In [the initial piece on this topic], we talked about the Hebrew verb נצל, which means “natsal.” As we’ve seen, this verb has a lot to tell us about how God interacts with humans. The stem “natsal” means “to separate, to snatch” in its basic sense. However, “natsal” also means to take, to take away, to keep away, to flee, to deliver, to rip out, to save, to redeem, to rescue, to spare. These meanings are all derived from this fundamental definition. It is interesting to note that the verb “natsal” frequently refers to the Lord God. Man can come to know Him in this way: as the All-Powerful God who extends salvation to humanity. He revealed Himself in the Old Testament in this way.
The exodus and desert history
The book of Exodus makes frequent use of the verb “natsal.” Above all, “natsal” in this context indicates to remove or deliver from danger. God exposes Himself as the God of the forebears who witnessed His people’s suffering, heard their lamentations, and said, “I have come down to “natsal” / deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians,” when Moses is called by God at Horeb to lead His people out of Egyptian servitude. (Exodus 3:8)[1]
At first, Moses begs the Lord, “You have not “natsal” / delivered your people at all,” as the suffering only gets worse and salvation looks unattainable.(Exodus 23:23). “I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will “natsal”/deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you,” the Lord replies in a patient, loving manner.(Leviticus 6:6). Israel learned on the night of the Exodus that the Lord had indeed fulfilled all of His promises (see Exodus 11:2) when the Egyptians willingly gave up a variety of goods that they “natsal” / carried with them when they went.[2]
Moses discovered that God will always be there to aid him in times of need, as evidenced by the name Eliezer, which he gave to his second son and which means, loosely translated, “My God is help.” “The God of my father was my help, and “natsal”/ delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh,” according to Moses’ testimony on this occasion (Exodus 18:4).
Moses’ father-in-law Jethro also understands, after what he heard from his son-in-law, that it was the Lord who delivered His people from the plight in Egypt and cried out, “Blessed be the Lord, who has “natsal”/ delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh …” (Exodus 18:10-11). It is wonderful that this man comes to know that “the Lord is greater than all gods…”. What else has he done with this knowledge? If one is convinced that the LORD is God alone, then it requires a next step: Surrender as a lost sinner to that One God to live with Him! Knowledge of God’s omnipotence and conviction of His greatness alone does not save forever. Man must also come to the understanding and conviction that he / she needs that One God personally as Savior.
Daniel
An Aramaic form of “natsal” / rescuing occurs three times in this book. This describes the Lord God as the greatest and almighty Deliverer. “… there is no other god who is able to “natsal”/ rescue in this way.” (Daniel 3:29). These are the words of the proud self-centered Nebuchadnezzar, after the three God-fearing Jewish boys who did not worship his golden image were “natsal” / delivered by God’s omnipotence from the fiery furnace into which he had them thrown. It was later King Darius, who had Daniel thrown into the lions’ den, imprisoned in his own laws, and proved unable to “natsal” / save him from it. After God’s omnipotence kept Daniel in that den, Darius confessed that it is God who “natsal” / redeems… (Daniel 6:15; Daniel 6:28)[3]
In the Psalms
Many times, our verb “natsal” / to deliver sounds in the Psalms. Central to this is that God offers man salvation in all kinds of misery and sorrow. The psalmist confesses, “… a warrior is not “natsal” / delivered by his great strength” (Psalm 33:16). David begs “Natsal”/ Deliver me from sinking in the mire …” (Psalm 69:14). He prays “My times are in Your hand; “natsal”/ rescue me from the hand of my enemies …” (Psalm 31:15). We also hear that prayer in Psalm 119:170: “Let my plea come before you; “natsal”/ deliver me according to your word.” God offers the lost man eternal life through the sacrifice of the cross of the Lord Jesus. Therefore, “O Lord, who is like You, “natsal”/ delivering the poor …” (Psalm 35:10). Whoever finds that the Lord saves from distress confesses with the psalmist: “For He has delivered me…” (Psalm 54:7).
Notes
Here, as in all previous circumstances, the verb “natsal” is the only one mentioned; nevertheless, it is not mentioned in the appropriate verbal form.
[2] Here, the verb “natsal” refers to the idea of taking something that is given up rather than to (violent) “robbery.” Exodus 34:6 mentions that the Israelites “natsal,” or throw away, their jewelry.
[3] Another example of “natsal” can be found in the phrase “… there was no one who could rescue” (Daniel 8:4, Daniel 8:7).
© Copyright dr. Annechiena Sneller-Vrolijk
