Tag: Greek

The Ancient Paths: Following God’s Word in Modern Times

The Ancient Paths: Following God’s Word in Modern Times

“. . . more than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.” Luke 11:28

This short statement was made by Yahoshua. It was in response to a woman who essentially interrupted His teaching with her own statement. “As Yahoshua was saying these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and blessed are the breasts that nursed You!” Recorded in the previous verse. This statement is clearly a distraction from the intention of the passage. It takes the eyes and ears off the intended purpose, “hear and obey,” and places them on a person.

This reminds me of when Yahoshua was taken into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. Satan says, “if you bow down to me, all this can be yours.” The temptation to look away from the Father. Many have fallen for this distraction. As it is presented in many different ways today. Anything that keeps one from hearing the word of God and keeping it, is that distraction. Whether it be in the person of Mary; Yahoshua’s mother, as something otherworldly. Or Paul the Apostle, as somehow greater than Yahoshua, carrying in him greater authority. Elevating his words, twisting them, and holding those misinterpreted, above that of Gods instruction.

In John 5:24 Yahoshua is recorded as saying; “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” Yahoshua spoke Aramaic, it is rooted in the same Semitic language structure and meaning as Hebrew. The word ‘believe’ in Aramaic is ‘haymen’ ܗܝܡܢ which has its root in the Hebrew word ‘aman’ אָܡܢ. Where we get the word amen, said following a prayer or in agreement with a statement. It means, ‘so be it’ or ‘let it be’, the idea of putting action to the statement, in support, to prop up, to make firm. (i recently wrote some similar thoughts on faith here: Understanding Faith Beyond Faith and Action, or if you prefer to listen to an overview listen here: Podcast Episode).

Here is the idea, we are called by Yahoshua to both hear and obey, believe, do, the Word of God. The Word of God whenever referenced in Scripture by Yahoshua or even Paul, is the Tanakh, with emphasis on the Torah. The title most have come to know is “the law.” In the gospels it is repeatedly called the “Law of Moses,” or referenced, “Moses wrote.” In the Gospels, if one reads them with this understanding it becomes clear that Yahoshua not only was the Word made flesh. He was calling Israel back to it, the Word, and therefore to Himself.

Luke chapter eleven is all about stepping into covenant, guarding your house, hearing Gods word and obeying it. Standing in the ancient path. Jeremiah 6:16 says, “Here is what Yahweh says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask about the ancient paths, ‘which one is the good way?’ Take it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not take it.”” The distraction comes from the world crying out, blessed is this thing or that thing, rather than Blessed be the One from Whom it was created.

In the Luke 11 Yahoshua had just finished talking about cleaning your house, and warning that if it isn’t filled with the Light of the Word but only swept out. The demon which was cast out may return with others and the state of that man will be worse than it was at first. Right here is where the woman cries out, “Blessed is the womb . . .”. Immediately, Yahoshua states, “blessed are those who hear the Word, and keep it.” The focus of Yahoshua’s teachings has always been obedience to Gods Word, nothing more and certainly nothing less.

Clearly, Paul, understood this for he wrote to the Thessalonians, “When this man who avoids Torah (Lawless One, Torahless One) comes, the Adversary will gibe him the power to work all kinds of false miracles, signs and wonders. He will enable him to deceive, in all kinds of wicked ways, those who are headed for destruction because they would not receive the love of the truth that could have saved them. This is why God is causing them to go astray, so that they will believe the Lie. The result will be that all who have not believed the truth, but have taken their pleasure in wickedness (lawlessness), will be condemned.”

The mark of those in darkness is that they practice lawlessness, in other words they do not practice, the Torah. They refuse to walk on the ancient paths; “But they said, ‘We will not take it.'” It really boils down to whether or not one is willing to seek out the instruction of God, believe it and thereby keep it. In so doing they put that belief into action, supporting the Scriptures through their daily walk. Propping the Word up, not tearing it down and calling it “Old” or “obsolete.” They indeed make firm the covenant by walking in its statutes and commands. Seeking with their whole heart the Father and His Kingdom, becoming ambassadors to the King in a fallen world.

Let me wrap this up by looking at a couple verses in the Gospel of John. (John 6:29, 38-40, and 47) –

29 Yahoshua answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” Again Yahoshua speaking Aramaic would have used the word ‘haymen’ ܗܝܡܢ which again has its root in the Hebrew word ‘aman’ אָܡܢ. Simply, it means to support, prop up, or make firm. It is NOT passive, rather it is indeed, active.

38 For I have come down from heaven not to do My will but to do the will of Him who sent Me. 39 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given Me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” Again Yahoshua speaking Aramaic would have used the word ‘haymen’ ܗܝܡܢ which again has its root in the Hebrew word ‘aman’ אָܡܢ. Simply, it means to support, prop up, or make firm. It is NOT passive, rather it is indeed, active.

47 “Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.” Again Yahoshua speaking Aramaic would have used the word ‘haymen’ ܗܝܡܢ which again has its root in the Hebrew word ‘aman’ אָܡܢ. Simply, it means to support, prop up, or make firm. It is NOT passive, rather it is indeed, active.

A calling to seek with your whole heart the Father and His Kingdom, becoming an ambassador to the King in a fallen world. The question, is will you listen and obey? Will you hear the word, and keep it? Will you sweep out the old life and fill the house with light of the world?

You are loved,
cj

Why Yahoshua’s Name Matters: A Cultural Perspective

Why Yahoshua’s Name Matters: A Cultural Perspective

“Now, Adonai, according to Your word, Your servant is at peace as You let him go; for I have seen with my own eyes Your Yahoshua, which you prepared in the presence of all peoples – a light that will bring revelation to the Gentiles and glory to Your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32)

Open up another common translation. In verse 30, it will read, “For I have seen with my own eyes Your salvation.” Verse 33 says: “Yahoshua’s father and mother were marveling at the things Simeon was saying about Him.” i know that i am beating a drum here but how sweet a name is Yahoshua? The name means salvation which is why most translations render it so. Yet I can’t help but wonder. What have we lost by rendering such a name outside of its proper culture and context?

This double meaning is fitting for there is Salvation in no one else but Yahoshua. The very meaning of His name. Imagine, you meet a man and someone tells you his name is John. He happens to be Hispanic. You go days calling him John. No one corrects you. Therefore, there is no reason to think you are wrong. Time goes by and you have a chance to meet him in person. He reaches out his hand and introduces himself. “Hi my name is Juan and I am from Guadalajara Mexico.” You respond cordially, “Hello John, it’s nice to meet you. I am Ignoramus from America.

Later in your room someone tells you that the man you met is named Juan. You being inquisitive, although daft, say, “I thought his name was John?” “Oh surely it is John in English but his given name is Juan. He is after all Hispanic and from Mexico.” The person responds. You shrug your shoulders. “Oh well, John is easier to say and I have been calling him John so. Not to mention everyone I know also calls him John so it can’t be wrong. He’s in America now. I am sure he understands”

Why, should be the question asked, has history tried so hard to scrub the Jewishness of Yahoshua? The ‘Church’ is as guilty as all historians. The fact that we don’t want to know or even explore our Messiah’s Hebraic upbringing is puzzling. The church is content to understand Israel’s Promised Messiah from a westernized cultural perspective. It limits us and it allows for misinterpretations, misunderstandings, and heresies.

I understand that this can be said for all Biblical names and it’s true. Why not harp on that? In some cases I have. However, the reason I feel more and more conviction about the name of our Messiah is He is our Messiah! Isaiah writes, “For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty El, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” In light of what Isaiah (Yesha’yahu) writes one must wonder if Exodus 20 means anything? “You shall not take the name of Adonai your Elohim in vain, for Adonai will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.”

Yahoshua, quoting Isaiah in Matthew says, “‘These people honor me with their lips. But their hearts are far away from Me. Their worship of Me is useless, because they teach man-made rules as if they were doctrines.’” How can we say we know someone while using a name that has been poorly transliterated. Poorly, I say, because it is through the Greek and has been altered with the introduction of the letter ‘J’. Just say the name Jesus and then say the name Yahoshua. Do they even sound the same? We’re not talking about the name William and Bill, we are talking about Yah’s Salvation. The Fathers name within the Son’s name proclaiming Salvation to all who call on Him!

So what’s in a name? A lot!

This is the Way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,
cj