SOUNDING
OUT:
Asterismos
Many of you are familiar with asterisks. It is
a symbol that has made it’s way onto our typewriters and keyboards.
When found in text it generally alerts us to important extra information
usually found in a footnote. It functions to grab our attention
and direct it where needed. When God wants to call our attention
to something He especially does not want us to miss, instead of
using an asterisk or star, He interjects words for the purpose
of directing the eye and heart to some particular point or subject.
Three of the common ones occurring in the English Bible are: “behold,” “lo,” and “yea.”
“Behold” sometimes functions as a verb and is
an integral part of the sentence. However, other times, as an
interjection it functions as an asterisk whose purpose is to call
our attention to something God wants highlighted. Indeed, what
we use highlighters for, in marking up textbooks, is a good example
of how God uses the figure of speech asterismos to do in His Word.
I never bought new textbooks, I wanted used ones, ones that were
already marked up and highlighted. Then I would have someone else’s
opinion of what they thought was important.
Asterismos is one way God marks His textbook of eternity.
It is only one of about 212 figures of speech used in God’s Word,
but it is very easy to recognize. Whenever “behold,” “lo,” or “yea” is used as an interjection it is most likely
this simple figure.
Let’s look at a few of examples of “behold.” First let’s
look at a not figurative occurrence, and then at some figurative
uses.
II
Corinthians 3:7:
But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones,
was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his
countenance; which glory was to be done away:
Here
we have the verb behold functioning in the sentence communicating
its meaning of “to hold in view or attention.” They were unable
to steadfastly look at Moses’ face because of its glory. This
is not a figurative use, but its very meaning and function suggest
the reason why “behold” is used as an asterismos—God
calls these select points or texts to our attention and wants
us to linger and gaze steadily and intently upon them.
In telling a story or relating an incident, asterismos
may be used to direct our attention to critical details or turning
points. In the Book of Ruth this figure is used five times to
direct our attention to specific points. The first one is in chapter
one. After Naomi constrains Ruth and Orpah to return to Moab by
requesting it three times, Ruth still refuses. Then one final
time using her sister as an example Naomi asks Ruth to return
and highlights what she would be returning too.
Ruth
1:15:
And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone
back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy
sister in law.
Not
only does Ruth respond that she would stay, she also commits herself
to Naomi and her God and demands that Naomi not bring it up again.
Later in chapter two an asterismos is used to introduce
Boaz highlighting both his character and the timing of his arrival.
Ruth
2:4:
And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said
unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him,
The LORD bless thee.
Naomi
when unveiling her plan for redemption, notes the importance of
the timing with an asterismos.
Ruth
3:2:
And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.
As
the plan unfolds Boaz is startled when he becomes aware of it.
Ruth
3:8:
And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and
turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his
feet.
After
Boaz commits himself to the role of the kinsman redeemer God sets
the stage for a final confrontation with the nearer kinsman with
an asterismos..
Ruth
4:1:
Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold,
the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho,
such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and
sat down.
All
God’s Word is important; it is all God-breathed. When God authored
His Word He included figures of speech for emphasis. Now as you
read it, you should be equipped to recognize another one of them,
asterismos. God doesn’t mark the text with a star, but He does use
words to accomplish the same purpose. Now when you see “behold,”
“lo,” or “yea,” linger awhile and ponder to find the
gem God has layed up for you.
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