RAUCH HAKO′DESH, THE HOLY SPIRIT IN HEBREW
The Greek name for the Holy Spirit is parakletos. The Hebrew name is Rauch Hako′desh.
As I watched with horror the devastation of the 2017 hurricanes Irma, Jose, and Maria sweep through the Caribbean in early September, one thing stood out to me. The houses and other buildings that were leveled by the horrific wind and driving rain were gone. But still, the cement foundations of the buildings remained. All was lost; food, clothing, furniture, and the structures themselves strewn and scattered over entire islands and the surrounding seashore and sea, but the foundation remained. When all was lost to the owners and renters, the foundations were there, waiting for new structures to be rebuilt.
The trials of life come at us from all directions, like a mighty hurricane with sweeping, swirling winds and raindrops like bullets traveling at such great speeds that they can penetrate wood and cement block. People without God are without comfort. The world’s reward for the oppressed is more oppression. It is only in God, through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, that we can find comfort in this life.
THE 23RD PSALM IS COMFORTING.
(A Psalm of David.) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever (Psalm 23).
The 23rd Psalm is without any doubt, my favorite Psalm. It is also the favorite Psalm of most people. The consensus in Bible-based literature and on related internet sites is that this Psalm is the most popular and most quoted currently and historically.
Comfort, as used in the 23rd Psalm is the Hebrew verb “nacham” (Strong's #5162) and it means to give or provide, comfort and consolation, “Your rod and your staff they comfort me.”[1]
Making me “lie down in green pastures” is comforting. Once I am enjoying the finality of that act, I become comfortable.
Every action in this psalm gives us comfort. These acts of comfort in Psalm 23 include:
Providing for our needs (vs. 1).
Rest for the weary (vs. 2).
Forgiveness of sin (vs. 3).
Freedom from fear (vs. 4).
Protection from those who would do us harm (vs. 5a).
He refreshes and soothes us as He welcomes us into His presence (vs. 5b).[2] – Wiersbe
He promises to walk with all of our lives (vs. 6a).
The Spirit vows to extend eternal life (vs. 6b).
In the New Testament, we see the continuation of these promises. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, Paul assures us of the Spirit’s comfort when he says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
[1] Psalm 23, © 2017 Ancient Hebrew Research Center, ancient-hebrew.org/psalms/m/psalm23.html.
[2] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary. Copyright © 1989 by Chariot Victor Publishing, and imprint of Cook Communication Ministries. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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