Before I tell you what that word was, let me say, I love our pastor, and not just because he's my dad, but also because he has an understanding of scripture from the perspective of the Jewish culture that has transformed the way I see the Bible. Remember those posters in the 90's that if you stared at it just right you could make out a 3-D image? That is how adding my Jewish roots has added my understanding of the Bible and my Christian faith.
Pastor Mike shared with us the Ephesians 6 passage on the Armor of God from the Peshitta Bible in comparision with the King James Version.
If you are like me, you might be saying, the Peshwhata? The Peshitta is a translation of the Syriac Bible from the Ancient Eastern Text. If you want to know more, you can read about it on Wikipedia or Britannica or do more research on it yourself at your local library.
In my internet search, I also read some criticisms of the Peshitta - so please don't go home and throw out your NIV or KJV Bible. My advice is to use something like this to supplement your Bible Study. Many great Bible scholars throughout time disagreed on various doctrine so asserting that your way is the only way on secondary issues within Christianity is not what I am advocating. I am advocating you go deeper in your study of scripture.
What I loved about the reading comparison was the use of the word - "just." By itself, that word doesn't sound very monumental, but its use in the sentence added a layer of meaning that I had never heard before.
In the NIV or many other common translations, Ephesians 6:12 reads something like this:
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
in the Peshitta it said:
"For our struggle is not just against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
Did you catch it? Did you see that word, "just?" It fits because we do struggle against flesh and blood. My thought life can be crazy; when I get sick, tired or hungry life is a struggle. Taking care of myself is important so that "just" helps illuminate that fact.
When someone doesn't know where their next meal is coming from or they are in the middle of a battle of cancer, they are fighting the flesh & blood (tangible, human needs). We can't ignore the physical needs or dismiss them.
In contrast, as Christians we can't live in the limitations of our flesh and blood, which is why this spiritual component is crucial. Unfortunately, we often ignore the spiritual battle. So much of life we don't see, can't know and have no control over, but as a Christian, we can arm up for battle and go get it spiritually. Its amazing to see someone surrender to God's will and wait on him, and find provision in ways they never dreamed!
Our bodies are temples of the holy spirit so we must care for our needs but we also have to understand we only see a small part of what is actually going on around us, we must be prepared with the Armor of God.
Where are you lacking? Do you need to give yourself some grace in this season of life? Are you expecting too much in a season of great physical needs? Are you prepared for life with the spiritual weapons God gives us? Having them on helps us to look past the things we can't control and realize God's got it! Maybe you need to delve more into scripture and study the Bible? I don't know what your take away is, but I'd love to hear it! Happy Wednesday!
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