Yesterday we had an amazing Bible class at Covenant International Church. We have been studying Jeremiah and the Holy Spirit came upon us in power over one profound verse. Even though I was the teacher, I was speechless for over a minute, with tears, in the presence of our holy God, Yehovah. The class likewise experienced the weight of His glory.
We were looking at the reaction of Judah’s King Zedekiah, to Jeremiah’s prophecy of Jerusalem’s destruction and exile to Babylon. The King proclaimed liberty for all the slaves and they even came together in the temple making a covenant. All the people agreed and released their slaves. However, they soon reversed course and took their slaves back.
Therefore Yehovah released them from Himself!
Therefore thus says Yehovah: “You have not obeyed Me in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother and every one to his neighbor. Behold, I proclaim liberty to you,” says Yehovah–“to the sword, to pestilence, and to famine! And I will deliver you to trouble among all the kingdoms of the earth.” Jeremiah 34:17
The magnitude of this settled on the class in such a sober, holy revelation that it took our breath away. God gave them liberty from Himself! Since they found it objectionable to follow His ways, He released them from His mercy, His protection, His provision and His peace. He set them free to experience the sword, pestilence, famine and trouble! This is not the kind of liberty we usually think of with our Heavenly Father. Do you want to be free from God? Do you choose the “liberty” to do as you please in sin and disobedience? Or, do you choose the constraints of the narrow path of His righteousness through Christ Jesus, Messiah Yeshua?
For many years I have posed a question about justice and mercy. Given that the Bible is clear that we have all sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God, and that we deserve death, here is my question to you. Do you demand that God gives you justice, that is, that God gives you exactly what you deserve? Or do you cry out from your heart for grace and mercy? I see this similar question, of liberty from walking with God, as a fool’s bargain. I don’t want it, I choose to be His servant: willingly, lovingly, eternally bound to Him.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17
This last season of history is presenting these same choices to men and nations. I grieve when it seems that our beloved USA chooses liberty from God over His honor and glory. The choice offered by God is also for Israel and for every nation. God help us. Still, as for me and my house….
And if it seems evil to you to serve Yehovah, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve Yehovah. Joshua 24:15
Let the priests, who minister to Yehovah, weep between the porch and the altar; Let them say, “Spare Your people, O Yehovah, and do not give Your heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, “Where is their God?” Joel 2:17
Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists
(As is my custom, I have taken the liberty to change the word “LORD” to Yehovah. Every single time you see LORD or GOD in all capital letters in the Old Testament, the actual Hebrew word is Yehovah. This name occurs 6,828 times in the Hebrew text, yet remains untranslated in most Bibles. His name, obscured for 2,500 years, is now being revealed. It is TIME to restore the name of Yehovah!) (for deeper study click here.)
Jesus is Salvation
17 12 2013You will call Him Salvation because He will save His people from their sins.
You will call Him Savior because He will save His people from their sins.
You will call His name Jesus because He will save His people from their sins.
She shall bring forth a son. You shall call his name Yeshua, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21 HNV
Most Bible translations of Jesus’ name manage to completely obscure the root meaning. Names always carried real meaning in Israel’s culture. Language translations have “dumbed down” the name of Jesus. Most Christians and all unsaved people think it is only a name. Yet, there is a great revelation in the etymology of the name. It comes directly from the Hebrew word for salvation: Yeshua or Yehoshua. Early manuscripts of Matthew were written in Hebrew where the logic of calling Him Yeshua is immediately clear in the context: “for He will Yasha (save) His people from their sins.” Yeshua and Yasha are from the same Hebrew root “to save.” Jesus is “salvation” because He will “save!”
Finally, there is one more profound point here. Those of us who were born as unsaved Gentiles are so grateful that the previously limited national promise to Israel came to us through Jesus. But we must not forget that the original promise to Israel is eternal. Yeshua is His name because He will save HIS PEOPLE from their sins. They will turn back to Yehovah God and see that Yeshua is indeed Yeshua ben Yehovah, Jesus, Son of God! God will save them, not because they deserve salvation, any more than we do, but because God is faithful! He made unconditional promises to the forefathers of Israel and He will keep those promises.
“Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord Yehovah: “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am Yehovah,” says the Lord Yehovah, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God. Ezekiel 36:22-28
During this Christmas season may Jesus the Light of the World, become the Salvation of Israel! Pray for the real peace of Jerusalem.
Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (READ MORE)
(As is my custom, I have taken the liberty to change the word “LORD” to Yehovah. Every single time you see LORD or GOD in all capital letters in the Old Testament, the actual Hebrew word is Yehovah. This name occurs 6,828 times in the Hebrew text, yet remains untranslated in most Bibles. His name, obscured for 2,500 years, is now being revealed. It is TIME to restore the name of Yehovah!) (for deeper study click here.)
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Tags: Christian Zionist, Israel, Jesus, Salvation, Yehovah, Yeshua ben Yehovah
Categories : Israel Commentary