As Christ Looks Down, We Must Look Up!

4/22 Reading Portions: Leviticus 26; Psalm 33; Ecclesiastes 9; Titus 1

Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)

4/22 Reading Portions: Leviticus 26; Psalm 33; Ecclesiastes 9; Titus 1

Psalm 33:13

The LORD looks down from heaven; He sees all the children of man;

DOWN

The English Standard Version of the Bible adds a word to this verse, not found in other translations, viz., KJV, NKJV, or NASB. It’s the word, “down.” Its use is not incorrect as applied here, for the next verse justifies the translation: “from where He sits enthroned He looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth.” Though heaven is the eternal realm beyond our sight, the inclusion of “down” is also helpful because it reminds us that God is sovereign, and from His throne in heaven above, He is lofty and supreme in all matters pertaining to His creation. The word aids our minds in reverencing our heavenly Father, honoring His Son with godly fear, and surrendering in absolute abandon to the leading of the Holy Spirit. This is a necessary perspective, else we may get carried away when we understand the original Hebrew root word, נָבַט (na-VAT), typically translated “looketh” or “beheld” in the KJV, means, in the positive, “to regard with care, favor, or pleasure.” Having a lofty view of the most high God first, helps to keep our flesh from corrupting our minds to believe that God’s love and mercy toward us not only trumps holy justice and judgment, but it also nearly wipes it out completely. Our reading today in Leviticus 26 should take care of that stuff and nonsense. Our verse today, exalts God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ; and we rejoice that our King has such holy care and regard for His people. As it pertains to us, we look up to God and look up to His lofty plan of Christ and Him crucified. The first time, navat is used in the Bible is when Yehovah commands Abram to “look” above:

“Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then He said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Genesis 15:5, emphasis added

Again, the word is used when Israel was plagued by fiery serpents. Translated “beheld” (KJV), they were commanded to “look” up:

So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live. Numbers 21:9, emphasis added

As the Father looks down, we are to look up, just as Jesus told Nicodemus,

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.” John 3:14-15

Hallelujah! What a Savior!