HEBREW WORD STUDY – PERFECT TIMING – ‘ETH עת Ayin Taw
Ecclesiastes 3:11: “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”
I used to be a chaplain in a nursing home and every Sunday I would hold a service where I would play the keyboard and we would sing many of the old hymns and worship songs. When my music leader would request a song to sing almost always these seniors, whose remaining time on this earth was short, would request we sing an old worship song entitled “In His Time.” I have often thought about what would was going through their minds when they made such a request. Now that I am 70 years old, I am beginning to realize the significance of the words of that song and the verse in Ecclesiastes 3:11.
The word made is ‘asah which means forming, fashioning, creating or fulfilling. God will fulfill everything. The word everything is hachol from the root word kalal which has a definite article, the, and means the whole or the complete. He makes all that He is fashioning or forming complete in His time. But check out the word ‘asah for creating or making. It is in a Qal perfect form. It is a completed action. All that He is forming, creating has already been formed and fashioned, He is just waiting for the right time to reveal what He has already prepared for us.
Whatever it is, it is beautiful. The word beautiful is yapah. Some translations say appropriate and I can understand why they would say that. These translators consider the context to refer to the events in our lives as all coming together and being appropriate, acceptable. That fits well. However,, that is a distant English word to use for yapah. Yapah in its Semitic origins would best be represented by the English word beautiful. It is something that excites the senses in a pleasurable way. It is something that is lovely to look at and causes you to find satisfaction in looking at it or experiencing it. So, God has already fashioned something that will bring us great satisfaction and will reveal it to us in the appropriate time. The word time is spelled Ayin Taw and pronounced ‘eth. We are not sure just what the root word is. But in most Semitic languages its equivalent has the idea of an appropriate time, the right circumstance. When the time is right, when we need something that will give us satisfaction the most, God will unveil His little gift of beauty.
Would you like Chaim Bentorah as your personal Hebrew teacher?
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So many times, I get discouraged wondering if anybody reads or even appreciates my efforts to share my little studies. Days I despair of even putting up my studies on our blog or sharing on Facebook and even doing three classes a week. Just when I am ready to chuck the whole idea of Chaim Bentorah Ministries, when like a pouting child I tell God, “Don’t wanna study, don’t wanna evangel.” I get a little note from someone who tells me how their relationship with God was restored through my little word studies or someone sends a little gift, sometimes a gift that I know was a sacrificial gift just to show their appreciation. At first, I am ashamed that I was such a pouting child but then I realize it was God, waiting for that appropriate time to share something beautiful with me that brings a great sense of satisfaction. The thought that someone would take the time to write a little thank you or even send a gift, even a small one, does a great job of humbling me and weeping before God telling I just don’t deserve this, why is being so good to me?
Sometimes when I am going through a crisis he uses little things, things that would easily go unnoticed except I know God has His perfect timing. It might be someone walking their dog and that dog tugs on his leash to approach me, just to say “hi.” It is a perfect moment and such a beautiful experience to be greeted by one of God’s creation. A squirrel may be bouncing swiftly from tree to the ground to the tree and then suddenly stop to look at me. He twitches his little nose as if to say: “I hope your day is going as good as mine.” Then he is on his way I am refreshed.
This verse is not speaking of a one time event. It may even be a daily event. God loves to give us little surprises, we just need to be alert to them. I have grown so use to these little moments of beauty that when I feel down or discouraged, I automatically begin looking for that little gift of beauty from God to lift my spirit. I usually find it and I find it in the most simple way. It might to just a burst of the sun breaking through the clouds for a moment of warmth as if God is giving me a warm hug. It might be a sudden cloud burst of refreshing rain and the euphoria of a the ozone released by lightning as if God is giving me a boost of energy. Maybe, as in this fall season, it is a colorful leaf flying through the window of disability bus or landing on my windshield. Just a common daily event except for the ‘eth, the timing. The timing is almost always perfect and creates in my that yapah, that sense of satisfaction. God does make everything beautiful in the right moment of time.
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Thanks & Blessings, it means a lot to me!
Chaim, I came to see you a few years back after completing a tour of duty in Iraq where your word studies were always an encouragement to me. We went to lunch and church together, it was great. I often use “thoughts” from your studies to pass on to my children in my daily “thought for the day” that I send them each morning via our family group message site—as a matter of fact I just used one of your teachings this morning. Thank you and I pray for you daily.
I look at your word studies quite often brother to go deeper…keep them up…you are a blessing…if we can submit our questions and you can answer them..maybe once a month..that would be great as well.
I think I have said before but one person is everything to God. We must not forget that. Perhaps you might see from the perspective of a single mom relying upon God
for everything. I am not out looking for a man to care for me or take away the reproach for my high standards and faith in the goodness of God. I am not looking for someone to praise me or pat me on the back. I am waiting on God. Thank you for making my life more Beautiful simply for sharing your testimony and heart for God. That means everything to me.
aaah..This has just refreshed my soul.. like the BALM OF GILEAD..I eagerly and impatietly wait to receive your articles.. The last stanza(Paragraph) in the above article is exactly my story….feel refreshed as though God is speaking to me..
Hi Chaim, I often do word studies because I love the Word of God. Thank you for your commitment. When Im not sure of the meaning of a word or a verse I will always go onto your website and your studies settle me and teach me. Im 63 years old and have been given the opportunity to preach now and then …. I will always turn to your word studies for information and share it ….. dont ever underestimate the value of your gift to us.
God bless you richly
Dear Chaim, I just recently found out about your Word studies, and now they are something I look forward to each day. Please don’t quit! This word today is so sweet. God touches my heart with little special blessings that help me get through the ugliness of recent times.
God bless, keep, and prosper you!
This is definitely a message in due season, when it looks like everything is In chaos and dreams are slowly dying. God will in His time reveal the beautiful we just have to remember and hold onto the hope of it one day. Thanks so much for a timely (‘Eth) word today
just want to thank you for your daily word studies. They have made such an impact on my life I am so interested in learning about the real meanings of words when God spoke to him. As a widow of 83 years old I spend much time by myself and so appreciate you taking the time to share these wonderful teachings with me. Be blessed
Thank you, my friend for sharing God’s word and your heart. You are a like a cool breeze that fans the face on a hot summers day, and I just stand there and say aaahh that feels good.
God bless you!
I know that there are times and seasons, Pregnancy is a waiting time. Fruit has a season. But for the most part I have found God’s timing as “Today, if you hear His voice”. For so much if what we are waiting on God for. HE is really waiting on us.
God is so good. Thank you for the joy you open to me……………….Blessings
Greetings Brother Bentorah! Yesterday (11/16/20) I was throwing a hissy fit…felt so alone (even though I am with my younger children all the time)…felt like my life was a waste of space. Felt like I wasn’t in His will. Went to bed weeping and internally crying out to God to “HELP me”. Plus going through “the changes of life” isn’t helping, making everything seem worse than it is…you get the picture. Then today came…I felt “lighter”, thanked God for giving me another day, another chance. While waiting at a “Honey Dew” drive-thru, my husband told me to let another car that was waiting, go in front of us. As the driver waved thank you and went ahead, I thought nothing of it. We then pull up to pay for our order only to find out that that driver had picked up our tab!! I was so shocked and grateful…it made my day and showed me that God wasn’t done with me yet. Now your bible study has confirmed that…so…thank you!!
Thank you my Dear Teacher . Please don’t give up sending your word studies . I am 78 years old and my mother , father , brother and sisters as well as their spouses have all passed away . Most of my friends are gone as well . I no longer belong to a church because the one I loved broke apart and the pastor I loved was driven out. To me he was a very caring person .
Now this pandemic has made many of us elderly people into secluded . So I very much look forward to your daily word studies .
You are correct in saying that God has many wonderful and beautiful things to show . Even at my age I am learning about animals I never knew existed. Animals like the squirrels of India who’s bodies are multicolored . One of the most amazing creatures in the world is believe it or not is a shrimp. It is called the Peacock Mantis Shrimp and for his size he is very fast moving and very powerful . There are so many of God’s creatures that are new to me and many are truly amazing . Even God’s flowers are wonderful . Some flowers are expensive to buy ,but one flower is priceless because it only blooms at night and lasts for a very short time . It is very beautiful and is like lace.
It is my belief that many older people die before their time because they think there’s nothing more to learn and even at 78 I not only study the Bible and I’m amazed how much there is still to learn and how much God has opened up His word to me and how He led me to you Chaim .
I am also learning to speak a little Hebrew .I study quantum physics , nature and astronomy . I hope many older people will be encouraged to keep on learning and teach what you have learned even if it is to only one person
May God bless you Chaim and all your dear readers
I know just what you’re referring to when you mention those little moments when nature sends a love note from God; I see the leaf that has fallen through my vehicle’s sunroof and landed on the seat beside me as a “Here’s a pretty leaf for you. I love you.”~God or that deer that stops and looks at me, seemingly without fear just for a moment or two, and it re-ignites my anticipation for the delights of the New Earth and its peace and compatibility with the animals that is to come. These are beautiful moments of God’s perfect timing. And so that you know, every day starts with reading your daily word studies. They are my morning devotional. Your shared thoughts and revelations on God’s love and faithfulness get my day started with a warm fuzzy feeling. Thank you for that!
Thank you for reminding us that waiting on God is not a chore, but an expectation! He can do “far more…….!” Blessings brother!
Beautiful description. At 70 years old myself, I have found my joys are in the same small things in nature- the little wild flowers, the ducks coming to feed by the lake …
My world is a sweeter place because of your word studies. Please never stop posting them!!
I look forward to the Word Study, I eagerly await to hear what my Heavenly Father is speaking to me. A few days ago He reminded me of the upcoming food shortages throughout the world. I needed confirmation so I asked Him to show me the Word “famine” in the word study. At first I was disappointed because the word for that day was “Wasted Effort” but as I continued to read the word famine was in the study and everything fit into what God has been telling me. Thanks very much for sharing your time, knowledge and effort with us.
Thank you for this word study it is beautiful and was certainly sent in His Time.
It has also helped me to be more appreciative and on the look out for every small gift that may happen. A wonderful reminder of everything is from God, because God is GOOD, God is LOVE. Even our very breath each day is from God.
Thank you for your diligence, time, and commitment. I understand your moments of discouragement but please know your labor is not in vain. I appreciate you and I am particularly grateful for this timely word study. God bless you!
Thank you so much, Chaim, For your labor of love… I am so grateful for your devotionals… I am 94 years old and continue to teach Bible studies… Four of them weekly…: I am also involved in the counseling ministry of my church… My husband, who is now with the Lord, and I founded this ministry in our church… I have given the administration of the ministry into capable hands that we trained and it is my joy to continue to work with them… So I am still involved… I want to finish well… Thank you so much for encouraging my heart with your insightful and meaningful devotionals… God bless you and continue to use you in so many remarkable ways…
Of course we all get discouraged, that seems to be part of life on this side of heaven.
Being loved by God is always the most important…but please be assured dear Chaim, that you are truly appreciated by many of us. Your words and works are the sun breaking through a very cloudy time for countless of us out here in e-mail land.
Of course, God’s love and approval is what counts most…but a few human “atta-boys”
never hurt either…and you deserve a truckload of them!
This message came just a the right time, I appreciate your writing very much I hope you will continue to write, I am very Thankful.
Love Always
Nickolas DiDonato
Your word studies are phenomenal! I always look forward to your word studies. The way you explain things takes me to a greater level of understanding God, His heart for mankind and His indescribable love.
You’re not allowed to have a pity party :) Your obedience is helping many people! Keep up the good work!