W.O.W. - Word of The Week - DECLARE

Declare

Hebrew #5608 – saphar –   םפר

Definition: (1) to recount, or tell; to make known, or set-forth

Other Words: tell, relate, proclaim

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“The heavens are proclaiming the esteem of Ěl; And the expanse is declaring the work of His hand. Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge.”
- Tehillim (Psalms) 19:1-2

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Declare. What does it mean? To recount, or tell… but what? A story, perhaps, or something unpleasant, maybe in some cases. What about declaring Yahuah’s goodness, and trustworthiness? Telling those around us what Yahuah has done for us!

Throughout the scriptures and especially the Psalms it says again and again, to tell of Yahuah’s esteem, and wonders.

Check out Psalm 105:1-3

“Give thanks to יהוה! Call upon His Name, Make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; Speak of all His wonders. Make your boast in His set-apart Name; Let the hearts rejoice of those seeking יהוה.”

Now it’s true. It’s not always easy speaking of Yahuah and His works, especially His ways we are to walk in. It reminds me of the believers in Acts, Kepha, and Yohanan, and all the rest with them. Acts 3 tells the story of when Kepha and Yohanan went to the Set-Apart Place, and raised a lame man from the stones beside them. All the people rejoiced and marveled at the wonders that occurred just before their eyes. But Kepha says,

“Men of Yisra’el, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or reverence we have made him walk? The Elohim of Abraham, and of Yitshaq, and of Ya’aqob, the Elohim of our fathers, esteemed His Servant [Yahusha], whom you delivered up…you killed…whom Elohim raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses… through Him has given him this perfect healing before all of you… Repent therefore and turn back, for the blotting out of your sins, in order that times of refreshing might come from the presence of the Master… To you first, Elohim, having raised up His Servant [Yahusha], sent Him to bless you, in turning away each one of you from your wicked ways.” – Acts 3:12b-13, 15, 16, 19, and 26

So, there! He declares Yahuah’s grace and mercy, in coming to turn each one away from their wicked ways. But in verse one of the very next chapter, Kepha and Yohanan go to prison because of it. Later in the chapter, when they are being tried by the assembly, the High Priest and those of high priestly descent command them to speak no more of this. Yet Kepha says,

“Whether it is right in the sight of Elohim to listen to you more than to Elohim, you judge. For it is impossible for us not to speak of what we saw and heard.” 4:19-20

I think that’s just really cool. It was impossible for them to say nothing  the things Yahuah has done, the things He did for Yisrael of old, or even what He does for us each day? Giving us breath each morning to praise His Name, giving us food and drink to display His ways and character to those around us.  Yet…do we speak of these

Take comfort that even Kepha had to pray for boldness. After his encounter with the Jewish leaders, it seems he was a little shaken up. In the prayer (Acts 4:24-30), they talk of how the nations plot in vain against Yahuah and against His anointed. They felt a little scared of what the leaders could do to them, but they prayed,

“And now, [Yahuah], look on their threats, and give to Your servants all the boldness to speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand for healing, and signs and wonders to take place through the Name of Your set-apart Servant [Yahusha].” Acts 4:30

So, don’t be afraid (or if you are overcome the fear) of what men can do to you, but trust Yahuah and declare His goodness, with the hope that even one would come to know the truth because of your sufferings.

JS

“And when they had prayed, the place where they came together was shaken. And they were all filled with the Set-Apart Spirit, and they spoke the word of Elohim with boldness.” – Acts 4:31