Your Daily Slice

Adar 1

Prosperity

“And whatever he does prospers.” (Ps 1:3 ISR)

Truthfully, I think we all have our own definition of prosperity.  If we were to poll a random 100 people, asking each one for their explanation and definition of what prosperity is, we would more than likely be astonished at the different answers we would receive.  For some, it means financial wealth and stability; for others, perhaps a home and family; and still others would find prosperity in an abundance of things. 

The Hebrew word that has been translated as “prosper” is the word tsâlach / tsâlêach (Strong’s #H6743), and means to advance, make progress, be successful, and prosper.  However, it is in looking at other places where this word has been used that we find a sense of how our Creator defines prosperity.  The first place we find this word tsâlach / tsâlêach is in Genesis 24, which tells us of Eliezer, the servant of Abraham, journeying to Mesopotamia, in search of a bride for Isaac.  As Eliezer relates the instructions given to him to Laban, the brother of Rivkah, this statement is made:  “And I said to my master, ‘What if the woman does not follow me?’  But he said to me, ‘יהוה, before whom I walk, sends His messenger with you and shall prosper your way. And you shall take a wife for my son from my relatives and from my father’s house.” (See Gen 24:39-40).  Not only was Eliezer successful in his search of a suitable bride, but he was also successful through his obedience.

There are several references in the life of Samson using this word (Jud 14:6, 19; 15:14), however, the word tsâlach / tsâlêach has been translated in these verses as mightily.  I suppose we could interpret this to mean that Samson was successful and prosperous in his great strength, which he was.  Other references using the word tsâlach / tsâlêach  include 1Samuel 16:13, which speaks of Samuel anointing David with oil, and of how the Spirit of YHWH “prospered” upon David.  2Chronicles 22:11-13 recounts some of the advice David gave to his son Solomon, in regard to building the temple, and governing Isra’el.  All of this advice included the admonition that Solomon would only prosper and be successful through his (Solomon’s) relationship with YHWH Elohim.

And what of us?  Are we as successful in our walk with our King as we should be?  What of our Torah Study?  In the doing of random acts of kindness?  What of our Sabbath observance?  Does our diet reflect our prosperity?  Where does our greatest success lie?  Should it not be in loving our Elohim with everything in us?

“Only be strong and very courageous, to guard to do according to all the Torah which Mosheh My servant commanded you. Do not turn from it right or left, so that you act wisely wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Torah depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you guard to do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and act wisely.” (Jos 1:7-8 ISR, emphasis mine)

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