Shibui

Shibui and Shibusa are related Japanese terms that are not easily definable, but basically describe something that is outwardly very simple, basic and beautiful in perception/appearance, but within which lie subtle but increasing complexities that are only appreciated and perceived over time, giving a “depth” that cannot be seen or known at first glance.

To some, God’s Word may appear to be similar to any other book, with black letters printed on white paper. But when we realize Who the author is, and that these are not just a collection of words, we find something far deeper.

There are a plethora of examples that could be given but a simple one is His name. Often called the Tetragrammaton, it is the response He gave to Moses: “And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is His name? What shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.” Exodus 3:13, 14

As this name was written in Hebrew, there are no vowels, only the consonants YHWH. This is on purpose, as God’s name is holy and not to be demeaned by being pronounced or elicited in human language, which falls far short of truly describing Him. Even today, those of the Jewish faith, when referring to God in print, will spell His name “G_d.”

Space here does not permit an exploration of the derivatives Yahweh and (Y) Jehovah but one aspect stands out. People sometimes question the Bible with respect to translation and this may shed some light on the sheer complexity of doing so. The grammar structure of Hebrew found in God’s name would more closely be rendered as follows: “I am being/existing/living. I have always been being/existing/living into eternity past, I will always be being/existing/living into eternity future.” As a side note, the fact that we are referred to as “human beings,” created by Him in His image with an eternal soul, is in direct relation to this.

The Hebrew alphabet as we see it today is not the same as it was originally, having changed during the Babylonian captivity. The original “letters” were actually more like pictographs, signifying multiple meanings, and numbers as well. Transliterated, and read right to left, the four letters of God’s Name say this: “Behold”, “Nail/Spike”, “Behold”, “Hand”.

God tells us in Jeremiah 33:3, “Call unto Me and I will answer thee, And will tell thee great things, and hidden, which thou knowest not.” and 29:13, “And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.”

God has not only given us His Word but His invitation to not only know Him and His peace, but to receive forgiveness and eternal salvation. Seek Him and you will find.