Today

[Sam91]

So, while listening (supposed to be reading but used audiobible) to Deuteronomy the word today was used multiple times. In other scriptures have found the word standing out and often I end up thinking of these verses as it struck me before while reading.

Hebrews 4:7
He again fixes a certain day, "Today," saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS."

Psalms 2:7
"I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.

Hebrews 3:13
But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin

My question is, other than the obvious, what significance is there about this word? Is it significant to the Israelites?

Thank you.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

So, while listening (supposed to be reading but used audiobible) to Deuteronomy the word today was used multiple times. In other scriptures have found the word standing out and often I end up thinking of these verses as it struck me before while reading.

Hebrews 4:7
He again fixes a certain day, "Today," saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS."

Psalms 2:7
"I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.

Hebrews 3:13
But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin

My question is, other than the obvious, what significance is there about this word? Is it significant to the Israelites?

Thank you.

I think it is in the area of "don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today." The present, rather than the past or future is our reality. We don't live in the past, and the Scripture says "Forgetting the things that are behind...etc". We don't live for the future, because Jesus said, "Don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will take care of itself."

If there is an important decision to be made, we need to make it while we have the opportunity, because if we put things off, we might lose the opportunity. It is like thinking of a great idea in the middle of the night and thinking that you might write it down when you wake up in the morning, but when morning comes you have forgotten it. The "today" that the Scripture is talking about in terms of working while it is the light of day, because when the darkness comes, no one can work, is our present day of grace where those who call upon Him will be saved. But the time will come when the day of grace will be over and the day of judgment will begin. Then it will be too late to repent and turn to Christ. In such important decisions like these, we need to "strike while the iron is hot".

 

[Sam91]

I think it is in the area of "don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today." The present, rather than the past or future is our reality. We don't live in the past, and the Scripture says "Forgetting the things that are behind...etc". We don't live for the future, because Jesus said, "Don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will take care of itself."

If there is an important decision to be made, we need to make it while we have the opportunity, because if we put things off, we might lose the opportunity. It is like thinking of a great idea in the middle of the night and thinking that you might write it down when you wake up in the morning, but when morning comes you have forgotten it. The "today" that the Scripture is talking about in terms of working while it is the light of day, because when the darkness comes, no one can work, is our present day of grace where those who call upon Him will be saved. But the time will come when the day of grace will be over and the day of judgment will begin. Then it will be too late to repent and turn to Christ. In such important decisions like these, we need to "strike while the iron is hot".

Thank you for such an eloquent and illuminating response.

I know I am not supposed to be relying on feelings but I get a stir of the heart whenever I hear or read 'today'. It peaks my curiosity. I still feel there is a significance in the word to maybe the Jews. Unless it is because it is attached to some important verses in general.

 

[Sam91]

What is the word for today in ancient hebrew? Hah yohm?

 

[Ron Gurley]

Today...HEBREW 3117...yowm...
1.day, time, year
1.day (as opposed to night)
2.day (24 hour period)
1.as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
2.as a division of time
1.a working day, a day's journey
3.days, lifetime (pl.)
4.time, period (general)
5.year
6.temporal references
1.today
2.yesterday
3.tomorrow

 

[Almost there]

So, while listening (supposed to be reading but used audiobible) to Deuteronomy the word today was used multiple times. In other scriptures have found the word standing out and often I end up thinking of these verses as it struck me before while reading.

Hebrews 4:7
He again fixes a certain day, "Today," saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS."

Psalms 2:7
"I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.

Hebrews 3:13
But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin

My question is, other than the obvious, what significance is there about this word? Is it significant to the Israelites?

Thank you.

I think the word is significant. In fact, a couple of years ago I started saying this:

Every single person alive has the exact same life span. We even have a word for it. The word is "today". So, today is your life. What are you going to do with it?

Thing is, even Paul said I die every day. I almost see my 64 years as 64x365 lifetimes in a sort of re-incarnation sort of way, except I remember all of those lifetimes and can build on what I learn in each one. But I have only this one body, and when it's done, my time on this planet is done.

Who knows if this is my last "today". Nobody but God. So I need to make the most of it!