Hebrew Word Study – Vulnerable – Qaruv – קָרֽוֹב – Qop Resh Vav Beth
Isaiah 55:6: “Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon Him while He is near.”
It used to be and still is a custom in many churches that when the Sunday morning service ends everyone goes outside and forms little groups to just talk. In all those many Sundays I do not recall one conversation over the sermon that was preached or one conversation on one’s struggle with their Christian walk or even a discussion on some Scripture passage. It was all about the Yankees winning the Super Bowl or something like that. After listening to a sermon from a Godly pastor I was usually fired up to discuss it or even joy a small group in prayer and with this enthusiasm I would be able to overcome my Aspieism and join a conversation. I wondered why no one gave much thought to God after hearing the Word of God expounded.
One time, however, someone did approach me and say; “That sermon today, it was great, I feel like praying do you want to join me?” I remember walking back into that empty sanctuary and wondering why after such a great sermon no one else was in there to pray, even the pastor was no longer there. This new friend and I prayed after every service for the next few weeks until he moved away and I was too insecure to pray alone in that sanctuary. But I marveled at how close I felt to the Lord during that time of prayer, it seemed so special after an hour of worship and listening to the Word of God being spoken. Isaiah 55:6 keeps coming to my mind as I recall those weeks of after service prayer, “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.” I was always told this was for the sinner, God’s Spirit will not always strive with man and if you keep rejecting Him, He will no longer be near and you will not find Him. Perhaps that is true. But that is not the context.
Would you like Chaim Bentorah as your personal Hebrew teacher?
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In this context the word for seek is daresh which has the idea of visiting frequently more than trying to find something. The words while He may be found is really something special in the Hebrew. While He may be found is all one word: behimase’u. We can really play around with this word and not always come up with the standard translation. This is a Niphal infinitive. It has the idea of obtaining or finding knowledge. The infinitive form would suggest an overwhelming or abundance of knowledge can be found. After a pastor has spent many hours studying and praying over their half hour sermon filled with an abundance of knowledge what do Christians do after receiving it, they just walk out the door and begin to discuss who is quarterbacking for the New York Yankees.
We are to call upon him while he is near. The word translated for upon is simply an inseparable pronoun expressed as prefix Beth which means in or on. Sure we could say call on him, but grammatically, to say that we would really use the separable pronoun, al. I say we translate it, Call in Him. The word call is qara’ which has two meanings. One is to call or shout. Another is to fall into. I like the idea of falling into him. I think that speaks more of God’s heart. Fall into him while He is near. The word near is qarav. This word is very closely related to qara which is another reason I chose to translate the word qara as fall into rather than call, because it is making an obvious play on the word qarav which means to approach , be approachable and/or vulnerable. I would render this as fall into His heart when He is approachable or vulnerable. Worship, praise and hearing the Word of God is like a husband sharing a candlelit dinner with his wife, they speak lovingly to each other and they express the inner secrets of their hearts to each other. They even touch each other. Then when they have expressed their love for each other, holding each other close, the husband looks at his watch and says: “Oh my, it’s 12:00 I am missing the big game, he then runs over and turns on the TV. Of course it doesn’t make sense, there would be a rush for a deeper intimacy. It is sort of the way I feel after a wonderful service, I just want to get alone with God for a deeper intimacy because I am just qara’ falling into Jesus after that service. That for me is really a time to call upon while He is near. But maybe that is just me, I am just a lonely old Aspie, maybe I am just compensating.
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Thanks & Blessings, it means a lot to me!
It always saddens me to find that no one seems interested in discussing the sermon in fellowship time after the service – no questions, no comments, no back-and-forth – nothing. i take notes during the sermon to keep me focused and for review later in the day and so husband and i can talk over any points that caught our attention. And our pastor focuses on ‘fellowship’, so we have no Sunday School time either (sigh).
Yes yes yes! I have often stood around after church wanting more and trying to talk to someone about the word we just heard or sat in the church talking to the Lord. People are so busy, if we are longing for more of God’s presence and fellowship with each other, try to imagine the longing in Abbas heart for us to just stay a while longer and talk with Him! 💔😘🙏 Grace and peace to you all🙂🥰
Beautiful well said I have always felt that way too
Thank you for bringing much to light.
Sadly Church attendance has fallen off in these later days. Often it’s because of mean spirited people that judge people for trivial things. Jesus teaches us not to judge lest we shall be judged!
I’m wondering why you were afraid to go into the Church alone to pray? Didn’t you know that you are never alone because Jesus is always with you?
Another sad thing is that way too many people suffer loneliness in our world today. So if you’re lonely welcome to the club.
Love this thought to “fall into His heart when He is approachable or vulnerable.” Your comment about the banal & worldly conversations after sermons is so true. Hebrews 13:12 Jesus suffered outside the presence of corporate apostate Judaism & calls us to suffer outside corporate apostate Christianity. Those who seek Him must go forth to Him-bearing His reproach. The reproach of the weeds, imposters, false brethren, goats & hirelings. It’s easy to suffer among worldly people but suffering for the truth in the midst of the those who identify themselves as disciples yet never read or study the scriptures outside of Sunday morning or have any hunger for righteousness is particularly painful.
What a wonderful idea! Qvarv Darash. As I have no idea if that’s correct , the 2 together seem true.
I’m moved to opening deeper gates when I read your writings !
Thank you
O my! What a good idea! I am going to strive to do this not just walk out the door and forget what I just heard! I remember standing around in small groups talking after the service when I was a kid.
In ancient times people would remain at synagogues to discuss that day’s reading. This often led to heated discussions even arguments about what that day’s reading meant. We have become so far removed from that practice.
A friend at church expressed to me a while back that he wished there could be a discussion group after church with the pastor to do this.
I recently read that in certain Scottish churches they have introduced a fast service lasting 15 minutes for ” busy people”
Ridiculous
That is a beautiful commentary, unfortunately most people who go to church are just going through the motions. Very few have a vibrant relationship with Holy Spirit. This was a good reminder for us to not be satisfied with status quo. God Bless you. P.S. I love your book PALAL!
I love this one! Thank you for it!!! I will not forget.. I pray!! Getting slow and forgetful. Lord keep what I have learned aboit you in my mind! Thank you for the way You bring to my mind scriptures that I have read and did not even realize that I had them still. I didnt, but You did!!
Mind the way you refer to yourself. If you were joking, it wasn’t very funny. Speak life over yourself. You shouldn’t call your self lonely. When you fall into Yeshua ( Yahushuah) there is no room for loneliness. You have Malakiym all atound you, you are far ftom alone. Don’t call yourself lonely. And don’t identify with your condition. YHWH’s word says you are wonderfully and fearfully made.
HalleluYAH! my spirit has been really enlightened from this rendition of Isaiah 55:6. “Fall into His heart when He is approachable or vulnerable.” Oh my God, this is wonderful!
I love this article! We go to church to hear God’s heart through the Word preached and unless it goes in and takes root there is no fruit. Developing an intimate relationship with God must start and be built upon His Word. Holy Spirit is our helper and teacher. Thank God He came to live within us and helps us to seek God at all times. I am with you in this, thank you for sharing your heart.
I’m a Catholic. I looove being alone with the Lord (“falling into Him”) especially after receiving Holy Communion. I want that time of divine intimacy.
As a Minister it is just as difficult to watch as those who are desperately hungry for more of God’s presence while others gather to discuss which restaurant to eat at after service. All those hours of seeking God for the right message as the Holy Spirit impressed it upon my spirit. The long hours spent in prayer after the preparation of the message and finally the long night spent in restless sleep as the Holy Spirit ingrains the message deep within my spirit …. just to decide on McDonald’s or Mexican food. My heart longs for more of God’s presence. Who will join me in prayer Sunday after service?
Thank you for this commentary. I too have felt this way. Standing at the altar not wanting to leave yet most of congregation visiting with one another. I am thankful for those times. One not long ago and several remained at altar not wanting to leave. A precious time in the LORD
I will share your thoughts-teaching with my prayer group if that is ok. Thanks again you really opened my understanding of that passage.. leaning into God.
I have wondered for many years why the majority of male believers seem to lack a zeal for the presence of the Lord. Worldliness is most prevalent in the man’s mind. When I would attend a meeting with a group from church I would usually end up talking with the ladies section instead of the men’s. Why? Subject matter. I have never been a huge sports fan. Therfore, sports is not my interest. I am a fish out of water concerning sports. Out of the abundance of my heart my words and actions will manifest. I love to be around those who have a passion for His presence. No, not someone always quoting scripture, trying to make us believe they are so knowledgeable about the Word but someone whose life reflects a genuine love for Christ. Chaim, you teachings always draw our minds to seek a deeper knowledge of the Master. Thank you for choosing a heart for Him.
Beautifully written and explained, so inspiring. Thank you.
I am blessed to have incredible pastors. I always feel as you do after service. No one wants to discuss anything meaningful so I find a quiet place to further research the words just preached. Thanks for this word and insight.
This world will never satisfy. Perhaps you are falling into what you long for. The One who satisfies!
I myself agree with this more intimate translation. As a fellow aspie, I do not believe we are grasping at anything but the TRUE, and more likely depth of the word and language of it in general. In doing so, the beauty, intimacy and depth of the Word of the Lord is breathtaking. Basking in this kind of love… His character that can be vulnerable to his children is binding to my heart as well. I never want to leave His presence.