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
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:
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?
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?
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?
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