Beth - Home, Dwelling

Introduction

Psalm 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”

The “Beth” is a picture of a home or dwelling. The Beth means “house” Beth El means “house of God.”

Genesis 28:17–19 “And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.”

To a Hebrew a house was not just a structure, it was a home for family and a place of hospitality and fellowship. The truest and greatest wealth is a home where love, peace, family and fellowship abide. The questions we must ask however, are these:

Is your life a home for Jesus Christ?

Are those who trust and belong to Him considered by you to be greater treasures than material possessions?

Does your life reflect the presence of our humble Shepherd-King, and His outreach to others?

If not, this section may offer vital instructions in transforming your life:

Beth - Psalm 119:9-16 The LORD is my Home ב

Cleanse (vv.9-10). Daily cleansing is essential. These verse remind us where our cleansing comes from.

Cleansing come from the correction of God’s words

Psalm 1:1–2 “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”

2 Timothy 3:16–17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Cleansing involves seeking the Lord with the whole heart

Psalm 119:2 “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”

Psalm 119:34 “Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.”

Cleansing involves the desire and prayer to be kept from wandering

Just as our physical bodies need cleansing on a daily basis, so do our spiritual lives need daily cleansing from God’s words. Rebuke, confession, correction, and dependence upon the Spirit of God to guard our ways.

2. Hidden (vv.11-14). This word “hid” means to “hoard or reserve.” Our home is where we hide our treasures.

Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

You are at home with only with that which you treasure. It is very important that we treasure Jesus Christ above all!

3. Delight (vv.15-16). This word is a term of great intimacy and tenderness. It might be translated “caress” to give the right idea. It communicates the realities of fulfillment and satisfaction. It is a one word summary for all the words like “sought, rejoiced, meditate and contemplate” within this section. We must never forget that the spiritual life is a relationship between believer and the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a relationship that was initiated by the Father’s unconditional love, by the Son’s finished work, by the Holy Spirit’s quickening and responded to by the believer. We must never allow Bible knowledge to become a substitute for a vital and living daily relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

New Testament Confirmation

Abiding - Jesus summarized the spiritual life in terms of being at home with Him:

John 15:4 “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”

Ephesians 3:17 “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,”

2. Transforming - His word must find a home in the mind and heart of the believer: Has God’s word found a home in your heart?

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

3. Serving - The Upper Room serves as the perfect picture of being at home with the Lord Jesus Christ:

John 13:14 “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.”