We begin to learn the lessons left us by the Magi by studying
what I am calling my word for the year: DILIGENCE.
I believe it is the core of what the Magi were about. It is the one word that can sum up their lives, their work and their journey. And it is the one thing that the people of God, these days, are lacking.
DILIGENCE, according to Webster's Revised, infers 'careful attention and effort'. It involves painstaking preservation; watchfulness. But the BIBLE HUB digs back to the words origins.
“It is well to remember that the Old English meaning of diligence is 'With Love' from diligo 'to LOVE'” - http://biblehub.com/
Diligence involves love above all. What the Magi taught us if anything was that they watched the sky because they loved to do so. They watched the sky like a guard because they had chosen this life long ago; they loved reading the heavens. In the next few studies, we will delve into where that love comes from and why I believe that, instead of being sinning heathens, they were called of God to keep watch until the sign came. They may never fully understood this until they laid their eyes on the Christ-child. But from the very beginning, God was working with the Magi.
Back to the word, Diligence.
One KJV dictionary calls diligence the 'exertion of body and mind without unnecessary delay!' Going about one's duty like a soldier put on guard duty; paying with their life for failure. They were in it body and soul. They embodied synonyms of diligence like persistence, tenacity, dedication and commitment. The Magi were dedicated to making every effort to follow through on the task set before them!
As a legal term, diligence is the 'attention and care legally expected or required of a person or party to a contract”. And, to that, I would add the word covenant. We are reminded to the covenant Noah, Abraham, Moses, David and many others had with God. Time and time again, God showed himself to be worthy of our trust. His never changing power was always to be counted on when he was involved in a covenant. And he, in turn, expected our undying devotion to our end of said contract. Now, our relationship is more than just a legal contract, but we live with certain expectations none the less.
We are many times described as stewards of our talents, our time; our very lives. The steward was a person in charge of keeping the house in the absence of the master. Jesus used the term many times in his teachings when trying to get his followers to understand what they were expected to do in his absence. The parables of or Pounds (Luke 19:12-27), the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), and the Wicked Husbandmen (Matthew 21:33-46) are only a few instances where Jesus tried to prepare them for his departure. This speaks to us today. While we wait for his return, we are to be keeping his house. This insinuates our bodies, our ministries and, also, our church; both building and people.
We are told to watch and pray. The parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) talks of the foolish and wise. The wise were prepared (another trait of the Magi to be discussed later) and were ready for the arrival of the Master. The foolish had to go find oil for their lamps and missed his coming. The wise virgins were diligently prepared. A chapter later, Jesus is warning his closest disciples, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. “ Matthew 26:41.
The Old Testament Hebrew translates thoroughness The word osparna is used exclusively in Ezra in conjunction to the decree of the King. The things that the King asked were to be done DILIGENTLY...immediately...without question or interpretation. Thoroughly. Strangely enough, this word came from the mouth of a Babylonian king who was surrounded by Magi. Also of note is that this word comes from a Chaldean root word. Chaldea has been reported by some to be the birthplace and home of the original clan of Magi.
The other Hebrew word translated diligent, is Charuwts. It inferred the precision of a cutting instrument. This is why it is sometimes translated trench, threshing sledge or pointed or sharp instruments. Proverbs especially used this word in its effort to instill God's values to man.
Proverbs 10:4
He becometh poor that deals with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
Proverbs 12:24, 27
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
The slothful man roasts not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard desires, and hath nothing:
but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
Proverbs 21:5
The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
Obviously, God will reward/bless the diligent.
The Greek continues the thought with spoudazo. It literally means, 'I hasten'. It gives the notion of a fast response; an action produced from a zealous spirit. It is fully applying oneself into an action. This brings me to the bottom line of our daily lives as Christians aka followers of the living Christ.
Luke 10:27
He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
SUMMARY:
Diligence is born of love and an order, calling or charge. It infers watchfulness and preparedness. It is going about said calling without delay or question. It is the trait of a worthy steward who eagerly goes about what God has called him to and the ministry he has been left in charged of until Jesus comes.
May all of come after us find us faithful.
what I am calling my word for the year: DILIGENCE.
I believe it is the core of what the Magi were about. It is the one word that can sum up their lives, their work and their journey. And it is the one thing that the people of God, these days, are lacking.
DILIGENCE, according to Webster's Revised, infers 'careful attention and effort'. It involves painstaking preservation; watchfulness. But the BIBLE HUB digs back to the words origins.
“It is well to remember that the Old English meaning of diligence is 'With Love' from diligo 'to LOVE'” - http://biblehub.com/
Diligence involves love above all. What the Magi taught us if anything was that they watched the sky because they loved to do so. They watched the sky like a guard because they had chosen this life long ago; they loved reading the heavens. In the next few studies, we will delve into where that love comes from and why I believe that, instead of being sinning heathens, they were called of God to keep watch until the sign came. They may never fully understood this until they laid their eyes on the Christ-child. But from the very beginning, God was working with the Magi.
Back to the word, Diligence.
One KJV dictionary calls diligence the 'exertion of body and mind without unnecessary delay!' Going about one's duty like a soldier put on guard duty; paying with their life for failure. They were in it body and soul. They embodied synonyms of diligence like persistence, tenacity, dedication and commitment. The Magi were dedicated to making every effort to follow through on the task set before them!
As a legal term, diligence is the 'attention and care legally expected or required of a person or party to a contract”. And, to that, I would add the word covenant. We are reminded to the covenant Noah, Abraham, Moses, David and many others had with God. Time and time again, God showed himself to be worthy of our trust. His never changing power was always to be counted on when he was involved in a covenant. And he, in turn, expected our undying devotion to our end of said contract. Now, our relationship is more than just a legal contract, but we live with certain expectations none the less.
We are many times described as stewards of our talents, our time; our very lives. The steward was a person in charge of keeping the house in the absence of the master. Jesus used the term many times in his teachings when trying to get his followers to understand what they were expected to do in his absence. The parables of or Pounds (Luke 19:12-27), the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), and the Wicked Husbandmen (Matthew 21:33-46) are only a few instances where Jesus tried to prepare them for his departure. This speaks to us today. While we wait for his return, we are to be keeping his house. This insinuates our bodies, our ministries and, also, our church; both building and people.
We are told to watch and pray. The parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) talks of the foolish and wise. The wise were prepared (another trait of the Magi to be discussed later) and were ready for the arrival of the Master. The foolish had to go find oil for their lamps and missed his coming. The wise virgins were diligently prepared. A chapter later, Jesus is warning his closest disciples, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. “ Matthew 26:41.
The Old Testament Hebrew translates thoroughness The word osparna is used exclusively in Ezra in conjunction to the decree of the King. The things that the King asked were to be done DILIGENTLY...immediately...without question or interpretation. Thoroughly. Strangely enough, this word came from the mouth of a Babylonian king who was surrounded by Magi. Also of note is that this word comes from a Chaldean root word. Chaldea has been reported by some to be the birthplace and home of the original clan of Magi.
The other Hebrew word translated diligent, is Charuwts. It inferred the precision of a cutting instrument. This is why it is sometimes translated trench, threshing sledge or pointed or sharp instruments. Proverbs especially used this word in its effort to instill God's values to man.
Proverbs 10:4
He becometh poor that deals with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
Proverbs 12:24, 27
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
The slothful man roasts not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard desires, and hath nothing:
but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
Proverbs 21:5
The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
Obviously, God will reward/bless the diligent.
The Greek continues the thought with spoudazo. It literally means, 'I hasten'. It gives the notion of a fast response; an action produced from a zealous spirit. It is fully applying oneself into an action. This brings me to the bottom line of our daily lives as Christians aka followers of the living Christ.
Luke 10:27
He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
SUMMARY:
Diligence is born of love and an order, calling or charge. It infers watchfulness and preparedness. It is going about said calling without delay or question. It is the trait of a worthy steward who eagerly goes about what God has called him to and the ministry he has been left in charged of until Jesus comes.
May all of come after us find us faithful.