Delight Yourself in The ALMIGHTY

S - Scripture: Job 22:21-26


O - Observations: The first word in the passage is "acquaint" סכן cakan it means to inhabit or dwell and is the word that means to live in the same house with and become familiar with. It is what Paul talked about, about being "seated" with "in heavenly places". And while we should become acquainted with Him, the truth is (Ps 139:3) it is He who acquaints Himself with us and knows all of our ways ~ this is reason to delight that He loves us so much.

Verse 22 says to receive the law from His mouth. Moses who was said to be a friend of God spent 40 days on the mountain fasting and being in His Presence "receiving the WORD from His mouth". This is how we are to be. Desiring His presence more than daily food. Being a friend of the Almighty, hearing His voice and making note of it and telling others about it. This is what Moses did.

Verse 23 says to "return" שוב shuwb meaning to repent, to turn from "x" and turn to God, the Almighty, שדי Shadday, El Shaddai. To do an "about face" ... you can not serve two masters at one time. He is almighty, most powerful ~ His desire is what He said to Abraham "I [am] the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect." (Gen 17:1) why? Gen 28:3 says so He can bless, multiply and make us fruitful and in 43:14 give us mercy and 49:25 help us and give us blessings of heaven above.

In Job 22:25 it says He will be our Defence and can "take away our judgement" Job 27:2 ~ there is great cause for rejoicing! May our greatest desire be that The Almighty would answer and converse with us like Job requested (31:35) ~ It is HIS very breath that gives us life (33:4).

He is beyond knowing (37:23) and yet He allows Himself to be known and makes it His business to know us. Ps 91:1 says we can dwell in the SECRET place of the Most High and be secure in the Shadow of El Shaddai ~ under His wing!

His voice is like the rushing water, the "whoosing" sound of a great many hosts letting down their wings (Ez 1:24). Just like the people of Israel in the wilderness it is almost too great of a thing to behold ... we think them weak and cowardly for backing away from the mountain and letting Moses communicate to them on God's behalf, but to even taste a small portion of the Almighty is almost too great for human hearts. But one thing is for sure it should cause us to desire to put iniquity far away from our tabernacles! Our dwelling places!

Then 22:26 says He will be our בצר betser translated gold in some texts or defence in others and it's root word has the connotation that He will gather us in like the vintage of grapes. You have to be delicate with grapes I would think, like he is with us. It's like He draws us unto Himself and makes us inaccessible to the enemy. Bezer was also a city of refuge for the Israelites. He is our Mighty - our ALL Mighty refuge!


A - Application: THEN (we come to verse 26) "THEN we will have our delight" ~ ענג `anag ~ which actually means "to be soft, be delicate, be dainty". It is like when we are softened to Him (perhaps like moldable clay). It is often associated with tenderness. The picture here is that we become soft and tender to the things of the LORD and to Him Himself. Perhaps to recognize that there is no other who can do the things you desire. To come in prayer softly and tenderly seeking Him and Him alone. It can also mean "to be of dainty habit, be pampered, to be happy about, take exquisite delight or to make merry over" but it's primary meaning is "to live softly and delicately" and all of this is because of verse 21 that we have been reconciled to Him.

Another variation of our word is `oneg ענג which means exquisite delight, daintiness, delight, pleasantness. We enjoy Him like "dainty pleasures" perhaps, "The choicest of foods" like a luxury (something you want to savor and make last as long as possible) defined as "anything contributing to such enjoyment, usually something considered unnecessary to life and health".

How else can we delight in Him?

Isa 58:13,14 In the Sabbath
Psa 37:4 because it is commanded
Sgs 2:3 in communion with Him
Psa 1:1; 119:24,35 in His law
Neh 9:25 in His goodness
Psa 94:19 in His comforts
Psa 112:1 in doing mitzvots (good deeds)

Another word for delight is chaphets חפץ and this is the "taking pleasure in" type of delight and finally שעע sha`a` which means to stroke as in Ps 94:19 when His comforts delight (stroke) our soul.

NOTE: [All of] this must be *experienced* to be understood ... With Him is fullness of joy, overflowing pleasure and ongoing delight.

May you experience the delight of The Almighty today (and everyday!).


P - Prayer: Thank you for the small delights in You Almighty, Most Holy God!