Lord’s Prayer – Forever

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Matthew 6: 13b – For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen 

Well, this sentence appears to have been added to the copies of Matthew and Luke. If you start reading the internet the theories abound as to why. One that was echoed several times was it made Luke sound more like the prayer in Matthew. The denomination I grew up in used this line. I want to say there was an additional “ever” at the end, but that might just have been me.

Yes, there are differences in the manuscripts of the Gospels over the centuries. Check your footnotes as many times these slight additions or missing words will be noted. The NIV (1984) documents lines and phrases that appear to have been added or not in all ancient manuscripts – Matthew 24:36, 23:13, 21:44, 19:29, 18:15, 17:20, 16:2 and 3, 15:14, and 6, 12:47, 6:13, 5:44 and 22, 26:28, 27:35 and 46. (Guess how I explored that thought?)

Another fact I looked into this morning was the original languages the Gospels were written in. Since I have pointed out in 6:11 about epiousious and how special of a word it is; I will point out that Matthew’s first copies were written in Hebrew.

Here are some resources:

John’s first manuscripts are in Greek.

People have definite opinions on the meaning of Revelation 22:18 and 19. With this prayer I see a well-traveled and often said petition to the Father. The slight variations, I feel, reflect years of repetition through various cultures and languages. It is hard to image that the prayer was used from Ireland to India and the Arctic Circle to the Equator hundreds of years before the Great Bible ever made it to paper.

Appeared and Went Up

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As I read Genesis 17 and 18 the words “appeared” and “went up” (NIV) were used of God visiting Abram/Abraham. They reminded me just how important Abraham was in God’s plan for mankind.

First a little background: In Chapter 15 Abraham God brought Abram into Covenant. Chapter 16 Sarai “helped” God out by encouraging Abram to have a child with Hagar. Thirteen years later in Chapter 17 God added circumcision as a sign to confirm the covenant in Chapter 15, plus the promise of the land of Canaan, and a son born of Sarai. This is also the chapter where God changed the couple’s names to Abraham and Sarah. The narrative in Chapter 18 tells of God’s second visit to Abraham, which included a meal, Sarah laughing at the thought of being a mother, and the dickering Abraham did with God over Sodom.

APPEARED

God had spoken to Abram, given him visions, and had a smoking firepot and a blazing torch be visible to represent Him. (The firepot and torch became a pillar of fire and cloud with Moses and the Children in the desert.) But in Chapter 17:1 and 18:1 God came and showed Himself to Abraham. The Hebrew word is way·yê·rā and was first used in Genesis 12:7; the root word is raah. Hebrew Concordance: way·yê·rā — 20 Occurrences

Strong’s Hebrew: 7200. רָאָה (raah) — To see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider

If you look at the twenty times way·yê·rā is used, it is clear that God showed Himself to Abraham. This is a great Bible study by itself, so use the Bible Hub link and explore this thought. Yes, all of those appearance have a term we have given them and a lot of ink has been used in explaining them. Don’t miss the fact that God showed Himself to this man, the father of faith.

He Left  

What grabbed my attention was that He appeared and then the text also adds that He left. In 17:22 the word is wayyaal and it comes from the root word alah.

Hebrew Concordance: way·ya·‘al — 110 Occurrences

Strong’s Hebrew: 5927. עָלָה (alah) — To go up, ascend, climb, bring up, offer

In 18:33 the word used when God left is wayyelek. Hebrew Concordance: way·yê·leḵ — 212 Occurrences 

God accomplished many things in His appearing and leaving, but I think the message to Abram in 17:1 “to walk with Him” was the most important part. That word is hithallek. Hebrew Concordance: hiṯ·hal·leḵ- — 4 Occurrences. Noah and David are the others that this word is associated with. The root word is Strong’s Hebrew: 1980. הָלַך (halak) — To go, walk, come, proceed, move. If I read Genesis correctly, Adam and Eve and Enoch also experienced walking with God. I think God wants us to walk with Him and fellowship with Him in righteousness.

Lord’s Prayer – Deliver Us

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Matthew 6: 13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (NASB) Luke 11:4b does not have “but deliver us from evil”.

As I have studied this portion of the Lord’s Prayer and its various words and their meanings from the Greek, I have had a feeling that how you view Father God will influence your feelings about these twelve words. The various forms of the Greek words with their jots and tittles do dictate what word the translator may use, and the King James version is what is most accepted. Unless you have an Exodus 34:6 and 7 knowledge of our Father, and see the good things Nehemiah 9 tells that God did for His Children; I fear that it is easy to use this verse to project wrong thinking towards God.

Psalm 23 gives you an idea of God’s leading, yes, I have made reference to this Psalm for His epiousious provision. Verses 2-4 talks about leading by quiet waters and through the valley of the shadow of death. The path of righteousness is special; it is a well-marked track (See H4570).  Strong’s Hebrew: 4570. מַעְגָּל (magal or magalah) — Path, track, course, circuit

The Greek words deserve a good look. I am not putting these in order, so use the links if you want to go further. Matthew 6:13 Greek Text Analysis

There is a “legal” side in this part also, I see this in #G 4506. We asked for His Kingdom to come, and this part does show the mission of bringing us to Him and away from the evil one. These last few posts have talked about provision, forgiveness, and now the mission of His Kingdom.

Day Six, Day Seven, Day Eight

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This study started when I was pondering how to answer a question on the number eight and new beginnings. That thought of course starts with the narrative in Genesis 1 and 2 and the seven days of Creation. Now, this is a very metaphorical thought, and I am writing this to start my study. So, this is a big-picture thing, so be patient with the process.

  • Day Six – Man is “born”. Below are links to “created” and “made” which are the words used in verses 26 and 27 of Genesis 1.
  • Day Seven – God and Man rested
  • Day Eight – Man started his “job” of tending the Garden and having rule over the animals of the earth.

The new beginning follows a time of rest with God.

Exodus and Leviticus have been on my mind a lot lately, they have a “creating process” in them.

  • Father God voids the gods of Egypt.
  • Passover is redemption of Israel and bringing the people out healthy and “new”.
  • They have a short period of “rest” with no bondage. They are under the Pillar which protects them.
  • Their “eighth day” is when they went through the Red Sea. They were total free, and those Egyptians would not bother them again.

Leviticus 8 and 9 are the start of the Aaronic priesthood and the first service at the new Tabernacle; some of these thoughts are in this narrative.

Another Passover also has the elements of Day 6, 7, and 8.

  • Jesus came out of the grave (ground) and was a new version of Himself.
  • There was a forty-day period where Jesus stayed with the disciples giving them rest and protection. Remember, He wanted the disciples to leave Jerusalem and go to Galilee.
  • Pentecost was the start of their new beginning and the work they were to be doing.  

Genesis 1:26 Hebrew Text Analysis

Hebrew Concordance: na·‘ă·śeh — 33 Occurrences

Hebrew Concordance: way·yiḇ·rā — 2 Occurrences

Hebrew Concordance: bā·rā — 5 Occurrences

Leviticus 9:11 – A New Year Thought

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Leviticus 9:11 And the flesh and the hide he burnt with fire without the camp. (KJV)

Hebrew 13: 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the Holy Place by the high priest as an offering for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the gate, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood. 13 So then, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come. (NASB from BibleGateway)

Truth be told Leviticus and the sacrifices and offerings have always been intimidating for me, but New Year, new victories. As a Christian, I know Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the Law when He died on that Roman cross. So, these offerings are not for us, but they can still reveal God-truths, point to Jesus, and explain things that happen during that Passover festival when He died. Just to add some knowledge to this post:

  • Zechariah, John’s father, had incense behind the curtain, not blood, because the Day of Atonement offerings could not be done since there was no Ark of the Covenant with the Mercy Seat. It disappeared when Jerusalem fell to Babylon.
  • Jews have not been able to sacrifice for the last 1900 years because there is not a Temple and altar.
  • Like the Passover lamb, most sacrifices were to be eaten. See 1 Samuel 1 and 2. Yes, the priests and Levities got to eat some of the meat and grain offerings, but so did the people.

Leviticus 9 is all about seven offerings, so the glory of the Lord would come to His people. One point that stood out to me was the priest and elders laid their hands on the BULL for this offering. Jesus had hands laid on Him also, at the trial the Sanhedrin hit Jesus, and the Romains also beat Him before making Him carry His cross.

Chapters 8, 9, and 10 are narratives of “real time” events; Chapters 16 and 24 are like this also. If you follow the timeline, Exodus ends at the first day of the first month of the second year, remember Passover is in this month. Numbers begins at the first day of second month of the second year, there is a “second chance” Passover observance in this month. Chapters 8 and 9 describe the ordination of Aaron and his four sons, followed by the “first church service” at the Tabernacle. Chapter 10, the death of Aaron’s oldest sons, and Chapter 16, and the rules for The Day of Atonement, must have happened pretty quick. Chapter 24 is a “real time” call for clear oil for the lamps in the Tabernacle and the death of a blasphemer. It seems like that was a busy month. By the end of the second year, the spies have been sent out (Numbers 13, 14), Miriam and Aaron oppose Moses, and several other important events happened. For a reference, Numbers 20 to 36 take place after the years of wandering just before they are going into the Land.

My big question about Leviticus is why did God insert those laws where He did? I am supposing that they reflect something that may have been going on in the camp.   

Leviticus 9 – The “church building” has been made, the priests have been ordained, and now it is time for God to enter and show His approval. (Compare this with 2 Chronicles 2 – 7, and Jesus returning to heaven in Acts 1 and the things He did in Hebrews.) He does that by burning up the offering with fire coming out of His Cloud/Presence. It was a “new start” for the Children at the beginning of their new year.

After a lot of pages were turned and studies done that covered fat, liver coverings, outside of camp, and the types of sacrifices and offerings, it all come back to God wanted to show His glory to His people. Seven different animals and a grain offering were presented and parts of those had to be burned outside the camp. Sins had to be confessed and transferred to those animals and Aaron had to go into a tent before he could bless the people and have the glory and power of God approve the offering. I hope you can see Passover, Easter, and Pentecost in this paragraph.

2024 was a tumultuous year. Did God preform like you wanted Him too? Humph, did you perform like God wanted? (Romans 8:28 ,29) Read Exodus 11 to the end of the book and see how the Israelites’ year went, did they have problems and attitudes? We have been given a new year and I am sure God is still in control. Prepare yourself in the things you offer to God and find Jesus as you offer them, so the glory of God can be seen in your life.

In 2025 can you pray like Jesus, “Father, Your kingdom come and rule here like You do in heaven.”

Have a blessed year,

Mark