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.