He loves the people; all His saints are in Your hand. They sit down at Your feet; everyone receives Your words. (Deuteronomy 33:3)
What does Moses mean when he says that God “loves the peoples”? Is he referring only to the people of Israel or do these words imply all people? In the Gospel of John, Messiah said that God sent His Son because He loves the world, which is to say the inhabitants. The fact that the Good News was disseminated throughout the world bolsters the fact that God does indeed care for all of the world and stands ready to embrace “whosoever will” from all peoples. The distinction made here, however, is this — those regarded as His saints or “holy ones” sit down at His feet to receive His words.
Not every type of ground receives the seed and renders its fruit; not every heart is open to the words that God sends forth into the world. Those who choose to receive His Word are those He refers to as His set apart ones because they have willingly received His instructions and then act upon them. They recognize the eternal value within His Word and refuse to allow anything of this world to come before what is spoken by the mouth of the Holy One. As Jeremiah wrote: “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts” (Jeremiah 15:16).
These thoughts remind of us the lesson gleaned from the exchange between Yeshua and Martha, who was overly concerned that her sister, Mary, was not helping her serve their guests. The text said that, instead of serving, Mary “sat at Yeshua’s feet and heard His word” (Luke 10:39). The Messiah made it very clear to Martha that Mary had chosen the better thing by sitting and listening to His teaching. His implied message to her was that there would be plenty of other opportunities to serve. Why not pause all of the activity and sit and listen?
We would do well to remember this: service is certainly expected of us, in its place and season, but taking the time to sit at His feet and learn from His Word is a must. Hearing and internalizing His Word enables us to serve in a manner that pleases Him. So then, let’s don’t get so busy with ministry and serving that we forget to sit and listen to the Master speak. His Word is vital to our service and, therefore, we must be well acquainted with it. As Paul told Timothy:
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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