One Timers

Psalm 8:5 (KJV) For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

(Proverbs 27 also read)

I read this verse with comments in mind that I heard at church.  The point being made involved angels and how in God’s hierarchy they are above human beings.  There was some great principle being expounded and this was proof of that point.  I don’t remember if the parallel statement in Hebrews was brought up.  It doesn’t matter to my observation.

In comparing the KJV and NASB I saw that the KJV says “angels” and the NASB has “God” with a footnote.  What gives?  I did a little homework.  The Hebrew word in question is Elohim.  This is the standard, common word used for God in the OT.  It is one you are familiar with,

Genesis 1:1 (KJV) In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

It is used over 2,600 times and “God” is the translation 2,346 times with small “g” god another 244.  It is only translated “angel” one time and that is here.

So?  What does that say?  I am not sure about the whole field of discussion but one caution I would offer is to be careful about making major statements based on a 1/2600 translation of a word.  

Dominion

Psalm 8:6 (KJV) Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

(Proverbs 2 also read)

This verse brings to mind the creation account where God says that we are to multiply and have dominion over all the Earth.  This is something that we as believers need to remember.  We are not just evolved monkeys.  We are not just an accident of chemical combinations, or any other nonsense, put out by the God haters.

Humanity was created in the image of God.  The totality of what that means is still a mystery.  It will probably be a mystery until we get to eternity and if at that point we are still curious we can probably ask and get an answer.  Or maybe we’ll just know.

One thing we do know, we are put in charge of this world that He gave us.  Notice that it says “over the works of his hands”.  We have a lot of responsibility.

So?  Are you living up to your responsibility?  That could be something as simple as not throwing your trash on the ground.  It could be something as complex as working to end abortion.  We could be many things in between.  God calls it dominion. 

Clarify with Cross References

Psalm 8:4 (KJV) What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

(Proverbs 17 also read)

It is easy to take this verse and wonder just who this “son of man” is.  As you continue reading, it gets even more confusing,

Psalm 8:5 (KJV) For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

At this point, you could use your study tools, and you would find that the word “angels” is very interesting, but let’s assume you don’t know how to do that.  Look at the cross references that are probably listed in your side columns.  You’ll find a reference in the book of Hebrews,

(Heb 2:9 KJV)  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

This comes after a direct quote of Psalms, and it clarifies that David is talking about the coming Messiah.

So?  When you see things that don’t make sense or don’t seem to make sense then do a little digging.  Sometimes you have to dig deeper.  Sometimes you have to ask questions of others.  Sometimes you have to wait for the Holy Spirit to clarify.  But there are answers. 

A Big Question

Psalms 8:4 (KJV) What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

I am sure we have all heard this question asked.  Have we ever really gotten an answer?  I start asking this question when I read the creation story and see that we are created in the image of God.  What does that mean?  Why were we created?

If you look at this chapter, you don’t find an answer.  Does that mean that we quit asking?  No, I don’t think so.  I think we continue wondering.  We continue thinking about the glory of God and his creative power.  He made us as a group the way we are.  He molded us as individuals as we respond to Him.

So?  Seek him daily.  Listen.  Respond.  Be the answer to the big question. 

Embrace Your Calling

(Psa 8:6 KJV)  Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

(Proverbs 28 also read)

This is a verse that looks both ways.  It looks back to creation and the place of man in that creation.  It looks forward to the book of Hebrews which revisits it.  Either way we are reminded that we are not just a cipher in the universe.  We are charged with making sure that the universe can develop to its full potential.

Don’t fall into the modern trap of evolutionary thinking.  We are not just the latest blip of chance.  We are created in the image of God and are expected to fulfill that calling.  The Fall introduced sin and clouded the vision but Jesus has come to set us free and get us back on track.

So?  Embrace your calling and make a difference in your world.  You may not be able to redeem the inner city but you can certainly make your neighborhood a place that has a spot of glory.