Some words of Jesus seem to make no sense at all. For instance, we read, “The eye is the lamp of the body….” Then, as if this were not confusing enough, Jesus adds, “So, if your eye is healthy (ἁπλοῦς; aplous) your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad (πονηρὸς; poneros), your whole body will be full of darkness” (Matthew 6:22-23a. The most popular way of dealing with texts such as these is to ignore them!
First, let’s talk about Jesus’ statement, “The eye is the lamp of the body.” Modern people, like you and me, think of the eye as a window that allows light into the body. Ancient Jews, however, thought that the eye was the origin of light (something of a flashlight). In other words, everything in your life depends on how you see things. Someone put it this way: “It is your attitude, not your aptitude, that determines your altitude.” (don’t worry I had to reread it few times too, but it was worth it!)
Our second insight concerns the meaning of the “healthy eye” versus “evil eye.” A better translation should be “a single-minded eye” versus a “lustful eye.” Jesus is using these terms metaphorically. A man with a “single-minded eye” looks at a God-given path alone! God’s word becomes the guiding light (Psalm 119:105). But the one with “the lustful eye” gets distracted and greedy by coveting the possessions of others. As envy takes root, generosity dies. Then darkness settles in. This is why we must remember that “the eye is the lamp of God,” so that our eye stays healthy and we always walk in God’s paths.
Wished could afford to take this course, they joyes of retirement. It seems to be a excellent course I agree with you Alvin. I am also retired. I find these topics and discussions very appealing. Unfortunately, I also find the cost challenging. In the meantime, learn what we can from these mini-samples. Shalom I, too, am financially challenged but I bit the bullet and enrolled. I'm glad I did. I'm receiving much insight. Even this short article, the "light in the eyes," was so insightful yet I have read this passage for years and just glazed over it. It just took a little tweak from a Hebraic point of view and it brought a whole new view. I am a bible teacher in a community bible study. These courses are really helpful. So how come Jesus, who is also G_d got it wrong The eye is not the lamp of the body like Jesus said. If he is "3 in one. the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, wouldn't he have known that the eye isn't like a lamp. Dr. Eli, "if thine eye be single" is a Hebrew idiom for generosity. That is what Jesus was talking about. In the verses preceeding and following he's talking about treasure. A better translation would be "if you are generous" or if you are "stingy." When Jesus does not make since, that's when we pray and ask God for wisdom and understanding and the ghost will over come us, then bring us to his understanding. We do do not have to pay another only to get theirs.
I apply principles (insight) and I have never understood the “Final Judgement” in Matt 25:31-46 so here goes. The righteous ask Jesus, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?’ The question then becomes how did we get this kind of light to serve others? The answer is they were blessed by the Father. I never noticed the blessing before. What blessing is this? I do tend to see a lot of “squirrels” when I learn and it is amazing that God can make each and every squirrel fruitful! The lamp and the light of Matt 6:22 seem to be God’s goodness leading us to repentance (attitude, not necessarily servitude YET). The reason the righteous couldn’t see in the Final Judgement (Matt 25:31-46) is because they hear His Voice (the blessing and curse, Deut 30:1). I think this one is the restoration of Israel. One would tend to not understand if you accepted the inequality inherent in most cultures, as equality or equal justice is basic to understanding God's equal love for the least, as well as for the worldly more powerful. Understanding the universal message of The Golden Rule from The Creator of All, found within the hearts of all people of good will, as opposed to the unwillingness to make sure all have at least their basic needs among those with damaged hearts who then tend towards self interest only! Scriptures written by males from a male only viewpoint of God.
I'm afraid you missed the boat on this. This whole passage has to do with being miserly or stingy versus being generous. "Ayin hara" (evil eye) is a Hebrew idiom for being stingy or miserly while "ayin tovah" (good eye-not single eye) is an idiom for being generous. Proverbs 22:9 in the KJV translates "ayin tovah" as: He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. Proverbs 28:22: A man with an evil eye (ayin rah) hastens after wealth, And does not know that want will come upon him. I think you may have missed the boat missed by us :-). I suggest to reread the article more carefully. :-) How do you take this? "he who has eyes to see let him see? or He who has ears to hear let him hear?" and "he who has ears to hear let him hear"?
Very good view about the "lamp of the body", which remind me of watching the world with the attitude of Jesus' teachings (make our eyes bright and the whole body shining with true light ), not the attitude from the world (from inheritance, cultural environment and tradition. etc. to make lustful eyes and shadowy or dirty body). The attitude is much more senseful than the aptitude in God's kingdom: the Church in Philadelphia has a little strength(aptityde) but has excellent attitude: patience, and so Jesus praise her and lift her up! Thanks, Dr. Eli! No nonsensical words have ever proceeded from the lips of the Lord . No nonsensical words can ever proceed from the lips of the Lord . Let us never ever allow any thought of anything nonsensical from the Lord . It is we who are nonsensical . He is Lord , we are frail children of dust and Adam . Any thought of nonsensical proceeding from the Lord is Anathema . Hi KV, you misunderstand the title of this essay. My point is Jesus's words "seem" like nonsense because we often do not understand them in their proper context - Which is why we must study the Jewish context of the New Testament!
Thank you for your sharing of God words for us about eye as the light seeing Blessings!
Singlemindness on light does actually lit us like a lightbulb ...in façt way better, its literal. I experienced it. Long story short...moses hid under a veil to hide the light because it terrified people.. I must add its not easy to get there. indeed
I love to read your e-mails! Very enlightening! I would love to take your courses but I struggle to remember even things that I already know. I took a course in Hebrew when I was a lot younger but I can't bring it back! Daniel, you got me smiling! You should take the few courses with us! You will love it!
Eph 1:18-23
Wao I love this Joel scriptures just summwrising and complimating what Dr. Eli Lizorkin-Eyzenberg just said bottom line what are out eyes focused on?
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I loved visiting Israel and praying at the Kotel and touring wonderful and very meaningful sites! I am a Christian with much love for Israel!
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. NIV
Ps 19:8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. KJV
Hab 1:13 Your eyes are too pure to look on evil;
you cannot tolerate wrong.
Why then do you tolerate the treacherous?
Why are you silent while the wicked
swallow up those more righteous than themselves? NIV
With the Matthew passage and the ones above it would seem to me it is how we look at things or others from the eyes of our hearts. Everything God created was good and we should be viewing things for the good God intended and not with a selfish view.
Thank you!