Shevat 25
Where do you SIT?
“…shall not WALK in the
counsel of the wrong, And shall not STAND in the path of sinners, And shall not
SIT in the seat of scoffers …” (Ps 1:1 ISR, emphasis
mine)
The Hebrew Word that has been translated as “sit”
is the word yâshab (Strong’s #3427), and means much more than just
taking a seat. Included within the
meanings of this word are dwell, remain, and abide, all pointing to a much more
permanent position. Jeff Benner, in his
Ancient Hebrew Dictionary includes in the definition of yâshab the
word “settle”, giving an impression of someone making themselves comfortable,
to stay for a longer period of time.[1] None of this is, by interpretation, in an
evil or wrong way; however, when we examine where
this individual is sitting, we have warning lights flashing.
Other translations of the Scriptures use “scornful”, and “mockers”
instead of the word “scoffers”; the picture portrayed is one who has a mouth
(pun intended), and uses it with an insulting, arrogant, and contemptuous
manner. “Extreme contempt; that disdain which springs from
a person's opinion of the meanness of an object, and a consciousness or belief
of his own superiority or worth;
a subject of extreme contempt, disdain or
derision; that which is treated with contempt” are just a few
of the definitions given by Noah Webster, with the added example of Haman’s
attitude towards Mordecai[2]
(see Esther 3). I do not believe I would
be remiss in saying that this is not
somewhere a child of the living Elohim should take up residence.
Let us follow the downward spiral in this
verse. First we find a casual contact
with those who are “wrong”, also called “wicked”, or “ungodly”. I like Jeff Benner’s meaning here: “One who has departed from the correct path or Way”[3]. Certainly, to stray from the path of our
Elohim’s Torah is very much wrong, with many consequences.
Next,
we observe those who are standing, watching, and perhaps interacting with the
ones who are called “sinners”, people that have deliberately and willingly
disobeyed Torah, and have no remorse.
And from there, the progression is to those ones who have sat down and
made themselves comfortable, abiding with people who arrogantly mock, ridicule,
revile, insult, despise, dishonor, and desecrate the holy, kadosh, things of our Creator.
By association, they will now also make a mockery of anyone who attempts
to live according to the dictates of Torah.
I truly believe that this is the result of willingly and willfully walking away from the Way
of our Master: dwelling with those who are classed as “scoffers”.
However,
to the person who chooses not to
pursue or entertain these attitudes and lifestyles, that one is called “blessed”.
He does not follow the advice of
untrustworthy people; he does not deliberately attend to those who willfully
disobey the Word of Elohim; and he is never to be found among those who
blaspheme our Father. He guards his
heart, for he knows that it is out of his heart that sources of life come (see
Pro 4:23).
“Do not be led astray, Evil company
corrupts good habits.” (1Cor 15:33 ISR)
©2017
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