Musing – Is love expensive? Is it worth it?

Hebraic Musing – Is love expensive?  Is it worth it?

Love is a double-edged sword. And our loving God has put that weapon in our hands.  What is Psalm 149:5–6 trying to say to us?  “Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds. May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands,…” NIV

In the opening phrase of Psalm 149 we are invited to sing our praises of honor to God for all the joy He has given us and for the joy He continues to give us. We are encouraged to praise the Lord with dance, song, and musical instruments. Why were they told to “sing for joy on their beds”?  Could it be that that is a reflective time at end of day?  Or…in Jewish tradition there is a special prayer called the Shema that is said every night.  It is right from Deut. 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.” This prayer expresses one’s love and commitment to God as He is worthy of all our praise. So these are the words that the faithful saints would “sing for joy on their beds.”

But then the psalmist changes gears and seems to remind saints of “a double-edged sword in their hands.” What is it for, and what does it have to do with words of praise?  Three perspectives:

1.   Sages explain that when we express our love to God, He returns that love by giving us “double protection.” We receive the blessings of both physical and spiritual protection from all harm. We receive extra guidance, care, and shelter from above.

2.   But there is more. As Psalm 149 goes on in verses 7-9 we hear of vengeance and judgement being carried out as a result of His relationship with the Saints – “…to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron, to carry out the sentence written against them. This is the glory of all his saints.”

3.   With this lesson of how much God loves and supports us, Sages go on to explain that we have to be willing to give up valuable things, like our time and money, for God’s purposes. When you love someone you are willing to move mountains for them?  As we express our love for God wholeheartedly we will experience His boundless love for us too; just as he has moved mountains for us.

As He has served us, we are called to serve Him.  And since a sword is used to cut a covenant, does this mean that the covenantal relationship we have with God has another half – a covenantal relationship with our neighbor?

Points to ponder

Is it possible to love both God and our neighbor
with all our heart, soul and strength?

How would the world’s systems change
if we all loved our neighbor as ourselves?

Shalom Neighbor                                                        May 26, 2015

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd     Author::

“Hebraic Insights” Republished March 2015
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“Musings v.1 – A Victorious Life”
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