Praise

Praise

How often when you think of "praise" do you think of going to Sunday morning church and singing along with the worship band with the other members of the church? They call it the "praise and worship service at many churches.

What follows is a brief survey of praise and the true meaning and application of this ancient concept.

We read in Psalm 100:4

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with >praise

So what is praise, and how do we praise God.

Let’s explore for a moment the Hebrew words and root words associated with Praise to gain insight into this complex word.

The verbal root halel means to “shine” as seen in Isaiah 13:10,

For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not shine (halel) light.

This same word is also translated as “Praise as in Psalm 117:1

Praise (halel) YHVH, all you nations! Extol Him, all you peoples!

Now we might think that on the surface there is no connection between “shine” and “praise” but for a Hebrew they are one and the same. Let’s look at the ancient pictographic Hebrew script to gain insight into the deeper meaning of this word (please reference the graphic for this article) . The word “halel” is represented by (from right to left) a Hey , Lamed, Lamed. This word is from the parent root word “hal” represented by a Hey and a Lamed. The hey is a picture of a man with his arms raised looking and pointing at an amazing sight. The lamed is a picture of a shepherd staff which is used to move the flock toward a direction. When combined, these two letters mean to “look forward”. Since the beginning of time, men have used stars to navigate in their travels. To accurately guide their way they would use a fixed object like the north star to help them along their journey. God’s word is also a fixed object, it does not Change, and God has chosen to reveal himself to us by His written Word and also by His Word made flesh, Yeshua Messiah. He is our fixed point that we may guide our lives by. But there is more.

We read in Numbers 2:9

The total number of men assigned to Judah, troop by troop, is 186,400. They will lead the march.

In every battle, Judah was to go first and lead Israel into battle.

Now, how does this relate to praise? Judah means “the praise of YHVH”. When we understand this meaning, we get a clear picture of what God is telling His children. “praise” should always go first into every battle. It doesn’t matter how great the struggle or how great and mighty the enemy or how bad the storm, when we have praise in our hearts that flows out of our lips, being confident that God is able to perform that which He has promised, we have peace. Israel failed to enter the land the first time because they had their eyes set upon the giants in the land rather than the Word of their God. 

We don’t go into battle complaining, worrying, or  cowering with fear, if we do, the battle is lost. However, when we put our full trust in YHVH and His promises, we can be confident that He goes before us to fight for us. Yeshua mighty in battle.

Revelations 12:11 says,

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

When we examine Deuteronomy 30:14 we see a connection.

But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.

When His word is “in our hearts” it will naturally flow out of our mouth. And This is precisely what Revelations is talking about. Those who trust in YHVH for their redemption through the death of Yeshua Missiah are believing and trusting that God is a God who calls the things that don’t exist into existence according to Romans 4. And even in the face of certain death, they do not shrink away in fear but in full confidence of the resurection of the dead when our Messiah returns they stand strong. They don't cower in fear, they don't hide away. They are fully confident that what God has spoken, He is also able to accomplish. They are overcomers.

In Western Christianity, there seems to be an emphasis on feeling. We "feel" closer to God or don't "feel" His presence. I think that can be really hard for a lot of people and certainly a point even of depression and anxiety. If you don't feel God, what then? But do we live by feeling or by faith? The Bible says we are to walk by faith not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7) and I think an argument can be made for replacing "sight" with "feelings". What we must realize is that our feelings can easily be manipulated. Proof of that is if you've ever watched a movie (fiction) and been moved to tears, or gotten angry, or any type of emotional response really. What was presented wasn't the truth, it was a made up piece of fiction, and yet our emotions were stirred. Thus we can't trust our feelings as a basis for truth. Because the truth is that God promises to not leave us nor forsake us (Deut. 31:8; Hebrews 13:5). We must walk in this truth. Being confident in His word. 

To conclude and put this all into perspective, praise is getting our hearts and minds fixed on the unchanging WORD of God and even in the midst of storms, and armies on all sides, we are to keep our eyes fixed upon Him and our ears ready to hear and do all that He says, and trusting that what He has spoken and promised He is also able to perform. He will carry us through every storm and battle, He will go before us, and we may be in full confidence that He is fighting for us. He has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, of love, and of a sound mind. We are to lead into every battle with praise on our lips, the testimony of His great love and provision for us and in this we overcome. Is it no wonder then that God told Joshua in Joshua 1:7-9 -

Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Maybe now we have a little bit of a better understanding of Psalm 22:3

But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.

 

Why Is God enthroned? Because when we praise Him, we are setting our spiritual eyes on Him and His ultimate victory in our lives. He is the King and the Kingdom is realized on this earth when His people live their lives by His Kingdom principles layed out for us in His Word. It is Yeshua Messiah, YHVH in the flesh who has already attained the victory over our flesh and over the enemy. May YAH forgive our unbelief. That is what we need to understand. He ALREADY got the victory over our flesh. Galatains 2:20 says,  I have been crucified with Missiah; it is no longer I who live, but Missiah lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

It is no longer I who lives, but Yeshua, mighty in battle. He has already overcome.

So the next time you are faced with some life-changing event, be it job loss, loss of limb, or any other unexpected and traumatic circumstance, remember that Romans 8:28 tells us, "All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." We have a reason to hope, we have a reason, to look not upon our circumstances with fear, anxiety and dread, but with a hopeful expectation, that we are about to see God move in a big way. We have an opportunity to get excited to see how God is going to use our circumstances for our good, and His ultimate glory. In every circumstance we are given a choice, to choose the blessing, or choose the curse. We know His promises. We know that He goes before us to fight for us. Let us choose the blessing, no matter what. Let us give thanks to our Father for choosing us to suffer for His glory with joyful expectation to see Him move.

Now we can all say HaleluYAH together - which means, praise unto YHVH.

I encourage you to continue your own study of praise and also of the Hebrew word “Todah” which is frequently translated as “sacrifice of praise”.

I have used Jeff Benners "The Living Words-Volume 1" for reference in this study. All Bible references are from the NKJV Bible.

 

The Curse of the Law

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”). Galatians 3:13

This verse has been widely used to suggest that the law of God no longer applies to believers in Jesus. It would also suggests that God’s law is a curse and propagates the idea that we can not keep God’s law. 

But is that really what this verse means? Or is it another example of a verse being plucked out of context and it’s original meaning replaced with a meaning that is completely opposite? 

Is God’s law a curse? Let’s look at some of the verses describing God’s law. 

The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7

God’s laws are pure, eternal, just. Psalm 19:9

All your commands are true. Psalm 119:151

Profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

So what is Paul talking about? 

For this we have to let the Bible interpret the Bible and go to the source material from which Paul is pulling, namely the Old Testament.  

Deuteronomy 11:26-28 See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a cursethe blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.

Paul was a Torah Scholar. He didn’t pull stuff out of thin air and write it down. His letters and instruction are sourced from the Old Testament to which he was thoroughly versed. We know that sin is breaking God’s commandments (1 John 3:4) and we know that the penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23). Therefore the curse of the law is death as a result of disobedience. 

So what does keeping God’s law do? The purpose of God’s law is to point out sin, and  instruct us in righteousness. It blesses us when we keep it. It’s not for our salvation, and never was, it is simply instructions on how to “love God, and love our neighbor”.

What about Galatians 3:10 “For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 

This means that for those relying on God’s law for “salvation” are under a curse because nobody measures up to God’s perfect standard even if they could “keep the letter of the law”. This is because simply keeping God’s commandments isn’t enough. It must be preceded by a changed heart and a new Spirit which is something only God can do inside of us. It's a work of HIS grace and mercy in our lives, changing our heart of stone, to a heart of flesh. 

Ezekiel 36:25-27 says: I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.

For those still thinking "we can't keep God's law, nobody can" I would point you to Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  Which is perfectly in line with what we have have already seen that the Bible Teaches. The Spirit of God that Jesus gave us leads us to keep God's commandments where we could not before we were still dead in our sins and an enemy of God. We have now been given the desire and the power to do what is pleasing to God. Philippians 2:12-13,  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

God has not left us to our own devices, he has given us help. And we so need it. To think that God has not spoken in every area of our lives from what we eat, to what we celebrate is in error. He is a God who demands our all. We are to pick our cross and follow after Jesus after all. Living sacrifices is what the Bible says. 

Let that sink in. 

Notes on Christ’s divinity and God’s dual identity as both YHWH and Yeshua.

Most points have been taken from Dr. Michael Heiser’s  “Two Powers of Heaven” teachings.  http://twopowersinheaven.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUkhWBKCuXc

If YHWH and Yeshua are two distinctly separate beings, then how can they both be married to Israel? 

(If YHWH told Israel that He will remarry her and then Yeshua is identified as the bridegroom, logic dictates that YHWH is Yeshua)

Did the church gather on the first day of the week?

Growing up in church, I heard the following verses being used (along with a few others) repeatedly to show that Sunday was the day when Christians gather to worship. 

Acts 20: 7-8

Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.8 There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together. 

Seems pretty cut and dry huh? It looks like the disciples were gathering together on Sunday to break bread. Might we even dare to say that they were having communion? But is that really what is happening? That is certainly what is taught in most churches and even in the footnotes of many Bibles. 

Hanukkah for believers in Messiah Yeshua

Hanukkah is not one of the seven Feasts of YHVH found in Leviticus 23. It is an 8 day celebration honoring the rededication of the temple following the victory of the Maccabbees over the Seleucid Empire ruled by Antiochus IV Epiphanes in the 2nd century BCE.

The story about the oil lasting eight days is an example of Jewish legend being added hundreds of years afterwards. Hannukah is eight days long

Discovering the Hebraic context of the Bible

What treasure might we dig up when we examine scripture through the Hebraic lens of the culture that it was written in?

Let's look at a few examples of passages of the New Testament that come to life when we dig a little deeper into the Hebraic Roots. 

Luke 8:43-48

And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

The Name of God

What is the significance of God's name as revealed to Moses at the burning bush?

Let's dig in and see what we can find.

Exodus 3:14-15
And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Moreover God said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘YHVH, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.’

The term "the LORD" in Hebrew is YHVH (you-heh-vav-heh) 

It is often translated "Jehovah" but there was no J in Hebrew. There are varying translations of this name, but the most popular are; Yahweh, Yehovah, Yahveh, and Yahuah