Paul’s Summation (4)

“Behold, his soul is puffed up, it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.”  Habakkuk 2:4  ESV

Faith – Finally we come to the most crucial term – faith.  Once again we must turn to the Hebrew background.  The Hebrew stem is ‘aman.  It means, “to confirm, support, uphold, establish, be certain.”  The TWOT article makes an important observation. “This very important concept in biblical doctrine gives clear evidence of the biblical meaning of ‘faith’ in contradistinction to the many popular concepts of the term. At the heart of the meaning of the root is the idea of certainty. And this is borne out by the nt definition of faith found in Heb 11:1.  The basic root idea is firmness or certainty.” [1]  Now that we have the basic idea, we must look at the derivative ‘emunah, the word used in Habakkuk.  We should notice right away that this word is translated “faith” because of Paul’s use of the Greek term pistin (faith) in his quotation of Habakkuk in Romans 1:17.  If it were not for Paul, we would have to translate this Hebrew word faithfulness or fidelity, not faith.  That would help us see that ‘emunah is not about some creed or doctrinal statement.  It is about reliable living, living that is based on some constant, unshakeable standard.  In other words, Habakkuk seems to be saying that those who judge correctly, whose lives are a reflection of the divine standard, live on the basis of utter reliance upon that standard.  They behave according to the firm conviction that the measuring rod is true and reliable.  A man of “faith” is a man who is in alignment with God’s words.

You might want to look again at our studies of Leviticus 18:5  and Romans 1:17  or the previous times we studied this verse in Habakkuk.

All of these are consistent.  Faith is not words.  It is deeds.  It is the power of words displayed in action (“Let there be light.  And there was light.”).  The emphasis is always on the behavior.  Yes, behavior is the result of right thought and right attitude, what in Hebrew would be lev (heart), but it never stays there.  A man does not live in his mind.  He lives in the real world of motion.  And that’s where tsaddiq shows up.  It is exhibited in the ‘emunah of consistency, of uniformity to the code, of fidelity to the author of the code.  If that isn’t present, faith isn’t present, no matter what you want to call it.

Topical Index: faith, faithfulness, ‘emunah, ‘aman, Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17



[1] Harris, R. L., Harris, R. L., Archer, G. L., & Waltke, B. K. (1999). Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (electronic ed.) (51). Chicago: Moody Press.

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carl roberts

Emunah, my friends is based upon what is firm, reliable and certain. Emunah is founded upon the Word of God which lives and abides (remains) forever.

~ The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever ~ (Isaiah 40.8)

~ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away ~ (Matthew 24.35)

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the LORD is laid for your faith in His excellent word!

~ Does not my word burn like fire?” says the LORD. “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces? ~ (Jeremiah 23.29)

As a result of being in right-relationship with our (very present- always available) Heavenly Father, our right-response to His words is obedience. “Yes, Father, I delight in obeying You.” I no longer rebel but now delight to do what pleases You.”

A man of “faith” is a man who is in alignment with the word of God, (“both” written and Living!) Amen! – rightly-related/aligned/ or “righteous.”

And (always according to His words!)- He has said (yes, “it is written!”-Hallelujah!)- Are we listening?- “without Me, you can do nothing!” (Zero, with the edges trimmed off)

~ Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing ~ (John 15.5)

Gabe

The biblical definition of freedom is very interesting when you look at some of the biblical stories.

Israel had problems with Pharaoh because Moses made them cease (Sabbath) from their labors, and they wanted to go to the desert to sacrifice to God. In Daniel, freedom meant freedom from the ‘rich foods’ of the king’s table.

In all these instances freedom meant being able to follow God’s laws/ways. So different from our culture were freedom means ‘do whatever you want’, or no law. Brings new meaning to Paul’s words about removing the curse of the law, too, since the curse was from DIS-obedience. This is very different than removing the law itself.

Dorothy

I thank EVERYONE (and for your patience Skip) for your posts last evening and ALL the imput.
I know you genuinely believe it, but I cannot join anyone in the teaching of, or belief in soul sleep, or in un-consciousness after death.

” . . .and they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” — Acts 7: 59
(stephen is committing and commening the care of his soul unto Gods hands immediately upon its separation)

Ephesians 3:14-15 says, “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.”
(there’s a family in Heaven and earth, — some are alive in Heaven and others are still in the flesh on earth.)

” . . .even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” –1 Thess. 4:14
(When Jesus returns at the Rapture, Jesus will bring those who “sleep in Jesus”–death only looks like sleep– so they’ve been with Him in heaven)

“For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” –Phil. 3:20
( there is a community in Heaven where we are being expected. When we leave here, there will be a heavenly family awaiting and welcoming us.)

Matthew 22:32 says, “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
(God is not the God of the DEAD; but of the LIVING.) and when the multitude heard this they were astonished–as may be expected– from what I’ve learned that they believed only in the grave/un- consciousness until the judgment!

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” — I John 5:13

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” — John 3: 16

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” — John 10: 10

While you study, in any way you wish, with whomever, write some of your questions into the search box at ww.gotquestions.org

Carl, never stop your wonderful messages.

Gabe

Just glad you’re hear and willing to learn with the rest of us 🙂