Category Archives: Where There is No Man

Let Us Make Man…. 2.0

“He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.” —Daniel 2:22

What else can we learn from this message? The objective is to discover not only, what character and nature of ‘man’ is required when such a situation presents itself, but also, Who is this elect man among men?

Adam…is a Human Being… First

In Part 3 of “When There Is No Man, Be A Man, we saw the term applied first in recognition of ‘man’ as a human being, a messenger of GOD and representative of mankind.

In Gen 5:2, we saw the transition and evolution of the word ‘adam’ as a name. In the diagram to the left, we see that the word adam is created from 3 Hebrew letters; aleph (A) – dalet (D) – closed mem (M).

Gen 2:5b …for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground. —there was not a ‘human being’ to till the ground.

CASE IN POINT…

To begin, let us not neglect Genesis 2:5b. Not only is there no man, but there is not a man to till the ground. The word ’till’, is the Hebrew word avad (5647). Traditionally, (in English) this word is translated in multiple ways; labour, to serve, to work. Beyond that surface level of understanding we have the meanings; to obey, perform acts of worship, worship, serve with levitical service, etc.

Now head over to Genesis 2:15…and GOD took the man and put the him in the garden to dress it and to keep it. (KJV). “To dress It”, is avad (5647), and “to keep it” is, shamar (8104).

Notice, the same word (avad) is being used in both places. in Genesis 2:5 we translate avad as to till/cultivate. In Genesis 2:15, we translate it as, “dress”, but which does it mean?

“avad” has nothing to do with working or farming the land. Really, there is nothing to farm, is there? The soil is not fighting against man, yet. There are no thorns and thistles, yet. Everything is well prepared for adam and eve in the Garden. In so many uses of the word avad, we find the application of service/work. The questions we have not been asking are, “Is this strictly limited to physical work/labour? Or, can this apply at times to spiritual labour/work/service to God in prayer and sacrifice?

When GOD first creates the world and takes Adam, the human being and puts him in the garden, it is for the purpose of worship, service to GOD. –NOT physical labor. Adam does not have to work at anything else. He does not have to build any bridges. There’s no need to fight the lions and tigers and bears. Death does not exist in the world, yet. There is nothing to repair, fix, or mend. Adam and eve’s only duty is to study, learn, worship, praise, protect the anointing (shamar), and walk with GOD.
They, Adam and Eve, do not need to prepare a home, they already have one. It’s gahn edahn, the first Temple/House of GOD.

Could it be possible, that GOD is speaking about much more than how we traditionally translate the word? Could this mean something much more than mere physical labor?

In Genesis 2:15, we find the words avad and shamar… based on this analysis, that would translate to; worship (avad) and to guard/protect the anointing (shamar). Avodah (from the root ward, avad) in Hebrew is service to GOD in prayer and worship.

Which is more likely, that GOD placed Adam in the garden for the purpose of praise and worship, to guard and protect the anointing on the earth realm, or to farm the land? In addition, why would the Garden of Eden, need to be plowed, tilled or cultivated? WE turn scripture into a fairy tale whenever we minimize or lower the level of the meaning of His Word. For all intents and purposes, we as Christians cause the world to attribute a fairy tale, bible story-mindset to the things of GOD, when we treat them that way. I want my students to take responsibility for that and fix it.

Since the dawn of mankind, GOD has requested only relationship, not farming. Farming has much respect, by all means. However, our primary aspirations in the Word should be to cultivate a relationship with GOD. Instead, we (most of the body of Christ) put people in bondage by condemning them for working on the sabbath. This is problematic. Especially if we are not even speaking of the right kind of work.

Let me just upset the WHOLE applecart!

The work we should be engaged in – 6 days a week- is service to GOD, devotion of the heart. Avodah and shamar. On the 7th day we are to rest. Rest from all the work that we have done. Now, I ask you, if we have not been engaged in avodah and shamar, what is there to rest from? The labor of your hands? We did not engage in avodah. We do not even understand shamar, i.e., how to protect the anointing. So, what are we resting from? Secular activities? YES! We are resting from secular activities.

The objective of resting on the 7th day, is to rest in GOD. Mentally, some of us might understand that. However, rest should be in virtue of the service to the LORD. So, what if shabbat is about trusting GOD with everything, all your labor (service of the heart) from the previous six days? If that is the case, then GOD is not commanding you to hold the 7th day separate as a commandment to intimidate, scare, cause guilt, or whatever else we might think. GOD is commanding you to separate the day, as a sign that you trust Him with the outcome of all that service of the heart. Just rest in Him. Could GOD be saying, I will take it from here? because you trust in me?

SIDEBAR—-

Could GOD be commanding you to do something in order to bless you? I’m curious. Do parents enforce rules in order to protect and bless their children? Do they have to understand the rule in order to be obedient and receive the blessing? Could I be actually blessing my child with rules they might not like, definitely not want, but that help to preserve their life? Do I have some children that obey because you gave them the instruction and others that refuse instruction and therefore need a commandment? As a parent do you make it a commandment, because they just happen to have the type of nature to oppose their own selves?

Do we forbid our kids from running into the street because we are unreasonable and controlling? Or might that particular commandment be a blessing to them?

To Dress it and to Keep It…

What misleads us is our own translation. We thought we were supposed to dress and keep the garden. How were you supposed to do that anyway, when the garden was already perfect? Fairytale language is deadly.

Consider this: Adam was created outside of the Garden. GOD, took him and put him, in the Garden. Scripture is very clear, that Adam was created outside the Garden (natural realm) and put inside the Garden (spiritual realm) for the purpose of anointing him for mastery in two realms, the spiritual and the natural.

Man needs the ability to operate in both the spiritual and natural realms, with authority, dominion and power.

Prayer began in the Garden of Eden. Had we been taught this scripture in context to heart-felt devotion and service to GOD in prayer and worship, and how to guard and protect the anointing on our lives and the lives of others, I honestly believe that we would be further advanced in our prayer lives, don’t you think?

Prayer and worship is not our forte within the Church. Our focus was placed on tilling the ground, toil, gardening, cultivating wealth, etc…

Eve Was Created In The Garden…

Eve, was created inside the Garden. The Garden is the 1st tabernacle on Earth. It is the abode of God on Earth, the dwelling place and meeting place of GOD and mankind, Adam and Eve. Eve’s being created inside the Garden is equivalent to Adam gaining a double portion anointing in the spiritual realm, in unity.

Eve is taken from out of Adam, who has been created to operate in both realms. Eve, is in her element in the Garden/Tabernacle/Temple/House of GOD. Together, they have the ability to operate in unity and with the power of agreement in both realms, accessing a double portion anointing in the spirit.

I sincerely doubt if women, when they think about this, will disagree. Women know they are stronger in the spirit then most men. (I only say that because women far outnumber men in the church and they prayer more than men- on average). Women of prayer, can pick up their husbands, children, friends and loved ones in the spirit all day, any day. They set the tone for the spiritual atmosphere in their homes. I am utterly convinced that women have dominion in the Garden of GOD, and are in their spiritual element in prayer praise and worship. Do you know why?

Look at any church in America and many other countries for that matter. Women make up at least, 90% of the Church. (I am making an effort to be conservative). There would be no church’s if women did not hold them up, nurture them and stand by the men and women of GOD who Pastor them.

Yes, Indeed. Despite centuries of brandishing women with the fall from grace in Eden, The Tabernacle was, is and remains our spiritual domain. Women, You have everything they need in their spiritual DNA to excel in spiritual matters.

Men, You are formidable in prayer, if you choose to be. You have the ability, the potential to command enormous strength in prayer. That is, if you gave your voice to GOD in prayer, praise and worship, in greater numbers. You were created/formed to have great strength in both the natural and the spiritual realms. But, for the most part, most men do choose to use it for the House of the LORD.

I’m only speaking of the men who do not use their strength and power for the House of the LORD. Unfortunately, the lcak of men in prayer is the rule and not the exception. The majority of men leave their brothers in Christ to do all the work for them. They say that they believe. But, they just don’t serve. Yet, when the men are in unity they make light work of the forces of darkness. They could.

I could be wrong about this. But, until I see men gathered in the church, in greater numbers praying and pulling down Heaven to earth. I’m going to assume I’m right until there’s evidence otherwise. I honestly believe the world would be in better shape if the men called to GOD would operate in their position, place, and calling. I can’t help but believe this because whenever men pray in unity with one another and alongside the women in the House of GOD- situations change. That’s what I have seen. Especially, when they understand the spiritual qualities and substance of avodah and shamar. When they understand the Torah-centric applications of the Word in them.

I look forward to walking through Genesis 2 and 3 in detail with you all one day.

Aleph is Silent…

  • ALL the letters in Hebrew are Consonants (with few exceptions of letters that are now used as vowels since the time of the Masoretes).  
  • Aleph is silent in Hebrew.

Also, you may recall from previous teachings, that the Hebrew letters convey concepts, images, ideas, symbols and possess numerical value. There is a lot of valuable data packed into each letter of the Hebrew Aleph-Bet, which translates to a great deal of data in each word, as it is constructed of the letters of the aleph-bet. In short, the Hebrew Letters are treasure houses of information in their own right.

We all love a good secret. So please allow me to share one with you now. Learning the Hebrew Letters, will help you obtain more knowledge and understanding of the sacred text of scripture, it’s content and meaning, but knowledge of the letters themselves will elevate your prayers, and your personal study & devotion time. Every aspect of your ministry will flourish, because you set your mind to learn the Holy language.

After all, one of the most important concepts our torah studies provide to us is, the realization that our words provide us access into the realms and dimensions that would be closed to us in the natural. Words have a very strong impact on all of our interactions. Therefore, we must measure our words carefully for the impact they have on others. Our words allow us to draw forth something supernatural from the natural world. Let’s repeat that: What we need most of all, is for our words to draw forth something supernatural, from the natural world/realm.

The Hebrew Letter Aleph – a

The Hebrew Letter Aleph, is the 1st letter of the Hebrew Aleph-Bet. The Gematria, i.e., the numerical value of aleph is 1. One is unique and Indivisible. Aleph is formed by the combination of 2 Hebrew letters, the vav (V) and 2 yods, (Y). (the vav is the vertical line which is slanted in the aleph, representing the partition between the upper firmament and the lower firmament. The yod’s are connected on either sides of the stem. One facing up (toward the Heavens), and the other facing down (toward earth). the Gematria of the vav is 6, and each yod has a numerical value of 10, for a total of 26. The aleph is equivalent to the 4 Letter Name of GOD, Y-H-V-H, which also equal 26.

In Paleo Hebrew, – The Ancient Hebrew Script, The letter aleph shaped in the form of an Ox head, representing strength, leadership, power. Aleph is the symbol of God. Aleph represents the Oneness of GOD, and His Sovereignty. Aleph represents Divinity, The Father, The Strong Leader of the House. Aleph represents torah, which is the thought of GOD. All of creation is a product of torah, Genesis 1. Which is why even the letters are called, the raw materials of creation. God spoke His Word into the atmosphere and the Word took physical form. Created in the image and likeness of GOD is ‘adam’, the human being. By what other name, could GOD possibly call His noblest achievement?

The aleph is the symbol of God. Aleph represents the Oneness of GOD, and His Sovereignty. Aleph represents Divinity, The Father, Strength.

Aleph represents torah, which is the thought of GOD. All of creation is a product of torah, Genesis 1. Which is why even the letters are called, the raw materials of creation. God spoke His Word into the atmosphere and the Word took physical form. Created in the image and like of GOD is ‘adam’, the human being. By what other name, could GOD possibly call His noblest achievement?

It is only fitting that human beings are given a name that begins with the the 1st letter of GOD’s Name, Elohim (spelled – aleph (A) – lamed (L) – hei (H) – closed mem (M). Mankind’s name begins, with its origins, image and likeness (reflection) in GOD. The image and likeness of GOD is embedded in the very name He gave for mankind, and it begins with the aleph. Adam is God-like in being and will be GOD’s representative and messenger on earth. God signed off on His Creation by adding His Name to our name. Mankind (adam) was created to be an aleph in the earth. Our name carries our assignment.

The Hebrew Letter Dalet – d

The Dalet, connects us to the four stages of deliverance as outlined by GOD in The Book of Exodus 6:6-7. “I will Bring You Forth, Save You, Redeem You and Take You.” Amen.

The dalet (D) is the 4th letter of the Hebrew aleph-bet and carries a gematria of 4. Dalet is the door and its name carries its designation. The doorpost reaches up and down and the lintel reaches right to left. The 4 directions extend north, south, east, and west. Dalet is the poor (dal) moving toward the tav (Covenant and the Cross).

The root word of Dalet, (dal) alludes to the poor. The gimel – the 3rd letter of the Hebrew Aleph-Bet pursues the dalet in order to provide care, generosity, and kindness. GOD is the Giver of Kindness, who pursues the poor.

Consider Abram, whose name, by the way, also begins with the aleph – the 1st letter of GOD’s Name. Abram was called the Chariot of GOD, who brought GOD’s character and Nature down to Earth. Because of his pursuit of GOD, the LORD bestowed the letter hei (H) to his name and he became Abraham. As you will recall from class, the letter hei (H) is formed with a yod and a dalet, representing divinity, and humility (yod) combined with the anointing to bring the Presence of GOD into the physical realm; into physical reality. His deeds of righteousness were always carried out expeditiously and his kindness to others is legendary.

The dalet is the symbol of the door, the path, the way. Once we, as those reared up on New Testament teachings, hear these words, we connect the dots and immediately recognize the parallels to Christ, Who is The Way, The Truth and The Life. The dalet symbolizes movement, the pathway, access in and out, because it is the door.

Within the Ancient Paleo Hebrew symbol of the dalet, you can also see the representation of the curtain hanging from the rods in the tabernacle. The veil between the Holy place and the Holy of Holies. The dalet is the door (Christ, who stands between us and The Father). Once again, every New Testament disciple who grasps the image of the dalet, hears the scripture saying, “No one cometh unto the Father, but by me” John 14:6. You have to gain access to the door.

The Hebrew Letter Mem – m

This is the spiritual equation that we have so far…

GOD + access to the pathway + Nations, People, Waters, Living Waters…

Adam, carries a message. Between Elohim and the Nations is a door. The name for mankind (adam), openly conveys a message which is concealed to our intellectual minds (hence, the final mem which means ‘concealed’).

Access to GOD is through the door. Who is the door? Who is the door that provides access to living waters? While some don’t accept that Christ is the Way, aka the door, isn’t it interesting that the crowning name for GOD’s highest creation communicates the message of The Way?

Adam’s name just happens to be Adam, which also happens to communicate his purpose in the earth? If we believe in coincidence, then we don’t believe in faith. Look at the word adam once more.

The dalet (Christ, The Door) and the mem (the Nations) spell blood.

Elohim (aleph) + dahm (blood) = GOD, Elohim and The Blood.

Enough said. Christians get this one automatically.

DAM means BLOOD

As you gain greater understanding of the messages conveyed in the letters, this knowledge will be at the forefront of your thoughts as you pray. Your words become infused with the evidence of things unseen and the substance of things hoped for, the products of another level of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.

The Hebrew letters form the words of GOD’s message and they have much to teach us beyond the literal reading of the text. The Hebrew Aleph-Bet is able to transmit spiritual values and priorities. As well as, another vision and level of the Plan of GOD

My Pastor calls the Hebrew Aleph-Bet, the Letters of Fire.

Catch the Fire!

Review this material extensively and repeatedly. Be prepared for the next teaching in this series.

  • Quick Links to Teachings in this Series: The Undiscovered Adam….
  • Part 1 – 8 minutes The Undiscovered Adam and the Unexplained Man

Six Levels of Man

Remember: There are levels of meaning in Hebrew. There is more than one way to say ‘man’ in the Hebrew language and they each contain different degrees and levels of meaning in regard to mankind.

  • ++Vocabulary: Elevating our understanding of Gods terminology.
  • Adam ~ The initial/primary meaning of this word in the Hebrew is  human being, the crowning achievement of God; mankind.  We, in our English mindset reduced it to only meaning/representing the man, Adam.  Which means WE are the only ones that can undo this mindset.  We learn Hebrew to grow in the word, not learn a new piece of shiny information, important facts that we never had before, and then revert back to what is comfortable or familiar.  The Adam’s have to retain and apply the information that they have learned.  “He called their name adam.” 
  • Zakar ~ male, man, belonging to and in covenant with the GOD of Heaven; The man who remembers GOD.
  • ish ~ (Make note of the patterns you see in how GOD uses this word in scripture).
  • nephesh ~ (Make note of the patterns you see in how GOD uses this word in scripture)
  • gul-go-leth ~ every man counted in the omer of manna, or for the 1/2 shekel of the sanctuary. The counting of heads for the poll.  Note: It required two shekels to make a whole.  Man is one half of the shekel and GOD is the other half.  Two halves equal a whole.  The Jewish people were one half of the shekel, GOD was/is the other half.  This is why a half shekel was taken for each man.  The shekel represented man’s connection to GOD.  The taking of the half shekel, which was required AFTER the sin of the golden calf, was to be taken as a antidote to distancing yourself from GOD, i.e. breaking the connection.  Becoming one half of what you should / could be.  In addition, consider that it takes two men to equate to a whole shekel.  In brief, this spiritual journey requires unity.  There needs to be unity with GOD and man AND unity between man and man.  It takes two.  The counting of the shekel symbolized that the children of Israel understood what this meant and this understanding was a critical source of their spiritual strength.  They were undefeated when in unity with GOD and man.  “How can two walk together unless they agree?” The shekel served as advance payment on their lives, a ransom so to speak.  Example.  In the Book of Esther when Haman sought to purchase the lives of the Jews to destroy them, although thee children of Israel were steeped in disobedience for not going back to rebuild the House of GOD, it was the shekel that merited their salvation (and many other miracles) because they had already obeyed GOD in regards to this commandment. They had laid up the treasure in heaven that moved the heart of GOD on their behalf, in advance of the crisis.  While Haman was seeking their lives, they were already accounted to GOD as worthy of redemption.  GOD nullified the death decree over their lives.  It pays to be obedient in the little things!  Amen.`
  • ba’al ~ rulers, elders, lords who shall not defile themselves with the dead, other than immediate family.

God Bless You,

  • COPYRIGHT 2019, Rev. S. Madison, torahisteaching.blog

No enemy Can Overthrow Your Anointing!…

38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

Acts 5:38-39

Gamaliel tried to warn them!

One of the most difficult lessons my Pastor had to teach me, was not to defend myself against false accusations, a mean spirit or baseless hatred.

It was a very difficult lesson to learn, and I really had to press in, with every fiber of my being, and make my own flesh bow down. Because I honestly, from birth, can not stand a bully.

I grew up with confrontational people. So, I recognize a confrontational spirit when I see one, hear one, read one, or sense one.

The older I get, the stronger my zero tolerance policy becomes for a mean spirit. So, my deliverance is still in progress, because my flesh must be kept constantly under surveillance by the spirit.

One of the things that I LOVE about GOD the most is that… He taught me,

The Spirit of GOD is a Gentleman. The Spirit of GOD will never, “put a person on blast”, try to shame or humiliate. The Spirit of GOD does not ridicule or engage in fault finding. Man does that, not GOD.

And anyone operating in the Spirit of GOD, does not do that. “You will know them by their fruit”.

GOD asks that we build up, edify and encourage each other in the body of Christ. If GOD needs to rebuke someone, He will send a Prophet to do it.

And you never know in what manner the prophets will come. I know that everybody does not believe that we continue to be in the age of the prophetic. But Christians do, and that is who I am talking to. Christians that believe, the unredacted counsel of GOD.

God says He rejects the proud. I believe Him. GOD loves the humble. I believe Him about that too. His like-minded servants, operate in the same way, with chessed – Kindness-Tender Mercies-Patience-Humility-Love-Forgiveness-Long Suffering, to name a few. These are the Secrets to our Strength. These, are why we are still here today, Undefeated and Indestructible.

It must be that way, in order to serve the LORD GOD of Heaven.

THOSE ARE NOT OUR WEAPONS!

The enemy tries their best to get us to operate with their weapons. But we know the weapons of our warfare are not carnal. The minute we pick up the worlds weapons, we are vulnerable, and we have opened the door to spiritual threats.

Christ taught Matthew to, “Bless those that curse you, and pray for those that despitefully use you.” Then Matthew transferred the teaching to us.

This one teaching, can elevate the anointing on our lives to an incredible level.

We don’t need to get angry, enter into verbal disputes or banned battles of any kind. We don’t need to enter into word cursing competitions or word smith-ing confrontations.

IF WE JUST REALLY TRSUTED THE POWER OF PRAYER!

All we have to do is humble ourselves and pray!

Our Prayer LIFE, is our enemies worse nightmare. So we pray unceasingly and give our enemies no rest. This is how we win many battles. We need a prayer life! Not a prayer minute, or a prayer day, or a prayer season….Prayer must become a LIFESTYLE!

The POWER of Humility is Formidable!

Our Humility, alerts Angelic forces, in every realm.

Our dominion over our own flesh, to resist the urge to fight back and defend ourselves, produces that miraculous substance called Faith.

Our willingness to pray for someone, like our own life depended upon it… that’s priceless.

Prayer Places the Power in Your Spirits Hands!

When we serve GOD with every loyal fiber of our being, when we meditate on His Word Day and Night, until only our spirit can speak and our flesh has to listen, will cause our speech to become saturated in the anointing….

Then Christ in us, the Hope of Glory will arise and settle the dispute!

This is when GOD, will come for His Word to perform it!

So please, by all means, continue teaching speaking, preaching, ministering the Word of GOD.

Enemies will come… they are drawn to the WORD… I believe they either miss the anointing or they long for it!

So, let your light so shine into the world!

If your speaking love, harmony, unity and the peace of GOD is disturbing them…. Oh well. The people you are sent to communicate with, will know that you were sent to them, and they need to hear the Word from you, exactly as it was given to you!

The people you were not sent to communicate with, will know that you were not sent to them, and they still need to hear the Word from you, exactly as it was given to you.

If it were not so, why are they listening?

Either way, you are on task!

Scripture speaks far better than me, and I am particularly fond of Gamaliel’s warning…

The Apostles Before the Council

24Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. 25Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. 26Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

27And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 28Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. 29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

Gamaliel’s Counsel

33When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. 34Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; 35And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. 36For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. 37After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

38And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

40And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

42 “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

To anyone found fighting against the Men and Women of GOD, I do not recommend it. Consider this a Restraining Order!

Today’s message is dedicated to someone I do not know. But, I saw your humility and kindness. I saw that you carried yourself in a way, that is in the image and likeness of GOD. I know that reflection when I see it. It is the cornerstone of the faith!

I saw your fruit! Your virtues will always draw the Anointing, and your humility will always draw the favor of GOD. I pray anyone who comes at you like an enemy, will recognize the anointing on your life, and repent, and be made whole.

Every time I even think of this, I will pray.

Be Encouraged Man of GOD…

May the anointing settle every dispute!

Rev. S. Madison

I was only able to share this with you because I was taught this by the MOST AMAZING PASTOR EVER, who made me learn it, even when I did not want to. I’m passing this on to you, because I know from experience, that if you follow it, NO ONE CAN EVER MOVE YOU OUT OF YOUR PLACE, no matter how hard they try or what lengths they go to. Stay in your position, stay humble, don’t defend yourself, stay prayerful and protect the people of GOD to the best of your ability.

GOD will handle the wicked!

I know this, like I know my own name.

God Bless You,

Cover Photo: Doug Tunison, Unsplash.com

THE Undiscovered ADAM and The Unexplained MAN, Part 2

“He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.” —Daniel 2:22

Shalom,

We are 45 minutes into this series and as promised, today I am going to bring you a few highlights regarding the Hebrew word ‘adam’.

Since the series began entitled, “Where There Is No Man, Be A Man” Parts 1-4, I have reiterated the quote many times…”In the place where there are no men, be a man.” Would you be surprised to know that this statement has it’s roots in scripture?

What else can we learn from this message? The objective is to discover not only, what character and nature of ‘man’ is required when a tough situation presents itself, but also, Who is this elect man among men? Plus our original question still remains on the table, “Why are there so many different Hebrew words for ‘man’?”

Below, we will discover that there is more information to be known about the Hebrew word, ‘adam’, and that the information is kept within the Hebrew letters themselves!

First, Adam…is a Human Being…

In Part 3 of “Where There Is No Man, Be A Man”, we saw ‘adam’ applied first in recognition of ‘man’ as a human being; a messenger of GOD and representative of mankind. In Gen 5:2, we saw the transition and evolution of ‘adam’ to his name.

‘adam’, is written with 3 Hebrew letters; aleph (A) – dalet (D) – closed mem (M).

Let’s begin by exploring one letter at a time.

The Aleph is Silent…

  • The Hebrew Aleph-Bet contains 22 letters; 5 of the 22 letters are written in what is known as a ‘Final Form’. The Final Form is a way of writing the letter differently, when it appears at the ‘end’ of a word.
  • All of the Hebrew Letters are Consonants (with few exceptions of letters that are now used as vowels since the time of the Masoretes).  
  • Aleph is silent in Hebrew.

You may recall from previous teachings, that the Hebrew letters convey; concepts, images, ideas, symbols and possess numerical values. As a result, there is a lot of valuable data packed into every single letter of the Hebrew Aleph-Bet, which translates to a great deal of data in each word. In short, the Hebrew Letters are treasure houses of information; a.k.a. the Hebrew letters are said to possess ‘inner meanings’; literally, spiritually, and numerically. Meanings that exist beyond words.

The Hebrew Letter Aleph – a

The Hebrew Letter Aleph, is the 1st letter of the Hebrew Aleph-Bet. The Gematria of the letter aleph, i.e., the numerical value of aleph is 1. One is unique and Indivisible. The Aleph is formed by the combination of 2 Hebrew letters, the vav (V) and 2 yods, (Y). Referring to the handout on the right, the vav is the vertical line which is slanted in the aleph, representing the partition between the upper firmament and the lower firmament. The yod’s are connected to the vav, positioned on either sides of the stem. One facing up (toward the Heavens), and the other facing down (toward earth). The Gematria of the vav is 6, and each yod has a numerical value of 10, for a total of 26.

Why Is The Number 26 Important?

The aleph is equivalent to the 4 Letter Name of GOD, Y-H-V-H, which also equals 26. (Y=10, H=2×5, V=6). A clear connection between GOD’s Name, Y-H-V-H and the Aleph is visible in their numerical equivalencies. Concepts and Connections in the Hebrew that would otherwise be invisible to us, can readily be seen in their numerical equivalencies. We will continue to keep an eye open to these connections as we continue to study from the Hebrew perspective.

In Paleo Hebrew, i.e., The Ancient Hebrew Script, The letter aleph was shaped in the form of an Ox head, representing strength, leadership, power. Aleph became the symbol representing God. Aleph symbolizes the Oneness of GOD, and His Sovereignty. Aleph represents Divinity, The Father, The Strong Leader of the House. Aleph is torah, the very thought of GOD. All of creation is a product of torah, Genesis 1. Which is why, even the letters are called, the raw materials of creation.

God spoke His Word into the atmosphere and the Word took physical form. Before GOD ever asked adam to look into the essence of every creature and call out their name, their true essence, GOD looked into the essence of His crowning achievement and called him adam, a human being.

It is only fitting that the human beings are given a name that begins with the the 1st letter of GOD’s Name, Elohim (spelled – aleph (A) – lamed (L) – hei (H) – closed mem (M). Mankind’s name begins, with its origins and reflection in GOD. The image and likeness of GOD is embedded in the very name He gave for mankind, and it begins with the aleph. Adam is God-Like in being and will be GOD’s representative and messenger on earth. God signed off on His Creation by adding His Name to our name.

Mankind, was created to be an aleph in the earth. Even our name carries our assignment.

The Hebrew Letter Dalet – d

The Dalet, connects us to the four stages of deliverance as outlined by GOD in The Book of Exodus 6:6-7. “I will Bring You Forth, Save You, Redeem You and Take You.” Amen.

The dalet (D) is the 4th letter of the Hebrew aleph-bet and carries a gematria of 4. Dalet is the door, and it’s name carries it’s designation. The doorpost reaches up and down and the lintel reaches right to left. The 4 directions of dalet extend north, south, east and west.

The root word of Dalet, (dal) alludes to the poor, with the gimel – the 3rd letter of the Hebrew Aleph-Bet pursuing the dalet in order to provide care, generosity and kindness.

Consider Abraham, whose name by the way, also begins with the aleph – the 1st letter of GOD’s Name. Abraham was called the Chariot of GOD, who brought GOD’s character and Nature down to Earth. Abraham pursued the poor. His tent doors were always open to provide hospitality, supplies, comfort and care. His deeds of righteousness were always carried out expeditiously and his kindness to others is legendary. Abraham exemplifies chessed to the poor… the kindness of GOD.

The dalet is the symbol of the door, the path, the way. Once we, as those reared up on New Testament teachings, hear these words, we definitely connect the dots and immediately recognize the parallels to Christ, Who is The Way, The Truth and The Life. The dalet symbolizes movement, the pathway, access in and out, because it is the door.

In the Ancient Paleo Hebrew symbol of the dalet, you can also see the representation of the curtain hanging from the rods in the tabernacle. The veil stands between the Holy place and the Holy of Holies. The dalet is the door (Christ, that stands between us and The Father). To accept the FAther, you must accept the Son. Once again, Every New Testament Bible Student/disciple beholds the image of the dalet and hears the scripture saying, “No one cometh unto the Father, but by me”. John 14:6

IN THE REPRESENTATION OF THE ALEPH (A) AND THE DALET (D) WE CAN ALREADY BEGIN TO SEE THE IMAGE OF CHRIST AS THE DOOR, STANDING AT THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF GOD, THE FATHER. DALET BEING THE DOOR, OUR PATHWAY TO GOD.

The Hebrew Letter Mem – m

The letter mem, (M) is the 13th letter of the Hebrew aleph-bet and has the same sound as our English letter, M.

In it’s ancient form, the letter mem was written in much the same way we would write it today, to represent waves of water. In fact, it carries the meaning of water (mayim), waves, liquid, or sea.

Notions of the sea carry with it the ideas of power, chaos and massiveness. These are concepts that are connected to the letter mem as well. The numerical equivalency of the Hebrew letter mem is 40. Traditionally, the letter mem represents water, nations, people, languages, and tongues. The letter mem has 2 forms, the open form and the closed form. The open form is said to represent the revealed truth and the closed mem represents what is concealed by GOD. In that context, the mem also symbolizes knowledge and wisdom.

Notice then, that ‘adam’ ends with a closed mem. —some truths remain concealed.

GOD, CHRIST AND THE NATIONS…

And the Door, standing squarely between GOD and the nations, a.k.a., GOD and the People.

You can also read the letters from aleph to mem as, The Father, who gave us His Son, the Door/Pathway from which all the nations have access to Him. The mem, the nations…none of which shall come to the Father, but by Christ, the Door! Whether we view it backwards or forwards, Christ is the Key to the Door!

DAM means BLOOD

Embedded in the word ‘adam’, is the word ‘dam’, which in English means blood. “The life is in the blood”, Lev 17:11.

GOD is attached, connected to the Blood. You can’t even spell the word for blood in Hebrew, without the concept of Christ as the door and the nations, as the people. You also see the message of the blood being applied to the doorpost to protect the people. Of course, our spilled blood cries out to GOD. GOD is attached to us, through the Blood.

Dam means life.

GOD (A) is Life… and the Life is in the Blood (D-M).

What Happens When You Remove the dalet?

If we remove the dalet from the middle of the word ‘adam’, we have a new word, ‘aleph-mem, which spells, ‘mother’ (517), pronounced ‘eem’ or ‘eemah’.

One more important thing that we don’t want to miss is that, in order to spell the word ‘mother’ in Hebrew, you have to include the 1st letter in GOD’s Name, aleph.

Aleph vs. Ayin

Ayin – Mem (ah’m) spells People

There are 2 Letter ‘A’s in Hebrew, the aleph which is a symbol of GOD and the ayin, which symbolizes the eye, sight, or insight. Ayin – mem forms another Hebrew word, ‘people’ (5971), which is also translated as flock, nation, men or folk; with 1868 occurrences in scripture.

People and Mankind are two different words (concepts) in Hebrew. In English, we use them interchangeably. In Hebrew they are completely separate words with distinct applications. Making distinctions of this sort is not one of the strengths of the Concordances, as terms and interpretations are lumped together.

To say people in Hebrew, you remove the dalet from ‘adam’ and the aleph becomes ayin. This indicates a different connection. One that lacks GOD and the Doorway.

When we follow the pattern in GOD’s language and you remove the dalet from adam, you either spell the word ‘am’, (eem) which means ‘mother’ or you create another word, ‘am’ (ah’m) which means people.

Mankind becomes People, with the removal of the dalet from the word adam.

When GOD is removed from the equation of Mankind, Hebrew doesn’t retain the Aleph, the symbol of GOD.

People have to choose GOD, they have to choose sight, or no sight. Insight or blind-sight. Mankind without the Door, without the Aleph (GOD)… we become, a people without GOD.

No wonder GOD’s word says, “My people perish for lack of knowledge”. When we sever the connection at the Door, there is no access to GOD, No Access to Knowledge, Wisdom or Understanding. No Torah, No Access.

The People Are One…

The Hebrew letters form the words of GOD’s message and they have much to teach us beyond the literal reading of the text. The Hebrew Aleph-Bet is able to transmit spiritual values, priorities, as well as another vision and level of the plan of GOD.

When we go back to the beginning and look at Genesis 11:6, When the People became One, without GOD...now we have a little more insight as to perhaps why this was such a dangerous thing.

GOD created us to be mankind. Mankind, are human beings who carry the image and likeness of GOD. Creating mankind, was the crowning achievement in the LORD’s creation masterpiece. If we lower ourselves to the level of a people without GOD, then we miss the mark and become a people who perish for lack of knowledge.

ADAM, embodies the Strength of GOD, The Power of GOD the Father, He is the First, The Beginning of Mankind. Adam carries the Name of GOD, The Image and likeness of GOD, The Word of GOD. ADAM’s name is a prophecy of the Messiah, Christ the Door, without whom, there is no access to GOD. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Through ADAM, the nations have access to the Door. All People, All Tribes, All Nations. Living Waters reside at the Door. If we drink of the Living Waters that He provides, we, the nations, shall never thirst again!

In the name ADAM, we see the legacy of mankind, The connection of GOD, The Aleph, David and Messiach. So much revelation and beauty in every word of Torah.

Every jot and tittle of the Word, carries the messages of GOD.

The messages of Heaven are conveyed down to the letters. Every word formed from the Letters of Fire, carries the teachings of GOD and is in line with the Word of GOD.

As you gain greater exposure to the messages conveyed in the letters, this knowledge will be at the forefront of your thoughts, even as you pray.

I pray that Your Words become infused with the evidence of things unseen and the substance of things hoped for, the products of another level of wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

My Pastor has always called the Hebrew Aleph-Bet, the Letters of Fire. I’m glad to know and share why.

Catch the Fire!

If you are following along in this series, please review the above material extensively and be prepared for the next teaching in this series. I will be building upon the information already presented in the series.

One of the most important concepts our torah’s studies provide to us is the realization that our words provide us access into the realms and dimensions that would be closed to us in the natural. Words have a very strong impact on all of our interactions. Therefore, we must measure our words carefully for the impact they have on others.

Our words allow us to draw forth something supernatural, from the natural world. Let’s repeat that: What we need most of all, is for our words to draw forth something supernatural, from the natural world/realm.

  • Quick Links to Teachings in this Series: The Undiscovered Adam….
  • Part 1 – 8 minutes The Undiscovered Adam and the Unexplained Man
  • ++Vocabulary: Our elevated understanding of Gods terminology.
  • Adam ~ human being, the crowning achievement of God; mankind, man.
  • Zakar ~ male, man, belonging to and in covenant with the GOD of Heaven.
  • ish ~ (Make note of the patterns you see in how GOD uses this word in scripture).
  • nephesh ~ (Make note of the patters you see in how GOD uses this word in scripture)
  • gul-go-leth ~ every man counted in the omer of manna, or for the 1/2 shekel of the sanctuary. The counting of heads for the poll.
  • ba’al ~ rulers, elders, lords who shall not defile themselves with the dead, other than immediate family.

Note to Students: Over the years my re-quoting of this saying has shortened to, “Where there is no man, be a man.” I apologize for any incoveneience this may have caused any of you. The actual full quote is as stated above in each teaching connected with this series. “In a place where there are no men, be a man.”

Thank You for your forgiveness for my adpatation of the saying.

God Bless You,

  • COPYRIGHT 2019, Rev. S. Madison, torahisteaching.blog
  • Republished September 2020, for The Month Elul

THE Undiscovered ADAM and The Unexplained MAN

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” ––Acts 17:11 KJV

Shalom,

Upon the completion of reading this article, you will be approx. 45 minutes into this series, so I will keep you in suspense no longer. I know that this is the moment you have been waiting for! So, I am going to give a little insight into Hillel’s saying… “In the place where there are no men, be a man” Here we go!

In connection with the ongoing series entitled; “Where There Are No Men, Be A Man”… We are investigating 12 Hebrew Words for man, in order to assess just what type of man GOD may have in mind, who is qualified to respond to this mandate.

Rabbi Hillel, the 1st Century prophet who lived 110 BC – 10AD, is credited with the saying. I in turn accredit his words to GOD, for no other reason than he was a prophet of GOD, with insight into it’s ultimate meaning, which can only come from GOD Himself.

When I was first introduced to Hillel’s saying, it was taught to me in connection with Exodus 2:11-14; When Moses defended the Hebrew slave who was being attacked by an Egyptian overseer. Ultimately, in order to protect the slave, Moses had no choice but to kill him in order to protect his own life. As a result Moses fled from Egypt, knowing that Pharoah would soon hear of his actions. So, the teaching says, that when Moses looked around to see if there was anyone who would stand up for the slave, and against the abuses he was suffering, there was no man. There was only him, and Moses rose up to save the Hebrew slave.

The scripture reads, 11 “And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew, one of his brethren. 12And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand. 13And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? 14And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known.

In the Bible Study lessons I attended in my youth, the typical teaching that came from the passage above was that, “Moses went out to look upon the burdens of his people and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew and he looked around to see if any one was watching. Since no one was watching, he took advantage of the moment and killed the Egyptian to save the Hebrew slave.” A literal interpretation to be sure, but there is more going on here than that, and this might not be totally accurate. Below, we will key into some very important wording, to determine if we have all the facts.

  • OBSERVATIONS:
  • verse 11: Moses saw an Egyptian “smiting an ‘ish’ (320), one of his brethren”
  • verse 11: smiting is nakah(5221), and ‘ish’ only shows up in the Hebrew; meaning that it is untranslated in most English translations of the Bible, including the King James Version. If you refer to an Interlinear Bible, you will find that the word ‘ish’ is completely ignored and was not carried over into a majority of the English translations. For us English speaking Bible Students, ‘ish’ is invisible. The KJV reads, “smiting a Hebrew”, yet, ‘ish’ is a very important part of this teaching too, and we need to put it back into the forefront.
  • verse 11: a translation that would be more inclusive of these details would be, “Moses saw an Egyptian smiting an ‘ish’, an ‘ivri’, (a Hebrew).” NOTE: Hebrew is the word, ivri, which is pronounced, ‘ee-vree’. If you recall, we learned that the word, ‘ivri’ means, “from the other side.” Ref: Where There Is No Man, Part 2
  • verse 12: “and he looked this way and that way”, –he looked ‘koh va koh’
  • verse 12: “and when he saw there was no man”. —He saw there was no ‘ish’
  • verse 12: “…he slew (nakah, 5221) the Egyptian”.
  • verse 13: “Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow?” the word for smitest is ‘nakah’ (5221) translated; attack, slay, kill. Fellow is ‘rea’, pronounced ray-ah (7453), i.e., a friend, neighbor, companion…
  • verse 14:“intendest thou to kill (2026) me, as thou killedst (2026) the Egyptian?” 2026 is ‘harag’; to kill, slay

There are 4 key points I would like for you to grasp right now. We will double back for the rest of the information later. For now, the 1st 3 are of primary importance in this part of our study, so we will take a look at them first.

  1. Moses did not, look around to see if anyone was watching because he was concerned about someone seeing him in the act of committing murder. This is not an example of a severe character flaw that we are witnessing here. Moses is a tzaddik, a righteous one. There is an injustice occuring in front of him, and he cannot just stand by and let it happen. He has been raised as a Prince of Egypt, a leader. Leaders stand up for the defenseless.
  2. Since we already know that there are 12 Hebrew words for ‘man’, we understand that scripture is drawing our attention to the fact that, he saw no ‘ish’, which makes this issue significant to note. There are 11 other possibilities for word choices here, so “seeing no ish” is important and we must pay attention to this detail. When we take the information that we have in hand thus far, what does that tell us about the characteristics that an ‘ish’ must possess? Who is an, ‘ish’?
  3. In addition, Moses is connecting the concept of being an ‘ish’, with being an ivri, a Hebrew. What else can we glean about the quality of an ‘ish’ from this statement?
  4. There are 2 different words in this portion of scripture that both have the interpretation of “to kill”; harag and nakah. We need to take a look at these words in the same way in which we are looking at the word ‘man’. What distinction is being made between these two Hebrew words? What pertinent information is the concordance lacking here? Are there patterns that are revealed in the use of the Hebrew words themselves that will provide another source of information, detail or revelation?

Hillel, is speaking scripture to us in his ‘saying’. He is pointing those that he is teaching, back to the word of GOD, that has been rehearsed in their ear’s yearly. When the children of Israel in the 1st Century hear these words, their minds go to the portion of scripture that points to Moses’ confrontation with the Egyptian. As for our Christian minds, where do they go?, Are there any dots for us to connect? I sincerely doubt if we are reflecting back on the Book of Exodus, Chapter 2; the portion of scripture known as shemot, “and these are the names…” (shemot is pronounced as one syllable, i.e., shhh’mote). Shemot (Ex. 1:1 through 6:1), is the portion of the Hebrew Scriptures that deals with the children of Israel remembering who they are in GOD and crying out to the GOD of Heaven for deliverance. They had been stripped of practically everything that made them Hebrews. There was one virture, that qualified them for destiny… they had kept their Hebrew names, i.e., they kept their identities that connected them to their people and their GOD.

In our childhood bible studies, these words of scripture were not rehearsed in our ears, so we miss the connection that Hillel is making, i.e., We don’t hear the Hebrew Scripture being echoed back to us.

In fact, we aren’t even aware that there are any connections to be made, so we don’t even know were missing them. This is one of the primary reasons that my advocacy for Christians learning torah is so vocal. How many peices to the puzzle were missing from your knowledge banks regarding this portion of scripture? Has any additional light been shed on this torah portion? Did you hear the torah being spoken in Hillel’s saying?

If not, why not? Is there anything else that has gone unrecognized in these 4 passages of scripture, that we should know about?

I am deliberately focusing on these point for 2 reasons.

1. As we read the New Testament, we are reading right over critical language that we should recognize from the Hebrew Scriptures.

2. If we heard the language cues, we would automatically have greater understanding and insight into the context and mindset from which Christ and the disciples were speaking. We would know, that Christ is speaking torah the entire time and that He never broke the torah, nor did He come to destroy the torah. This matters.

All of the information provided above has bearing on our study of, ‘man’. All of the little dots that we have connected will shed more light on Hillel’s invocation, the Hebrew Scriptures as a whole and all of the relevant information we have missed, due to our lack of torah study.

By the way, that photo on the caption is the word, ‘adam’ in Hebrew. Reading from right to left, we have the letters, aleph (A) – dalet (D) – mem (M). adam is connected to this teaching about ‘man’. We are still in pursuit of the meaning of the word, ‘man’, as found in the saying of Hillel. Have we found it?

Think about the information that you have learned so far. What dots have you connected in the scriptures? What insights have been revealed? In our next series associated with adam, we are going to take an indepth look at the 3 letters that spell, ‘adam’ and see what they can tell us of the character and nature of adam and who, adam is referring to, and/or what the word ‘adam’ really means. Is it a name only or is it a reference to mankind, or both? Should both designations apply, is that all that this Hebrew word, chosen by GOD and applied to his highest form of creation, can tell us about GOD and ourselves? Let’s find out!

Review this material extensively and be prepared for the next teaching in this series. Stay tuned!

Teaching related to the topic of Adam:

  • ++Vocabulary: Our elevated understanding of Gods terminology.
  • Adam ~ human being, the crowning achievement of God; mankind, man.
  • Zakar ~ male, man, belonging to and in covenant with the GOD of Heaven.
  • ish ~ (Make note of the patterns you see in how GOD uses this word in scripture).
  • nephesh ~ (Make note of the patters you see in how GOD uses this word in scripture)
  • gul-go-leth ~ every man counted in the omer of manna, or for the 1/2 shekel of the sanctuary. The counting of heads for the poll.
  • ba’al ~ rulers, elders, lords who shall not defile themselves with the dead, other than immediate family.

Note to Students:  Over the years my re-quoting of this saying has shortened to, “Where there is no man, be a man.”  I apologize for any incoveneience this may have caused any of you.  The actual full quote is as stated above in each teaching connected with this series.  “In a place where there are no men, be a man.”  

Thank You for your forgiveness for my typo’s and adpatation of the saying.  

God Bless You,

  • COPYRIGHT 2019, Rev. S. Madison, torahisteaching.blog

WHERE THERE IS NO MAN, BE A MAN –Part 4

“It is the Glory of GOD to conceal a thing, but the honor of Kings to search out a matter” —King Solomon (Proverbs 25:2)

Continued from Part 3……

“In a place where there are no men, strive to be a man” –Rabbi Hillel

We have invested 33 minutes into this teaching… keep going!

There are 12 different words in the Hebrew Language that GOD can use to say, ‘man’. Which one does He use, to call forth a man among men?  In which one do you see the attributes of, a mighty man of valor?

The Next 2 Hebrew Words for ‘Man’ that we will look at are: ish & nephesh)

Spreadsheets are available below containing the information that I want you to capture.

First let’s take a look at the word, ish

The Hebrew word ‘ish’ (eesh) can also be translated as ‘man’. The concordinal reference number for ‘ish’ is 396. Again, scan down the far right edge of the column in the Strong’s Concordance (Book Form), and you will see the various list of numbers all referenced under your search the word, man.

Continuing to look for patterns we will look at the 1st three appearances of ‘ish’ in the scriptures. The chart below provides an example of the information that we will make note of:

ish’ appears in Genesis 2:23, 24 and 4:1 (KJV).

Hebrew WordConcordanceRef#123# of times/ Scripture
ish (eesh) 376Gen 2:23Gen 2:24Gen 4:1 1097

Immediately, we observe that ‘ish’ (eesh), is used extensively in scripture, 1097 times. In the 1st 3 appearances of ish, we note:

  • that Adam has not only identified woman as isha (eesha), he has identified himself as ish (2:23).
  • Ish and isha are one flesh (2:24).
  • Adam and Eve, reproduced in their image, ish (4:1).

2:23 “And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” 

2:24 “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”

4:1 “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.”

NOTE THE CONTRAST: Gen. 2:7 “The LORD GOD formed adam (man) from the dust.” Cain is a man not formed from the dust. Cain is not called adam.

Refer to Part 3 of this lesson. Compare ish to adam and zakar. What observations are of note? (In order to provide you ample time to think about this, I will not weigh in until part 5 of the teaching).

So far, we have the word ‘man’, translated a minimum of 9 times as 3 completely different words. These distinctions will never be seen from our English Bible. All we see is ‘man’ in each of the 9 verses we have reviewed, man, is man, is man. Reading from the English, we are blinded to any transitions at all. Clearly, something more is happening here, and there is more information packed into the Hebrew verses.

Let’s look further into the Hebrew Word, Nephesh.

Hebrew WordConcordance Ref#123# of times in/ scripture
nephesh5315Gen 2:7 Gen 12:13
Gen 17:14
Ex 12:16
2 Kings 12:4 Isa 49:7

Ex. 12:16 “And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.” —i.e., every soul, person must eat…

2 Kings 12:4 And Jehoash said to the priests, All the money of the dedicated things that is brought into the house of the LORD, even the money of every one that passeth the account, the money that every man is set at, and all the money that cometh into any man’s heart to bring into the house of the LORD,.” —i.e., The Redemption Price for every man’s soul.

(IMPORTANT NOTE: Every souls value is set at half a shekel of the sanctuary. Lest, some think that GOD only values man at a price of half a shekel,what is important to know, is that GOD Himself, made up the other half of the shekel. No son of Israel is complete without GOD. This gives us more insight into Phil 2:6, when Paul says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: GOD thought it not robbery. In fact, it’s not the half shekel that we should focus on here, it is the realization that GOD adds Himself to us, to make us whole. (If he had made the price one full shekel, some might presumptuously assume, that they are whole without Him). Amen?

1sa. 49:7 Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.” — i.e., to him whom the soul despiseth

Nephesh is translated as many different words, including the word, ‘man, soul’, and person’. Below, as an additional reference, nephesh is translated as “him” in the KJV. However, we are talking about the ‘man’, the person of Joseph. The soul of Joseph...

Gen 37:21 “And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.” — i.e., “…let us not kill/strike down [his] soul.” or, “let us not kill/strike down the soul.” (~meaning Joseph’s soul).

If Judah had only considered his brother as any man, it’s possible he might have not considered this twice. However, Judah is a tzaddik, a righteous one. Taking of another soul is at stake here. The soul of another tzaddikim AND he is their brother, their father’s son.

This is just the beginning of exploring this verse. Together, we shall delve into it more deeply before we are done.

Contemplate the Meaning of the Words–

Review this above material. Remember, that we are in the initial stages of research and for now, I just want to introduce you to several methods of investigating scripture. For now, I think it is important to recognize that, we as Christians who don’t study from Hebrew, are glossing over details that are important. In English, when we speak of a man, a person, a soul, we separate these concepts out one from another.

When GOD uses the word nephesh, which is translated as “man” in the KJV (and many other bibles), we need to ask or self, Why? Why does He use nephesh, as opposed to ish, as opposed to adam,as opposed to zakar? Why are there so many different ways to say, “man”. What is GOD trying to tell me?

When GOD calls a man zakar, what is He saying? Why use zakar, rather than ish? Why is the thought expressed so meticulously, that He would have 12 different ways to say, “man”? I believe there is something to be gleaned here that is significant to the way in which we understand the message, GOD’s word overall, even to the extent that we could gain some insight into the mind of Christ. Should we aspire to the height of heights?

If you were to rank the Hebrew words for man that we have examined so far, from the highest level of creation to a lower level of creation, how would you rank them? I do not mean this, in a derogatory sense of the word, to rank. Think in terms of kedusha (holiness before GOD).

I will provide you my insights that I have observed from the way GOD uses these distinct references to man, as ish and nephesh in the next blog in this series. In addition, we will take a look at 2 additional words for man in or next discussion. Until then, Shalom….

Be Blessed!

+++Vocabulary: Our elevated understanding of Gods terminology.

Adam ~ human being, the crowning achievement of God; mankind, man.

Zakar ~ male, man, belonging to and in covenant with the GOD of Heaven.

ish ~ (Make note of the patterns you see in how GOD uses this word in scripture)

nephesh ~ (Make note of the patters you see in how GOD uses this word in scripture)

All terms will be explained in detail as we continue this study. Stay tuned.

COPYRIGHT 2019, Rev. S. Madison, torahisteaching.blog

[[ NOTE: Should any changes or corrections need to be made after publication of this post, I will place them in brackets so that the reader will know that an amendment has been made.]]

WHERE THERE IS NO MAN, BE A MAN –Part 3

“In a place where there are no men, strive to be a man” –Rabbi Hillel

Continued from Part 2……

The question we are considering is:

There are 12 different words in the Hebrew Language that GOD can use to say, ‘man’. Which one does He use, to call forth a man among men?  In which one do you see the attributes of, a mighty man of valor?

Time in Teaching: We are 27 minutes into this teaching

Our 1st 2 Hebrew words for Man are: adam & zakar)

In our last conversation, I asked you to open your concordance to the word ‘‘man’. I created a spreadsheet below containing the information that I want you to focus on.

The first appearance in the concordance for the word, ”man’ that you will find, is adam. The concordinal reference number is 120. You can scan down the far right edge of the column and you will see the various list of numbers all referenced under the word, man. Your count should be the same as mine, for a total of 12.

The 11 verses that appear contain the Hebrew word, ‘adam‘ which is translated here as, ‘man’. In order to establish some consistency, we will look at the 1st three verses of all 12 Hebrew words that are translated ‘man’ and see if we detect any patterns. At times, we many need to peel back more layers, before patterns of use can be detected. For now, 3 appearances will suffice. The chart below provides an example of the information that you will collect from the concordance:

The word, ‘‘adam’ appears in Genesis 1;26, 27 and 2:5.


Hebrew WordConcordanceRef#123# of times/ Scripture
adam 120Gen 1:26Gen 1:27Gen 2:5338

In all 3 instances, scripture is speaking of man in his ‘maleness’, but more importantly, scripture of speaking in context of mankind, being a ‘human being’. For the sake of clarity, read each verse and exchange ‘mankind/human being’ for man.

1:26 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” 

1:27 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

2:5. “And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.

1:26 “And God said, Let us make mankind in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” 

In each of the following verses, Gen 2:7, 8, 15, 16, 17, 18, God is speaking of a human being first, not soley as an individual adam. In fact, it isnt until 2:19 that we can exchange ‘mankind’, for the proper name “Adam” in a clean and concise, indistinquishable way.

However, we are reading this from the KJV English translation. Let’s take a look at verse 19 and 20 in Genesis ch.2. We are still looking at the word, ‘adam’ being translated ‘man’.

2:19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beastof the field,and every fowl of the air; and brought [them] unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that [was] the name thereof.

2:20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air,and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

In verse 2:20 Our KJV translation tells us that scripture is now calling man, Adam. The man that was created and called Adam (adam means ‘man’ in Hebrew). In truth, that is not what is happening in the Hebrew. The word use is ha’adam, which is more accurate translated as, the human being, not Adam.

Verse 2:19 actually reads in Hebrew, “and brought them to the human being to see what he would call them”. In order to translate it to read, “and he brought them unto Adam…” you have to ignore the definite article, (the Hebrew letter hei) ‘ha’, which precedes the word adam.

We have the same situation with verse 20. The Hebrew letter hei, precedes the word adam, which means the word, ‘the’ precedes the word, adam. No one is addressed as ‘The Adam’ i.e., the adam gave names to all the cattle. Adam, is not a proper name here. adam, means human being in verse 19 and again in verse 20.

Again, the details matter. God is saying to us that he created a human being. We know, we are going to call him adam. But the primary work of creation in this instance, is to bring into existence the crowning acheivement of all of creation, mankind.

We understand because of the pronouns used in context with the verse, that the first human being created was male. That’s a given. But, the detail that we should not neglect here, is that the crowning acheivement of God is the creation of Human beings, “and He called their name adam”.

verse 1:27, “God created the human being, in His own image…” in part B of the verse, it reads, “male and female created He them”.

Watch closely, “male and female created He them”, the Hebrew word we are translating here as ‘male’, is the Hebrew word ‘zakar’. 58 of the 82 times that the Hebrew word zakar appears in scripture, it is translated as “man or male’. Approx, 47 times as ‘male’ and 11 times as man.

Hebrew WordConcordance Ref#123# of times in/ scripture
zakar2145Gen 17:10Gen 17:12Gen 17:14 58/82

The 1st five appearance of ‘zakar’ in scripture, is in Gen 5:2, “…male and female created He them, and He blessed them and called their name adam”. This is a scripture that most have been curious about, because of the language stating, “He called them (their name) adam.” The common question to ask is, “Why would God call, both of them (male and female) Adam? It doesn’t sound correct, because it’s breaking the pattern the word established when we first were introduced to the word, ‘adam’ in Gen 1:26.

The scripture says, “He called them adam”. In this context, adam means human beings, mankind. When we first see the term adam in scripture, man is being called a human being. When God creates zakar’s helpmeet, the female that is appointed to him, (appointed = naqav) together, they are both being called, ‘human beings’.

The 1st three times we see the word zakar used in scripture, it is used in reference to the circumcision. Among the 58 times that ‘zakar’ is translated as ‘man’ instead of ‘male’, it is in reference to the circumcision, Aarons sons, the offerings of the priesthood, or the 5 schekel offering for the redemption of the first born sons of Israel. What common denominator are you seeing in relationship to how scripture applies the meaning of the word, zakar?

Answer: When God uses the term zakar, he applies it to man in relationship to the covenant, i.e. the circumcision, redemption, to man’s service and sacrificial offerings.

Zakar is rooted in the Hebrew word, zakar (Ref# 2142) which means, to remember. Zakar is only connected to remembering the covenant (Ex 2:4, 6:5, Gen 9:16, Lev 26:45), remembering the Name of God (Ex 20:24), the shabbath (Ex 13:3, 20:8), the Patriarchs and the people (Gen 8:1, 19:29, Ex 32:13, Lev 26:42) the blessing & the dreams (Num 10:9, Gen 42:9), remembering the land (Ex 26:42), remembering the supernatural seasons of God (the Moed). Zakar is about GOD remembering mankind, about remembering His people, kindness, etc. Note: Gen 30:22 scripture says GOD remembered Rachel. Gen 8:1, GOD remembered Noah and all his house…,

Let’s go back and look at this again, “…male and female created He them, and He blessed them and called their name adam.” God has 11 other ways He could address the human being as male. God is not limited by words. In English, man is man, is man, is man. We are limited with our words.

But here, in the language of GOD, He calls him zakar…which is connected to the covenant, the blessing, the shabbat, the supernatural seasons, the moedim… When God calls man, zakar, He is remembering you (man) for good. He is adorning man with love, an appelation of kindness, love affection. You are connected to His Covenant!

In Genesis 5:2, when GOD speaks of man in relation to the creation…man as the crowning achievement of creation, along with the female, He calls the male, zakar. Zakar is a term of endearment to the man of God.

Review this material. Make note of the information that I want you to key in on for now when searching the concordance. This is the initial stages of research and for now, I just want to introduce a few newbies to the 1st steps we can take to look into the scripture. We will take a look at 2 additional words for man in our next discussion in Part 5, ish and nephesh. Until then, Shalom….

Be Blessed!

+++Vocabulary: Our elevated understanding of Gods terminology.

Adam ~ human being, the crowning achievement of God; mankind, man.

Zakar ~ male, man, belonging to and in covenant with the GOD of Heaven.

All terms explained in detail above.

All terms will be explained in detail as we continue this study. Stay tuned.

COPYRIGHT 2019, Rev. S. Madison, torahisteaching.blog

[[ NOTE: Should any changes or corrections need to be made after publication of this post, I will place them in brackets so that the reader will know that an amendment has been made.]]

WHERE THERE IS NO MAN, BE A MAN… Part 2

Continued from Part 1…

“In a place where there are no men, strive to be a man”. —Rabbi Hillel

We are 11 minutes into this teaching.

The question we are considering is:

There are 12 different words in the Hebrew Language that GOD can use to say, ‘man’. Which one does He use, to call forth a man among men?  In which one do you see the attributes of, a mighty man of valor?

Before we begin, lets have a quick recap of a few key points:

  1. …strive to be a man“, those few words provoke our spirit to subdue our flesh.
  2. Today, There’s a growing trend of people who are referring to torah, as the entire Bible– Genesis to Revelation. However, since you are torah scholars in the making, just know the difference as outlined earlier for you, in Part 1. The most important thing is, to recognize that Jesus was teaching torah the entire time. Torah was being taught during the timeframe presented within the entire New Testament era.
  3. GOOD TO KNOW: Bible statistics reveal that there are a total of 260 chapters in the New Testament, containing approx. 300 quotes from the Hebrew Scriptures (a.k.a, Old Testament). What we may find as a shock to our system is to know that, when Jesus and the disciples are not quoting the Hebrew Scriptures, they are teaching, re-teaching, clarifying and expounding on both torah, oral torah and halacha which are simply about “walking out the torah teachings”. [A study of the Synoptic Gospels, demonstrates that Jesus was teaching the torah of Moses and that He was intricately familiar with the teachings of the rabbis that preceded Him and with those that lived during His time]. Jesus, ONLY taught torah. He did not go off in another direction, and do His own thing.
  4. Torah means teaching/instruction/direction. If we can unravel some faulty teaching, we can untangle some faulty mindsets that have been adopted over time, and we can release the anointing over our own lives. Christians are meant to walk in more power. Christ said, “…and greater works than these shall you do in My Name”. Can you imagine? He thought some pretty great thoughts about us! We cannot get to the “greater works” until we cast down some vain imaginations that exalt themselves above the knowledge of GOD. I know you feel it. We know we should be operating at a higher level, we can feel it. There is untapped potential in all of us.
  5. NO MORE BANNED BATTLES: Some are still trying to tell us that these are miscellaneous details. However, the devils is in the details, and it’s time to kick him out. Christians need to be like ferocious little torah pacman’s—Eating the scroll of torah. Consuming every bite. The history of the separation between Jews and Gentiles was born out of anti-Semitism and anti-Christianism, both sides are quilty. Both are accountable. 2000+ years of “They started it!”, is utter nonsense. Especially since the torah is trying to communicate the spiritual value and significance of forgiveness. We have the ability to chose not to be each other’s enemy. Teaching anything contrary to forgiveness is counter productive and dangerous. Can you imagine, “the power that is yet to be revealed“, if we focused on the real enemy? We have to master these so called, miscellaneous details. Our anointing is in the details.
  6. Become Masters of the Misc.
  7. Law is choqmah- decrees, statutes, doctrines. We are not bound by the law, that’s true. Were bound by something more lovely than that, we are bound by His teachings!
  8. I realize, that I asked you earlier to write in your bibles. To scratch out some words and write in a few corrections, so that you can begin to re-train yourself to speak a new language. Where I come from, writing in the bible was taboo. Now my son tells me, I have so many notes and worn out pages, that my bible looks like a worn out manifesto. I had to just laugh about that one. So Beloved, I am not telling you anything that I do not do. Obtain a bible that you are willing to write in and mark up and start writing your manifesto! Notebooks come and go, but your bible will contain the information that you need, when you need it. If you make a note somewhere on the page, you will have if there for the life off the bible.
  9. Remember Ex 12:49? “One teaching shall be to him that is home born, and unto the stranger that sojourneth with you?” Even then, GOD was making note that the Jew and the Gentile can be (should be), walking together in this. The GOD of Abraham never rejected the stranger. The strangers, reject GOD, choosing to remain a stranger. GOD’s instructions were to teach us, as we walk alongside. It is my personal mission to do as Paul, the Pharisee turned Apostle to Christ, said to do… “to provoke the Jew to jealousy!” –Do you realize that we would not even have a bible to fight over, if it was not for the Jews? The Jews kept the torah intact–for THOUSANDS OF YEARS. The torah remained intact in their meticulous care! How many fragments do we have of the New Testament? Exactly. Our Christian ancestors (who I refer to as, We), had to recover the messages left to us by the disciples. Bluntly stated, we just did not handle the WORD with the same level of care. Any nation, (a whole nation) that can carry a book for over 3000 years, is special indeed— Give GOD the praise. They did their job and delivered the book to the future. God chose the right people. As a Christian community, “We should give honor to whom honor is due!” There is no amount of replacement theology that can touch that. I want the Jewish people to look over at me in amazement and say, “is she really over there trying to love the torah more than me, really? “YES, Yes I am”.
  10. You Are the Answer God Sent Into the World. Answer the Calling on your life.
  11. After GOD took the Children of Israel out of the wilderness, He desired to teach them. His decrees and teachings would cover and protect them. A good portion of, the Children of Israel had forgotten who they were created to be. Life in Egypt had caused them to forget GOD. These children of Israel had adopted the ways of the Egyptians, the ways of the world. Egypt in Hebrew is mitzraim, a compound word that is formed from the noun masor, meaning siege or entrenchment. Masor is derived form the verb sur, which means to bind or to besiege. Mitzraim was a stronghold over the children of Israel, and can prophetically represent a stronghold over our lives, even today. Mitzraim, is a spiritual force that binds up the people of GOD, entangling them within the destructive powers of siege warfare. In order for the children of Israel to come out from under the influence of mitzraim and regain their destiny, GOD had to teach them how to accomplish that, and they needed His Word to fight with! If the children of Israel had not (a) remembered who they were called to be, and united with one another, (b) accepted GOD’s Word in unity and, (c) renewed their commitment to God, in one accord; they would have been sunk. –and so then, would we.
  12. Torah is not a Jewish-only concept, or Jewish only property. It is a GOD concept, God’s property, and God’s Gift to man. The mixed-multitude was right there alongside the children of Israel, in position to receive the teachings with them. Not everyone did. 

Finally, Torah is not a racist ideology. Man created racism. God created torah. Man embraced the idea of white and black and red and brown. God embraced the idea of Jew and Gentile.

When our ears hear, “Jew and Gentile”, we have learned to hear it in a way that tells us that, “Jews are one race of people, and Gentile’s are all the other races of people”. Torah is not a racist ideology. To be a ‘Jew’ in scripture, means to come out of the world system and to chose the ways of GOD; to cross over to the other side, GOD’s side. To be gentile, means to stay put… entrenched in world systems, i.e. worldly minded, to remain outside the covenant of GOD. Being, “Jew or Gentile” has to do with covenantal status. We should think of this concept more in terms of relationship with GOD, than in the way the world has trained us to think. We are being taught by somebody. We are going to be taught by the world, or we can choose to allow ourselves to be taught by GOD. Either way, we will be taught.

Allow me a minute with this: It’s important to the concept of…being a man.

The word ‘Jew’ in Hebrew is from the Hebrew word k‘ivri’ meaning, “from the other side”. Originally, Abraham was once ivri, from among those people that believed in or worshipped idols. The Chaldeans were people who had no knowledge of the One True God. They only had knowledge of the gods they created for themselves, with their own hands.

The word Gentile, is from the Latin, gentilis. It refers to someone belonging to a certain tribe or clan. Over time, the word ‘Gentile’ came to express the idea of anyone who was a non-Jew. Goyim (nations), is the plural of ‘goy‘ meaning ‘nation’. The goyim are strangers to God. Gentiles are known as the goyim, strangers to God. They represent the un-circumcised, who are outside of the covenant of God. This is important to us because, in God’s terms, we are either ‘in the covenant or outside the covenant.’ Its not about race. It’s about relationship. We are either for Him or Against Him.

We are either on the LORD’s side or we are not. The Jews were in covenant with God, all the other nations were not. Unless someone from the nations chose to come over to the other side, to become, ivri, they remained a stranger to GOD.

Abraham was called to the nations.  Abraham taught the torah to the nations. 

Abraham was from a different side, until he crossed over to the other side.  It was torah (truth) that made Abram, Abraham.  Abram had a revelation, which drew him over to the other side.

Moses was drawn out from the other side, raised on a different side, until he crossed back over to the other side- reclaiming his Hebrew Heritage.

Jesse was from a different side, until he crossed over to the other side.

Schechem and his kingdom, were from a different side, until they crossed over to the other side.

Ruth was from a completely banned side, until she crossed over to the other side.

Urriah the Hittite was from a different side, until he crossed over to the other side.

Job was from a different side, until he crossed over to the other side.

Even the mixed multitude were from a different side until they crossed over to the other side, (until they crossed back over to the different side, again…(they were a little mixed up!)

My point is, that God has always been in the midst of the nations giving the torah.  Just as the mixed multitudes were present at Mt. Sinai, at the giving of the torah, we can be present today — crossing over to the other side with God and staying put.

God was already giving and sending His Word to the Nations, WAY BEFORE Christ arrived.  Christ was only doing, what His Father in Heaven had already been doing. He came to the House of Israel, but He never denied anyone who believed on GOD’s Name. Their faith made them whole.

Obedience put in action, is better than saying you understand–DO.

Some of you at this early stage, may not fully understand what I am talking about.  I realize it sounds like a tirade.  I assure you, it is not.  There are others who are reading this right now, alongside you and they do understand.  They heard every word, and they have to go back and think about some things, that they have been taught.  The bottom-line is, every person has to decide if they are for GOD or against GOD? This has been the only real question, since the beginning of time. Each person decides for himself, what he or she is prepared to do.

FIRST DO, THEN HEAR

All of the people I named above, were once strangers to the covenant of God, until they became, ivri. Until they crossed over to the other side, they were gentiles – goyim, strangers. Being Hebrew (ivri) is the spiritual designation for crossing over–“come out from among them and be ye separate”. It wasn’t until they crossed over, that they truly began to understand. Understanding comes from being in covenant with GOD. Here is something I do whenever I am in a debate of sorts with Christians that feel that they just don’t understand what GOD is talking about in scripture. I ask them a rhetorical question, being sure to ask that they not answer out loud. It’s a question that they do not owe me an answer to and one that I do not need to know for the purposes of the discussion. This is the question, “If you were to sit back, take some time, and reflect on all the things that you do understand about the covenant GOD set in place between Himself and mankind. Consider, all the do’s and don’ts that you have basic knowledge of right now, by your own analysis, would you say that you are in covenant with GOD? If your answer (to yourself) is, “No, I am not”, then consider that this (those things you are aware that you fall short in) may be impeding your ability to understand spiritual matters. Sometimes, we just get in our own way and we have to move over.

If your answer is, “Yes, I am completely in covenant with GOD”, then let’s pray and fast for greater understanding, because something is off. It could be something that cannot be detected without prayer. (Someone has to come in agreement with them for understanding, so we set a consecration to pray).

I believe that understanding comes from accepting the covenant first. In our carnality, we want to understand first, and then do… if we agree and approve. With God, the evening and the morning were the first day. First obey (do), and then understanding will come.

“We will do and we will hear” (nah-ah-say  vuh-neesh-mah), Ex 24:7.  Literally, this is Hebrew for, “I will do it, whether I understand it now or not.  Understanding will come.”  This attitude contains greater access to the anointing than saying you understand something that you do not, and remaining stubborn and stiff-necked, because you really just don’t understand.  First, accept and be obedient to the covenant. First things, first.

You can’t teach torah and not circle back to this concept over and over again. This is a recurring theme in the torah. We will come back this way again, I assure you. Torah study requires it. Do first – then hear, i.e. (Do first, then get understanding). 

It was GOD’s heart to send His Word out into the Nations.  This was, is, and will be, ALL GOD’s idea.  The Jewish nation is not fighting with us over torah.  (OK, some are, but that is not the point). The point is, we should not be fighting with them.

Torah is not taboo for Christians. 

God is not just the author and finisher of our faith, He is the author of history. The Covenant is available to anyone who is willing to come boldly before the Throne of God to claim it.

We are operating within the design of His Plan.  Some efficiently and some inefficiently. Everybody does not cooperate with their part of the plan.  We know this.  But the torah, is behind ALL of creation.  We need God’s Word. Some choose not to submit to God’s Word. We want it both ways. Pull out GOD if and when it is convenient and put Him and His Word away, when it does not suit our purposes. Understanding will never come in this way either. –This is the epitome of Double Mindedness–

Perhaps some of us, (“us” being Christians) want to hear that we don’t need to delve into the depths of torah to understand our faith. In Proverbs 9:10, GODs Word would disagree. He says, “Knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Without torah, there is no “Knowledge of the Holy One.” If knowledge of GOD could be acquired without torah, everybody in the world would know GOD by now. If torah were not required to know GOD, we could at least be exonerate from responsibility to learn it. Torah is a little more homework. But, the students in the Master’s Class, don’t mind.

Christ embraced His Jewishness, he did not pretend to be gentile to [make it easier for us to accept Him.] We misrepresent His life [and limit our ability to increase in understanding], if we strip Him of His Jewishness, which is our heritage and our birthright.

We are in love with the Son of the living God. Christ, is the Son of the Living God, of the Jews.  No matter which side we examine this from, The Word, the torah, the teachings and God, are ONE. 

Ref: Deut 6:4

Torah is a GOD-Concept

John 10:30   “I and my father are one.”

John 10:34  Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your teachings, I said, Ye are gods?”

John 10:35  “If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken.”

We have to untangle our message.  EVERYTHING about the Word of GOD matters.  If it was important enough for GOD to put in the message, it must be important enough for us to learn, and get it right. The details matter. 

Hebrew is a very meticulous language.  Hebrew is God’s Love Language to His People.  Every jot and tittle still matters to Him. (Matt 5:18). 

“In a place where there is no man, strive to be a man” –Rabbi Hillel

In Hebrew, there are 12 different words for ‘man’—

If we pick up an English dictionary and look up the word, “man”. We are going to find one entry. The definition will read something like this; (a) an adult human male, (b) a human being of either sex, i.e. person, individual, mortal, soul. 

Because we understand the definition, when we hear the word “man”, we then place it’s use into the proper context based upon our conversation, whether in written or oral form.

In English we have one word, in this case “man” and how we use that word in a sentence/conversation will determine the context of our message.  In Hebrew, what GOD is saying about the “man”, will determine which of the 12 words we select in context to our message.

Hebrew is a very meticulous language.  English is not.

Nearly every word in Hebrew has many levels of understanding.

You cannot take it for granted that an apple, is an apple, is an apple.  Especially, not in the same sense that we define a word, or use a particular word in English.

Examining the scriptures from the Hebrew Perspective is like peeling an onion. You have to peel back a layer at a time, to increase your understanding. 

A literal-only reading of the Word, can lead you to make erroneous assumptions.

Again, Hebrew is a very meticulous language.  English is not. In addition, Hebrew is a foreign language for us. For this reason alone, we need to be very meticulous in learning more about it.

You will see the application of these principles over and over again, as we continue to study from the Hebrew perspective.

LESSON NO. 2

Open your concordance to the word man.  There are 3,323 occurrences of the word, man. When I turn to page #916 in my 1995, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, I find approx. 11 pages (2 columns per pages) of what appears to be 12pt font, listing every single appearance of the word “man” that is found in the scriptures. 

(Note: The Strong’s I am using is based on the KJV).

Vocabulary:

oral torah~ The oral tradition of the torah, transmitted from father to son and Rabbi to student. It is called the oral torah because it is transferred ‘by mouth’.

halachah ~ literally means, ‘the way’. Halachah are religious laws that everyone must follow.

See Part 3, that will be posted by 9AM PST May 3, 2019.

+++Vocabulary:

halachah ~ a collection of Jewish religious laws that are comprised of both the written and the oral torah.  Halachah are based on mitzvoth (commandments), customs and traditions.  You will find that halachah is often translated to mean law, (just as torah is translated typically as ‘law’), but the word ‘halach, literally means, “the way to walk, or behave”.  Halach, means to go, or to walk. How do you carry yourself, in obedience to the torah, the customs, and traditions of GOD?

Oral torah ~ the oral torah is based on the teachings that were handed down verbally, by memory from father to son, or Rabbi to student.  In Hebrew it is called, ‘torah she-bay-al-peh’. torah that is on the mouth. The oral torah is comprised of laws, statutes and legal interpretations, not recorded in the written torah of Moses, (torah she-bi-kh’tav).

All terms will be explained in detail as we continue this study. Stay tuned.

  • Quick Links to Review Previous Teachings: Where There Is No Man...
  • Part 1 – 11 minutes Intro: Researching the 12 ways in Hebrew to say Man.

[When I find typo’s that I did not see before I published and/or I re-read and know that I could have stated something better for clarity, I will make corrections and place brackets around the changes, like so.  I want your final product to be as pristine as possible.  Also, you have noticed that I do not include the scripture reference when I am quoting or paraphrasing something from the New Testament.  I do that intentionally.  We know this material and I believe it is already a part of our regular dialogue.  We may have the impulse to look them up and that’s good.  I want to provoke us to do that.  It’s good for the soul 🙂  Your a good student!  God Bless You].

Copyright 2019, Rev. S. Madison, torahisteaching.blog

WHERE THERE IS NO MAN, BE A MAN…Part 1

Shalom!

In our first Blog-Style Bible Study, I present Part 1 of a subject that will undergird virtually every other torah topic we will discuss and investigate in our studies.

When I first heard this unforgettable expression in the study of torah, it truly resonated with me, and I’ve been intrigued with it ever since.

Being that this is our inaugural lesson, I am compelled to share a message dearest to my heart.

“In a place where there are no men, strive to be a man.”

-Rabbi Hillel, (110 B.C.E. – 10 C.E)

This is really what we want, isn’t it? When little girls hear that, I’m sure they think of their fathers. When married women hear this, they reflect on the character of their fathers, husbands or brothers. When unmarried women hear this, I expect that they too, reflect on their fathers, brothers, friends and consider the characteristics and qualities they desire in the man of their future. When a nation hears this, do they hear a longing for the resurgence of the soul of a most excellent man?

When I hear this, I feel like a critical moment of decision is at hand. Hillel cries out with a sense of urgency. This is a call to action. Something wicked has reared its head and the circumstances thrust a man forward who will challenge evil. In a place where there are no men, is there a mighty man of valor? A man of courage? Someone who will arise, and do more than it is his duty to do?

The word picture evokes the image of a hero, someone with character, integrity, courage, bravery, fearlessness. Hillel makes the observation that, though we may be in the presence of 20, 50 or even 100 men, none of them measure up to the stature and majesty of one man.

Hillel says, “strive to be a man.” Who is this man who will press his way through? This man, must be able to summon all his strength, all of his potential. He has to arise, into the image and likeness of his better self.

Clearly, all of the above are suitable, when we think of a man who stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Why did Hillel call out so eloquently for men, to be a man? What are the qualities of a good man?

We could slap some verses together, hold ’em, pin ’em down, and grab some sticky stuff and squeeze them all together…and call it a day.

Not so fast! This is torah study. We have to throw in some due diligence. There’s some lesson plans and homework required.

We will apply a meticulous 5 step approach as follows:

You are all at different levels of torah study. For the benefit of the newbies, I will walk you through the terminology in detail, so that you will own this knowledge once were done.

#1. What is Torah?

# 2. We will do and we will hear. Summary: Torah is Obedience in Action.

#3. Hebrew is a very meticulous language.

#4. Concordance Research on the Hebrew Definition of –Man.

#5. Conclusion

The question we are considering is:

There are 12 different words in the Hebrew Language that GOD can use to say, ‘man’. Which one does He use, to call forth a man among men? In which one do you see the attributes of, a mighty man of valor?

Lets set aside the question of “man” for moment, and first be sure we understand what torah means…

LESSON NO. 1
Studying torah is a completely different matter than studying scripture. Torah and scripture are two different subject matters from the perspective of our Christian roots. (If you feel differently, I understand why. However, allow me to work this out for a few other students who are new to these concepts).

Basic Definition of torah:

Traditionally speaking, when we say torah- we are speaking of the 5 Books of Moses, Genesis through Deuteronomy.

Today, what we understand as torah has gravitated to include ALL the Books of the Hebrew Scriptures, Genesis through Malachi. (Notice: I deliberately did not say Old Testament).

Torah means teaching/instruction. Teaching, is the most accurate interpretation of the word. Our ancient Christian ancestors, trained up the body of Christ in a tradition that taught us to translate the word, torah, as the word, law (and we have diligently done so, for at least the last 400 years, minimum). Our ancestral translators, and the majority of some of our translators of this present age, still persist in translating torah as law. Despite the fact that, we have more accurate information than we had in past decades.

When your going in the wrong direction, do you just keep going?, Forever?

Or Do You Course Correct?

A rough guess would put us at approx. 95% of the times that we see the word law in scripture, it is due to translating the Hebrew word, torah into the English word, law. In reality, the word torah means teaching.

This is an essential, foundational part of understanding torah. Hillel was a Rabbi, a Hebrew Scholar. In order to establish a connection with a Hebraic mindset, we need a fundamental understanding of terms.

Let’s continue working to untangle this:

If you go back into your bibles and locate the word– law, scratch it out and write in the word –teaching. Already you will have gained for yourself, valuable insight into the original conversations in scripture.

See the example below:

In Christian Bible studies, we have learned to study scripture in a completely different manner. We will begin to make a few adjustments to that process in this class.

For now, go to biblegateway.com and enter the word “law” into the search box. Hit enter. 529 hits will be returned on your query. The first 9 are not applicable. (they include either, daughter-in-law or father in-law – completely different topic). Next you will see the following:

Gen 47:26 and Joseph made it a law (choqmah) over the land of Egypt unto this day.
H2706 choqmah in Hebrew means statute or law. [the best approximation of the pronunciation of, “choqmah” that I can give you is ‘hoke-mah’].

Gen 49:10 the scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver (chaqaq) from between his feet,
H2710 – chaqaq to decree or inscribe, to cut in. chaqaq is more of a law than torah. Notice that choqmah and chaqaq are based in the same root word—they are related. The lawgiver decrees the word of God – The lawgiver will be from the seed of Judah.

Ex 12:49 One law shall be to him that is home born, and unto the stranger that sojourneth with you.
H8451 torah – teaching, direction, instruction. (cross out the word, law)
One teaching shall be to him that is home born, and unto the stranger that sojourneth with you. [—note that God said, that those who take this journey with you are entitled to the same teachings].

Ex 13:9. …that the LORD’s law may be in thy mouth
H8451. torah – teaching, direction, instruction. (cross out the word, law)
…that the LORD’s teaching may be in thy mouth

Ex 16:4 …that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.
H8451. torah – teaching, direction, instruction. (cross out the word, law)
…that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my teaching, or no.

Ex 16:28 …And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?
H8451. torah – teaching, direction, instruction. (cross out the word, law)
…And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my teachings?

…And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my directions?

…And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my instructions?

Ex 24:12. …and I will give the tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written, that thou mayest teach them.
H8451. torah – teaching, direction, instruction. (cross out the word, law)
…and I will give the tables of stone, and a teaching, and commandments which I have written, that thou mayest teach them.

Of the remaining of 513 verses, the majority are interpreting torah as law, incorrectly.

Go back and review the verses thoroughly before continuing. Email me any questions you may have. Thank you.

Some have said, these are insignificant tiny little word-smith-ing issues, what’s the big deal?

Look Carefully:

We took the 1st 7 occurrences of the word– law in the Hebrew Scriptures and peeled back the onion, just a bit. We saw for ourselves that 5 of the 7 don’t mean law at all.

What proof do we have other than my word, that torah should not be translated as law?, other than my word for it?

Hebrew is the native language of the Jewish nation. We have to respect them as the authority on record with their native language. If the Rabbi’s tell us that Torah means teaching, that settles the dispute! It’s their language, they ought to know.

Here, in our native language, GOD has been accused of being brutal, heavy handed, legalistic, ritualistic… and everything else in the book, [because we lack even a modicum of torah centered knowledge and perspectives].

We put the word ‘law’ in His mouth when He is actually referring to His teachings, His instructions, His directions. We are the ones creating the confusion. It’s our western mindset. We have a fondness of expressing things in terms of laws, commandments, decrees, statutes, doctrines, etc., etc. It’s possible the early translators of the bible felt, “teachings”, was too soft of a word to use. Perhaps they underestimated the masses, and assumed we could not accept God’s Word without a little more Fire of God authority? …perhaps they did.

We have the opportunity to repair the portrait that we painted. We created this picture of an overbearing GOD that people don’t know how to relate to, and we as laity, continue to inadequately explain His teachings. Did you notice what I did right there? I did not blame the pastors, priest or any leadership from any denomination?

This is because I see those three little fingers pointing back at us (the people) when we put the blame on any one else. As the people of God, we can’t just sit in the pew forever and act like we bear no responsibility for the outcomes. If we love God like we say we do, then we have to take accountability for our own behavior, i.e. our own lack of knowledge, and our inability or trepidation to answer questions about our own faith. I’m not speaking of course of every single Christian being this way. My generalizations are specific to the Christians that know they lack understanding about the GOD they love, and they know they need to be snatched out of their sleep. [More on this subject in part 2 of this blog].

God wants to teach you something and I have the heart for teaching that He can use to communicate through. You are the YOU that knows… that He is talking to YOU. –Not everybody, YOU. Why You? It’s like I said in the very first blog. You Are An Answer God Sent Into The World and He is coming for YOU!

“In a place where there is no man, strive to be a man.” Before we can [ever] get to the heart of that matter, we have to get a lot of other stuff out of the way. Stuff, that is blocking you from progress. Not progress in the world system… this is more important than that. There is all this stuff, that is blocking you from making progress in the anointing! God wants you taught! And for some reason, He believes this blog is going to have a part in doing that.

The First Thing God wanted to do, when He brought His People out of Egypt…

In Ex 12:49, 13:9, 16:4, 16:28, God wanted to teach His people. Ex 24:12, states the sum of the matter beautifully. God provided us with His teachings on tablets of stone, His decrees also, that we should be taught. He could have legislated mankind to the hilt, we certainly have, but He did not. He desired that we be taught.

We have impressively rehearsed the 10 commandments and neglected the 10 teachings.

God did not come with a sword. He came to the House of Israel and stretched out His hand in love, and for peace. Doesn’t that remind you of Jesus?

Do we have the patience to be teachable?

Can we be taught? Can we endure His teachings? Can we bear His instruction? Will we receive His instructions?

Additionally, contrary to some opinions, studying torah is not about converting to Judaism. [[There is no attempt being made here to convert anyone to Judaism]. The Jewish culture has so much beauty within it, and I must say, we could definitely benefit from several of their “best practices“. However, our primary goal before us today, is to perfect those things pertaining to the body of Christ. Every culture has something magnificent to contribute to the world, and knowing each other enriches our spirit. The development of our spirit is our greatest weapon, an essential prerequisite, which enables us to address our character flaws. Together, we are better people as a whole].

The Bible is a book of teachings and instructions. Embracing the Jewishness of Jesus, His Hebrew Heritage, Culture and teachings, only makes us stronger, never weaker. We have to accept ALL of Him, not pick the part we want and disavow the rest. If we would do that with the King of Kings, of course we will do it to others. In fact, we do it to others. When we disrespect others, we disrespect GOD. If our behavior in anyway disrespects the Son of the Living GOD, (accepting only what we deem appropriate, then we disrespect the anointing).

I hope I am making this clear. Anyone who marries a man or a woman and tells them to sever all ties with their heritage, culture and teachings, really doesn’t love the person. Would you agree with that? Am I wrong? Am I missing something? Either we take the complete package with Christ or we don’t. There is no lukewarm offering on this. Hot or cold, hot or cold.

It’s time to fully cross over to the other side. No more refusing the good instructions, because we think we are betraying our Christian heritage by learning torah. We oppose our own selves if we don’t.

[“And the Lord’s servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing, in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth, and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto his will”]

[Betray the enemy who is trying to prevent us from obtaining the fire that the torah, will ignite in us. Betray that].

Part 2 of this post will settle the dispute regarding torah, as we continue to put all the pieces in place, for greater insight into Rabbi Hillel’s teachings in Pirkei Avot 1:15 [The sayings of our Fathers] Stay Ready!

SPECIAL NOTE: I put together a handout for Part 2 of this Bible Study. I believe it will help you follow the scripture details that I will present in Part 2 of this message. If you would like to a copy sent to you, send me your email address by subscribing to the blog. I’m a teacher, I can’t help creating handouts!

[When I find typo’s that I did not see before I published and/or I re-read and know that I could have stated something better for clarity, I will make corrections and place brackets around the changes, like so. I want your final product to be as pristine as possible. Also, you have noticed that I do not include the scripture reference when I am quoting or paraphrasing something from the New Testament. I do that intentionally. We know this material and I believe it is already a part of our regular dialogue. We may have the impulse to look them up and that’s good. I want to provoke us to do that. It’s good for the soul 🙂 Your a good student! God Bless You].

Copyright 2019, Rev. S. Madison, torahisteaching.blog