I was brought up in a church where every Wednesday evening there was a Prayer and Testimony service. People would stand and tell how God had blessed them that week. And when my husband worked for the Sheriff’s department, one of his assignments was to be a bailiff at the courthouse. He daily stood in courtrooms hearing testimony from the victims and defendants.

But, when I went in search of the meaning of testimonies in the Bible, I discovered something that I’d never heard before.

In Deuteronomy 6, Moses reiterates the guidelines God gave him for living a long life in the Promised Land. In verses 17-18 we find these stipulations:

^“You shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, His testimonies, and His statutes which He has commanded you. ¹⁸ And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may be well with you, and that you may go in and possess the good land of which the Lord swore to your fathers,“

We’ve already looked at Commandments and Statutes previously, so now let’s look at Testimonies.

TESTIMONIES  Strong’s Concordance #5713 from #5707 from #5749 – ʿûḏ  In Hebrew the word looks like this:

The Strong’s Concordance Definitions: to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify, to encompass, admonish, charge, earnestly, lift up, protest, call (take) to record, relieve, rob, solemnly, stand upright, testify, GIVE WARNING.

Ayin 70= Completion of time.  Means:  Eye, to See, Understand, Experience, or to be Seen, Window of the soul-good or bad (made of a Zayin and Yod—Word and Spirit)

Vav 6 =  Man, Imperfection.  Means: Nail or Hook, to Secure, Pin together, Connect, bind together two things that have been separated, to hold up -Yeshua

Dallet  4 =  Earth or creation.  Means: Door, Gate, Impoverished man, to come from indicates a pathway, a place of decision, to Open up, to move out of something or into something, an entrance to life or death. 

Testimony: to See and Understand by the Word and the Spirit (Ayin) where our security lies (Vav—in Yeshua) and make a decision to either follow Him or follow our own way—Life or Death. (Dallet)

David had a lot to say about Testimonies.  Psalm 119 is full of references:

Psalm 119: 1-2, 14, 24, 46, 79,99, 144, 152

Blessed are the undefiled in the way,
Who walk in the law of the Lord!
² Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,
Who seek Him with the whole heart!

¹⁴ I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches.

²⁴ Your testimonies also are my delight And my counselors.

⁴⁶ I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings, And will not be ashamed.

⁷⁹ Let those who fear You turn to me, Those who know Your testimonies.

⁹⁹ I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation.

¹⁴⁴ The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting; Give me understanding, and I shall live.

¹⁵² Concerning Your testimonies, I have known of old that You have founded them forever.

Then Jeremiah speaks this strong word that hits the nail on the head.

Jeremiah 4:23  Because you have burned incense and because you have sinned against the Lord, and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord or walked in His law, in His statutes or in His TESTIMONIES, therefore this calamity has happened to you, as at this day.”

What testimonies, what warnings have we ignored? Have we been diligent in sharing God’s testimonies with others as the Holy Spirit leads?

God’s given us His testimonies out of love for us, to protect us and give us the best possible path for a blessed life. I believe we as God’s family have chosen our own way many times and have opened the door for the chaos we are now experiencing. We, as the Body of Christ, are responsible more than any others. We have the Word of God. We’ve had more opportunity to hear, read, and know His warnings and counsel. God commissioned us to be salt and light.

Let’s take some time this week with Abba and ask Him to search our hearts. Let’s repent for our complacency or outright rebellion and ask Holy Spirit to remind us of God’s TESTIMONIES and lead us on how we can best live in sync with them and share them with others.

God’s not done with our country, and He’s not done with us. His plans for us are good. May we, like David, make God’s testimonies our meditation and begin to cooperate with Holy Spirit in walking the path of blessing God gave us.

See you on the path—Shalom♥