Psalm 119:73 (YOD) Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding that I may learn Your commandments. The word for made is ‘asah. I’ve always thought of this as God putting me together and forming me, but it’s more than that. Asah “is a verb that usually means a deliberate action with distinct purpose” [1]. I was put together deliberately with a distinct purpose in mind. The word for fashioned means to prepare or to direct, establish, and make ready. His hands deliberately and carefully crafted me (and you) for a specific purpose for which he prepares me! The second half of this asks God to give understanding (to teach him – remember in Hebrew, teaching is an active process of practice, not just accumulating knowledge) so that he is trained (as in training for war) God’s commands (it would be interesting to know what the difference is between all the different words for commands – I can think of at least 3 distinct words). God made me to know and obey His commands. They were around long before I was formed, and are an integral part of creation. To fulfill the purpose for which I was fashioned, I need to learn to live according to His commands. It’s His purpose, so it’s done His way. And, since God isn’t one to just dump knowledge into my head (although He could certainly do it that way), I have to practice and train deliberately. Living God’s commandments is a day-by-day, step-by-step, choice-by-choice hands-on instructional process. I would say, though, that the part about giving understanding is important, too, because when your paradigm shifts it can be pretty confusing. So what’s the point? What should I do as a result of this verse? Well, knowing that I am made for a reason (and not just random, accidental chance) reminds me to live purposefully, seeking His path. And continuing to learn His commands will help me be obedient to Him. It also helps me to remember that God made my children purposefully. Even my little one with autism is formed and fashion deliberately with a distinct purpose. I may not understand it, but that’s not my job. My job is to remember His faithfulness, and learn His commandments so I can also teach my children to walk in His paths, choosing to obey Him with a grateful heart. [1] Moen, Skip. “Getting It Done.” 2009. Today’s Word. 02 August 2010 <http://skipmoen.com/?s=asah&x=0&y=0>.
There was a question someone asked on a blog about predestination vs. free choice. I don’t think I have all the answers, but I thought I’d share the way I think of it. First, let me preface with saying that this is my opinion. You may not agree and that’s okay. Also, I think that my/our idea of what it means for God to be omniscient is too small (I used to think he just knows one branch and that’s all there was). I think of my life like a really HUGE tree (we each have one, but if you try to imagine knowing all of them it’ll make your head hurt). Each choice represents a place where the current branch splits and I can choose another branch. My life starts at the base of the tree and as I age I move closer and closer to the outside of the tree. G-d sees the entire tree. He knows every branch the tree makes, so no matter what choice or branch I choose, He’s been there and has seen every contingency/choice I could make from that point, too. And, since He made the tree, He can make new branches grow to suit His purpose. Are you still following me? It’s not, in my view, that I only have one path from the bottom of the tree to the edge, but many, and no matter what I choose, God already knows all the options from that point and knows how to make things work for Him purposes. So, yes, I have a choice which branch to take, but no matter what branch I take, G-d already know all my options from that point out. He sees every option/choice for every situation I encounter. As I make decisions, the ones I don’t take fall away. It’s kind of complicated to try and explain. I can see it in my head. It’s predestination and choice all mixed up in one, sort of. But explaining it is like explaining eternity (I’ve tried to do that before… to explain the vision I had of it, but it’s pretty darn hard to put into words). What about pharoah or Judas? I don’t know. Obviously, someone had to be the “bad guy.” It could be that God knew their hearts and because they had chosen to become greedy or bitter their choices narrowed to a more predictable point. I believe that if Judas, for example, had made a different choice – chosen to do the right thing – then someone else would have been the betrayer because God’s purposes needed to be fulfilled. Sadly for Judas he made his choice and the rest is history. Does that mean God can’t direct people or harden their hearts or whatever? Nope. He’s God. Maybe He directs some lives more than others. Maybe I’m off my rocker a mile and a half in my view. Ultimately, how I think of God’s omniscience or predestination or free choice is pretty darn irrelevant. It is what it is, even if I don’t understand it. That’s God’s job. I just live and seek and obey. Maybe it’s me, but that’s enough. I don’t have to know it all. Knowing isn’t going to change anything. Does your head hurt? Mine sometimes feels like it’ll explode. I get these images in my head, or impressions, and it’s hard to put them into words (like this one or like eternity). Why must they always be the concepts that are so big? But that’s okay. It’s still an interesting thought. Blessings!