Tsadi, the very last picture-letter in our Genesis 1:1 discovery, is very rich in meaning. Some translate it as a fish-hook, others as a desire. This picture is taken from a person in a kind of “fetus” position meaning to express some need, or some desire. Another description is that it is a man waiting in ambush, in concealed position as a hunter. When such desire is Christ-centered everything is beautiful. Like a child attached to its parent, or wife to her house-band. But in negative context such desire can be as a hook to very damaging things like drugs, women, bad society or even unhealthy sweets. Creepy people use such addictions to make money from these poor addicts.
In our Prodigal Son story hidden in Genesis 1:1 it is this Tsadi – desire – which makes the whole difference. First this son is at home, in his Father’s tent but he longs for freedom from duties and is attracted to worldly pleasures and there he goes. Once his money are gone and drought brings hunger to that country he goes into himself and realizes that actually in his Father’s home it was better. New desire awakens in him and he follows this voice.
As with him so with all of us! Jesus is called the Desire of Ages or the Desire of Nations and rightly so. He said:
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me. Jn 12:32
I developed a habit every morning after I wake up to kneel next to our bed, bow down in front of my Creator and Saviour with my head touching the ground, then still on my knees I lift up my head and spread my hands as to embrace Him. When I bow down to the ground I am actually expressing my desire for Jesus to abide in me through His Ruach Elohim. In a way I am making the last picture-letter of Gen 1:1 my fresh “3-D” experience.
In the context of the gospel hidden in Gen 1:1 – the story of Prodigal son – “Tsadi” is showing a person lying on his side in desperate need and longing desire:
And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts. Hag 2:7
When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Mar 2:17
Christ’s Blood the Only Remedy.–The law of Jehovah is exceedingly broad. Jesus… plainly declared to His disciples that this holy law of God may be violated in even the thoughts and feelings and desires, as well as in the word and deed. The heart that loves God supremely will not in any way be inclined to narrow down His precepts to the very smallest possible claims, but the obedient, loyal soul will cheerfully render full spiritual obedience when the law is seen in its spiritual power. Then will the commandments come home to the soul in their real force. Sin will appear exceedingly sinful. . . . There is no longer self-righteousness, self-esteem, self-honor. Self-security is gone. Deep conviction of sin and self-loathing is the result, and the soul in its desperate sense of peril lays hold on the blood of the Lamb of God as his only remedy.–Lt 51, 1888. (HC 140.) {1MCP 32.4}
If we are weary, if we are heavy laden, why, then, come right to the great Burden Bearer. Say, “Here, Lord, I come just as I am. I come because I am sinful. I come because I am needy [Tsadi]. I come because I am wholly dependent, and I want to drink in this life of the waters of life. I want to drink of the streams of salvation which flow from the throne of God.” {1SAT 198.3}
The sense of need, the recognition of our poverty and sin, is the very first condition of acceptance with God. “Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3. {COL 152.1}
Letter 48, 1894 “Many things are registered as sins in the book of heaven which men did not call sin. Selfishness and covetousness are at the foundation of all sins. And yet many are not convicted of the sin of selfishness. Because it is a part of their nature and they do not listen to the reprovings of the Holy Spirit.”
Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Judges 13:18 And the Angel of the LORD said unto him: Why askest thou thus after My Name, seeing it is Incomprehensible, Inexhaustible, Mysteriuos?
Through the power of Christ, men and women have broken the chains of sinful habit. They have renounced selfishness. The profane have become reverent, the drunken sober, the profligate pure. Souls that have borne the likeness of Satan have become transformed into the image of God. This change is in itself the miracle of miracles. A change wrought by the Word, it is one of the deepest mysteries of the Word. We cannot understand it; we can only believe, as declared by the Scriptures, it is “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). . . . {AG 107.2}
… Let us make God’s holy Word our study, bringing its holy principles into our lives. Let us walk before God in meekness and humility, daily correcting our faults. . . . Peace and rest will come to you as you bring your will into subjection to the will of Christ. Then the love of Christ will rule in the heart, bringing into captivity to the Saviour the secret springs [Tsadi] of action. The hasty, easily roused temper will be soothed and subdued by the oil of Christ’s grace. . . . {AG 107.6}