Love and the Filet Mignon
Reflective Reading: Psalm 91 and 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
The more I read the Psalms, the more I see a Messianic imprint everywhere. These imprints convince me that most of the Bible, if not all, refers to Jesus in some way. For example, in Psalm 91 we have obvious references to the Messiah that I’m sure you’ll recognize. Not only is this a Messianic psalm, but it is also a song that reveals a message that God the Father wrote for His Son to find when He was on earth as a man. As we read through this unique psalm, we will also come upon an extraordinary word that significantly alters the meaning of the word “love.” May the journey begin!
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place—the Most High, who is my refuge—no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my deliverance” (Psalm 91:1-16).
This psalm is about the Son of God’s trust in His Father. Because the Son has made His Father (the most High) His habitation (dwelling place), no evil shall come to Him. Moreover, God the Father shall give His angels charge over the Son, to keep Him in all His ways. They shall bear Him up upon their hands, lest He dash His foot against a stone. I’m sure you recognize these words as the Scriptures the devil used as he tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:6).
As the writer of this psalm continues, an unusual phenomenon occurs. In verse 13, the author ceases to speak, while God himself begins speaking in first person (verses 14-16). The words that God the Father begins to speak to His Son are words of encouragement and endearment. Listen in on what the Father is saying:
“Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.”
These words are not spoken to the Son but about the Son. This is significant because it appears that the Father placed these words in the Scriptures for His Son to find when He was on earth! This amazes me! The Father hid treasured truths throughout the Scriptures to help guide and encourage His Son when He would be sojourning on the earth. In fact, these words would be the consoling truth that Jesus would rely upon when He faced the severe trial with the devil in the wilderness (Matthew 4). Again, this amazes me! God the Father has written words of encouragement and guidance to be found years later when His Son would walk upon the earth as a man. I believe the same is true for us! As we sojourn upon this earth, gems of truth are waiting to be found. What an amazing God!
As we explore further, notice the phrase “because he hath set his love upon me.” This Hebrew word for love occurs only eleven times in the Bible and is not the typical word used to show love. What makes this word unique is that it can also be translated as a fillet or filet—or as some may refer to it, as filet mignon! I’m sure you’re wondering how love and filet mignon could have a mutual meaning, unless of course you love eating filet mignon! Believe it or not, a filet (piece of meat) does indeed share a mutual connection with loving someone.
This Hebrew word חשׁק, (chashaq)—to love—carries the idea of being closely attached to someone or something. It means to cling to or set your affection on someone; to bind together. It’s a strong desire to be connected, as a wheel is to its hub. Regarding its meaning as a filet, picture a tender piece of meat attached to its bone. In the same way, the word for love means being closely connected. Just as the choicest and most flavorful meat lies closest to the bone, those who draw nearest to God become most tender and loving.
In 2 Corinthians 2, Paul writes that we are the aroma of Christ to God. This New Testament word describes a similar connection to our Lord, especially our connectedness to the Word.
“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things” (2 Corinthians 1:14-16)?
Note the word “savour” is repeated four times. Three are the same word, meaning fragrance. The second is a different Greek word and appears only three times in the Bible, always in reference to a sweet-smelling sacrifice. This is also conveyed in the book of Leviticus. When followers of God repent, experience forgiveness, and follow God’s Word (stay connected), they become a sweet-smelling aroma to God (see Leviticus 1:9, 13, 17; 2:2, 9, 12; 3:5, 16; 4:7, 31). As sojourners on the earth, this is our mission. Like the scent of a fragrant rose or the nose-turning smell of a grilled filet mignon, we too bring a sweet aroma to God as we bring the “fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.”
How are we doing? Are we becoming more tender, more loving, more aromatic, more fragrant? Becoming more loving, more gracious, sweeter, and more tender requires a daily commitment to remain closely connected to our Lord. The more closely we cling to His Word, His promises, and His presence, the more we will love Him. The more we love Him, the more we will trust that He will answer and deliver us in times of trouble. The more we experience His deliverance, the more we will want to share the “knowledge of him everywhere!”
Sincerely,
Mark Hamby
M.S., M. Div., Th. M., D. Min
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