The Father Is Alert
“Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and with the seed of beast. As I have watched over them to pluck up, to break down, to overthrow, to destroy and to bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 31:27-28 NASB
Watch over – Just suppose for a moment that the entire theme of the Bible is the recovery of YHVH as Father. That certainly seems to be the starting place of Scripture. YHVH brings Man into the world to share its wonder with Him, to participate in its development and to enjoy His company. Of course, things change, and when they do YHVH seems to constantly act in ways that are designed to return His people to His love and care for them. Even when captivity faces them, YHVH doesn’t seem to act as the stern Judge, jury and executioner. While Israel requires chastisement, even severe discipline, it is not for the purpose of revenge. It is intended to awaken the need for true dependence on a Father who loves His people beyond compare. Jeremiah captures this in the use of the Hebrew verb shaqad, a verb that means watchfulness with emphasis on alert care. YHVH is awake to the true needs of His people. He is not a god who slumbers or who is distracted. He is focused on one most important objective—returning His people to Him. Eventually this results in the commission of the Messiah; one who also focuses on re-establishing the role of the Father. From beginning to end, it appears that there is one overarching story. We are His children and He doesn’t want us to forget it.
Why is this so important (aside from the obvious reason that we need a heavenly Father)? Because the Greco-Roman culture teaches the primacy of God as Judge! He is the policeman of the universe, holding all Mankind guilty for its original and continuous infraction, ready to exercise punishment (eternal) for disobedience. He is not someone who truly acknowledges our struggles. “Jesus” does, of course, but that’s why we need the God-Man. We need someone to advocate for us, to intercede for us, to plead our case because God is upset! “Jesus” might be a friend in need, but God is the imperial King of the universe. Don’t cross Him! Basically, Augustine and Luther taught that Man, in his depraved condition, doesn’t even deserve mercy. Therefore, someone else had to come along to pay for our trespasses. We love “Jesus” because he paid our debt, but we are frightened of a God who would extract such a payment in order to satisfy His sense of justice. “What a friend we have in Jesus,” might be the reason why we are far more inclined to worship him (the Son) than we are to turn our lives over to that long-bearded, white-robed, old figure at the top of the cathedral ceiling. Luther’s adoption of the Greco-Roman idea of “law” had the implication that we absolutely don’t measure up and never can! Why would anyone really love us when we are so despicable? The solution was a substitute, creating a “legal fiction” that we could be treated as innocent when we know very well we aren’t. YHVH as Father becomes YHVH as Tyrant.
But look carefully at YHVH’s declaration to Jeremiah. In spite of the disaster that Israel has brought on itself through its prolonged disobedience, YHVH declares that He will stay constantly alert to the circumstances and will purposely rebuild and restore. He never intended to avenge the wrong. He intended to woo them back. There is no animosity, acrimony or resentment in His actions. He is a loving Father, not a judgmental overlord. Even after one thousand years of heartache, He does not let go. He is always and forever the true Father of all His children.
Perhaps today you can ask yourself, “Do I really know Him as Father, or have I succumbed to the cultural image of Judge?”
Topical Index: Father, Judge, Jeremiah 31:27-28, shaqad, watch over
I have begun to wonder if all the names for God, particularly in the Tanakh: names such as El Emunah (Faithful God), El Hayyay (God of my life), Elohenu Olam (Everlasting God), Elohe Tsadeki (God of my righteousness); yes, even YHVH Hashopet (the Lord the Judge), and JYVH Jireth (the Lord shall provide), are not saying something about Him, as much as perhaps saying something about ME. I have been thinking a long time about something Skip said a good while back about the Bible being given to us from our perspective, which makes it a mistake to try to read it as if it were from YHVH’s perspective. In other words, these might not be the Names YHVH calls Himself, but Names for us to call Him with. For example, He does not need to provide for Himself; that is a function that I need. He does not need judgment (equity); I do.
What do I need most? A Father. Why? Because I am a derivative; a child. “Father” tells me something about ME. When I pray, I am told it should be to my Father. Why? Because I, as supplicant, should properly be coming before Him as a child would before their Father: child is my proper perspective. “Father” tells me who I am. Who He is is far beyond me, but then, children don’t have to concern themselves overmuch with things like that.
Romans 2:4 Or do otherwise the richness of His kindness, and tolerance, and patience, not knowing that the patience of Elohim leads you to repentance?
I highly recommend to all, “The Divine Romance,” by Gene Edwards. Our Bible is our Father’s love letter, written to His children, and the future Bride of the Messiah.
Skip, this might be an over-reach, but I’m sure you’ve heard in some circles about the 10 lost tribes. Looking at this passage and that God brings back His own, could those true followers of Christ, be part of those lost tribes that God is wooing back? That, in the future, God will make us one with the Jews, “one new man”, and as John 17 says – everyone will know that Yeshua is the true Messiah?
Two house theory (note the word “theory”) wishes to proclaim that the 10 loss tribes are being called back, as if all those who accept Yeshua as Messiah are really Jewish, that is, part of the “lost” tribes. Now there is no doubt that SOME of the Jews who were scattered assimilated, but notice the opening of the letter of James. Does he write to the “lost” tribes? Of course not. He writes to the TWELVE tribes which clearly means that he did not consider them “lost.” Furthermore, the historical texts tell us that now ALL the people of the 10 tribes were carried into captivity. Some of each tribe were left behind because they didn’t matter to the Babylonians. They were never lost. So the whole “theory” is built on a premise that is not borne out by the text or history.
As I read TW, it was good, you drew me in. But as I read further, the Father concept was breaking down as you referred to Him sending the “Messiah”, and again as you mention The Father loves His “people”? My heart was momentarily saddened. The Father GAVE HIS SON- and the Father loves His Children- He did not say I am giving you a messiah, I’m not saying He isn’t the messiah, His name is many things just as Laurita shared, but they all come out of the Father and Son relationship.
I felt like you were starting to build a foundation of thought and then you broke it down with your words. Words give us away every time.
The relationship determines our approach, close your eyes and come near the “Messiah” -having any luck?
Now, close your eyes and come near the living Son of God.
I am adding this perspective for interest not an argument. The equation is written, kingdoms and cultures come and go but this equation never changes- Father Son Bride Family.
I know this is simplistic for all of you, but even though He is ancient, He never gets old.
Tell me saints, have you seen Him? the one my heart loves?
I’m sorry, but I just don’t see your point. The text clearly says that the Father SENT the Son. That’s why he is the Messiah. The fact that this is also described as a gift does not functional change the purpose of the Messiah. So I’m not quite sure why you seem to have a problem here.
Can you turn that around? Would it also be true that He sent a messiah. That’s why he is the Son?
Yes, but I am still missing your point. If “send” and “gave” function the same way with regard to the Messiah, then what is the issue?
No, actually, Just because he was the messiah does not mean he is the Son. God could have sent a messiah from anywhere or anything- so what makes him the Son?
I think you don’t understand what message of the text. Yes, there have been other “messiahs.” And yes, God could have chosen a different one than the one that He did choose. But because He chose this one, Yeshua, this Messiah is the only FINAL Messiah who has been given all authority on earth, authorized by the Father, first-fruit of the Kingdom, etc. He isn’t the Son by accident. Being chosen as the Messiah makes him the Son. That’s what it means to be the Son of God, i.e., the chosen Messiah who is the full representation of the Father and the Father’s will.
Shalom Skip, please, please, explain the many “prophecies” that Christianity proclaimed as “fulfilled” concerning the Messiah?
Have they been truly, fully fulfilled? Without the distorting of Tanakh verses?
Toda!
Yes, they have been fulfilled, as far as they go. Obviously, some are still waiting. But please don’t think that “distortion” is a bad thing. The apostles use a rabbinic technique, not “distortion,” so that they alter the text or remove the original context in order to show that the events of the Messiah’s life are aligned with promises in the Tanakh. This is a hermeneutic method, not “distortion.” From our Greek point of view, we want to think that the fulfillment of a Messianic prophecy means that the original prophecy must be EXACTLY what happens in its fulfillment, but any examination of the text shows us that this is not the case. It is our misapplication of the Greek idea of “fulfill” that creates the problem. It wasn’t an issue for the authors of the NT.
Toda, Skip!
“Was this of any help?” (just quoting from some places..:-)) Not really.
That’s subjectively reading meaning into the scriptures (eisegesis) which the Talmud twice warns us: “No passage loses its Pashat.”
But it’s context matters, right?
Shalom!
Early November we were all invited to walk down the path of hope and see where it would lead us. Today, stopping to savor the merciful judge of all creation and to embrace placing hope in both brings a sense of completeness. Where would we be without both.
In one of Bob Gorelik’s shabbat teachings years ago he made a remark that would come to play out to bring these aspects into greater truth and importance these last four years. His comment was that we are the current representation of all who have gone before us. I knew this genetically but had never thought of it spiritually, emotionally or culturally.
The transition from being the current manifestation of sin and death into a manifestation of the mature sonship that all creation is crying out for requires both mercy and judgement (psalm 19).
Personally, these past two days touch an awe inspiring aspect of responsibility and that is having “put on our own oxygen mask” we can enter into others suffering as Elijah did with the purpose of bringing the suffering to completion; in fellowship that leads to life and a revealing of Fathers compassion and justice. (justice as the outworking of judgements)
Thank you to all
HE RUNS TO US
Patiently, the Father waits for each of us. And when
our choice is finally clear, He moves.
“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still
a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran
and fell on his neck and kissed him.”
Skip
God created all and it was good. Then he rested and only mankind deviated from God’s creation plan…
For me this implies there was no redemption plan in the beginning.
Why would God recover that which he had created, why not just recreate…
Or is it more about mankind and his pride promoting that God needs to recover as God needs mankind.
I know this is not the tw intent but if we have this mindset God cannot restore as we are then still caught up in self justification instead of seeking righteousness…
Wait a minute. There is a difference between ANTICIPATED disaster and ACTUAL disaster. Why couldn’t God have a redemptive plan waiting in the wings in case Adam took the bait? Just because it was not ACTUALLY used before sin entered the world does not mean it wasn’t in plan.
Okay Skip let us consider a potter… clay bends folds and shapes according to his desire or fashion.
If the clay is not of the correct structure or compound he molds again until satisfied. That is a redemptive plan…. not what we read of in the scriptural records…
Now God is better he gives the model life.
That may be the only justifiable reason why God kept fixing… The life is more worthy than the model.
And this is why our input and efforts are deemed nothing according to Yeshua s teachings.
You discussed tough love from God, which I agree with.
So maybe our forefathers views were correct, God created mankind as a resting or restoration place for life.
Our self justification resulting from available human assumptions was cause or reason for the scriptures we just need to ask are we seeking God’s favour or trying to please man that is why I am making the claim.
Should we therefore not seek the purpose of life rather than try sustain rites and rituals as the prophets explained.in our attempts to manifest God’s kingdom….
Not reproduction, as that is not the breath of life blown into our nostrils… all living forms breath oxygen but that is not Godly life. The life is the son of God.
The messiah is the life giving ability found in the sons and daughters of God. The original creation of Adam and Eve. Or rather Adam as Eve was not in original plan either…
This TW is rather confusing, the way you have worded it, Skip.
“…that’s why we need the God-Man. We need someone to advocate for us, to intercede for us, …” NO, we don’t. That is what RC teaches going through “Mary, the mother of God” , using the prayer beads/ rosary, and making the sign of the Cross as an advocate to get prayers through?
We communicate directly with our ABBA.
” The solution was a substitute, creating a “legal fiction” that we could be treated as innocent when we know very well we aren’t.” To me, this seems to point to the “dying for my sins to save me”.
“… we are far more inclined to worship him (the Son) than we are to turn our lives over to that long-bearded, white-robed, old figure at the top of the cathedral ceiling.” , would be idolatry worshipping an image on the ceiling; not much worse than worshipping the God-man Son.
“Eventually this results in the commission of the Messiah; one who also focuses on re-establishing the role of the Father.” Amein! NOT one who distracts us from the Father.
“He is always and forever the true Father of all His children.” Amein!
Not to be misquoted by irresponsible parents who do not discipline their children from young.
Shalom.
sorry it was confusing. What you read as the position of the Roman Catholic Church was my attempt at sarcasm. In other words, I agree that we do NOT need this but the Church advocated Jesus as the intercessory God-Man because it needed someone other than YHVH. What I did was describe the thinking of those who wanted to substitute someone in YHVH’s place.
Insert tongue-in-cheek icon…
Whew, that clears the air, Skip, toda! My apologies!
I didn’t really think it would be you speaking.
Shalom!
Hi ,I am new to this kind of thinking,so who do you say is Yeshuah the Messiah?
Hi Mary,
Can I suggest that you start with a review of the dozens of pages already on this site. In particular, you might look at the one called, “Thinking about the Messiah.” You can search everything from the home page.