After taking about 5 weeks off, last week I began another year of reading through the Bible using “The Bible Recap” plan. This year, instead of reading in the New International Version (NIV), which has a very handy audio version, I decided to read in the Amplified Bible (AMP). The different perspectives of one translation or another on a Biblical word or phrase can help us understand what God was saying through the Biblical writers — and often invite us into a new understanding of God’s character, heart, and nature. And, for me, not having the “easy” option to “just listen” to the readings, means that I have to sit down with the printed text, read more slowly, and focus on what God is saying. So far I’ve read the first several chapters of Genesis and have started Job.
In Job we are introduced to our main character who is described as blameless, upright, honoring of God, well-respected, protected and blessed by God, and holding tightly to his integrity. He is a very prosperous man, with ten children, many servants, and wealth in livestock. Only six verses into this long (42 chapter) book, we hear of an encounter God has with satan which will totally upset innocent Job’s life. We are told, “[T]here was a day when the sons of God (angels) came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan (adversary, accuser) also came among them.” Thus ensued a conversation which ended with God giving satan permission to harass Job. “Behold, all that Job has is in your power, only do not put your hand on the man himself.” The next time the adversary/accuser comes to talk with God about Job, their bargain ends with God saying, “Behold, he is in your hand, only spare his life.”
Did you see that little word at the beginning of those two consequential sentences? BEHOLD. I’ve been a regular reader of the NIV version for quite awhile, which uses “behold” a grand total of one time, and that’s to get someone to look at something. In contrast, the AMP uses it 673 times, the English Standard Version (ESV) uses it 1069 times, and the King James Version (KJV) uses it 1278. We are told “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14 KJV) The angels told the shepherds, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” (Luke 2:10 KJV). And Jesus tells his people, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God…Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” (Revelation 21:3, 5 KJV)
So, what does “behold” mean, anyway? It’s more than just to see with our eyes. Here are a few of the ideas I found when I searched online:
be paying close attention; this is super important; this changes everything
be sure to see what God is showing you so you don’t miss it
be captivated
It’s like God is saying PAY ATTENTION. There’s something coming that I want you to not only see with your eyes, but understand as I understand it. It’s important. It’s life-impacting. Don’t miss what I have for you. Be captivated by what I have for you. Behold!!!
God,
Help us to have ears to hear and eyes to see that which you want us to know and understand. Help us to slow down things we normally hurry through so we can sense your Spirit in them. Help us to pay attention to the important, life-giving, life-impacting, spiritual truths you have for us. Help us to be continually alert, active in our faith, and captivated as we behold who you are. In Jesus’s name we pray, AMEN.
Open my eyes [to spiritual truth] so that I may behold wonderful things from Your law. (Psalm 119:18 AMP)
So be alert [give strict attention, be cautious and active in faith], for you do not know which day [whether near or far] your Lord is coming. (Matthew 24:42 AMP)
Now there was a day when the sons of God (angels) came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan (adversary, accuser) also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Then Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming around on the earth and from walking around on it.” The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered and reflected on My servant Job? For there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God [with reverence] and abstains from and turns away from evil [because he honors God].” Then Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not put a hedge [of protection] around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands [and conferred prosperity and happiness upon him], and his possessions have increased in the land. But put forth Your hand now and touch (destroy) all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face.” Then the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that Job has is in your power, only do not put your hand on the man himself.” So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord.(Job 1:6-12 AMP)
Again there was a day when the sons of God (angels) came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan (adversary, accuser) also came among them to present himself before the Lord. The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Then Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming around on the earth and from walking around on it.” The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered and reflected on My servant Job? For there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God [with reverence] and abstains from and turns away from evil [because he honors God]. And still he maintains and holds tightly to his integrity, although you incited Me against him to destroy him without cause.” Satan answered the Lord, “ Skin for skin! Yes, a man will give all he has for his life. But put forth Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh [and severely afflict him]; and he will curse You to Your face.” So the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand, only spare his life.” (Job 2:1-6 AMP)