From My Perspective - - -

It is always an interesting study to observe how words are used and how a hearer responds to them. This is especially true during a time of accelerated political rhetoric. For instance, one candidate stated that a Congressional Budget Proposal was “marvelous” and worthy of discussion and enactment. The intent behind the use of the word “marvelous” was to express a positive definition, namely, it was viewed as being: “superb, excellent, great…extraordinary.” However, an opposition candidate held a News Conference where he mocked and ridiculed the use of the word “marvelous” in association with a Budget Proposal. Those assembled joined in laughter and the speaker was pleased and amused himself with what he had just spoken. Those who identify with that sort of ridicule are sometimes classed as being a “lackey” – one who is “a servile follower or a hanger-on”! In political circles, it is usually one who is attracted to Position, Proximity, Power, Prestige and Pay.

In Biblical Literature, the word “marvelous” and “wonderful” are interchangeable. The Phonetic Spelling of the Hebrew word is “paw-law” and the translation depends on the case and mood in terms of how and where it is used. The usual translation and usage is: “marvelous, wonderful, surpassing, extraordinary, separate by distinguishing action.” It can also convey: “to be beyond one’s power, or difficult to do…” In the Hebrew Hiphil, it conveys: “to make wonderful, to do wondrously.” One gets the sense of this in the words of Mary as she speaks to Elizabeth – Luke 1:49 – “For He Who is Mighty has done great things for me, and Holy is His name.” It is idea of the wonderful, marvelous and extraordinary thing that has come to pass. That same idea is conveyed by the Prophet – Isaiah 9:6 – when he states: “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” His name will be called – “Wonderful” – the One Who is Marvelous and is Extraordinary.

David made use of the word “marvelous, wonderful” in a very significant way – Psalm 139:13-17 – “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and Wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!” He deftly interacts how he has been “wonderfully made” with the “Marvelous…Works” of Almighty God. If only the culture of our day would realize the miracle of God in every conception as a life – a living soul has come into being. However, in our country, without qualm or conscience we have aborted fifty-million babies (although the term “fetus” is used to somehow depersonalize the killing of a baby). In China, abortion is done routinely as a means of maintaining Government-imposed population control.

The word “marvelous/wonderful” appears 71 times in Scripture and we are noting only three of them. The third one is I Peter 2:9-10 – “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” The phrase – “called into His Marvelous Light” conveys the sense of Isaiah 60:1-2 – “Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.” As one comes into a personal relationship with the One Who declared – “I AM the Light of the world” – Jesus Christ – that one can know the significance and reality of having been called into His Marvelous Light.” Your Light – your moment is here! Don’t miss this Marvelous Opportunity! Consider these things with me!