Organic Understanding

The first part of Isaiah 11 verse 3 is translated in widely different ways.

"And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears" - Isaiah 11:3 KJV

"And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear" - Isaiah 11:3 ESV

That is because the Hebrew word Ruwach (Strong's H7306) is used. This word talks about recognition through the sense of smell. Delight or quick understanding that comes from instant recognition of something that has proven good and pleasurable in the past... like coming home and opening the door and smelling cookies baking in the oven or the smell of your favorite food warm and waiting for you. This knowing is an organic knowing that is instinctual.

The word we translate Spirit... ruwach (H7307)... is literally wind or breath...

Let's look at these verses again thinking in these terms. I have capitalized the words that specifically contribute to this concept.

"And the SPIRIT of the LORD shall rest upon him, the SPIRIT of wisdom and understanding, the SPIRIT of counsel and might, the SPIRIT of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; And shall make him of QUICK UNDERSTANDING in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the BREATH OF HIS LIPS shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins." - Isaiah 11:2-5 KJV

Wow.

What is the scent that we instinctively recognize in our human spirit? The fear of the LORD or awe of the LORD that instantly causes delight when it comes in contact with our spiritual senses... the recognition of grace... the realization that God has mercy... He had it before when we needed it and He has it now... the goodness of God... the faithfulness and consistency of God.

This is what Adam lost in the garden... what Jesus had resting upon Him all the days of his life... what we who believe in Christ's death, burial and resurrection have indwelling us, sealing us and we sense by faith surrounding us.

"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ." - 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 ESV

"for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' " - Hebrews 13:5b ESV

This is not purely intellectual. There is an rational explanation for it but it is not going to be discovered by the mind alone. This is deeper than that on an organic level.

Grace originates from the God of all grace. That is the favorable mindset that carries the distinctive scent of divinity.

"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!" - Psalms 34:8 ESV

Yes. God this morning we inhale and exhale mixing faith with your promises. Cause us to exhale the production of that life.

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer." - Psalms 19:14 ESV

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