Intent

Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him, John 13:28.

"Motives" my former pastor and mentor, Billy Randall used to say; "why do we do what we do?". His point was that the Lord is far more interested in why we do what we do, than what we actually do. The word "motive" however is not in the King James Bible. The bible word is "intent". Through the word of God, we have a two way window. The Lord can read our intentions, and we can read his.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, Hebrews 4:12. By that same word of God that reads the thoughts and intentions of our heart, we can turn it around and read the thoughts and intentions of God's heart.

And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him, John 11:15. Why did Jesus tarry and allow Lazarus to die? We can see his intent. He intended to increase the faith of his followers.

Over and over in the word of God we are made privy to the intents of God's heart. As the Lord chastened Israel and sent unspeakable grief upon them, he comforted them. He explained why they were being chastened, but he also promised retribution on those nations which devoured them. Then he promised a restoration with the assurance that the intent of his heart was to punish the wicked that had oppressed them and to give Israel rest.

Jeremiah 30:15 Why criest thou for thine affliction? thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity: because thy sins were increased, I have done these things unto thee.

Jeremiah 30:16 Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.

Jeremiah 30:17 For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.

Jeremiah 30:18 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwellingplaces; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof.

Jeremiah 30:19 And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.

Jeremiah 30:20 Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them.

Jeremiah 30:21 And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 30:22 And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.

Jeremiah 30:23 Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.

Jeremiah 30:24 The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have done it, and until he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it.

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known, 1st Corinthians 13:12. How are we known? How does the Lord read the thoughts and intents of our heart? Hebrews 4:12 say that he discerns our thoughts and intents of our hearts through his word. How do we know his thoughts and intents? Those thoughts and intents that he has chosen to reveal of himself are revealed in his word.

Face to face in your King James Bible speaks more to the plainness of speech involved than to the proximity of the speakers to each other. And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, Deuteronomy 34:10. Yet, we are plainly told that the Lord did not show Moses his face.

Exodus 33:20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

Exodus 33:23 And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.

What did the Lord show Moses so that it is recorded that he spoke to him face to face? He showed him three things, his intents, his counsel, and his purposes. He showed him those things plainly. He did not speak in dark sayings or parables.

Numbers 12:5 And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.

Numbers 12:6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.

Numbers 12:7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.

Numbers 12:8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

The purpose of this blog is to demonstrate that for the English Speaking People there is simply no bible that can reveal the thoughts and intents of God's heart so directly to the heart of its readers as a King James Bible can and does. I hope in the next fews days or weeks to write on "counsel" and "purpose". It helps to think and speak of the things of God using the words that God uses.