Cultural Grammar
At that time people began to call on the name of the LORD. Genesis 4:26 ESV
Name – Explain the grammatical connections and implications of calling someone’s name. Let’s see. In English (and also in Greek and most Indo-European languages), a name is a phonetic marker that represents some entity. More importantly, it is an arbitrary phonetic marker. That means there is no essential connection between the sound of the word and the properties or attributes of the designated object. So, cat in English and gato in Spanish both designate the same creature but neither word is essentially connected to the existence of the creature. In these languages, names are simply useful conventions. If we assigned wooky to the creature that looks like a domestic cat, and we all agreed to call it by this name, we would not do this creature an injustice.
But not so in Hebrew. In Hebrew a name is an essential expression of the attributes of that object. A name is not an arbitrary convention. A name says something about the necessary properties of the object; properties that cannot be expressed with any other name. For example, av (Aleph-Bet) is the word for “father,” but it is not simply a linguistic convention. Aleph-Bet portrays the essential characteristic of what it means to be a father by expressing the two pictures “strength” and “house” in conjunction. A father is the strength of the house. A man who has children but is not the strength of the house is not a father for he does not meet the essential requirements of what it means to be a father. We see the same linguistic qualities in the language of the Maasai. To be a man is to be the provider for the family. As one person in South Africa told me, when a girl in the breadwinner of a Maasai home, she is referred to as the “man” of the house.
With this in mind, what does Scripture mean when it says that men began to call on the name of the Lord? Does it mean that one day they started using the name “YHWH” as part of their worship? No. It means that at this time men began to identify themselves with the essential characteristics attached to the name YHWH. It isn’t that they just began using the phonetic sound of the name. Rather, they began to do what was implied by conforming their lives to the meaning of the name. They became representative bearers of the name by displaying the essential attributes inherent in the name. That’s why “calling on the name” is actually a technical term for “conforming my life to the attributes of the divine.”
Why is this important to us? Christianity has made a fetish out of the name “Jesus.” Quite often Christians attach “in the name of Jesus” to a prayer in order to proclaim some supposed authority and veracity. But calling on the name of Yeshua (even as “Jesus”) is not some magical rite or spiritual formula. To name Him in some prayer is to proclaim conformity of His character and attributes. In other words, it is to assert that my life is in full alignment with His life, that I do what He does and that my words are His words. “In the name of Jesus” means nothing if the speaker is not exhibiting the life of the Messiah.
Topical Index: name, shem, Genesis 4:26
A Side Note: My critic of Dwight Prior’s lectures on Paul and the Law has caused some small furor, probably because we all hold Dr. Prior in such high regard (me included). The blog the resulted from this critic is interesting in itself. You might want to take a look. In my opinion, it’s a good example of the clash between Scriptural truth and personality.
What blog, where. I’m interested, but not surprised.
Just go back to “Some Surprises: Dwight Pryor on Paul” from a few days ago. The blog continues.
Just as Bob asked, what blog. Also interested.
I am giving a message on idolatary.it is interesting to me that the Rabbis teach that the trinity teaching is idolatary.I am curious to know if using the name of yashuah in our prayers falls in this category.I know there is only one God and the son and the spirit are attributes of him.His instructions to us were to pray to the father.There seems to me that I am missing something.Have I been focusing on the messenger and not the source of the power?
Hi Brian,
You brought up a very interesting point. I was waiting for Skip to reply 🙂
To the “Jews”, Yahudians, worshipping the Meshiach is idolatry. It is YHWH Who saves, sending His Son
our Meshiach, to save us.
It is like Avraham ‘sacrificing’ Yizhaq his son.
Shalom!
it is interesting to me that the Rabbis teach that the trinity teaching is idolatry.
Hi Brian,
idolatry is the worship of a physical object as a god
Jesus was a physical object (man) in this world
in the Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are one
ergo the Trinity is an oxymoron (IMO)
In my view, Jesus conformed to God, showing us the way
To conform to God
Like Jesus we could be “one” with God in language or “spirit”
But a person cannot be equal to God
Because God is not a physical object
In my view, when people act like Jesus
We refer to them as Heroes (YHVH)
Because they display faith rather than fear
“In other words, it is to assert that my life is in full alignment with His life, that I do what He does and that my words are His words”. Amein, Skip, precisely!
Yeshua means salvation in Hebrew. To conceal or change His name to jesus means to change His identity, and function/purpose.
Also, who gave us the mandate/chutzpah to change His name? How does YHWH view this change when He said, His Son’s name is to be called Yeshua, born to Levites who spoke Hebrew, in Israel?
When one’s mind is set in concrete, it will be tough to break, I have come to this conclusion often when trying to bring Messianic “Jews” out of Christian teachings back to their “lost” identity, to keeping Feast Days, and calling the Meshiach by His rightful Name Yeshua, instead of jesus.
Skip-I found no place to reply to what you said re my defending you. I was not! 🙂 I was furious, not upset, that he called us a bunch of “kool aid drinkers” with no minds of our own! What chutzbah!
It don’t matter that you are friends, but that insult was thrown at us bloggers there in general. I have yet to see an apology from him to us. That speaks volumes of him, who is judging others.
Most of us here appreciate what you are ministering.
Interestingly, “began” in Hebrew means 1) to profane, defile, pollute, desecrate, begin.
a) (Niphal)
1) to profane oneself, defile oneself, pollute oneself
a) ritually
b) sexually
2) to be polluted, be defiled
b) (Piel)
1) to profane, make common, defile, pollute
2) to violate the honour of, dishonour
3) to violate (a covenant)
4) to treat as common
c) (Pual) to profane (name of God)
d) (Hiphil)
1) to let be profaned
2) to begin
e) (Hophal) to be begun
Why “began” was chosen for the translation?
Should it be-From then on, the Name, the character of YHWH was profaned? Consequence- the flood.
Shalom!
I’ve heard this before, that ‘calling on the name’ was actually a negative thing — but it’s used positively elsewhere, and in the context of those following God, is it not?
Either way, the word connecting is very interesting. What is it that connects beginning something, to defilement? It seems like there can be both positive and negative connotations, similarly as there are with “image”.
Hi Gabe,
It isn’t about “calling on the name”, which is fine if we are aligned to YHWH’s Word, just as Skip is pointing out here, if we are not, then our very prayer would be an abomination to HIM.
It is the “began” in that verse. Just as in all translations, some words are changed, picked, in order to make sense according to the translator, but then the original Hebrew aspect is lost.
4:26
וּלְשֵׁת גַּם־הוּא יֻלַּד־בֵּן וַיִּקְרָא אֶת־שְׁמֹו אֱנֹושׁ אָז הוּחַל לִקְרֹא בְּשֵׁם יְהוָֽה׃ פ
And Shet also had been brought forth a son and he called out his tittle Enosh, at that time
they pierced to call out in the tittle of YHWH. -Jeff Benner, word for word translation.
So, there was no “began” but “pierced” – חלל chalal
2) to wound (fatally), bore through, pierce, bore
a) (Qal) to pierce
b) (Pual) to be slain
c) (Poel) to wound, pierce
d) (Poal) to be wounded
3) (Piel) to play the flute or pipe
So, verse perhaps should read-from then on they pierced, wounded, the Name of YHWH,
and not “began to call” upon His Name. Very interesting; from the very beginning YHWH’s name has been wounded, profaned, when His protocol back in the garden was not obeyed.
” It seems like there can be both positive and negative connotations, similarly as there are with “image”.” I miss your point here, Gabe. 🙂
Sorry, I didn’t explain well. The “image” comment was about words that can seem to have both positive and negative meanings. Such as – we are supposed to be in the image of God (‘image’ = positive), but we are not to try and make ‘images’ of God (‘image’ = negative).
Perhaps I should have used a better example, like the Hebrew word for hedge – which as I understand can mean something sharp/uncomfortable/ect – but also ‘protection’. So the word seems to have both positive and negative connotations depending on it’s use. So the question I asked was basically if the word you were referring to, may be similar in having both positive and negative connotations.
…………..P.S. reading up on it now…… found this interesting:
http://www.karaitejudaism.org/talks/Profane-Chol-Chalal_study.pdf
….. but I see I still need to do some studying.
Gabe, You are right in that instance.
‘Hedge’ is a very good example. It can mean being confined, restricted, but on the other hand, it can mean protection and safety.
Looking into the link too, thanks! Shalom!
Skip,
I hope you might expand on this. The word “cat”, however, is not a name but a “class” of animals. However, if a cat was named “Thomas” that name would then tell us something about the cat.
Names, of course, changed in the Hebrew along with the changing character of the person. Abram became Abraham, for example.
But you are right on the button when you say, “’In the name of Jesus’ means nothing if the speaker is not exhibiting the life of the Messiah.”
Thank you for that technical correction. Fortunately I think the point was still communicated.
Names and titles are clearly very important to God. It becomes evident when and where we see them being used in the Tanakh. In particular, I am referring to the names / titles : “Elohim”, “YHVH”, “El Shaddai”, “El Elyon”. It has been my experience that the Father reveals much about Himself in His Names. Of course, there are a myriad of other names too. Its a marvelous and revealing study for anyone who has not done so!
For me, this is such an important concept that believers need to grasp!
I always use the example of bitterness and forgiveness. We tend to TELL people about G-d’s grace and forgiveness, and that’s ok. But, when someone wrongs me and I forgive them on the spot without expecting anything in return, and then treat them as if it never happened, then that person EXPERIENCES grace through me. In that circumstance, that person EXPERIENCES G-d through me. For me, that’s what it means to do something “in the Name (character) of Yeshua”.
That’s why it is so important that we live according to G-d’s Word, especially those instructions that fall under the “weightier matters of the law”, because through living them out daily, people experience G-d through us. We need to tell people about G-d less, and allow people to experience Him through us more. But, that can only happen if we actually DO what His Word instructs us to do.
St. Francis of Assisi
“Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words”
More contemplations of faith from riding my mountain bike:
“calling on the name” and faith – performing real actions with my life that conform to Torah as opposed to cognitive affirmation of truths.
I am still riding my mountain bike through the trails of the park that is only 4 minutes from my house.
It’s thrilling. I am a mountain biker. The thing that makes me a mountain biker is not that I purchased a ridiculously expensive mountain bike (that is hanging on a corner wall by the front tire so as to help conserve space in my apartment when I’m not riding it). I am a mountain biker when I am RIDING my mountain bike (MTB). I can only be a MTB rider when I am actually moving and pedaling my MTB. It is the action that qualifies me as such. I know many people that have purchased a MTB, but do not ride it, even occasionally. It sits in their garage, back yard, driveway or someplace else. It’s not being ridden. They own it, but it is not put in to action. It just sits there. As such, it has no value, it does nothing of value and, frankly, it’s just taking up space, getting in the way at times of being able to do other things in the space it occupies. They are not MTBers. They are going to MTB ‘heaven’, having the intention of riding ‘one day.’ That one day never comes. MTB rider “wanna-be’s”.
My MTB works best and as it should when I am in an intimate balanced relationship with it IN MOTION. When I’m zooming down a trail, I am MTBing at its fullest and at its best. Moving at a blurring pace over the trails gives a vivid demonstration and representation of MTBing. When people see me racing through the trails they don’t have to ask what I’m doing because they can simple use their eyes and see me MTBing. It’s visible due to the action and motion taking place. They don’t have to ask me if I’m a MTBer because the see me MTBing with their very eyes.
My MTB is made and created for motion. Standing still it isn’t a MTB, it’s a collection of metal, rubber, plastic, carbon, and liquid (hydraulic fluid) parts connected together. With no one riding it, it simply takes up space. In action, with me pedaling and riding it, it’s a MTB, fully.
My MTB works properly when I am controlling it, powering it, steering it and moving on it. When I come to a stop, that is, when motion ceases, the MTB ceases functioning. It cannot do what it was designed to do while stopped. It requires movement, motion and activity. Believe it or not, most of the time on the trail, it is better the faster you go because of the momentum and ease of steering and balance issues. Going slow can require more effort to balance, more difficulty in steering, and a harder challenge of navigating obstacles like roots, rocks and holes in the trail. In fact, in some instances with obstacles you simple can’t move forward without specific action applied very delicately and very focused. Do you doubt me? Well, if you just go try to navigate over a garden of large rocks you will understand exactly what I mean.
When I’m not riding my MTB all my physical navigating skills are automatic mostly. That is, I walk largely unconsciously. It’s automatic and thus allows me to concentrate on all kinds of other things like looking, thinking, contemplating, humming, talking, etc. On the other hand, when I am MTBing, I am fully focused on MTBing and MTBing alone. Why? It demands my full focus, attention, and concentration. Even only a half a second of inattention while moving swiftly over the trail can result in tremendous devastation. Running in to a tree or rock or limb can happen in the blink of an eye and I am quickly separated from my MTB! Not good.
Lastly, at least in this episode of ‘faith illustrated via MTBing”, I get better at MTBing as I get better at becoming one with my MTB. The more I use my MTB the better I understand its qualities, characteristics and abilities. The more I use my MTB the less I have to think about it as I simply do it. In the beginning of my MTBing training I would never go through a ravine or jump or intimidating downhill slope. I just stopped. I didn’t move forward. After many riding sessions I became more comfortable with my MTB and understood and realized what I could do with it in motion. I can now continue moving through all those ravines, jumps and downhills without stopping. I don’t even apply my brakes any more. I just move through them as if it was the most natural thing in the world. There are still things I don’t do. I stop at them. I study them and practice them on a smaller scale. One day, with practice and exercising my ‘oneness’ with my MTB I will conquer them and scale them. I will jump mountains!
I will only do those mighty things if I keep moving on my MTB. If not, I’ll just stop, thus killing what my MTB was designed for – motion forward. On a side note, I can’t ride my MTB backwards. It just doesn’t work that way, can’t work that way and will not work backwards. It’s a forward going instrument.
Ok, that’s all. You can, if you want, take the idea of what faith is and plug it in to the above statements and I think you will discover some interesting and illuminating correlations.
MTBing is fun. It’s exciting.
Faith-ing in Torah, that is Yeshua, that is the Way, that is Truth, that is Life is fun. Also, it’s exciting.
Shalom.
(Please file in the “For What It’s Worth” drawer.) 🙂
Thank you Michael C. Good job of telling a modern parable. Would that I apply it rather than file it. We are close to the same age and I wouldn’t even think of MTB’ing, even though Jamaica is an ideal place for it-rough, rugged hills and mountainous terrain everywhere. My attention span is too short to concentrate on what MUST be attended to-that’s one reason I got rid of my Goldwing 1200 when I lived in Florida. The other is the Sunshine States many unsafe senior drivers. (ME: “Oh, look a rabbit trail”… 94 year old driver: “Is that another Darn Hippie on a fancy bicycle coming at me?” …) Anyway, always remember, just as in Ephesians, to put on the full armor and PRAY! Happy Trails. Michael S
🙂
Michael C-
that is so well expressed, you have taken us on an enjoyable “MTB-ing” trip too.
That was FUN! Thank you!
Shalom!
thank you for the analogy or modern day parable Michael C, – even though it was (IMO) a bit “wordy”- you did well to express yourself and I agree- we are what we do.
I, by trade, am an electrician. I play with power. But oh, do I(?) respect and value that power? – you may bet your bippy! I (ouch) have learned (ouch) from experience (ouch) to respect electricity- Have I ever (ouch) been burned before? lol! –
One of my favorite cartoons (Frank and Ernest) reads: “I used to be an electrician, but I’m taking some time off to let my eyebrows grow back.”
Yes, the first thing we learn as an electrical apprentice is to respect electricity- and brother (and sisters) that “respect” is not learned in the textbooks, but rather “out there” – in the field.
Power (electrical power) must be reduced to a usable voltage. What begins as distribution voltage is pushed throughout the country to the tune of 500,000 volts, then reduced or transformed to 13,000 and reduced again in the cities and then in the service drop to each individual house. In order to be useable (and safe) power must be reduced or transformed.
G-d became a man, ~ the man Christ Jesus ~ and lived among us.
And Christ the power of God and Christ the wisdom of God and Christ the righteousness of God was reduced to tears when He looked out upon Jerusalem.. (Why?)
~Jerusalem, Jerusalem! She who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!~ “Behold, your house is left to you desolate; and I say to you, you will not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!” (Luke 13.33,34)
Not a pretty picture!
Power (electrical power) is now available, but we must avail ourselves of it. We must “plug-in” or connect to the power source and then? Work may be done and the power used for the benefit of mank ind. Every now and then we have a power failure which, of course- gives us a greater appreciation for the power (and even the utility workers) when it is restored- otherwise (like so many other things) and on a “normal” day, we take these things (my father-in-love called them his servants!) for granted.
~ All power is given unto Me in Heaven AND in Earth ~
Who said these words? (helpful household hint..-it wasn’t me!)
All power (?) is given unto “Who?”
~ And He has given unto Him a Name which is above every name ~
Abraham was formerly Abram, agreed? Paul, was formerly Saul, agreed? Israel was formerly known as Jacob, agreed?
Names, (in Hebrew) are not random and this is the fun part- studying each and every name, basically and prophetically tells (or foretells or forth-tells) the story of each life! ~As his (or her) name, so is he (or she!).~
Now concerning our Messiah, (yes, “our” Messiah- belonging to the Jew AND the Greek) – the best question (I believe) in all of “our” (yes, I did say “our”) Bible is this:
~ Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His Name, and what is His Son’s Name? Surely you know! ~
Well, Shirley, – what is tHis Name?
Oh Hallelujah! (there always remains a ragtag remnant) – those who know Your Name..
~ Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for He judges fairly and wages a righteous war ~
Well, there’s two names so far, (or One) – “Faithful AND True”- but wait…- there’s more!!
SO MUCH MORE!!!!!!!!
Have “you” discovered the “much more” of and *in Christ*?
And (thank you Skip Moen) in the Hebrew language (a pictorial language- a picture is worth a thousand words, – too bad I can’t draw!, lol!) there are no commas, but “dashes” only! Body-soul-breath. All-in-one. Three-in-one. Father-Son-Ruach. All are One. One LORD-One Faith-One Baptism.
Pardon me, but (Hallelujah!) ~ For by one Spirit are we ALLL baptized into one Body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been ALLL made to drink into one Spirit ~
Now, for those who may be “offended” at the Name of Jesus and insist that tHis Name is the most proper Hebrew name only, let us then call Him by tHis Name, but brothers, sisters- take a deep breath before attempting this:
For His Name (tHis Name) is “Pele-yoez-el-gibbor-Abi-ad-sar-shalom..” but is this “all?” NOoo.. There is more… – SO MUCH MORE..
I would run out of room, out of space and out of breath to even say tHis Name! Maybe the provided Greek convenience of the comma would allow me a breath every so often! My profound thanks to whoever invented the comma!
~ other sheep have I who are NOT of this fold ~ Abraham, Moses and Noah, (just these three) each were different and yet the same. There is unity in diversity, but..- we are all ONE in Christ Jesus.
And..dear ones- ~the veil of the Temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom..~
Why?
Because God in Christ has issued tHis invitation: ~ “whosever will” may come! ~
~ and whosoever will, let him take the free gift of the water of life ~ (Revelation 22:17)
“Whosoever heareth,” shout, shout the sound!
Spread the blessed tidings all the world around;
Spread the joyful news wherever man is found;
“Whosoever will may come.”
I’ve given up on trying to remain within the restraints of pithy in here and have fallen in to the pool of epistles as a norm. I’m on my mountain bike, following your lead. 🙂
Here’s another:
A few days ago I agreed to take my second son mountain biking. This is atypical for him as he is a ‘roady.’ He and a friend own and ride road bikes. Really, very different than mountain biking. He is going on a business trip to Colorado in a couple of weeks with some guys that own the bike shop he bought his bike at. They are going to rent some bikes out there and do some serious down hill mountain biking while there.
Being totally inexperienced on a mountain bike, my son, Nathan, asked if I would take him trail riding so as to familiarize him with the discipline in hopes of staving off any near death experiences when he goes to Colorado from being a newbie to the sport. I agreed.
The day we rode together had the trails recovering from rain the previous day. The trails were dry for the most part but had parts still soft, wet and muddy. Also, small trees and branches are usually strewn across the path after a rain. There are usually three to four trees dropped across the trails that you either have to stop and move or ride/jump over.
This added to Nathan’s first day learning ride. I said all this to get to a point. The point being the role I took in leading and guiding Nathan both through the trail and over and around all the added obstacles on the path. Since he had to get used to a whole new bicycle configuration and riding on a bumpy, hilly, jagged trail rather than a smooth road, I went really slow. Actually, what was very slow to me was, indeed, very fast and treacherous to Nathan.
Before the ride I coached him with a handful of general warnings and admonitions designed to help him cope with various trail challenges. The main thing I did, besides work really hard to stay just ahead of him so as not to lose him, was to call out approaching obstacles and challenges that I easily navigated but knew could prove formidable for him. I’d call out one word descriptions of what he’d expect in the next moment or two as he advanced. “Stick!” “Mud.” “Tight right turn.”
“Tight left.” “Branch on right.” “Hole.” “Uphill.” And so on.
At first I didn’t really know if he heard me or if all that I was verbalizing was actually helping him. But I continued through the whole trail. At the end of the first section, we stopped, caught our breath (well, Nathan did!), and chatted up the ride.
It was challenging for him, but he made it. He had stalled a few times and fallen once. He did say, however, that the warnings I had been calling out was a tremendous help. I was glad for that. You see, when you are trail riding, particularly in the beginning, there is an information and skill challenge overload. There are so many things that must be managed at once that the challenge is to coordinate them all within the demanded amount of limited time due to the movement on the trail. You have seconds to make really important things happen. My verbal warnings were acting as an assist in his trail management. He was focusing intently on the immediate part of the trail right in front of his tire. My warnings gave him an added assist to accommodate the coming trail. One less thing to think about. He got some help processing what was to come and could thus react quicker, better and more efficiently.
I guess you could say I acted in ways similar to how Yeshua does via His Ruach. Walking along side giving instructions on how to traverse the right path on the road of life. When Nathan stalled, I slowed. When he fell, I stopped and helped him up. We related information surrounding the incident and then continued on. I never left him. I was always there, ahead of him, letting him experience the trail, learn it, pick himself up and then I moved forward again with him following.
I never got mad when he fell or faltered. In fact, I rejoiced because I knew he was committed to learn to ride trails. He was analyzing everything seeking to grow and know how to get better at trial riding. A fall was a tremendous teaching event. His heart was in it and we bonded somewhat from the experience. Father and son. Together moving ahead on the trail. Experiencing the bumps, holes, and obstacles that the trail shoved in front of us. It was an adventure. Even with the bruises and scratches and trickle of blood oozing from a few spots.
It was fun. He wanted to do it again. We did. He got better the second time.
My heart swelled. My love pulsed. A grin on my face formed. An eternal memory was created that has more value than billions of things we call dollars.
I love mountain biking. I love mountain biking with my sons.
Yeshua has chesed for me. I’m grateful. I know He loves riding with me. I love following His lead.
Wordy.
Normally, I get to MTB with my oldest son. We are MTBers. Yesterday, I got the joy of riding with my middle son who is normally a road biker. He wanted to ride the trails with me since he was going on a trip with some friends to Colorado. The friends own a bike shop where he bought his road bike. They are planning to rent some bikes out west and ride some ‘awesome’ trials there. He wanted some hints, helps and some beginning training in MTBing before going. I gladly shared some principles of MTBing with him. We didn’t just talk, we rode. Talk is OK for a brief introduction, but you learn to ride trails by riding trails. It’s pretty much that simple.
Afterwards, after a couple of wipe-outs and several rough situations, we discussed the trails we covered. He was tired and beat up just a little. He had trouble keeping up with the ‘old man!’ 🙂 (I was going terribly slow compared to my usual pace!) However, it was one of the best rides I’ve had in quite some time. I got to ride ahead of my son with him following my example. I suggested he follow my track through the trails, going where I went, so as to take the best way through and over roots and obstacles. He did, for the most part. Having to stop, slow down and wait on him wasn’t frustrating at all. Leading my son who was willing to follow was a delight, no matter how long it took.
The discussions had serious evaluations of what happened. They also had some laughter and just a little poking fun, all in good humor. Remembering back to my first attempts at riding, I saw most of them in his experience. We compared notes. I gave him some suggestions and commiserated with his crashes, having had a few myself. We bonded, we laughed, we strategized. It was exhilarating.
He wants to do it again.
So do I. As many times as he wants, I’m there.
You know, I can understand a little of the joy, delight, desire and excitement Yeshua had when he said “Follow me” to all those guys. I’m sure he was thinking something along the lines of “I’ve got some wonderful life trails for us to ride together. It’ll be fun, it’ll be exciting and some might even make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. We’ll be moving forward. It will be hard and scary sometimes, but, I’ll be will you. Let’s go. Wanna?”
I love MTBing.
I love Yeshua.
I love moving forward on the trails He leads me on.
Another good modern parable Michael. CS Lewis once said “Adventures are never fun while you’re having them.” obviously never rode a MTB at breakneck speed down a mountain! Yes, I’m sure you are willing to do it over and over again as many times as it takes for him to be proficient at MTBing, just as you rightfully point out, Yeshua does towards us in this adventure called life. Let’s just hope your son, whatever his name is, doesn’t ever feel he is an Isaac being offered up on a mountain while following his father Abraham! Be safe, have exuberant joy and sweet fellowship. Shalom
Thx, Michael and Arnella.
My oldest son is Russell. My middle child, son, is Nathan. I also have a daughter, Andrea, my youngest. She has given me my only grandchild so far, a boy, Colton. He’s a ‘pistol.’
🙂
Hi Skipp,
The name for the animal called ‘cat’ is not as accidental as you think. God confused languages at Babel, but He did NOT reinvent new ones. Haven yu ever heard of the ‘Origin Of Speaches’ project of Isaac Mozeson? He tries to track back every single word in every single language to its original Hebrew root. I’m a member of his team for the Dutch language.
The word ‘cat’ (Eng.), ‘gato’ (Spa.), ‘kat’ (Dutch), ‘katze’ (Ger.) are all derived from Hebrew ‘cheetool’ (chet-tav-lamed). At Babel the lamed disappeared which left us with ‘cat’. The Hebrew word means something like ‘swaddling’ (Ezekiel 16:4) for a cat wraps itself up in repose.
So, you see, words are never without meaning, even if we have forgotten the meaning since Babel. Some examples:
giraffe
Oups,
giraffe (like caraffe in French, a bottle with long neck) means ‘neck’ in Hebrew
serpent comes from s-r-ph, fire, for it’s bite burnes like fire. Think of the ‘seraphim’, firy heavenly beings. Even the letters are special: shin = teath, rech = head, p(h)ee = mouth. Really a snake, isn’t it?
If you are interested in this project, go to http://www.edenics.org/
I guarantee you will never look at your own language the same way!
Some more:
BUZZARD comes from Hebrew BeeZaH (beth-zayin-hee), spoils or booty.
ELEPHANT comes from ALePH, (aleph-lamed-pee), an ox or any large animal, also: training.
GOAT and KID are derived from GeDI (gimmel-dalet-yod), a young goat.
FERRET is a violent robber. Like ‘pirate’, ‘reptile’ and ‘raptor’ its origin is PaReeYTS (pee-resh-yod-tsade), the Hebrew word for robber.
And so you can go on and on and on, not only for animal names, but for every word you can imagine in every language on earth.
Kees, todah!
I’ve checked the site, its beautiful.
I love the Hebrew language. Every letter and word is so meaningful.
Brad Scott of wildbranch ministry, teaches that too, one of his favourite topics- Edenics.
Shalom!
Shalom Skip,
Re: use of “in Yeshua’s name”
We are a bit confused here–
Is it wrong to use this phrase (sincerely, reverently) after a prayer. Are there occasions when you should use it (casting out demons….healings……petitions from YHVH etc.,) as did the 1st century disciples…we’re they wrong…
Please explain in more detail as you have ‘put a cat among the pigeons’ here…..
Then we can have true shalom again:)
Anne
Using his name appropriately is never wrong, and he encourages it. I am just pointing out that it is not magic and must never be treated that way