Ernest Smith

Disclaimer: If you are wondering why I am blogging what God is teaching during my personal time with Him, read this.

Joshua: Chapter One

Joshua 1:5-9 – No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.  Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

There are clearly many powerful truths found in this passage.  I could talk about how God never abandons His people (vs. 5).  I could talk about how we are to be strong and courageous, knowing that God is always with us (vs. 6, 9).  I could talk about how we are to be careful to do all that God has called us to do, being obedient in all aspects of His Word.

However, what stood out to me in this passage is the word “meditate”.  It is right in the middle of the passage, a word that many would miss and a word that I have read over, without much thought, many times.

God says, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it.”

The word meditate in the Hebrew is hagah and it has an unusual meaning.  The word does mean to meditate, but a more pure understanding of the word is to growl.  The word picture that one gets when the Hebrew word hagah is used is that of a lion growling while standing over his prey.  Told you it was an unusual meaning.

So, does this passage mean that we are to stand over God’s Word, the Bible, and make growling noises?  Well, I hope not.  That truly would be something to blog about.  However, it does mean that we are to treat the Bible much like a lion treats its prey.

If you have ever been on a safari or have watched any show about lions catching their prey, there are many words that can describe the lion when the prey is caught.  Focused!  Intense!  Devouring!  Consumed!   These are words that characterize a lion when he is growling over his prey.

So, now the question is “Are these words that would characterize my reading of God’s Word?”  Am I focused while studying God’s Word?  Can the word “intense” be used to describe my time spent on God’s Word?  Would I be characterized as devouring the Word of God?  Can someone say that when I am studying the Word of God that I am consumed?

If the answer is “no”, then I need to learn to meditate a little more.  God’s Word is not there for us to simply treat it like fast food.  Remember, fast food might alleviate the hunger pangs, but it won’t fill you up.  Don’t assume that a quick reading of God’s Word is going to fill you up!  May we meditate, focus, devour and be consumed by the Word of God.

Would your time in God’s Word be characterized as focused, intense, devouring or consumed?

What do you need to do to meditate more on God’s Word?