Landmark Baptist

The languages of the Bible continue to thrill the heart of all who give attention to them; especially to word meanings. I offer this for your joy.
Isaiah 38:17 states, "Behold, for peace I had great bitterness; but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption; for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back."
In this passage the word translated "love" is in the Hebrew "Chashaq." This is one of many Hebrew words translated "love" and is very specific in its meaning. It appears some eight to ten times in the Old Testament in various contexts. most of themare:

Love or set his love --- Isa 38:17; Psalm 91:14; Deut. 7:7
"Desire" ----- Deut 21:11; I Kings 9:19
"Fillet (ed)" ---- Exo. 27:17; 38:17; 38:28
"Spokes" ------- I Kings 7:33

There is a common denominator here. In each case whether it is a physical binding or an obsession that binds, the idea is an attachment is extended from point A to poing B to bind. What a beautiful picture of the love of God to usward. I will refrain from details of each context and leave that for your joy of discovery. It is sufficient here to say that God has reached down and set his love upon his children: binding them to Himself in a love that cannot let go! I expect some of you could take this and make a good sermon with it. If you can't, you might want to re-check your calling.