latlh Daq taH neH 'oH chaH than SuD baS, HIja', than 'ar fine SuD baS; sweeter je than honey je the extract vo' the honeycomb.
More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb. Psalms 19:10
That's how the Psalmist describes God's word - as a wonderful golden treasure. But, here's the thing about gold: there's only so much. That's one of the reasons it is so valuable. Even if you had a gold mine, you'd eventually dig it all out. Use it up and then you'd have no more.
Scripture is not like that: across the centuries, it is a mine filled with wealth that never has - and never will - run out. Sometimes we might fail to dig in - but that doesn't mean the word has come up empty. It's a joy to discover how many believers over the years have gone deep into this treasury and given us sermons, commentaries, devotionals and more - works that empower us to reflect on the Word - and act on it. One of the delights of our day and age is how many of those resources - especially classics - are available online to anyone with a webbrowser. Take a look for example at the Crosswire Bible Society's pages ( http://www.crosswire.org) where you'll find online tools, as well as free downloads that give you a fantastic library for Bible study - bounty of Biblical translations, commentaries, cross references and more.
John Gill says about this verse:This refers to all the truths in the word of God; to all the doctrines of the Gospel; which, by good men, are more desirable, and by them more prized and valued, than all worldly riches and treasure;
What is gold to you? What do you treasure? The Hebrew word here is zahab: from an unused root meaning to shimmer, and appears more than 300 times in the Bible. Here I've rendered in in Klingon as SuD baS - for "yellow metal," though in Klingon the word SuD means green, blue AND yellow. It's also a verb: to gamble - so maybe a "gambling metal" isn't not a bad word to use.
We don't really know - in the future depicted by Star Trek - exactly WHAT is valuable. Gold appears to be useful for scientific and decorative purposes - but has no intrinsic value due to rarity. Gold-pressed latinum, on the other hand IS valuable, as it can't be replicated - it appears to be the token of value that replaces gold among the Federation and other future societies.
But the truth the Bible points to us again and again is that wealth is far more than material treasure. Jesus tells us:
'ach lay Dung vaD tlhIH'egh treasures Daq chal, nuqDaq ghobe' moth ghobe' rust consume, je nuqDaq HejwI'pu' yImev ghor vegh je
steal; vaD nuqDaq lIj treasure ghaH, pa' lIj tIq DichDaq taH je.
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don't break through and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:20-21
If you're looking for treasure - look no further than God's word. Make it part of your everyday routine. Something I've been using lately is the website http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/ where I can print out a daily reading that I can carry with me - it's a great way to keep on track with my "read through the Bible" plan. They've got links and plans there to set your pace to keep reading through the Scriptures - as well as links to many different translations. Give it a try, you might find it a terrific way to discover new treasures!
latlh Daq taH neH 'oH chaH than SuD baS, HIja', than 'ar fine SuD baS; sweeter je than honey je the extract vo' the honeycomb.
More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb. Psalms 19:10
The Word is sweet. The Word is rich - dig into it today!
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