We see things all day long. We even see when we dream. We say, “I see” when trying to convey that we understand. What then, is beholding?
As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God, whom I will see for myself, and whom my own eyes will behold, and not another. My heart grows faint within me. Job 19:25-27
What is Job saying here? In his physical body, he will see God for himself. But then he adds “whom my own eyes will behold.” He already said he SAW with his own eyes, so what does he mean by BEHOLD?
John the Baptist himself said in John 1:29: The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! He saw, then said behold!
The dictionary definition is to observe; look at; see. Synonyms: discern, watch, view, regard. It is more than just seeing. It’s gazing upon, pondering as you take it all in. Observing all the details as if important enough to commit to memory forever.
How often do we drive a certain route and see the same things? But if we witness an accident or pass by one, we do more than just see it. We take in the details, we behold the scene.
We are being urged to behold the Lamb of God with a deep look into HIs character and being. Here are a few more references where behold is used in the New Testament;
Luke 1:38, Behold I am the servant of the Lord
John 19:5, Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!
John 19:26, to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”
Rev 21:3, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.
Rev 21:5, “Behold, I am making all things new.”
Rev 22:12, “Behold, I am coming soon,…