Languages

Having made my vow to use translations as little as possible from now on, I’ve started doing my quiet times in Greek and Hebrew. I’m currently working through Mark and Deut 30 (because the grammar of both is relatively easy, so I’m told).

One of the great benefits of reading Hebrew (and Greek) as a beginner is that you read very small chunks (4-5 verses) and you have to read very slowly and think quite carefully about each word. This slowness has been a great reminder of God’s grace as I read these two verse in Deut 30 yesterday and today:

Deut 30:4 Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the LORD your God will gather you and bring you back.

Deut 30:6 The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.

Had I have just been reading in English, no doubt I would have skipped over these verses with a glance. But I’m glad God used my basic knowledge of Hebrew to remind me of his great grace and love for his chosen people.

Thank God for his grace.