February 12, 2007

• Why Naphtali?

   

  My "Believing God" (BG) sisters just got me all signed up on xanga tonight. Thanks, ladies!

  So why Naphtali? Some of you may be wondering, "What's that all about?" Others may be familiar with the name. Naphtali was one of the sons of Jacob (Israel). In Bible Study Fellowship last year we studied the blessings Jacob gave his sons at the end of Genesis. The blessing to Naphtali popped out at me: "Naphtali is a deer let loose; he uses beautiful words" (NKJV, Genesis 49:21). In the months prior to that time I could see God beginning to loosen me from many things that were keeping me from worshipping and serving Him as He desired (and that, of course, is His continuing work in me). The phrase "he uses beautiful words" hit me since so often I have used my tongue in ways to harm others rather than to encourage and edify them, and it is God's desire for our words to honor and glorify Him (see James 3:10). My prayer is that this blog glorifies Him and encourages fellow believers in the Body of Christ.

  For His Glory,
  Karen

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  12/19/2012 ~ I've just re-edited this post and moved the following addition the top... My desire is that you might draw near to God and know Him (John 17:3), and be satisfied with His favor and blessing (Psalm 65:4). ~ Karen

  * Addendum 12/13/2011 ~ from my post, Advent # 5 WHY HAS JESUS COME? So we might draw near to God | Even a Vapor:

  I am the last person I would have expected to be writing so much about joy & assurance, for not so long ago I had NO sense of joy or assurance. My desire for believers is to read and study the Scripture and understand that the promises there are for them, so they might begin take hold of those promises and ask, and then keep asking the Holy Spirit to make them a LIVING reality. We have not b/c we ask not! Luke 11:13....

  ... one thing I NEVER in my wildest dreams anticipated receiving, because I didn't understand it was available to me through the cross of Christ, was that blessing of Naphtali in Deuteronomy 33:

  
  

  Deuteronomy 33:23a  And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the LORD...

  

  I would encourage you to go and read that post (please click here). God's desire is for us as Christians to be fully satisfied in Him alone, or as John Piper puts it: "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."

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  * Edit added 2/3/09 - Naphtali = "wrestling"*

  In "Why I write and minister - My credo for being a godly encourager," I had written:

  I love wrestling with God (well, I may not always love it, at least not sometimes....) and delving into the heart and mind of God through His Word in a sincere attempt to seek out and discern what God has to say to me so I might be an approved workman who is not ashamed and might persevere and finish my race with joy and hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

  In a comment to that post, orangeranium8 reminded me that Naphtali also means "wrestling," and in response I wrote that

  I chose to use the word "wrestling" because I was thinking about: 1) Jacob's wrestling with God, and 2) a message of John Piper's I'd heard on Luther which reminds us that we're supposed to continue to wrestle with God and the Scripture until He speaks to us.

  Just now I remembered Paul's words warning us that we ought not to be "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (II Tim. 3:7, KJV).

  My prayer is that I might continue to wrestle with God and His Word and that through His Holy Spirit's leading and protection, I might come to, abide in and to walk in the knowledge of the truth and aid you in doing the same. ~Karen

  * Edit added 8/26/09 - Not long after I began blogging I'd written the following regarding Genesis 49:21 ("Naphtali is a deer let loose; He uses beautiful words."):

  Spring 2006 I was reading this passage and realized that God was beginning to set me loose, to set me free from fear and bondage, free to worship and serve Him as I ought.

  He was also showing me that He wanted me to speak beautiful, or good, words, rather than words than words that are ugly, which I do far too often.

  I knew if I'd ever do a blog, I wanted to use the name Naphtali in it.

  First, Naphtali is used to describe communication or people who use communication that balances out truth and grace.
  Speaking the truth in love.

  Second, Naphtali is used to describe the freedom we have in Christ, including:

  1) freedom to step out on the water, to walk on the water, to obey in faith;

  2) freedom to worship, not being restricted by past hang-ups and negative experiences about worship. To put your entire self into worship body, heart, mind, soul, and spirit;

  3) freedom from bitter unforgiveness;

  4) freedom from past hurts;

  4) freedom from guilt.

  VARIATIONS: Naphtali friends are those friends who love you so much they'll tell you the truth (in love) even when you may not want to hear it.

  * For more on freedom in worship, please see my post Advent Worship (letter 90 on assurance & fighting for joy), posted 12/8/2010.

  • 11:46 PM
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