Divide

by Brad Scott

Bere’shiyt (Genesis) 1:4And ’Elohiym saw the light, that it was good, and ’Elohiym divided the light from the darkness.

I have spent a great portion of my study life dissecting every single word of the opening chapters of the first book of Scripture. It is my personal belief that all words that are used in the rest of Scripture are defined in the beginning. I have found that YHVH wastes no time in putting a difference between light and darkness. This original literal difference will remain consistent throughout Scripture with respect to what is right and wrong, holy and unholy, righteous and unrighteous.

The word divide used here in the English is from the Hebrew word badal (בדל). Badal means to put a difference, and from the beginning YHVH distinguishes between light and darkness in His creation. All His commands to mankind from this point forward will be in harmony with this initial command. When we understand this principle as it is given to us in earthly matters, then we can begin to understand what this same principle means in eternal matters.

Yochanan (John) 3:12If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you heavenly things?

It is only Torah that distinguishes between light and darkness. Here are a few other examples of badal.

Vayiqera (Leviticus) 10:10-11And that ye put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which YHVH hath spoken unto them by the hand of Mosheh.

Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) 59:2But your iniquities have separated between you and your ’Elohiym, and your sins have hidden his face from you, that he will not hear.

2Corinthians 6:17-7:1Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith YHVH, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith, YHVH Almighty. Having therefore, these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of ’Elohiym.

Hitgalut (Revelation) 22:11He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he that if filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

In the end it will be just like the beginning. There will be a difference between that which is light and that which is darkness.

Yesha’yahu 46:10Declaring from the beginning, the end, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.

Shalom Alecheim! ◊