Sin Revisited (3)
And YHWH Elohim formed Man out of dry, loose earth dirt Genesis 2:7a (my translation)
Formed – “To bring desire into existence.” That’s yatsar. God desired partnership in the regulation and enhancement of His creation. That desire was manifested in the formation of Man. Because the desire to bring into existence is the essence of the image of God, Man shares this passion with the Creator. God created this passion good! It is not evil by itself. It is, in fact, an expression of who God is. But because it is directionless, it can be misused. The yetser ha’ra is the misuse of divinely-installed passion. The rabbis tell us just how subtle and disguised this misuse can be. “The evil impulse is at first like a passer-by, then like a lodger, and finally like the master of the house.”[1] They point out that the reign of the evil impulse is tantamount to idolatry within. “There shall be no strange god in thee” (Psalm 81:9) is interpreted as a remark about the yetser ha’ra that dwells within a man. Our job, with the help of the Lord, is to kick out the lodger and reinstall the rightful Master. This is why life on the Way is a battle, a journey fraught with danger, a walk in the valley of the shadow of death. And this is why the presence of His rod and staff comfort. Both are needed if we are to persevere. This is why initiation into His fellowship is never the end of the story. Until the last of my desire to bring into being is submitted to the Lord of life, I will be in need of assistance, reinforcements and deliverance.
Yatsar is God’s verb of formation. And God makes good. Therefore, yatsar in my life and in yours is good. God made it so. The issue we face is not the corrupt character we inherit. It is the problem of the choice we make with the power to bring desire into being. In other words, the significant difference between Judaism and some Christian theology (but not all, of course) is that Judaism expresses the conviction that Man is “unfettered” is his will. “The nature of his life is molded by his desires. He can misuse life’s opportunities if he so wishes, but in no circumstances would it be agreed that he must misuse them. The evil impulse constantly tempts him; but if he fall, the responsibility is his and his alone.”[2]
With this in mind, we can easily see why the Bible places so much emphasis on continuing in the faith and, frankly, so little on the initial act of acceptance. Everywhere in Scripture we encounter encouragement and instruction to keep on track. Everywhere we find exhortation to abide in the commandments. The contemporary emphasis on a single act of dedication or a moment’s declaration of belief is absent from Scripture. What matters is what we do in the long run, one day at a time. And nothing except our own misused passionate desire can prohibit us from becoming what God formed.
Topical Index: yatsar, formed, desire, passion, Genesis 2:7
[1] Abraham Cohen, Everyman’s Talmud, p. 91.
[2] Ibid., p. 95.
“The evil impulse is at first like a passer-by, then like a lodger, and finally like the master of the house.”
Abraham Cohen’s word picture reminds me of the progression in Psalm 1:1
“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers.”
A perfect connection, Cyndee. I thought this quote to also be on point, though not Scripture, certainly an appropriate word-picture anyone can understand:
“Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.”
Our Bible, (the source of our instruction) has this to say: “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things. He started it, He “keeps it going,” and in the end we all will “report back” as stewards to Him. In the end, life is not “ownership,” but “stewardship.”
“What did you do with what I gave you?” -and (according to His word)- “to whom much has been given, much shall be required..”
I believe in “the highway of holiness.” But even to walk along this pathway- we have to find the “on ramp.” Yeshau said, “I AM the door.” Even our desire for holiness and godliness (to be like our thrice-holy Father) is learned. Where did our awareness of sin come from? What to do about sin once it is revealed? Why the virgin birth, the sinless life, the tslav of a criminal? The resurrection from the dead, the certain promise of eternal life? What shall we say to these things? I can see where “joy unspeakable” might be an appropriate response..
Holiness is not the way to Christ, Christ is the Way of holiness. “I AM the Way..” are His words. “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself. (Luke 24.27)
“Bring him to me,” “Come unto me” were the invitational words spoken by our Messiah. From Genesis to Revelation, every jot and tittle- every yod, every aleph, is a picture or prophecy about Him. The book we read and are privileged to hold in our hands and in our hearts is the revelation of Jesus (who is the) Christ.
His very name is salvation. “Thou shalt call His name- “YHWH is salvation” for He shall save His people from their sins.” ??? Save His people? From their sins? Is salvation necessary? These are the chosen ones, the ones to whom the Torah has been given. What need do they (read “we”) have of a Savior? A Deliver? G-d’s Messenger. Is Christ necessary? Christ is so… -“Christian.”
And what of the cross? “What does this mean?” What was the purpose of the tslav? Was it necessary for Yeshua to die? According to the Passover, according to Levitical law.. yes. “Without the shedding of blood is no remission of sin.” “And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9.22)
Does this ever tie together nicely.. The holy of holies, the mercy-seat, the Passover Lamb, and the tslav of Yeshua. It’s all there! “Both” the old and the new(er) covenant in His blood. Wow!
“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” (1 Timothy 1.15) Luke 15:2 “But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15.2) On hearing this, Yeshua said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Mark 2:17)
Is repentance necessary for salvation? (What is necessary for salvation?) The presentation of a sinner (I have sinned) and the provision of a Savior (“whoever comes to Me, I will in no wise cast out”), resulting in the promise of Eternal life. This life “Both” a quality and a quantity. “Both” now and then! lol! – We get the best of both worlds! Amein!