צ The 18th letter is the tsadhe. It is pronounced tsah-dee and has the sounds of ts, like in bats. It is sometimes translated as tz in English, as in mitzvah. The letter looks like a faithful servant with hands raised in humility to God. Hebrew speakers sometimes call this letter the tzaddik, which means righteous person. And that's our word today, righteous, from verse 137.
The student is taking the posture of the tsadhe. He is kneeling before the Teacher in humility, praising Him for always being right, always being faithful, always being just. The author knows that he has let his rivalry take up too much of his time, but he just doesn't understand why the other students can't Pay Attention. He knows he's not in the popular crowd, and--he's not going to lie--it hurts his feelings. But he consoles himself by reminding himself--twice!--that the right words of God never go out of style.
The phrase "righteous forever" struck me today. In our world , styles last one season, trends change daily , and what's right when you wake up may be considered wrong by bedtime. There's a phrase that I've heard a lot in our cancel culture--"That didn't age well." Someone may have said something in the past that is held against them later. At the time it was said, it wasn't offensive. But it doesn't age well as cultural norms change. The pattern of the world shifts so often it's baffling. And I have found myself to be consumed with zeal for proving them wrong. But not God!! What He said in the beginning was right, it is right, and it will always be right. It does not expire, go out of style, trend out, or age badly. His words are trustworthy, right, true, delightful, and life giving. I want to take the shape of our letter today--bowed before Him as a faithful servant with hands raised to Him in obedience.
No comments:
Post a Comment