The Word of God is described by each of these terms. While the Torah certainly dominates this psalm, it may very well envision the entire Tanakh if this is late in composition. Thus, it seems quite likely to envision all of the Old Testament. Its canonical life certainly declares all of the OT as fitting these descriptions, though it may be possible to consider the entire Christian Scriptures as related since canonically the testaments are joined. Thus, the revealed, Holy Bible is each of these things to us as Christians.
Your Law(s)
Your Ancient Laws
Your Righteous Laws
Your Law(s)
Your Statutes
Your Precepts
Your Commands
Your Decrees
Your Ways
Your Word of truth
Your Word(s)
Your Name
Your Promise(s)
If the Scriptures are each of these things then one must be reminded that diversity and unity are seen in this list. First, it is unifying how all of these are in relation to the LORD (YHWH). Secondly, the diversity is seen in the various expressions that emphasize the Word as a legislative, prescriptive entity (laws, statutes, precepts, commands, and decrees). The Word also functions as a guiding, instructive entity (ways). The Word must be understood as actual speech from the LORD (Words). It also is intricately linked with YHWH Himself, so that the Word is tied to His Name. Finally, the Word is a means of hope by the way in which YHWH has used His speech –namely Promises.
As Eugene Peterson says, “We do not come to God by guesswork: God reveals himself. These scriptural words reveal the Word that created heaven and earth; they reveal the Word that became human flesh in Jesus for our salvation. God’s word is written, handed down, and translated for us so that we can enter the plot. We hold these Bibles in our hands and read them so that we can listen and respond to these creating and saving words and get in, firsthand, on the creating and saving.”
Eugene H. Peterson. Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2006, 20.
0 comments:
Post a Comment