Hebrew Words Defined
Faith Part 4
by Brad Scott
I suppose it has become abundantly obvious that I can speak on this subject forever. It is because I believe that this word has gone through a tremendous paradigm shift in the last two thousand years - it has become a meaningless term. But, this word is one of the most important words in the Scriptures. It should be the very first word taught to a new believer. I believe a good place to start is in the book of:
Ivrim (Hebrews) 11:6But, without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
Before we study this verse, let me attempt to simply paraphrase it.
" But, if you do not trust 'Elohiym, then you cannot please Him. He that comes to 'Elohiym must first trust that He is YHWH, and that He rewards those who seek to know His ways."
There seems to be much more than a simple intellectual acknowledgment of Yah's existence. You have to ask yourself what it means to trust 'Elohiym. In Hebrew thought, the Word of YHWH is not separated from YHWH Himself. In other words, the Word of YHWH IS YHWH (Yochanan (John) 1:1). In Hebrew thought, when the "Word of YHWH" came to Yiremeyahu (Jeremiah), YHWH came to Yiremeyahu. Scripturally, when anyone believed the Word of YHWH, they believed YHWH. There is no distinction between these two terms. This is why Jewish scholars would wholly agree with Yochanan 1:1. It is Yochanan 1:14 that they refuse to accept. So, to trust YHWH is to trust His word - all of His word. Ivrim 11:6 is simply telling us that true believers in YHWH trust His word and obey it, and they are rewarded for it. This is not a difficult concept.
The Scriptures are absolutely crammed full of statements about the results of obeying God's words. Over and over He reminds us that those who obey His commands will prolong their life on earth, and will prosper in the land which He sends them. Stop, and take some time to read some of these verses now. Devariym (Deuteronomy) chapter 11, chapter 28, chapter 30; Mizemor (Psalm) 18:20-24, 19:7-11, chapter 119; Yesha'yahu (Isaiah) 1:19, 3:10; Mattityahu (Matthew) 5:3-12; Luke 11:28; Yochanan (John) 13:17, 14:21-23; Romans 2:7-8; and Ya'akov (James) 1:25.
Now may be a good time to stop and examine yourself (2Corinthians 13:5). Is the Yeshua' (Jesus) I believe in the bodily manifestation of the pure and Holy words of YHWH? If so, then how come I do not know most of them? Do I know what YHWH's commands are for my life? Am I following His ways or do I believe that He simply exists? I am going to make a very blunt statement that I would ask you to seriously contemplate. I believe that modern Christian teaching has and is teaching an empty, meaningless gospel. I believe that Sunday after Sunday, a lawless, disobedient doctrine is constantly perpetrated in most pulpits. I believe that the current behavior we see in the news every day is a direct result of a national philosophy that began with our nation's religious theology. I believe that a lawless theology produces a lawless philosophy which produces a lawless behavior. I believe that the church has no one to blame but herself. Kefa (Peter) stated that judgment begins in the house of YHWH (1Kefa 4:17). I believe that most modern-day Christian teaching has fostered a very big lie, and that our beloved nation has suffered for it. I would like to spend the next several lessons dealing with this subject. I would like to focus on the foundation of the lie of 2Thessalonians 2:11-12.
Please be with us next week when we discuss this very important subject.
In the meantime ...
Mizemor 34:8Oh, taste and see that YHWH is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him.
Shalom Alecheim! ◊