HEBREW WORD STUDY – MY PORTION FOREVER CHALAQI LA’OLAM חלקי לעולמ
Psalms 73:26: “My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.”
I remember attending a Billy Graham crusade when I was twelve years old. The only thing I remember of one particular meeting was Ethel Water’s singing His Eye Is On The Sparrow. I remember it because I will never forget that thrill, that peace or that joy when I heard the words: “Because Jesus is my portion.” I remember thinking what an odd word to use, portion. I did not quite understand what it meant, but my spirit did and my spirit is quickened to this day when I hear those words or even think about them.
What does that word portion really mean? In the Hebrew, it is the word chalaq which means territory, equal portions, and separation. I found in one case where chalaq is used for determining one’s fate. Asaph is saying that God is his portion or the one who will determine his fate. I believe at the age of twelve, in my spirit I was telling God that I wanted him to determine my fate in life and that has been my prayer throughout my life.
Asaph is using the same word that is used in Numbers and Deuteronomy with regard to the portioning out of land among the tribes. Only eleven tribes received a portion of land to farm and feed their families. One tribe, the tribe of Levi, received no earthly, material portion. They were not to spend their days cultivating land but cultivating their knowledge of God and to lead the members of the other eleven tribes to an understanding of God. In return, the members of the eleven other tribes tithed a tenth of what they grew to the Levites so they could feed themselves and their families and be free to spend their time in the service of God.
Thus, Asaph, who was himself a Levi, was making a reference to this division of land when he said his portion was God. He was not seeking any material things from God, he only wanted to live out his calling, for God was His portion. He was, as a Levi, spent his life studying Torah and ministering to the people of the other eleven tribes who in turn brought a tithe tohim so he could devote his life to God’s Word and ministering that Word to others.
Yesterday I held a pop up class for those on my Access site. A notice was sent to all the subscribers of our Access site announcing a 45-minute open mic and video over the internet to discuss Adam and Eve. It was a live virtual classroom almost like I had when teaching in Bible College only it was done before a computer screen. At the conclusion, some participants thanked me for my time. But at that moment I realized I need to thank them. Although I enjoy driving a disability bus to offset my living expenses and I once taught English in a middle school and held various other secular jobs throughout my life to pay for my living expenses I never enjoyed these jobs as much as when I taught in Bible College or I was just sitting down and sharing the Word of God. For at the age of twelve my heart sang out that Jesus would be my portion. Whether compensated or not I do not live to earn my living expenses, for Jesus is my portion and I am only happy when I have the opportunity to spend every waking hour studying God’s Word in Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic and then sharing with others the treasures I discover from my studies. To spend my life studying God’s Word and then to actually have the opportunity to share my discoveries with others makes me the happiest and wealthiest man in the world even if I don’t have two quarters to rub together
I just started getting your emails about 2 months ago. My husband and I both read them and then discuss them together. We have both been blessed and amazed as your break down such spiritually rich meals for our souls. I work part time and run a ladies bible study. There are times that I simply run out of energy since I am dealing with hypothyroidism and don’t always prepare like I should. So I have even blessed my bible study with your meals. It’s been so great to share and see the ladies respond to what you have delivered first to me. Thank you for allowing God to use you to bless us and bring us into closer intimacy with our God!!
I have only just recently come upon you and your teachings fairly recently, I wish I had discovered you years ago. I am finding your words so timely for my situation, like the words the other day about having Aspi’ as an example. We have 2 sons with Aspi’ and think we ourselves are the same, It certainly helped us make sense of things.Thank you for what you do, may God continue to give you all that you need (be your portion) so you can continue to minister. We are so blessed to have you as our brother.
I appreciate so much what you teach. Keep going….I grew up in a number of traditional evangelical churches….purchased many versions of the Bible….your studies help me make sense of my faith in Yaweh and Yeshua….more than anything else, they help me make sense of who Yaweh and Yeshua are…..sometimes it is very hard to want to read the bible because the English translations many times don’t make sense to me….many years ago I asked God to bring me more information because my spirit was hungry for all to make sense. As I look at the many christians in my life and the many different approaches to the word of God in our lives….there is so much that doesn’t match and behaviours that bring so much hurt. thank you because I want to walk better with my Yaweh and Yeshua and Holy Spirit…..you are contributing to this desire of the deepest place of my heart. Thank you for being so honest and open.
Guday Chaim, Thanks again for the blessing that Hebrew word study is for me. Bit older than you but just appreciate greatly that you are doing what you want to do and sharing it with those who want to see in greater depth what the Hebrew and associated works are saying to us and the relevancy of it to everyday life. I get great pleasure of designing and building whatever I need to enable me to use my practical skills more efficient. not an engineer but a DIYer. You are similar in you Hebrew studies.Do it because you love it.
Gleaning in the fields of Boaz, thank you so very much for leaving such generous bundles, for the likes of me who would otherwise not have access to such spiritual rich food. Praise God from whom all blessings come 😊x
Amen. This is inspirational. I like it.
I so so enjoy reading your blogs each day and I love to learn al about Gods word !! Thank you for being faithful to study and I too know that God is my portion forever !! He is more than enough !! I have a custom license plate that says Psm7326🙌🏻 He truly is the strength of my heart even though my flesh and heart fail daily !! There truly is none like HIM!! Thank you for all you do !! I learn so much and always get excited to see what truth you have found in the word !! In Him , Kelly
Thank you much for this word this morning. I received with my ❤️. I love God with such a passion. He too is my portion. I long to know more and more of Him! God bless!
So Beautiful!!!! It made me cry and feel the sweet Presence of my Savior! Thank you brother. Thank You Lord for “being my Portion forever”!