Jewish Population of the World, 2005

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Click on a country, and you will get a history of Jews of that country.

The Jewish Population Of The World

(2005)

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These links will take you to the beautifully constructed and excellently contented Jewish Virtual Library web site that is a Division of the American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise.

A more current set of tables can be found at the following Jewish Virtual Library link: Jewish Population of the World, 2006

Jewish Population By Region

Top 50 Countries by Population

Country	Population (2005E)	% Jewish	Estimated Jews
Afghanistan	29 928 987	0.000003307	1
Algeria	32,531,853	0.0003%	100
Argentina	39,537,943	1%	395,379
Armenia	2,982,904	0.025%	750
Australia	20,090,437	0.45%	90,406
Austria	8,184,691	0.1%	8,184
Azerbaijan	7,911,974	0.1%	7,911
Belarus	10,300,483	0.7%	72,103
Belgium	10,364,388	0.5%	51,821
Bolivia	8,857,870	0.006%	500
Bosnia and Herzegovina	4,025,476	0.025%	1,006
Botswana	1,640,115	0.006%	100
Brazil	186,112,794	0.051%	95,125
Bulgaria	7,450,349	0.031%	2,300
Canada	32,805,041	1.2%	393,660
Chile	15,980,912	0.131%	20,900
China	1,306,313,812	0.00008%	1,000
Colombia	42,954,279	0.008%	3,436
Congo (Kinshasa)	60,085,004	0.0002%	120
Costa Rica	4,016,173	0.06%	2,409
Croatia	4,495,904	0.04%	1,798
Cuba	11,346,670	0.013%	1,500
Czech Republic	10,241,138	0.03%	3,072
Denmark	5,432,335	0.13%	7,062
Dominican Republic	8,950,034	0.001%	100
Ecuador	13,363,593	0.007%	935
Egypt	77,505,756	0.0001%	100
El Salvador	6,704,932	0.001%	100
Estonia	1,332,893	0.136%	1,818
Ethiopia	73,053,286	0.027%	20,000
Finland	5,223,442	0.021%	1,110
France	60,656,178	1%	606,561
Georgia	4,677,401	0.17%	7,951
Germany	82,431,390	0.13%	107,160
Greece	10,668,354	0.05%	5,334
Guatemala	14,655,189	0.008%	1,172
Hungary	10,006,835	0.6%	60,041
India	1,080,264,388	0.0005%	5,401
Iran	68,017,860	0.03%	20,405
Iraq	26,074,906	0.0004%	100
Ireland	4,015,676	0.03%	1,204
Israel	6,276,883	80%	5,021,506
Italy	58,103,033	0.052%	30,213
Jamaica	2,731,832	0.011%	300
Japan	127,417,244	0.0008%	1,002
Kazakhstan	15,185,844	0.027%	4,100
Kenya	33,829,590	0.001%	400
Korea, South	48,422,644	0.0002%	100
Kyrgyzstan	5,146,281	0.018%	926
Latvia	2,290,237	0.397%	9,092
Lebanon	3,826,018	0.003%	100
Lithuania	3,596,617	0.1%	3,596
Luxembourg	468,571	0.14%	655
Macedonia	2,045,262	0.005%	100
Mexico	106,202,903	0.05%	53,101
Moldova	4,455,421	0.7%	31,187
Morocco	32,725,847	0.016%	5,236
Namibia	2,030,692	0.006%	115
The Netherlands	16,407,491	0.2%	32,814
New Zealand	4,035,461	0.135%	5,447
Nigeria	128,771,988	0.00008%	100
Norway	4,593,041	0.027%	1,240
Panama	3,039,150	0.33%	10,029
Paraguay	6,347,884	0.016%	1,015
Peru	27,925,628	0.01%	2,792
Philippines	87,857,473	0.0001%	100
Poland	38,635,144	0.065%	24,999
Portugal	10,566,212	0.007%	739
Puerto Rico	3,916,632	0.038%	1,488
Romania	22,329,977	0.027%	6,029
Russia	143,420,309	0.5%	717,101
Serbia and Montenegro	10,829,175	0.016%	1,732
Singapore	4,425,720	0.007%	300
Slovakia	5,431,363	0.056%	3,041
Slovenia	2,011,070	0.005%	100
South Africa	44,344,136	0.2%	88,688
Spain	40,341,462	0.12%	48,409
Suriname	438,144	0.046%	200
Sweden	9,001,774	0.2%	18,003
Switzerland	7,489,370	0.2%	14,978
Syria	18,448,752	0.0005%	100
Tajikistan	7,163,506	0.001%	100
Thailand	65,444,371	0.0003%	199
Trinidad and Tobago	1,088,644	0.1%	1,088
Tunisia	10,074,951	0.018%	1,813
Turkey	69,660,559	0.025%	17,415
Turkmenistan	4,952,081	0.01%	495
Ukraine	47,425,336	0.3%	142,276
United Kingdom	60,441,457	0.5%	302,207
United States	295,734,134	2%	5,914,682
Uruguay	3,415,920	0.9%	30,743
Uzbekistan	26,851,195	0.065%	17,453
Venezuela	25,375,281	0.1%	25,375
Yemen	20,727,063	0.001%	200
Zimbabwe	12,746,990	0.006%	764
Total Population	6,430,856,221	0.227%	14,596,017

March 3, 2009August 22, 2016

Perfection

Regarding Perfection

Regarding

Perfection

Biblical Usage of the Word perfect as Explored in the Hebrew

Introduction

Several words are translated perfect by Old Testament translators, but only the the Hebrew root Tamam has the ‘flavour’ of perfect. It can mean perfect or finished, the choice being easily distinguished by context.

When , TOMOM Means Finished, Ended

Genesis 47:18 how that our money is finished…

Jeremiah 6:29 the lead is finished-offby the fire…

Lamentations 4:22 Thine iniquity is finished, Daughter of Zion…

When , TOMOM Means Perfect

Genesis 25:27 And Jacob was a perfect man, dwelling in tents.

Job 1:1 … and that man was perfectand upright, and one that feared God and avoided evil. (See also 1:8, 2:3)

Psalm 37:37 Mark the perfect, and behold the upright: for the afterward of the man is peace!

Psalm 64:4 …that they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not…

Proverb 29:10 The bloodthirsty hate the perfect: but the righteous-ones seek his soul.

Song of Solomon 5:2 I sleep, but my heart waketh: the voice of my beloved that knocketh: “Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect-one…”

Psalm 25:21 perfection and uprightness will preserve me; for I wait on thee.

Completion or maturity even when combined with uprightness will not preserve anyone. Translators often rendered, Tom as upright. They were unable to do that in Psalm 25:21 because the word normally translated upright is present. Two Hebrew words do not have the same flavour or meaning. Yehovah designed Hebrew using few uniquely and specifically defined words.

Proverb 2:7 …a Shield to the walkers of perfection…

Proverb 13:6 Righteousness keepeth the perfect in the way…

1 Kings 9:4 And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in the perfection of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee; wilt keep my statutes and my judgments, then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, “There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.”

This text demonstrates that perfection is

(1) of the heart (mind). It is not of the physical body, nor all actions.

(2) of the straight walk. Perfection is combined with uprightness (straightness in God’s eyes).

(3) of obedience. It results from obedience.

(4) of the walk, living in a manner pleasing to God and His teaching. This is not difficult for the Saint who finds Yehovah’s Law a delight.

Psalm 101:2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way.

Psalm 26:1 Judge me, Yehovah, for I have walked in my perfection; I have trusted indeed in Yehovah. I shall not slide. Examine me, Yehovah, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. For thy Grace is before mine eyes; and I have walked in thy Truth. I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. I have hated the congregation of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked. I will wash mine hands in innocency; so will I compass thine altar, Yehovah. (verse 11) But as for me, I will walk in my perfection; redeem me, and be merciful unto me. My foot standeth in an even place; in the congregations will I bless Yehovah.

Therefore being perfect is

(1) trusting in Yehovah.

(2) walking in perfection. One must consistently do right to walk in perfection. The Spirit of Yehovah supplies the power, guiding into all truth.

(3) receiving grace. Grace was before his eyes. He recalled the zeal of Yehovah toward him (see the definition of grace).

(4) walking in truth. Messiah is the Truth. Walking in His ways is a matter of obedience.

(5) avoiding evil. He didn’t occupy with vain (idolatrous) persons. He hates the evil congregation (that stands against Yehovah and His ways).

(6) not being guilty: to be innocent. The Word of God teaches what makes one guilty.

The speaker in the Psalm can say, “I will not slide.” He is not worried about falling. (Who is the speaker?)

Psalm 7:8 Yehovah shall judge the peoples. Judge me, Yehovah, according to my righteousness, and according to my perfection in me.

If Completion or maturity were in the place of perfection, the text would make no sense. Who would want to be judged according to his completion or maturity in Him?

, TOMEEM Tamim Section

Genesis 6:9 Noah was a righteous man, perfect in his generations; Noah walked with God.

Noah was complete in his generations? He was mature in his generations? These make no sense.

Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety and nine years old, Yehovah appeared to Abram, and said unto him, “I am El Shaddai; walk before me, and be thou perfect.“

Exodus 12:5 Your lamb shall be perfect,a male of the first year.

The above text starts the sacrifices section. People and sacrifices are described using the same word. Integrity, maturity or completeness do not make sense.

Leviticus 22:21 It shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein.

Deuteronomy 18:13 Thou shalt be perfect before Yehovah thy God.

2 Samuel 22:31 God—His way is perfect.

Is God’s way mature? with integrity? complete?

2 Samuel 22:26 With the gracious, Thou wilt show Thyself gracious; with the perfect-one, Thou wilt show Thyself perfect.

2 Samuel 22:33 God is my strength and power: and He maketh my way perfect.

Ezekiel 28:15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

Joshua 24:14 Now therefore, fear Yehovah and serve Him in perfection and in truth. And put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the river, and in Egypt. And serve ye Yehovah.

Proverbs 11:20 the perfect-ones in the way are His desire.

Psalm 19:7 The Law of Yehovah is perfect, converting the soul.

Completion has nothing to do with soul-conversion or restoration.

The Law of Moses contains many types of Messiah. Word-choices are very important in typology.

Greek New Testament

If one ‘New Testament’ reference means perfect in the ‘Old Testament’ sense, and if it refers to a man (and not Messiah), I can link the meaning. The Greek word , Teleios is the perfect word for this task.

Logic argument #1

Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect,even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Another Greek word means to fill up, complete, and is used in Colossians 2:10: Ye are complete in Him Who is the Head. This describes the Saint’s present state, not a future one. Why have two words meaning complete, and none meaning perfect?

Logic argument #2

If the tense of the verb indicates be being made perfect as some propose, the very same tense is used of Yehovah the Father, making the rendering “Be being made perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is being made perfect.” Who would support this theology?

Logic argument #3

If it is commanded, it is possible by Yehovah’s power.

Logic argument #4

Colossians 4:12 …that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

If perfect means complete, this is redundant. Yehovah does not construct the Bible with two different words which mean exactly the same thing.

Logic argument #5

James 1:4 But let patience have the perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing.

Both words are the same form. If the word means complete, entire and complete mean the same thing. Are there now three English words which mean exactly the same thing?

Logic argument #6

If perfect means mature, place mature into the above texts, then read them out loud. See if they make sense to you.

Logic argument #7

If and related forms do not mean perfect, the New Testament does not describe perfection for man or God. All words rendered perfect must be changed for consistency.

If perfect and complete mean the same thing, the perfect Law of liberty becomes the complete Law of liberty. Since perfect in perfect Law of Liberty goes back to the ‘Old Testament’, the meaning of the Hebrew word for perfect is now thrown into dispute. It cannot describe sacrificial animals. A complete animal can be maimed. One error leads to others.

Arguments Against Perfection

Sinless Perfection

“Do you believe in sinless perfection?” No. If anyone is sinless, still alive (not in a coma), and doing right in the eyes of God on a consistent basis, he is perfect. The doctrine of sinless perfection, a doctrine of fools, states that some humans are able to reach a state of ‘Entire Sanctification’ in which they are unable to sin in their mortal bodies. Show me such a person now or in the Bible.

The propensity to sin is always present in this life. Anyone arrogant, prideful and blind enough to think that he cannot sin is no Christian. He has no fear of God (a requirement for Salvation) because he doesn’t need to fear Him. He figures that God and he have a very special relationship in which God is always pleased with him. He doesn’t have to be circumspect. Whatever he does will be good and right. Anyone with this view of himself has a blindness that is beyond that of ordinary unbelievers. I do not believe in sinless perfection.

The Purpose of Salvation

Salvation not only removes past sins, but also supplies the freedom and power to live a righteous life. Righteousness is being in right standing before Yehovah. No one who has resident sin is in right standing before Him. Anyone who sins or who has sinned must quit sinning and have the sin removed. Salvation enables every saved person to do right, having passed from death to life, from slavery to sin and sinning. Only by being made alive can anyone please God. Sin is the problem which brought about the need for Salvation. One major purpose of Salvation is to enable everyone saved to live a life free from sin.

Suppose you fell into a deep well, hurt but not dead. Someone came and heard your cries, and threw you a rope. You were brought out of the well. Was the purpose of bringing you out of the well so that you could fall into it again? Sin is far worse than falling into a well. It kills.

That Horrible Word Perfect

Perfect is one of the most terrifying Biblical words among Christians. Someone may call someone else a perfect idiot or may say that something is perfectly clear, but anyone applying perfect to anyone besides Messiah is making a great theological error (in their view). They say, “We are all sinners saved by grace! Nobody’s perfect.” They avoid the term and replace it with other more achievable terms like mature, complete, having integrity. Why does it bring terror?

Term Usage

A word often has more than one acceptation. Adam can mean an individual human, mankind, and fallen and sinful man. A word’s meaning sometimes depends on context.

Tranlators who pick and choose definitions to fit what they desire to believe are not honest.

Many Scriptures have been weakened by translators who have written paraphrases (opinions) and translations reflecting popular views.

The Fear of God in the Translation and Understanding of a Word’s Meaning

Appropriately rendering Biblical words into another language will elucidate the highest standards and ethics of the Godly walk. A translator must be honest, giving the truest and most consistent meanings. He must be unwilling to diminish the potency of Yehovah’s word. Yehovah has magnified His word above all His Name (Psalm 138:2). Today’s renderings liberalize the Scriptures making them more palatable for religious consumption. Popular doctrines in the most fundamental denominations reflect this trend. The statements ‘nobody’s perfect,’ ‘we are all just sinners saved by grace,’ ‘God loves everybody,’ and ‘God hates the sin but loves the sinner’ are false doctrines considered pillars of Christianity. Bible dictionaries supply weak definitions when referring to sin or righteousness. Many other religions demand higher standards of righteousness and works than most forms of Christianity.

Some Christians will fight for the right to sin. Others diminish the sinfulness of sin and its consequences by their doctrines. They teach that whenever anyone sins, he only needs to ask for forgiveness, and God will always forgive him. They do not teach that Yehovah executed some Believers who disobeyed Him and violated His standard:

1 Kings 13:1 And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of Yehovah unto Bethel. And Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense. ²And he cried against the altar in the word of Yehovah, and said, “Altar! Altar! Thus saith Yehovah, Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name. And upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men’s bones shall be burnt upon thee.” ³And he gave a sign the same day, saying, “This is the sign that Yehovah hath spoken. Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are upon it shall be poured out.” ⁴And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God which had cried against the altar in Bethel, that he put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him! And his hand which he put forth against him dried up so that he could not pull it in again to him. ⁵The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar according to the sign that the man of God had given by the word of Yehovah. ⁶And the king answered and said unto the man of God, “Intreat now the face of Yehovah thy God and pray for me that my hand may be restored me again!” And the man of God besought Yehovah. And the king’s hand was restored him again and became as before. ⁷And the king said unto the man of God, “Come home with me and refresh thyself. And I will give thee a reward.” ⁸And the man of God said unto the king, “If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place. ⁹For so was it charged me by the word of Yehovah, saying, ‘Eat no bread nor drink water nor turn again by the same way that thou camest.'” ¹⁰So he went another way, and returned not by the way that he came to Bethel. ¹¹Now there dwelt an old prophet in Bethel. And his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Bethel—the words which he had spoken unto the king, them they told also to their father. ¹²And their father said unto them, “What way went he?” For his sons had seen what way the man of God who came from Judah went. ¹³And he said unto his sons, “Saddle me the ass.” So they saddled him the ass. And he rode thereon ¹⁴and went after the man of God. And he found him sitting under an oak. And he said unto him, “Art thou the man of God that camest from Judah?” And he said, I am. ¹⁵Then he said unto him, “Come home with me and eat bread.” ¹⁶And he said, “I may not return with thee nor go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water with thee in this place. ¹⁷For it was said to me by the word of Yehovah, ‘Thou shalt eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that thou camest.'” ¹⁸He said unto him, “I am a prophet also as thou art. And an angel spake unto me by the word of Yehovah, saying, ‘Bring him back with thee into thine house that he may eat bread and drink water.'” He lied unto him. ¹⁹So he went back with him and did eat bread in his house and drank water. ²⁰And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of Yehovah came unto the prophet that brought him back. ²¹And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, “Thus saith Yehovah, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of Yehovah and hast not kept the commandment which Yehovah thy God commanded thee, ²²but camest back and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place of the which He did say to thee, Eat no bread and drink no water, thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers!” ²³And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread and after he had drunk, that he saddled for him the ass—for the prophet whom he had brought back. ²⁴And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way and slew him. And his carcase was cast in the way. And the ass stood by it. The lion also stood by the carcase. ²⁵And, behold, men passed by and saw the carcase cast in the way and the lion standing by the carcase. And they came and told [it] in the city where the old prophet dwelt. ²⁶And when the prophet that brought him back from the way heard, he said, “It is the man of God who was disobedient unto the word of Yehovah! Therefore Yehovah hath delivered him unto the lion which hath torn him and slain him according to the word of Yehovah which He spake unto him!” ²⁷And he spake to his sons, saying, “Saddle me the ass.” And they saddled. ²⁸And he went and found his carcase cast in the way, and the ass and the lion standing by the carcase. The lion had not eaten the carcase nor torn the ass. ²⁹And the prophet took up the carcase of the man of God and laid it upon the ass. And he brought it back. And the old prophet came to the city to mourn and to bury him. ³⁰And he laid his carcase in his own grave. And they mourned over him: “Alas, my brother!” ³¹And it came to pass, after he had buried him, that he spake to his sons, saying, “When I am dead, then bury me in the sepulchre in which the man of God is buried. Lay my bones beside his bones. ³²For the saying which he cried by the word of Yehovah against the altar in Bethel and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria shall surely come to pass.”

Acts 5:1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, ²and kept back [part] of the price, his wife also being privy. And they brought a certain part and laid [it] at the apostles’ feet. ³But Peter said, “Ananias! Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back [part] of the price of the land? ⁴While it remained, was it not thine own? And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God!” ⁵And Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and gave up the ghost. And great fear came on all them that heard these things. ⁶And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried [him] out, and buried [him]. ⁷And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. ⁸And Peter answered unto her, “Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much?” And she said, “Indeed, for so much!” ⁹Then Peter said unto her, “How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of them who have buried thy husband are at the door and shall carry thee out!” ¹⁰Then she fell down straightway at his feet and yielded up the ghost. And the young men came in and found her dead. And, carrying [her] forth, they buried [her] by her husband. ¹¹And great fear came upon all the church and upon as many as heard these things.

Translators who demonstrate the fear of God use definitions showing fear. Yehovah is a God of superlatives! Most Scholars don’t fear Yehovah. The majority is never right, and Christianity’s majority holds wrong teachings. Mainline Christianity’s low standards continue to deteriorate.

Basing Doctrine on Experience

A common practice among Christians is to base doctrine (received teachings) on experiences. All religions (with the exception of the literal Biblical faith) began either from someone’s experiences or from a bitter, irreconcilable dispute. Inventors of new religions construct rules and establish articles of faith, setting up requirements for their priests, rabbis, gurus, shamans, cult-leaders or voodoo doctors. Followers must conform if they will be blessed or heard by the newly described gods. Christian denominations are no different. Every denomination and ‘non-denomination’ began when someone became angry with folks in an established religion, then constructed a new one to address flaws and errors in the other. No denomination began by the Spirit of Yehovah.

1 Corinthians 1:12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, “I am of Paul!” and “I am of Apollos!” and “I am of Cephas!” and “I am of Christ!” ¹³Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Corinthians 3:4) For while one saith, “I am of Paul!” and another, “I am of Apollos!” are ye not carnal? ⁵Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

Religious folks confronted by experiences they cannot understand will often try to explain them using Biblical texts. They assume that their experiences correspond to Biblical teachings.

Fear of Failure

“Suppose I sin. Will this forever ruin perfection in my case?” Such questions sound good, but they serve only to dishearten and distract. No one is to be perfect to set a record, but rather to please God, because it is right. Yehovah supplies the power to do right, and is perfectly capable to keep one from falling. ‘What ifs’ are not constructive. “What if I sin tomorrow?” I say, “What if you don’t?” Messiah told unbelieving Israelis,

Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

If He can supply their food, clothing and shelter during the Tribulation, He can supply the power to walk perfectly one day. If He can do this for one day, He can do it for two, for seven, for 365.

“I’m only human” is the excuse of the unregenerate. A believer fears Yehovah and is aware of His power to save. God’s hands are not tied. If your god’s hands can be tied, switch gods.

“No One Can Live and continually Succeed in Not Sinning.”

This denies Romans 6. The Saint must be a sin refuser. Salvation and baptism focus on not sinning.

Sin is a decision, not an accident or a mistake. “What about sins committed in ignorance?” According to the Hebrew text in the Law of Moses, those sins are from imprudence either because of ignorance of the Torah or not being circumspect. Any Jewish person who knew the Torah and was circumspect was easily able to avoid sinning.

If Yehovah the Holy Spirit is impotent to empower one to refrain from sinning or warn of sin before it occurs, He is impotent indeed.

“Anyone Who Believes That He can Live above Sin Will Be Proud.”

Anyone who believes that he lives above sin has a spiritual problem. Anyone who believes that he can live above sin is not automatically demonstrating pride. Anyone who thinks, “I am perfect! I am living above sin!” proves his evil pride. No person having his eyes on himself is living unto God. Anyone who concentrates on the Author and Finisher of faith and who chooses to do right in His eyes will live unto God.

Discussions of the doctrines of perfection generally lead to the challenge, “Are you perfect?” and “Do you expect me to be perfect?” To the first I answer, if I am a murderer, does that mean that the Bible doesn’t teach against murder? To the second I answer, “No. I don’t even expect you to be saved.” If one responded, “God commands me to be perfect, so it is up to Him to supply the power; I will walk in simplicity and obedience with a whole heart toward Him,” I would respond, “This sounds like a Godly person.” Focusing on you and me shows self-centeredness so prevalent in today’s examples of Christianity.

The Problem with the Definition of Sin

Few understand what sin is. Many define sin in ways that would make Jesus a sinner! For example, becoming angry and striking out in anger is considered sin. Since Messiah became angry and struck out at the money-changers, He must have sinned, right? Wrong. He didn’t sin. What He did was righteous. “But I am not Jesus, and neither are you.” According to Scriptures,

Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest Who is passed into the heavens, Yeshua the Son of God, let us hold fast the profession. ¹⁵For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as [we are] without sin.

Messiah came and lived on earth in human form, experiencing temptations in all ways that we do, without sinning. He is our example. He showed what righteousness is. Do we ignore it?

Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not.

The Hebrew literally states,

Psalms 4:4 Shake with anger and sin not

referring to folks during the Tribulation. Messiah shook with anger and didn’t sin. We also may do the same given an appropriate reason for, target of, and expression of the anger.

The Torah will be fulfilled when the Israelis live as examples of righteousness before each other and the Gentiles. Anyone knowing the Torah knows right and wrong, sin and righteousness, good and evil. The rest of the Scriptures reiterate justice found in the Torah. The New Commandment is based upon the Law:

John 15:12 This is my commandment that ye love one another as I have loved you. 13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Leviticus 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am Yehovah.

2 John 1:5 And now, I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning- that we love one another.

1 John 2:7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. ⁸Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in Him and in you. For the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. ⁹He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. ¹⁰He that loveth his brother abideth in the light. And there is no occasion of stumbling in him. ¹¹But he that hateth his brother is in darkness and walketh in darkness. And he knoweth not whither he goeth because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

Messiah personally demonstrated His Love so that we may use His example.

Knowing what is and isn’t sin is not difficult. This part of perfection may be easily accomplished by anyone willing to read the Torah carefully and deliberately. Every example of sin is given in the Torah.

For example, is it wrong to anger at God? David angered at Yehovah:

1 Chronicles 13:9 And they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon. And Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark, for the oxen stumbled. ¹⁰And Yehovah’s nose became hot against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark. And there he died before God. ¹¹And there was heat to David because Yehovah had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called PerezUzza to this day. ¹²And David was afraid of God that day, saying, “How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?” ¹³So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. ¹⁴And the ark of God remained with the family of Obededom in his house three months. And Yehovah blessed the house of Obededom, and all that he had.

Yehovah is a big God. He can take anyone’s anger. He has a different view of anyone sinning, however, because He paid a great price. He killed folks for sinning. Do you sin every day?

A proper and careful reading of the Torah is required to learn what is and isn’t sin, but this is not difficult for anyone who takes the time to think.

“But I still sin! I try not to, but I do!” Your personal experiences do not overthrow the Biblical command Sin not!, but they can prove that you are unsaved. If the Bible commands what you claim you cannot do, who is guilty or impotent, you or God?

Yehovah would be unjust were He to command anyone to do anything that he could not do even with Yehovah’s help. If you cannot stop sinning, and your god cannot help you stop, change gods. Perhaps you are not serious about stopping, or you do not know what sin is.

Can anyone go five minutes without sinning? Suppose you answer, “If he’s asleep.” Can he go five minutes without sinning if he is reading his Bible? Can he go five minutes without sinning if he is eating dinner with the family? Anyone, including a violent criminal, can go five minutes without sinning. Can anyone go ten minutes? Anyone who can go five minutes can go ten. What about thirty minutes? What about one hour? What about three hours? Can anyone go eight hours without sinning? Anyone can easily go a day without sinning. An improper understanding of sin will lead to the wrong answers from these questions.

Glorifying the Devil

If Saints and non-saints cannot go a day without sinning, God doesn’t have the power to keep them from falling. Satan has power to tempt men to sin. Is the Devil more powerful than God? What kind of a faith is this?

“A Perfect Person Would Be Too Different.”

Being with someone who is perfect is just like being with anyone else. Noah was perfect, and all the animals managed to come off the Ark alive! None of them dropped dead because he was perfect.

“This ‘Perfect’ thing is causing problems. It causes arguments and splits people up!”

I have never seen any topic produce more fury. Free choice versus Predestination does not cause as much heat. Yehovah knew this when He wrote the Scriptures, but He used perfect anyway. His descriptions of perfect animals for sacrifice foreshadowing the Messiah are used for a number of Biblical Saints. Discussions on this topic may fuel arguments, but God’s Word is Truth regardless of common unbelief. Many religious folks do not want to have to be perfect.

Bodily Imperfection

Some believe that bodily imperfection alone eliminates anyone from the possibility of perfection. Messiah’s physical body was not perfect; it was mortal.

Isaiah 52:13 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently. He shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. ¹⁴As many were astonished at Thee His visage was so marred more than any man and His form more than the sons of men. ¹⁵So shall He startle many nations. The kings shall shut their mouths at Him. For what had not been told them shall they see, and what they had not heard they shall consider. ¹Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of Yehovah revealed? ²For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant and as a root out of a dry ground. He hath no form nor comeliness. And when we shall see Him, [there is] no beauty that we should desire Him. ³He is despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid as it were [our] faces from Him. He was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Bodily imperfection has nothing to do with Biblical perfection, but being and doing. Consistent Godly behaviour, good works, selflessness and justice will establish one as perfect.

Conclusion

Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Philippians 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Write James with your disagreements by clicking on the following link: Saar Shalom Center.

March 3, 2009August 22, 2016

Free Choice Versus Predestination

FREE CHOICE
VERSUS
PREDESTINATION

Assemblies and Christians will split and war over several issues, including choice. Do humans have free choice in salvation, or does God choose to save some and to damn others? What do the Scriptures declare?

Armenius lived many centuries ago, and seemed to propose that man has absolute choice. Calvin lived a few centuries ago, and seemed to declare that man’s choice was not involved in Salvation. Others have taken various positions, most just letting the pastor tell them what to think. Some say it isn’t important. I say that it is very important to understand the Biblical God, His plan and character.

I will use Scriptures with Scriptures, offering proofs. Screen them carefully. You will be held responsible for what you should know.

The Concept of Choice

If the true issue in ‘choice vs. predestination’ is “Who is responsible?” Choice is always accompanied by responsibility. The chooser is responsible for the choice. Where there is no choice, there is no responsibility.

The Command

Genesis 2:10 And Yehovah Elohim commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

Commands are frequently given in the Scriptures, and always come with consequences. When Yehovah’s commands are kept, the consequences are good, and when they are not kept, the consequences are not good. A command seems to imply choice: to obey or not obey. Not all commands are choices, however. When Yehovah’s prophet called down fire from heaven, the fire had no choice. When Yehovah said, “Light: be!” the light was, and no choice was given. Commands do not automatically imply choices, but always carry consequences.

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Section 1: Choices Individuals Can make

Folks Can Choose What Doesn’t Please Yehovah

Isaiah 65:11 But ye are they that forsake Yehovah, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number. Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.

Folks Can Choose Things That Please Yehovah

Isaiah 56:4 For thus saith Yehovah unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose those [things which] please me, and take hold of my covenant: even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.

Folks Can Turn Others’ Hearts From God To Idols

1 Kings 11:1 But King Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, [and] Hittites, of the nations which Yehovah said unto the children of Israel, “Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon clave unto these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with Yehovah his God… (verse 9) And Yehovah was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from Yehovah God of Israel, Who had appeared unto him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: be he kept not that which Yehovah commanded.

Solomon and the women are responsible for this evil. Did Yehovah ‘predestine’ Solomon to become an idolater, then anger at him for it? Does Yehovah do violence against His own righteousness?

Folks Can Prepare Their Own Hearts To Seek Yehovah

2 Chronicles 12:14 And [Rehoboam] did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek Yehovah.

Whose is responsible to prepare a heart to seek Yehovah? Previous topics showed that

Yehovah must supply the heart in order for anyone to know Spiritual things,
He puts things into the heart, and
He performs heart transplants.

This person is responsible for preparing his own heart. Doesn’t Yehovah prepare the heart?

2 Chronicles 30:18 For a multitude of the people, many of Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “The good Yehovah pardon every one [who] prepareth his heart to seek God, Yehovah God of his fathers, though not according to the purification of the sanctuary.” And Yehovah hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.

Some prepared their own hearts to seek God. Anyone truly preparing to seek Yehovah will succeed.

Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of Yehovah, and to do, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.

The Heart Can Turn Away; One Can Choose Life

Deuteronomy 30:11 For this commandment which I command thee this day: it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, “Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?” Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, “Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?” But the word is extremely near unto thee: in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it! See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil, in that I command thee this day to love Yehovah thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and Yehovah thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. And if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish: ye shall not prolong the days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: that thou mayest love Yehovah thy God, that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which Yehovah sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

This passage presents choices and commands. They often accompany each other.

Some Choose (Or Reject) the Fear of Yehovah

Proverbs 1:28 Then shall they call upon me [feminine Wisdom is talking], but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: for that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of Yehovah: they would none of my counsel; they despised all my reproof.

Folks Sometimes Know That Others Are Chosen By Yehovah

Acts 22:14 And [Ananias, a devout man according to the law,] said, “The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know His will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of His mouth.”

Some Folks Know They Are Chosen By God

2 Samuel 6:21 And David said unto Michal, [It was] before Yehovah, Who chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of Yehovah, over Israel: therefore will I play before Yehovah.

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Section 2: Choices Groups or Locations Can make

The Bible curiously gives personality to locations. A most important location is Mount Zion. Mount Zion speaks in a number of texts, and readers who take the Bible literally can find one text where this is blatant:

Isaiah 49:14 But Zion said, Yehovah hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.

Texts that we have found referring to locations will therefore be classified as such. The reader can consider choice for a human in light of choice for a location, and can conclude in any way desired.

A Location Can Choose the Way of Truth

Psalm 119:30 I have chosen the way of truth.

A Location Can Choose Yehovah’s Precepts

Psalm 119:173 Thine hand shall help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.

A Location Can Incline Its Heart To Continually Perform Yehovah’s Statutes

Psalm 119:112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes for ever [to] the end!

Yehovah was the one who inclined hearts to His testimonies. Who actually inclines the hearts?

A People Can Circumcise the Foreskin of Its Heart

Deuteronomy 10:16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.

Heart circumcision is required for Godliness. An uncircumcised heart devises sin.

Genesis 17:11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.

Genesis 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 hath broken my covenant.

A Location Can Hide the Word in Its Heart

Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Hiding the word in the heart is voluntary, and aids in sin prevention. Who is speaking? Won’t Yehovah Himself put His Spirit within the Israelis, writing the Torah on their heart?

A People Can Set Its Heart and Soul To Seek Yehovah

1 Chronicles 22:19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek Yehovah your God.

Israelis are Commanded To Choose Yehovah or False Gods

Joshua 24:14 “Now therefore fear Yehovah, and serve him in perfection and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the river, and in Egypt; and serve ye Yehovah. And if it seem evil unto you to serve Yehovah, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that are on the other side of the river, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve Yehovah.” And the people answered and said, “God forbid that we should forsake Yehovah, to serve other gods; for Yehovah our God, He [is the one] who brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of slavery, and Who did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and amongst all the people through whom we passed: and Yehovah drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: we will also serve Yehovah; for He is our God.” And Joshua said unto the people, “Ye cannot serve Yehovah: for He is an holy god: He is a jealous god. He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. If ye forsake Yehovah, and serve strange gods, then He will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that He hath done you good.” And the people said unto Joshua, “No: but we will serve Yehovah.” And Joshua said unto the people, “Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you Yehovah, to serve Him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.” “Now therefore put away the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto Yehovah God of Israel.” And the people said unto Joshua, “Yehovah our God we will serve, and His voice will we obey.” (verse 31) And Israel served Yehovah all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of Yehovah, that He had done for Israel.

The Israelis were given a choice with alternatives. Was Joshua the giver of the choice, or did he merely present the alternatives? From whence comes choice? If you think, “Choice comes from God,” then you are admitting that man chooses by Yehovah’s enabling. If you think, “There is no real choice, and all things are pre-determined,” all responsibility is removed since no one truly has the ability to respond, but must follow a predetermined course. Joshua then erroneously commanded them to choose because they couldn’t choose. Can you think of other options outside of these two mentioned?

Israelis Are Responsible To Choose Life/Good/Blessing Or Death/Evil/Cursing

Deuteronomy 30:15,19 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil…. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you: I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.

Yehovah gave the Israelis choice regarding death and life.

Isaiah 7:14,15 Therefore, the Lord Himself shall give to you a sign: behold the pregnant virgin; and she will bear a son, and will call His Name GodWithUs. Butter and honey shall he eat. To know Him, refuse the evil and choose the good!

Choice is being commanded!

The Brethren Must Certify Yehovah’s Choice of Them

2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, Brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour, Messiah Jesus. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know, and be established in the present Truth!

Yehovah knows every person’s calling and election, but the Brethren are responsible to know their group calling and election (the text does not say callings and elections).

2 Peter 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; ⁶And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; ⁷And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. ⁸For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

The Israelis Chose New Gods

Judges 5:8 [The Israelis] chose new gods…

Who gave them that choice? Was it inherent? Is anything inherent?

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Section 3: What Yehovah Sometimes Does

Yehovah Sometimes Bows-Down the Heart

Psalm 107:11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: therefore He bowed down their heart with labour; they fell down, and [there was] none to help. Then they cried unto Yehovah in their trouble: He saved them out of their distresses.

Yehovah depressed the mind of the Israelis. When they shouted to Him for help, He provided.

Yehovah Can ‘Incline’ a Heart To His Testimonies

Psalm 119:36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

When Yehovah inclines one’s heart to anything, He is bending it into that direction. Yehovah will give Israel the disposition to receive and keep what Yehovah has witnessed.

Yehovah Sometimes Directs Hearts Into the Love of God and the Patient Waiting For Messiah

2 Thessalonians 3:5 And Yehovah direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Messiah.

Yehovah Fills and Places Things into Hearts

Exodus 35:30 And Moses said unto the children of Israel, “See, Yehovah hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and He hath filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship… (verse 34) and he hath put in his heart that he may teach: he and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. Them hast He filled with wisdom of heart…” (36:1) Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise-hearted man in whom Yehovah put wisdom and understanding, to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the Holy, according to all that Yehovah had commanded. And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise-hearted man, in whose heart Yehovah had put wisdom: every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it.

Yehovah Forms the Unity of the Heart

Psalm 33:10 Yehovah looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of the Adam. From the place of His habitation, He looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He forms the unity of their heart, Who understands all their doings [Hebrew].

Yehovah will unify the enemies of Israel together to attack Israel, only to be destroyed in the process.

Yehovah Unites Hearts To Fear His Name

Psalm 86:11 Teach me thy way, Yehovah. I will walk in thy Truth. Unite my heart to fear Thy Name!

The Name Yehovah must be feared. Who is speaking in this Psalm? A divided heart is in a double-minded person, causing instability. A united heart has a single purpose and will. If Yehovah unites the mind, His fear and Salvation can then be given.

Yehovah Must Supply the Heart In Order for One to Know [Spiritual things]

Deuteronomy 29:4 [Hebrew] Yet Yehovah hath not given you an heart to know, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.

Compare this with Hosea 4:6:

Hosea 4:6 My People are destroyed for lack of the knowledge, for thou hast rejected [contemned: to loath] knowledge. And I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me.

Yehovah must supply the heart with knowledge, but one may also reject knowledge.

Yehovah Must Supply the Heart to know Him

Jeremiah 24:7a And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am Yehovah.

Yehovah Teaches His Fearers in the Way He Chooses

Psalm 25:12 What man is he that feareth Yehovah? Him shall [Yehovah] teach in the way that he shall choose.

Yehovah chooses the way for His fearers.

Yehovah Sometimes Circumcises a Heart To Love Yehovah, To Live

Deuteronomy 30:6 And Yehovah thy God [speaking to Israel] will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love Yehovah thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy being, that thou mayest live.

This promise is preceded the following: (1) the blessing and the curse will come upon Israel; (2) Israel shall be driven among all nations, and there, shall cause these things to come to mind; (3) Israel will completely obey; (4) Yehovah will return Israel from all the nations to Israel.

Yehovah Sometimes Forms the Thoughts of the Heart, Establishes the Heart, And Gives a Heart of Peace to Keep Yehovah’s Commandments, Testimonies, and Statutes To Fulfill His Will

1 Chronicles 29:18 [Hebrew] Yehovah God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep this forever: to form the thoughts of the heart of Thy People, and establish their heart unto Thee. And to Solomon my son, give a heart of peace to keep Thy commandments, Thy testimonies, and Thy statutes, and to do all: and to build the palace which I have established.

A heart of peace assumes peace with Yehovah. Yehovah will form the thoughts of His People Israel in the later part of the Tribulation and in the Millennium. He establishes hearts and enables anyone to keep His commandments, His testimonies and His statutes.

Yehovah Sometimes Gives a Wise and Understanding Heart

1 Kings 3:12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.

Though Solomon had this heart, that did not guarantee its use. He later did unwisely as if he had little understanding. He broke the Law of Yehovah and multiplied wives to himself. His heart was led from God to his many wives’ idols.

Yehovah Sometimes Gives ‘Largeness of Heart’

1 Kings 4:20 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.

‘Largeness of heart’ is literally wideness of mind (like in the expression ‘mind-expanding drugs’, but Yehovah’s gift doesn’t cause hallucinations and death). Solomon’s wisdom and understanding of nature was broad. He was broad-minded. (A broad-minded person in today’s understanding usually rejects Biblical truth.)

Yehovah Sometimes Puts His Fear into Hearts To Prevent Departing From Him

Jeremiah 32:40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.

Yehovah Strengthens the Heart [singular] of Those Who Wait For Him

Psalm 31:20 Be strong, and He shall strengthen [another word] your heart, all ye that hope in Yehovah.

Yehovah Supplies the heart to Return to Him

Jeremiah 24:7 And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am Yehovah. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

Yehovah gives the heart to know Him The Israelis will return to God with all their heart. Both willingly act.

Yehovah Sometimes Turns the Heart of People To Hate and To Deal Subtilly

Psalm 105:25 [Yehovah] turned their heart (the heart of the Egyptian enemies) to hate His People, to deal subtilly with His servants.

The text does not say why Yehovah did this; only that He did.

Yehovah Sometimes Performs Heart Transplants

1 Samuel 10:9b [Hebrew] And Elohim turned over to him another heart.

It does not say a New heart. This other heart did not cause him to walk Godly. Yehovah rejected him from being king due to a capital-punishment offense.

Ezekiel 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will given them an heart of flesh: that they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

One added ingredient of the New Spirit enables anyone to walk Godly:

Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I WILL call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field: that you shall receive no more reproach of famine among the gentiles. Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that are not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. Not for your sakes do I [this]… (verse 36b) I Yehovah have spoken, and I will do! Thus saith the Lord Yehovah, I will yet [for] this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do [it] for them; I will increase them with men like a flock…

Yehovah states many I wills—yet Israel will inquire of Yehovah to do this.

Ezekiel 18:30 Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord Yehovah. Repent, and turn from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of the dead, saith the Lord Yehovah; wherefore turn and live ye!

They are commanded to make a new heart and spirit for themselves! How? Does repenting, turning, and casting away transgressions enable one to make for himself a new heart?

Ezekiel 18:27 [Hebrew] Again, when the wicked [man] turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive: and he saw, and he repented of all his transgressions that he committed: living, he shall live: he shall not die!

Is this man being his own salvation? Two are involved: Yehovah and the person.

Yehovah Sometimes Reverses the Heart of People

1 Kings 18:37 Hear me, Yehovah, hear me, that this people may know that Thou art Yehovah Elohim, and Thou hast turned their heart backward.

Does this indicate that Yehovah turned the people’s heart to Him or away from Him?

Yehovah Hardens Hearts

Along with softening hearts (removing a stony heart and replacing it with a heart of flesh), Yehovah hardens hearts (and spirits):

Deuteronomy 2:30 But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for Yehovah thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as this day.

Exodus 9:12 And Yehovah hardened the heart of Pharaoh… (9:34b) He sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened.

Yehovah and Pharaoh cooperatively hardened Pharaoh’s heart. Pharaoh intentionally sinned in the face of Yehovah, hardening his own heart. Who is responsible? Yehovah does not prod anyone to sin:

James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, “I am tempted of God!” for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth for death.

Anyone aspiring truth, and willing to pay the price, has a soft heart. Who is responsible for this aspiration or for the deliberation to sin? Yehovah has equipped all with Spiritual equipment. Even individuals outside of normal intelligence ranges can still comprehend Spiritual truth because Yehovah is able to teach anyone.

Yehovah Smites Hearts with Confusion

Deuteronomy 28:28 Yehovah shall smite thee with… astonishment of heart.

Yehovah Sometimes Shuts Hearts To Keep Folks From Understanding

Isaiah 44:18 [The idol-makers] have not known nor understood: for [Yehovah] hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; their hearts that they cannot understand.

Why? If He gave them understanding, they could do much more evil. Yehovah’s gifts can be used in destructive ways in the hands of evildoers.

Yehovah Deceives the Intentionally Deceived

Ezekiel 14:3 Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face [Yehovah is placing the responsibility of the act on them]: should I be inquired of at all by them? Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, “Thus saith the Lord Yehovah, Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet: I Yehovah will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols, that I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.” Therefore say unto the house of Israel, “Thus saith the Lord Yehovah, Repent, and turn from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations. For every one of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to inquire of him concerning me: I Yehovah will answer him by myself: and I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people: and ye shall know that I am Yehovah! And If the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I Yehovah have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel! And they shall bear their iniquity: the iniquity of the prophet shall be even as the iniquity of the inquirer.”

This text refers to a false prophet. A true prophet always prophesies truth. Yehovah is trapping the false prophet. The inquirer set up idols in his heart, and placed a stumblingblock of iniquity (guilt of sin) before his face. He separated himself from Yehovah. Whose fault is it? Yehovah blames the inquirer.

Yehovah’s I will statements show what Yehovah wills and does. No hope is offered to the false prophet, because he blasphemed the Holy Spirit. The inquirer may still repent:

Therefore, say unto the house of Israel, “Thus saith the Lord Yehovah, Repent, and turn from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.”

Yehovah Reads Hearts

1 Samuel 16:7b Man looketh on the outward appearance, but Yehovah looketh on the heart.

2 Kings 6:11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, “Will ye not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?” And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.”

Psalm 44:21b For God knoweth the secrets of the heart.

1 Kings 8:39b For Thou, Thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men.

2 Chronicles 6:30b For Thou [Yehovah] only knowest the hearts of the children of men.

Only Yehovah can read minds.

Yehovah Tests the Heart

1 Chronicles 29:17 I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness.

Trying is testing. Yehovah exposes the mind for the sake of its owner. Yehovah already knows.

Yehovah Sometimes Suspends Choice

Genesis 2:21 And Yehovah Elohim caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man…

Adam had no choice in this matter, but he was very pleased with this operation’s results. Yehovah often caused things to happen to people outside of their willing them. Many would choose to live forever on this earth if they could, but Yehovah will not allow this.

Yehovah Sometimes Does Not Suspend Choice

Genesis 4:8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. And Yehovah said unto Cain, “Where is Abel thy brother?” And he said, “I know not: am I my brother’s keeper?” And he said, “What hast thou done?”

Yehovah was not Cain’s accomplice. He did not help Cain in the murder plot. When Yehovah said, “What hast thou done,” He excluded Himself from participation. Cain admitted his guilt: “Mine iniquity is greater than can be forgiven” (Genesis 4:13, Hebrew).

Yehovah gave Cain the tools by which to do this act (he used his hands to slay his brother), but this does not tie Yehovah to the crime. Those same hands could have offered a sheep for the sacrifice for sin.

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Section 4: What Yehovah Chooses

God Sometimes Chooses Called Folks To Salvation and the Obtaining of Messiah’s Glory

2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth unto which He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Messiah Jesus.

Yehovah Chooses Some Israelis For Obedience and the Sprinkling of Messiah’s Blood

1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Messiah Jesus, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect (according to the foreknowledge of God the Father) through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Messiah Jesus…

Yehovah’s election (choosing) is according to His foreknowledge (His knowing things in advance). All He chooses He first foreknows.

Yehovah Predestinates Those He Foreknew

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them (1) who love God, to them (2) who are the called according to purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them he also justified: and whom He justified, them he also glorified.

Yehovah foreknows who will turn to Him in faith unto Salvation. They are predestinated conformed to the image of His Son, showing Godliness and bearing fruit in righteousness. Man was created in the image of Yehovah, but fell. Messiah was made in the likeness of men, and lived perfectly. The foreknown of Yehovah will become in the image of Messiah, being patterned after Him. The we in the above text are Israelis.

Ephesians 1:5 …Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Messiah Jesus to himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved… In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him Who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will: that we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Messiah.

The us are again the Israelis. Paul switches back to the Ephesians in verse 13. Note the pronouns:

Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Yehovah Sometimes Chooses Folks Before They Are Born

Romans 9:10b When Rebecca also had conceived by one: by our father Isaac; (for [the children] being not yet born, neither having done any good nor evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of Him that calleth;) it was said unto her, “The elder shall serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” Is there unrighteousness with God?

Rearranging the text for clarity, it reads:

When Rebecca also had conceived by one: by our father Isaac, it was said unto her, “The elder shall serve the younger.” For they were not yet born, neither having done any good nor evil: that the purpose of God according to election might stand: not of works, but of Him that calleth. As it is written, “Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” Is there unrighteousness with God?

Yehovah told Rebecca that the elder would serve the younger, not that the elder would be hated. Yehovah hated Esau because of his acts and his despising Spiritual things. Yehovah’s will was that the elder would serve the younger, so Yehovah chose who would be the elder and who would be the younger.

Yehovah Chooses To Raise Certain People Up To Show His Attributes

Romans 9:17,22 For the Scripture saith unto Pharaoh, “Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my Name might be declared throughout all the earth”… What if God, willing to show wrath, and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of Grace, which He had afore prepared unto glory, even us, whom He hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

Compare this:

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

All who do not believe what Yehovah revealed to them are vessels of wrath, and are fitted to destruction. He endures and uses them to show his power and wrath, and to declare His Name, while giving them every good opportunity to turn. These passages contain no indication that either Pharaoh or Esau were planned for damnation, but were used to show attributes of Yehovah.

Yehovah Chooses Vexations To Bring Upon Those Who Chose Evil

Isaiah 66:3b Indeed, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their vexations, and will bring their fears upon them; because, when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose [that] in which I delighted not!

Yehovah chooses which disasters and vexations to bring upon folks who have chosen their own ways and things contrary to His delight.

Yehovah Chooses Tribes, Families and Individuals over Other Tribes, Families and Individuals

1 Chronicles 28:4 Howbeit Yehovah God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he desired to make me king over all Israel: and of all my sons (for Yehovah hath given me many sons), He hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of Yehovah over Israel. And He said unto me, “Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him my son, and I will be his father. Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day.” (verse 9c) If thou seek Him, He will be found of thee; but if thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off for ever! Take heed now; for Yehovah hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do.

His wives turned Solomon’s heart. Did Solomon seek Yehovah or did Solomon forsake Yehovah? Yehovah chose Solomon to be his son. Did that guarantee that Solomon would follow Yehovah? Did that mean that Solomon automatically obtained everlasting life?

Yehovah Chooses Hills

Psalm 132:13 For Yehovah hath chosen Zion; He hath desired [it] for His habitation.

Yehovah Chooses Individuals and Peoples

Nehemiah 9:7 Thou art Yehovah the God Who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham, and foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him.

Psalm 65:4 Blessed is [he whom] Thou choosest, and bringeth near: he shall dwell in thy courts.

Isaiah 14:1 For Yehovah will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.

Yehovah Chooses Locations

Zechariah 1:17b Yehovah shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.

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Section 5: Yehovah’s Character

Yehovah Is Sovereign

Psalm 103:19 Yehovah has prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all. Bless Yehovah, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His Word. Bless ye Yehovah, all His hosts; ye ministers of His, that do His pleasure. Bless Yehovah, all His works in all places of His dominion: bless Yehovah, O my soul!

Yehovah rules over all. “Does Yehovah rule over men?” is not the same as “Does Yehovah rule in the hearts of men?” Were Yehovah to rule in the hearts of all, all would be righteous.

2 Samuel 23:3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men is righteous, ruling in the fear of God…

Yehovah Rules over the Sea

Psalm 89:9 Thou [Yehovah God of hosts] rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.

Yehovah Rules over Men

2 Samuel 23:3b “… He that ruleth over men…

Yehovah Rules in the Kingdom of Men

Daniel 4:17b The Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men.

The question still remains; does Yehovah rule the heart of men? The next series of sections will cite passages in which Yehovah will do something with the heart (mind).

Yehovah Has No Unrighteousness

Psalm 92:15 Yehovah is upright: my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

An accomplice to crime is as guilty as the doer. A human might help in a crime without knowing it, but since Yehovah knows all, not knowing is impossible for Him.

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Section 6: Summation

Yehovah and individuals work together to send them in either the direction of righteousness or destruction and hardening. Yehovah uses His Sovereignty in conjunction with individual choices to accomplish His will. He can and does overrule man on occasion, as He did with Balaam:

Numbers 22:35 And the angel of Yehovah said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak.

Numbers 22:38 And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? The word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.

Numbers 24:12 And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying, ¹³If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of Yehovah, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what Yehovah saith, that will I speak?

Even Balaam said, that will I speak rather than that must I speak. After Yehovah had forcefully directed Balaam what to speak, Balaam then taught King Balak how to cause the Israelis to sin, to bring the wrath of Yehovah on them. Balaam was not forced to do or speak righteousness once he had prophesied the Word of Yehovah for Israel. Balaam’s desire to not follow Yehovah was fulfilled, yet Yehovah was glorified.

Lot’s wife was forcibly removed from Sodom, but she was not forced to reject Sodom (and thus the warning, “Remember Lot’s wife!”). She obtained her desire, and she was destroyed with the city and her other two daughters.

No person will be able to declare, “My will was violated by Yehovah, and I was forced to be destroyed!” or “My will was set aside, and I was swept into salvation!” Everyone given life and responsibility has also been given choice. Yehovah will accomplish His will using them.

Yehovah fought with Jacob, and did not force him. Jacob won:

Hosea 12:3 [Jacob] took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God: ⁴yea, he had power over the Angel, and prevailed.

One view called hyper-Calvinism claims man has no real choice, and Yehovah causes everything. Another called Arminianism claims that man has complete choice without God’s interference. Yehovah, by sovereign design, grants choice. He knows, by foreknowledge, who will choose life and who will choose death. He places folks in time and location according to this foreknowledge so that their choices and actions will work according to His plan for the ages. He will prove to all that He has been fair in all things.

Hyper-Calvinistic and Arminian views, along with many others, have ignored differences between Yehovah and men. A man cannot bring about his will on the world, while giving others choice. Dictatorships are the closest humans can come to bringing about their will.

Any system of understanding ‘free choice’ versus ‘predestination’ in which the justice and sovereignty of Yehovah are trashed is wrong.

The following is a list of the sections covered above. Click these links to view any section again.

Wages of Sin is Death

The Wages Of Sin

Is Death

[The following events are factual, written by the woman involved. Names have been changed. If you desire contact with the writer, contact Saar Shalom Center.]

Then when lust hast conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. James 1:15

The above-mentioned passage is one that I came to understand all too well as a teenager. It seemed that no matter how great the sin was in my life, I always thought that I was basically a ‘good person’. I didn’t recognize sin for what it was. I always had excuses for my actions. I was the ‘victim’ rather than the responsible party. My eyes have been opened, thanks to God; for I can recognize that these actions were sin, and I can refuse to repeat them by the power of the Holy Spirit.

This is a common story, but is usually kept quiet because of shame. I wrote this so that I would finally have freedom, and so that others who read it would be able to stop sin before it gets going.

I was an insecure child because of many things. Being the youngest of four children and the only female, I was considered spoiled. I can recall my brothers, when almost anything went wrong, saying: “Renee did it. She’s the youngest and doesn’t know any better; and besides, she’s a girl!” They said it as though the definition of girl were any form of loathsome disease. My Dad didn’t understand how girls’ emotions worked, so he found me to be a constant frustration. “How do I talk to her?” he would ask. “All she ever does is cry!” That seemed true, but I misread his frustration as rejection.

My heart’s desire was to play baseball with my Dad and brothers. Instead, I was left behind to do women’s work with mother. My brothers’ births were planned. I was my parents’ little accident. My Mother made it quite evident that she loved me very much. She truly indicated that I was a gift of God. I knew that she really cared about me, but I wanted my father’s love and attention so much.

I was very overweight in grade school. This, coupled with hypersensitivity, made me a total mess. I was a fat kid that cried over everything! This was not a popular combination, to say the least. Other children made fun of me with loud comments across the playground like “Hey, Tubby! You gonna’ roll home from school today?” Even my brothers joined in the mockery. They were ashamed to identify with me as their sister. I wanted to roll over them and flatten them like a steamroller! But I just cried: my way to escape the hypersensitivity and insecurity. When it came to ‘fight or flight’, I always chose ‘flight’.

When I began to approach the age of junior high, I realized that something in my life had to change. Boys were beginning to be something desirable, rather than the usual nuisance. I figured that I would be entering a new school; I would find new friends; and I needed to be a new me. I starved myself five or six days per week. Although I finally obtained a figure that was considered too skinny by some, I still had a fat, undesirable image of myself. My first ‘date’ was at the age of 12. Brad’s mother picked me up to take me to the movies with her son. We went to see Planet of the Apes. What a bore, but I enjoyed just being out with Brad. I was both nervous and excited. After the movie, we were driven to the local ice cream parlor hangout. On the pretense of a nice walk, I was then escorted to an abandoned office lobby where my date suddenly turned into an octopus. His hands were all over me. After a scuffle, I pushed him away and asked to be taken home. That’s when I got my new nice name of Prude. The implication was far from that of respect.

I grew up in the age of mini-skirts, so naturally I was right in style wearing them. I was now 13, the weight I wanted to be, but lonely. I was at my favorite ice cream parlor hangout, this particular summer day, wearing a mini-skirt. I bent over the water fountain to get a drink. There was a young man of the Negro race around five years my senior ordering ice cream nearby. As I bent over the water fountain, he glanced my way. As he started to order his ice cream, he said, “Give me a scoop of legs…I mean, chocolate almond ice cream.” I was flattered that someone actually thought that I, the rolly-polly bundle of emotional chaos, had nice legs! I still felt fat, though, despite all the weight-loss. He came over and introduced himself to me as Jack, and requested my telephone number.

I knew Mother demonstrated no prejudice. She worked with underprivileged Blacks, and encouraged us to be friends with them. I did not know if this included dating, however. When Jack called me to ask me out to a school band concert, I received parental approval. What harm could there be in attending such an event?

As I continued dating Jack, I developed a sick dependency on him. I seemed to overlook his intense jealousy, arrogance, and power over me. I was all involved in the idea of ‘going steady’ and ‘having a boyfriend’. I desired to belong…to be loved…to be the main person in someone’s life. He didn’t allow me to speak to other males. I could accept no ride to school unless he approved: those in his group.

If he threatened to leave me, I would become hysterical, begging and pleading with him to stay. My life was miserable: I was trapped. Jack’s friends that were the group were into drugs and alcohol. I started out smoking cigarettes, and was pressured into smoking marijuana. Alcohol was disgusting, but I drank to belong. At times I enjoyed the ‘high’; but usually it seemed to intensify my insecurity and fears. Reality hit home after the affects wore off. I managed to not succumb to the hard drugs most of the time, although I tried stronger things on two occasions.

My parents realized that the relationship was a bad one, and forbade me to see him. I had girlfriends who snuck me out of the house so that I could see Jack. I frequently cut classes to go to the nearby duck pond, to talk to Jack. When I would get into trouble at school, the principal would lecture me and ask me, “What’s a nice girl doing hanging around people like these?” I really didn’t know the answer to that question. On one particular summer’s day beneath a shade tree at the duck pond, I was talking to Jack, skipping my P.E. class. The dreaded subject of sex came up. I wanted no part in it, since I had been sexually abused as a child. I can’t recall if it was a ploy by Jack, or if I thought of it on my own, but I began to wonder if I could be a wife sexually to a future husband, because of my past. My indecision over time was confronted by Jack’s words: “If you don’t, I’ll be forced to find someone who will.” I eventually bought it, hook, line, sinker, bait, fish-pole and all: and planned out the dreaded day.

My first voluntary sexual encounter was painful, awkward, and definitely not desirable to do again. I didn’t bleed, as do most first-timers, so my virginity was questioned. I wondered just how far the sexual abuse had gone with me as a child, when I was too little to really understand sex. These thoughts added to my discomfort.

Our relationship went on for five years. I don’t recall whether any of the sexual encounters with Jack was pleasurable. They were a way to hold on. Jack mocked our relationship and my devotion to him! I later found out that Jack had relations with just about every one of my friends, including my ‘very best friend’. One night while at a party, I had a few drinks for courage, then walked over to my ‘best friend’ and slapped her across the face for sleeping with Jack. I then turned to Jack and asked him to take me home. Instead he returned with a pinch on my bottom. I was irritated and told him not to do it again. He did it again with a cunning smirk on his face. I told him “Don’t do it again, or I’ll hurt you.” He immediately repeated the gesture. I swung around, and delivered a hefty blow across his back. The next thing I knew, I was backed into a corner, receiving several swift punches to the jaw. I remember slumping to the floor, screaming and crying, more from the pain of realizing that the one I thought I had loved could do such a thing, rather than the actual physical pain. I ended up in an emergency room that night, with my father present. Of course, I lied about how it happened to save Jack’s hide. I used the “ran into a door” routine, which no one swallowed, but I stuck to the story. It took five hours for the doctors to reset my jaw. A specialist was called in from out of town to assist, but they finally fixed it before he arrived. When I called Jack later to let him know how I was, the party was still going on. Jack sounded sleepy with my ‘best friend’s’ voice equally as sleepy beside him in the background. I was suspicious as to what was going on, but I didn’t want to believe the obvious. I was too proud to admit that my boyfriend was a snake! One might think that anyone would dump this jerk by now, but no! I was a slow learner.

At age 16, I worked in a coffee shop. It was the first real job that I found on my own. I began to daily get suddenly ill at the smell of food. I spent several lunch hours lying down in the locker room with a cool rag over my forehead, trying to overcome the nausea. I had episodes where I almost passed out. I was several weeks late for my period, so I devised a story to get out of the house, to visit the Free Clinic for a pregnancy test. My parents had recently divorced, and Jack was newly drafted into the army. I felt as though everyone in that overcrowded clinic knew my shame; I was overcome with guilt. My worst fears became a reality. The doctor came out smiling and said, “Congratulations. You’re going to have a baby.” I gasped, “Oh God, NO! I can’t have a baby! My Dad would just kill me!” I asked if there could be any mistake. He assured me there was no mistake. My whole world seemed to be crashing down around me. The clinic said they could fly me to a big city over a weekend, for an abortion. I didn’t even need parental approval. A few more lies, just a few days: who would be the wiser? But no – as tempted as I was, I couldn’t do it. Suppose the doctor who was to perform the abortion was a ‘quack butcher’ who would leave me to bleed to death? What would it do to my parents? I would eventually have to face them with the truth if there were any complications, although the clinic assured me that it was quite safe. I was in a whirlwind of turmoil. I didn’t know what to do, so I did nothing. I went home, and went to bed, trying to sleep. The next morning, I awoke hoping it had been a dream. My queasy stomach confirmed that it was all too real. A few days later, I talked with Jack who was in the armed services, and his mother. She had often told me that her son was no good for me: that I should leave him. I didn’t listen. She was, and is a sweet lady who loves the Lord, and she loved me. Now she was telling me not to have the baby. Jack was leaving the decision up to me. What should I do? I didn’t believe in abortion. I thought this sick relationship with Jack was love, and I wanted his baby. I had to go one step further and tell my Dad about my pregnancy.

My Mother was gone, and I wasn’t even speaking to her. The separation from my Father was a bitter one. I couldn’t handle being in the middle, so I chose one over the other. I felt that my Dad was like a child who needed to be cared-for, so I chose to stay with him. I severed the relationship and all contact with Mom, so Dad was all I had. It took every ounce of courage to tell Dad. Would he surprise me and react calmly, or would he become enraged? Stammering, I nervously told him. “What?” he yelled, “you’re nothing but a little whore!…” That’s all I really heard. The rest I blocked out…

When Dad was finally over the shock, I guess he really handled this tough situation as best as he could. Given the same situation, I don’t know how I would have reacted. All I recalled then was the rejection I felt, and the shame in knowing my own father considered me a whore; the guilt. Dad took me to his choice of a doctor for confirmation of pregnancy. The abortion that I was being pressured into accepting was to take place in the best local hospital: a very prominent one. No one was to know why I was there; but many suspected, since I was in the obstetrical unit. The lie that the other rooms were full, such that I had to be placed here, was told. Pride demands such a price!

Before I would be granted a legal abortion, I needed to see two psychiatrists. They had to determine that I was either mentally or physically unable to have a baby before an abortion would be performed. I truly wanted to have the baby, but . . . how could I? I had refused to drink or smoke for the child’s sake. How could I now end it all? But what could I offer this life that would be dependent upon me? I talked frankly with the psychiatrists. “The child would be rejected because of its mixed race. My Dad won’t help support us. My Mom is gone and I’m not even speaking to her. Jack’s family says have the abortion. Jack’s in the army, so he’s no help. I haven’t even finished school – I’m just a kid myself! What kind of life could I provide for this child?” I searched the psychiatrist’s face looking for an answer. But the decision was left up to me. “So,” the psychiatrist questioned, “does that mean you want the abortion?” I drew in a deep breath and said, “Yes.” The psychiatrists told me I had a very clear perspective on the situation beyond what most people would have, given the same situation. They would back me up and help me as much as they could in either direction. With the facts put before me, abortion seemed to be the only answer.

My outward appearance before the abortion was calm and carefree. Inside, my emotions were raging like a storm. How could I do this? Would I be able to live with my decision? Now will anyone ever love and understand me after this awful thing that I am about to do? I didn’t have any answers; just a lot of questions.

The operation went well. I was wheeled from recovery into my hospital room. I cried out for something to relieve my excruciating pain. It was finished. The dirty deed had been done. My heart was filled with remorse. I grabbed one of the attendant’s hands. “What was it?” I pleaded, “Boy or girl?” He hesitated. “I’m not allowed to say-,” he stammered. “Please,” I begged, determined not to let go of him, until I got my answer. “A boy,” he said reluctantly, “a beautiful baby boy.” He forced a smile. I rang for a shot. The emotional and physical pain was more than I could bear. I wanted to get away from it all. I started to sink into self-pity. But then a curious thing happened. I decided not to let my emotions get the best of me. I fixed myself up, and decided to go for a walk down the hall and visit other patients. I was determined not to let the four walls of the room and my self-pity crash down on me. When I returned to my room, I felt refreshed. The other patients seemed to also enjoy my company. Later in the day I would daydream about my unborn child – my son. I wondered what he would have looked like. I supposed he would have been beautiful. I would gaze out of my window to the busy streets below. I felt all alone, and cried, mourning for the death of my son. I loved him, though I never knew him.

After I had recovered and returned home, Jack called from the service. I told him it was over; the abortion was done. “What?” he raged, “you murdered my son? How could you?” I remember my turmoil in response to his remarks. A knife in my heart could not have hurt any worse than those words. He gave me no indication that he wanted this child. He left the decision up to me. Now he was blaming me for the murder of his son. One would think this would be enough for me to break it off with Jack: but no. Now I was sure no one else could ever love me: a murderer.

God certainly knew what He was doing when he intended sex to be saved for marriage. There is a bond between two people who have given their bodies to each other in such an intimate way. With the right person, it would be so special. With the wrong person, it seemed like a trap.

I don’t recall how we met in the school office that day, but there he was: Dave. He was blonde-haired and blue eyed: I had admired him from grade school. He was so handsome! Unfortunately, he had never cared for me. He looked different that day; he actually looked happy: happy and peaceful. I hadn’t seen this look before; he was more attractive than I had remembered. We exchanged words, and he seemed to be able to look right through me. He said that I looked like I needed a friend, and he knew the right one: Jesus. I had been raised to attend church, but I rebelled and went my own way. I was angry when anyone wanted to talk about God…but not this time. True, I had affection for Dave, but God knew Dave was the right one to lead me to Him. My motives were partially wrong, but God knew the results would be right. I attended a Bible study with him that weekend. I truly enjoyed the study! I was surprised. Dave and I were comfortable with one another. We discussed our likes/dislikes; we discussed his girlfriend and our separate futures. We were all alone in his parent’s cottage for a weekend, and for once, a male just enjoyed my company. What a refreshing change!

That weekend Bible study gave me a desire to find out more about this God Who changed the life of a boy that I admired for so long. I don’t remember what church I was in, nor with whom I attended. I was around 18 years old now, crying my heart out on the altar of a church I had attended for the first time that night. I asked for God’s forgiveness for my sin. I knew my heavenly Father loved me and knew all about me whether my earthly father did or not. Mom and I had made contact, although we had some problems working out our differences. She and my step-Dad were the first two with whom I wanted to share this wonderful news. Something had changed in me that night. I knew that it had taken place; and it was even more than I realized. They were very happy for me.

I had boldness in dealing with Jack from that night on. He no longer played on my emotions with the intensity he once had. His threats and anger produced laughter in me instead of the fear that once gripped me. I knew I wanted out of the relationship, but still I couldn’t get out. He threatened suicide. He followed me. He tried to make my life miserable. I finally left my Father to live with my Mom and step-Dad. I told my Father that I wasn’t leaving him because I didn’t care for him; it was just time to go.

My stepfather had more patience and confidence than any man I had ever known. He feared God, and he obviously loved my Mother and me. I discussed my hopelessness in the situation between Jack and me. When I wanted marriage for the sake of his child, Jack wanted no part of it. Now that I wanted no part of Jack, he wanted marriage. What a farce! But the thought of Jack’s threat of suicide took an emotional toll on me. How could I take responsibility for another lost life? I had sacrificed my son’s life. Now, with Jack’s life on my hands, what could I do? My step-Dad always assured me by saying, “I know you, and I know you’ll do the right thing.” How could he? “I’ve done a pretty good job of messing up my life so far; what makes him think I’m going to stop now?” I was frantic. I wanted him to be right, but I was so afraid he was wrong. He was a hard man when it came to talking: tough, yet loving. My Mother was convinced that I would not be responsible if Jack committed suicide. Now all she had to do was convince me! She finally succeeded. Although I had already ended Jack’s and my relationship in my heart, the timing wasn’t right. I chose to find a way that we could somehow part as friends. I told him how a woman likes to be treated, and how to be a friend. We spent good times together on a different level. No more sex. No more commitment. Then the time came. We had a nice quiet evening together walking, laughing and talking. The evening commenced with my termination of the relationship. “Why?” he asked, when things are going so well? Aren’t we getting along better than ever before?” I answered “Yes, and that’s the way I want to leave it. Too much has happened between us to patch things up,” I continued, “but at least now we can part as friends.” I told him how God had changed my life through Jesus. He couldn’t deny the changes he saw.

I wish I could say that all my sin and wrong decisions ceased from that moment on, but they did not. I was growing, learning, and changing more each day, but I still had a long way to go. I’ve still got a long way to go, but I’m looking to the future and whatever else God has in store for me.

Remember my friend whom I slapped for sleeping with my boyfriend? Well, I couldn’t leave that the way it stood, either. We talked, and I told her I no longer resented what she had done. I was sorry that she, too, had gotten involved with the sick, evil ways of Jack. I hoped that she would also get freedom.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 8:23.

March 3, 2009July 5, 2017

People Pleasers

People-Pleasers – World’s Greatest Suckers

People-Pleasers:

The World’s Greatest Suckers

(Thanks to Lori Bingaman for corrections)

Introduction

The following paper is not a Scriptural exposition, but opinion–and should be viewed as such. If you find evidence of truth, believe it.

A people-pleaser is one who strongly desires to look good or be pleasing to others. A drive for social success is often the motivation.

People-pleasers wear masks. Any distasteful or dislikable quality must be hidden, including proper anger and all depression. The goal is to be liked, and folks who are always in a good mood and funny, or who can be walked on, tend to attract more friends. Built up anger and bitterness must be suppressed.

DRUGS

A people-pleaser must have a way to escape pent-up angers, hurts and bitterness. They are sometimes too difficult to hide, and a good reputation must be maintained. One way to mask feelings is through drugs that enable some to temporarily forget. Drug users can avoid pain and emotional releases perhaps to the grave. It is better to die popular than to live alone (or so it may seem). ‘Friends’ are helpful and willing to lend a needle. People-pleasers are the life of the party, and make the party successful.

ALCOHOL

While alcohol isn’t quite as effective as stronger drugs, it helps some folks open up. Some can be very funny, while others freely express their bitternesses and resentments. Of course, the combination of drugs and alcohol is perfect for really putting a person into an altered state (or even the grave).

ABUSE

Some people-pleasers seek the façade and glory of martyrdom. These abused persons give themselves for others while showing the greatest strength of toleration, defending their personal abusers against would-be rescuers. Shouldn’t one be willing to die for love? They are true heroes and heroines. Abused persons don’t like their personal abusers abusing others. This steals the glory! If an abusive husband picks on the children, the abused wife must heroically stand between; she is the saviour! She knows that she deserves the abuse. She must please her husband, and she doesn’t mind if others find out about her carefully kept secret, as long as they don’t interfere. She has something to live and die for!

COMPLIMENT-FISHING

People-pleasers sometimes fish for compliments. They will wait a short time to receive commendations, and if they do not come, will ask: “Do you like my…?” Then the compliment-fisher will ask again, at times: “Do you really like it? Huh?” They get a high off of compliments, and the voluntary ones are the best, helping with self-esteem.

OVERWORKERS

An overworker or ‘workaholic’ also tries to please people. He thinks he is doing the work for its own sake and because it is right to do. He is truly doing the work to maintain his standing in the sight of those whom he respects, fearing that he might not be able to maintain and will lose his friends. Such a person lives in an underlying constant fear. Ups and downs in the success of his venture control his moods. He is a slave.

OPINION-CHECKERS

This people-pleaser always wants to know what others think of him. He wants everyone to think highly of him, and is hurt if anyone doesn’t. Suicide is a good way to achieve this goal if nothing else works. He figures he will be highly esteemed, almost viewed as a hero, at his funeral, where all will mourn the loss of such a valuable life.

FAVOUR-GRANTERS

These people-pleasers give themselves to others freely in slave service or in sexual ‘favours’ service. There are few things they wouldn’t do to please others. They enjoy attention.

WILLY-NILLIES

These people-pleasers will agree with whatever is being said at the time. They want acceptance. These are usually the least successful at pleasing others, and are often despised and mistrusted behind their backs.

GIVER-GIVERS

These people-pleasers give to get praise (compliments). They must give. They receive approval and love by this means. Some see that they are trying to buy relationships, and will take their gifts without approving of them.

ARROGANT SHOW-OFFS

Some people-pleasers use clever words, deeds and dress. They can be very good at cutting down others, using humour to do so. They are usually disliked except by folks entertained by their stunts or who want to emulate them. They are attractive and popular, and will fail in relationships. Folks will join them to be in the limelight, hoping to have part of their radiance.

POPULARITY JOINERS

Some people-pleasers figure that the company they keep will determine whether or not they will be liked. They join themselves to the most popular folks, hoping the popularity will rub off. They drop anyone who falls from success. Politicians and deeply religious folks often fit into this category.

TALKERS/GOSSIPS

The talker/gossiper always has juicy morsels of information about others and situations, and his popularity depends on what he can say about others (especially in a non-complimentary way). Such a person will violate confidences for the sake of popularity.

The people-pleaser must always work hard to maintain popularity. A people-pleaser who doesn’t please becomes very depressed. He would much rather be abused than face the pain of not being pleasing. He is gullible, a first class sucker, a slave. The façade is everything there is.

GOD-PLEASERS

A very few have determined to please Yehovah (the Biblical God of Israel). They know they will pay a price. They are not the religiously popular, and will not gain much rank with normal folk.

If humility is knowing where one stands before God and man, and living according to that knowledge, people-pleasers have none. They have either low self-esteem or high self-esteem, which constitute pride, having a wrong view of where one stands before God and man, and living according to it. Self-esteem is viewing one’s self-worth in terms of others. God is not the issue, but self. Self-worth is still selfish.

God-pleasers think about what pleases God much more than what pleases others, while people-pleasers focus on self even while doing what appears to be a selfless act. People pleasers do not normally demonstrate the deepest form of love (seeking the highest, best interest in another person without regard to one’s own self), but can faithfully stick with an evil person at the cost of self-destruction.

Is there hope for a people pleaser? Yes, there is a small hope for all who have great pride. If he pleases only God, and is equipped with truth, he can show great valiance. All must be born of God and have faith in order to please Him.

What about you?

Contact James with your questions, nasty comments and protests at this link: Saar Shalom Center.

March 3, 2009July 5, 2017

Would Israel’s Identity have Disappeared if…

Would

Israel’s Identity

Have Disappeared

If the Jews Had Turned to Yeshua

2000 Years Ago?

This paper is written for the sake of a man who witnessed the near erasure of Jewish identity during the seventy-year Communist period in Russia. He realized the profound effect seventy years of oppression and suppression of Jewishness had, and related this to two thousand years of Christianity.

The first part of this paper will show distinctions between two forms of ‘Christianity’, while the second part will address the identity issues.

Christianities

The Distinction Between Christians and Christians

Christianity is applied to many religions. One can become a Christian and be a real enemy to Israel, or be Israel’s true friend. Both perspectives can be justified using the Bible, and been used to treat the Jews with the contempt and destructions or to save them from enemies. How can Christianity hold both theologies?

True Christianity does not hold both theologies. Irreconcilable religions are found under the umbrella of ‘Christianity’. One form was born from the womb of anti-Jewish fervour, its advocates desiring to control. (I will refer to this form as Power Christianity.) Another was born with the totally Jewish and Messianic mandate to teach all races the righteousness, justice, faith, commandments, and truths of the God of Israel. (I will call this Service Christianity.) Power Christianity quickly solidified ranking its members. Service Christianity suffered, many died, and ranking was not an issue.

Both were identified as coming from the same beliefs and Jewish roots, and outsiders often did not understand the difference. Power Christianity became identified with Rome. Service Christianity was part of and identified with Israel, with non-Jewish participants being likeminded. Jewish folks not part of Service Christianity had greatly varied views on it, some seeing it as a true friend, others seeing it as a threat.

The following texts expose distinctions between the two categories:

1 Corinthians 9:18 What is my reward then? That, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of the Messiah without charge that I abuse not my power in the gospel. For though I be free from all, yet have I made myself servant unto all that I might gain the more.

2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not. But we have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost (in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them who believe not lest the light of the glorious gospel of the Messiah, Who is the image of God, should shine unto them). For we preach not ourselves, but Messiah Yeshua the Lord and ourselves your servants for Yeshua’s sake.

Philippians 1:15 Some indeed preach the Messiah even of envy and strife, and some also of good will. The one preach the Messiah of contention–not sincerely–supposing to add affliction to my bonds, but the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, the Messiah is preached. And I therein do rejoice. Indeed and I will rejoice!

Power Christianity quickly outnumbered and outweighed Service Christianity, adding contempt and hatred for Service Christians. Power Christians were nearly all Gentiles. Service Christians were mainly Jews at the beginning, and later were a mixture that always strongly identified with Israel. During a revolt against Roman military occupation of Israel, Service Christians refused to acknowledge that Bar Kochba, the rebellion’s leader, as the messiah, and they refused to fight in the battle. They had been prepared to fight, but not under a false messiah. This resulted in a great offense and split between the two Jewish groups that have lasted to our time. Before that time, Jewish Service Christians were accepted as a normal part of Israel, and represented a significant number.

Power Christians persecuted Jewish and non-Jewish Service Christians, and some fervent Israelis who did not believe that Yeshua was the Messiah persecuted Jewish Believers. The number of Service Christians was always small. Power Christians grew in numbers and political strength until the Roman Empire adopted Power Christianity. Roman Catholicism, the new old religion, became the state religion. Catholic means universal. Power Christians declared themselves to be The Universal Church of Jesus Christ established directly from the apostles of Jesus.

Christianity Today

Most of today’s Christianity, including Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox and Protestant (Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Anglican, Methodist, Charismatic, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormon, Church of Christ) are variants of Power Christianity. Some of these groups (not all!) have very few or no Service Christians among them.

Service Christians believe the Jewish Scriptures, fear Yehovah the God of Israel, delight in the plan of Yehovah through Messiah Yeshua and look for Israel’s redemption, having a real sense of pain for the sufferings and unbelief of Israel (the Jewish People), and look for Messiah’s coming. They delight in righteousness, justice, Grace, selflessness, and in every good work and benefit for Israel. They are rare among Jews and non-Jews.

Some Power Christian groups claim to be for Israel, while teaching doctrines excluding Israel from the center of God’s Scripturally described plan. They place themselves as the pupil of God’s eye, applying texts written about Israel to them. They see themselves as being the end times generation through which great revival will come. Power Christianity always carries a greatly inflated ego and self-worth.

Jewish Identities

Israel’s Identity Preserved

Yehovah miraculously created Israel. Abraham’s wife was barren and very old. She had no equipment for having a child. Yehovah miraculously made her fertile and created in her the necessary equipment to have a baby.

Israel in Egypt

Jacob went to Egypt with seventy folks. Jacob’s offspring lived in Egypt for 430 years. This is plenty of time for the Israelis to acculturate. How was it that the Israelis maintained a separate identity? Many of the seventy were not from Jacob’s blood, but all became part of the People of Israel. These various cultures should have been diluted into oblivion, but Yehovah made sure this didn’t happen.

Psalm 105:23 Israel also came into Egypt and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. And He increased His people greatly and made them stronger than their enemies. He turned their heart to hate His people, to deal subtly with His servants. He sent Moses His servant, Aaron whom he had chosen. They showed His signs among them and wonders in the land of Ham. He sent darkness and made it dark. And they rebelled not against his word.

Israel in the Desert

When Yehovah took Israel out of Egypt, He brought him to the land of Promise. The Israelis hearkened to ten spies who told them what they already believed, and Yehovah made them remain in the desert for forty years. Israel was kept segregated from the other races that in turn were terrified of Israel.

Israel’s Entry into the Land

Israel entered the Land of Promise, and began to obey the Commandment to annihilate the occupants, but did not continue. The Israelis intermarried and became neighbours. Yehovah sent these neighbours to trouble and conquer Israel. Israel shouted to Yehovah for rescue, and then went after their enemies’ false gods.

Yehovah gave Israel a human king, but no matter how much the Israelis desired to become part of the neighbouring cultures, Yehovah refused to allow this.

The Kingdom of Israel

Yehovah took Israel out of Egypt and made him into a kingdom. He was Israel’s king. Israel later desired a human king to be like his neighbours. Yehovah granted this, making Saul king. Many of the kings of Israel were evil, being idolatrous like most Israelis, and Israel suffered. The Kingdom of Israel (the Kingdom of Yehovah) continued until Yehovah finally suspended it because of idolatry and violence against His land. The Babylonian captivity temporarily ended the kingdom.

The Babylonian Captivity

Israel again had every reason to acculturate in captivity, taking the languages, aspects of the cultures, the dress, the means of doing things, etc. The Israelis still remained segregated, however. Some Israelis returned back to the Land of Israel during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. Some returning Levites had pagan wives with pagan religions, and they were commanded to divorce their wives, many complying. The Temple was rebuilt. Many Israelis chose to remain in Babylon until it was finally abandoned (due to a water shortage). Jews moved to many places besides Israel, taking on new languages and cultures. They were still segregated and distinguishable from their neighbours, however, never being able to fully acculturate as a group.

The Time of Hanukkah

The Prophets of Israel continued to prophesy after the Babylonian captivity, but then came a time of silence. Alexander the Great came to greatness, but died young. Four governments formed from his government, one being in Syria. One later leader of Syria was Antiochus Epiphanes who desired to conquer Egypt and everything between. Things went badly, and he began to concentrate on Israel. His goals included annihilating belief in the Torah, rooting out the God Yehovah from Israel, and making all Israelis Greek in beliefs and lifestyles. He set up gymnasia (where men exercised naked). Many Israelis cooperated, and some radicals refused. Confrontations over sacrifices led to Antiochus’ command that a pig be sacrificed on a Jewish altar of Yehovah. This started the Maccabean revolt that continued for years, and the events leading to Hanukkah (the Dedication of the Temple after it was recaptured from the Syrians). The Israelis were pressured to acculturate, and only a few were unwilling. The radicals used guerilla tactics, and the Syrians were finally driven out of the territory. The Israeli leadership made a pact with the Roman Empire, and Rome became a protectorate of Israel.

The Teaching of Yeshua

Yeshua taught that obedience to the Torah was the only way to please Yehovah. He pronounced a curse upon anyone who would teach the Israelis to violate even one Torah command:

Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the Torah or the Prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one Yod or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Torah till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments and shall teach men so–he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But whosoever shall do and teach, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Any Israeli identifying with the true Messiah of Israel must identify with the Torah. Yeshua taught against additions to the Torah, publicly disagreeing with some important religious leaders who maintained the importance of certain added regulations.

Deuteronomy 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it. Thou shalt not add to it nor diminish from it.

Perversions of the Teachings of Yeshua

Yeshua’s teachings were to and for Israel, the offspring and People of Jacob:

Matthew 15:24 But he [Yeshua] answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

While the writings of the Bible are useful for anyone desiring truth, they were not directed toward every race.

2 Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them, ¹⁵and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness ¹⁷that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Some texts are to individuals, some to Israel as a whole, and others are for other races. A Bible reader must not apply texts to the wrong persons or groups. This rule has been repeatedly violated throughout history. The group I have called Power Christians has repeatedly stolen and misapplied texts given to Israel, rooting Israel out. This is potent and patent antisemitism and perversion of the Scriptures. Many Gentiles who become Power Christians have sought to exclude Jews from texts and society unless the Jews fully join them and their version of the ‘body of Christ’. Their faith is as far from Biblical as Buddhism.

Why do so many churches seem to do so well, becoming rich and powerful, while having little to do with the Jews? Why do they preach as if Israel is a footnote in the plan of God? Why do they make Israel subservient to their own plans for expansion and evangelism? Power Christianity is a pagan religion. Yehovah is not stopping pagan religions. All folks do better with religions than without. Religions provide some ethics and morality without which society would become violent, and would self-destruct.

An Impossible Supposition

Suppose Israel had turned to Yeshua 2,000 years ago, and the message the Kingdom of Heaven had been grasped and believed. What would have happened to Israel’s identity? Would Israel have become Christian, losing its Jewish identity? The Kingdom would have been restored to Israel, as it will be after the Tribulation. Israel would have fully obeyed the Torah. Messiah would have saved Israel from all enemies. The other races would have seen Messiah’s works with fear. All Israel’s sufferings would have been averted.

Jewish identity has always been in danger, and has always been preserved. It would not have been stamped out had Israel believed in his Messiah.

Have Messianic Jewish Believers Identified with Power Christians?

The history of Jewish Believers in the real Yeshua has been one of suffering. They refused to conform to Power Christianity church es, irritating Power Christianity church leaders. Jewish Saints chose to identify with the God of Israel, Israel and Service Christians. They were considered rebels. During the Inquisition, Power Christians took and forced Jews to be baptized. They were restricted from celebrating Biblical Holy Days on the pain of death. Power Christians want to have power over the Jews. The same attitudes are present today, with the resolve to make Jews into their kind of Christians. Service Christians desire that Jewish individuals come to Yehovah by faith, and believe in the Biblical Yeshua.

Micah 6:8 He hath showed thee, O man, what is good and what Yehovah requireth of thee–even to do justice, and to love grace, and selflessly to walk with thy God!

Two types of Messianic Assemblies exist: Power Churches with Jewish trappings and the others that are very rare.

Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate! For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in at it. Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Power Christianity is the popular western religion that is becoming less popular as Islam increases. Service Christianity has never been popular.

A very few pastors are Service Christians, noted by their love of the Biblically described Yehovah, for His Word and His fear, and for Israel. They speak the truth and only the truth. They do not spurn the Torah, but love all the Word of God. They teach that the Church’s goal is to serve Israel. They teach the ‘New Testament’ only in the light of the ‘Old’. They would teach Israel his responsibility to be a light to the Gentiles.

Messianic Jews and the Holy Days

One way for Jews to lose their identity is to not celebrate the Biblical Holy Days. A ‘Christian’ teaching is that when one becomes a Believer in Messiah Yeshua, the Holy Days and all the Law have been fulfilled making keeping them unnecessary and a burden. Paul’s writings are used to ‘prove’ this:

Colossians 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath [days]: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of the Messiah.

Hebrews 8:13 In that he saith, A new [covenant], he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us]; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace;

None of these texts states that keeping the Torah or the Holy Days is unnecessary or a burden. Most of the Colossians receiving this letter were not Jewish. No non-Jewish person was given Israel’s Holy Days or Sabbaths. Why should they be responsible to do these upon believing in Messiah? The Hebrews text shows that the Torah has not disappeared yet, but that a New Covenant made with the House of Israel and the House of Judah is coming that will accomplish more than the first Covenant. The Ephesians text refers to the abolition of the enmity, not to the abolition of the Law of Commandments (unless Yeshua was mistaken). Other texts state that the Law of Moses will be the rule for Israel in the Millennium, and every race will be required to send emissaries to Israel for Succoth with destruction if they do not come:

Zechariah 14:16 And it shall come to pass, every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, Yehovah of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, whoso will not come up of [all] the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, Yehovah of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that [have] no [rain]; there shall be the plague, wherewith Yehovah will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

The Law is not ‘done away with’ during the Millennium.

While the Temple is not standing, no person alive can keep the Sabbaths. Animal sacrifices for all Israel are required for Sabbath keeping. The most Orthodox Jew cannot keep the Sabbath, since it is given to all Israel as a unit. If all Israel is not keeping the Sabbath, it isn’t being kept!

Anyone may rest on Shabbat for personal physical benefit, but the Sabbath is still being violated without all Israel participating. Daniel could not keep the Sabbath in captivity, yet the Prophet Ezekiel spoke of his righteousness. This does not mean that Daniel did not rest on the Sabbath. Daniel loved the Israeli Holy Days (since he loved the Word of God). The Law of Yehovah was part of him, but he had few rights as a slave. While he could not keep Torah, he kept what he could, and Yehovah saw. He never even considered disdaining the Torah of God, but mourned that its violation had caused Israel to be removed from the Land. Anyone with the mind of Yehovah will have the very same views and love for the Torah.

The Law will be restored:

Isaiah 42:21 Yehovah is well pleased for His righteousness’ sake. He will magnify the Torah and make [it] honourable.

No truly Messianic Jew will look badly upon the Torah or its Holy Days. Some have been taught that the Law is finished. If they love truth, they will reconsider. The Torah sacrifices have only been suspended. The Israelis still suffer consequences for Torah violations. Had it been abolished, its consequences would have also been.

The Holy Days speak of Messiah’s work. Why abolish them? One who loves Messiah will delight in them. It is unreasonable to say “I love Yeshua,” or “I love Jesus,” while speaking contempt for the Torah that Yeshua gave on Mount Sinai!

The Holy Days have distinguished the Jewish People from other peoples, and were given for this purpose (among others):

Exodus 31:13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that [ye] may know that I am Yehovah that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth [any] work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to Yehovah: whosoever doeth [any] work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, [for] a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for [in] six days Yehovah made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

The Sabbath is a sign. Why eradicate a sign?

Any Jewish person who turns to the real Yeshua in faith will not abandon his Jewishness, but will cling to these God given treasures and responsibilities, gifts to be used to teach Gentiles. Being called from birth to be a servant to the Gentiles is humbling (thus Service Christianity, or better, Service Messianism).

Where Would The Jewish Identity be If the Jews Had Turned to Yeshua in Faith 2,000 Years Ago?

The Jewish identity would be very much intact. If a Jewish individual turns to Yeshua in faith today, he clings to the Scriptures, including all the Torah. Any Jewish person claiming faith in Yeshua, abandoning the Torah and claiming ‘freedom’, was just looking for an excuse to abandon Israel and responsibility. Such a person is an unbelieving traitor to Israel. That would be like a person saying “I have freedom in Christ! As a Buddhist, I had to be faithful to my wife. But now that I am a Christian, if I sin, I will be forgiven, so I can commit adultery and be forgiven!” The same is true for anyone showing contempt for the Torah, the Perfect Law of Liberty. The Torah is for liberty from sin and from the judgment of Yehovah, not liberty from righteousness.

The Torah is only a burden for two types of individuals: those who have followed the Torah plus the additions rooted in tradition and the rabbis, and those who have despised Yehovah’s way. It is no burden for those who delight in righteousness, but is instead a gift. It defines Yehovah’s and Israel’s character, and is Truth.

Must a Messianic Jewish Believer Keep the Torah?

NO PERSON can keep the Torah without the Temple or Tabernacle or priesthood. Yehovah has temporarily removed them from Israel because He is angry at Israel. All Israel will gladly keep it in the Millennium. In the meantime, every Jewish fearer of Messiah is obliged to know the Torah and to righteously live before Yehovah. He will reject Power Christianity’s paganisms.

Click on a country, and you will get a history of Jews of that country.

The Jewish Population Of The World

(2005)

CLICK ON THE COUNTRY AND READ THE HISTORY

Regarding

Perfection

Introduction

Greek New Testament

Arguments Against Perfection

The Fear of God in the Translation and Understanding of a Word’s Meaning

Basing Doctrine on Experience

Fear of Failure

Conclusion

FREE CHOICE VERSUS PREDESTINATION

The Concept of Choice

The Command

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Section 1: Choices Individuals Can make

Folks Can Choose What Doesn’t Please Yehovah

Folks Can Choose Things That Please Yehovah

Folks Can Turn Others’ Hearts From God To Idols

Folks Can Prepare Their Own Hearts To Seek Yehovah

The Heart Can Turn Away; One Can Choose Life

Some Choose (Or Reject) the Fear of Yehovah

Folks Sometimes Know That Others Are Chosen By Yehovah

Some Folks Know They Are Chosen By God

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Section 2: Choices Groups or Locations Can make

A Location Can Choose the Way of Truth

A Location Can Choose Yehovah’s Precepts

A Location Can Incline Its Heart To Continually Perform Yehovah’s Statutes

A People Can Circumcise the Foreskin of Its Heart

A Location Can Hide the Word in Its Heart

A People Can Set Its Heart and Soul To Seek Yehovah

Israelis are Commanded To Choose Yehovah or False Gods

Israelis Are Responsible To Choose Life/Good/Blessing Or Death/Evil/Cursing

The Brethren Must Certify Yehovah’s Choice of Them

The Israelis Chose New Gods

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Section 3: What Yehovah Sometimes Does

Yehovah Sometimes Bows-Down the Heart

Yehovah Can ‘Incline’ a Heart To His Testimonies

Yehovah Sometimes Directs Hearts Into the Love of God and the Patient Waiting For Messiah

Yehovah Fills and Places Things into Hearts

Yehovah Forms the Unity of the Heart

Yehovah Unites Hearts To Fear His Name

Yehovah Must Supply the Heart In Order for One to Know [Spiritual things]

Yehovah Must Supply the Heart to know Him

Yehovah Teaches His Fearers in the Way He Chooses

Yehovah Sometimes Circumcises a Heart To Love Yehovah, To Live

Yehovah Sometimes Forms the Thoughts of the Heart, Establishes the Heart, And Gives a Heart of Peace to Keep Yehovah’s Commandments, Testimonies, and Statutes To Fulfill His Will

Yehovah Sometimes Gives a Wise and Understanding Heart

Yehovah Sometimes Gives ‘Largeness of Heart’

Yehovah Sometimes Puts His Fear into Hearts To Prevent Departing From Him

Yehovah Strengthens the Heart [singular] of Those Who Wait For Him

Yehovah Supplies the heart to Return to Him

Yehovah Sometimes Turns the Heart of People To Hate and To Deal Subtilly

Yehovah Sometimes Performs Heart Transplants

Yehovah Sometimes Reverses the Heart of People

Yehovah Hardens Hearts

Yehovah Smites Hearts with Confusion

Yehovah Sometimes Shuts Hearts To Keep Folks From Understanding

Yehovah Deceives the Intentionally Deceived

Yehovah Reads Hearts

Yehovah Tests the Heart

Yehovah Sometimes Suspends Choice

Yehovah Sometimes Does Not Suspend Choice

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Section 4: What Yehovah Chooses

God Sometimes Chooses Called Folks To Salvation and the Obtaining of Messiah’s Glory

Yehovah Chooses Some Israelis For Obedience and the Sprinkling of Messiah’s Blood

Yehovah Predestinates Those He Foreknew

Yehovah Sometimes Chooses Folks Before They Are Born

Yehovah Chooses To Raise Certain People Up To Show His Attributes

Yehovah Chooses Vexations To Bring Upon Those Who Chose Evil

Yehovah Chooses Tribes, Families and Individuals over Other Tribes, Families and Individuals

Yehovah Chooses Hills

Yehovah Chooses Individuals and Peoples

Yehovah Chooses Locations

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FREE CHOICE
VERSUS
PREDESTINATION