the beauty of the law (part 1)

Imagine a world gripped in fear and uncertainty.

You are standing on a hill gazing up into the wide expanse above.

"Who am I? Where did I come from? What is the meaning of life? What is my purpose? What is expected of me?"

You know that there must be more to this life.

Look at the world around you. While your thoughts may be chaotic within you, the world has a complex sense of order and purpose. Is there someone ... something ... who moves the clouds to pour rain on the crops? Does he see me? Is he happy with me? Have I offended him?

Your eyes grow crazy with anxiety. Surely, the power behind the elements is not by chance.

Surely, there is a god.

What does he require of me?

You are reigned by fear of the god who only communicates with you through the elements and circumstances around you. To form some sort of tangible understanding of this ellusive being, you mold out of wood or stone an image of your "god" but frantic questions still plague your mind ... what is expected of me? how does god wish for me to live? what pleases him?

And then ... you hear the sweet music of another man's voice.

And he sings,

"In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
...
My soul is consumed with longing
for your rules at all times.
...
Your testimonies are my delight;
they are my counselors.
...
Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
...
Behold, I long for your precepts;
in your righteousness give me life!
...
for I find my delight in your commandments,
which I love.
I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.
...
When I think of your rules from of old,
I take comfort, O LORD.
...
At midnight I rise to praise you,
because of your righteous rules.
...
The law of your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
...
If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have given me life.
...
Oh how I love your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
...
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
...
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
...
Your testimonies are my heritage forever,
for they are the joy of my heart.
...
The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple.
I open my mouth and pant,
because I long for your commandments.
...
Great peace have those who love your law..."

Your heart plummets and then surges with hope. This man knows such joy ... such peace ... the peace you so long for. This man's God has revealed Himself to him and has spoken to him what He delights in ... what He requires of him. Longing swarms over your whole being to have his understanding.

Yes, the law of God is beautiful.

The voice of the Old Testament Israelite sings with sweet regard for God's commandments for it holds answers for his finite mind.

God desires to see His people rest. When and how long? an hour? 2 days? 4?

One.

God delights in His people giving back to him what he has already blessed them with. How much and what? half my crops?

10 %

His law is not grievous or burdensome. It is a comfort ... a delight.