Relationships Are Everything

May 18, 2025

Pastor Josh Starnes presented today's message, "Relationships Are Everything." A video of today's message is here on YouTube.

The "Great Commandment" that Pastor Josh referenced, Matthew 22:34-40, harkens back to extremely significant Torah quotes. One is part of the Shema and is found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."

The phrase "with all your heart, soul, and strength" would have meant something very different to the Israelites 3,000 years ago from what it means to us today. In ancient Hebrew, the heart was the seat of the mind (kidneys were the seat of emotion). Soul refers to your "living being" (nefesh), a person's unique essence, and to the religious, the part of us that survives eternally. It's what God breathed into Adam (Genesis 2:7). And "might" (me'odeka) would be better translated as "muchness," that is, all you have at your disposal, your capacity, including your property. This is one of those untranslatable words packed with meaning. Think "with everything you've got." So, the Shema triplet becomes mind, soul, and all you've got.

Two, the second part of the Great Commandment from Matthew is "Love your neighbor as yourself." Interestingly, Matthew did not finish this quote from Leviticus 19:18 (the literal center of the Torah). Here's the whole verse: "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord." The last phrase, "I am the Lord," pulls it all together. It makes it clear that this command is coming from God and don't forget, I (God) am watching!

Further, both parts are clearly in relationship. The first is mankind in relation to all members of mankind, and the latter is relationship between members of mankind and God.

One could readily say that the entire Bible, both testaments, is entirely about God in relationship with Mankind and Mankind in relationship with each other. Further, in both testaments, God elaborates in great detail his wisdom in regard to living in relationship with both Him and others.

Like the Great Commandment, the Great Commission is also universally upheld in both testaments. The New Testament version is in Matthew 28:19-20, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." The Old Testament version carries phrases like "be a blessing to all nations." Here are two articles that discuss in some detail the "Great Commission" of the Old Testament:

A Blessing to All Nations.

The Great Commission in the Old Testament.

Bonus

Psalm 23

About 10 days ago, I taught a class for PILLAR Institute on the Ten Commandments. One of the comments submitted afterward by an attendee requested I do a class on the 23rd Psalm. I thought that was a great idea, so as a first step toward developing a full-blown (90-minute) class on the topic, I thought I'd gather up everything I've written about the 23rd Psalm here in one Bonus...

January 2025

Psalm 23 doesn't start with "The Lord is My Shepherd." It starts with "A psalm of David" which is what begins 8 of the 150 psalms. "A psalm of David" also helps introduce 9 other psalms along with "to the chief musician" or the like. Another 7 psalms start with "to David."

"Psalm" is not the most helpful translation of the word mizmor (miz-more', מִזְמוֹר). Melody or music or "poem set to music" would be better. These mizmors would be used back in the day much like we use hymns or worship songs today.

The above info about the 23rd Psalm came from an email I received from The Isaiah Projects. I get a weekly email from them, and this past week they started a series on Psalm 23. The series continues next week.

The original music for Psalm 23 is forever lost. However, I do have a favorite modern setting: The Lord is my shepherd (Psalm 23) by John Rutter (YouTube). It's part of a larger requiem by Rutter.

Back in July, I mentioned a hauntingly beautiful rendition of the 23rd Psalm sung in Hebrew with lyre accompaniment: THE LYRE OF MEGIDDO, Psalm 23 in Hebrew (YouTube).

The idea of God shepherding us was first introduced in Genesis 48:15 where Jacob blesses his sons. But Jacob does not use "The Eternal" (Jehovah) there as David uses in Psalm 23. Jacob uses "Elohim." Elohim is not the shepherd; he is doing the shepherding. As in Psalm 23, in the Genesis verse the word "shepherd" is not a noun, it's a verb.

In preparation for next week's continuation of Psalm 23, read Psalm 80. It opens with the shepherd reference, and once again shepherd is not a noun but rather a verb.

Credit: David Nekrutman, The Isaiah Projects (article).

February 2024

At the outset, while introducing the 23rd Psalm as the text for the day, Pastor Patrick mentioned peace as an overall opposite of stress. His message today is about getting rid of stress and moving toward peace. It may be helpful to review the fullness of the Old Testament word for peace, shalome. Click here.

Patrick outlined his message with six points:

1. Look to God to meet all needs. Psalm 23:1. Let's look at the Hebrew word for shepherd, ra'ah (רָעָה), which is the metaphor developed here. In addition to obvious shepherding as in taking care of a flock, some other concepts are also part of the meaning. One of these is to tend or to care for. God cares and tends for us. Another concept associated with ra'ah is teacher, including the notion of enriching. Letting God in grants you teachings (through his word) and the enrichment of your life. In yet other instances, the word can indicate a ruler, someone who shepherds through governing (e.g. Jer. 22:22). There's also a notion of feeding, as in he provided food for thought or fed on his faithfulness (Psalm 37:3). The last one I'll mention is friend or friendship (Prov. 22:24).

2. Obey God's instruction about rest. Psalm 23:2. Patrick spent a bit of time noting that even God rested on the 7th Day (of Creation) and also commanded that we do the same every week on the Sabbath. It's even in the Ten Commandments (TCs)! As we've discussed here before, the intent of this kind of rest is not sleeping all day. It includes reflection. What did I do the previous six days and did those things get me closer to what's important? I might add, "over the last 6 days, did I do things that added to or took away stress?" Observing the Sabbath is the only ritual commandment of the big ten. Ritual is a physical expression of a value, and in this case, the value is to get closer to your Shepherd by recognizing Him as Creator. Also, being the only ritual in the Ten Commandments makes it arguably the most important ritual of all Old Testament instruction. It's also the only one of the TCs that provides a reason (Exodus 20:11).

3. Go to God for guidance. Psalm 23:3. Let's look at the word lead, nachah (נָחָה). In addition to the common understanding of lead or guide, there are other connotations to this word. One of these extends guiding to treating others kindly (especially the helpless, often). When feeling helpless, which no doubt leads to stress, let God lead you. In a positive sense, one can be led into prosperity and righteousness. A text where God will lead/guide you into righteousness is Isaiah 58:11, "The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." 4. Trust God in the dark valleys. Psalm 23:4. Valleys, as Patrick noted, can be any/many kinds of loss. It's interesting that the word for valley used here, gay (גַּיְא), is related to the word for pride, gevah (גֵּוָה). And isn't it true that following our pride gets us into deep gorges (another way to translate gay [valley]).

5. Let God be your defender. Psalm 23:5. Let's look at the word for enemy in that verse: tsarar (צָרַר). Just as Patrick mentioned that loss can come in many forms, so does the Hebrew word for enemy indicate or include lots of forces/situations that are bad. These include anything that could be described as adverse: being bound or tied up, restricted, narrow (confined/cramped), damaged, harmed, harassed, and scant (of resources). Any hostility. Anything that puts you in distress (originally from the Latin meaning to hinder, punish). Anything that vexes you. It can even refer to a rival, as in a rival wife (see Leviticus 18:18). How's that for covering the world of loss?!

6. Expect God to grant you His goodness. Psalm 23:6. The word translated as goodness is towb (טוֹב). This Hebrew word is used to describe about every goodness, pleasantness, or agreeableness you can imagine. Goodness to the senses, as in smell, sight, or taste. The pleasant shade of a tree. A good day, as in a festival day, or a prosperous year. The best part of something like an area in a house. Good tidings or a good report. Unity of brethren. It can mean good as in valuable. It is the word used when God said various parts of His Creation were good. It can suggest appropriateness. As you're no doubt gathering, it can mean lots of things and is used many times in the OT, about 562.

Almost all of the details for this word discussion came from BibleHub.com's Interlinear Bible, one of the items listed on the Credits tab. I don't always mention the resources I use in every essay. But, you may assume that practically all the info presented across this website was derived either from the items in the Credits tab or specific sources mentioned along the way. I'm simply sharing what I have found to be interesting.

June 2024

Pastor Josh Starnes presented today's message, "Metaphors: Good Shepherd." Here's a video of the message.

So what did shepherding look like in the ANE (Ancient Near East, the time period the Torah covers, late Bronze Age)?

A shepherd was often a child, though not always. This suggests it's never too young to be in service to others.

The shepherd often had two "sticks." One was a rod with a knob or ball on the end that might also have had nails sticking out of that ball on the end. This was a weapon against attacking animals. The other "stick" was a staff, what you usually picture when you think of a shepherd's crook with the "hook" at the top. This was both a walking stick and a stick by which the shepherd could grab and/or redirect a wayward sheep (using the crook around the sheep's neck). These two are the proverbial "rod and staff that comfort me" in Psalm 23 (see below).

The shepherd often carried a sling as well, as was famously used by David against Goliath. All this suggests that shepherds have proper tools.

Probably the most famous passage in the Old Testament that references a shepherd is Psalm 23. In some translations, the phrase "is my shepherd" (first line) is translated as "ruleth me" which refers to "feed, guide and govern me" as in Isaiah 40:11. Here's the 23rd Psalm (KJV):

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

As Pastor Josh made quite clear, Jesus is God, part of what we call the Triune God (3-in-1: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). So, "Lord" in the first line clearly includes Jesus.

Sheep in the Old Testament are often gifts to show goodwill. For example, Pharoah gives Abram a sheep (among other things) to gain his favor. Have you ever considered giving someone else the Good Shepherd as a gift?

Just as Jesus gave his life as the Good Shepherd for us all, a sheep (a ram, actually) gave its life in Isaac's place so that he and Abraham might live.

How well and conscientiously people care for sheep (and other animals) play key roles in Torah stories. For example, the process of finding a wife for Isaac reveals a unique level of energy for caring for others, including their animals. Read how much Rebekah did for a stranger (Abraham's servant looking for a wife for Isaac) in Genesis 24:19-20. She did things quickly and ran to accomplish them.

And who could forget that it is lamb's blood that is smeared on the doorposts to protect the Hebrews during the killing of the Egyptian firstborns (Exodus 12). Again, a sacrifice for protection. Clearly, this is a foreshadowing of the coming of the Lamb of God.

For a little more such discussion, visit "The Shepherd in the Old Testament" at ShepherdofSouls.com.

One last thought for today... Pastor Josh mentioned that the sheep know the shepherd's voice, and that likewise we must know the voice of God. Here's an interesting article (a bit long, read what you will) about knowing the voice of God: "KNOWING GOD’S VOICE" (PDF) by Patricia Hulsey.