A BEAUTIFUL WORD

One of the beautiful Hebrew words in the Bible is ta' anuwg and it means "delightful, lovely, precious, cherished, pleasant." This word is used in three different ways about family life.

1) The love of a husband and wife. In Song of Solomon 7:6 NLT the husband says to his wife, "Oh, how beautiful you are! How pleasing my love, how full of delights!" Why is she so delightful? Because she takes time to make herself delightful and pleasant to her husband.

2) A mother's love for her children. Micah 1:16 ESV God calls them "the children of your delight" Our children are to be "loved," "cherished," and "fondled." They are too precious to give to someone else to care for, aren't they? We treasure them enough to take this responsibility ourselves.

3). A woman's love for her home. Micah 2:9 ESV says, "The women of my people you drive out from their delightful houses." God was angry with those who would evict women from "the homes they love" (GNB). It is inherently within us to love our home. It is how God created us. Adam was created before God created the Garden of Eden, but He had the home waiting for Eve (Genesis 2:7-8, 18-22).

And what did God call His first home? Eden means "delightful." God wants us to make our homes delightful--a delightful place for His presence, for our husband, and children. And why would we want to leave our delightful homes? Why would we forsake something we love for something lesser?

Be blessed today, Nancy Campbell