While I was working out this morning I got the news about Leonard Nimoys passing from one of the many TVs playing there. I held up a ‘live long and prosper’ hand sign and said a prayer for him.
I absolutely loved Nimoys appearance in one of the more recent Star Trek movies! I was also reflecting today on one of the most epic scenes in one of the older Star Trek movies:
“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one”, he said as he sacrificed his life for the crew. Then he died and later went through a resurrection.
Of course that always made me think of Jesus. The needs of all of us outweighed his need to stay with Father. And what the high priest prophesied concerning Jesus:
“You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. John 11:50-52 NIV
“Live long and prosper!”
Interestingly, Leonard Nimoy chose to use this symbol in Star Trek because, as a young boy, he saw priests use this hand sign as they loudly chanted this blessing in Hebrew:
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”’ – Numbers 6:24-26 (NKJV)
It is the shape of the Hebrew letter Shin and represents Shaddai, a name of God, which literally means “Breasted One” (your provision, like a mother to a nursing baby). God is all you could ever need or want and he completely satisfies your hearts need, wants, and dreams. Amazing isn’t it?
Here is the Name El Shaddai’s first reference in Scripture from the Complete Jewish Bible:
“When Avram was 99 years old ADONAI (YHWH) appeared to Avram and said to him, “I am El Shaddai [God Almighty (as it is commonly translated)]. Walk in my presence and be pure-hearted.” Genesis 17:1 (italics mine)
So, one of the very first names that God reveals in Scripture for himself means that he is the All Sufficient God. He Who is Enough. Our mighty source of life and sustenance. He will provide all we need. He has given us all we need for life and godliness within himself. And we are meant to be wholly dependent like a helpless baby is to its mother.
I was just thinking about the phrase “declaration of dependance”, googled it and discovered an album from one of my favorite ear candy artists, Kings of Convenience. For your listening pleasure:
ps. Please visit this amazing explanation of this Name of God, El Shaddai here: http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Names_of_G-d/El/el.html
And also here: http://www.myredeemerlives.com/namesofgod/el-shaddai.html
Daniel Lovett 