In this study we consider the different kinds of minds in the Bible. We will look at the different Greek and Hebrew words translated mind to help us with understanding the passage. We will also consider the effect it should have in our lives. I pray that this study will be beneficial to you.
THE MIND OF THE LORD (Part 1)
Do we know what God thinks? Do we know what is in His mind?
He has revealed much about His “mind” to us through His word, if we will only seek and find it!
We don’t know what anyone is thinking, we don’t know what is on their mind, unless they tell us. We can make a judgment by their body language or their actions, but can’t know exactly their thoughts unless they tell us. This is the way it is with the Lord. We assume much by noticing His actions, particularly in the Old Testament. We assume that He hates the wicked because He punishes them, and yet, He says over and over that His correction and punishment is for their good, to bring them to repentance and back to a right relationship with Him.
CORRECTION IS ON HIS MIND
Hebrews 12:5-6 (Quotes Proverbs 3:11-12)
What 2 things are we told to not do?_______________________________________
Why? (verse 6)_________________________________________________________
Revelation 3:19
What does Jesus say He does to those He loves?______________________________
He tells us this (we know this is on His mind).
Consider John 3:16
For God so loved…who?_________________________________________________
That’s the wicked as well as the righteous.
Isaiah 54:7-8.
Underline or hi-lite the words “mere moment” and “little wrath” with the same color. Now with a different color underline or hi-lite “great mercies” and “everlasting kindness”.
What is “mere” and “little”?______________________________________________
What is “great” and “everlasting”? ________________________________________
We will study the Mind of the Lord in this lesson. Much is revealed in scripture that gives us a glimpse into the mind of God and helps us to understand Him, His actions and His plans for us and yet we will never know all of His mind, only what has been revealed to us.
There are several Hebrew and Greek words translated as “mind” in the scriptures when referring to the “mind of the Lord”. We will study these scriptures according to which Hebrew or Greek word is used.
Peh פֶּה
“Mind of the Lord” – From the Hebrew word “peh” (H6310) and means mouth as in blowing. It means to expound according to the mouth of the Lord or what the Lord says from His mouth – commands.
Leviticus 24:12
An Israelite man was fighting with another man when the Israelite blasphemed the name of the Lord and cursed.
Moses put him in custody so that what might be shown to him?_________________
They waited for the Lord’s guidance in this matter and the Lord spoke to Moses, His prophet, telling them what they should do. He spoke and told them what was on His mind
Numbers 36:5-6
Moses says, “this is what the Lord commands”, this is what the Lord speaks with His mouth.
We have the “mind of the Lord” in His 10 commandments. He is very specific.
Exo 20:19-21
The Israelites were afraid of God’s “voice”. They did not want to hear Him directly. Moses said that God was testing them, so that they would fear Him, and they would not sin.
Moses, then “draws near the thick darkness where God was”.
In the OT, the mind of the Lord was revealed to the Fathers and then the Prophets (Moses being one of the greatest prophets).
PROPHETS AND APOSTLES SPOKE IN THE NAME OF THE LORD
James 5:10
In whose name did the prophets speak?____________________________________
Acts 3:21-22
Peter is preaching to the Jews about Jesus.
Underline the phrase “God has Spoken.”
By whose mouth did God speak?__________________________________________
Verse 22 speaks of Jesus as a prophet. He is speaking the mind of the Lord.
Hebrews 1:1
God spoke (told us what was in His mind) to the fathers by whom?_______________
In the NT (under the New Law) we still have the mind of the Lord revealed to us through Christ.
John 15:14 “you are my friends if you do what I command you.”
How do we know we are Jesus’ friend?_____________________________________
Circle the word “if”.
A command must be spoken. Jesus is speaking “His mind” and giving us instruction.
John 15:1-17
What are the things Jesus is “commanding” them in this passage?
:4___________________________________________________________________
:8___________________________________________________________________
:9___________________________________________________________________
:12__________________________________________________________________
:16__________________________________________________________________
:17__________________________________________________________________
Jesus is “commanding” them in verses 1-17 to love one another and to bear much fruit.
John 12:49-50
By whose authority did Christ speak?_______________________________________
What did the Father give Christ?___________________________________________
What did Jesus say about the Father’s command?_____________________________
How important is it to follow the command of the Lord? Knowing that it is the “mind of the Lord” we are never left to guess what God wants from us or expects of us. He has revealed his mind about every aspect of our lives: Our worship to Him, our relationships to others, and our personal conduct and behavior.
We should always seek to know what the “mind of the Lord is”.
This lesson will continue.