Beholding the Lord!

Beholding the Lord!
Monday, October 23, 2023 by Penelope Kaye

Hello, dear friend

My pastor’s Sunday morning message and our book study on our identity in Christ focused on one of my favorite verses—2 Corinthians 3:18:

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

The word behold caught my attention, and I did a little research. Did you know the Bible contains nearly 600 uses of the word behold? In the original Hebrew and Greek, they all have the same basic meaning of look. However, what I found intriguing is that they almost all share the imperative form. In other words, whether it was God, Jesus, or the writers, every time they spoke or wrote the word behold, they were actually saying, “Look! Pay attention. What I’m about to say or do is of utmost importance!”

Let’s look at a few:

“And as for Me, behold, I establish My covenant with you and with your descendants after you . . . (Genesis 9:9, NKJV)

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14, NKJV)

“Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He will declare justice to the Gentiles. (Matthew 12:18, NKJV)

Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split . . . (Matthew 27:51, NKJV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV)

All of these and hundreds more point to the preeminence of the word behold and the messages that follow. But the one dearest to my heart is when face to face, I get to behold the glory of the Lord while he transforms he into his very image.

Let’s do some beholding this week!

Below are some questions to reflect and/or journal. Feel free to share your thoughts—I would love to hear from you.

What has been your understanding of behold?
Do you find it’s easier during specific times or seasons to behold the Lord?
Which verse with the word behold spoke deepest to your heart?

Have a hope-filled week beholding the Lord!

Penelope Kaye

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Comments

Jodi Gardner From Billings At 10/24/2023 9:32:57 AM

Oh Penny! I am not only going to meditate on this word, but also expand on it. Incorporate it into my book. How do I best reference you? Behold, I see a future for you beyond your dreams, filled with transforming lives!

Reply by: PS 2710 Ministries

Wow! Thank you, Jodi, for sharing this insight! And thank you for your encouraging words for me ! To God be the glory! I will reach out to you to discuss the reference - blessings, Penelope Kaye

Janet Feil From Colorado At 10/23/2023 12:52:35 PM

Hi Penny! I have loved the word 'behold' for years. Yes, Look! Pay attention! Paying attention makes a big difference in life. So thankful for God's encouraging words to get our attention and then to transform our lives when he does. Don't underestimate His goodness, He reveals all we need to know.