{"id":12313,"date":"2018-04-08T12:50:41","date_gmt":"2018-04-08T19:50:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hoshanarabbah.org\/blog\/?p=12313"},"modified":"2018-04-08T12:50:41","modified_gmt":"2018-04-08T19:50:41","slug":"road-to-salvation-and-utopia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hoshanarabbah.org\/blog\/2018\/04\/08\/road-to-salvation-and-utopia\/","title":{"rendered":"Christian Privilege: The Only Road to Salvation and Utopia"},"content":{"rendered":"

In our current American culture of educational system, mainstream media and establishment entertainment induced political correct group-think indoctrination, minority groups of every stripe and color are clamoring for special rights and privileges.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Due to the superior priority our culture is now placing on feelings over intellect, many special-rights groups are feeling marginalized and persecuted, whether based on reality or not. This persecution complex is leading to feelings of offense among many often resulting in expressions of anger and bitterness against those who hold to a traditional and majority viewpoint in the society.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

This angst among the supposed offended is manifesting itself in “justifiable” verbal hate speech and, at time, even in criminal violence against the police, schools, churches, gun owners, whites in general and white men in particular, religious and social conservatives, Christians, Jews, various racial and religious minorities and the list goes on and on with more people groups being added to this hate list nearly every day. The list of those who are offended include some people of “color,” many women, some Moslems, illegal aliens, non-Christians, the LGBTQXYZ\u2026 folks, socialists, Marxists, etc., etc.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

From those who feel disenfranchised and disadvantaged by the so-called majority who, it is\u00a0<\/i>boisterously<\/i><\/span><\/span>\u00a0asserted, maintain all the positions of power, wealth, authority, and influence, we hear such pejoratively employed terms as white privilege, male privilege, and, again, the list goes on\u2014you fill in the blank. The finger pointing, blame game goes on and on until, it seems, that our society will become so fragmented into tiny special rights groups of offended people that every man’s hand will be on the throat of every one else.<\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The latest group to hate is Christians, and the latest term to hate term to\u00a0<\/i>emerge<\/i><\/span><\/span>\u00a0from the gunk on the bottom of the special rights, woe-is-me, swamp of vicitmization is “Christians privilege.”<\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Well, I for one happily embrace the term “Christian privilege.” This is because there IS an advantage to being a Bible believing follower of Yeshua the Messiah (aka Jesus Christ). This privilege includes forgiveness of sin, becoming the recipient of the Creator’s grace, a better life in this world and immortality in the next world, and the list goes on and on. Just read the Bible for a full understanding.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The wonderful thing is that this privilege is open to anyone free of charge regardless of gender, ethnic origin, socio-economic status, past religious affiliation, and past sinfulness. Anyone can get onboard this ship. All you have to do is choose it.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

For all those who only want to complain and whine about everything and everyone that makes them feel uncomfortable and challenges you to grow up, I say this: GET OVER IT. Become an adult, stop blaming others for your poor decisions and take personal responsibility. Put down your teddy bears, coloring books, and turn off Mister Roger’s Neighborhood. If you can’t get over it, then too bad for you. It’s your problem, not mine. I guess the school of reality and hard knocks will have to awaken you from your feelings-based state of comatose lethargy sometime somehow. \u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The article that follows explains how literally anyone can become a recipient of “Christian privilege” and experience both the\u00a0supreme\u00a0temporal and eternal benefits therefrom. \u2014 Natan Lawrence<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Foreword\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

I have a story to tell. It\u2019s a beautiful story. It\u2019s about you and me, and our Creator who loves us more than we can know.<\/p>\n

First, let me confess something personal. My greatest desire in life next to spending eternity with YHVH-Yeshua my Messiah is to help to be a catalyst for spiritual revival on this earth. That is, to see the light of YHVH\u2019s truth transformationally pierce the darkness of men\u2019s lives causing a mighty river of life from heaven to flow on this earth bringing with it love, joy, peace and the abundant spiritual life that knowing Yeshua the Messiah and loving him by keeping his commandments. This passion burns like an unquenchable fire deep within my personal spirit and soul. I believe this a resonation of the heart of our Father in heaven.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

My next greatest life ambition is to see as many lukewarm modern-day Laodiceans disciples of Yeshua awake from their spiritual slumber and to fall in love with Yeshua the Messiah and to love and serve him for the rest of their lives. Spiritual revival and awakening begins at home\u2014deep in your heart and mind, and it spreads from there outward to touch a dark, sick and dying world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

My prayer is that the message that follows, by YHVH\u2019s grace, will help to bring spiritual revival and awakening in someone\u2019s life this day.<\/p>\n

Made in Elohim\u2019s Image to Experience Pleasure in a Paradise<\/b><\/p>\n

The Bible reveals that humans were made in the image of Elohim\u2014both male and female. He put the first humans in a garden to walk and to commune with him in a sin-free paradise called Eden. Few know what the word eden <\/i>actually means. It is a Hebrew word that literally means \u201cpleasure, delight, luxury, dainty and finery.\u201d The seventh day Sabbath is a weekly memorial of this paradise lost, and both the Sabbath and the annual biblical festival called the Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot are both prophetic pictures of the Eden that is to come at the end this age called the New Jerusalem, which will be a heaven-like paradise on earth.<\/p>\n

In the mean time, the human desire for pleasure, delight, luxury and<\/i> for communion with Elohim that Eden afforded is an indigenous and integral part of our spiritual DNA. Think about it. What human doesn\u2019t desire this greatly and works hard to achieve this state of existence? Many humans work nearly a lifetime, so they can retire to their \u201cgolden years\u201d and live off their investments and whatever pension they\u2019ve managed to acquire. To many, it is considered heaven on earth to spend their retirement years on earth playing golf, traveling the world, partying with friends, working in their garden or just waking up late and just sitting around. There is nothing wrong with this, except that for the humanist, this is their version of heaven on earth. The problem is that this humanist vision falls short and even short changes man of the higher destiny and purpose for which Elohim created all people. Our Creator has a much higher aspirations for man than just spending his last years on a golf course or, on a cruise ship or in a Lazy-Boy recliner. Elohim created man in his image to become a child of Elohim, to be literally adopted into his family to use a Pauline term (Acts 8:15, 23; 9:4; Gal 4:5; Eph 1:5), or to become like Yeshua to quote John the apostle in his first epistle (1 John 3:1\u20133), or to become the children of Elohim as John writes in his Gospel (John 1:7). There is a fancy theological word that defines this biblical concept. It is theosis<\/i>, which \u201cis a transformative process whose aim is likeness to or union with Elohim.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O Elohim, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. (Isa 64:4)<\/p>\n

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which Elohim hath prepared for them that love him. (1 Cor 2:9)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So What Happened?<\/b><\/p>\n

So what happened along the way? Why has man fallen so short in his attempt to attain this lofty destiny to which Elohim has called him? Why have men settled for such a lower goal and destiny instead? Instead of seeking to become a child of Elohim, he spends his life on a quest for monetary wealth, material possessions, play toys, for sensual pleasure, fame and power, knowledge, fine food and wines, the affection of pets, entertainment\u2014movies, games, sports, fishing and so on. Some people are idolatrously obsessed with these earthly pursuits.<\/p>\n

So, again, what happened along the way that caused man\u2019s brief tenure in the paradise of Eden to end, and for man to lose sight of this real paradise where he was communing with his Creator in a genuine utopia? What caused him to exchange the real paradise of Eden and Elohim\u2019s highest ideal for him for a pseudo-paradise of his own contrivance?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What happened is something called sin. The serpent paid the first humans a visit in the garden where he promised man that he can do whatever he wants irrespective of the Creator\u2019s instructions. Man bought the serpent\u2019s lie, as they say, hook, line and sinker. The problem is that the devil always over-promises and under-delivers. When will humans ever learn this?<\/p>\n

When are humans going to wise up to Satan\u2019s tactics? They\u2019ve never changed. Only the actors, the costumes, the script and venues change, but it\u2019s the same old plot and scheme that never varies. Rejecting Elohim\u2019s true paradise in favor of a paradise of man\u2019s own making that beguilingly but falsely promises more is, in reality, choosing an inferior and cheap counterfeit that only ends in misery and death.<\/p>\n

Humans Innately Want So Much More<\/b><\/p>\n

Man wants to fly like eagles\u2014to soar above it all. He always has. But gravity keeps his feet planted on this earth and even pulls him down if he tries to climb. It causes him to fall, and it keeps him grounded. We are all bound to this earth by gravity. This is a law of physics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But there is a law of spiritual gravity as well. It is called the law of sin and death (Rom 8:2). It is inside of us and it wants to pull us down into the pit of evil. It fights against our personal inner spirit that wants us to transcend the earthly plane. Paul describes this struggle between these two forces inside of us in Romans 7.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. \u2026I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of Elohim after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (Rom 7:19, 21\u201324)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This is called the flesh <\/i>or in Jewish theology the evil inclination. <\/i>It\u2019s the part of us that listened to the lie of the serpent in the garden and caused us to rebel against Elohim. Succumbing to the serpent\u2019s lie and sinning against Elohim broke our communion with our divine Creator and caused us to be kicked out of the garden of pleasure and delight. Man has been trying to return to the pleasure and delight of Eden ever since. The problem is that most are trying to come back to Eden through one of the serpent\u2019s many back doors, and not through the one front door that Elohim has made.<\/p>\n

The First Step Back to Paradise Is the Hardest<\/b><\/p>\n

Many people have heard of the twelve step program to overcome various addictions such as alcoholism, drug addictions, pornography, gambling, overeating and so on. The first and hardest step in the twelve step program to overcome any addictions is to overcome your pride and<\/i> to admit that you have a problem<\/i>. Once you admit you have a problem, then you can begin working on fixing the problem. But because of man\u2019s stubborn pride, very few people will ever take the first step. As a result, they stay where they are\u2014living a miserable existence enslaved to their addictions all the while convincing themselves that their happy and blaming everyone and everything else for their problems.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Man can\u2019t save himself from his problems. The force of spiritual gravity pulling him down is too strong! Not only does he have the internal powerful urges of his flesh nature or his evil inclination holding him down, but he also has the external forces of the world and the devil exerting their powerful influences over his mind, will and emotions.<\/p>\n

So what is man to do? First, he has get over his stubborn pride and recognize that he has a problem. Each person has to own the fact that he has a problem, that it\u2019s his problem, no one else\u2019s. He has to accept his own liability and guilt and stop blaming other people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Second, just like in the twelve step program, he has to reach out to a higher power for help. He needs to be saved from his problem. If men could overcome their problems individually and collectively, humanity would already have found the solution to all the world\u2019s problems. But for thousands of years they haven\u2019t. Diseases, wars, lawlessness, hatred, strife, theft, lies, immorality and every other form of sin continue on unabated.<\/p>\n

There Is a Front Door Back to Paradise<\/b><\/p>\n

A major clue to solving man\u2019s problems and bring him back to Eden\u2019s paradise or the Garden of Pleasure that he longs for in his heart and works so hard in some of the most curious and even self-destructive ways to achieve is found way back in the book of Genesis. Here Jacob, the patriarch of the children of Israel, is prophesying over his twelve sons where he declares,<\/p>\n

I have waited for thy salvation<\/b>, O YHVH. (Gen 49:18)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

How long have you been waiting for some breakthrough in your life\u2014for something big to happen? Something that will carry you to the next step in your destiny to become the you that you know is deep inside? Everyone is waiting for something more, but most people can\u2019t put their finger on what it is. This is because,<\/p>\n

[Elohim] has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that Elohim does from beginning to end. (Eccl 3:11)\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Bible goes on to say,<\/p>\n

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which Elohim hath prepared for them that love him. (1 Cor 2:9)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Our next clue about the front door that Elohim has created that will take us back, or forward (depending on your spiritual perspective), to paradise is found in Exodus, the next book of the Bible. The children of Israel have just exited Egypt where they have been slaves for several generations. Ultimate freedom and paradise seems only to be a few steps away, when, suddenly, the most powerful military force in the world bears down on the Israelites ready to pounce on and to slaughter them. They have nowhere to turn as they are pinned down between Pharaoh and the Red Sea. The Israelites cry out to Elohim for deliverance and through Moses, their Creator declares,<\/p>\n

Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation<\/b> of YHVH, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. (Exod 14:12)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Have you ever been caught in a desperate situation with absolutely no way out? You\u2019re drowning in a sea of hopelessness with no rescue in sight. It is said that in time of war there are no atheists in foxholes. That\u2019s where the Israelites were. They were dug in on the beach with no visible escape route. The enemy had them boxed in front and back. All they could do was to look up. When the Israelites cried out in despair for help, YHVH, in response to their plight, gave them a major clue Who<\/i> the source of their salvation would be if they\u2019d only trust him. We will talk more about this later on.<\/p>\n

Our next clue that will lead us back (or perhaps forward) to the heaven on earth that Adam and Eve rejected and were expelled from is found in Moses\u2019 last book in a prophetic poetic song about the future of the Israelites (which is the story of our lives too, since history tends to repeat itself every generation or so).<\/p>\n

\u2026he [Israel] forsook Elohim which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation<\/b>. (Deut 32:15)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

O how humans perennially tend to reject the answer to their problems that lies directly in front of them like an unopened door! They perpetually ignore and dismiss the solid and massive rock that Elohim has placed before them and choose instead to position the houses of their lives on the uncertain and shifting sands of their own thinking.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Prov 14:12)<\/p>\n

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. (Matt 7:26\u201327)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Yes, humans tend to reject the very path that leads upward toward the joy and pleasure for which they so deeply yearn in favor of the path of least resistance that leads downward. The powerful downward pull of gravity that leads us away from a relationship with their Creator and ultimately immortality as his spiritual sons and daughters more often than not seems too hard to resist.<\/p>\n

In our journey to find the path back to the Garden of Pleasure and Delight for which we all long, we next come to Job, which many scholars believe to be the oldest book in the Bible\u2014written even before Moses penned Genesis. Job had it all: wealth, fame, power, respect and a large family. His life would seem like a dream even by today\u2019s standards. One day, however, he lost it all. Due to a grievous disease, he even despaired of his physical life. Out of the midst of his horrendous plight he, in faith, declares,<\/p>\n

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. He also shall be my salvation<\/b>\u2026 (Job 13:16)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

No one has the ability to control the day of their birth or death. Moreover, no one can predict what will happen to them during the course of their life good or bad. Job was certainly living this reality. No amount of wealth, power or fame can protect a person from the uncertain twists and turns, which life, unceremoniously, will throw at a person. Job learned this important lesson the hard way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There may come a time when we\u2019re on our death bed, like Job, when our lives have been stripped bare and we have nothing left but a negative wife who told Job to curse Elohim and die, and three blabber-mouthed fools for friends. At this point, all we can do is to look up to our Creator. But why wait until then? Why not learn the lessons from those who have suffered through the school of hard knocks before us and look up to our Creator here and<\/i> now<\/i>?<\/p>\n

This verse in Job contains yet another clue on how to fulfil the deepest human longing desires and how to experience joy, delight, pleasure on this earth here and now and immortality in the next life. We will unlock this mystery shortly.<\/p>\n

There are many other verses that speak of the way that leads to paradise in this life and the next. Here are a few more Bible verses. They all have something in common. See if you can spot what it is.<\/p>\n

And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in YHVH, mine horn is exalted in YHVH: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation<\/b>. (1 Sam 2:11)<\/p>\n

Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O YHVH, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name. He is the tower of salvation<\/b> for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore. (2 Sam 22:50\u201351)<\/p>\n

Sing unto YHVH, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation<\/b>. (1 Chron 16:23)<\/p>\n

Salvation<\/b> belongeth unto YHVH: thy blessing is upon thy people. (Ps 3:8)<\/p>\n

But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation<\/b>. I will sing unto YHVH, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. (Ps 13:5\u20136)<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>YHVH is their strength<\/b>, and he is the saving strength <\/b>of his anointed. (Ps 28:8)<\/p>\n

Truly my soul waiteth upon Elohim: from him cometh my salvation<\/b>. He only is my rock and my salvation<\/b>; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. (Ps 62:1\u20132)<\/p>\n

Elohim be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health<\/b> among all nations. (Ps 67:1\u20132)<\/p>\n

Blessed be Adonai, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even Elohim of our salvation<\/b>. Selah. (Ps 68:19)<\/p>\n

But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation<\/b>, O Elohim, set me up on high. (Ps 69:29)<\/p>\n

Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation<\/b> say continually, let Elohim be magnified. (Ps 70:4)<\/p>\n

For Elohim is my King of old, working salvation<\/b> in the midst of the earth. (Ps 74:12)<\/p>\n

O sing unto YHVH a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. YHVH hath made known his salvation<\/b>: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation<\/b> of our Elohim. (Ps 98:1\u20133)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What do all these scriptures verses have in common? They speak of the salvation<\/i><\/b> of YHVH Elohim and the blessings and benefits thereof. What happens when humans don\u2019t accept the salvation<\/i><\/b> of Elohim? Speaking of the children of Israel, Elohim says in Psalm 78,<\/p>\n

Give ear, O my people, to my Torah-law: incline<\/b> your ears to the words of my mouth.\u2026 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: that the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: that they might set their hope in Elohim, and not forget the works of Elohim, but keep his commandments: and might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with Elohim.\u2026 They kept not the covenant of Elohim, and refused to walk in his law; and forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them.\u2026 Therefore YHVH heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel; because they believed not in Elohim, and trusted not in his salvation<\/b>\u2026 The wrath of Elohim came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel. For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works. Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble. When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after Elohim. And they remembered that Elohim was their rock, and the high Elohim their redeemer. Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant. But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath. For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again. How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! (vv. 1, 6\u20138, 10\u201311, 21\u201322, 31\u201340)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Similarly, in Isaiah, we read,<\/p>\n

Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness. We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men. We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us. For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them. (Isa 59:9\u201312)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Folks, let\u2019s be honest and face it. That\u2019s you and me that the psalmist and Isaiah the prophet are talking about. How easy it is to point the finger at the other guy and excuse our own sin. But we\u2019ll never make it off dead center and start moving forward in our spiritual journey back to Eden without first looking in the mirror!<\/p>\n

What should be our response to Elohim\u2019s strong rebuking admonitions?<\/p>\n

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth. Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save<\/b> us. Turn us again, O Elohim, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. (Ps 80:1\u20133)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So when are we going to come to the end of ourselves and cry out like this?<\/p>\n

YHVH Elohim of my salvation<\/b>, I have cried day and night before thee: Let my prayer come before thee: incline<\/b> thine ear unto my cry; For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave. I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength: Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand. Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps. Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. (Ps 88:1\u20136)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Let\u2019s now unlock a deep mystery. So what does nearly every Bible verse quoted to this point in this teaching have in common? As already noted, they contain the word salvation<\/i>. But there\u2019s more. In every case, the word salvation<\/i> is the Hebrew word Yeshua <\/i>from which the name Jesus<\/i> derives. In the KJV, Yeshua <\/i>is translated 65 times as salvation<\/i>, four times as help<\/i>, three times as deliverance<\/i>, three times as health<\/i>, and one time each as save<\/i>, health <\/i>and welfare<\/i>.<\/p>\n

But there\u2019s more!<\/p>\n

The word Yeshua<\/i> occurs, interestingly, 78 times in the Tanakh (Old Testament). Think about it. Seventy-eight times. Seven is the biblical number of perfection or completion, and eight is the number of new beginnings and infinity. Now put these concepts together with the who Yeshua the Messiah is. He is the perfect sinless Elohim-Man Lamb of Elohim who came to save man from the wages of sin which is death (Rom 6:23), and then who gives those who repent of their sins and put their trusting faith in him a new beginning leading to eternal life and immortal sons and daughters of YHVH Elohim in the garden paradise of heaven on earth called the New Jerusalem.<\/p>\n

Now in Psalm 78 above, we read the sorry story of the children of Israel who refused to obey Elohim despite all that he did for them in delivering them out of Egypt and leading them through the wilderness en route to the Promised Land (a type of or metaphor for Eden). In verse one of that chapter, we read,<\/p>\n

Give ear, O my people, to my Torah-law: incline<\/b> your ears to the words of my mouth.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Later in the same chapter in verses 21\u201322 we read,<\/p>\n

Therefore YHVH heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel; because they believed not in Elohim, and trusted not in his salvation.<\/i><\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In verses one and twenty-two of Psalm 78, we have two important words to note. They are incline<\/i><\/b> and salvation<\/i><\/b>. As already noted, the word salvation<\/i> is the Hebrew word Yeshua <\/i>(or, English, Jesus<\/i>).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We all should know the significance of the name of Yeshua the Messiah, but what about the word incline<\/i>? This is the Hebrew word natah<\/i> meaning \u201cto stretch out, extend, spread out, pitch, turn, incline, bend or bow.\u201d What is Elohim instructing his wayward people and us to do in Psalm 78:1? To incline our ears\u2014or the ears of our mind and heart\u2014to the words of his mouth and to obey him (v. 7), and to teach them to our children (vv. 6\u20137), to not be stubborn and rebellious, but to set our hearts right with Elohim (v. 8), and then to trust in his salvation (i.e. Yeshua, v. 22), so that he won\u2019t have to punish us (vv. 31\u201334), so that he can bless us and bring us into the fruitful and spiritual Promised Land of our blessed inheritance (vv. 54\u201355). Is there a message in this for us? Yes!<\/p>\n

Coming into a blessed relationship with the Almighty Creator starts with an act of our will; that is, incline your mind and heart to seek YHVH<\/b>. This isn\u2019t something that just happens to a person. One has to decide or determine to do it.<\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

There are a lot of verses that speak of inclining, stretching out, extending one\u2019s heart upward toward Elohim. Here is a sampling.<\/p>\n

Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline<\/b> [natah<\/i>] your heart unto YHVH Elohim of Israel. (Jos 24:23)<\/p>\n

Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline<\/b> [natah<\/i>] thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father\u2019s house. (Ps 45:10)<\/p>\n

My son, attend to my words; incline<\/b> [natah<\/i>] thine ear unto my sayings. (Prov 4:20)<\/p>\n

Incline<\/b> [natah<\/i>] your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. (Isa 55:3)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The wonderful thing is that when we wilfully and determinately decide to incline or extend ourselves to seek after Elohim, we can have faith that he will wilfully and determinately inclines himself to hear our prayers, to deliver us, to save us and to bless us.<\/p>\n

I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O Elohim: incline<\/b> [natah<\/i>] thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. (Ps 17:6)<\/p>\n

Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline <\/b>[natah<\/i>] thine ear unto me, and save me. (Ps 71:2)<\/p>\n

Let my prayer come before thee: incline<\/b> [natah<\/i>] thine ear unto my cry. (Ps 88:2)<\/p>\n

Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline<\/b> [natah<\/i>] thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily. (Ps 102:2)<\/p>\n

Incline thine ear, O YHVH, and hear; open thine eyes, O LORD, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent to reproach the living Elohim. (Isa 37:17)<\/p>\n

O my Elohim, incline<\/b> [natah<\/i>] thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. (Dan 9:18)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What\u2019s more, when we decide to incline our ears, hearts and minds to Elohim, not only will he incline himself to us, but he will even help us to incline ourselves more to him.<\/p>\n

That he may incline<\/b> [natah<\/i>] our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers. (1 Kgs 8:58)<\/p>\n

Incline<\/b> [natah<\/i>] my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. (Ps 119:36)<\/p>\n

Incline<\/b> [natah<\/i>] not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties. (Ps 141:4)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So what\u2019s going on here? Simply this. When we take the first step of determining to incline our hearts and minds toward Elohim, he not only will incline himself toward us, but will go the extra step of helping us to incline ourselves to him. This is spiritual synergism. It is like adding ten plus ten and getting 100! Or in other words, if we decide to take one step of faith toward him, Elohim will take three steps toward us, and he will even empower us to walk toward him. This was an aspect of Yeshua\u2019s promise to send the Helper or the Set-Apart Spirit.<\/p>\n

So what happens when one inclines one\u2019s heart and mind toward Elohim?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation [Yeshua<\/i>]<\/b>. (Ps 91:14\u201316)<\/p>\n

Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times. Remember me, O YHVH, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation [Yeshua<\/i>]<\/b>; that I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance. (Ps 106:3\u20135)<\/p>\n

YHVH is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of YHVH doeth valiantly. \u2026 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation [Yeshua<\/i>]<\/b>. (Ps 118:14\u201315, 21)<\/p>\n

For YHVH taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify [or glorify, adorn] the meek with salvation [Yeshua<\/i>]<\/b>. (Ps 149:4)<\/p>\n

And in that day thou shalt say, O YHVH, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. Behold, Elohim is my salvation<\/b>; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Yah YHVH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation [Yeshua<\/i>]<\/b>. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation [Yeshua<\/i>]<\/b>. (Isa 12:1\u20133)<\/p>\n

In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation [Yeshua<\/i>]<\/b> will Elohim appoint for walls and bulwarks. Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isa 26:1\u20133)<\/p>\n

For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation [Yeshua<\/i>]<\/b> upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke. According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence. So shall they fear the name of YHVH from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of YHVH shall lift up a standard against him. (Isa 59:17\u201319)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Conclusion<\/b><\/p>\n

The front door back to the Garden of Eden or Pleasure and Delight that every human longs for deep in his heart involves several steps.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

First, we have to admit what got us kicked out of paradise in the first place. Like taking the first step in a twelve-step program, we have to own the fact that we have the problem. That problem is called sin\u2014rebelling against the Creator\u2019s instructions.<\/p>\n

Next, we have to repent of our sins, which is the source of the problem.<\/p>\n

Next, as an act of our will, we have to incline our heart to Elohim.<\/p>\n

Next we have to accept Elohim\u2019s deliverance or salvation from our helpless plight. That salvation is Yeshua. He is the door that each person has to go through to go back to, or more correctly, forward to Eden or utopia.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, Yeshua is the pathway or the river of life that will lead us to the Father in heaven and to his paradise that he has prepared for those who love and will obey him the rest of their lives.<\/p>\n

This message is not just for those who have never confessed their sins and repented of them and have then accepted Yeshua as the Master and Savior. It is also for those who have grown lax and lukewarm in their spiritual walk\u2014in their relationship with the Creator, or who have sins for which they have not repented. This includes everyone to one degree or another. So take it to heart.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t\t\t
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