God of Israel

and said: "LORD, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below--you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. (1 Kings 8:23)

The reading of many of the Old Testament books are littered with little secret truths that could change our entire perception of the Word of Yahweh. One of those things is how often the term “God of Israel” is used in the books such as Kings, Chronicles and the Psalms. The usage of such a term is so important to understand the Father and who true believers are supposed to be serving every single day. 

To understand that saying one must understand the history of the people of Israel. The Father YHWH came to Abraham in the book of Genesis and eventually made a covenant with him and his children (Genesis 12, Genesis 15:1 - 21). Within this covenant that He made with Abraham and his descendants, there is the Law. The book of Deuteronomy says that within this law, there is life (Deuteronomy 30:15 - 20). It is critical to understand that the Father only presented Himself to Israel: another example of this is Moses (Exodus 3), a proud Israelite from the tribe of Levi. This thought is espoused upon in the book of Psalms, where it is written: 

He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel. He has done this for no other nation; they do not know his laws.

- Psalm 147:19 - 20

It is without a doubt that the covenant that the Father made with Israel is one that cannot be changed, as seen in the previous article. The replacement theory is a false doctrine that was made to erase the Israelite and to “open” the doors to salvation to everyone.

However, salvation was and is attainable for all people, that was never an issue. We must understand that at the time of Kings such as Solomon and David, there were strangers on the land of Israel. They were the remnants of mixed multitudes (Exodus 12:38), the remnants of the nations of the Land (1 Kings 9:20), workers (1 Kings 7:13, 9:27) and people who loved the Father (1 Kings 8:41) to name but a few. They were called to respect the same laws and be attached to Israel and were treated with love and gentleness. If they accepted the laws and the Father - what He meant and stood for in His righteousness and justice - than they were within the promise as well. They did not replace Israel, but were attached to Israel. This is proven by the fact that they were invited to eat the Passover meal if they were circumcised (Exodus 12:43 - 44) and even intermarriages like in the case of Rahab and Ruth. For salvation came first from the Jews (John 4:22)

But for them to be a part of the promise, they needed to, just like many people do today, need to acknowledge that the Father is the God of Israel beforehand and be happy for the grace that they have to follow His laws and to be within the promise. The verse that exemplifies this, and that will also end this article, is Ruth 1:6 - 7, which says: “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God.” May your God be the God of Israel, Abraham and Jacob.

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A New Israel?

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9) 

The Old Testament is often known as the story of the people of Israel; a people selected and chosen by YHWH to be His and His alone, set apart from the world. However, even though they were selected by the Most High God, they continuously disobeyed Him. This became so bad that they were eventually dispersed across the four corners of the Earth (1 Kings 14:15) and say that they are no longer His people (Hosea 1:9). Based on that knowledge and certain other verses found in the New Testament, a new belief of the church replacing Israel has come to existence, but is it true? 

It is simple enough to say that it is a false doctrine that holds no weight. 

A very technical and theological presentation of the subject would be to use its official name: supersessionism. It’s also called replacement theory. However, many who adhere to this would not say that they are specifically adhering to this, but to two other theories: fulfillment and expansion. The first one, fulfillment, presents that all the promises given to Israel were fulfilled in Christ and therefore anyone who is in Christ, Jew or Gentile, can receive it. This is based on Philippians 4:13 and 19. The second one, is that the Father expanded the promises to Israel to everyone who accepted Christ in their lives and who followed Him. Both of these explanations are but 

The reasoning for it is because the Old Testament doesn’t talk about a religious movement, but the people of Israel. These are the descendants of Abraham (Galatians 3:29), through whom the Father has given favor and the Law (Romans 9:4, Psalms 147:19 - 20). Though many use Hosea 1:9 to talk about the Father dispersing them, the following verse also shows that He will bring them back, as follows: 

“Yet the Israelites 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 ‘children of the living God.’ The people of Judah and the people of Israel will come together; they will appoint one leader and will come up out of the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel.

- Hosea 1:10 - 11

The Children of Israel were always meant and will always be the recipients of the promises made to their Father Abraham. There can be people who come from outside and attach themselves to Israel and receive gifts (Isaiah 14:1), but they will not replace them. A father does not replace their child with their child’s best friend, but they can give the child’s best friend a toy as well, but only because of that title. 

Paul, the person who is often attributed the title of the one who “started” this theory during the writing of his letters, warns believers of this in Romans 11:17 - 24. The Gentiles and those who are not Israel shouldn’t be arrogant because the children of Israel  have lost their way, but be humble for they are still loved by YHWH. That relationship will never change, for ethnic Israel will always be attached to their forefather Abraham, with whom the Lord made a covenant with in Genesis 17. 

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The Law and Death

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Yeshua our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

The reading of many of the Old Testament texts and laws present a very legislative and judicial outlook. In fact, the Torah was once the law of the land for the sons and daughters of Israel. However, many of the modern believers from varying denominations would say that the Law is no longer in effect, as humanity is now in a time of  grace. While the topic of whether the Law was truly abolished in our The Law or Grace article, one of the biggest detractors is the punishment of death. Why was this the punishment? Are those who are following the Law supposed to be killed after every sin? Does the punishment of death still apply?

The word of Yahweh is clear when it pertains to following the law: keep it (1 John 5:3; John 14:15, 21, 23 - 24). You remain under the Law when you do not abide by it, making you punishable by death. In Mosaic times, death was a literal occurrence when one was found guilty of breaking the Law (Numbers 15:32–36). While it seems barbaric in the eyes of the modern believer, it becomes understandable once one realizes that transgressions needed to be completely excised to remain pure, remove the possibility of it being done again all while serving as a warning for others. It's in that respect that Draconian laws were established in Ancient Greece in the VIIth century BCE.

Those who follow the Law will not be physically killed everytime they transgress the law as they only have one life. That being said, it is important to know that in this New Covenant, death is spiritual. It is a return to what was originally established in the Garden of Eden, when the Lord Yahweh said “You may eat freely from every tree of the garden, “but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die” (Genesis 2:16 - 17). Adam didn’t die immediately after he ate from the fruit, as he had time to retrieve clothing and hide from Yahweh (Genesis 2:6 - 11). However, following the Law allows you to not die, as every sin is but a transgression of the law. Those who are under the Law have broken it and are punishable by spiritual death and damnation. 

The punishment of death continues to be applied as the Law hasn’t changed between the centuries and covenants. The righteous live in accordance to the Law and what the Lord prescribes (Romans 10:4 - 5). Death is the consequence of not abiding by the law: it may not be immediate, but it is certain. An example of an immediate consequence of death would be to kill someone, something that is forbidden in the law (Exodus 20:13); whoever kills an innocent is no longer living within the confines of the law. They become an outlaw. They are no longer free to live as they once did, knowing that the police are searching for them. Once found, that person now loses their life, whether that be by the death penalty, a prison conviction of life without parole or even to be released but with the permanent stain of that on their criminal record, making living very difficult. 

The Law has always been there to regulate and establish clear and defined limits for those who follow the Lord Yahweh in their daily lives. Those who follow do not fear death, as they know that within Yeshua - the one who never sinned - there is eternal life. However, to fear death is to understand that you have sinned and need to repent. Death doesn’t go after the innocent who follow Yeshua and His Father’s commandments (Exodus 12:12 - 13).

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What the Bible doesn't Say

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar. (Proverbs 30:5 - 6)

What does the Bible not say? The best way to present the article and the theme in itself is to bring everyone back to the eighties. In a time where people’s hair was too voluminous for comprehension, a small village in Bomont, Oklahoma, is gripped with the inability to dance. The reason why is because the preacher has deemed it to be sinful. If you don’t recognize it, it’s the setting for the 1984 movie Footloose. However, people adding to the Bible with their own beliefs is something that has been a reality for as long as the Bible has existed. 

Why does something like this? Human error is the absolute answer. From that, there are differing  branches that can be tapped into. Claiming that one's word is the Word of God is an easy way to claim power in any situation, as the reverence to YHWH is there. Another reasoning could be mistranslation and misinterpretation of biblical text while transcribing it into a specific language. There are so many reasons as to why things that should've never been in the Bible or become common sayings attributed to the Father are said. 

However, we must be clear that the Bible talks about it, and the punishments that come from it. 

To begin, Revelations 22:18 - 19 says:

“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.” 

- Revelations 22:18 - 19

We are to take note that the book of Deuteronomy says “You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you” (Deuteronomy 4:2) and “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.” (Deuteronomy 12:32). The Bible is clear on the punishment: you will be rebuked by the Father and called a liar (Proverbs 30:5-6).

There are countless accounts of things that people tend to consider being true but aren’t. There is no mention of angels having wings or halos. The fruit in the garden probably wasn’t an apple. Advent and Lent? Human inventions. "Cleanliness is next to godliness" is not a verse in the Bible. Those are all examples of false doctrines: things that have been added by humans that can eventually lead us to our destruction. These are things that have, knowingly or not, been brought about to distract us and lead us away from the truth of the Father (Matthew 24:24).

In conclusion, there is a certain string of reality in the 1984 classic Footloose. What one can take from a viewing of the movie is the overall effect of false doctrines and false teachers on an unsuspecting flock of believers. With the arrival of Christ soon to take His church, we must all be wary of false teachers and cling onto the truth that is Yeshua out of love, but also out of fear of what could happen if we are led astray. 

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The Father

And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. (Mathew 23:9)

Praying is one of the many simple things that the Lord has allowed us to do in order for us to have a true and solid relationship with YHWH. It’s in those moments of intimacy that we get to grow spiritually and commune with the Holy One of Israel. While many take the time to call Him “Lord”, “Savior” or any other epithet / title, it is important to know that He wants us to call Him “Father” when we pray to Him. 

Four of our previous articles have set the precedent for this one: the I Have Called You By Your Name series and Spiritual Paternity. 

The proof of this comes from one of the most famous bible verses of all-time, Matthew 6:19 - 13, which reads: 

“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, as we also have forgiven those who sinned against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one

- Matthew 6:9 - 13

For those who require context, it is the prayer that Yeshua gave us: Our Father. He says explicitly that this is how we should pray. It resonates with something else that Yeshua says later on in the book of Matthew, when He says that we are to  call no other human on earth father, for ours is in heaven (Matthew 23:9).

But why? 

The positive reasoning for this is because the word of God is filled with an extensive amount of verses that account for YHWH being the Father, which include 1 Corinthians 8:6, Malachi 2:10 and Isaiah 63:3 to name but a few. As well, in that responsibility, the Father does everything and more than an earthly father could ever do, which includes providing for us (1 Timothy 5:8), a teacher (Proverbs 22:6), and forgives us for our wrongdoing when we acknowledge we’ve done wrong (Luke 15:20 - 24). No human should ever take that from YHWH, nevertheless you give another person that power and authority over you. 

The negative reasoning is the fact that we are fallible. In fact, there are so many people  who haven’t been delivered from the idols of their hearts (Ezekiel 14:3, 1 - 8). Therefore, when you speak from your lips and pray, you must be specific to whom you are talking to, as the gods of your heart can open their ears when you pray to “god”. Say the name of the Father and call Him Father so that it is clear to whom you are praying to. Do not be ambiguous with your prayers. 

With that reality, you are to know to whom you are praying to and talking about: The Father, who created the heavens and earth. YHWH created you and loves His children and those who obey Him (John 14:21). He loves you so much, that He gives His children an opportunity to reach salvation and to call Him father, there is no love in the world that is comparable to that.

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Universal God?

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

New age beliefs have seemingly permeated the church. They enter through false interpretations of the Word and teachings that are not sound. The Bible says that these times will come, when there will be people who will say what they want to say and no longer follow sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:3 - 4). Consequently, it is important for believers who are in sound doctrine to follow what’s going on around them and to be open to correct everyone with grace, gently instructing them (2 Timothy 2:23 - 26). 

One of the many things that has become popular is what some would call universalism. 

This is a very modern concept, actually originating from around the XVIIIth century. There are two branches to universalism, both of which are important to understand. The first one is the one that says that everyone is going to heaven. These are based on readings that include Acts 3:21 and Colossians 1:20. Humanity and the world will be brought back to the original state of purity like in the book of Genesis (Romans 5:18, Hebrews 2:9) so that all can have a relationship with God that allows them to go to Heaven (1 Corinthians 15:24–28).

The second type of universalism that will be discussed is the one that says that religions lead to the same conclusion of god. Whether one be Muslim, Buddhist, or Hindu, you are all praising an preaching the same divinity. There are no bible verses that support this; in lieu, people have used other preachers and celebrities that believe it as their proof, a sign of Plato's pathos argument. 

If someone comes to you with any one of the two universalist topics, you must know that they are false doctrines that must be broken down gently as to not deter the person listening.

The answer to both false doctrines is singular: Yeshua. To believe that everyone is going to Heaven is to deny the existence of hell and eternal damnation for your sins. Yet, Yeshua speaks on the concept multiple times in the gospel (Matthew 10:28, Matthew 25:41). The road to get to Heaven and Hell are very different, the first has narrow roads and the other one - the one headed to destruction - is wide (Matthew 7:13 - 14). Why? For Yeshua is the way and the truth, the only way to the Father (John 14:6). That applies knowing that Yeshua is the living Word (Revelations 19:13, John 1).

In conclusion, universal doctrine is not right nor sound. This reality needs t be spoken, for culture is not supposed to determine the things of God (Romans 12:2), but the other way around. 

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The Body is a Temple

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; (1 Corinthians 6:19)

There are certain idioms that people are used to saying, without acknowledging the depth of their words or where it came from. Within the church, one of the most famous ones is “my body is a temple”. It’s used by people and preachers everywhere, to promote exercise and good physical health. It’s to be said that many stay at that level, as it is a simple principle. It’s one of the few times in the Bible that the bible uses the spiritual to explain the physical, and not the other way around. 

However, believers always need to go further in their faith and in the word of God than idioms. 

To preface, understanding the writers and the readers is primordial. Common knowledge is that Paul wrote the letters to the Corinthians. It is well known that Paul was a Pharisee who understood the law (Philippians 3:5, Acts 23:6). He was speaking to the church of Corinth, which was in Greece. This was an early church, who would still go to Jerusalem for the Feasts of the Lord (Acts 18:21). A near two week long journey by foot, this was a group of people who understood the decorum of the Temple. Therefore, they knew exactly what Paul meant when he said that the body was a temple of the Holy Spirit. 

To understand what they understood, one must return to the book of Leviticus and to the Law. These early believers lived by the law and by grace, knowing that there was a balance given by the death and resurrection of Yeshua (Matthew 5:17, Romans 7:7). The reality of the situation is that if the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, it means that the body must therefore also be holy (Romans 12:1). As members of the body of Christ, pure in holy and all things, they could not allow themselves to be unholy; we must be similar in our own walk 

This means that they understood the purity laws, which can all be found in the books of the Torah - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy and Numbers. They did not eat pork as it was an unholy animal not meant to be eaten (Leviticus 11), nor touch a dead body as it would make them unclean (Numbers 19:11). Those are only some of the things that they would’ve done in addition to keeping their bodies in good standing. And if they were unable to keep it in good standing, they purified it and cleansed it within the law and asked for grace and forgiveness. King Hezekiah, in the cleansing of the temple shows us this in 2 Chronicles 29:16:

The priests went into the inner part of the house of the lord to cleanse it, and they brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the Lord into the court of the house of the Lord. 

- 2 Corinthians 29:16

Even though the Temple was destroyed, what Paul says remains true: the body is a temple. To know how to act within this temple - with our own bodies - we must know the laws. Therefore, the laws cannot have been abolished. We are meant to be a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession (1 Peter 2:9); a reality that cannot be met with impure and unsound bodies. The body is a temple that we must take care of by listening to the instructions of its creator. 

THANK YOU FOR READING BIBLE 101! MAY OUR LORD YESHUA BLESS YOU! FEEL FREE TO LIKE THE ARTICLE, SHARE IT ON SOCIAL NETWORKING WEBSITES, SEND IT TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY SO THEY CAN ALSO RECEIVE THIS BLESSING!