Ruach (01.29.17)

This is the fourth lesson in our series of basic Hebrew words everyone should know.

Ruach (Strong's #7307) pronounced roo'-akh - wind; by resemblance {breath} that {is} a sensible (or even violent) exhalation... also by resemblance {spirit} but only of a rational being (including its expressions and functions)...

KJV Usage: Occurs 378x in 348 verses. Spirit (232x), wind (92x), breath (27x), side (6x), mind (5x), blast (4x), vain (2x), air (1x), anger (1x), cool (1x), courage (1x), misc (6x).

We don't often think about breathing - unless we're running out of air.  But breath is an important theme throughout the Bible. The Book of Genesis says God made man from the dust of the ground and put skin, muscles, bones, blood vessels, tendons, veins and hair in place, but the man was not a "living being" until God breathed into his body. (Genesis 2:7)

The word for breath in Hebrew is ruach which also means spirit, so man only becomes a living being when God gives him His breath or spirit.  (Holy Spirit is Ruach HaKodesh).

According to Psalm 150 - let everything that has breath praise The Lord (Yah).

So to be alive we first inhale God's Spirit (ruach) and then we exhale praise.  Inhale Spirit (ruach), exhale praise.  This is life. Do you have this rhythm in your life?

Ruach and the Valley of Dry Bones - Ezekiel 37:1-10

Hesed (01.08.17)

This is the first lesson of our Sunday School series on basic Hebrew words everyone should know.

The Hebrew word "hesed" is often translated as "love" or "mercy".  It is a hard word to define.  Theologian John Oswalt says hesed is "a completely undeserved kindness and generosity."  Hesed is not just a feeling, it's an action.  It intervenes on behalf of loved ones and comes to their rescue.  Hesed is not romantic love. It's faithful. It's reliable.  It's a wife praying for her husband to know God.  It's a dad once again bailing out his drug-addicted son.  It's parents who lovingly care daily for their autistic child.  Today, you can rely on God's hesed for you no matter what you face.