Pay Attention!
I must have been somewhat distractible as a child because I remember Daddy saying to me, “Charlene, do you know what you’re doing?” Sometimes paying attention seems like the last thing a child wants to do. I think it’s true sometimes for grownups, too.
We don’t say “Behold!” in our everyday speech, but the word is used a great deal in the Bible — 1177 times in the New American Standard Bible, to be exact. I think it’s one of the ways that God says, “Pay attention!”
Gabriel told Mary:
. . . behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name Him Jesus.
Luke 1:31
When Joseph thought about putting Mary away secretly:
. . . 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 . . .”
Matthew 1:20
Matthew tells us:
Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son,
and they shall call His name Immanuel . . .
Matthew 1:23
The angel told the shepherds:
. . . behold, I bring you good news of great joy
which will be for all the people . . . .
Luke 2:10
When King Herod wanted to kill Jesus:
. . . behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,
“Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt . . .”
Matthew 2:13
When that danger was over:
. . . behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream
to Joseph in Egypt, and said,
“Get up, take the Child and His mother,
and go into the land of Israel . . .
Matthew 2:19
When Jesus grew up and was ready to begin the ministry God sent Him to do, He went to His cousin John the Baptist to be baptized and:
. . . behold, a voice out of the heavens said,
“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”
Matthew 3:17
Let’s all spend 2016 doing what we want our children to do: Pay attention!
We are surrounded by distractions all day long, both physical and digital. It takes a measure of wisdom to focus on what is truly important during each day. Focus and finish, then move along to the next important activity.
Sound advice, Olive.
I looked up the definition of behold and also in Greek (with my husband being a pastor, he always refers back to the Greek for Biblical words in the New Testament) It said: “a Greek imperative meaning “Behold!” – literally, “Be sure to see . . . !” Or as you put it: Pay Attention!
Thanks so much for your articles. They often make me think and often are encouraging. Merry Christmas and God’s blessings to you and your family.
Thank you very much.