In Genesis chapter 1, when 'man' is mentioned, it actually refers to 'mankind' as a whole -- both male and female. The Hebrew word for mankind here is 'Adam'. Throughout Genesis 1, God is referred to as Elohim.
In Genesis chapter 2, God introduces Himself as YHVH Elohim, or 'Lord God' in the English translation of the Bible. However in chapter 2, it refers to Adam with a definite article and conveys the sense of 'the man'; a single man, not mankind.
It has suddenly become a personal interaction. It is within that context that God reveals the nail and the hand (YHVH -- Behold the Nail Behold the Hand). In that first recorded interaction between the Creator and His man, when He breathes His breath into the man, He is YHVH. It is as if the entire context of God's relationship with man is based on the cross.
The amazing thing here is that man had not yet even sinned yet. But God lives outside of time does He not? It is so difficult for us who live within the confines of time of grasp this. Past, present and future are all before Him who holds time in His hands.
The ramifications here are astounding. Could it be that He made mankind even when he knew we would let Him down? And consider that now Jesus who sits on the highest place of all creation is fully God, but also fully man. He is known as the second Adam.
What an amazing value YHVH has placed on mankind. What an amazing love.
For addtional reading, go to http://www.bibleinterp.com/articles/hess357903.shtml
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Meditations on the Passover Lamb
Last week I felt the Lord whisper in my heart that I ought to start meditating on the Passover Lamb. He reminded me that as the Children of Israel ATE the roasted lamb, the Angel of Death passed over them.
He then impressed on my heart that eating or chewing the meat of the roasted lamb is symbolic of meditation.
The beautiful truth here is that when we meditate on our Passover Lamb, Jesus, we will experience deliverance from all forms of death in our daily lives. This includes deliverance from injustice, from sickness, from disease, from poverty, and everything else Jesus died on the cross to deliver us from!
The very next day I was led to study on the name of God, YHVH once more. Yud Hei Vav Hei -- Behold the Nail, Behold the Hand. I soon realized that God's name actually tells us to do the same thing as I was reminded to do the previous day: meditate on Jesus on the cross! As is the case with the Holy Spirit's moving on my heart, I was led to one website after another about that wonderful name YHVH.
This is what God spoke to me through the websites.
Those of us who have been in church for sometime are very familiar with the names of God in the old testament, names like Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Rapha, Jehovah Tsidkenu, etc. But you know what? Jehovah isn't the original Hebrew rendering of the name, YHVH is!
So if you begin to study all the compound names of God, you are actually meditating on the benefits our Passover Lamb purchased for us. For example, Jehovah Rapha in the original hebrew rendering is YHVH Ropheka. This means that when we Behold the Nail and Behold the Hand (looking at Jesus on the cross), we will experience our Rapha or our healing!!!!
Here is a list of God's names that I am meditating on now:
YHVH Elohim
YHVH is God (Gen 2:4)
Elohim is a generic term for God. But when God is mentioned in the context of making man, He reveals His name YHVH! That was before
Adam had even sinned!
YHVH Avinu
YHVH our Father (Is 64:8)
YHVH is our father who sent His Son to earth to die for our sins so that He could have many many more sons and daughters.
YHVH El Elyon
YHVH Most High God (Gen 14:22, Ps 7:17, 47:2)
When you meditate on the Hand and the nail, you will experience the authority of the believer who trusts in the name of Jesus.
YHVH Elohei Yisrael
YHVH God of Israel (Isa 17:6)
God wants Israel to be saved.
YHVH Yir'eh
YHVH who sees (Gen 22:14)
As you look to the Hand and the Nail, know that the one who sent His Son to die on the cross, who became poor that we might become rich,
sees our need and sees the provision of His Son on the cross and declares that your needs have been met! Take it today!
YHVH Mekaddishkhem
YHVH your Sanctifier (Ex 31:13)
As you look at the Hand and the Nail, you will be set apart from sickness, poverty and all forms of the enemy's attacks!
YHVH Nissi
YHVH my miracle, or YHVH my banner (Ex. 17:15)
Experience the miraculous with Jesus as you behold the Hand and the nail. The manifested miracle will be a sign like a
banner to all that God is good!
Here are some background notes on the etymology of YHVH NIssi that you may find interesting:
Extract from Strongs:
From Yhovah and nec with the prononimal suffix; Jehovah (is) my banner; Jehovah-Nissi, a symbolical name of an altar in the Desert -- Jehovah-nissi.
From nacac; a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a token -- banner, pole, sail, (en-)sign, standard.
Extract from http://www.torah.org/learning/yomtov/chanukah/vol6no10.html
The Meaning of Miracles By Rabbi Yehudah Prero
Miracles. That is what the holiday of Chanukah is all about. The triumph of the weak over the strong. One day's worth of oil lasting for eight days. Miracles are events out of the normal course of everyday life. The B'nai Yisaschar's explanation of the nature of miracles illuminates the uniqueness of our holiday celebration.
The Hebrew word for miracles is "Nes." The B'nai Yisaschar defines a "nes" as an action, from G-d, that is supernatural. The word "nes" also means the sail of a boat. The sail of a boat towers over the boat from above. The sail enables the boat to
move along, to travel in a path. A miracle is an outward display of G-d's divine providence. G-d's providence directs the movement of our lives, and keeps us on the paths we have chosen. When one looks up at the billowing sail of a boat, one can see that there is a force controlling which way the boat is traveling. When a person experiences a miracle, it becomes clear that there is a force controlling the
direction of his life. The choice of the word "nes" to encapsulate the meaning behind a supernatural occurrence should not be lost on us. The word "nes" is a short one. It is composed of two letters: "nun" and "samech." The Talmud (Berachos 4b) writes : Rav Yochanan says: Why is there no "nun" in Ashrei (Psalm 145, which is
arranged alphabetically, except that the verse beginning with the letter "nun" is missing)? Because the fall of Israel's enemies (euphemistic for Israel) begins with it, for it is written (Amos 5:2): Fallen (which in Hebrew begins with "nun") is the virgin of Israel, she shall rise no more. . . .Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak says: Even so, David refers to it by divine inspiration and promises them an uplifting, for it is written (Psalms 145:14): Hashem supports (which in Hebrew, begins with "samech") all the fallen ones.
The letter "nun," as the Talmud states, represents downfall, suffering, and misfortune. The letter "samech," which in the alphabet, and in the word "nes," follows "nun," represents uplifting, salvation, and redemption. A miracle, a "nes," is the combination
of these two elements: we are faced with trials and tribulations, and our situation is perilous. Yet, through divine providence, a supernatural occurrence rescues us and provides us with salvation. The word "nes" is a reminder of the ups and downs in life and the role that G-d has in our lives.
Chanukah, as the prayer Al HaNissim recites, celebrates the delivery of the strong into the hands of the weak, the many into the hands of the few, . . the wicked into the hands of the righteous. This victory sent a message that resonates until this day: our victories and successes in life, while brought to fruition through our efforts, are truly a result of divine providence. When the odds are against us, we can still prevail.
When we have reached a point from where we believe we can go no lower, when our situation is dire, we should not despair. Salvation can come. A one-day supply of
oil can last for eight days. Small bands of ordinary people can defeat trained warriors in battle. Miracles can happen. It is up to us to recognize them and appreciate them. Merely reflecting on the meaning of the word for miracle can enhance that appreciation.
YHVH Osenu
YHVH our Maker (Ps. 95:6)
We are created by the one who relates to us through the finished work!
YHVH Ysidkenu
YHVH our righteouness (Jer 23:6, 33:16)
As you behold the Nail and the Hand, you will realize that all your sins ahve been paid for and you have been made righteous apart from works.
YHVH Tseva'ot
YHVH of armies (or hosts) Tsava means army (Ps 24:10)
The one who died on the cross for you will actively defend you.
YHVH Ro'i
YHVH my Shepherd (Ps 23:1, Ez 34:2)
Behold the Nail Behold the Hand is your shepherd. You shall not lack anything.
YHVH Roph'ekha
YHVH who heals you; YHVH your healer (Ex 15:26)
REcieve your healing as you look at the Hand and the Nail!
YHVH Shalom
YHVH of Peace (judges 6:24)
Experience shalom when you look at the Hand and the Nail. Shalom means more than a flimsy 'peaceful feeling'. In hebrew it means
a removal from adversity and a planting in an enviroment where you can prosper!
YHVH Tsur v'goali
YHVH my Rock and my Redeememer (Ps 19:14[5h])
YHVH Sal'i
YHVH my Rock (Hiding Place, as in the crag of a cliff) (Ps 18:2)
In that time of trouble, there is ONe you can run to and find help and safety -- Behold the Hand and the Nail!
Malakh YHVH
Angel of YHVH. This mysterious Angel was treated as YHVH Himself,
execrcising divine perogatives and receiving worship (Gen 16:7,
9, 11; Exodus 3:2-6; Judges 13:21-22). This was the pre-incarnate manifestation of Jesus who would later take on human form to be the manifestation of God's message of salvation to mankind!
Note: The Aramaic Targum of Onkelos (Gen 16:13) identifies the Angel of the Lord with the Shekinah, the concrete manifestation of the presence of God
He then impressed on my heart that eating or chewing the meat of the roasted lamb is symbolic of meditation.
The beautiful truth here is that when we meditate on our Passover Lamb, Jesus, we will experience deliverance from all forms of death in our daily lives. This includes deliverance from injustice, from sickness, from disease, from poverty, and everything else Jesus died on the cross to deliver us from!
The very next day I was led to study on the name of God, YHVH once more. Yud Hei Vav Hei -- Behold the Nail, Behold the Hand. I soon realized that God's name actually tells us to do the same thing as I was reminded to do the previous day: meditate on Jesus on the cross! As is the case with the Holy Spirit's moving on my heart, I was led to one website after another about that wonderful name YHVH.
This is what God spoke to me through the websites.
Those of us who have been in church for sometime are very familiar with the names of God in the old testament, names like Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Rapha, Jehovah Tsidkenu, etc. But you know what? Jehovah isn't the original Hebrew rendering of the name, YHVH is!
So if you begin to study all the compound names of God, you are actually meditating on the benefits our Passover Lamb purchased for us. For example, Jehovah Rapha in the original hebrew rendering is YHVH Ropheka. This means that when we Behold the Nail and Behold the Hand (looking at Jesus on the cross), we will experience our Rapha or our healing!!!!
Here is a list of God's names that I am meditating on now:
YHVH Elohim
YHVH is God (Gen 2:4)
Elohim is a generic term for God. But when God is mentioned in the context of making man, He reveals His name YHVH! That was before
Adam had even sinned!
YHVH Avinu
YHVH our Father (Is 64:8)
YHVH is our father who sent His Son to earth to die for our sins so that He could have many many more sons and daughters.
YHVH El Elyon
YHVH Most High God (Gen 14:22, Ps 7:17, 47:2)
When you meditate on the Hand and the nail, you will experience the authority of the believer who trusts in the name of Jesus.
YHVH Elohei Yisrael
YHVH God of Israel (Isa 17:6)
God wants Israel to be saved.
YHVH Yir'eh
YHVH who sees (Gen 22:14)
As you look to the Hand and the Nail, know that the one who sent His Son to die on the cross, who became poor that we might become rich,
sees our need and sees the provision of His Son on the cross and declares that your needs have been met! Take it today!
YHVH Mekaddishkhem
YHVH your Sanctifier (Ex 31:13)
As you look at the Hand and the Nail, you will be set apart from sickness, poverty and all forms of the enemy's attacks!
YHVH Nissi
YHVH my miracle, or YHVH my banner (Ex. 17:15)
Experience the miraculous with Jesus as you behold the Hand and the nail. The manifested miracle will be a sign like a
banner to all that God is good!
Here are some background notes on the etymology of YHVH NIssi that you may find interesting:
Extract from Strongs:
From Yhovah and nec with the prononimal suffix; Jehovah (is) my banner; Jehovah-Nissi, a symbolical name of an altar in the Desert -- Jehovah-nissi.
From nacac; a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a token -- banner, pole, sail, (en-)sign, standard.
Extract from http://www.torah.org/learning/yomtov/chanukah/vol6no10.html
The Meaning of Miracles By Rabbi Yehudah Prero
Miracles. That is what the holiday of Chanukah is all about. The triumph of the weak over the strong. One day's worth of oil lasting for eight days. Miracles are events out of the normal course of everyday life. The B'nai Yisaschar's explanation of the nature of miracles illuminates the uniqueness of our holiday celebration.
The Hebrew word for miracles is "Nes." The B'nai Yisaschar defines a "nes" as an action, from G-d, that is supernatural. The word "nes" also means the sail of a boat. The sail of a boat towers over the boat from above. The sail enables the boat to
move along, to travel in a path. A miracle is an outward display of G-d's divine providence. G-d's providence directs the movement of our lives, and keeps us on the paths we have chosen. When one looks up at the billowing sail of a boat, one can see that there is a force controlling which way the boat is traveling. When a person experiences a miracle, it becomes clear that there is a force controlling the
direction of his life. The choice of the word "nes" to encapsulate the meaning behind a supernatural occurrence should not be lost on us. The word "nes" is a short one. It is composed of two letters: "nun" and "samech." The Talmud (Berachos 4b) writes : Rav Yochanan says: Why is there no "nun" in Ashrei (Psalm 145, which is
arranged alphabetically, except that the verse beginning with the letter "nun" is missing)? Because the fall of Israel's enemies (euphemistic for Israel) begins with it, for it is written (Amos 5:2): Fallen (which in Hebrew begins with "nun") is the virgin of Israel, she shall rise no more. . . .Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak says: Even so, David refers to it by divine inspiration and promises them an uplifting, for it is written (Psalms 145:14): Hashem supports (which in Hebrew, begins with "samech") all the fallen ones.
The letter "nun," as the Talmud states, represents downfall, suffering, and misfortune. The letter "samech," which in the alphabet, and in the word "nes," follows "nun," represents uplifting, salvation, and redemption. A miracle, a "nes," is the combination
of these two elements: we are faced with trials and tribulations, and our situation is perilous. Yet, through divine providence, a supernatural occurrence rescues us and provides us with salvation. The word "nes" is a reminder of the ups and downs in life and the role that G-d has in our lives.
Chanukah, as the prayer Al HaNissim recites, celebrates the delivery of the strong into the hands of the weak, the many into the hands of the few, . . the wicked into the hands of the righteous. This victory sent a message that resonates until this day: our victories and successes in life, while brought to fruition through our efforts, are truly a result of divine providence. When the odds are against us, we can still prevail.
When we have reached a point from where we believe we can go no lower, when our situation is dire, we should not despair. Salvation can come. A one-day supply of
oil can last for eight days. Small bands of ordinary people can defeat trained warriors in battle. Miracles can happen. It is up to us to recognize them and appreciate them. Merely reflecting on the meaning of the word for miracle can enhance that appreciation.
YHVH Osenu
YHVH our Maker (Ps. 95:6)
We are created by the one who relates to us through the finished work!
YHVH Ysidkenu
YHVH our righteouness (Jer 23:6, 33:16)
As you behold the Nail and the Hand, you will realize that all your sins ahve been paid for and you have been made righteous apart from works.
YHVH Tseva'ot
YHVH of armies (or hosts) Tsava means army (Ps 24:10)
The one who died on the cross for you will actively defend you.
YHVH Ro'i
YHVH my Shepherd (Ps 23:1, Ez 34:2)
Behold the Nail Behold the Hand is your shepherd. You shall not lack anything.
YHVH Roph'ekha
YHVH who heals you; YHVH your healer (Ex 15:26)
REcieve your healing as you look at the Hand and the Nail!
YHVH Shalom
YHVH of Peace (judges 6:24)
Experience shalom when you look at the Hand and the Nail. Shalom means more than a flimsy 'peaceful feeling'. In hebrew it means
a removal from adversity and a planting in an enviroment where you can prosper!
YHVH Tsur v'goali
YHVH my Rock and my Redeememer (Ps 19:14[5h])
YHVH Sal'i
YHVH my Rock (Hiding Place, as in the crag of a cliff) (Ps 18:2)
In that time of trouble, there is ONe you can run to and find help and safety -- Behold the Hand and the Nail!
Malakh YHVH
Angel of YHVH. This mysterious Angel was treated as YHVH Himself,
execrcising divine perogatives and receiving worship (Gen 16:7,
9, 11; Exodus 3:2-6; Judges 13:21-22). This was the pre-incarnate manifestation of Jesus who would later take on human form to be the manifestation of God's message of salvation to mankind!
Note: The Aramaic Targum of Onkelos (Gen 16:13) identifies the Angel of the Lord with the Shekinah, the concrete manifestation of the presence of God
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)