How sweet is God’s Word!

 

Father Tadros Malaty

 

 

       As the years passed by, I feel a stern limitation towards myself as well as towards my brothers.  That’s because until now, I don’t know how to present to them God’s Word as it should be presented.

 

       I contemplate in front of the Holy Bible, so I enjoy God’s Word that carries me to my depth; hence I realize new facts about myself.  So, I see myself the greatest of God’s creations on earth. God loves my soul, and considers it the best of the whole world.

 

       God’s Word carries me to heaven, so as I am still on earth. I realize that God differs from the image that humans portray to Him; a Great Judge isolated in His heavens.  But, He is the Father that kneels and descends down to humanity, to embrace me and to introduce me to glory.

 

       God’s Word carries me to the reality that I live in.  So what do I see?  I see the flesh that God granted me with all its emotions, sensations, and abilities as an extraordinary Godly gift.  I see the world as a beautiful castle, which the Creator has made for me to live in as a king, who possesses power, even over judgment.  I see the earth in harmony with the heaven, and humanity happily anticipating the meeting with heavenly hosts.

 

       God, with all His love to every human soul, speaks to it saying:  “Let me see your countenance ( face), let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and your countenance is lovely.” (Song of Solomon 2:14).  God’s Spirit revealed the Holy Bible to His saints, not to issue orders and prohibitions for us to obey, and not to record for us history and events, but to primarily proclaim His marvelous longing towards man.  Above all, God wants to see man’s face, to hear his voice, to meet him through His Word that’s in the Bible, and then to hear the groan of his prayers, as a reaction to the Word of God.

 

       May God open my eyes as well as yours, to enjoy His heavenly mysteries, and may His Holy Spirit carry me to the stores of His word, to eat and be full, saying: “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Ps.119: 103).

********

 

Let us move forward together, in the light of the Word of Life to pave a roadway to the heavenly life and prepare a place for Him to rest in our hearts.

 

In this Issue, the English Section starts with an article, titled “Christ of the Old and New Testament” which is acontinuation to the article tat was posted last issueby Fr. Matta Al-Miskin. In this part the writer addressesthe historical method that God used to reveal Himself in the O.T. through the instrumentality of judges, rulers, and kings. These three components, which appear in each book of the O.T., reveal all the attributes of the coming Messiah as presented in the N.T.

 

The second article, “The Bible and its Interpretation” by Fr.Duane M. Johnson, from O.C.A. addresses the Orthodoxy view to the Holy Bible and its interpretation, in “The Introduction.”

The third article, “On the Psalms,” by Mr. Michael A. Messeh, isbased on ‘The Letter to Marcellinus’ by St. Athanasius the Apostolic. We would like to welcome Mr. Messeh, who is a very active member in Sunday school and the Youth Bible Study Meetings. The fourth article, “The Seven Pillars of Discernment” is fromthe Writings of the Fathers, “The 10th Homily of “St. Jacob of Saroog.” This homily is translated from Syriac and published for the first time. It contains contemplation on the seven words of our Lord on the cross.

 

The Arabic section articles start with “The Structure of the Gospel according to St. Matthew.” This article is a continuation to the previous study of the Gospel. The second article, “The Banquet of the Messiah In the Old Testament,” by Dr. Rodolph Yanney, addresses the types of the Eucharist in the O. T.  The third article, “Introduction to the Old Testament”, by Mrs. Nadia Monir, explains how to read the O.T., and provides a brief introduction to its divisions and books.  

 

We received several questions concerning St. Peter and his authority. As a response to all of the questions, an article shall be posted on the next issue in order to cover this topic.

 

We thank every person that offered help in the translation and transcription, asking the Lord to reward them with His heavenly blessings. Also, we ask for your continued prayers for the success of this work for the glorifying of His name.