Light in Goshen: Chapter 3 - Dwell in the House

"Build houses and dwell in them...." Jeremiah 29:5, Holy Bible

What does it mean to "dwell" in the house?

According to Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language [1828 Edition], the word "dwell" has a number of meanings.

"Dwell" means,

1. To abide as a permanent resident, or to inhabit for a time; to live in a place; to have a habitation for some time or permanence.

Example of Use:

God shall enlarge Japheth, and He shall dwell in the tents of Shem. Genesis 9.

Saints, Noah Webster says,

"Dwell imports a residence of some continuance. We use abide for the resting of a night or an hour; but we never say, he dwelt in a place a day or a night. Dwell may signify a residence for life or for a much shorter period, but not for a day. In scripture, it denotes a residence of seven days during the feast of tabernacles."

Examples of Use:

Ye shall dwell in booths seven days. Leviticus 23.
The word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. John 1.

2. To be in any state or condition; to continue.

Example of Use:

To dwell in doubtful joy.

3. To continue; to be fixed in attention; to hang upon with fondness.

Examples of Use:

The attentive queen dwelt on his accents.
They stand at a distance, dwelling on his looks and language, fixed in amazement.

4. To continue long; as, to dwell on a subject, in speaking, debate or writing; to dwell on a note in music.

Inappropriate Example of Use of the Term, "Dwell."

Dwell, as a verb transitive, is not used. We who dwell this wild, in Milton, is not a legitimate phrase.

From what we read in the Holy Bible, we can draw some conclusions.

According to Jeremiah 29, the captives were to build their houses and "dwell" in them. Implied was this idea of settling in for the duration. In otherwords, approach your "dwelling" as your abode, a place distinct from the attributes of the context called captivity. In a real sense, Christ Jesus is our "dwelling" place.
The ability to "dwell" resides in right relationship with God in Whom we live, and move, and have our being. Consequently, the first step toward "dwelling" in our houses begins in finding our place in Christ Jesus. It is that recognition that led David to sing,

"One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple." Psalm 27:4, Holy Bible

To acknowledge,
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23, Holy Bible

The Psalmist proclaims in Psalm 84,,

"How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty!

My soul yearns, even faints,for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

Even the sparrow has found a home,and the swallow a nest for herself,where she may have her young—a place near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they are ever praising You. [Selah]

Blessed are those whose strength is in You,who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

As they pass through the Valley of Baca,they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

Hear my prayer, O Lord God Almighty; listen to me, O God of Jacob. [Selah]

Look upon our shield, O God; look with favor on Your anointed one.

Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in You."

Hallelujah!
AMEN!
--Livvy McDonald :)<><

My Postscript