Richard Maisenbacher
There have been many messages regarding hope lately! I wonder why?! It also seems that our prayers give us divine delay practice while our patience seems to get strengthened. I thought I would do a little research on Hebraic joy as compared to just having joy or happiness in the Greek or Western thought process. Skip Moen and Tim Hegg were beneficial in this research.
Hebrew 1:2-3, “Consider it all joy brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” These trials can be out of our control or be internal trials from our own flesh or weaknesses. Jesus said to “count it all joy.” We can persevere through the trial, not only with faith, but with faith strengthened by His power. Perseverance is the ultimate proof of our faith. It is also nice to have the Armor of God on, especially the sword of the Spirit.
Hebrews 12:2, “Fixing our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame.” Jesus went to the cross for joy. I thought joy was supposed to be happiness not suffering! Joy is a relational word. It is first God’s relationship with us, and He says He will be gracious. That’s the word for joy in the Old Testament. Joy is the result of a relationship of favor brought about by God. It is not necessarily a peaceful life without any troubles. It is God acting benevolently toward me. It is not about my mental state. It is divine favor on my behalf. The joy set before Jesus was love because he knew it brought favor to men (us).
In the Old Testament one of the roots of joy is simha meaning rejoice and gladness. Isaiah 9:3, “You shall multiply the nations, you shall increase their gladness; they will be glad in your presence as with the gladness of harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.”
In English or Greek, it defines joy as a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. However, in the Hebrew it involves the whole person and includes the heart. And this context includes everyday life…a cheerful word, feasts, weddings, prosperity, being with friends, in God’s Torah. However, the Lord and his salvation are most frequently the reason for joy.
“The joy of the Lord is our strength” in Hebrews depicts inanimate objects with human emotion. The heavens rejoice and the hills clap their hands are expressions of joy. Joy is the manifestation of divine purpose being fulfilled. And since everything in creation has purpose, when any part acts according to its design, that part experiences joy; even though our emotions do not seem joyful, and we may experience sorrow, guilt, shame and evil.
When we feel disconnected from God’s divine order, the bloom of a flower, the drops of rain, a bird’s song, the movement of clouds remind us that joy is built into creation! Joy is God’s divine grace and favor. Joy is God’s purpose being fulfilled!
In His Covenant Love,
