The Grands Letter (Gen/GLJ)
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D. on October 13, 2024 6:14 am (CST)Dear Grands,
Genesis 22:5, “Abraham said to his young men, ‘Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you.’”
It may not be of supreme interest to you, but the word “worship” in some form, occurs 183 times in the entirety of the Bible. The Hebrew word ?????? shachah, means “to bow down.” The Greek word (????????? proskuneo) means “to do reverence, to worship.”
This being Sunday, the LORD’s Day –the special, first day of each week– many will worship the LORD in church services throughout the land. “Bowing down,” however, is not merely an action of the human body; it is a physiclal signification of the superiority of another. Bowing down in one’s heart is what is biblically required.
The habit of most foreign nations is for the constituents to bow before the one who rules judicially throughout the realm. That physical habit, however, derives ultimately from the Scriptures and relates to the LORD, who rules over Heaven and earth.
Most people bow their heads when prayers are offered, despite the fact that they are not personally honoring the LORD or even agreeing with the one who is voicing the prayer. Yet, those who know the LORD and have accepted Him into their hearts and lives, usually close their eyes as well.
What is of foremost value is that those bowing actually know the LORD as their LORD and Savior and are acknowledging Him as the Supreme Being in their lives.
When Abraham said to the young Jewish men who accompanied him and his son, Isaac, “…the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you,” he left for us a pattern for worship that pleases the LORD.
Think of this today as you bow your head and close your eyes as someone in the church body voices aloud a prayer to the LORD. The LORD hears every humble and sincere prayer; and He acknowledges all prayers that are offered with sincerity. God bless you!
Heartily in Christ Jesus,
(Dado III)
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America
“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom