Metaphysical meaning of Massah (mbd)
Massah (in A. V., Psalms 95:8, temptation), mas'-sah (Heb.)--causing to flow; melting down; proving; temptation; trial; solution; dissolution; complaint; murmur; calamity; evil.
The name of a place in the wilderness where the Israelites complained for want of water. "And he called the name of the place Massah [that is, Tempting, or Proving, margin], and Meribah [that is, Chiding, or Strife, margin], because of the striving of the children of Israel, and because they tempted Jehovah, saying, Is Jehovah among us, or not?" (Exod. 17:7; see also Deuteronomy 6:16; 9:22; 33:8).
Meta. The trial of faith, the temptation, that so often overtakes the would-be overcomer at the beginning of his awakening to the deeper truths of Spirit, at the beginning of his attempt to trust God fully for health, for supply, for all things. This temptation is to doubt God's guiding, protecting, restoring, sustaining, all-providing, all-sufficient, all-satisfying presence and power and willingness when one comes face to face with the seeming lack and hard conditions that are the result of one's former ignorant beliefs and thoughts. After his first great victory of healing, or whatever it may be, man feels that he is eligible for the Promised Land and is forever past all that pertains to error. But there are still many old unbeliefs and results of ignorant thoughts and doings to be straightened out before his life becomes a "grand, sweet song." It is while he is meeting these difficulties and overcoming them that his faith is tested; in such cases he sometimes finds himself very negative instead of remaining firm and steadfast in Truth (the meaning signified by Massah).
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Preceding Entry: Massa
Following Entry: Matred
