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Paul applies this text to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, revealing depths beyond the original words about humanity.
God's promises to penitents rest upon three pillars of truth.
David speaks not of mere bodily existence, but of life in its truest sense—union with Elohim himself.
First, consider your *private* ways—those moments in solitude when no eye observes but Yahweh's.
The truths requiring cordial belief are these: all have sinned; I am a guilty sinner exposed to just punishment; Jesus Christ, having died for all, is Saviour to those who truly believe on Him.
and they shall be wanderers among the nations." This pronouncement from Ezekiel carries the weight of divine judgment in two dimensions.
When we trace all things to their origin, we discover that mere critical terms prove unsatisfying; we yearn for something deeper.
The Hebrew word *shalom* here carries the force of a military commander marshaling his forces according to a predetermined strategy, assigning each soldier his proper station in the execution of a grand enterprise.
Yet Yahweh's declaration cuts through judgment with remarkable grace: "My people shall never be ashamed." This promise rests upon a peculiar appropriation—God claims them as *His people*, not by merit but by covenant.
The doings of this life are held in remembrance before Elohim's judgment seat.
The apostle deliberately substitutes "is known of Him" for "knows Him"—a rhetorical choice that elevates God's initiative above human capability.
The text concerns those stern dealings of God which appear painful and unwelcome, yet contain dual truths we must grasp.
The distinction between "lively" and "living" reveals Scripture's nature: where *lively* denotes mere animation, *living* (*zōē*) signifies life as an operative principle—comprehensive, generative, self-perpetuating.
Some have even become atheists in practice, though they claimed faith in theory.
The original word *El* — meaning 'the Mighty One' — establishes God's supreme power and authority.
The winepress figure denotes supreme contempt—the Mighty Conqueror compares His victory over enemies to the crushing of grapes beneath His feet.
The Almighty's character remains constant—His mercy *hesed* (covenant-love) does not diminish by evening nor increase by morning.
Yet beneath such plausible disguises lie spiritual impostures that demand our careful discernment.
Moses and Pharaoh understood this as warfare between supernatural powers.
Consider the varieties of mischief-making: some men deliberately pursue evil and delight in tempting others.
Yet four men dared to dismantle one where Jesus taught, lowering their paralyzed neighbor through the opening on ropes while rabbis from all the schools gathered below.
The prophet identifies a moral catastrophe: men and women who possess eyes yet refuse to see Yahweh's *providentia* (providence) ordering all things in heaven and earth.
The children of Israel polluted Yahweh's inheritance by filling it with the carcases of their abominable things—idolatries, wicked inventions, and corrupt ways.
Blake notes this luminous title describes God Himself, not merely His attributes.