are
beginning to rediscover this ancient Biblical method of vocal
</span><u><span style="">meditation</span></u><span style="">.
It is like life from the dead (ROM 11:15).</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
32. <b>JEREMIAH</b> awoke from dreams from the Lord, and found that
his sleep had been <u>sweet</u> (JER 31:26). Solomon told his son
that rest in the Lord with a heart full of the Living Word brought
nightly visitations from the Lord in guidance, safety and communion
(PRO 6:20-22); Job 33:14-18). But <u>David</u> seemed to surpass them
all in his exuberant contemplation of the Lord from the viewpoint of
all creation. This <u>meditation</u> David found <u>sweet</u>.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
33. <b>DAVID</b> constantly recounts all of God's miraculous
workings. He regularly reasoned from them. This took his thoughts off
himself, his problems and his circumstances, and transformed him
through <u>vocal meditation</u> into a <u>praising saint</u>. He
meditated vertically to God and expressed his insights horizontally
to men.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
34. <b>PRECEPTS</b> are God's rules for living. The book of Proverbs
illustrates this point beautifully. It was upon <u>these</u> that
David and the writer of Psalm 119 <u>meditated</u><u><b>,</b></u>
that they might fulfill Joshua 1:8 - namely <u>meditation</u> upon
God's law, precepts and ways - that <u>obedience of faith</u> might
flow out of this. Paul was not against this, for it is not contrary
to the Gospel of the Kingdom, but part and parcel of it. It was the
Judaizing addition of tradition to the law, and the departure from
faith to works in keeping the law that he objected to in Galatians,
Hebrews, and his other epistles.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
35. <b>STATUTES</b> are given by God to regulate our way of life.
They teach us <u>how to live</u>. Statutes are in all the books of
the Bible, but <u>Jesus</u> is our <u>Living Statute</u>. <u>Meditate
on Him!</u></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
36. <b>THE LOVE OF GOD'S WORD</b>: An incentive to Torah <u>meditation</u>
day and night. Joshua had this love, and worked on it till it was
habitual. It was in his <u>mouth</u>; it was <u>Vocal Meditation</u>.
It was like a sheep chewing its cud: and bringing the written word
back to the mouth again and again, till so transformed into a Rhema
word, that it is now ready for assimilation. This is a 30-40 hour
process for sheep. All natural law has a parable application in the
spiritual world. Let us be like Joshua and the sheep. And for Joshua,
it was that he then could be careful to <u>do</u> by the <u>obedience
of faith</u>, <u>all</u> that was written in it.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
37. <b>GOD'S TESTIMONIES</b> are His <u>way</u> for us for all
blessing and enlightenment. God testified concerning many things, and
they all should be the basis for our <u>meditation</u>. What God
thinks to be important, <u>we</u> should consider important. <u>Jesus</u>
is the chief testimony of God, and He should be paramount in all our
<u>meditation</u>.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
38. <b>VOCAL COMPLAINT OF MEDITATION</b> unto God is proper under
desperate circumstances. Jonah in the belly of the great fish faced
such an emergency. He fervently engaged in this exercise; and God
heard him and delivered him.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
39. <b>THE REALIST </b>is not like the Christian Scientist. He sees
both good and evil, and quite aware that God does also. It is not
giving a negative confession to be a realist, and acknowledge to God
with outpouring of soul and heart one's troubles, extremities, and
desolation. <u>Then</u> we should <u>vocally meditate</u> on God's
past mercies, reason from them, and wait on Him until He transforms
our situation. The Psalmist David knew and practiced this secret. Let
not suffering-saving theologies detract us from this important
insight of David.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
40. <b>PROVERBS 6:22</b> - one of the great verses of the Bible.
This is the spiritual counterpart of the High Priest's breastplate of
judgment which contained the Urim and Thummim. See Exodus 28:15-30,
and note how exactly Proverbs 6:20-22 corresponds in the attaching of
the breastplate of judgment with the commandment and law (Torah or
teaching). One of the rabbis in “Pirke Abot” (The Wisdom of the
Fathers) comments: And when you walk, it (Torah in your heart through
<u>vocal meditation</u>) shall lead you, <u>in this world</u>; When
you lie down, it shall watch over you, <u>in the grave</u>; And when
you awake, it shall talk (God's <u>meditative</u> vertical speech to
us in our heart) with you, <u>in the world to come</u>. I prefer to
see all 3 of these blessings of Torah in the heart as <u>present
tense blessings</u>. When <u>it</u> (Torah in our heart through
Joshua 1:8 <u>meditation</u> ) keeps us and talks with us during
sleep, it is often through dreams, and fulfills God's four-fold
purpose of Job 33:14-18.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
41. <b>AS A DOVE</b> quietly coos in times of distress; and as the
drunk babbles in his disorientation; so the saint at all times should
speak God's word from his heart to His Maker. This is a transforming
exercise. It is the grinding of grain into a form that can be mixed
and baked into a loaf of bread.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
42. <b>IN THE PROPIATORY ATONEMENT OF CHRIST, </b>His humanity and
divinity, His purpose in the Father: all these are too much for man
of Israel's day. Even angels sought to understand. The Father in the
New Covenant unfolding, gives us understanding through the Holy
Spirit's inward ministry. It is the Spirit of Christ within us Who
allows us today to <u>meditatively</u> declare the wonders of God
manifest in Christ in His propitiatory sacrifice.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
43. <b>NOTE</b>: The <u>context</u> for each reference in the “Word
Study” is taken from the manuscript of “Through the Bible in a
Year,” daily devotional lessons, using the Lord's Prayer format,
The <u>Title</u> is like a newspaper headline, describing the use of
each Hebrew word in its verse and context.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
44. <b>NOTE: </b>There are two distinct Hebrew roots translated
<u>meditation</u>, both translated in a parallel form with all
synonyms for all parts of speech. One possible explanation for the
Holy Spirit to choose to do this, is that each root is separately
related with other words such as “singing, worship, prayer;” this
doubles the number of possible relationships that these two root
words have. It would be possible to explore constructively these
other words related to <u>meditation</u>.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
45, <b>OBSERVATION</b>: Few commentaries, sermons or translations -
touch on the underlying nature of the vocalization that exists in
Bible <u>meditation</u>. It is true that a few references retain the
idea of <u>meditation</u> as a silent thought; but the vast majority
of references demand <u>vocal accompaniment</u>. Religious Jews did
and still do practice <u>meditation</u> this way. It was the constant
wonderment of George Muller that so few in his day perceived the
importance of this. Witness Lee encouraged it but his exhortation was
little regarded because of his separatist stance. Dr. David Yonggi
Cho is a strong present day exponent of this.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
It would seem that <u>Vocal Meditation</u> is a concept whose time
has come, and that this will become commonplace in the day ahead. A
return to this Biblical concept will greatly increase the potential
of spiritual growth in all those who will commit themselves to this
simple but powerful practice.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
46. <b>GEORGE MULLER</b> wrote concerning the importance of how we
conduct our personal devotions. The word we read <u>must</u> be read
<u>aloud</u>, and <u>rephrased</u> to God, giving room for the Holy
Spirit to enlarge on the phrase or passage as He will. Mr Muller by
the end of his life was reading the whole Bible back to God on his
knees 5 times a year (about 15 chapters a day). Faith comes by
hearing, hearing the Rhema word of God. $7,500,000 came in by prayer
alone prior to 1890 as a result, helping support 10,000 orphans, as
well as 8 other projects.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
47. <b>DR. DAVID YONGGI CHO</b> says that our prayer time must be
<u>aloud</u>, within the framework of the Lord's Prayer. Then God
will speak in His inaudible voice to our spirit. It is our part to
<u>pray</u> and <u>obey</u>. This is the <u>obedience of faith</u>.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
48. <b>BELIEVING JEWS</b> for 4000 years have <u>meditated</u> by
praying the Word <u>aloud</u> back to God. This is a means of
renewing the mind, establishing ourselves in the faith, growing in
grace, and finding the ability to persevere through difficulties.
This is the way of <u>joy</u> that leads to <u>singing</u> and
<u>dancing</u> before the Lord.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
49. <b>PHILIPPIANS 3:3 </b>tells us about the the mark of those
circumcised in heart: they worship, or religiously serve God in the
spirit. John 4:23-24 tells us that God <u>seeks</u> this (Only 2
things God in the Bible says He seeks). Worshiping audibly from the
Word brings the Spirit; the <u>obedience of faith</u> brings the
<u>truth</u>. This is true for <u>both</u> Testaments, for <u>both</u>
Covenants, for our Bible is a <u>unity</u>. The <u>new</u> is in the
<u>old</u> contained; the <u>old</u> is by the <u>new</u> explained.
(See “Gospel and Law: Contrast or Continuum?” by Daniel P.
Fuller, Eerdmans, 1980). This verse goes on to describe the heart
circumcised believer as one who <u>boasts</u> in Christ Jesus, and
has <u>no</u> confidence in the flesh. This causes us to picture
God in an elliptical fashion: <u>Jesus</u>, the <u>Son</u> (<u>sun</u>)
of righteousness is in the first of the two foci. The Father is in
the darkness of the second focus. The Holy Spirit in us takes us
around the Father and the Son in an elliptical pathway, even as our
earth rotates around the sun. The Spirit reveals the Son, and speaks
from Him. The Son reveals the Father and speaks from Him. It is
summer when we are on the Son's side, and winter on the Father's, Who
dwells in thick darkness. <u>Rejoice</u> in our marvelous Triune God!</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
50. <b>VOCAL MEDITATION</b> is the key to release from the Bible
what we hear, read, study and memorize. <u>Obedience</u> changes tho
LOgos to a RH<u>E</u>ma word. Dick Eastman highly recommends <u>vocal
meditation.</u></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="left">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;" align="left">
Jim Watt, October 23, 1990.</p>
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