Prayers in the Real World: Exhortation

9/11/2017

Exhortation is an old word, perhaps a word we don't use much any more. Nevertheless, it's meaning is far from lost.

exhort /ɪgˈzoɚt/ verb
exhorts; exhorted; exhorting
: to try to influence (someone) by words or advice : to strongly urge (someone) to do something
Merriam-Webster

Dear Reader, did your parents ever say to you, or you say to your kids, "You better not ..., or you'll be sorry"? Maybe you've heard it from your doctor: "Cut back on sweets/smoking/ alcohol, or I'll be treating you for ...".

Exhorting stops just short of a threat. However, if we look closely enough, it seems to be done with care or concern.

The Book of Psalms has several examples of exhortations. Here are just a couple:

8 Everyone on earth should fear and respect the Lord.
    All the people in the world should fear him,
9 because when he speaks, things happen.
    And if he says, “Stop!”—then it stops.[b]
Psalm 33: 8-9 ERV

3 So trust in the Lord and do good.
    Live on your land and be dependable.[b]
4 Enjoy serving the Lord,
    and he will give you whatever you ask for.
5 Depend on the Lord.
    Trust in him, and he will help you.
Psalm 37: 3-5 ERV

Some psalms, like numbers 15 and 49 are litanies of do and don't exhortations. Of course, God's ultimate list of exhortations are the ten commandments (Exodus 20: 2-17).

I think I made my way through the Old Testament law books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy once. A whole chapter in Leviticus is solely about clean and unclean animals for eating. Talk about exhortations!

A little research indicated that laws seeming to be unwieldy at first, had their basis in God's attention to the safety and well-being of His people.

What godly parent doesn't exhort her child in his best interest, Dear Reader? Is it effective parenting to only offer a child greeting card schmaltz or lavish gifts?

13 Don’t fail to correct your children.
You won’t kill them by being firm,
14 and it may even save their lives.
Proverbs 23:13-14 CEV

How great is our Heavenly Father to place us in a world of His creation, bless us with gifts and talents, and top it off with His personally written book of instructions! And if all that wasn't enough, He provided the way for us to spend eternity with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Having looked at some of the psalms through the perspectives of praise, supplication, encouragement, and other lens, I'm able to understand God's exhortations to us a little better.

To me, the Book of Psalms is a favorite go to in God's Word. It continues to amaze me with His willingness to reach out and fill every spiritual crevice. Dear Reader, what have you looked for and found in God's Word?

12 Comments

Bev @ Walking Well With God link

9/11/2017 04:45:24 am

Alice,
What a great message in a day and times when we have "helicopter" parents who are hesitant to give advice or strongly suggest for fear of hurting their child's feelings. God gives us exhortations for our own good and safety and we are wise to do the same for our children. I need to better heed His exhortations to me. Great, thought provoking post!
Blessings,
Bev xx

Alice Walters link

9/11/2017 11:08:25 am

Bev, you are so right, speaking as a retired helicopter pilot! As an educator I can really see the disservice some parents do to the kids by always rescuing them. More and more youth seem to be growing up with little understanding of cause and effect.

Prayers for your safety and the safety of your home during these stormy days.

Michele Morin link

9/11/2017 06:56:24 am

The psalms are rich in so much wisdom -- and I'm reading in Proverbs right now. Amazing how much of the Word of God is geared toward common sense, right living, and self-discipline.

9/11/2017 11:10:20 am

Psalms and Proverbs make it easy to understand why the Bible was the teaching text in the early years of our nation. Perhaps we need to return to it, in more ways than one.

Betsy de Cruz link

9/12/2017 05:17:16 am

Love these thoughts on exhortation, Alice. I also like the NIV version: "encouragement." It sounds gentler, doesn't it?

Romans 15:13, my favorite verse, is speaking volumes to me again lately.

9/12/2017 02:58:13 pm

Gentle does sound good. Unfortunately, this stubborn child of God needs a spiritual slap up the side of the head.

Romans 15:13 is so beautiful! What heart couldn't draw strength from it?

I've had to modified the color coded Scripture journaling since school started. I still write the key verse from a passage, focusing makes it so much more meaningful. Right now, I'm in the minor prophets so I need all the help I can get to leave with a positive thought. Thanks for sharing your strategy!

Lisa notes link

9/12/2017 05:36:44 pm

I know I still need some good exhortations from time to time! Thanks for pulling this word out for us, Alice. We don't need to forget its use and its purpose in each of our lives.

9/13/2017 05:59:06 pm

Shh! Don't tell anyone, but sometimes I'mean judgmental. Worse yet, sometimes I get self-righteous. That's when I really need God'said exhortation to "check yourself!" Aren't we thankful to have a God who'said willing to meet all our needs, even the uncomfortable ones?

Jeanne Takenaka link

9/13/2017 12:35:30 pm

Alice, what a great post. As we struggle with knowing how much freedom our teen sons are ready for, your verses confirmed some of my thoughts about restrictions we've chosen for our boys. One is giving some pushback on things regarding his phone. I've been praying about if we're being too strict. But, we've explained why things are in place for now. I feel better after reading your post, and re-reading Proverbs 23:13-14. :)

Great post!

9/13/2017 06:05:46 pm

Dear Jeanne, I''m so thankful the Lord used me as a vessel for a word in due season! Our world seems to love screaming bad advice at us. God's Word is our only hope. Prayers for you and your boys, and thanksgiving for your love and discernment.

Debbie Putman link

9/14/2017 07:57:10 am

Bev, Exhortation, done in love, is valuable and needed. Thank you for these wise words.

9/14/2017 03:20:03 pm

I think if we consider exhortation from God's perspective, it's always done with love, sometimes frantic love, like when our errant child tries to dash into traffic, but love nonetheless.

Dear Girl, our pastor began a new series on neighboring last Sunday. Of course I thought of you and Van as you begin new adventures with new neighbors. Prayers continue.

Prayers in the Real World: Exhortation

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