In my considered opinion, the world has a way of ruining the use of certain words; perhaps you have noticed that too.
I came across one of those words in my Bible today.
8 But I tell you, even if he won’t get up because the man is his friend, yet because of the man’s hutzpah he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
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Do you see it?
Hutzpah.
It’s a strong word. With much flavor and spice.
But let’s gets some history.
Yeshua is teaching and as He often does, He is sharing a parable for those with ears to hear. (Mark 4:33-34) In this parable, He is teaching the art of persistent asking (that is we must persist in asking until we get His answer) and He uses the word hutzpah.
Now the world has taken this word and used it to mean arrogant, obnoxious, and other such unpleasantries. [Yes. It’s the same word some add a C, some do not]
Do you see what I mean?
Now let me share with you a different slant and the one JESUS surely meant.
Boldness, Audacity, Insolence. Nerve. Gall OR a combination thereof weighted according to the situational need. (from the glossary of my Complete Jewish Bible)
Now let’s see the TEXT. Let’s see how JESUS illustrates the word.
9 “Moreover, I myself say to you: keep asking, and it will be given to you; keep seeking, and you will find; keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
10 For everyone who goes on asking receives; and he who goes on seeking finds; and to him who continues knocking, the door will be opened.
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He is not saying don’t take no for an answer.
He is saying don’t stop until you get HIS ANSWER.
And don’t you love, I do, the first 6 words of verse 9?
“Moreover, I myself say to you:
I Myself He said. I Myself am saying to you. How AWESOME is that?
JESUS is saying to us: ask Father.
Ask Him with hutzpah. With full intent of asking until He gives you His Answer.
And know this please, Father does not wait long with His answers so He can see how long we will ask; He waits so WE will see how long WE will ask.
How much hutzpah do we really have?
We do need to know! Don’t you think?
We were made for this,
Please know your honest questions are welcome here, via comment or email.
