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 YHVH, 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 YHVH is not separated from YHVH Himself. In other words, the Word of YHVH IS YHVH (Yochanan (John) 1:1). In Hebrew thought, when the "Word of YHVH" came to Yir^em^eyahu (Jeremiah), YHVH came to Yir^em^eyahu. Scripturally, when anyone believed the Word of YHVH, they believed YHVH. 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 YHVH is to trust His word - all of His word. Ivrim 11:6 is simply telling us that true believers in YHVH 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. D^evariym (Deuteronomy) chapter 11, chapter 28, chapter 30; Miz^emor (Psalm) 18:20-24, 19:7-11, chapter 119; Y^esha’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‘aqov (James) 1:25.

Now may be a good time to stop and examine yourself (2Corinthians 13:5). Is the Yeshua‘ I believe in the bodily manifestation of the pure and Holy words of YHVH? If so, then how come I do not know most of them? Do I know what YHVH'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 YHVH (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.

In the meantime ...

Miz^emor 34:8Oh, taste and see that YHVH is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him.

Shalom Alecheim! ◊