Psalm 23:2 – Summer Impulse 2023

The word translated “still” has the Hebrew word for “comfort” in it, so restful, comforting waters.

This expression reminds of Isaiah 8:6-7: „Because this people has refused the waters of Shiloah that flow gently, and rejoice over Rezin and the son of Remaliah, therefore, behold, the Lord is bringing up against them the waters of the River, mighty and many, the king of Assyria and all his glory. And it will rise over all its channels and go over all its banks.”

In John 9:7 the name Siloah is interpreted messianically as “the sent one”.  The meaning is “water channel”.

We are invited to refresh ourselves with Jesus and his word.

Psalm 1:3 says, “He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”

Psalm 23:2 – Summer Impulse 2023

The Good Shepherd causes me to stretch out and lie down in pleasant grass or pastures.

The word translated as green has connotations of pleasantness, loveliness, something to be enjoyed.

It is the image that the Good Shepherd invites us to lie down in beautiful places.

The Hebrew word for Shepherd shares a root with the word for companion, or close friend.

Whatever happens in the future, good or bad, God will be there to look after me. I shall not lack anything.

John before God

“From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God” Revelation 4:5.

The lightning and thunder are reminiscent of the divine appearance in Exodus 19:16: “On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled.”

The seven fiery torches are reminiscent of the menorah in the tabernacle. They are a type of the “sevenfold spirit” described in Isaiah 11:2: ” And the Spirit of the LORD (YHWH) shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord“.

Seven means that the Holy Spirit is present in all its fullness.

Although John speaks of thunder and lightning, the whole description exudes calm, order, holiness, and devotion. It’s nothing terrifying, just something majestic and holy.

God is holy (Leviticus 11:45).

Before the throne of God there are 24 representatives of mankind. John does not define these 24 persons in more detail.

Their white robes show that they have been washed clean. Revelation 7:14 says about the robes: “They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb”.

The golden wreaths indicate that they have received the crown of victory. They have arrived at their destination.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9:25, “Competitors… do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.”

The golden wreaths, the white robes and the designation “elders”, representatives, chiefs indicate that these twenty-four persons are not heavenly beings but human representatives.

Revelation 4:4, “Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.”