Involving the whole body played a very important part in the Hebrews’ communication with, and adoration of, Yahweh. It was eye-opening and humbling to me to realize in my study of the verses above that what my beloved pastor did in his private time with the Lord was the Hebrew position of nishtachaveh which translates to “let us worship”, the highest act of adoration that acknowledges the supremacy of God.

The Hebrew for “let us bow down”, nichraah, conveys the act of crouching down, awaiting commands from a master. Nibrachah, “let us kneel”, puts us in the position of supplication, a beggar if you will.

These verses remind us that our acts and positions of worship are done because of, and in the presence of, the Holy One, Jehovah, our Creator, our Protector, our Shepherd. Even though some of us are physically unable to literally worship in the Hebrew way, our hearts and, most importantly, our attitudes, can “bow, kneel, and lie prostrate” in adoration and surrender to our Heavenly Father. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Messiah during this Advent Season, let us come and hear His voice.

— Maida McMahan