 _ Part One _ The roles of our Father and His Son in our lives are critical for our Covenant journey. YHWH has given us free-will and the ability to make our own decisions which identify our priorities and ultimately reveal the condition of our hearts. It wasn’t until I was in my mid 30’s that I started my journey toward Him (a combination of awareness and repentance). I continue to learn the extreme significance of choice and that we choose daily who He is in our lives. Before awaking to His calling, YHWH was simply someone I could call on in times of need. While I did acknowledge Him as my Creator and Savior, I had yet to understand the difference between believing in Him with my mind and living for Him with my all. This was a mind-shift that needed to occur in order to come out of the spirit of religion and into the spirit of YHWH. The majority of religions seem to be immersed in the belief that YHWH is more of a crutch in times of need or distress and that His role is to be on “stand-by” as we live out our daily lives, unaware of His instructions. I was oblivious to the “set plan” put in place by our Creator as I accepted detrimental false doctrine which would only lead me down the path of religious drunkenness and an unfruitful belief in what was so cleverly labeled as “simple faith”. I felt led to write about this topic since coming from that belief, I know there are many who can relate. Thankfully, there is an awakening happening and there are a remnant of people asking questions, stepping out of the false paradigm, and seeking truth. This blog is for those who are now desiring to understand and embrace YHWH in the roles He is meant to be in, awakening to all He desires. Master “But why do you call Me ‘Master, Master,’ and do not do what I say?” Luke 6:46 In most English translations you’ll instead see the word “Lord”. However, the more accurate and proper translation from the Greek (Kurios) and the Hebrew (Adonai) is Master. Being that “Lord” can mean “Ba’al” in Hebrew, I tend to stay far away from calling Him by that title. You can read more on the importance of names and titles from my blog What’s in a Name. Let’s first examine the Greek, Hebrew and English to get a better understanding of the definition of Master. Kurios: supreme in authority, that is controller Adonai: to rule, sovereign, that is controller – master, owner Master: a person with the ability or power to use, control, or dispose of something Sadly, as a society we have been known to reject the idea of mastery and even authority. It’s hard to embrace this role of YHWH and Yahushua as our Master when just below the definition of master in the English dictionary we read “an owner of enslaved people”. Not to mention the countless stories of “leaders” in history (and currently) who abuse this role. Maybe that is part of the resistance of submitting to our King. Do most people fear that making Him our Master will result in bondage? That fear might be the reason for reluctance in knowing Him. However, it would be wise to study and distinguish between YHWH’s righteous instructions and His Ways versus the ways of man. It really should be no comparison and no coalescing of the two. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares YHWH “For as the shamayim (heavens) are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 55:8,9 “YHWH has made Himself known, He has done right-ruling; the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands.” Tehillim (Psalms) 9:16 “YHWH is trustworthy in all His words and shows kindness in all His deeds.” Tehillim (Psalms) 19:7 Coming from a world that is littered with “wrong-ruling” it’s essential that we understand that YHWH is not of this world. He is a righteous, loving and fair Sovereign Who is wanting to keep us on His path which leads to the door of His coming Kingdom. We must trust His intentions and His plan in our lives so we can willingly submit to His will. So, what does it mean for Him to be our Master? Let’s continue in the verse we first discussed in Luke. “But why do you call Me ‘Master, Master,’ and do not do what I say? Everyone who is coming to Me, and is hearing My words and is doing them, I shall show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock. And when a flood came, the stream burst against that house, but was unable to shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But the one hearing and not doing, is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation against which the stream burst, and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:46-49 Notice that the description of these two groups of individuals is similar at first - they both hear His Word. However, what follows is the distinction between the two: obedience vs disobedience. There are those who hear and DO while there are those who hear but DO NOT DO. Those that “do not do” (disobedient) choose their fate, thus becoming a ruin. Those that “do” (obedient) have a solid foundation on the rock, thus being willing servants to the Master. As discussed in my previous blogs and books, what became my motivation and made me dive into self-examination was having only one desire in life, to hear one day “Well done, My good and faithful servant.” Mattithyahu (Matthew) 25:23. In order to hear those words, I needed to first prepare my heart. Second, to research what it meant to be a servant. And third, to know what to “do”. Will He call me His servant one day? Have I done the “do” that He requires of me? Have I earned the title servant? While most might think this is going down the road of trying to earn salvation, bear with me as that thought process can be very dangerous and lead “many” to ruin. The majority of believers know that our Messiah, Yahushua is the Way, Truth and Life and no one can enter the Kingdom without the covering of His blood to make them clean. However, it is just as vital that we are not lawless and trample the blood that originally covered us. “He who believes in the Son possesses everlasting life, but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of Elohim remains on him.” John 3:36 It amazes me that I never really read verse 36 in John chapter 3. I knew by heart John 3:16 but never continued to study past that verse. I assume because the idea of just “believing” was easy and didn’t take much effort. When I desired a relationship with YHWH, I then discovered the true meaning of belief in Hebrew thought. Understanding that belief and obedience cannot successfully be applied separately, one without the other, is a profound discovery in our knowledge of truth. If we believe that Yahushua is Messiah, the Son of Elohim yet we do not walk as He walked (obey) – then do we really believe in Him? That is why He so clearly asks “But why do you call Me ‘Master, Master,’ and do not do what I say?” He is stating that He cannot be a Master to the one who does not follow. If we choose not to serve Him but to serve ourselves or another, we are showing where our heart lies. “Do you not know that to who you present yourselves servants for obedience, you are servants of the one whom you obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?” Romans 6:16 Amazingly, we are all servants. The question should be, to who or what? It is evident in our current society that many serve money and the pleasures of this world. Success is erroneously defined by who has the most, materialistic wealth, stature, and the desire to be accepted and admired by others. I fell for that worldly trap by the enemy early on in my life but thankfully I woke up to the distraction and realized pursuing wealth rather than pursuing YHWH is exactly what Satan wants the world to do. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on the earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal but lay up for yourselves treasures in the shamayim (heavens), where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart shall be also.” Mattithyahu (Matthew) 6:19-21 “No one is able to serve two masters, for either he shall hate the one and love the other, or else he shall cling to the one and despise the other. You are not able to serve Elohim and wealth.” Mattithyahu (Matthew) 6:24 Notice the world is preaching the exact opposite of Yahushua’s words. Some who have yet to learn the ways of YHWH question if He wants us to be poor and miserable. That thought process couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, Yahushua further teaches in the 6th chapter of Matthew that we shouldn’t serve money but “Seek first the reign of Elohim, and His righteousness, and all these shall be added to you.” Mattithyahu (Matthew) 6:33 Does this mean that if we seek first YHWH and His righteousness that He will make us millionaires? That is not what Yahushua is saying. YHWH knows what we need, and He also knows the desires of our heart. If we desire to be rich with money rather than rich in Him, then we have missed the entire purpose of living. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you prove what is that good and well-pleasing and perfect desire of Elohim.” Romans 12:2 Serving is an action (verb), not the effortlessness of simple thought. It involves doing , activity and dedication to the one you serve, with a humble and joyful heart. His Word is clear that we are to be good and faithful servants to Him, and we also need to be serving others (Matthew 25:31-40). Amazingly, being a servant of YHWH essentially sets us free! In fact, His loving instructions (Torah) are described in the Scriptures as freedom. “But he that looked into the perfect Torah, that of freedom, and continues in it, not becoming a hearer that forgets, but a doer of work, this one shall be blessed in his doing.” Ya’aqob (James) 1:25 “For I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out Your precepts (commandments).” Psalms 119:45 Thanks to the blood of Yahushua our Messiah and the instructions for walking out our faith to salvation (Torah), we are no longer servants/slaves to sin. We have the incredible privilege of receiving His Ruach ha’qodesh (Set-apart Spirit) to dwell in our hearts and guide us through this life in anticipation of the next. “And now, revere YHWH, serve Him in perfection and in truth, and put away the mighty ones which your fathers served beyond the River and in Mitsrayim, and serve YHWH! And if it seems evil in your eyes to serve YHWH, choose for yourselves this day whom you are going to serve, whether the mighty ones which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the mighty ones of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But I and my house, we serve YHWH.” Yahushua (Joshua) 24:14,15  Teacher/Instructor
“Teach me, O YHWH, the Way of Your Laws, and I observe it to the end.” Psalms (Tehillim) 119:33 The world is littered with teachings and doctrines that contradict the very Word of Elohim. Sadly, if these false dogmas are preached on a stage, behind a pulpit with bright lights – they seem to carry more weight and the assumption of truth because of the way they are presented. Rather than testing the “marketed product”, the masses rely on the one teaching rather than the Teacher. YHWH instructs us in the way we should go, through His Word (Yeshayahu/Isaiah 48:17,18). While there are those who can help guide us through Scripture, it is vital that we discern and recognize false teachers by testing and proving their words and their actions. We do this by knowing YHWH and we know Him by humbling ourselves, seeking His face and studying His Word. Those who are well-versed in truth can easily identify an imposter. Let’s read in Ezekiel YHWH’s description of false prophets and priests. “Her kohenim (prophets) have done violence to My Torah and they profane My qodesh (set-apart/holy) matters. They have not distinguished between the qodesh and the profane, nor have they made known between the unclean and the clean. And they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, and I am profaned in their midst.” Yehezqel (Ezekiel) 22:26 This verse alone clearly describes the majority of today’s religious teachers. When “coming out of her” it’s essential that we understand what is clean, unclean, qodesh and profane in the eyes of YHWH. Once we identify these vital topics – we can then undoubtedly see who is teaching and living in falsehood. It is absolutely critical that we look to and learn from the source. That source is the Word of Elohim. And when I say the Word of Elohim, I mean every word. Not just the little sliver in the back of our Scriptures mislabeled “New” – I need to stress the fact that starting in the beginning is the only way to understand and know YHWH. John explains it quite nicely… “And by this we know that we know Him, if we guard His Commands. The one who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not guard His Commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever guards His Word, truly the love of Elohim has been perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. The one who says he stays in Him ought himself also to walk, even as He walked. Beloved, I write no fresh command to you, but an old Command which you have had from the beginning. The old Command is the Word which you heard from the beginning.” 1 Yohanan (John) 2:3-7 Also note what Paul says about Scripture (the Word of Elohim): “But you, stay in what you have learned and trusted, having known from whom you have learned, and that from a child you have known the Qodesh Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for deliverance through belief in Messiah Yahushua. All Scripture is breathed by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for straightening, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of Elohim might be fitted, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:14-17 It's important to point out that Paul is not referring to the “New Testament” as it did not exist at that time. What we know as the gospels (Matthew-John) were not documented and written yet either and it was only the verbal testimony from Yahushua’s disciples and eyewitnesses that announced the good news of the Messiah and pointing the lost back into The Way (Torah). So, when Paul is writing his letter to Timothy, he is advising him to stick to Scripture and continue to learn and know YHWH through His Word. We should all take heed to that advice so we will not be led astray by false teachers. John also advises us to learn from YHWH and Yahushua… “I have written this to you concerning those who lead you astray. But the anointing which you have received from Him stays in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as the same anointing teaches you concerning all, and is true, and is no falsehood, and even as it has taught you , you stay in Him.” 1 John 2:26,27 I find it also significant that while we understand the need to go direct to the source, the One true Teacher, we also should consider the translations of His Word in which we rely upon. I can appreciate the way the author H. Roy Elseth describes the steps in studying His Word and coming to concluding beliefs on any particular topic: “When formulating any theological position from the Scriptures, several rules must be adhered to. First, one can never base an entire… philosophy on a half dozen or even a dozen verses. There are too many variables which can upset such a position. It is too easy for a translation error or misinterpretation to have influenced one to lean toward such a stance… Another rule is that each verse that you examine and use to support your position must be considered in light of the context in which it was written. Who was it written to? Who was it written about? Was the message to a specific person, to a specific group of people, or to all men? Why was it written? What are the ideas that the author is associating with the verse in surrounding verses? Finally, if there is still difficulty with a particular verse, the original Hebrew and Greek sources must be examined. The primary source (primary Hebrew and Greek texts) must always take precedence over secondary English translations.” - “Did God know? – a study of the nature of God” While H. Roy Elseth’s advice is clear and true, I do recommend going to the primary source (Hebrew and Greek) even before there is any difficulty understanding a verse. You would be surprised how many verses in our English translations are misinterpreted, changed, or missing which sadly leaves many ignorant and confused. Embracing and understanding the original languages reveals hidden and changed words and their meanings that are essential in our walk toward Him. Besides our suggested resources of the most accurate Scripture translations, I also recommend e-sword or BLB to look up Hebrew and Greek words and their meanings. Thankfully we have also been given His Ruach (Spirit) to help guide us to understand and follow His Word/instructions (Ezekiel 36:26-27) and the Ruach bears witness and the Ruach is truth (1 John 5:6). YHWH’s instructions (Commands) are beautifully described by David as follows: “The Torah of YHWH is perfect, bringing back the being; The Witness of YHWH is trustworthy, making wise the simple; The Orders of YHWH are straight, rejoicing the heart; The Command of YHWH is clear, enlightening the eyes; The reverence of YHWH is clean, standing forever; The Right-Rulings of YHWH are true, they are righteous altogether, more desirable than gold, than much fine gold; And sweeter than honey and the honeycomb. Also, Your servant is warned by them, in guarding them there is great reward.” Tehillim (Psalms) 19:7-11 With the description of perfect, trustworthy, straight, clear, enlightening, true, righteous, more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey, and that there is great reward to those who guard them then how could we possibly go wrong in living by them? YHWH’s righteous Torah gives life and light and prepares us to enter His coming Kingdom through Yahushua ha’Mashiach. “Good and straight is YHWH, therefore He teaches sinners the Way. He guides the meek ones in Right-Ruling, and He teaches the meek ones His Way. All the paths of YHWH are kindness and truth, to those who guard His Covenant and His Witnesses…The secret of YHWH is with those who revere Him, and He makes His Covenant known to them.” Tehillim (Psalms) 25: 8-10, 14 We can clearly see in the above verse that YHWH teaches and guides in Right-Ruling, kindness and truth. However, notice “who” He teaches and guides. Those who are meek (humble), who guard His Covenant, and who revere Him – He makes it known to them, where the wicked have no right to His laws. “But to the wicked, Elohim said, ‘What right have you to recite My Laws, or take My Covenant in your mouth, while you hated My instruction and cast My Words behind you?” Tehillim (Psalms) 50:16,17 “And they say to El, ‘Turn aside from us, for we have no desire to know Your Ways. Who is El Shaddai, that we should serve Him? And what profit do we have if we pray to Him?’ See, is their good not in their own hand? The counsel of the wicked has been far from me.” Iyob (Job) 21:14-16 “And we know that Elohim does not hear sinners. But if anyone reveres Elohim and does His desire, He hears him.” Yohanan (John) 9:31 “Because the eyes of YHWH are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers, but the face of YHWH is against those who do evil.” 1 Kepha (Peter) 3:12 “He who turns away his ear from hearing the Torah, even his prayer is an abomination.” Mishley (Proverbs) 28:9 These are some eye-opening, jaw dropping words from Scripture that should make any seeking and hungry individual take notice and act. Notice YHWH is defining the wicked as those who “hated His instruction” and those who “do not desire to know His ways” as well as those who question why they should “serve” Him. Also notice the ones He instructs and listens to are those who “revere” Him and those “doing His desire.” So, it is clear that we need to humble our hearts, seek His Ways and live as He desires. Again, He knows best, and He is doing what is best for us. He is wanting to prepare us for His Kingdom come and there is none better to prepare us than the King of the Kingdom. “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him praise, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife prepared herself.” Revelation 19:7 We should also recognize the descriptions in Revelation of those who are getting in the Kingdom. “Here is the endurance of the qodeshim (set-apart ones), here are those guarding the Commands of YHWH and the belief of Yahushua.” Revelation 14:12 “Baruk (blessed) are those doing His Commands, so that the authority shall be theirs unto the tree of hai (life), and to enter through the gates into the city.” Revelation 22:14 In my next blog I will be discussing YHWH as Husband, Father, Friend, and Savior. We will study these wonderful endearing roles and how YHWH truly loves and cares for us as we walk out our faith closer to Him. I felt the need to start with the roles of Master and Teacher as they both seem watered down or ignored in our society, which pinpoints the reason for the condition of the world today. The masses have disregarded His instructions of righteous living, leading to a civilization littered with lawlessness. They have discounted the true Teacher and have relied on mega-churches, self-help gurus, and motivational speakers which misguide them into false doctrine, worldly aspirations and onto a path that leads to destruction. He is coming soon to collect His bride. May we be found doing the will of the Father when He returns. “Not everyone who says to Me, “Master, Master,’ shall enter into the reign of the shamayim (heavens), but he who is doing the desire of My Father in the shamayim.” Mattithyahu (Matthew) 7:21 “Watch then at all times and pray that you be counted worthy to escape all this about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Adam.” Luke 21:36 Comments are closed.
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