Tav ת
The last letter of the Hebrew alphabet is Tav. This letter is defined by the concept of unity. We can see throughout scripture that unity is the very nature of God, as we know that the Trinity exists as three separate persons in one being. What a weird concept! The three parts of the trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, work in perfect coordination, with each one having no preference over the other. It would make sense that since the very nature of the Trinity is unity, that unity is something that God very much desires us to experience and to seek.
Tav ת Prayer Focus: Unity!
Unity is not sameness. God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit have distinct differences, yet they all act as one. They cannot do anything without regard for and cooperation with the others. This type of unity is what we strive to do as we work to demonstrate the Kingdom of God in the here and now. We are all very different from each other and these differences are part of God’s design. God has intended us to need one another, not function independently with no regard for those around us. When we work for unity, which can be very challenging, we not only learn more about ourselves, we learn more about others and can grow to appreciate another point of view or gift that we may not understand.
Think about this…
God is unity.
He demonstrates this concept throughout the entirety of scripture.
- Genesis 1: 26: “And then God said, Let US make human beings in OUR image, to be like us…”
- John 17:22-23: “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me”
- Ephesians 4:12-13: “Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.”
God is a redeemer.
All that has been done since the entrance of sin into the world, has been about redeeming the Creation and restoring unity with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- Exodus 6:6: “Therefore, say to the people of Israel, I am the Lord. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgement.
- Isaiah 44:6: “This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies: I am the First and the Last; there is no other God.”
- Luke 1:68-69: “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. He has sent us a might Savior from the royal line of his servant David”
God calls us to unity.
Working for unity matters to God and we must strive for it so that the nature of God is revealed to the world.
- Ephesians 4: 1-7: “Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg your to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through it all.”
With Tav being the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, it seems fitting to note that pictograph for Tav is a cross.
This is a beautiful reminder that the cross of Jesus is the unifying element for humanity. Out of unimaginable love, the cross ultimately redeemed us from our sin and has reunified us to our intended relationship with our Creator, not only by suffering and dying on that cross, but by the resurrection and defeat of death! Today, look for ways to demonstrate this redemption and reunification by seeking unity with others.
Here are a few more scriptures to meditate on as we pray together:
(
mouse over or click the scripture references)
John 17:20-21 | Romans 15:5-7 | 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 |
Galatians 3:26-28 | 1 Peter 3:8 | 1 John 4:20 | ref
Section ת of Psalm 119
Psalms 119:169-176 (NET) ת (Tav)
169 Listen to my cry for help, O LORD!
Give me insight by your word!
170 Listen to my appeal for mercy!
Deliver me, as you promised.
171 May praise flow freely from my lips,
for you teach me your statutes.
172 May my tongue sing about your instructions,
for all your commands are just.
173 May your hand help me,
for I choose to obey your precepts.
174 I long for your deliverance, O LORD;
I find delight in your law.
175 May I live and praise you!
May your regulations help me!
176 I have wandered off like a lost sheep.
Come looking for your servant,
for I do not forget your commands.
