How do I Prosper?

I am sure that it is each person’s desire to prosper. What does it mean when someone says you are ‘prosperous’? Maybe the first thing is, having lots of money and material possessions. Let us look at what the Bible mean by ‘prosper’.

The first mention of the word ‘PROSPER’ is in Genesis 24:40 :

Gen 24:40  And he said unto me, The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper (Heb 6743) thy way; and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father's house:

tsâlach צלח    H6743 (Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (TWOT) 1916, 1917)

SC Hebrew : A primitive root; to push forward, break out, go over, be good, be profitable, prosper (-ity, -ous, -ously).

TWOT (pg 766)

The root means to accomplish satisfactorily what is intended. Real prosperity results from the work of God in the life of one who seeks God with all his heart (2 Chronicles 31:21; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:3) Joseph is called a prosperous man, for Yahweh turned all his misfortunes into benefit for Jacob’s sons (Genesis 39:2,3,23). God expresses His purposes through His Word. Therefore His Word will not prove empty, but it will prosper in its fulfilment (Isaiah 55:11). Isaiah says, “The will of Yahweh shall prosper in His hand.” Although true prosperity comes only from God’s blessing, externally it often appears that the wicked prosper. This appearance causes the righteous to question God’s involvement in human affairs (Jeremiah 12:1). In the last days those who opposed to God shall prosper for a time through cunning and deceit (Daniel 8:12). But their success will only be temporary, for God is preparing a time of judgement against all evil to accomplish His indignation (Daniel 11:36). It must be clearly affirmed that transgression of God’s law will never finally succeed (Numbers 14:4).

 

The word ‘prosper’ that we are more familiar with is from Joshua 1:7,8 :

Jos 1:7  Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law (Heb. 8451), which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it [to] the right hand or [to] the left, that thou mayest prosper (Heb. 7919) whithersoever thou goest.

Jos 1:8  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous (Heb. 6743) , and then thou shalt have good success.

Jos 1:9  Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest.

śâkal שׂכל H7919 (TWOT 2263, 2264)

A primitive root; to be circumspect and hence intelligent: - consider, expert, instruct, prosper, deal prudently, skillful, have good success, teach, have understanding, make to understand, wisdom, be wise, behave wisely, consider wisely.

TWOT (pg877)

Sakal relates to the intelligent knowledge of the reason. There is a process of thinking through a complex arrangement of thoughts resulting in a wise dealing and use of good practical common sense. Another end result is the emphasis of being successful.

1.         Sakal also involves one in what he considers, or pays attention to. The English word used here is ‘understand’ in Isaiah 41:20.

Isa 41:20  That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand⁷⁹¹⁹ together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

2.         Insight or comprehension. The man who would boast of anything, should boast that he has insight to, or knows the Lord (Jeremiah 9:23). This is the same word in Proverbs 1:3 for wisdom

Pro 1:3  To receive the instruction of wisdom,⁷⁹¹⁹ justice, and judgment, and equity;

3.         Another usage of this verb is the idea of causing to consider, giving insight, or teaching. David indicates that the Lord made him understand the details of the pattern of temple furniture (1 Chronicles 28:19). Gabriel gave Daniel insight or skill (Daniel 9:22).

1Ch 28:19  All this, said David, the LORD made me understand⁷⁹¹⁹ in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.

Dan 9:22  And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill⁷⁹¹⁹ and understanding.

 4.         Another meaning is acting circumspectly (watchful, cautious) or prudently (careful, wise). God has His way of determining whether a general population is acting wisely as to seek Him (Psalm 14:2). A prudent wife is from the Lord (Proverbs 19:14). The suffering Servant acted prudently in fulfilling the work assigned to him (Is. 52:13)

Psa 14:2  The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand,⁷⁹¹⁹ and seek God.

Pro 19:14  House and riches are the inheritance of fathers:¹ and a prudent⁷⁹¹⁹ wife is from the LORD.

Isa 52:13  Behold, my servant shall deal prudently,⁷⁹¹⁹ he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.

5.         Prosper or have success. David prospered greatly and Saul feared him (1 Samuel 18:14,15).

1Sa 18:14  And David behaved himself wisely⁷⁹¹⁹ in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.

1Sa 18:15  Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely,⁷⁹¹⁹ he was afraid of him

THE LAW – TORAH [1]

Therefore, the basis for our prosperity is the law of God. Yet, many Christians have a negative attitude about the word law. The idea is a set of ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’. In Hebrew, the word torah (Heb. 8451) is derived from the root word yarah (Heb. 3384) which means ‘to point out, teach, instruct or give direction’. It is God’s instruction to man. If God teaches us something, we are obligated to obey. The English translation tends to reinforce torah as “law” most of the time. The Jewish Tanakh instead translates torah as “teaching” most of the time. For example, the New King James Version :

Psalm 1:2

But his delight (Heb 2656)  is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.

...while the Jewish Tanakh says :

Rather, the teaching of the Lord is his delight, and he studies that teaching day and night (Jewish Publication Society JPS)

Here, it makes us think of the primary emphasis of God’s Word to us as loving guidance rather than burdensome law! Yes, there are many laws within the Bible, but even those are given to form us into the people that God wants us to be.

Since our ‘delight’ should be in meditating on the teaching of the Lord, let us look at the meaning of ‘delight’.

Delight 2656 chephets (Lexical Aids to the Old Testament LAOT) this noun originates from 2654. It signifies pleasure, delight, wish, desire, pursuit.

2654 chaphets (LAOT) to find pleasure in, to take delight in, to be pleased with, to have an affection for, to desire, to choose, to bend, to bow. The main meaning is to feel a strong positive attraction for something. It is not just emotion, it connotes a subjective involvement.

As we can see from the word ‘delight’, we are to desire and have our pleasure and pursuit in the teaching of the Lord so that we can be prosperous! Amen!

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[1] Part of materials under THE LAW – TORAH has been taken from Listening to the Language of the Bible – Hearing it through Jesus’ Ears by Lois Tverberg and Bruce Okkema, En-Gedi Resource Center Inc., USA, 2006, pages 9 and 10. 

Sabbath - Rest

A couple of months ago, it amazed me that the Lord would place such importance on the observance of the Sabbath day, that it is one of the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11)! I understood that the Lord wanted us to rest physically on the 7th day, and consider it holy. As I took time to think through, and with reference to what Jesus said in Mark 2:27, 28, that the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath, I began to see that the focus was not man but on the Lord, that we are to find our rest in the Lord. In Isaiah 58:13,14, we are told that it is the Lord's holy day that He has chosen for us to honor Him, and not for our own pleasure and ways. It is important to the Lord, so it must be important to us too!

"Sabbath" comes from the Hebrew word shabbâth, meaning, intermission, the day of rest. For most Christians, it is a time to go to church on Sundays, and spending some time in the presence of the Lord. I find it so much more meaningful for the Jews, who observe the Sabbath from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday. It was both a remembrance of creation and a remembrance of the nation's deliverance from the bondage of Egypt. The Israelites were also to follow God's example of resting on the 7th day of the creation week. No work was done, nor were there fasting. In fact, it was to be a day of joy, and meals were also more elaborate. It was so wonderful to see families gathering together for the Shabbath meal, and praising and focusing on God!

Though it meant that man is to rest from his labour, it was the attitude in observing the Sabbath - the focus on who God is - that we can trust Him, and set aside a day for quiet worship (Leviticus 23:3). I would truly like to observe the Sabbath as the Jews do - one day set aside to rest and honour the Lord, but then to continue in that attitude of trust and resting in Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, every other day!

'Wearing' your beliefs and principles

A few months ago, a sister shared her vision to sell T-shirts that had Biblical words or themes as what we wear actually displays what we believe in. That struck something in me...since then, whenever I wanted to buy something to wear, I no longer just looked for a T-Shirt with nice colour, or had a nice picture, but what it was actually 'saying'. Two months ago, I was looking for a nice T-shirt, and a sales lady recommended one, but I looked at the words and said, "I don't like the words." She said, "Doesn't matter, the colour is nice for you!" I replied, "Uh, uh, it does matter!"

I have been searching for a T-Shirt with I LOVE MALAYSIA, since I saw Philip Mantofa wearing one when he was in Malaysia earlier this year. Where can I get it?!? I asked in shops whether they sell T-shirts with the I LOVE MALAYSIA. Nope, none. Then, finally I saw it!! In Giordano. Maybe, not exactly what I want. It says I LOVE (a big heart) MY, with a tiny MALAYSIA on the side of 'Y' of the MY. Yet, I was so excited!! Finally I could 'speak' of how much I LOVE MALAYSIA!!

Just a few days ago, I saw the T-Shirt with HOSANNA THE LION OF JUDAH with the picture of a lion. I got one for myself and a few for others. That is another statement I want others to know, that I believe in the Lion of Judah, the Lord Jesus Christ, the only One whom I believe can save man. HOSANNA - Save us we pray.

House of Prayer

We know that there is nothing more important that we are to do as God's people, absolutely nothing, than to pray. Yet, if we ask around, people are just too busy to pray. God is again calling His people, drawing His people to prayer....because when we pray, it indicates our inability to do, it indicates our dependence on the Lord, and it indicates our hope and faith in the Almighty God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

"For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations." (Isaiah 56:7). The Word became flesh and was tabernacled amongst us (John 1:14). The Lord dwells in our hearts, our families, our churches, and in each of us who are called the people of God. God is again calling His people that He wants us to be a people of prayer - pray as individuals,  famillies of prayer, churches who pray, and His people who pray. Not just to pray for our own needs, but pray for NATIONS. That's what God calls us to......house of prayer for ALL nations. When we pray for our nation, pray for the nations of the world, we are saying, "We believe in You Lord, we believe You can bring change, that You are our only hope for every people, every tribe and every nation!"

I have seen this as nations come together, sharing and praying together. I can't help but feel joy and love, with tears, as I look at the peoples of many nations. With joy and much tears, we believe God together with each other for God's destiny for each nation! God is calling us all to be HIS house of prayer for ALL NATIONS. Then will we see the Kingdom of God truly established in each nation....then we will see the great harvest of peoples to the Lord!

I was in Bakalalan, Sarawak,  2 months ago. My heart was so challenged by the faith of the people, and they have a prayer house in Mount Murud there for all nations. I began to hear more and more testimonies of how prayer houses are starting in Sabah and Sarawak, and also in West Malaysia. Now, it is not just Malaysia, but testimony after testimony shows God is doing the same in all the nations of the world where God's people are hearing His call, hearing His heart......to seek Him, to pray and to believe!!

It is easy to complain and look at all the problems around us, but let us together look to the Lord, the Lord of Heaven and earth! Let each of us be the House of Prayer for all nations! It begins with each one of us.

Willingness and Joy in our Hearts

We can do many things for the Lord, yet it is not the quantity that God is looking for. Is it because we love the Lord and love others? I have found that it is in the few or in the small  things that the Lord wants to see our willingness - be faithful in the few things (Matthew 25:21) - whether our hearts are willing. I can say that I love God and want to serve Him....yet in the so called little things like picking up someone when our help is needed at our 'inconvenience', or being 'disturbed' in the wee hours by a call of a friend in need....do we do it with an attitude of willingness and joy in our hearts to serve our brothers and sisters?

That is what Jesus means when He said He came to serve (Matthew 20:28). Are we truly servants as Jesus wants us to be - to serve and not to be served? When someone asks me a favor, do I answer "Sure, what can I do for you?" or do I think of all the reasons why it is difficult to help this person, hesitating "Er...let me see...." It is important to let others know that they can come to us anytime when they need help. Yes, willingly, not out of necessity (Philemon 1:14). It is better that we do not do it, if we do out of necessity and not with a willing heart. I have learnt that we must let the Lord teach our hearts how to love (1 Thessalonians 4:9) and purpose in our hearts to give (2 Corinthians 9:7).  We cannot say we love God and love one another if our actions speak otherwise (1 John 3:16-23). Our words and actions indicate the conditions of our hearts. May our hearts be full of love - shown through our actions.

Yes, when we are helpful, there will  be times when people will take advantage of our kindness.  But will it stop us from helping others? It is the same with giving others financial help. It should never stop us from helping others even when we know that there are people who may cheat us....that is from my own experience. Many will be blessed if we continue to obey God's Word. The joy of being a blessing far exceeds some of the negative experiences of giving!!.........and God certainly loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7)!.

Willingness of our hearts leads to Joy. Joy, God's joy, brings great strength (Nehemiah 8:10) in our walk with the Lord.

It is just that simple....because God's Word is simple.

A Malaysian.....First

For those who do not know....I am a Malaysian Chinese. I normally get quite upset when I am asked to fill in forms and am always, ALWAYS, asked my 'race'. What I am supposed to put is 'Chinese'. I put 'Malaysian'. Isn't that what is important? Anyway, what is the difference if I put 'Malay' or 'Chinese' or 'Others'? Yes, there is also a 'Others' category.

If we, as people of God, who believe that we came from Adam and Eve, we are of ONE race. Yes, there are many people groups, but one race. There is no blacks or white, only different shades of brown. So we all are one people, God's people! I am at the moment, attending a Conference where there are Christians from at least 160 nations, and it is so wonderful to see how they worship God in their own way(s), and to hear what is happening to their people group....and the love God puts in my heart for them as we pray for each other! We love a little more as we pray, as we weep for our brethren. Indeed 'how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity' (Psalm 133:1)! Yes, there are times we truly need God's grace to love - we are all so very different!! God can only transform us, transform our nation, and nations of this world, if we dwell in unity. That takes love...forgiveness and reconciliation among the people of God. It has to begin with us - between each other, in our families, in our churches, in our nation.

My beloved country Malaysia, can only experience the transformation power of God when His people in this nation reconcile with each other and work together - for His glory! That takes effort and time. Are we willing? God will do according to the willingness of our hearts and the actions that show we are serious about it, that we truly want Malaysia to be changed and transformed!

I am proud to be a Chinese....yet I am a Malaysian first.

For those who are from a Chinese background, and want to reach out to the Chinese...or just to know who the Chinese are....this is a good video that shows God's hand on the Chinese people :

In The Beginning

Genesis is the first book of the Bible. Genesis 1:1 begins with, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." That is our history and the Word that we hold on to, because God is Truth and His Word is Truth, "Your Word is truth" (John 17:7b). Jesus said "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). That is what people want and need....freedom. People need to be set free from their sin and bondage, and liberated from living in fear. I often share with people that things and situations in our lives and around us may be in a mess, there may even be a tsunami, but only God can give us peace in our hearts. As people of God, we can doubt many things, but we should never doubt God's Word. This the the premise we begin with...we must see the world from the perspective of God's Word, not any other way.

That is why we begin with "In the beginning". Why is history so important? Without history, we would not be where we are. A young Malaysian historian, Dr. Rachael Leow said, "History is not just the study of the past. It is understanding the flow of events which have led to the present." Below is part of the speech by Tunku Abdul Rahman at the Proclamation of Independence on 31st August 1957:

I am indeed proud that on this, the greatest day in Malaya's history, it falls to my lot to proclaim the formal independence of this country. Today as new page is turned, and Malaya steps forward to take her rightful place as a free and independent partner in the great community of Nations-a new nation is born and though we fully realise that difficulties and problems lie ahead, we are confident that, with the blessing of God, these difficulties will be overcome and that today's events, down the avenues of history, will be our inspiration and our guide.But while we think of the past, we look forward in faith and hope to the future; from henceforth we are masters of our destiny, and the welfare of this beloved land is our own responsibility: Let no one think we have reached the end of the road: Independence is indeed a milestone, but it is only the threshold to high endeavour - the creation of a new and sovereign State. At this solemn moment therefore, I call upon you all to dedicate yourselves to the service of the new Malaya: to work and strive with hand and brain to create a new nation, inspired by the ideals of justice and liberty-a beacon of light in a disturbed and distracted world. High confidence has been reposed in us; let us unitedly face the challenge of the years. And so with remembrance for the past, and with confidence in the future, under the providence of God, we shall succeed.     

As I have grown to understand God's Word and learn to love my nation, Malaysia, I see the importance of understanding her history to see where we are heading. So it is with God's Word. We understand what God has been doing, and what He is doing at this moment of time, when we look back into the history of the Word and the world that He has created. I have begun to understand God's purpose and destiny for each person, each family, each nation, and the nations of the world!