Syntax
According to the dictionary, the syntax is the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences; in other words, how linguistic elements (as words) are put together to form constituents (as phrases or clauses). It comes from the Greek word: suntaxis – a compound word. The word Suntaxis is formed from sun- 'together' + tassein 'arrange' (To arrange together). There is a system.
Each language has its own rules for syntax; which means that each language will order the words differently. Thus, in English, the noun goes before the adjective, and In Spanish, the adjective goes before the noun. The adjective modifies or describes the noun. For example, the red book is in Spanish "el libro rojo" (The book red). Distilled water is agua destilada(water distilled).
Another example is the term remote control. Remote is the adjective and control the noun. With this device, you can control another device from a distance or remotely. In Spanish, the word is "control remoto." Same meaning but the noun and adjective are switched.
Now different languages also arrange concepts differently. In the English language, we tend to explain things starting with the cause through the effect. In the Hebrew language, they may do it differently. Let us take, for example, Micah 6:8 to explain this. Let us read it first,
Mic 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
Many consider this verse the best for biblical ethics and describes the true Christian lifestyle. To better understand what God is saying through Micah, we need to become acquainted with one crucial feature of biblical Hebrew thinking. When biblical authors want to explain a sequence of different actions, they describe them usually from the effect to the cause. This principle works from the visible to the invisible, from the superficial to the real, from the outside to the inside. We think and speak differently today; we explain things from cause to effect.
To understand what Micah is saying, to catch his message, we need to reverse his sequence of thoughts. We need to begin to study this verse, starting from the end. Thus, the proper sequence for us today is:
First, "Walk humbly with the Lord!"; this is the cause of all other actions described.
Second, "Love mercy!"; this is the first result.
Finally, "Act justly!"; this is the additional consequence.
The implication here is that the carnal man is incapable of doing this on his own. He will either love merciful or act justly, not both. In turn, those who walked humbly before the Lord will both do justly and love mercy. If you only have one of them you are not walking humbly before the Lord. Ellen White says,
The laws of the nations bear marks of the infirmities and passions of the unrenewed heart; but God's laws bear the stamp of the divine, and if they are obeyed, they will lead to a tender regard for the rights and privileges of others. . . His watchful care is over all the interests of His children, and He declares He will undertake the cause of the afflicted and the oppressed. If they cry unto Him, He says, "I will hear; for I am gracious."
A man of means, if he possesses strict integrity, and loves and fears God, might be a benefactor to the poor. He can help them and take no more interest [on the money he lends] than can be mercifully exacted. He thus meets with no loss himself, and his unfortunate neighbor greatly benefits; for the helping man saved the unfortunate man from the hands of the dishonest schemer. The principles of the golden rule are not to be lost sight of for a moment in any business transaction. . . . God never designed that one person should prey upon another. He jealously guards the rights of His children, and in the books of Heaven, a great loss is set down on the side of the unjust dealer. {BLJ 170.3}
And, let us not forget that "…Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:40).
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