Ps.119..GIMEL.."Camel..Walking to Water"

~Section 3~
"GIMEL"

"GIMEL"...
In Hebrew Means:

- Foot -
Camel Walking
to
Water 

- Benefactor -
- Gathering -
- #3 -

Introduction:

What do we see when we look at GIMEL ... this third number in the Hebrew alphabet?

The history of the language tells us that it represents several things

...which at first ... all appear to be unrelated

... but cannot actually be so ... because of the way the Hebrew alphabet is designed to tell a story.

... So somehow ... these characteristics ...must all harmonize ... to tell one complete story.

The first clue ... is the symbol of the foot

... that moves us toward the camel

... that is walking to water

... that becomes our Benefactor

... that ultimately gathers

... all of the pieces of this puzzle together

... to complete the amazing third picture of Psalm 119.

Therefore it is necessary to look deeper ... as we attempt to bring all of these aspects together

... to ultimately discover the character qualities ... and message our magnificent Creator has illustrated through this

... humble ... yet very extraordinary animal which Adam named ... the "camel."

The characteristics:

The Foot:

The camel's foot is unique ... and most superbly constructed

... for balancing big loads ... heavy burdens ... across very hot ... shifting sands

... and for this reason ... the camel is often referred to as "the ship of the desert"

... successfully navigating cargo and passengers through a very perilous environment.

Like the camel our God is also considered "a Ship"

... Jesus being the "Ark" of our salvation ... which is the "Vehicle" of our salvation ... carrying us safely through ... a very hostile world (at times).

Our Heavenly Father is also thee Expert ... when it comes to balancing any load in life

... with grace and certainty of outcome ... regardless the circumstances

... no matter how extreme the conditions

... all because His ... wide ... sure-footed ... foundation
... of Truth and love

... can cover any type of physical or spiritual terrain we might be called to travel.

     
Following His example ... we carry His message as well:

"How then shall they
call on him
in whom 

they have not
believed? 

and
how shall they
believe in him 

of whom
they have not
heard?

and
how shall they
hear 

without a preacher?

And
how shall they
preach, 

except they
be sent? 

as it is written, 

How beautiful
are the feet 

of
them that
preach 

the gospel
of peace, 

and
bring glad tidings 

of
good things!"

-Rom.10:14-15

Walking to Water:

This uniquely strange ... yet friendly-looking animal ... also has a very unusual relationship with water

... drawing our attention to its pro-active ... life-sustaining habit ... of storing what it needs to survive

... functioning as an "animal survivalist"... if you will.

The camel was definitely built to prepare for enduring extreme conditions ... of which ... water plays a huge role in its life experience.

There are five main reasons the camel is an excellent example of a survivor:

*Think*
... BLOOD ... of Jesus
... WATER ... of the Word
     of God

..1..It is able to drink up to 30 gallons of water at one time ... taking in huge amounts of "Water."

..2..Its unusually oval-shaped blood cells help retain water

... *Because of BLOOD*

... *WATER is able to be retained.*

..3..It is able to store nutrition in the form of fat in its humps ... then metabolize as needed.

The camel's need is not met ... because it is able to go without food and water ... but because it is designed to put food in reserve ... onboard

... in addition to its unique ability to retain its water supply.

..4..The fat in its humps also serve as a heat regulator

...*bringing balance to its life systems.*

..5..Its eyes are protected from the elements by extremely long lashes

... also creating that very friendly

... yet slightly humorous look ... indeed. :-)

The camel walking to water ... provides us with an important example found in the camel's need to consume

... to take in ... to retain

... large quantities of "Water."

When we compare "water"... to the "Water of the Word of God"

... and see how it is validated in this third section of Psalm 119

... it becomes very clear that our Father is emphasizing our need of His Word to sustain our spiritual life

... and the necessity of seeking out

..."walking to the Water"... like the camel

..."consuming"... taking in 

... and then ...

... retaining the (Living) Water

... using it ... drawing from it consistently ... to sustain spiritual life

Benefactor:

Another word for "Benefactor"

... is "Savior."

There we have it ... validation ... of the identity of Whom this symbol actually represents

... as well as

... the admonition to follow the camel's example

... and

... store the life-sustaining Water of the Word in our heart and mind.

Gathering:

At last we are able to gather all of these characteristics together reveaļing the important message found in the letter ..."GIMEL"...

... as we wait and watch for the final "gathering" of the Bride of Christ.

.... 1 ... 2 ... 3 ... GO . . .

~ Psalm 119 ~

v.17

Deal bountifully 

with thy servant, 

that I may live, 

and
keep thy word.

"bountifully"
[H1580]
= well rewarded

[H1581]
= "gamel"... camel

[H1582]
= reward of God

We are dependant on our benevolent Father to supply all of our needs ... like the camel

... bringing bounty to us in an inclement environment

... when and where it is needed most.

However ... this verse continues to clarify the conditions associated with this reward of God:

"servant"
[H5650]
= slave
= worshipper of God

[H5647]
= laborer .. worker

[H5646]
= builder

This is a reward initiated by a servant's need

... It is a reward given only to servants ... laborers ... those engaged in the work of calling ... gathering ... and building up the family of God

... as we are all called to do ... when we become part of the Body of Christ. 

The Purpose of the Reward:

Like the camel carrying precious cargo across the desert

... our Father ... as our Benefactor... brings bountiful rewards and provisions to us

... because we are His servants ... ambassadors ... secretaries ... builders and laborers

... engaged in the work of studying ... sharing ... praying ... keeping ... fulfilling ... His Word

... and therefore ... need to be sustained in order to continue to accomplish the tasks we are each ... specifically called to do

... as opposed to expecting to be blessed ... like lazy worldly children ... and rewarded for doing nothing.

As we follow the camel's example and keep walking to the Water (of the Word)

... taking in as much as we can hold ... and retaining it in our heart and mind

... we are enabled to continue traveling ... going across this desert ... called "the world"

... delivering the bounty that God has called us to share in His Name.

God is so good ... He gives us everything we need to do His will

... until He gathers us unto Himself.

Lashes. . .for Life  

v.18

"Open thou mine eyes, 

that I may behold 

wondrous things

out of thy law."

"wondrous"
[H6381]
= marvelous
= extraordinary
= miraculous

Just like the camel's super-long eyelashes

... if we take precautions to keep the dirt/sin out of our eyes/life and let God fully open our eyes

... we will be able to see how all of the miraculous things He does

... are actually flowing right out of His law

... the totality of His Holy Word.

v.19

I am a stranger
in the earth: 

hide not thy commandments 

from me.

"stranger"
[H1616]
= temporary inhabitant

[H1480]
= temporary body

Because we are temporary inhabitants of this world

... and it is not our home

... the psalmist prays that God will reveal His commandments ... law

... the direction he needs to navigate this foreign territory

... (like the camel in the desert).

v.20

My soul breaketh 

for the longing
that it hath 

unto thy judgments 

at all times.

"soul"
[H5315]
= self .. life
= appetite .. emotion

"breaketh"
[H1638]
= crushed .. broken

"longing"
[H8375]
= desire .. craving

As the camel thirsts for water in the desert

... the psalmist desires ... craves to constantly consider the wisdom of God's Word.

v.21

"Thou hast
rebuked the proud 

that are cursed, 

which do err 

from
thy commandments.

"rebuked"
[H1605]
= reprove .. correct

[H1601]
= show aversion .. disgust

[H1607]
= shake up

"proud"
[H2086]
= arrogant
= presumptuous

[H2102]
= puffed up .. rebellious
= ignorant .. deceived

"cursed"
[H779]
= devoted to destruction
= destined for torment

"err"
[H7686]
= stray .. sin

While all the needs of faithful servants are richly met by our benevolent God

... He sternly reproves ... corrects ...is disgusted with the arrogant ... presumptuous ... rebellious

... who are destined for destruction ... because they have chosen to sin and stray from His Word.

v.22

Remove from me 

reproach
and
contempt; 

for I have kept
thy testimonies.

King David can confidently request God to remove reproach and contempt from his life

... because He has taken care to keep God's Word.

v.23

Princes also 

did sit
and
speak against me: 

but
thy servant 

did meditate
in thy statutes.

The king reveals that he had enemies in high places ... powerful people who spoke against him

... however ... he reminds God (and us) that ... especially during those times

... he remained faithful ... continuing to seek understanding from God's perspective

... and finding harmony with God's Word and will.

v.24

Thy testimonies
also are 

my delight 

and 

my counsellors.

The letter ..."GIMEL"... the benevolent ... yet humble camel

... has taken us on a spiritual trek through a very parched world ... almost void of the Water of the Word

... to learn the value of spiritual preparation

... and then over perilous shifting sands ... to show us that the counsel of God ... found in His Holy Word

... turns into sheer delight at the end of the journey

... when the last step becomes ... the "gathering."

***To be sure***

you are prepared

. . .

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of this page

and

Click in the gift

wrapped in gold

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