Wisdom is a TREE OF LIFE to those who grasp her;
whoever holds fast to her will be made happy.
Proverbs 3:18
This post is part of the series, WORDS.
QUESTION: Do you know where the first lie is in the Bible?
ANSWER: In Genesis 3:1
" Now the serpent was more crafty than any wild animal which ADONAI, G-d, had made.
He said to the woman, “Did G-d really say,
‘You are not to eat from any tree in the garden’?”
That's how he deceived Eve, and that's how he continues to deceive (lie) today. He hates ADONAI and seeks to overthrow ADONAI'S holy WORD.
Since I began to study Torah, this has become increasingly clear to me. I used to be confused about different passages in the New Testament, but I am no longer confused because I've been through Understanding the Bible 101 not once, but many times. Reading Scripture through the lens of Torah clears everything up.
The evil one puts that evil thought in our minds today, just as in the Garden: "Did G-d really say that? Did He really mean that?"
The answer is very clear: "Yes. He did say that. Yes, He does mean that."
Our Torah Parsha last week was the giving of the law to Moshe at Mount Sanai. (Parashas Yitro - Exodus 18:1-20:23) Most people know this as the Ten Commandments. I encourage you to read the passage to see how much more is there.
I grew up in the public schools of the South, and we saw the Ten Commandments, framed, on the wall of every classroom. These laws have had a profound and positive influence on the lives of generations of children in America. The reason for their influence is that G-d's WORD preserves, instructs, and blesses those who obey Him. By the same token, the removal of those laws has led to destruction.
If you, like me, have been blessed by obedience to His Ten Commandments, then I implore you to learn about ALL of His laws. His laws are not burdensome. As Yeshua said,
“Come to me, all of you who are struggling and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
because I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
(Matthew 11:28-30)
Immediately, you will hear the evil one say, "G-d doesn't want you to keep the commandments. It's not possible. Those laws only apply to back then. They're not for us now..."
That's the oldest lie. Go back and re-read Genesis 3:1, above.
The saddest thing is that most churches tell you the same lie. I was told to disobey the commandment about the Sabbath by every church I ever attended. (Baptist, Penticostal, Assembly of G-d, Non-denominational, etc.) They said it had been changed. No, it was never changed. People changed it because they listened to satan's lies. I encourage you to go back and read the gospels to see for yourself. You will learn that Yeshua, his disciples, and even Paul, were observant Jews you obeyed the commandments.
The evil one doesn't want you to obey G-d. He knows that ADONAI's ways are the ways of life and blessing. His mission is to steal, kill and destroy and that is what he's done to multitudes of people.
Beloved, don't listen to him.
Listen to ADONAI's WORDS, and take hold of the TREE OF LIFE.
Each week, I seek G-d's face about what to post here. This series on WORDS isn't a feel good message. It doesn't tickle ears. I could write something light and sweet, but He won't let me. This message is for such a time as this. As Yeshua said in Matthew 13:15
"...because the heart of this people has become dull —
with their ears they barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed,
so as not to see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their heart,
and do t’shuvah (repent),
so that I could heal them."
with their ears they barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed,
so as not to see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their heart,
and do t’shuvah (repent),
so that I could heal them."
These WORDS are from Revelation Chapter 2:7
"Those who have ears, let them hear
what the Spirit is saying to the Messianic communities.
To him winning the victory
I will give the right to eat from
the TREE OF LIFE
which is in G-d’s Gan-‘Eden. (paradise)"
*****************
I sometimes share my posts with friends at:
Charlotte a Spiritual SundaysSpiritual Sundays Janis with Sunday Stillness THE SUNDAY COMMUNITY – #GIVE ME GRACE @SEE SPEAK HEAR MAMA Kathy’s Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life GRAND Social The Beauty in His Grip Link-Up
MOTIVATION MONDAYS – @EMBRACINGHISWILL SHARING HIS BEAUTY – @THEBEAUTYINHISGRIP
STILL SATURDAYS @SANDRAHESKAKING PLAYDATES @LAURABOGGESS
Titus 2 Tuesday Share Your Stuff Tuesday TITUS TUESDAYS @CORNERSTONE CONFESSIONS Wordless Wednesdays
Jennifer Dukes Lee Tell His Story Teaching What Is Good Link-Up
Classical Homemaking Link-Up Judith’s Wholehearted Wednesday
Raising Homemakers Wednesday A
Wise Woman Builds Wake Up Wednesday A Little R & R Wednesday Wednesday's Prayer Girls & Link-Up Party Thought Provoking Thursdays at 3D Lessons 4Life Thursday
Favorite Things My Fresh Brewed Life with Barbie – Weekend Brew
Right now, I'm working my way through the book of Numbers... This year I am attempting to read the Bible through in the Message translation. It would be very neat to read it in Hebrew, but since I know no Hebrew, I guess I'll have to tackle that in eternity!
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend Bible Gateway, a website that has many translations. I use the Complete Jewish Bible, but there is also a Hebrew translation available on their website. I was astounded when I compared the CJB to the KJV, which I grew up with. It is amazing how much is missed, left out, mis-translated, etc. I encourage you to use as close to the Hebrew as you can find. I'm always amazed when we look at our 350 year old Torah scroll. It reminds me, once again, how seriously the sefers took their job. I thank Hashem, and the sefers, for faithfully guarding and writing every jot and tittle to be passed down for the generations to come. The modern translations have done a great dis-service to His Holy Word.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I must add that The Message is not a good translation at all. I do not recommend it. If you will use Bible Gateway and compare it with the Complete Jewish Bible as you read, you will understand what I mean. I pray you will learn how much has been stolen from the Bible. Keep on studying. One day, you might even want to learn Hebrew. I'm learning...very slowly, but it's do-able.
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