The Scriptural definition of faith along with an example of it is found in Hebrews 11:1-3;

 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of [Elohim], so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

 There are actually two definitions in verse one. First, faith is “the substance (foundation) of things hoped for”. Throughout Scripture we read of various promises made by our Creator such as the forgiveness of all our sins; a resurrection from the dead unto eternal life; the coming of the Messiah; the coming of Yahweh’s Kingdom on earth, etc. Faith is a confident expectation/belief of these promises coming to pass. 

The second definition of faith is “the evidence of things not seen”. In the example given, we did not see the worlds (universe) being created by Yahweh speaking them into existence. By faith we believe this to be true because we believe the Scriptures to be true. 

On the other hand, those who don’t believe there is a Creator who created the universe choose to believe in the “Big Bang” theory. They did not see the Big Bang take place, nor is there any evidence of it. They simply choose to believe BY FAITH the words of the scientist that came up with that theory.

 So then, those who believe in a Creator do so by faith and those who don’t believe in a Creator do so by faith. Where will you put your faith; in the Creator spoken of in Scripture (the Bible) or in a scientist in his theory of how the universe came to be?

Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to [Elohim] must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

Do you believe that Yahweh Elohim exists and that He rewards those that seek Him? If not, then it is impossible for you to live a pleasing life in His sight. All of creation testifies of the existence of a Creator.

Romans 1:18-20 – For the wrath of [Elohim] is revealed from heaven against all wickedness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of [Elohim] is manifest in them; for [Elohim] has showed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and deity; so that they are without excuse:

Do you hold the truth in unrighteousness by rejecting it and believing scientists that say there is no Creator? If so, you need to stop and examine the glory of all that fills our planet. Consider the human eye and brain; the flowers of the field; the variety of life; the way all things work perfectly together to support life, etc. Then ask yourself if all this came to be by a lifeless speck of dust. Then ask yourself where that speck of dust came from and who created it? There is no doubt whatsoever that a Creator exists. Accept it by faith instead of accepting the theories of man by faith.

Why it is important to have faith

Ephesians 2:8-9 – For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of [Elohim]: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Yahweh saves people from eternal death by His grace (unmerited kindness). Yet, that grace is not given except “through faith”. When we put our faith in Yahweh and His Son Yahshua, we will be saved and granted eternal life. We cannot earn our salvation by working for it (by doing good deeds, feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, etc.). Salvation is a gift given by grace through faith. 

Colossians 1:21-23 – And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now has he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

Once we believe the gospel (good news that Yahshua died for our sins, arose from the dead, ascended into heaven) by faith and continue in that faith, we will stand before our Creator and His Son Yahshua without any charges that can be brought against us. We will be without blame come judgment day.

Ephesians 6:16 – Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Faith is a shield to protect us from our enemy’s attempts to cause us to fall or sin. When we are being attacked or tempted to sin, we remember the promises and commandments of our Creator and hold fast to them through faith. When we are tempted to commit adultery, steal, covet or any other sinful action, we exercise faith in our Creator’s words to not do those things and we remember the promises He made to those who obey Him.

1 Peter 1:5-9 – Who are kept by the power of [Elohim] through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in sorrow through many temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Yahshua Messiah: Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

As we go through life, we will face many trials,  tribulations and temptations. These all test our faith and refine it into its purest state. Then, when our Savior Yahshua returns whom we have never seen, we will receive the reward of remaining faithful, that is, salvation unto eternal life.

Romans 1:16-17 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Messiah: for it is the power of [Elohim] unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of [Elohim] revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Once again, salvation is the reward of those who live by faith.

The consequences of having no faith

Romans 11:20-23 – Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Be not high minded, but fear: For if [Elohim] spared not the natural branches, take heed lest He also spare not you. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of [Elohim]: on them which fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness: otherwise you also shall be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for [Elohim] is able to graft them in again.

Israel is spoken of as an olive tree. Those Israelites that did not have faith and did not believe the gospel are branches that were cut off of the tree. The Gentiles that believed the gospel by faith were grafted onto the natural olive tree. It does not matter if you are a natural born Israelite or a Gentile. If you have faith, you will remain part of the tree. If you walk in unbelief (a lack of faith), you will be cut off, wither and die.

Hebrews 10:38-39 – Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

We MUST have faith and live by it or our Creator will not be pleased with us and we will not receive salvation.

How do we get faith?

Romans 10:13-14, 17 – For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Master shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of [Elohim].

Once a person hears the good news about Yahshua the Messiah and what he has done for them by dying for their sins and resurrecting from the dead to pave the way for them to follow him in the resurrection unto eternal life, they will hopefully believe by faith and receive him as their Savior.

John 3:14-18 – And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man (Yahshua) be lifted up: That whosoever believes (has faith) in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For [Elohim] so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For [Elohim] sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of [Elohim].

Conclusion

You, dear reader, have heard the good news through this blog and other blogs on this site if you are a regular reader. You must now make the most important decision of your life. Will you continue to believe by faith the scientists that tell you there is no Creator and that we evolved from monkeys or will you believe by faith that there is a Creator who sent His only begotten Son to die for your sins so that you can be forgiven and live forever with Him in His Kingdom on earth?

To believe the good news by faith is to receive eternal life. To reject the good news through unbelief (no faith) is to receive eternal death. That was an easy choice for me to make 25 years ago. I have not regretted that decision since then. I have faith that all that Yahweh has said in His word, the Bible, will come to pass. Much of it has already come to pass and much is yet to come. I can face my future with a firm assurance that I will be saved by Yahweh’s grace through faith. How about you? Do you know what your future holds? Do you know where you are headed after you die? Have faith in Yahweh and His Son Yahshua and you will live forever.

John 11:25-26  – Yahshua said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?

When a person breaks Yahweh’s laws (their Creator’s laws) and tries to keep it hidden from others it is a “secret sin”. It could be a husband committing adultery behind his wife’s back, a woman who secretly steals a necklace from the local store, a child who lies about breaking a vase, or a man who deletes the history on his computer so his wife will not find out about his addiction to pornography. The number of possible ways a person can sin and attempt to keep it hidden is endless.

While attempting to hide secret sins may succeed in fooling a spouse or parent, for example, it cannot fool Yahweh. He sees exactly what is being done in secret. He hears exactly what is being said in private. He knows exactly what is taking place in our minds and imaginations. Whatever is done in secret now will be exposed in the future.

 . . . for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.  Matthew 10:26 

For [Elohim] will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:14

Yahweh sees secret sins

For now You number my steps: do You not watch over my sin?  Job 14:16 

For His eyes are upon the ways of man, and He sees all his goings. There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.  Job 34:21-22 

For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.  Jeremiah 16:17 

Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? Says Yahweh.  Do not I fill heaven and earth? Says Yahweh.  Jeremiah 23:24 

The eyes of Yahweh are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3  

And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Hebrews 4:13 

Do not think for a moment that you will get away with the sins you keep hidden from the eyes of man. They will be exposed in Yahweh’s timing.

. . .  behold, you have sinned against Yahweh: and be sure your sin will find you out.  Numbers 32:23 

 Yahweh hears secret sins

And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. And they said, Has Yahweh indeed spoken only by Moses? Has He not spoken also by us? And Yahweh heard it.  Numbers 12:1-2

And Yahweh spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against Me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against Me.  Numbers 14:26-27 

And you shall know that I am Yahweh, and that I have heard all your blasphemies which you have spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, They are laid desolate, they are given us to consume. Thus with your mouth you have boasted against Me, and have multiplied your words against Me: I have heard them. Ezekiel 35:12-13 

It does not matter if you whisper concerning you extramarital affair (adultery) or whatever sins you may be hiding. Yahweh hears every word you speak.

Yahweh knows your heart

If we have forgotten the name of our Elohim, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; Shall not Elohim search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart. Psalm 44:20-21 

Search me, O Elohim, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:  Psalm 139:23 

I Yahweh search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.  Jeremiah 17:10 

O Elohim, You know my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from You.  Psalm 69:5 

And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I swore.  Deuteronomy 31:21 

Not only does He see and hear your secret sins, but He knows about them before you even commit them; as you are yet considering committing them in your heart and mind. Do not follow the error of Israel in thinking that you can hide you sins from Yahweh or that He does not see your secret sins.

Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from Yahweh, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who sees us? and who knows us?  Isaiah 29:15 

Then said He unto me, Son of man, have you seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? For they say, Yahweh sees us not; Yahweh has forsaken the earth.  Ezekiel 8:12 

The day of judgment is coming upon this world. Your hidden sins will be exposed before all and you will be given a just reward for your evil deeds done in secret.

Ah Adonai Yahweh! Behold, You have made the heaven and the earth by your great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for you: You show loving kindness unto thousands, and recompense the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty El, Yahweh of hosts, is His name. Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for your eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:  Jeremiah 32:17-19 

There is hope for you

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that you also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Yahshua Messiah.

And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that [Elohim] is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.

If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Yahshua Messiah His Son cleanses us from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:1-10 

Consider your ways friend, and consider your future. If you desire to live forever in the Kingdom of Yahweh, then you must receive His Son Yahshua as your Savior. His shed blood will then cleanse you of all your sins done openly or in secret.

But as many as received him (Yahshua the Messiah), to them gave he power to become the sons of [Elohim], even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12

Women will also spend hours in front of a mirror putting on all sorts of makeup to beautify their facial features. Even women who I would consider beautiful without makeup will still put on makeup to look more beautiful or to cover up what they view as the unattractive parts of their appearance.

Then there is the clothing factor. In order to fully accentuate their beauty, just the right kind of clothing must be worn. The wrong color may detract from one’s beauty. The wrong skirt or dress length may not fully reveal the beauty of their legs. Just the right accessories (scarves, jewelry, belts, etc.) will certainly, in their mind, enhance their beauty. Men can be just as meticulous in their clothing selection as women.

Of course, one’s beauty is only temporary as we all know and as the Bible teaches.

. . . and their beauty shall consume in the grave . . . Psalm 49:14

Death befalls us all and our beauty will fade away as our body turns to dust.

Death is not the only thing that can destroy one’s beauty. Car accidents, sickness, diseases, self mutilation, and a host of other physical traumas can mar one’s appearance.

Inner beauty

However, there is a beauty that cannot fade away or be destroyed. It is the inward beauty of a meek and gentle spirit; one that fears Yahweh; one that walks in the beauty of holiness; one that submits to the authority that Yahweh has placed over them.

Likewise, you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of [Elohim] of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in [Elohim], adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands. 1 Peter 3:1-5 

We read the following concerning the results of Israel’s sins against Yahweh.

How has Adonai covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in His anger, and cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, and remembered not His footstool in the day of His anger! Lamentations 2:1

Israel was beautiful in Yahweh’s sight as long as they kept His covenant and obeyed His laws. After their grievous sins against Him and His chastening hand upon them, they lost their beauty.

We also see this in Psalm 39:11:

When you with rebukes corrects man for iniquity, you make his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity.

While Yahweh’s correction and chastening upon us because of our sins consumes our beauty, all His chastening is for our good in that it restores us to a right relationship with Him and places us once again on the path of obedience.

One’s outward beauty is no guarantee that life will go well for us as can be seen in the life of King David’s son Absalom.

But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. 2 Samuel 14:25 

Although Absalom was physically beautiful he allowed sin to enter in by having his brother Amnon killed for raping his sister Tamar. Absalom also tried to usurp the throne of his father David and committed adultery with his father’s concubines.

Ironically, Absalom’s beautiful head was his downfall.

And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away. 2 Samuel 18:9 

How does one develop and inner spiritual beauty?

Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears Yahweh, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31:30 

This does not only apply to women, but a man who fears Yahweh is beautiful in Yahweh’s sight as well.

For Yahweh takes pleasure in His people: He will beautify the meek with salvation. Psalm 149:4 

Meekness is a character trait of the Savior of the world, Yahshua.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:29 

In order to be beautified with salvation, one must believe in the Master Yahshua.

For [Elohim] so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For [Elohim] sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16-17 

After a person receives Yahshua as his/her Master and Savior they must begin walking in holiness. That is, to live a life of purity and detachment from the world and all its lusts.

O worship Yahweh in the beauty of holiness: fear before Him, all the earth. Psalm 96:9  

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Master: Hebrews 12:14 

If you belong to Yahshua, you belong to a greater body of people known as the church (those believers that were called out of the darkness of this world into the glorious light of truth through Messiah Yahshua).

Husbands, love your wives, even as Messiah also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.   Ephesians 5:25- 27 

This is only possible through the cleansing blood of Yahshua. His shed blood on the cross continually washes away our sins when we confess them to Yahweh.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 

Man can only look upon the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks upon the heart. What does He see when He looks at your heart? Does He see the blood of His Son Yahshua upon you cleansing your sins and making you clean or does He see a person whose focus in life is upon outward beauty?

May you begin to develop a beauty that will not fade away or be consumed by age or death. May you begin to develop the inward beauty of a meek and gentle spirit that fears Yahweh and keeps His commandments and faith in his Son.

You therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Yahshua Messiah. No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier.  2 Timothy 2:3-4

Yahshua has chosen us to be his soldiers and fight his enemies until his return from heaven. We are to fight well as we concentrate on defeating our enemies rather than getting distracted and entangled in the affairs of this life.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through [Elohim] to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of [Elohim], and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Messiah; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 

Believers in Messiah Yahshua experience warfare on at least three fronts. In other words, the enemies of our faith will attack us from at least three sides. We need to be prepared for the spiritual warfare mentioned above by knowing our enemies and guarding against their attacks. We are not to use guns, knives, or any other type of physical weapon to fight our wars. Instead, we use spiritual weapons like pray and obedience to our Creator Yahweh and His Son, Messiah Yahshua.

Warring with Satan

And the Master said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: Luke 22:31 

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:  1 Peter 5:8 

To deny Satan’s existence and influence is to deny Yahshua’s teaching concerning him. It is clear from the Savior’s words that Satan desires not only to have his way with Yahweh’s people, but to destroy them.

From that time forth began Yahshua to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from you, Master: this shall not be unto you. But he turned, and said to Peter, Get you behind me, Satan: you are an offence unto me: for you savor not the things that be of [Elohim], but those that be of men.  Matthew 16:21-23 

Satan used Peter to speak words against Yahweh’s plan of salvation. In that plan, Yahshua was to die as a sin offering for mankind so that their sins could be forgiven through his shed blood. Yahweh would then resurrect Yahshua from the dead paving the way for all who believe in him to receive the gift of eternal life via their own resurrection from the dead.  Satan does not want that plan to be fulfilled which is why he has tried throughout the centuries to destroy Yahweh’s people and the Savior of the world.

Submit yourselves therefore to [Elohim]. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  James 4:7 

The devil, Satan, will continue to attack believers in an attempt to get them to sin and fall. We are to submit to Yahweh and His rule over us by obeying His commandments. By doing so, we resist Satan who will eventually flee from us knowing we choose only to serve Yahweh and that he has no power over us.

Warring with the world

The believer will also be attacked by the world in various ways. One way is by the world presenting itself as our friend. You have heard of the phrase “fraternizing with the enemy”. A tactic in the world of espionage is to use an attractive woman to get valuable secret information from a male enemy or vice versa. A similar attack takes place with believers. The world presents itself in such an alluring way that the believer falls prey to its delicacies whether they be sex, food, entertainment, money, power, etc.

You adulterers and adulteresses, know you not that the friendship of the world is enmity with [Elohim]? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of [Elohim]. James 4:4

The believer is espoused to Yahshua. He is our future husband. To choose the world, its company and what it has to offer that is contrary to Yahweh’s ways, is to commit spiritual adultery.

Believers in Yahweh and Messiah Yahshua are no longer to be of this world. We are not to be partakers of its spirit, principles or practices. It is because we will not live as they do that they hate us.

If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. John 15:18-19 

How does the disciple of Messiah Yahshua overcome the world?

For whatsoever is born of [Elohim] overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Yahshua is the Son of [Elohim]? 1 John 5:4-5 

Warring with our flesh

The last major battle ground resides within us. It is a war against our flesh or our old nature and is our greatest and strongest enemy.

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul; 1 Peter 2:11 

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. Romans 7:23 

As long as we live in this body of flesh our old nature will be at war with our new nature given to us through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. We are not to satisfy the flesh and give into its cravings and lusts. As time goes by, the world develops more and more ways to arouse our flesh and its lusts (forbidden sexual relations, forbidden foods, unrighteous entertainment, assorted schemes to produce great wealth, opportunities to acquire power, etc.). Those carnal desires must be crucified (put to death).

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that you be not consumed one of another.

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that you cannot do the things that you would. But if you be led of the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance (quarreling), emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of [Elohim].

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Messiah’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:14-25

The following passage shows us all three major battle grounds and the way to be victorious.

From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? You lust, and have not: you kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: you fight and war, yet you have not, because you ask not. You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lusts.

You adulterers and adulteresses, know you not that the friendship of the world is enmity with [Elohim]? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of [Elohim].

Do you think that the scripture says in vain, The spirit that dwells in us lusts to envy. But He gives more grace. Wherefore He says, [Elohim] resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to [Elohim]. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Draw close to [Elohim], and He will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of [Yahweh], and He shall lift you up. James 4:1-10

When we humble ourselves and acknowledge that we are powerless against these enemies and ask for Yahweh’s help in overcoming them, He will stand and fight our battles for us through faith.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Master, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armor of [Elohim], that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Ephesians 6:10-12 

It is the power of our Master Yahshua working through us that will lead us to victory as we war, not against man, but against a spirit world of darkness ruled by Satan.

These words spoken by the Savior of the world are packed with truth. Follow along as I unpack them for you.

“I am the way”

A ‘way” is a path or road that one follows. To be a disciple of Messiah Yahshua is to follow his way; to walk as he walked (in obedience to his Father’s commandments), to believe the doctrines he believed, to trust in him as the way Yahweh provided for the salvation of mankind.

For [Yahweh] so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For [Yahweh] sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16-17 

Mankind is like a man lost in a forest who is trying to find his way out. Once he stumbles upon a path (Yahshua), he can follow it until it leads him to safety and eventually home (to his Creator, Almighty Yahweh).

The prophet Isaiah spoke of this path/highway that will lead to everlasting joy.

Strengthen you the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.
Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your Elohim will come with vengeance, even Elohim with a recompense; He will come and save you.
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.
And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.
And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:
And the ransomed of Yahweh shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 35:3-10

When Yahshua came to make a way for mankind to be saved, he opened blind eyes and deaf ears, he healed the lame, gave voice to the dumb, and even raised the dead. The “way of holiness” is through Yahshua who is also our “redeemer”.

For the grace of [Elohim] that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
Teaching us that, denying wickedness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and piously, in this present world;
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great mighty one and our Savior Yahshua Messiah;
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:11-14

Have you lost your way in this world? Are you aimlessly walking in circles with no meaning to your life? Your Creator has provided a way for you to have your fellowship with Him restored. That way is through His only begotten Son Yahshua.
“I am . . . the truth”

Yahshua said, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”  John 17:17 

The word of Yahweh (the Holy Scriptures) are truth as are all the words Yahweh speaks, even those that have not been written down for our benefit.

The Apostle John wrote the following about Yahshua:

And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14 

Yahweh spoke His Son into existence. His “word” became a flesh and blood man named Yahshua. Since the “word is truth” and the “word became flesh”, truth became flesh. The truth became embodied in a flesh and blood man. All Yahshua ever said and did was truth because he was full of grace and truth. In him was no lie.

Yahweh inspired the prophet Isaiah to write the following about Yahshua;

He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Isaiah 53:8-9 

The Apostle Peter wrote of Yahshua as well;

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 1 Peter 2:22

The truth (Yahshua) sets people free from their bondage to sin.

Then said Yahshua to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed;
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how say you, You shall be made free?
Yahshua answered them, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Whosoever commits sin is the servant of sin.
And the servant abides not in the house for ever: but the Son abides ever.
If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.  John 8:31- 36  

Not only is Yahshua truth, but he came to bear witness of the truth.

Pilate therefore said unto him, Are you a king then? Yahshua answered, You say that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears my voice. John 18:37 

Do you hear the Savior’s voice? Do you hear him calling you to salvation through his death and resurrection? He loved you enough to die for your sins that you may be given the gift of eternal life in his Kingdom. All you need to do is believe in him and receive him into your heart as your Master and Savior.

“I am … the life”

“Life”,  in this verse, refers to everlasting life which becomes the possession of  everyone that believes in Yahshua the Messiah as their Master and Savior.

When comforting a woman named Martha who was grieving the loss of her brother, Yahshua said;

I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this? John 11:25-26 

Elsewhere, Yahshua said;

For [Yahweh] so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For [Elohim] sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of [Elohim]. John 3:16-18

While praying to his Father in heaven (Yahweh) Yahshua said;

And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true [Elohim], and Yahshua Messiah, whom you have sent. John 17:3 

The way to truly know Yahweh is to know the means/way that Yahweh has chosen to save the world and embrace it, that is, through believing in His only begotten Son Yahshua.

John the Baptist said of Yahshua;

He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of [Elohim] abides on him. John 3:36 

Refusing to believe in Messiah Yahshua had dire consequences for certain Jews living in Apostolic days.

Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of [Elohim] should first have been spoken to you (Jews): but seeing you put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. Acts 13:46

The Apostle John, a man filled with the Holy Spirit, wrote;

And this is the record, that [Elohim] has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that has the Son has life; and he that has not the Son of God has not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of [Elohim]; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of [Elohim]. 1 John 5:11-13 

What about you friend? Do you believe in Yahshua the Messiah as your Master and Savior? Do you believe his shed blood on your behalf cleanses you of all your sins? Do you believe that he will resurrect you from the dead at his second coming? Do you believe you will live eternally with him in his Kingdom on earth? If not, I implore you to consider the Good News that the New Testament has recorded concerning Yahshua.

He truly is the way, the truth and the life and no man can stand before his Creator, Almighty Yahweh, except through Yahshua.

The certainty of a future judgment of mankind is without question. Every human being that ever lived will face this judgment. One’s country of origin, lineage, stature in society, wealth, profession, religion, age or gender will not exclude them from the coming judgment.

Who will judge mankind?

Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before Yahweh: for He comes, for He comes to judge the earth: He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with His truth. Psalm 96:12-13

A day is coming when Almighty Yahweh, Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, will judge the world (mankind). He will not judge as fallible man judges, being prone to mistakes, influenced by bribes, or judging for personal gain. Yahweh will judge with righteousness because He is righteous and just.

Through whom will Yahweh judge mankind?

Yahweh’s first righteous act of judgment was to ordain a highly qualified judge to act in His stead.

[Yahweh] now commands all men everywhere to repent because He has appointed a day in the which He will judge the world by righteousness through that man whom He has ordained, whereof He has given assurance unto all men in that He has raised him from the dead. Acts 17:30-31

That man is the Master Yahshua Messiah, the Son of Yahweh. It was Yahshua whom Yahweh raised from the dead.

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, if we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Yahshua Messiah of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom [Elohim] raised from the dead, even by him does this man stand here before you whole. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:8-10, 12 

It is Yahshua whom Yahweh has chosen to sit as the ultimate judge over the world.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Messiah, that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to what he hath done whether it be good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10.

For the Father (Yahweh) judges no man, but has committed all judgment unto the Son (Yahshua): John 5:22 (Parenthesis mine throughout article except in Romans 2 below)

 How will Messiah Yahshua judge mankind?

And if you call on the Father (Yahweh), who without respect of persons judges according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 1 Peter 1:17

As seen in our opening passage (Revelation 20:11-15) and here, men will be judged according to their works (the deeds done throughout one’s life). Country of origin, lineage, stature in society, wealth, profession, religion, age or gender will have no bearing on whether one is found guilty or innocent.

Some of the works that will result in a detrimental judgment are seen in the following passages:

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of [Elohim]. Galatians 5:19-21

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelation 21:8 

In keeping with judgment according to works, Yahshua described the kind of works that will either lead to everlasting fire or eternal life.

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was hungry, and you gave me meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in: Naked, and you clothed me: I was sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Master, when did we see you hungry, and fed you? or thirsty, and gave you drink? When did we see you a stranger, and took you in? or naked, and clothed you? Or when did we see you sick, or in prison, and came unto you?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Truly I say unto you, Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was hungry, and you gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and you took me not in: naked, and you clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and you visited me not.

Then shall they also answer him, saying, Master, when did we see you hungry, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto you?

Then shall he answer them, saying, Truly I say unto you, Inasmuch as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.  Matthew 25:31-46

 In this passage, Yahshua is referring to the good works men did or failed to do for his “brethren” (those that believe in him and are spiritually related to him). Those that are not his brethren are those who refused to come to him so that theirs sins would be forgiven and that they would be given eternal life. Therefore, Yahshua calls them “cursed”. He will not allow them to be united to himself and receive the blessings promised to those who love him.

 Another criteria used for judging mankind is stated by Yahshua in the following verses:

Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of’ Judgment. For by thy words you shall be justified, and by thy words you shall be condemned. Matthew 12:36-37 

For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever you have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which you have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. Luke 12:2-3 

“Idle” words are words that do not work for good such as words of love or edification. Idle words are words that are false or that injure others. The opposite of idle words are words with great value such as one’s confession of faith in Messiah Yahshua. Come Judgment Day, all such words will be brought to light. Nothing will be hid from the discerning Judge.

A third criteria for judging is found in Yahshua’s words below.

He that rejects me and receives not my words, has one that judges him. The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. John 12:48

Not only will idle words be held against people, but Messiah’s own words will judge him. Messiah’s words are his teachings and commands that men either believe and obey or despise and reject. It is extremely important to learn what Yahshua’s words are so we can believe and obey them.

One last criteria for judgment will be as follows:

Not everyone who says unto me, Lord, Lord enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of my father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name cast out devils and in thy name done more wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you. Depart from me you that work iniquity (lawlessness). Matthew 7:21-23

 Not only will Messiah’s words (revealing his will) be held against mankind, but his Father’s will as revealed in His words will judge him. Yahshua’s Father is Almighty Yahweh, the Creator. His will is revealed through His commandments, especially the “Ten Commandments” as they were written. When we break Yahweh’s commandments, it is called sin or iniquity. To “work iniquity” is to break Yahweh’s laws. Stealing, idolatry, adultery, bearing false witness, coveting, and Sabbath breaking are all examples of works of iniquity.

The Apostle Paul gave a thorough explanation of the future judgment of mankind in Romans chapter 2.

Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whosoever you are that judges: for wherein you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you that judge do the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of [Elohim] is according to truth against them which commit such things. And think you this, O man, that judges them which do such things, and do the same, that you shall escape the judgment of [Elohim]? Or despise you the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of [Elohim] leads you to repentance? But after your hardness and impenitent heart treasure up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of [Elohim]; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that works good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with [Elohim]. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before [Elohim], but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) In the day when [Elohim] shall judge the secrets of men by Yahshua Messiah according to my gospel. Romans 2:1-16 

 When will this judgment of men take place?

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Hebrews 9:27 

I charge thee therefore before [Elohim], and the Master Yahshua Messiah, who shall judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Timothy 4:1 

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Master come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of [Elohim]. 1 Corinthians 4:5 

After the dead in Messiah are resurrected unto eternal life, Yahshua will return to set up the Kingdom of Yahweh on earth and judge mankind.

Yahweh loves mankind whom He created and does not want any to perish. He allows most people plenty of time to repent of their sins and wicked deeds.

[Yahweh] is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 

Most men have until they die to repent of their sins. However, it is certainly not a wise decision to delay repentance, thinking you have time to continue to live in sin, for two reasons.

1. You do not know when Messiah Yahshua will return from heaven to judge the world.
2. You do not know when you will die. Death can come suddenly. The present moment may be your last.

 How can we be found innocent?

In order to secure a favorable judgment on Judgment Day, the following verses provide good instruction.

For [Elohim] so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For [Elohim] sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of [Elohim]. John 3:16-18 

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 5:24 

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if you commit no adultery, yet if you kill, you are become a transgressor of the law. So speak you, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. James 2:10-12 

For he shall have judgment without mercy, that has showed no mercy; and mercy rejoices against judgment. James 2:13 

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of [Elohim]: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of [Elohim]? 1 Peter 4:17 

[Yahweh] knows how to deliver the pious out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 2 Peter 2:9 

And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Yahshua is the Son of [Elohim], [Elohim] dwells in him, and he in [Elohim]. And we have known and believed the love that [Elohim] has to us. [Elohim] is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in [Elohm], and [Elohim] in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 1 John 4:14-17

Dear reader, you will someday stand before the judge of all mankind. How will you fare? Do you think that you will be able to convince the judge to not appoint you to everlasting fire? On what grounds should he allow you eternal life instead? Have you committed any sins in your life? Have you ever stolen anything, committed adultery, lied, worshipped any being other than Yahweh (idolatry), not believed in Yahshua for your salvation? Surely you have for the Scriptures say, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of [Elohim];” Romans 3:23. Have you had your sins forgiven by Yahweh? If not, your final destination is certain and your judgment sure.

Come to Yahshua. Believe in him and he will take your sins off of you and put them upon himself for he is Yahweh’s chosen sin bearer.

Yet it pleased Yahweh to bruise him; he has put him to grief: when you shall make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of Yahweh shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he has poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:10-12

Allow his shed blood to spiritually cleanse you of all your sins and all your unrighteousness. Only then will you have him say to you, “Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

“On another occasion, the Lord condemned the formalism of the Jews in regard to the sabbath by drawing attention to another law which took precedence over the sabbath and which they were commanded to obey even though it might require the breaking of the sabbath.

This greater law related to the rite of circumcision.

The Law of Moses required that on the eighth day a Jewish boy should be circumcised. But sometimes the eighth day of a boy’s life fell on a sabbath. The question then arose as to which law was the greater, and which law should be broken to fulfil the other. Should circumcision be waived and the sabbath observed? Or should the sabbath be waived and the rite of circumcision observed?

The Law taught that precedence should be given to the rite of circumcision because (and let the reader not this if he believes that the sabbath law was binding prior to the days of Moses) circumcision came from Abraham, and the sabbath from Moses. Christ explained:

“Moses gave you circumcision (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers – i.e. Abraham); and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?” (John 7:22-23).

If the law of circumcision took precedence over the sabbath law, on what grounds can some teach that the sabbath law is binding on believers, but the law of circumcision is not? Only by closing their eyes to the Scriptural facts. 

Why should the law of circumcision take precedence over that of the sabbath? Because circumcision was the token of the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 17:10-11) that was confirmed by the perfect sacrifice of Christ (Romans 15:8); whereas the sabbath was a token of the Mosaic covenant (Exodus 31:17), confirmed by inefficacious animal sacrifices (Hebrews 9:19). As the Abrahamic covenant superseded the Mosaic covenant (Hebrews 8:8), so the Law beautifully taught this principle by superceding the importance of one by the other.”

The account in John 7 did NOT teach that circumcision takes precedence over the Sabbath.

 John 7:21  Yahshua answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and you all marvel.

He is referring to his healing of the man at the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath in John 5.

John 7:22-23  Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and you on the sabbath day circumcise a man. If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are you angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?

 The key here is that circumcision was done on the Sabbath so that the Law of Moses should not be broken. That can be applied two ways. 1) Circumcision was done so that the law of circumcision should not be broken or 2) so that the Sabbath should not be broken. Which is it? Or is it both?

The act of circumcising on the Sabbath would definitely prevent the commandment to circumcise on the eighth day from being broken and forbidding circumcision on the Sabbath would keep the Sabbath from being broken. However, the Jewish intent was so that the “Law of Moses” should not be broken; not just the circumcision commandment, but the Sabbath as well since that was a Law of Moses. How was the Sabbath not broken?

Obviously, circumcising on the Sabbath was not considered the kind of work that breaks the Sabbath. There are several kinds of work that were permissible on the Sabbath including the work of the priests in offering sacrifices and works of healing (saving life or health always takes precedence over any law). Yahshua’s healing of the man at the pool could not be a transgression of the Sabbath or else Yahshua would have sinned. Yet, he was sinless. Therefore, his healing work was permissible.

Yahshua uses the example of circumcising on the Sabbath in order to justify his healing a man on the Sabbath. For if circumcision can be performed on one part of the body on the Sabbath, then surely a healing can be performed on the entire body on the Sabbath.

In both cases, life and/or health took precedence. In healing the man, his health took precedence and in circumcising a male child, its life took precedence. How?

Gen 17:14  And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.

Also, to not circumcise under the Sinai Covenant was sin and broke the covenant. The wages of sin is death. Therefore, under the Sinai Covenant, circumcision was a matter of life or death.

So, it was not circumcision taking precedence over the Sabbath, but health and life taking precedence over both. Conducting the circumcision as Yahweh commanded would prevent death and allow the child to keep the Sabbath all the days of his life. Both commandments remain unbroken.

John 7:24  Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

This account  makes it appear as though circumcision is taking precedence over the Sabbath, but upon looking deeper into it, it was not.

Yahshua said, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.”

“Righteous judgment” cannot be rendered unless the will of Yahweh is done. If circumcision takes precedence over the Sabbath, then the Sabbath is broken. That is not Yahweh’s will. If health and/or life take precedence, that is Yahweh’s will and that is what is happening in this account.

The first passage used to promote this new teaching is Romans 9:23-26:

“And that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had afore prepared unto glory,

Even us, whom He has called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

As He says also in Hosea, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, You are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living Elohim.”

 Verses 25-26 are quoting Hosea where Yahweh says through the prophet:

 ”Then said Elohim, Call his name Loammi: for you are not my people, and I will not be your Elohim.

Yet the number of the children of Israel will be like the sand on the seashore, which cannot be measured or counted. In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ’sons of the living El.’” Hosea 1:9-10

 “And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my Elohim.” Hosea 2:23 

 The subject of the Hosea passage is the “children of Israel”. However, the Apostle Paul is broadening its fulfillment to include the “Gentiles” (the non-Hebrew nations) in addition to the Jews. Paul uses the term “Jew”, in Romans 9:24, to represent both houses of Israel, the House of Judah (including Levi and Benjamin) and the House of Israel (the remaining tribes).

The term “Jew” originally referred to the people of Judah, but later included those of Benjamin and Levi and still later all Israelites.

We can see this in the following verses:

Acts 19:14 – “And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.”  (This “Jew” was a Levite).

 Acts 21:39 – “But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.” (Paul was of Benjamin)

Acts 2:5, 36 – “And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. . . Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that [Elohim] has made that same Yahshua, whom you have crucified, both Master and Messiah.” (Who crucified Yahshua? Was it not the house of Judah in Jerusalem?)

Therefore, when Hosea says, “the children of Israel”, he is referring to both houses of Israel. How can we be sure that he means both houses as opposed to just the House of Israel? Because he refers to the promise that Israel will be like the sand on the seashore. That was a promise given to Abraham in Genesis 22:17.  

“That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;”

Abraham’s “seed” refers to his descendents through Isaac and Jacob (both houses of Israel).

You may say, “How can Paul include the non-Hebrew Gentiles (nations) in Hosea’s prophecy? Paul is focusing on the words, “You are not my people”. He has in mind the words the Apostle James spoke to the council at Jerusalem.

“Simeon has declared how Elohim at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.”  Acts 15:14  

The Gentiles were not Yahweh’s people until He chose to take from among them those He was calling (those who received His Son as their Saviour).

The Apostle Paul also had in mind Deuteronomy 32:21 where Yahweh says the Gentiles are “not a people”.    

“They [Jeshurun – both houses of Israel] have moved Me to jealousy with that which is not Elohim; they [Jeshurun] have provoked Me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them [both houses of Israel] to jealousy with those which are not a people [fulfilled in Romans  10:19 & 11:11 by non-Hebrew Gentiles]; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation [the holy nation of  non-Hebrew Gentiles spoken of by  Paul in Romans 10:19 and Peter in 1 Peter 2:9].”

It was laid out in Torah that Yahweh would use the non-Hebrew Gentiles to provoke both houses of Israel to jealousy.  This is what Paul wrote of in Romans 10 & 11:

Romans 10:19 – “But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses says, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. “   

Romans 11:11 – “I say then, Have they (both houses of Israel) stumbled that they should fall? Elohim forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.”

Paul goes on to say in Romans 10:20-21:

“But Isaiah is very bold, and says, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.

But to Israel he says, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.”

Paul is quoting Isaiah 65:1-2:

“I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.  I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people [Israel – Romans 10:21], which walks in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;” 

This cannot refer to the house of Israel since they were called by Yahweh’s name (2 Chronicles 7:14; Dan 9:19), but to the non-Hebrew Gentile nation of believers that were grafted into Israel in order to provoke them to jealousy. 

Along the same line is Isaiah 55:5: 

“Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Behold, you shall call a nation that you know not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of Yahweh thy Elohim, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he has glorified thee.”

Those same non-Hebrew Gentiles that Yahweh used to provoke Israel to jealousy are grafted into Israel.

Romans 11:12-17 – “Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:  If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh (the Gentiles he is writing to are not his flesh), and might save some of them. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and you  (Gentiles), being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;  . . .”

Paul continues writing about the Gentiles in Romans 11:24:

“For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?”

The non-Hebrew Gentiles are wild by nature and are grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree. This cannot refer to the House of Israel being grafted “contrary to nature” since they were of the original good olive tree. The Houses of Israel and Judah are the natural branches that were cut off in unbelief and who can be grafted back in again.

“For I would not, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away wickedness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.” Romans 11:25-27

“Israel”, including both houses, was blinded until the predetermined number of non-Hebrew Gentiles are grafted into the natural olive tree. This is a clear distinction between the two groups of people, Israel and Gentiles. “All Israel” is comprised of both houses of Israel AND non-Hebrew Gentiles who become Israel through grafting in.

Here are a few other passages that make a clear distinction between Israel and non-Hebrew Gentiles:

Isaiah 49:6 – “And he said, It is a light thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that you may be my salvation unto the end of the earth.”

Yahshua would not only restore the preserved of Israel, but also be a light to the Gentiles. 

Matthew 10:5-6 – “These twelve Yahshua sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter you not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 

These “lost sheep of the House of Israel” were dwelling in the land of Israel which was separate from were the Gentiles were dwelling.

Acts 4:27 – “For of a truth against thy holy child Yahshua, whom you have anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,” 

The Gentiles are separate and distinct from the people of Israel. 

Acts 9:15 – “But the Master said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:” 

Paul was to bear Yahshua’s name to three distinct groups; Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.

Romans 9:30-31 – “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel [both houses], which followed after the law of righteousness, have not attained to the law of righteousness.” 

If you replace the word “Gentiles” with “house of Israel”, the verse makes no sense.

Another passage used to support this new teaching that the “Gentiles” of the New Testament are really the House of Israel is Ephesians 2:11-19. Here is the passage with my commentary within.

Ephesians 2:11 – “Wherefore remember, that you being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; [Israelites were circumcised]”

Ephesians 2:12 – “That at that time you were without Messiah, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without Elohim in the world: (the house of Israel had hope via Hosea’s prophecy as well as other prophecies dealing with the regathering of Israel and they were not strangers from the covenants (plural) of promise including the Abrahamic covenant. Paul says of Israel: “Who are Israelites; to whom pertain the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;” Romans 9:4. Also, Israel was not without Elohim as Ezekiel 11:16 shows. The Gentiles had none of those things listed in this verse.)”

Ephesians 2:13 – “But now in Messiah Yahshua you who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Messiah.”

Ephesians 2:14 – “For he is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us;”

Ephesians 2:15 – “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; (There was no enmity/hatred between Israel and Judah in Messiah’s day as Paul’s concern and love for them in Romans 9:2-3; 10:1-2 show. There was no hatred caused by man-made commandments except those man-made commands that caused a separation between Jews and n0n-Hebrews, in particular a literal wall that was built at the Temple to separate the Jews from Gentiles.)”

Ephesians 2:16 – “And that he might reconcile both unto Elohim in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:”

Ephesians 2:17 – “And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.”

Ephesians 2:18 – “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”

Ephesians 2:19 – “Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of Elohim;”

It is believed that the phrases “far off” and “afar off” used in verses 13 & 17 are keys to show the House of Israel is referred to. The following verses are used to show this. 

 “Son of man, thy brethren, even thy brethren, the men of thy kindred, and all the house of Israel wholly, are they unto whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, Get you far from YHWH: unto us is this land given in possession.

Therefore say, Thus says Adonai YHWH; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.

Therefore say, Thus says Adonai YHWH; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.” Ezekiel 11:15-17

 “Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spoke in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

O YHWH, righteousness belongs unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.

 O YHWH, to us belong confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.” Daniel 9:6-8

The phrase “far off” in the Tanakh and the verses quoted refer to the literal physical distance the house of Israel was from the land of Israel. In Ephesians, “far off” refers to the spiritual separation between non-Hebrews and Yahweh. Also, Paul was not quoting the Tanakh. He was simply using a common phrase in a figurative sense.

It is also believed that Ephesians 2:11-19 is the fulfillment of Ezekiel 37:16-24. 

“The word of YHWH came again unto me, saying,

Moreover, you son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:

And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in your hand.

And when the children of your people shall speak unto you, saying, Will you not show us what you meant by these?

Say unto them, Thus says Adonai YHWH; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.

And the sticks whereon you write shall be in your hand before their eyes.

And say unto them, Thus says Adonai YHWH; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, where they are gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:

And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all:

Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their Elohim.

And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.”

The joining of the two sticks is a specific prophecy relating to the two houses and is accomplished through a miracle from Yahweh. Two sticks are joined to become one stick. This is different from the Gentiles being joined to both houses through grafting in and is accomplished through belief in Messiah Yahshua. A wild olive branch is grafted into a natural olive tree to become one. We cannot equate Ezekiel 37:16-24 with Ephesians 2:11-19 simply because they both speak of uniting two groups. One unites Judah and Israel, the other unites Israel and non-Hebrew Gentiles. Also, the uniting of the two sticks of Ezekiel takes place AFTER they are resurrected and returned to the land whereas the uniting of Israel and Gentiles takes place PRIOR to the resurrection and return to the land.

John 7:33-36 has also been misapplied to show Gentiles are the House of Israel.

 “Then said Yahshua unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. You shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, there you cannot come. Then said the Jews among themselves, Where will he go, that we shall not find him? Will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?”

The “dispersed” refers to Israel that were living AMONG the Gentiles. This does NOT read, “the dispersed Gentiles”.

The last passages I will address are Romans 2:13-15 & 26-27:

“(For not the hearers of the law are just before Elohim, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)” Romans 2:13-15

From this passage it is deduced that the “Gentiles” must be the “House of Israel” because the law is written on their hearts. After all, how can a non-Hebrew pagan have the law written on his heart if he has no knowledge of Yahweh’s laws? That’s a good question and there is a logical answer to it.

The passage does not say the law, in its fullness, was written in their hearts, but that the “works” of the law were written there.  They “did by nature the things contained in the law.”  It is in the nature of man to have a certain degree of moral conscience. They had a sense of justice, love, mercy, etc. These are the “works” of the law or what the law was meant to accomplish. The moral nature taught obedience to parents, pity to those in need, maintaining peace, forbidding murder, stealing, lying, etc. Their conscience would be their guide and so they were a “law unto themselves.” “Their conscience also bearing witness.” They had that within them which approved their good works and which accused their bad works. 

“Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?  And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature if it fulfill the law, judge you, who by the letter and circumcision transgresses the law? For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of Elohim.” Romans 2:26-27

It is believed that the word “uncircumcision” used here refers to the House of Israel and that, since the House of Israel is call the “uncircumcision” here, then the “uncircumcision” of Ephesians 2:11 must also be the House of Israel. Who are the “uncircumcision” in Romans 2:26-27?

This cannot refer to the House of Israel since they did not keep the “righteousness” of the law. They were disobedient and angered Yahweh continually, so much so that He was led to say “they are not my people”. Also, Gentiles are physically uncircumcised by nature. Israelites are physically circumcised contrary to nature. It is the House of Israel that had “the letter and circumcision” The Gentiles had neither.

I hope this study has helped you to understand the truth that Yahweh has indeed begun calling non-Hebrew Gentiles into the faith. He is allowing them to be grafted into Israel and to be partakers of the blessings and promises made to Israel. They become part of the Israel of Elohim. They were once not his people, but now are children of the living Elohim through Messiah Yahshua. HalleluYah!

There are seven basic guidelines to follow concerning the Bible.

1) Begin with prayer – A sincere prayer similar to that of the Psalmist is necessary. He writes, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law” (Ps.119:18).

2) Read the Bible – Do not allow the cares of this world to distract you from reading the Bible. And when you do read it, don’t just read a few favorite verses. Read the entire Bible.

3) Study the Bible – You must devote time and effort for it to be fruitful. Our Savior said, “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (Jn.5:39). Searching involves an investigative effort and time.

4) Meditate on the Bible – Ps.1:1,2 says, “Blessed is the man” whose “delight is in the law of Yahweh; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.” Think about what you have read and try to understand it from different perspectives. Think about the deeper meaning behind what you read.

5) Read the commentaries of others on Scripture only after you have determined their meaning for yourself – If your views differ from theirs, adhere to the view that is proven by Scripture.

6) Obey the Bible – The Almighty will not continue to reveal truth to us if we do not obey the truths we already know. We must obey what is written if we are to profit by what is read.

7) Let your light shine – Share what you have learned with others so they may benefit and be edified.

Rules of Interpretation

In addition to the seven basic guidelines above, there are nine basic rules of interpretation that must be followed in order to avoid confusion and false doctrine.

1) Rule of definition – Any study of scripture must begin with a study of words and their meanings. Definitions of words are based on their usage in Scripture, not on their usage in modern times. Ie; the word “name” in modern times means a label used to identify someone or something. “Name” in Bible days denoted something far deeper such as the character or attributes of a person. For example, “Abraham” means “father of a multitude.” His name describes something very important about him.

2) Rule of usage – The interpretation of words and phrases must be understood according to the usual custom and dialect of the nation. Ie; the phrase “three days and three nights” in Mt.12:40, referring to the Messiah’s time in the grave, does not mean 72 hours as it would in modern English. That phrase is a Hebrew idiom meaning any part of three days (inclusive reckoning).

3) Rule of context – Every word you read must be understood in the light of the words that come before and after it. The meaning must be gathered from the context. Ie; 1 Cor.15:51 says, “We shall not all sleep.” That does not mean fall asleep at bedtime. The context shows it means “remain dead in the grave.”

4) Rule of historical background – A knowledge of the life and society of the subject at that time in history is required for a correct understanding. Ie; A man “bearing a pitcher of water” would meet the disciples in Lu.22:10. This “sign” was so obvious to the disciples because it was the woman’s job to carry water in Israel. To see a man do it would be out of the ordinary.

5) Rule of logic – The Bible appeals to our reason; it invites investigation and it is to be interpreted by a rigid application of the laws of language and grammar. Ie; the seals, trumpets, and plagues of Revelation are numbered 1-7. Logic tells us they are numbered to show they occur in that order in time. To place the fifth trumpet before the second trumpet violates this rule.

6) Rule of precedent – We must not violate the known usage of a word and invent another for which there is no precedent. If the Scripture gives a particular usage or meaning of a word, then there is a precedent and the usage may be acceptable. Ie; the word “ordinances” in Col.2:14 is the Greek word “dogma.” It never means “heavenly commands” as is commonly taught. It always means man-made commands.

7) Rule of unity – The parts of the Bible are to be interpreted with reference to the whole. Ie; the practice of being a “New Testament Christian” who disregards the Old Testament violates this rule.

8) Rule of inference – An inference is a fact reasonably implied from another fact. Ie; Yahshua proved the resurrection of the dead to the Sadducees by this rule (Mt.22:31,32).

9) Rule of consistency – An interpretation must be consistent with all other texts. Ie; to say the Law of Yahweh has been done away with is inconsistent with many Scriptures including Rom.3:31; “Do we then make void the law through faith? Yahweh forbid: yea, we establish the law.”

Methods of Bible Study

There are five methods of Bible study. Each one will lead to a deeper understanding of Scripture. Haphazardly reading a few verses of Scripture is not real Bible study. It is only nibbling at the truth.

1) Topical Method – This is, by far, the best method to learn the great doctrines of the Bible and the will of our Heavenly Father. Simply select a topic or subject and trace it through Scripture. A “Concordance” would be very helpful with this method.

2) Biographical Method – Studying various Biblical characters can be very interesting and rewarding.

3) Study of individual Books – Choose a Book and study its author, its recipients, its purpose, its main teachings, etc.

4) Study of chapters or important passages – This method is similar to method #3 but with a more focused objective. This method must also be used when doing a topical study.

5) Study and memorize individual verses – This method provides the student with a ready arsenal of Scriptures for any sudden need or emergency.

Bear in mind that the last three methods of Bible study can lead to “tunnel vision” concerning Biblical Doctrines. To fully understand all that the Bible says about a subject, the topical method must be used.

Bible Study Aids

The following is a list of literature that can greatly aid in studying the Bible. Scholars have devoted countless years of their lives to provide readers of Scripture with these tools. They are indeed a blessing.

1) Strong’s Concordance – This reference is a must for any Bible student. It lists every scripture for each word found in the Bible. You can then turn to the back of the book to find the Hebrew or Greek word that was used, its meaning, and other ways the same word was translated.

2) Englishman’s Hebrew (or Greek) Concordance of the Old Testament (or New T.) – Provides the same function as Strong’s, but much faster. It lists all other ways a word was translated and the verse it was used in. Although Strong’s does this, it is much more tiresome and time consuming to use.

3) Hebrew and Greek Lexicons – These are Bible language dictionaries that go into much greater depth than Strong’s. They are usually coded to be used in conjunction with Strong’s numbering system. You need not know Greek or Hebrew to use them.

4) Interlinear Bibles – They show the literal English translation on one line and the Hebrew or Greek text directly underneath. In the side margin you will find the common English translation as it appears in the KJV, NIV, etc. They are used to check if translators or commentators have erred. (Translations are not inspired and occasionally have error).

5) Parallel Bibles – These Bibles provide several translations side by side (usually the KJV, NIV, RSV, and either the Living Bible or the Amplified Bible). They are used to compare different translations and get a different viewpoint.

6) Commentaries – These provide the views of many different scholars on each verse of the Bible. Remember that scholars often differ on their views. Their understanding is not always correct, but they could provide further insight.

7) Bible Dictionaries – Used just like a regular dictionary, they can provide detailed information on people, places, things, and various subjects such as Atonement, etc.

“Study to show thyself approved unto Yahweh, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim 2:15).

The purpose of this study is to understand what disgusts Yahweh the most and what should be disgusting to us as well. But first, let’s look at a few things that men consider abominations, but really aren’t.

Genesis 43:32 – “And they set a place for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.”

The Egyptians were a proud and exclusive people who considered foreigners abominable, especially the Hebrews who were undoubtedly a much hairier people which can lead to the false belief that they are unclean or dirty people.

Genesis 46:34 – “That you shall say, Thy servants’ trade has been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.”

Their disgust at shepherds may also have to do with being dirty or smelly. A herd of sheep can smell pretty bad causing their shepherd to smell bad as well. It can also have to do with the Egyptian view of sheep. If sheep were taboo for religious reasons, then their shepherds would be looked upon as taboo breakers.

Now to the real abominations.

Leviticus 11:9-13, 42-44 – “These shall you eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever has fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall you eat. And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you: They shall be even an abomination unto you; you shall not eat of their flesh, but you shall have their carcases in abomination. Whatsoever has no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you. And these are they which you shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray, . . .Whatsoever goes upon the belly, and whatsoever goes upon all four, or whatsoever has more feet among all creeping things that creep upon the earth, them you shall not eat; for they are an abomination. You shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creeps, neither shall you make yourselves unclean with them, that you should be defiled thereby. For I am Yahweh your Elohim: you shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall you defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.”

Certain “foods” of today are an abomination to Yahweh. He says that when we eat these animals that are disgusting to Him, that we then become disgusting in His sight (vs.43). He also says that His people are to consider them abominable as well. How would you feel if your child picked up dog poop and ate it? I would be gagging and want to vomit. We are Yahweh’s children. He does not want us to eat disgusting things.

It is not nitpicking or too legalistic to refuse to eat certain products because they contain unclean animal byproducts. Its for our own good and for Yahweh’s good pleasure that we keep ourselves pure and holy.

Leviticus 18:6-23 concerns forbidden acts such as incest, adultery, human sacrifices, homosexuality, beastiality, etc.

Lev.18:26,29 – “You shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourns among you: . . . For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people.”

In 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, we read about a man in the congregation that committed incest by having his father’s wife. The Apostle Paul’s judgment was to excommunicate the man or to cut him off from his people. This time it was only men cutting off another man from his congregation and it may have been temporary providing the man repented. However, a time will come when Yahweh will do the cutting off and it will be forever.

Question: What would you do if you were walking through a forest and you came across a 14 ct. gold statue of Neptune (the pagan mighty one of the sea) worth about $5,000?

Deuteronomy 7:25-26 – “The graven images of their mighty ones shall you burn with fire: you shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto you, lest you be snared therein: for it is an abomination to Yahweh thy Elohim. Neither shall you bring an abomination into your house, lest you be a cursed thing like it: but you shall utterly detest it, and you shall utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.”

Deut.17:1 – “Thou shalt not sacrifice unto Yahweh thy Elohim any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish, or any evilfavouredness: for that is an abomination unto Yahweh thy Elohim.”

Yahweh desires unblemished, spotless sacrifices. This is why Yahweh could accept nothing less than a sinless (unblemished) man to die as the atoning sacrifice for mankind. He also desires for us to be unblemished sacrifces as we read in 2 Pe.3:14:

“Wherefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”

That may seem impossible to do, but as long as we confess our sins, we will have all our unrighteousness cleansed and become spotless again.

Deuteronomy 18:9-12 – “When you are come into the land which Yahweh thy Elohim gives you, you shall not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that uses divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto Yahweh: and because of these abominations Yahweh thy Elohim drives them out from before you.”

Believers today are not to resort to such sources for their information, guidance or revelation. Yahweh has given us His Son and Scripture. We are to hear them.

Deuteronomy 22:5 – “The woman shall not wear that which pertains unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto Yahweh thy Elohim.”

We may not know the full reason why Yahweh gave this commandment, but we do know the result when someone breaks it. That person becomes an abomination in Yahweh’s sight.

Deuteronomy 24:4a – “Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before Yahweh:”

A man cannot remarry an ex-wife if she remarried and was later divorced.

Deuteronomy  25:13-16 – “You shall not have in your bag diverse weights, a great and a small. You shall not have in your house diverse measures, a great and a small. But you shall have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shall you have: that your days may be lengthened in the land which Yahweh thy Elohim gives you. For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto Yahweh thy Elohim.”

The same would be true of any kind of measurement including gas stations putting water in their tanks, contractors ordering far more cement than what is needed for a job, moving the boundary markers of your land, etc. I once bought a bunch of bananas in Greece. When I returned to my room and removed the bananas from the bag, I found a giant black banana at the bottom. It was placed their to increase the weight my purchase costing me more.

Deuteronomy 27:15 – “Cursed be the man that makes any graven or molten image, an abomination unto Yahweh, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and puts it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.”

Any image or idol that is used for worship is an abomination to Yahweh. That includes all the statues you see in churches today, all the crucifixes with images of Christ on them, and all the religious art depicting images of people that are prayed to like the virgin Mary.

Proverbs 3:32 – “For the froward is abomination to Yahweh: but his secret is with the righteous.”

“Froward” here means to be perverse or stubbornly obstinate. Pharoah comes to mind as that type of person.

Proverbs 6:16-19 – “These six things does Yahweh hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaks lies, and he that sows discord among brethren.”

May we never commit such abominations. A heart that devises wicked imaginations is someone who takes the time to think up evil things to do and feet that are swift in running to mischief is just the opposite. They don’t even stop to think. They just do evil without thinking.

Proverbs 12:22 – “Lying lips are abomination to Yahweh: but they that deal truly are his delight.”

This is why Revelation 21:8 says all liars are destined for the Lake of Fire. Yahshua is the truth and his followers must walk in truth as well. Satan is the father of lies. We must not follow his example, but Yahshua’s.

Proverbs 17:15 – “He that justifies the wicked, and he that condemns the just, even they both are abomination to Yahweh.”

There are judges in our judicial system today that are provoking Yahweh’s wrath every time they allow the guilty to go free while the victim’s suffer.

Proverbs 28:9 – “He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.”

 How many people in Christianity today are guilty of this? Many today are ignorant concerning the Scriptures and are being deceived concerning the law, but there are also many who are very learned in the Scriptures and yet, refuse to hear the law. A day is coming when these people will stand before Yahshua and he will say to them, “Depart from me you workers of lawlessness. I never knew you.”

Proverbs 29:27 – “An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.”

Its hard to believe that a follower of Yahshua can be considered an abomination, but that is how the wicked view us. That would mean that all human beings, including those in the Body of Messiah, are considered abominable! Thankfully, however, those in the Body are not considered abominable by Yahweh.

Luke 16:15 – “And he said unto them, You are they which justify yourselves before men; but Elohim knows your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of Elohim.”

This is similar to idolatry. Whatsoever man values above Yahweh is an abomination to Him. In this case, the Pharisees love of money was abhorred by Yahweh. For many people it is their cars and still others, their wardrobe or clothing. The true riches that we as believers should be seeking after are those of the Spirit; eternal riches that no man can steal from us.

Revelation 21:7-8 – “He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his Elohim, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Abominable people will be cast into the Lake of Fire. How does someone become abominable? By doing those things mentioned above; the things that Yahweh says are abominations that make us abominable.

Ezekiel 43:8 – “In their setting of their threshold by my thresholds, and their post by my posts, and the wall between me and them, they have even defiled my holy name by their abominations that they have committed: wherefore I have consumed them in mine anger.”

Israel defiled Yahweh’s name by their abominations. This is mostly speaking about their idols. If we are going to be holy as Yahweh is holy and not defile His Name, we must separate ourselves from any and all abominations.

If you have been committing any of the abominations spoken of in Scripture, I admonish you to repent and walk in a way that is not abominable/disgusting to your Creator. It doesn’t matter whether you have been committing beastiality, homosexuality, cross dressing, incest, witchcraft, idolatry, or any other abomination. There is forgiveness available from Yahweh through the shed blood of His Son Yahshua who died for you. He took the punishment for your sin (death) upon himself so that you can live forever justified before Yahweh. You need only to repent of your sin (turn away from it) and confess the Master Yahshua the Messiah as your Savior asking him to cleanse you of your sin. He will do so and empower you to overcome sin and death so that you may live forever in his Kingdom. May it be so.