STUDYING MATTHEW 6:33 WITH A DICTIONARY
What is a Kingdom?
Most common dictionaries define a 'kingdom' as a territory ruled by a King. Now, we know that when the term 'Kingdom' is mentioned in the Bible, it refers to a territory ruled by a King. Since it is called 'Kingdom of God', we can also conclude that the King is God. How is a Kingdom governed? According to the national geographic society, 'A kingdom is a piece of land that is ruled by a king or a queen. Kingdoms are usually broken into smaller territories, such as city-states or provinces, that are governed by officials who report to the monarch. Most modern kings and queens do not control the government.' However God is not a modern King. The Kingdom of God is NOT a constitutional monarchy or a democracy where people can vote and decide on their lifestyles.
As Isaiah 9:6 states: 'For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.' The above verse clearly shows that God still has governmental control over His Kingdom. What is 'Righteousness'? The term righteousness is defined as the quality of being morally right or justifiable. The Merriam Webster dictionary defines a righteous person as someone ' acting in accord with divine or moral law : free from guilt or sin' The term 'Righteousness' is a derivation from the old English word 'rightwis' which later became 'rightways' and a later stage, the word evolved to 'righteous'. Therefore, based on etymology, the term 'righteousness' refers to both: 'being free from sin and choosing to walk in right divine ways'. It matters that we understand the implication of the above mentioned definition because many believers only focus on the first past that says 'free from sin and guilt' but they minimize the importance of the second part which says: 'walking in right divine ways'. The original Greek word for 'righteousness' is the Greek word 'dikaiosyné' and which means ' the approval of God' or ''what is right in the Eyes of God'. Understanding the Kingdom constitution: Every Kingdom has a constitution. A constitution is the highest law of the land and is composed by a set of rules and principles that govern institutions and people's relations. Originally, in the Ancient times, the Kings were in charge of enacting the constitution. Some of the oldest constitutions in the world were named after the Kings who enacted them.
For example the 'code of Hammurabi' was a Babylonian constitution enacted by the King Hammurabi in 1754 BC. The same code of laws was also considered as the 'will of the King in the land'. And whoever followed the will of the King, also stood approved from the King. In the same analogic analysis, the constitution in the Kingdom of Heaven is the will of God. And whoever decides to walk according to the will of God, will stand approved (dikaiosyné) by God. In the Old Testament, God reveals Himself to the Israelites through Moses and He makes His will known through a code consisting of the 10 commandments and additional laws also referred as the 'Law of Moses' (notice that Moses was the equivalent of an earthly king to the Israelites, and it makes logical sense that the Hebrews refer to the Old Biblical laws as the 'Law of Moses'). Jesus summed up the entire law with this simplified code ( I call the 'code of Jesus'): “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: You must love your neighbor as you love yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.” (Matthew 22:37) The 'code of Jesus' makes sense because our love towards God is manifest by our willingness to do His will as referred in John 14:15 and John 14:15. If we love God, we will do His will. And if we love our neighbor, we will not sin against anyone. That way, the entire constitution of the Kingdom of God is applied. After a study of Matthew 6:33 through etymology, we know that:
* The Kingdom of God is a territory ruled by God as a Kingdom *The Kingdom of God has a constitution:' The will of God' * Righteousness is the state of a person who is free from sin and guilt (through Jesus Christ) AND who walks in ways that are approved by God.
How does it apply practically? Let us read again Matthew 6:33 'But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.' The dictionary defines the word 'seek' as an attempt to find or a desire or an ask. The problem with most of us lies in our understanding on how to seek the Kingdom. We assume that we have to seek the Kingdom as if we were digging for gold in a mine with all sorts of instruments. And we wonder:' where is the Kingdom of God'? Well, the Kingdom of God is definitely not based on Earth (I have plenty evidence for that) but It can be brought on Earth. And Jesus , in the 'Lord's prayer', taught us to seek the Kingdom of God by means of asking through prayer. In Matthew 6:9-11, Jesus teaches how to request the Kingdom of God: 'Our Father who is in heaven, uphold the holiness of your name. Bring in your kingdom so that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven. Give us the bread we need for today.' And as we request God's Kingdom to come in our lives, we will have to also accept His will. As result, what will follow is God's provision for our needs (Matthew 6:11). I will end today's post wit this quote:
"Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. (John 14:23) If we observe God as our King then we will obey Him. If we obey Him, Him and Jesus will come in our homes. And there is a guarantee, when Jesus and the Father make their home in ours, that there will be nothing missing in our lives.
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