Post by Mark on Dec 10, 2007 7:59:30 GMT -8
One of the things that I'm working on in our community is trying to help those coming from the gentile Church see the beauty and value of the Messianic Liturgy, as taken out of the Jewish Synagogue. I've been writing a paper each week on different prayers and thought some of you might be interested in what I've shared thus far. I'll start posting them in this area, as I go along, hoping that these generate some response of praise to Adonai our God, or stimulate questions on the Judaic perspective of our faith.
Ma Tovu: How Lovely Are Your Tents O Jacob
The Ma Tovu is a prime example of why the Hebrew language is such a vital element of our worship. When we read the Ma Tovu in English, we see a camp ground: tents and dwelling places; but the words carefully chosen by Adonai, spoken through His enemy, Balaam in Numbers 24:5 mean much more.
Ma Tovu means "how lovely" or "how good". The Hebrew "Tov" is the word for good. It is the opposite of evil, being first used in the Garden to describe the tree of knowledge of good and evil: the tree of knowledge of tov and rah.
When we think of tents, we imagine the sukkot, the temporary structures used by the children of Israel wandering through the wilderness, the shanties we build for ourselves during the festival. The word "ohel", translated "tents" carries a more significant meaning. It would be better understood as "homes" as opposed to "houses". In fact, the ohel-lecha sounds very similar to the word halacha which speaks of familiar actions or habits: those customs or eccentricities that would make one easily identifiable. When you think of home, this is your ohel-lecha.
Similarly, the "dwelling places" of Israel is not just the domicile. The mishkaneh-teko is the Sanctuary or the place of worship. When we sing the Ma Tovu, we are proclaiming and affirming the covenant relationship that Adonai has with Israel, His covenant people. The tents and dwelling places of Israel are peculiar because they inhabit the presence of Adonai.
The song continues with portions of Psalm 5:8, Psalm 26:8, Psalm 95:6 and 69:13. These are solid declarations that we come to Adonai in worship. We come to Him on His terms. We are not free to define for ourselves what is pleasing and good in His sight; but we look into His Word for explanation and look to His people for our example. We worship according to the pattern that was followed by our Messiah, Yeshua.
We ask that our prayers be acceptable to Adonai in the right time. The context of this Psalm is during a time of great turmoil, surrounded by those who are against Adonai. It gives the idea, "Adonai, don’t allow me to slip way far." Such is an appropriate prayer for our Shabbat, that we enter into worship, knowing that the struggles and burdens of the week pull against our desire to walk with our Messiah. We have sinned. We have dealt deceitfully. We have walked wickedly. "Lord, answer me with the truth of Your salvation."
We declare by coming to worship, that we serve a God of mercy, who brings hope in His ever-willingness to forgive.
Ma Tovu: How Lovely Are Your Tents O Jacob
The Ma Tovu is a prime example of why the Hebrew language is such a vital element of our worship. When we read the Ma Tovu in English, we see a camp ground: tents and dwelling places; but the words carefully chosen by Adonai, spoken through His enemy, Balaam in Numbers 24:5 mean much more.
Ma Tovu means "how lovely" or "how good". The Hebrew "Tov" is the word for good. It is the opposite of evil, being first used in the Garden to describe the tree of knowledge of good and evil: the tree of knowledge of tov and rah.
When we think of tents, we imagine the sukkot, the temporary structures used by the children of Israel wandering through the wilderness, the shanties we build for ourselves during the festival. The word "ohel", translated "tents" carries a more significant meaning. It would be better understood as "homes" as opposed to "houses". In fact, the ohel-lecha sounds very similar to the word halacha which speaks of familiar actions or habits: those customs or eccentricities that would make one easily identifiable. When you think of home, this is your ohel-lecha.
Similarly, the "dwelling places" of Israel is not just the domicile. The mishkaneh-teko is the Sanctuary or the place of worship. When we sing the Ma Tovu, we are proclaiming and affirming the covenant relationship that Adonai has with Israel, His covenant people. The tents and dwelling places of Israel are peculiar because they inhabit the presence of Adonai.
The song continues with portions of Psalm 5:8, Psalm 26:8, Psalm 95:6 and 69:13. These are solid declarations that we come to Adonai in worship. We come to Him on His terms. We are not free to define for ourselves what is pleasing and good in His sight; but we look into His Word for explanation and look to His people for our example. We worship according to the pattern that was followed by our Messiah, Yeshua.
We ask that our prayers be acceptable to Adonai in the right time. The context of this Psalm is during a time of great turmoil, surrounded by those who are against Adonai. It gives the idea, "Adonai, don’t allow me to slip way far." Such is an appropriate prayer for our Shabbat, that we enter into worship, knowing that the struggles and burdens of the week pull against our desire to walk with our Messiah. We have sinned. We have dealt deceitfully. We have walked wickedly. "Lord, answer me with the truth of Your salvation."
We declare by coming to worship, that we serve a God of mercy, who brings hope in His ever-willingness to forgive.