Heart of God

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The heart, the heart of God, the heart of man, follow your heart, and Valentine’s Day all had something to do with starting this study. No, I am not going to cover all of those topics, but this study led me to places I did not expect. I began by putting “heart God” in the search box in Bible Gateway. Many verses came up, I looked at every one of them. What I did not find surprised me, more on that later.

The Heart

Preachers, poets, and movie people provide palpitations. Do our modern thoughts on the “heart” actually sync with the ancient words and ideas? Over the years I have read many different opinions and thoughts on the subject (I have no references). Read the Strong’s references and you will see there were metaphorical aspects to the thoughts on the heart or what controlled people.

Strong’s Greek: 2588. καρδία (kardia) — heart (biblehub.com)

Strong’s Hebrew: 3820. לֵב (leb) — inner man, mind, will, heart (biblehub.com)   See H3824.

Take a Muse Moment to consider an intelligent, observant populace. Please compare an active beating heart that was in the center of your chest that changed speeds at certain times; to a glob of stuff locked away in your skull that only gave you headaches. What would you think was important?

I tend to believe that our modern society wants to nullify God and put us in His place. We think too much of our hearts (emotions and feelings). Why would God allow or even use that imagery? When you are in the lead, you have to let your followers catch up.

The Heart of Man

Please consider these popular cliches: follow your heart, my heart was not in it, my heart’s desire, bless your heart. Hollywood, Wall Street, and a sin nature can be a problem, but there are many positive thoughts also.

The free will we have is the problem. God wants us to choose Him. The Tree that Eve picked and Adam ate from also shades the way we “naturally” chose to go. So, as you study the heart of man in the Bible the overwhelming number of verses refer to us not picking Him or going His Way.

What I Did Not Find

I did not find many verses that specifically refer to God’s leb or kardia. In my first search, I found Ezekiel 28: 2 and 6. Because there was a still small voice telling me to go further, I turned to my “leaf and ink” version of Strong’s Concordance and found three more: Genesis 6:6, Jeremiah 3:15, and 32:41. There may be more and the translation you use may require more study; using the meanings of leb or kardia are going to be the path. (Let me know.) The verses I will add from the New Testament will not have kardia in them but the Hebrew ideas associated with leb. I believe these should be part of this study because you have Hebrews writing in Greek.

The exoteric anthropomorphism of a beating heart in our God, in Scripture, was put there by our God. So, it is how He chooses to portray Himself and we need to learn about Him through this self-revelation. I will use bullet points just because, again leb and kardia are the focus thoughts, not our English words.

  • Genesis 6:6 – God is grieved because of man.
  • Jeremiah 3:15 – the Father will give us shepherds who will feed us.
  • Jeremiah 32:41 – He will plant us in His land.
  • Ezekiel 28:2 and 6 – these verses are about the king of Tyre, who believes he has a heart like God’s.
  • Romans 8:27 – the “mind of the Spirit” and the “will of God”. φρόνημα | Free Online Greek Dictionary | billmounce.com
  • Romans 12:2 – “renew our minds” to prove His will. These are different Greek words in this verse.
  • 1 Corinthians 2:16 – “mind of the Lord” and we have the “mind of Christ”. (Isaiah 40:13 is a reference for this verse.) Please start in verse 10 and read through 16 for the complete thought. Your translation may have the word “thought” added for clarity. 1 Corinthians 2:11 Greek Text Analysis (biblehub.com)

The Heart of God

So, there does not seem to be many verses on the heart of God, or is there? Over the years many have told me what the heart of God is, needs, or wants. Were they in the know? (Please, this is a study.)

As I worked on this post, three ideas were reinforced in me. 1. His written Word reveals the heart of God. 2. Do not be quick to claim the heart of God. 3. The Holy Spirit is an integral part of the heart of God.

I give two of many verses that show what our God is like.

Psalm 86:5 (NASB) For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all who call upon You.

Psalm 33:4-5 (NIV) For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.

Ezekiel 28

Verse 2 in the NASB is, “Son of man, say to the leader of Tyre, ‘The Lord God says this: “Because your heart is haughty And you have said, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods In the heart of the seas’; Yet you are a mortal and not God, Although you make your heart like the heart of God.” (From Bible Gateway) This was the first verse I found that cited the heart of God. I did another search on this website Ezekiel 28:2 Hebrew Text Analysis (biblehub.com). Verse 6 also uses these words and ideas.

Tyre has a long and complicated place in Scripture, it starts with David and continues into the New Testament with Jesus and even into the Book of Acts. Joshua used it as a reference point. I will offer a “light look” at this verse.

  • Ezekiel was a captive in Babylon when God gave him this word to speak.
  • It appears to be written to a man. Most scholars will tell you this also refers to Satan.
  • The Complete Jewish Bible has, “You think that you think like God”. Many translations use this instead of the heart to portray the inner part of God.

Ephesians 1:14

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Ephesians 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (KJV)

  • Guarantee, arrabon G 728. When this word is used in 2 Corinthians 1:22, 5:5 it is associated with the Holy Spirit who is the pledge of things to come.
  • Inheritance, kleronomias G 2817. We find this word in Ephesians 1:8 and 5:5. Jesus also used it in Matthew 21: 38 and Mark 12:7 to help predict His death.
  • Redemption, apolytrosin G 629. It is used in 1:7 and 4:30. If you look at just the three verses, they paint a great picture – By His blood, we have become His possession and are waiting for “the Day”.
  • Acquired possession, peripoieseos G 4047. 1 Peter 2:9 repeats the idea that we are His possessions.
  • Praise, epainon G 1868. Verses 1:6 and 1:12 also speak of praise and the glory of God.
  • Glory, doxes G 1391. Paul uses the idea of glory eight times in this letter.

Use the links below to explore all of the words in the passage in Ephesians.

Ephesians 1 MOUNCE – Paul, an apostle of Christ  Jesus by the – Bible Gateway

Ephesians 1 Interlinear Bible (biblehub.com)

666

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Man O Man O Man I never thought I would be writing on 666. I have seen this number wrap believers in fear, and Hollywood has helped the paranoia. I have seen a loud rock band in the 80s have this as a venue decoration, of course, they had their own traveling pharmacist also. There have been Christians who have tried to calculate who it is by converting letters to numbers. Then there is the www and an energy drink. I have observed its change as technology has changed, my example is barcodes tattooed on a person to a microchip implanted in you, and do not forget eighteen-digit credit card numbers.

I will look at the occurrences of it in the Bible. This study started because of a post I am doing on Solomon. As I was doing this my wife was reading a book on Revelations – Wedding of the Lamb by James L. Papandrea. He takes a different approach to John’s vision, and he makes many good points. One is the source of John’s concern and who was the 666 he was writing about. Is there an end-time warning and person, probably?

Solomon

2 Chronicles 9:13 and 1 Kings 10:14 tell the same story of how much gold was brought to Solomon each year, 666 talents. Different translators assign various numbers and values to that amount, the NIV has 25 tons (US). We are not told when that amount started coming in or for how long. We know he used it to gold plate the Temple and build up Israel. That was a good use for it, but it should be noted that later kings stripped it off to pay tribute to invaders (That is a Muse Moment). I believe a bad outcome from all of his business dealings and that much money helped to lead his heart away from God.

666 talents of gold a year was it a blessing or curse? Jesus gave up gold streets to be born in a barn and die on a cross, who came out ahead?

Adonikam

Well, he is not a household name. 666 men of his family were part of the first wave of those who returned to Israel when Cyrus let them go (Ezra 2, especially vs 13). Nehemiah relates the same thing but he listed 667 men, no I do not know why.  So, why am I including a list “number”? In Ezra 8:13 Adonikam’s family shows up again by sending more men to Israel, this time with Ezra in the second wave. I think the names are worth mentioning.

  • Adonikam – The lord is raised
  • Eliphelet – God delivers me
  • Jeuel – God hath taken away
  • Shemaiah – God heard

Not the set of names you might expect to be associated with 666.

The Beast and His Number

Hollywood has used these ideas for their own good. I believe many well-meaning Christians have tried to scare people out of Hell with them. Jesus gave Revelations and the visions to warn the Churches in Asia to be on their guard. Yes, parts of that Book were for future times and some of them are only possible now with our advanced technology. So much of what drives us into a frenzy they easily understood, because it was written for them. I will say that in another way; Jesus gave the visions and the imagery for good, not to be confusing or to destroy.

These are not new ideas or even mine, but they are worthy of consideration. 666 shows imperfection and sin. It was probably the coins of the Roman emperor Domitian. (The Expanded Bible and Wedding of the Lamb) The part of Revelation 13:18 that is so in your face is “this calls for wisdom” and “who has insight” has been taken as a challenge so we can show who is right. I am pretty sure there are no bragging rights in Heaven.

The real challenge for the Churches and us is to not worship and follow the idolatry of the rulers of this world system. See the lesson of Solomon, money allows you to do things, but too much will lead you to sin and a hard heart. 

Bible 911 – 2 Chronicles 9:11

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2 Chronicles 9: 11 And the king made of the algum trees terraces to the house of the Lord, and to the king’s palace, and harps and psalteries for singers: and there were none such seen before in the land of Judah. (KJV)

Once again, my verse needs to have context given to it. So, Solomon, the Queen of Sheba, algum wood, presents, and a lot of wealth find their way into this study. For me personally, I have had mixed feelings about Solomon, and taking time to muse on Chapter 9 has given me some answers. 

Algum Wood – Like some plant and animal species, mentioned in the Bible, we don’t have an exact modern match for this wood. It is believed to be either juniper or sandalwood. This wood apparently did not come with the Queen but was brought by Hiram and Solomon’s men (sailors). Either of the two species would have the properties required for what was made.

Yes, there are varied opinions on the “terraces”. Some feel they may have been handrails and not the treads of the steps.

Chapter 9 is devoted to the Queen of Sheba and Solomon’s personal wealth and accomplishments. Chapter 8 highlights the work done on the Temple. 9:10 and 11 being written and placed here make sense if those terraces and instruments impressed the queen.     

The Queen of Sheba – The opinions, myths, legends, and naughty movies abound for the woman and Solomon. Jesus refers to the Queen of the South (south wind) in Luke 11:31 and Matthew 12:42; these refer to her coming to hear the wisdom of Solomon. If you continue this part of the study, please know we do not know who she was. There are records of powerful queens in the Yemen/Oman area from the period and powerful queens from the Ethiopia region of Africa that could have staged such a trip to visit Solomon.

Three opinions I will mention are:

  1. Song of Songs may have been written in the Queen’s honor. The winds in 4:16 could refer to her and Solomon, she would be the south wind. In 1:5 and 6 she refers to her dark skin color. Either of these would place her from the two target areas.
  2. The gifts she brought seem to reflect the ones the Wisemen brought to Jesus. 1Kings 10:10
  3. The eunuch in Acts 8:27 is from Ethiopia. I believe that there has been a Jewish presence in that area that started in the time of Solomon. The event with Philip seems to have started a Christian “church” in the area; that is still there today.

Solomon – In Sunday School class, as a child, we learned of his wisdom, wealth, and God’s love for him. I remember pastors talking about the building of the First Temple and comparing it to the modern church. So, as a young believer in Jesus, I thought he was an acceptable role model. Then the reality of what his riches did to him set in;1,000 wives, not denying himself of any worldly pleasure, and following the gods of the peoples around Israel. The ones mentioned in 1 Kings 11: 5-8 would have required child sacrifice. He did not follow after his father David or the God who had revealed Himself to him. Maybe you can see my dilemma, keep the “first” Solomon (child of David), condemn the “second” Solomon (child of the world), or just throw him all away.

I am glad that the Father gives wisdom if your heart is open to Him. I will not be assigning any messianic qualities to him as David’s son but he is/was the living example of other people and groups in the Bible and beyond the pages of Scripture.

  1. All of the other kings of Judah reflect their grandfather Solomon; some were wholehearted in following their God, and some followed the second Solomon and went further off course than he did. The people followed their kings and priests, some held to the Lord but many followed the people around them.
  2. I can see the Seven Churches in the Book of Revelations as a reflection of Solomon. I have been studying Ephesians and Jesus called them to return to their first love. There is no doubt that God sent prophets to Solomon so he would return to his first love.
  3. This is being said with a fair amount of embarrassment. The Church has followed in Solomon’s footsteps since Constantine. (Please note that I did not call out any denomination.) In these troubling days, people who acknowledge Jesus as Lord need to return to their first love. Leave Left or Right and Woke to the world and find Jesus.

Solomon is complex, just like those groups I see reflected in him. I put all of that aside to recognize that he is an influence in our Bible. Several Books were penned by him and Jesus uses him in His teaching and parables. We do not know much about his early life, but I would bet it was filled with condescending looks and mean whispers from Jerusalem because of his mother. He also had a front-row seat to a lot of drama because of his older brothers.

2 Samuel 12, 1 Chronicles 28 and 29, 1 Kings, and 2 Chronicles all tell pieces of his story. His legacy, the Temple, certainly outlived him.

This is not a highlight telling of his life, but what may have occurred after the Temple was built. The Temple and his palace took half of his reign as king (20 years).

  • 2 Samuel 12:24 tells of his birth and that David and Bathsheba named him Solomon, but God gave him Jedidiah.
  • 1 Kings 10:14 is his yearly income, 666 talents of gold (possibly 25 tons).
  • 1 Kings 11: 6-11 relates part of the evil Solomon did and what God did to him and the kingdom.

Ecclesiastes may have been his opus at the end of his life. Hopefully, 12:13-14 reflects a heart change in his life.

Ephesians 1:13

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Ephesians 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (KJV)

  • Having heard, akousantes G191.
  • Word, logon G3056. “The Word” is a title of Christ.
  • Of truth, aletheias G225.
  • Gospel, euangelion G2098. The Good News.
  • Salvation, sotenas G4991
  • Having believed, pisteusantes G4100.
  • You were sealed, esphragisthete G4972. Stamped with a seal or mark.
  • Spirit, Pneumatic G4151.
  • Of promise, epangelias G1860.
  • Holy, hagio G40.

Use the links below to explore all of the words in the passage in Ephesians.

Ephesians 1 MOUNCE – Paul, an apostle of Christ  Jesus by the – Bible Gateway

Ephesians 1 Interlinear Bible (biblehub.com)