Writings by Barri Cae MallinThe Simchah CommandmentFriday 08 October 2004 - 07:14:59Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart: for I am called by Thy name, O LORD God of Hosts. Jere. 15:16 As the last day of Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles closes, it is fitting to look at the word 'Joy'. Sukkot is one of the most rejoicing feasts, and even as a small child, I still remember the glee in carrying around my baby Torah throughout the sanctuary. Young and old alike, Rabbi and children, all joined the Torah parade. It was a great time of rejoicing, as it is today. The word for rejoice or joy in Hebrew is simchah. The word joy appears over 150 times in Scripture. Paul, Rabbi Sh'aul, exhorts us in I Thess. 5:16 to rejoice evermore. He repeats this in Phil 3:1- Finally my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. Also in Phil. 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord, again I will say Rejoice!" Never once does Paul say to complain, Complain in the Lord. He never says to grumble in the Lord! We are to rejoice. Rejoice and dance - I Sam 18:6 Rejoice to move the earth - I Kings 1:40 Rejoice and lift up your voice - I Chron. 15:16 Rejoice with offerings - I Chron 29:9, Nehe. 12:43 Rejoice over your enemies - 2 Chron 20:27 Rejoice by shouting aloud - Ezra 3:12 Rejoice and keep feasts - Ezra 6:22, Esther 8:16-17 Rejoice, widow! Job 29:13 Rejoice if you trust in God - Ps. 5:11 Rejoice in the presence of God - Ps.16:11 Rejoice with sacrifices of joy - Ps. 27:6 Rejoice, for the LORD has pleasure in your prosperity - Ps. 35:27 Rejoice with the harp - Ps. 43:4 Rejoice, because even the valleys shout for joy - Ps 65:13 Rejoice, nations - Ps. 67:4 Rejoice - tears turn to joy - Ps. 126:5 Rejoice, heart! - Ecc. 2:10 Rejoice and eat - Ecc. 9:7 Rejoice, meek and poor among men - Isa. 29:19 Rejoice waste places - Is. 52:9 Rejoice with Jerusalem - Is. 66:10 Rejoice with the LORD - Heb. 3:18 Rejoice, because the LORD rejoices over you, He joys over you with singing. Zeph. 3:17 Rejoice and leap - Luke 6:23 Rejoice! joy is in heaven - Luke 15:7 Rejoice with joy and the Holy Spirit - Acts 13:52 Rejoice in prayer - Phil. 1:4 We are commanded to rejoice. We need to be glad in the Lord. Rejoicing is not found in temporary worldly pleasures. Worldly pursuits may bring a short happiness, but they don't bring enduring joy. Worldly pleasures are fleeting and never fulfilling. From Job's despair, from Paul's prison cell, from David's lament, from Yeshua Jesus before His death. We are to fix our eyes on Yeshua Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross - Heb. 12:2. How was there joy set before Jesus as He endured the cross? He knew, HE KNEW that death was not the final word. Is God calling you to die? Is He calling you to die to dreams? hopes? relationships? dashed expectations? a lost job promotion? Only through death is promotion. Rejoice that death is not the final say with God. Rejoice, in as much as you are partakers of Messiah's sufferings, that when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. I Peter 4:13 |
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Copyright © Barri Cae Mallin. |
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