Grammatically speaking–now that’s a dry way to start a daily devotional study!–the first “imperative” or command we find in the New Testament in our traditional canonical order is in Matthew 1:20:

20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

The Greek word is ἰδου, IDOU, which is very a common, even idiomatic form of ὁραω, HORAO, “to see.”  We find IDOU all the time in the Gospel narratives because this is a key story-telling device.  “See here,” “observe,” “then look what happened,” says the story-teller in English.  Now this particular instance of an imperative from HORAO, “to see or observe,” occurs 208 times in the Greek Bible!  God only has to say it once for us to be responsible to obey, but this command is all over the place![2]

The graphic here shows the distribution of IDOU in the various NT (New Testament) books.  Matthew, Luke, Revelation, and Acts are the top four in descending order.  Old Testament narrative has a synonym for IDOU that is even more common:  HINNE (הִנֵּי, “heen־NAY”).  Building on its inspired OT literary heritage, the NT writers tell stories in much the same way as the OT writers.  This is expected of Matthew and John, with their heavy focus on OT and Jewish concerns.  But what about Doctor Luke’s writings, the Gospel and Acts?  Why not in John’s Gospel?  The short answer is “style” in developing the story.

That first time you read “behold” in your Bible, did you lock onto the authoritative nature of the Living Word?  Most people today read “behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him” and dismiss it as an older way of communicating or maybe even “Bible language.”  But behold, the love letter from God to you that is the Bible is full of these kind inducements to pay attention and hear what God thinks and says. We are called by these statements to look with fresh eyes at what God has revealed in His Word and to be refreshed in the looking.  Always remember that the commands of Scripture are precious evidences of God’s love for you.

Three thoughts as you start your day:

1.  Bibliology:  “Behold” is everywhere in the Bible, and it serves as a hint at what the Christian life is really about: Paying attention to God’s Word in both intake and application.

2.  Sanctification:  Every day is another chance to behold the grace of God in what He has said to us in the Bible.  Don’t miss this chance!

3.  Anthropology:  One thing that distinguishes man as God’s image from all other earthly creation is our capacity to behold the things of God.  How tragic that so few pursue this capacity for which we were Created!

Passage to Pray:  Ps 19

Memory Verse:  Ps 19:7-10:

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. 10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.

---

[1] I thought it wise to examine all the commands of the Word of God, especially in the New Testament, since these are so little understood in this age of Grace.  My prayer is that the Spirit use this study to enlighten and encourage any who may read it.  I’m going for a daily write-up as the Lord provides.  Rom 16:20.

[2] Grammarians may quickly point out that ιδου  is really used as a particle that has perhaps lost its imperative force.  I would argue that this particular imperative is so ingrained in language as a story-telling device that it has become a particle that constantly prods the reader to obey and “behold.” I presuppose Divine Authorship of the Scriptures.