Hebrew Perfection
The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7
Perfect – What is perfect? We usually think of perfection in mathematical terms. So perfect means without error. 100% correct. No mistakes. This Greek orientation leads to dilemmas for verses like Matthew 5:48. We can understand how God can be perfect, but how can God expect me to be without error or mistakes? It seems impossible.
We need to start over. The Hebrew concept of perfect is not the same as the mathematically-based Greek view. Here the word is tamiym. It means “blameless or complete.” Over half of its occurrences in Scripture describe an animal used in sacrifice. Let me assure you that there is no animal on earth that is without error. The category of correctness doesn’t apply to animals. To be perfect for a sacrifice, the animal needs only to be without spot or blemish. This standard is a moral one, not a cognitive one. I might get every answer on the algebra test wrong and God would still count me “perfect,” as long as I am in alignment with His instructions. Conversely, I might be the smartest, most correct person on earth (do I hear the name “Solomon” in the background?) and still be hopelessly imperfect in God’s eyes because I reject, ignore or disobey His Torah.
What is perfect? The psalmist gives us the bedrock picture of perfection – God’s Torah. He employs both meanings of tamiym in this statement. First, God’s Torah is morally blameless. There is nothing in His Torah that leads to sin or to ungodly actions, in front of Him or in front of other men. Living according to Torah is the epitome of shalom – peace with God and peacefulness among men. Secondly, God’s Torah is complete. Everything I need to know about what really matters in life is in Torah. Of course, that doesn’t mean Torah tells me how to balance my checkbook or find the quickest route to work or dozens of other trivial or not so trivial tasks in living. But from a Hebraic perspective, Torah tells me everything that really matters – and what matters most of all is that my life is pleasing to God. Think about that. If my life is pleasing to God, does anything else really make a very big difference? If my life is pleasing to God and God is sovereign over all life, don’t you think He will take care of me? Yeshua had something to say about birds that applies to this kind of dependence.
The consonant root of tamiym is Tau-Mem-Mem. Its derivatives are translated “integrity,” “complete,” “perfect” and “entirely.” It implies soundness, full health, what is completely truthful and what is ethically upright and undefiled. Notice these ideas are found in activities. What is truthful meets God’s standards in speech. What is upright meets His standards in behavior and thought. What is pure meets His standards in ritual. Torah is the complete edition of God’s standard, not the abridged handy pocket guide for successful living. That’s why the study of Torah is one of the three most important spiritual disciplines of Judaism. Of course, the purpose of studying Torah is not the collection of information. It is the restoration of the “soul,” as we shall see.
Topical Index: perfect, tamiym, blameless, Psalm 19:7
A bang-on-cue word of encouragement.
“Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word appropriately spoken”. Proverbs 25:11 CJB
Baruch HaShem!
The Word of ADONAI is perfect- whether Hebrew or Greek.. it matters not! Don’t be throwing out the baby with the bathwater- Everything our Elohim says, does or thinks is “perfect!” HE (only) is the HOLY ONE. Always has been- always will be.
There is only one perfect man ever to have lived- (and shock of shocks!- it isn’t me!). With mathmatical precision – lol!- I can say- it “probably” isn’t you (or him or her) either.- (What are the odds?- lol!). No, no and no- HE (only) is our ADONAI- perfect is wisdom and in beauty. In shadow and in substance- HE, our LORD Jesus, our Savior, Redeemer, Mediator, Friend is the only-perfect-second Adam- without spot or blemish- I find no fault in HIm. Hallelujah!
This is why I may say with Rabbi Sha’ul- “not I-but Christ.” And this is why I may say with thousands of others- “don’t look at me- look at Him!” He must increase but “I” must decrease. It is so. Amen.
Don’t look at me.. if your looking for perfection…
Don’t look at me… I will only let you down…
I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction…
But don’t look at me… no, no, no… don’t look at me.. look at Him
Sometimes I have a fear, that you will see a mirror…
and get the thought that it’s the main attraction…
but all that you detect, is just what I reflect…
of the object of my own affection…
I’ll lead you, to the one I found, He’ll give you everything you need…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kyck2E-3AD0&feature=related
“looking unto Yeshua- the Author and Finisher of our faith..”
-not a casual glance- but rather- a continual gaze- Yeshua- our Savior-Shepherd-Sovereign-Succor-Strength and Song. Yeshua- our ADONAI. Ever faithful, ever present, ever strong- El Gibbor-mighty G-d, mighty in love- mighty in mercy. Who’s words are perfect? -“It is the LORD” -our ever Victorious ONE. Amen.
Shalom Carl,
So gloriously expressed my brother. Several years ago while interceeding with a couple of brothers, the Holy Spirit gave me some cool insight about the golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayere of the saints. There is only fullness in heaven and in the Father’s house. (I believe these prayer bowls are always full. It is not about our faithfullness in prayer, but about his fullness and desire to answer and restore his people.
Also Acts 2, the poured out Holy Spirit. Romans 5:5, God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit………. God always moves toward us with extragavance. The greatest example of this; King Yeshua!
The cry of my heart to those on this road of discipleship today. May we KNOW the extragavant poured out love of our Abba for us and his world. There is no time to be looking down, but,LOOKING UP! Our redemption draws nigh.
God’s word is perfect in any language. That’s true. But it isn’t the language that causes so much trouble these days. Whether Greek or Hebrew doesn’t matter. What matters is the cultural norms and philosophical positions implied by the linguistic structures. That’s what we have to be aware of whether we are speaking English, Greek or Hebrew.
Amen brother Skip- we are in the world, yet not of the world. We are to be- “decidedly different”. “Come out from among them and be ye separate.” This is our call to holiness because we (now) belong to Him- “lock,stock and barrel.” Maybe we have forgotten- “all to Jesus I surrender.”
Testimony time. This is how it works y’all. We MUST surrender in totality. “All.” This is the key to victory. Absolute Surrender. Who am I to say? (I’m glad you asked.) I am the little boy who gave his lunch to the LORD. I surrender (daily) my “all” to Christ. When we give all we know of ourselves (the good, the bad and the ugly) to Him- He gives all of Himself to us. Space and time do not permit me to tell all that has happened since- but I’ll try to encapsulate by saying “major change” and a “quantum leap.” A growth spurt might be a good description. I’m still “growing” and probably will continue to do so until I draw my last breath of G-d’s good air. Walking “by faith” is an adventure. I’ve played with a title for my autobiography and so far have come up with- “Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.” lol!
I often feel trapped by the patterns – the geometric designs – my life has set for me. I deal most everyday with people who experience the same. Simply dismantling the designs and throwing away the schematics does not prove effective or beneficial. Like Israel being led out of Egypt we must be led out of the culture, the beliefs, the worldview that hold us captive. The call of Torah is what I hear. Calling from the mount of God it beckons all who have an ear to hear. O God give me that ear – Shema O Israel – Shema O Roderick. Torah is liberation. Torah leads us out. Torah leads us, as David said, into wide open places; that I may avad – that I may ahav. Fill me today with Your Spirit that I may know how to walk in Your ways O LORD; that I might walk into all You have purposed and intended.
My guess is that we need to spend a lot more time talking about the nature and structure of paradigms. No one simply leaves paradigms behind and moves to a neutral place. God leads His people out of one paradigm and into another. The vacuum demands filling. So, Egypt is left behind but Israel is gained. So it is with us. Remember Yeshua’s remarks about the demon who vacated the premises and later returned. When we move away from the world, but do not embrace an all-consuming replacement paradigm, we will soon find something to fill the void. The replacement has to be at least as powerful as the one we left.
Keith Green back in the 70’s wrote and recorded the song, “So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt”. I’m reminded that leaving Egypt is one thing, but dying to Egypt is another. Embracing the new paradigm and filling the vacuum requires me to not only leave, but not return as well. The new paradigm may not be all I imagined it would be. God’s ways are not my ways. Change takes time and if I keep looking back every time I’m disappointed or discouraged, then change will be delayed or unrealized. Yes, I would love more discussions on the nature and structure of paradigms.
Paradigm shift is a study of Exodus. I did that once, in a 2 year Bible study here in Florida with the Winter Garden group. I think some of it was recorded. I will have to find out.
Egypt, (the world), includes the following (all that is in the world)- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. The “unholy” trinity of the flesh. (That which is flesh is flesh.). Christ (our Victor) was in all points tempted as we are- yet, without sin. He (and He alone) is the Victorious ONE. As the scripture states- “without me-you can do nothing.” As John the Immerser put it- “He must increase and I must decrease,” and as Rabbi Sha’ul enjoined “not I, but Christ.” It is Christ in you (us) that is the hope of glory (the certainty of beauty).
We (who are His) have left Egypt (the world) behind. We (who belong to the Good Shepherd) are migrating toward our New Jerusalem. It is a journey and a marathon race- not a sprint to the finish line. Truly, a long obedience in the same direction (with a few stumbles along the way-and not a few bumps and bruises). There will be scars. No one gets there- scar free. But- (did you hear it?) But (selah) G-d is Faithful (and True). He is Immanu’el (G-d with us). He loves us with an everlasting love. “Great peace have they which love thy law and nothing shall offend them.” Three hundred sixty six times we have been encouraged: “fear not!” (any particular reason why?) Yes, -absolutely amen.
There is also my friends a Canaan to be claimed. All that is necessary to “get there” is to cross a river by the name of Jordan. (death). Death to self. (-so long self..) I have been crucified with Christ- nevertheless I live and the life that I now live (in the flesh) I live by the faith of the Son of G-d who loved me and gave His life for me. Not only has He given us His life, but He also has given us His holy Breath- the Ruach HaKodesh to remind us of His words and the inheritance that is now ours and will be ours in full when we step through the doorway of death. To die is gain. How do we know this? (“it is written”).
We need to know G-d’s book of instruction. G-d’s law. G-d’s Torah. We do err, not knowing the scripture nor the power of G-d. These are His directions (some assembly required) for life. “Whatever He says unto you- do it.” Shema- (listen and obey) O Israel. (This includes the adopted ones- us.). All the covenant promises of Israel are ours through adoption. We are (now) joint-heirs with Christ and are the children of the living Elohim.
If we (His children) ever find out who we are and what we have (in Christ) it would take off the top of our heads and cause an emotional meltdown. It’s a good thing G-d has given unto us only a glimpse of glory. Remember this promise?- “Eye has not seen, neither has ear heard the things G-d has in store for them who love (avad) Him..”- We do not possess the necessary imagination or creativity to fathom a guess- “Welcome to Heaven,”- “Welcome Home”- “well done- good and faithful servant.”
Not only an “exodus” (a coming out of) but also an “eisodus” – a going into. From Egypt to Canaan. There was a destiny YHWH intended for His people. The good land of Goshen- the “promised land.”- Canaan-the land flowing with milk and honey- just across the river Jordan.
An eleven day journey which took forty years to complete. Maybe the shortest distance between two points is a straight line- (both straight and narrow) -“Straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leads unto life!. “In Him” “in Christ” “not I-but Christ.” A rest that remains. The fulness of G-d. His protection, His promise, His purpose, His provision, His purity, His power, His perfect peace. It is the LORD, our ADONAI.
This helps give context to 2 Peter 1:3: “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (NIV)
You mention that Torah doesn’t explain how to balance a checkbook, but it tells us in Proverbs 27:23 the importance of balancing one’s checkbook: “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds” (NIV)
My thought on this has been that the basic rules for successful life are in God’s word. Many of them are wrapped in ancient life styles such as watching over your herd vs. balancing your checkbook so they have to be brought out and explained in modern terms.
How much better would believer’s lives be if they even understood the value of a personal financial balance sheet as the indicator of wealth vs. using income and owning debt (debt for cars/homes, etc.) as indicators of wealth. I was not taught this concept at church or at home and the financial results I got showed it.
Thanks Skip’
This teaching method of Skip Moen’s is helping me in many ways. My Hebrew hasn’t leaped forward, but my understanding of the importance of obedience is being confirmed and saluted. I am more than satisfied with the subject of “perfection” being GOD’s Ways rather than our interpretation. When I personally, am shooting from the hip the results fall short of ‘shalom’. If I follow Psalms 119 I get results I can call internally, externally and eternally successful. Peace and prosperity ensue. God
enables me to match calamity with serenity through progressive obedience rather than perfection.
Thanks,
David Needham