57(A) The LORD is my portion;
I promise to keep your words.
58I(B) entreat your favor with all my heart;
be gracious to me(C) according to your promise.
59When I(D) think on my ways,
I turn my feet to your testimonies;
60I hasten and do not delay
to keep your commandments.
61Though(E) the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
I do not(F) forget your law.
62At(G) midnight I rise to praise you,
because of your(H) righteous rules.
63(I) I am a companion of all who fear you,
of those who keep your precepts.
64(J) The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love;
(K) teach me your statutes! (Psalm 119:57-64
As I prayed about this 8th section of this wonderful psalm, I heard that still, small voice of God bring to mind the Scripture concerning the manifold Spirit of God. Isaiah 11:1-5 stands out as that memorable prophetic Scripture which includes the revelation of the “7-fold Spirit of God,” at least that is what it was always called by the teachers in my past. I believe this verse really speaks of six specific traits that the Holy Spirit will actually give to the men and women whom God chooses as his overcomers. These are they who will begin to rule the world with a rod of iron at the time of Jesus’ second coming. This passage reads,
And there shall come forth a rod [this speaks of the rod of iron] out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the belt of his loins, and faithfulness the belt of his waist. (Isaiah 11:1-5)
Jesus, of course, fulfilled this on one level when he lived on earth 2000 years ago, but there comes an even greater fulfillment. God will anoint a remnant of men with this six-fold Spirit in order to implement the 8-fold spirit of his Law. Isaiah tells us that the rod of iron is a rod coming from the mouth of the overcomers which “strikes the earth” and “slays the wicked.” This will be that great work which finally brings salvation to all the earth. Clearly this represents a spiritual rod, a rod comprised of the word of truth. Only the overcomer can wield this rod for only he or she became versed in, took time to understand, and desired to walk in its truth while being fashioned into God’s image upon earth.
The 8th stanza of Psalm 119 gives us just a little glimpse into eight characteristics of the spirit of God’s Law. First, God’s Law consists of “words.” “Words” here is translated from the Hebrew word “dabar.” The sons of God understand that the LORD himself is their portion, or inheritance, not this world or the things of this world. In their hearts they promise to keep God’s words. They do not foolishly make vows of perfection for they know that in their flesh dwells no good thing and that they cannot yet do God’s word perfectly. But, they want to. They mourn over their imperfections, inabilities, and present fruitlessness. They know they cannot bring God’s Kingdom in the flesh by their will or by revolution.
Second, the rod of Jesse holds on to the promises (Hebrew is “imrah”) of God. He walks by faith, not by sight. To this day in history he has never seen God’s promises fulfilled or succeed in earth. Yet, he knows they will be one day and that he and all the earth will be blessed by that fulfillment.
Third, the as yet unborn manchild believes the testimonies (Hebrew is “`edah”) of God. When he considers his own ways he know they are but futile, and so he turns instead to God’s testimonies which are true and faithful.
Fourth, he does not despise the commandments (Hebrew equals “mitsvah”) of God. Instead, he endeavors to do them, from the greatest to the least. He bogs not himself in legalistic man-made rules. Neither does he call down fire from heaven to destroy every wayward sinner. He has learned mercy and he will not extinguish a smoldering wick.
Therefore he honors God’s law (Hebrew is “towrah”). He does not attempt to earn his salvation by slavishly following each old testament dictum. If he can’t find 100 percent cotton socks, he wears the ones that have 12 percent polyester. He may eat pork or shrimp, or he may not. He knows that the sacrificial laws ended with Jesus’ sacrifice and he does not have to show his separation to God by wearing special fringes on his clothing, caps on his head, or by trimming his beard a certain way. Yet, he honors God’s Law. He is learning to discern what God would have him do, and then he does it.
Sixth, the Bride of Christ praises her God for his righteous (Hebrew = “tsedeq” or “zedek”) rules (“mishpat”). She desires to become one with her beloved in all things, especially his righteousness.
Seventh, she does not sit in the seat of sinners. She makes no home with those who would destroy the earth and place her and her people into bondage. Instead she is a companion of all who fear her God and cling to his precepts (Hebrew is “piqquwd”).
Eighth, she praises her LORD for his mercy (Hebrew = “checed”) and prays that he himself will teach her his statutes (“choq”).
Thus is the manchild, the son of the God, the Bride of Christ, the remnant, the rod of iron, the overcomer, the corporate New Jerusalem whom God will soon glorify in the twinkling of an eye!
