The Way of Torah: A Path to a Fruitful Life

1. The Way of Torah: The Way of Torah: Life, Fruit, Substance Life, Fruit, Substance Psalm 1 Psalm 1

2. Psalm 1 Psalm 1 Blessed (is) the man! Blessed (is) the man! who who not he walks in the counsel of the wicked, not he walks in the counsel of the wicked, or or in the path of sinners not he stands, in the path of sinners not he stands, or or in the seat of scoffers not he sits. in the seat of scoffers not he sits. (Psalm 1.1)

3. Psalm 1 Psalm 1 But rather But rather in the law of the LORD, in the law of the LORD, is his delight is his delight and and In His law, In His law, he meditates by day and night. he meditates by day and night. (Psalm 1.2)

4. Psalm 1 Psalm 1 "Although the term Torah can be used of the law, or of the Pentateuch, or even (at a later date) of the whole OT, its significance here is the most fundamental one. Basically, the word Torah means instruction; specifically, it is the instruction which God gives to mankind as a guide for life. Thus it may include that which is technically law, but it also includes other more general parts of Gods revelation. The Torah is to be a source of delight, a delight which is discovered by means of constant meditation on its meaning. Just as the king would learn to live a life of humility and righteousness through constant reflection on the meaning of Torah (Deut 17:1820), so too could all mankind. And an understanding of Torah contributed to long life, peace and prosperity (Prov 3:12), for in its words God has set down the nature of a life which would reach the true fulfillment for which it was created. [WBC] "Although the term Torah can be used of the law, or of the Pentateuch, or even (at a later date) of the whole OT, its significance here is the most fundamental one. Basically, the word Torah means instruction; specifically, it is the instruction which God gives to mankind as a guide for life. Thus it may include that which is technically law, but it also includes other more general parts of Gods revelation. The Torah is to be a source of delight, a delight which is discovered by means of constant meditation on its meaning. Just as the king would learn to live a life of humility and righteousness through constant reflection on the meaning of Torah (Deut 17:1820), so too could all mankind. And an understanding of Torah contributed to long life, peace and prosperity (Prov 3:12), for in its words God has set down the nature of a life which would reach the true fulfillment for which it was created. [WBC]

5. Psalm 1 Psalm 1 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. " (Joshua 1.8) This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. " (Joshua 1.8)

6. Psalm 1 Psalm 1 And he is like a tree And he is like a tree being planted by streams of water, being planted by streams of water, Which his fruit he yields in his season, Which his fruit he yields in his season, And his leaf does not wither; And his leaf does not wither; And (in) all that he does, he prospers. And (in) all that he does, he prospers. (Psalm 1.3)

7. Psalm 1 Psalm 1 "A tree transplanted from some dry spot (e.g. a wadi, where the water runs only sporadically in the rainy season) to a location beside an irrigation channel, where water never ceases to flow, would inevitably flourish. It would become a green and fruitful treeThe state of blessedness or happiness is not a reward ; rather, it is the result of a particular type of life. Just as a tree with a constant water supply naturally flourishes, so too the person who avoids evil and delights in Torah naturally prospers, for such a person is living within the guidelines set down by the Creator." [WBC] "A tree transplanted from some dry spot (e.g. a wadi, where the water runs only sporadically in the rainy season) to a location beside an irrigation channel, where water never ceases to flow, would inevitably flourish. It would become a green and fruitful treeThe state of blessedness or happiness is not a reward ; rather, it is the result of a particular type of life. Just as a tree with a constant water supply naturally flourishes, so too the person who avoids evil and delights in Torah naturally prospers, for such a person is living within the guidelines set down by the Creator." [WBC]

8. Psalm 1 Psalm 1 Not so the wicked Not so the wicked But rather But rather like chaff which the wind drives away (they are). like chaff which the wind drives away (they are). Therefore Therefore not not the wicked will stand in the judgment, the wicked will stand in the judgment, or or sinners in the assembly of the righteous. sinners in the assembly of the righteous. (Psalm 1.4-5)

9. Psalm 1 Psalm 1 "In winnowing, grain is threshed in order to separate the kernel of grain from the husk and straw. The mixture is thrown into the air with a winnowing fork or shovel. The wind blows the light husks away, the heavier straw falls near the edge of the threshing floor, and the grain falls back to the floor to be collected. Both the light husks and the heavier straw are referred to in the words translated chaff in the BibleChaff evokes an image of lightness, instability and worthlessness" [Dictionary of Biblical Imagery] "In winnowing, grain is threshed in order to separate the kernel of grain from the husk and straw. The mixture is thrown into the air with a winnowing fork or shovel. The wind blows the light husks away, the heavier straw falls near the edge of the threshing floor, and the grain falls back to the floor to be collected. Both the light husks and the heavier straw are referred to in the words translated chaff in the BibleChaff evokes an image of lightness, instability and worthlessness" [Dictionary of Biblical Imagery]

10. Psalm 1 Psalm 1 For For watching over is the LORD watching over is the LORD the way of the righteous, the way of the righteous, but but the way of the wicked the way of the wicked will perish. will perish. (Psalm 1.6)

11. Psalm 1 Psalm 1 "The doom of the wicked, as it is expressed in this psalm, is not primarily a punishment, any more than the happiness of the righteous is a reward. Each is presented as the natural outcome of a way of life which has been chosen. [WBC] "The doom of the wicked, as it is expressed in this psalm, is not primarily a punishment, any more than the happiness of the righteous is a reward. Each is presented as the natural outcome of a way of life which has been chosen. [WBC]

12. Psalm 1 Psalm 1 A1 (v 1) The way of blessedness A1 (v 1) The way of blessedness B1 (v 2) Continuance in the Lords law B1 (v 2) Continuance in the Lords law C1 (v 3) The enduring fruit tree C1 (v 3) The enduring fruit tree C2 (v 4) The impermanent chaff C2 (v 4) The impermanent chaff B2 (v 5) No standing in the Lords judgment B2 (v 5) No standing in the Lords judgment A2 (v 6) The way of perishing A2 (v 6) The way of perishing

13. Psalm 1 Psalm 1 Observations: Observations: How hard does a tree "work"? (smile) How hard does a tree "work"? (smile) The Impact of the Righteous: Fruit & Sustenance The Impact of the Righteous: Fruit & Sustenance Who "masters" whom--you or Torah? Who "masters" whom--you or Torah?

14. The Way of Torah: The Way of Torah: Life, Fruit, Substance Life, Fruit, Substance Psalm 1 Psalm 1