O YISRA’ĚL, RETURN TO YAHWEH! – Hosea 14 – At the Foot of the Covenant Ministries

Shalom all,

Zeḵaryah/Zechariah 1:3-4 “And you shall say to them, ‘Thus said יהוה of hosts, “Turn back to Me,” declares יהוה of hosts, “and I shall turn back to you,” declares יהוה of hosts. 4 “Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed, saying, ‘Thus said יהוה of hosts, “Turn back now from your evil ways and your evil deeds.” ’ But they did not obey or give heed to Me,” declares יהוה.”

These were the words that the prophet Zeḵaryah was instructed to speak to a backslidden and corrupt people of Elohim. It was in the second year of Dareyawesh, the sovereign of Persia. This message came about two months after the prophet Ḥaggai’s first prophecy, and the commencement of the rebuilding of the temple, which that prophecy was intended to promote. Just as Ḥaggai’s prophecies encouraged the chiefs and people of Yehuḏah to continue to be zealous in the rebuilding of the Temple that had commenced under the decree of Dareyawesh, so too do we see how Zeḵaryah opened his prophetic announcements with a very clear admonition to return to יהוה.

Today we are seeing a very similar prophetic call still being echoed, as the admonition for true believers to turn back to יהוה is being made loud and clear, as we see the Word of Elohim being very much alive, as the call to not be like our fathers needs to be heard by ears that are willing to hear, in order that the true remnant Bride of Messiah turns back from all evil and the dysfunction of corrupted and twisted worship practices.

We are now in the 9^th month of the true Scriptural year, yet according to a corrupted world system the pagan rooted festivities of sun worship surrounding the season of Christmas is drawing near; and the urgency of this call to turn away from all evil and turn back to יהוה needs to be made loud and clear.

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 16:19-21 “O יהוה, my strength and my stronghold and my refuge, in the day of distress the nations shall come to You from the ends of the earth and say, “Our fathers have inherited only falsehood, futility, and there is no value in them.” 20 Would a man make mighty ones for himself, which are not mighty ones? 21 “Therefore see, I am causing them to know, this time I cause them to know My hand and My might. And they shall know that My Name is יהוה!”

These words of Yirmeyahu are words that ring so true in these last days, as we recognise how many of us have come to the sobering realisation that the traditions that many of us were brought up in are false; and in recognising that we had only inherited falsehood, we need to urgently respond to the call to come out and be separate and call on the True Name of יהוה, now that we know His True Name! In a corrupted worship system that had pagan rooted substituted names and titles we were unable to properly know who our Creator, Saviour and Redeemer is. Now that He has caused us to recognise the futility of false traditions we need to respond correctly and turn away from all evil ways and deeds and not be like a stubborn people of the past who refused to return, but rather be urgent in our returning to יהוה our Elohim!

I cannot help but be gripped with the urgency of shouting aloud the very same words that were spoken through the obedient prophets of יהוה, despite the reality that most ears today have been shut and are unable to properly hear the call to return to obedience, due to the stubbornness of pride and rebellion and the refusal to turn from the evil of the futility of false traditions and doctrines of man!

And so, in an urgent appeal and call for people to return to obedience, I would like to take a closer look at the words of another prophet, in a message called, “O YISRA’ĚL, RETURN TO YAHWEH!”

Please turn with me to Hoshěa/Hosea 14:1-9 (Read)

As one reads the book of Hoshěa/Hosea we are able to see a very powerful reflection of the message of the Good News being proclaimed, as we can identify with the journey of a backslidden people who have been called to return to a lovingly-committed Elohim and Saviour.

This last chapter in Hoshěa/Hosea begins with the clear call being given to Yisra’ěl to return to יהוה, showing us that they had departed from Him! This is made clear as we see that Yisra’ěl had stumbled in their crookedness and as a result had turned away from serving יהוה and had stumbled in crookedness and sin!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘return’ is שׁ֚וּבָה – shuḇa, which comes from the root word שׁוּב shuḇ – Strong’s H7725 which means, ‘to turn back, return, repent, recover’.

In the ancient pictographic letters שׁוּב shuḇ – Strong’s H7725 looks like this:

Shin – שׁ:

This is the letter ‘shin’ which in the ancient script is pictured as, , which is ‘two front teeth’ and carries the meaning of ‘sharp or press, chew or devour’; which is what the teeth do, and also speaks of the sharpened word that comes forth from the mouth, as the teeth ‘chew’ or ‘meditate’ on the Truth, making what comes forth pure and sharp! It also carries the understanding of consuming or destroying – as teeth do to food.

Waw/Vav – וּ:

This is the Hebrew letter ‘waw’ or ‘vav’ which in the ancient script is pictured as , which is a peg or ‘tent peg’, which was used for securing or tying down of the tent or other items. The possibility of it having a Y-shape is to show that it prevents the rope from slipping off. The root meaning of this letter is ‘to add, secure or hook’.

Beyt – ב:

The ancient script has this letter as , which pictures a tent floor plan and means, ‘house’ or ‘tent’. It represents family and the importance of those who are inside the tent as opposed to the tent structure itself.

When we understand the combination of these pictures as rendering a returning or recalling to mind, we are able to recognise that the teeth, which speaks of a ‘pressing’, and the picture of the peg that secures, and the house which speaks of dwelling, we are able to understand this representing the following:

THE WORD THAT SECURES THE HOUSE!

When we acknowledge the call to return to the true House of Elohim we can also then recognise from this pictographic lettering, in terms of this word rendering ‘a return’, the following:

THE SECURE DWELLING PLACE THAT IS TO BE RETURNED TO

This word, in the ancient form, can also represents for us the following:

RETURNING TO THE SECURE HOUSE WHERE WE ARE FED, AS WE MEDITATE ON THE WORD OF THE HOUSE

True repentance can only be done when one returns to obeying the Word that secures us as His Set-Apart Dwelling Place. So many today may claim to be a part of the House of Elohim, yet they continue in crookedness and reveal that they are simply being foolish and are building on sand and have not had their feet set upon the solid Rock of Deliverance, for they have not truly returned to Elohim!

Returning to Elohim involves an acknowledgment that one has been wrong, and this is sadly where so many continue to stumble in crookedness as they refuse to accept that the falsehood and futility of the traditions that they have been following are indeed wrong and need to be repented of!

This call for Yisra’ěl to return to יהוה, highlights a clear call back to covenant and when understands their true identity in Messiah then a true return to obedience can be lived out in serving and worshipping our Master and Elohim in Spirit and Truth. For many today, there is a severe identity crisis as they lack the proper understanding of who the True Yisra’ĕl is. The Name יִשְׂרָאֵל Yisra’ĕl – Strong’s H3478 which means, ‘he who prevails, overcomes with Ěl’, comes from the two primitive root words: 1) אֵל Ěl – Strong’s H410 which means, ‘Mighty, power, shortened form of Elohim – Mighty One’ and 2) the root word verb שָׂרָה sarah – Strong’s H8280 which means, ‘to persist, exert oneself, persevere, wrestle, contend’, and is spelt the same as the name of Aḇraham’s wife, שָׂרָה ‘Sarah’ – Strong’s H8283 which means ‘princess or noble woman’; which is the feminine of the word שַׂר sar – Strong’s H8269 which means, ‘prince, captain, chieftain, ruler’!

יִשְׂרָאֵל Yisra’ĕl, as a treasured people and set-apart nation, could then also be understood as those who rule with Ěl, as His princes! We, who were once far off from the Covenants of promise and have now been brought near by the Blood of Messiah, are a set-apart nation, a chosen people and a royal priesthood. Therefore, in a manner of speaking, with Aḇraham as our father in the faith, we are also children of Sarah the ‘princess’ and are therefore ‘princes’ in the Kingdom of our King; and we who overcome shall rule with Him! The call given here for Yisra’ěl to return to יהוה, is a call for a royal priesthood to overcome and serve as true ambassadors of the coming reign of our Mighty Elohim and King!

Most today do not know who it is that they are to be returning to, especially as we take note of how most translations of the Scriptures have, through the falsehood of corrupted traditions, supressed and nullified the Name of יהוה, through a crooked substitution with false names.

The Name of יהוה is derived from the root word הָיָה hayah – Strong’s H1961 which means, ‘to be, to become, to be in existence’, and when Elohim spoke to Mosheh He said, “I AM that which I AM”, and told Him to tell the Yisra’ĕlites that the I AM had sent him. (Shemoth/Exodus 3:14)

I AM THAT WHICH I AM – in Hebrew is – אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה – eyeh asher eyeh – The word ‘eyeh’ comes from the root word הָיָה hayah – Strong’s H1961; and the word אֲשֶׁר asher – Strong’s H834 is a primitive pronoun that means, ‘who, which, that, that which’ and is a marker of a relative reference to an entity, event, or state. The first ‘eyeh’ is written as a proper noun, singular, masculine, while the second ‘eyeh’ is written in the qal active verb tense and in essence we see Elohim making it clear here to Mosheh that “The One who exists is the One who causes to exist, or gives existence” or “The All existing One is the One who gives existence”

Literally speaking it can render, “I AM the One who causes to be”, or “I AM the One who brings into being”, as well as “I AM the life-giver, the giver of all existence”, and “I AM the ever living self-consistent and unchangeable One”.

This however is not The Name of Elohim, but was rather an explanation that would lead up to the revelation of His Name, which is clearly declared as: יהוה – Strong’s H3068 which is derived from the root word הָיָה hayah – Strong’s H1961.

When we say the Name of יהוה we are proclaiming that it is the ‘I AM’ who gives existence and that He is the One who causes me to be! יהוה is our Creator and He has formed us!

The Name of יהוה – Strong’s H3068 is pictured in the ancient script as follows:

Yod – י

In the Ancient Script, this is the letter ‘yad or yod’ which is pictured as – – which is the picture of an arm and hand and carries the meaning of ‘work, make, throw’ from the primary functions of the arm and hand and also represents worship or giving thanks in the extending of hands as a gesture of this. This also reveals to us a stretched-out arm and hand.

Hey – ה

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as a man standing with his arms raised up and out as if pointing to something, and in essence carries the meaning of ‘behold’ as in when looking at something very great. It can also have the meaning to ‘breath’ or ‘sigh’ as when looking at a great sight and having your breath taken away so to speak! It also has the meaning of revelation or to reveal something by pointing it out.

Waw – ו

The ancient pictographic form of this letter is , which is a peg or ‘tent peg’ or nail, which was used for securing or tying the tent or other items. The possibility of it having a Y-shape is to show that it prevents the rope from slipping off. The root meaning of this letter is ‘to add, secure or hook’.

In the pictographic representation of the Name of Elohim we are able to clearly see how He, the All Existing One, revealed Himself to His Creation through His Outstretched Arm and Hand. The two pictures of the man and the peg in between them also gives us insight as to how He would come and reveal Himself in the form of a man and secure the Covenants of promise, and in this we are able to see the two comings of Messiah.

BEHOLD THE OUTSTRETCHED ARM OF THE ALL EXISTING ONE SHALL COME AND SECURE HIS COVENANT AND REDEEM US IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH HIS HOUSE FOR WHICH HE IS COMING AGAIN!

The correct grammatical way to pronounce the Name of יהוה is ‘YAHWEH’. For more on this please see the article I wrote called, “Grammatical study from Scripture on confirming the pronunciation of the Name of יהוה” which can be found under the articles menu on our site (https://atfotc.com) or by simply clicking on the following link:

https://atfotc.com/index.php/2012-04-19-08-30-28/view/678-grammatical-study-from-scripture-on-confirming-the-pronunciation-of-the-name-of

So many have not been able to truly return to our Mighty Creator and Saviour, due to crookedness that has brought His Name to nought! His Name is vital for deliverance and this is what many have sadly not recognised and therefore this call to repentance involves the earnest appeal to return to the only Name that Saves!

Tehillah/Psalm 9:9-10 “And יהוה is a refuge for the crushed one, a refuge in times of distress. 10 And those who know Your Name trust in You, for You have not forsaken those who seek You, O יהוה.”

The reason for me highlighting this passage is to emphasise that those who know the Name of יהוה trust in Him and that יהוה does not forsake those who seek Him! This shows me that true seekers know His Name!!! Those who have no regard for His Name are not seeking as they should and as a result may find themselves continually stumbling in the crookedness of false traditions that have changed His Name for a false counterfeit!

Returning to obedience begins with His Name, just as Mosheh was told to go and declare to Yisra’ěl who Elohim was and who it is that would deliver them from bondage to slavery! Today, this urgent call to return to יהוה is an earnest call to forsake all falsehood and the vain use of foreign titles that have been used in crookedness to replace His True Name!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘stumbled’ comes from the root verb כָּשַׁל kashal – Strong’s H3782 meaning, ‘stumble, totter, stagger, bring down, failing, weakening’, and is used to describe the ‘weak knees’ in:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 35:3 “Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the weak knees.”

In the parable of the sower we take note of the seed that falls on rocky places:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 13:20-21 “And that sown on rocky places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but is short-lived, and when pressure or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.”

The Greek word that is translated here as ‘stumbles’ is σκανδαλίζω skandalizō – Strong’s G4624 which means, ‘to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way upon which another may trip and fall’, and metaphorically can mean, ‘to offend’. It also carries the meaning, ‘fall away, led into sin, stumble, to cause another or be caused to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey’.

Some people stumble under pressure due to hands that are weakened by deceit when persecution comes and then quickly compromise. Rocky hearts that have no ability to let the Word take root in their lives and quickly stumble when pressure and persecution, BECAUSE OF THE WORD, arises.

This Greek word σκανδαλίζω skandalizō – Strong’s G4624 comes from the root word σκάνδαλον skandalon – Strong’s G4625 which means, ‘a snare, stumbling block, offense’, and it is this word that is used in the LXX (Septuagint – Greek translation of the Tanak – O.T.) for ‘stumbling block’ in Tehillah/Psalm 119:165.

Tehillah/Psalm 119:165 “Great peace have those loving Your Torah, and for them there is no stumbling-block.”

Isn’t it interesting to take note of how many today that refuse to walk in the Torah also have the stumbling block of not knowing the name of יהוה, or how those who refuse to let go of false titles and corrupted names that are rooted in pagan worship actually reject the need to guard the Torah!

The stumbling block of crookedness is a big stumbling block for so many and herein lies the awakening call to return to יהוה.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘crookedness’ comes from the root word עָוֹן avon – Strong’s H5771 meaning, ‘iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity, blame, perversity, depravity’, which comes from the root verb עָוָה avah – Strong’s H5753 which means, ‘to twist, bend, distort, make crooked, pervert’.

Yeḥezqěl/Ezekiel 18:30 “Therefore I judge you, O house of Yisra’ĕl, every one according to his ways,” declares the Master יהוה. “Repent, and turn back from all your transgressions, and let not crookedness be a stumbling-block to you.”

This was a call to repent and not let crookedness be a stumbling block, showing us that the clear call was to guard loving-commitment and truth in order that their crookedness could be pardoned!

It is a blessing when crookedness no longer becomes a stumbling block in one’s path! By that I mean that it is truly a blessing to walk in the Truth and not have the stumbling blocks of twisted and perverse teachings of man that seek only to nullify the commands of Elohim!

In another Tehillah we see the psalmist declaring the following:

Tehillah/Psalm 130:3-4 “O Yah, if You should watch crookednesses, O יהוה, who would stand? 4 But with You there is forgiveness, that You might be feared.”

It is a blessing to receive the forgiveness for our perverted crooked ways and therefore must recognise how important it is to guard righteousness and have no crookedness imputed/reckoned to us!

Tehillah/Psalm 103:1-5 “Bless יהוה, O my being, and all that is within me, bless His set-apart Name! 2 Bless יהוה, O my being, and do not forget all His dealings, 3 who forgives all your crookednesses, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with kindness and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desire with the good, your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

The Hebrew word translated as ‘forgives’ is סָלַח salaḥ – Strong’s H5545 which means, ‘to forgive, pardon, spare’, which is the same root word used in Tehillah/Psalm 25:11 for ‘pardon’!

Tehillah/Psalm 25:11 “For Your Name’s sake, O יהוה, You shall pardon my crookedness, though it is great.”

Sha’ul understood this blessing being declared here in this contemplative poem:

Romiyim/Romans 4:7-8 “Blessed are those whose lawlessnesses are forgiven, and whose sins are covered, 8 blessed is the man to whom יהוה shall by no means reckon sin.”

Lawlessnesses forgiven, sins covered and no sin reckoned – what a blessing!!! Our Master redeemed us from lawlessness, as Sha’ul writes, in:

Titos/Titus 2:11-14 “For the saving Gift of Elohim has appeared to all men, 12 instructing us to renounce wickedness and worldly lusts, and to live sensibly, righteously, and reverently in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed expectation and esteemed appearance of the great Elohim and our Saviour יהושע Messiah, 14 who gave Himself for us, to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a people, His own possession, ardent for good works.”

We have been redeemed from ALL lawlessness and have been cleansed so that we are now equipped and enabled to walk in the Torah, not continue in lawlessness!!!

When we truly recognise and acknowledge that we have stumbled in our crookednesses and have been led astray through the twisted and corrupt teachings of lawlessness, we are then equipped to understand the mighty redeeming work of our Master and what He has done for us. When we fully grasp the forgiveness that our Master extends to us then we should be urgent in our return to Him, as we turn completely away from every stumbling block of crookedness!

In the call to return we take note of the instruction given in Hoshěa/Hosea 14:2 (verse 3 in Hebrew text), which states:

“Take words with you, and return to יהוה…”

Our words carry great power, and what so many fail to realise is that when יהוה began to be called ‘god’, credit was actually being given to another deity called ‘Ba’al Gad’, or rather better translated as ‘Lord of luck/fortune’! By the calling on Elohim through changed names and titles of falsehood renders one being guilty of profane worship – and this is exactly what Ephrayim (the lost 10 tribes) had done! This puts the majority, if not all of us, in this category, as we have all come from backgrounds of Westernised theology that has taught us inherited lies, which have for so many become a truth in their eyes. Hitler stated that if you tell a lie long enough it will eventually become a truth to the hearers!!! While this process of brainwashing the masses may be true – what we must recognise is that the Word of Elohim does not change, no matter what man does it his attempt to change it! While most of us have certainly discovered this sober reality and truth that His Word stands forever, and in the process, have been sobered up to the restoration of the true words of Scripture and the correct Names and Titles of our Master and Saviour King, we need to still be vigilant in guarding our speech in every way, so that our lives are not found to be guilty before Elohim, but rather cleansed from all unrighteousness through the Blood of Messiah! We are to also be on guard against being drawn in following those who continue to render a compromised speech that simply refuses to let go of the use of false names and titles. There are many Torah teaching resources out there that may sound very real, true and correct, yet the persistent acceptance and continued use of names and titles that we have come to realise are wrong, renders their words unpleasing to Elohim! We are called to separate the set-apart from the profane and the clean from the unclean, as we carefully discern and rightly divide the Truth, and as a reasonable, quick and effective means of discerning the presented words of another, we are able to discern, without having to dig in to the technicalities of what is being presented, by their appearance and speech patterns! If there is a continued use of titles and names that are false then discern wisely!

A pure and true sign of true repentance is seen in the hearing and doing of His Torah! Those who say they repent yet forsake their need to hear and do His Torah have not truly turned back to יהוה! And their words are not pleasing to Him!

This call to “take words with you”, is a call to make sure that the words of our mouths always please יהוה – and by that, I mean that we not only speak what is right, but we do what is right – so that our mouths and hearts are lined up together in Truth!

We have all come out from a scattered state, due to the wickedness of our fathers who had gone before us and had inherited lies and traditions of falsehood. Today we are all able to boldly give thanks that יהוה has called us out of darkness into His marvellous light, as we too have heard the call to return to Him with words and repent of all idolatrous worship and the seizing of His Name. While we celebrate this great truth, we must be on constant guard of the words that proceed from our mouths, and making sure that the fountain of life that ought to be flowing from our lips, is evident not only in our speech but also in our deeds!

As we certainly consider the abominable worship that is being entertained by the masses at the moment, let us be sober, awake and watchful, lest there be any foul speech and crooked ways being found in our lives!

The Hebrew word used here in Hoshěa/Hosea 14:2 for ‘bull’ is פַּר par – Strong’s H6499 which means, ‘bull, young bull, steer, heifer’, and in a metaphoric sense it speaks of us bringing our all and our best, offering up all we have, as we make our confession before Him who saves us and are equipped to proclaim His praise!

Bringing the ‘Bull of our lips’ to יהוה costs us! It costs us our all! It will cost us relationships, and it will cost us corrupted and twisted customs and handed down traditions, as well as inherited comforts of the flesh, yet it will bring about the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by the disciplining of the Word!

As we consider the pictographic rendering of the root word for ‘bull’ we are able to see how vital it is that we come before our Saviour with the confession of our crookednesses.

In the ancient pictographic script, the Hebrew word פַּר par – Strong’s H6499 which means, ‘bull, young bull, steer, heifer’ looks like this:

Pey – פַּ:

This letter in the ancient script is pictured as , which is an ‘open mouth’ and carries the meaning of ‘speak and blow’, from the functions of the mouth, and can have the meaning of ‘scatter’ by blowing. It can also mean sword or beard, as in things with edges, as well as a region in depicting a place with edges or boundaries. It also can represent that which has been spoken forth from the words of one’s mouth, as being established!

Resh – ר:

The Ancient picture for this letter is , the head of a man. This letter has the meanings of ‘head’ or ‘man’ as well as ‘chief, top, beginning or first’.

In recognising how we are to render the ‘bull of our lips’, we can see from this word for ‘bull’ in the ancient Hebrew alphabet, in regards to the ‘bull of our lips’, the clear need for us to:

TAKE WORDS WITH US TO OUR HEAD AND SAVIOUR

Take words and confess our crookednesses before Him and let our words be followed up with the necessary actions that submit to the One we confess as Head and Master!

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is trustworthy and righteous to forgive us the sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

One of the biggest stumbling blocks for many, in their ongoing struggle to walk wholeheartedly in the Truth and guard the Torah, is in their inability to properly RETURN and render the bull of their lips. By that I mean that they are unable to acknowledge that their upbringing has been in error. When a proper rendering of the bull of one’s lips happens then יהוה can heal us of all our backsliding and cause our lips to be filled with the fruit of praise for our Head, as we begin to speak and do His Torah, with continual thanksgiving and praise!

Hoshěa/Hosea 14:3-4 teaches us that by the proper confession of our lips and the resulting actions of set-apartness that come from seeking יהוה and His strength always, will result in יהוה becoming our Saviour!

Hoshěa/Hosea 14:3-4 “Ashshur does not save us. We do not ride on horses, nor ever again do we say to the work of our hands, ‘Our mighty ones.’ For the fatherless finds compassion in You.” 4 “I shall heal their backsliding, I shall love them spontaneously, for My displeasure has turned away from him.”

In declaring that Ashshur does not save us is an acknowledgment of the falsehood under which we had been brought up in, and that false ways cannot save us, which amplifies the clear call to COME OUT AND BE SEPARATE!

A huge part of our taking words to יהוה involves our ability to honestly acknowledge that the world and its ways cannot save us. So many today refuse to let go of fleshly ways and traditions as they think that without them they will not be able to survive and having this mindset will render any attempt at words taken to יהוה as fruitless when letting go of worldly ways becomes the biggest stumbling block of crookedness!

יהוה heals our backsliding… that is something to give thanks and praise Him for and in doing that we are to make sure that we respond correctly by turning away from all falsehood and returning to Him who heals us!

The Hebrew word used for ‘backsliding’ is מְשׁוּבָה meshuḇah – Strong’s H4878 which means, ‘turning back, apostasy, faithless, faithlessness, waywardness, backsliding’, and comes from the root word שׁוּב shuḇ – Strong’s H7725 which means, ‘to turn back, return, repent, recover’. And so, we see that while שׁוּב shuḇ speaks of a repentance and a turning back to Elohim, we see the opposite in the word מְשׁוּבָה meshuḇah which expresses a turning away from Elohim.

מְשׁוּבָה meshuḇah can also be understood as, ‘the state of rebellion against authority’, and as a result of this rebellion against authority there is a break in a previous relationship bond, which is a figurative extension of turning aside off of a correct path!

We clearly see this in Yisra’ĕl’s backsliding that caused יהוה to issue a certificate of divorce, as we read in:

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 3:8 “And I saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Yisra’ĕl had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Yehuḏah did not fear, but went and committed whoring too.”

The House of Yisra’ĕl, also referred to in Scripture metaphorically as Ephrayim, had turned aside from the correct path of complete obedience and set-apartness, by adulterating herself with the nations – and this brought about a break in the marriage bond with יהוה.

This word מְשׁוּבָה meshuḇah is used 12 times in Scripture. Twice it is used in Hoshěa/Hosea, 9 times in the book of Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah, and once in Mishlĕ/Proverbs:

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 1:32 “For the turning away of the simple kills them, and the complacency of fools destroys them.”

Here the word מְשׁוּבָה meshuḇah is translated as ‘turning away’. The LXX (Septuagint – Greek translation of the Tanak) uses the word ἀδικέω adikeō – Strong’s G91 which means, ‘do wrong, be an offender, to act unjustly or wickedly, to sin, to have violated the laws in some way, to hurt, damage or harm’. We see this word being used in:

Ḥazon/Revelation 22:11-12 “He who does wrong, let him do more wrong; he who is filthy, let him be more filthy; he who is righteous, let him be more righteous; he who is set-apart, let him be more set-apart. 12 “And see, I am coming speedily, and My reward is with Me, to give to each according to his work.”

In Sha’ul’s letter to the believers in Colossae, he told them to bear with one another, and to put on love and to let the Word dwell in them richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing with pleasure in their hearts to the Master in psalms and songs of praise and spiritual songs, and whatever they do in word or deed, to do all in the Name of the Master יהושע. He then clearly instructed that proper submission and obedience should be observed by all – wives to their husbands, children to their parents and servants to their masters, and then writes in:

Qolasim/Colossians 3:23-25 “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Master and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Master you shall receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Master, Messiah, you serve. 25 But he who does wrong shall be repaid for the wrong which he has done, and there is no partiality.”

Why I am mentioning these verses is simply to highlight the need for us to walk in love, as we guard to obey all the commands of Elohim and not turn away from doing what He has commanded us to. Those who hear, guard and do will be rewarded by the Master, while the wrong will be repaid and there is no partiality with Elohim! Justification for compromise will not get the wrong to escape the just reward for compromise and complacency! Rejecting any authority of Elohim is a form of backsliding, and to refuse to submit to walking as a body together in unity, by each one doing whatever seems right in their own eyes is also a form of backsliding! יהושע Messiah is our King, and His Kingdom has rules (His Torah) and His Kingdom has order, by which He has appointed some to teach and equip the body unto maturity, and any refusal to submit to the teaching and the admonishing of each other through the wisdom of Elohim will simply reveal one as being ‘simple’!

The Hebrew word for ‘simple’ in Mishlĕ/Proverbs 1:32 is פֶּתִי pethi – Strong’s H6612 which means, ‘open minded, foolish, simple, naïve’, which comes from the root verb פָּתָה pathah – Strong’s H6601 and means ‘easily deceived, enticed, to be simple or to be in a state of holding a wrong view about a situation’. The message here is clear – do not be deceived or enticed into holding a wrong view about any situation. In Hoshěa/Hosea 7 Ephrayim is referred to having become a simple dove:

Hoshěa/Hosea 7:11 “And Ephrayim has become a simple dove without heart, they have called on Mitsrayim, they have gone to Ashshur.”

Here Ephrayim is symbolically used in referencing the House of Yisra’ĕl’ that had gone astray and been enticed by the nations! Ephrayim was easily deceived and enticed into a mode of pagan influenced worship. It also means to be naïve – and boy, how many today are so naïve about the corrupted practice of Christianity as an assumed means of pure worship, when it is nothing more than a man-made twisted blend of truth and pagan influence; which according to Torah is clearly an abomination in the eyes of יהוה.

Let me just run through a few verses that contain the Hebrew word for ‘backsliding’ – מְשׁוּבָה meshuḇah:

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 2:19 “Your own evil instructs you, and your backslidings reprove you. Know therefore and see that it is evil and bitter that you have forsaken יהוה your Elohim, and that My fear is not in you,” declares the Master יהוה of hosts.”

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 3:6 “And יהוה said to me in the days of Yoshiyahu the sovereign, “Have you seen what backsliding Yisra’ĕl has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there committed whoring.”

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 3:11 “And יהוה said to me, “Backsliding Yisra’ĕl has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Yehuḏah.”

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 3:12 “Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, ‘Return, O backsliding Yisra’ĕl,’ declares יהוה, ‘I shall not look on you in displeasure, for I am kind,’ declares יהוה, ‘and I do not bear a grudge forever.”

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 3:22 “Return, O backsliding children, I shall make your backslidings cease.” “See, we have come to You, for You are יהוה our Elohim.”

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 5:6 “Therefore a lion from the forest shall smite them, a wolf of the deserts ravage them. A leopard is watching over their cities, whoever comes out of them is torn in pieces. For their transgressions have been many, their backslidings have been numerous.”

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 8:5 “Why then has this people, Yerushalayim, turned away in a continual backsliding? They cling to deceit, they refuse to turn back.”

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 14:7 “O יהוה, though our crookednesses witness against us, act, for Your Name’s sake. For our backslidings have been many, we have sinned against You.”

Hoshěa/Hosea 14:4 “I shall heal their backsliding, I shall love them spontaneously, for My displeasure has turned away from him.”

As we read these verses together, in establishing the clear pattern of warning against backsliding, we are able to see the promise of healing from any such backsliding, and that is given to those who return to יהוה.

He is the Healer; and the Hebrew root word used here for ‘heals’ is the root verb רָפָא rapha – Strong’s H7495 which means, ‘to heal, repaired, become fresh, purified, cure’. יהוה is our Healer, and in Tehillah/Psalm 103 we are told to not forget His dealing with us and in Tehillah/Psalm 103:3 Dawiḏ tells us that as part of His dealing with us, he heals our diseases! The Hebrew word for ‘disease’ is תַּחֲלֻא taḥalu – Strong’s H8463 which means, ‘disease, sickness, pain’, and as we recognise that this word is used in Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 29:22 in the clear warning against those who turn their hearts away from יהוה and go after the mighty ones of the world and walk in the stubbornness of their own hearts, shall be separated for evil and see the effect of all the curses for disobedience bringing about diseases and plagues.

Praise יהוה that He has healed us from the curses of disobedience as we lovingly remember His dealings and walk in and stay in Messiah, having been healed and cleansed by His Blood. Diseases mentioned in Scripture are the consequences of failing to obey the Covenant, and we have the assurance of healing from the One who heals, if we guard to do all He commands!

He heals us and loves us spontaneously!!! The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘spontaneously’ is נְדָבָה neḏaḇah – Strong’s H5071 meaning, ‘voluntariness, freewill offering, volunteer freely, willingly’ and comes from the word נָדַב naḏaḇ – Strong’s H5068 meaning, ‘to incite, impel, make offerings willingly, volunteers’.

What this highlights here for us is that יהוה willingly loves us…. And this is such a powerful statement that teaches us how amazing His love is for us and that His commitment to His covenants of promise give us the sure hope that His love never fails! When we return to Him He receives us with spontaneous love and joy, forgiving and healing us… now that is something to be excited about and ought to stir anyone who has backslidden to return to the One who heals, forgives and loves us despite our crookedness and sin that caused us to stumble before Him!

In Hoshěa/Hosea 14:5-7 the imagery that is used highlights the full restoration of provision, fruitfulness, security and shalom.

The Hebrew word for ‘dew’ is טַל tal – Strong’s H2919 which means, ‘night mist, dew’, and the image here of ‘dew on the grass’ should easily cause one to be reminded of the words we find in:

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 32:2 “Let my instruction fall as rain, My speech drop down as dew, As fine rain on the tender plants, And as showers on the grass.”

This is a part of the song that Mosheh taught the children of Yisra’ĕl.

The Hebrew root word translated as ‘speech’ is אִמְרָה imrah – Strong’s H565 and means, ‘utterance, speech, command’, and this word is predominantly used in Scripture in reference to the Word of יהוה:

Tehillah/Psalm 12:6 “The Words of יהוה are clean Words, silver tried in a furnace of earth, refined seven times.”

Tehillah/Psalm 18:30 “The Ěl – His way is perfect; the Word of יהוה is proven; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.”

Tehillah/Psalm 119:140 “Your word is tried, exceedingly; and Your servant has loved it.”

As we listen to and follow the clear ‘instructions’ of יהוה as given in His Torah, we make ourselves ready for the soon return of our Husband and Kinsman Redeemer:

Tehillah/Psalm 73:24 “You lead me by Your counsel, and afterward receive me unto esteem.”

The picture of dew on the grass in relation to the Word of יהוה, we are able to be reminded how it was in the Wilderness where the morning dew was accompanied with the ‘manna’ and remained when the dew had vanished! His ‘manna’ (Word) came down as ‘dew’, and was available for all! Figuratively, the favour/delight of יהוה, His speech and the blessing of the unity of the brethren are likened or compared to the fall of dew, as outlined by Shelomoh in this clear parable.

Tehillah/Psalm 133:3 “Like the dew of Ḥermon, that comes down on the mountains of Tsiyon. For there יהוה commanded the blessing, life forever!”

יהוה’s watching over us is like a cloud of dew that refreshes in the heat of the harvest:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 18:4 “For thus יהוה said to me, “I am still, and I watch in My dwelling place like dazzling heat in sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.”

We also see in Scripture how unfaithfulness is likened to ‘dew’ that goes away early:

Hoshěa/Hosea 6:4 “Ephrayim, what would I do with you? Yehuḏah, what would I do with you? For your trustworthiness is like a morning cloud, and like the early dew it goes away.”

Hoshěa/Hosea 13:3 “Therefore they shall be like a morning cloud, and like dew that goes away early, like chaff blown off from a threshing-floor, and like smoke from a window.”

יהוה’s Word has come down like dew on the grass, for this is His delight! The question is whether we are obedient enough to allow it to nourish us or neglect it and rebel and find ourselves facing His raging wrath when He comes like a lion and ready to consume His opponents!

In Hoshěa/Hosea 14:8 the sobering rhetorical question is set forth, after highlighting the clear benefits of returning to the One True Healer and Lover of our beings, which states:

WHAT MORE HAS EPHRAYIM TO DO WITH IDOLS?

The answer is very clear: NOTHING!!!

Ephrayim is to have nothing more to do with idols!!! Those who cannot see this have not returned as they should!

When we return to YHWH then the former ways of idolatry and falsehood must be removed far from us!

Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 1:13-16 “Therefore, having girded up the loins of your mind, being sober, set your expectation perfectly upon the favour that is to be brought to you at the revelation of יהושע Messiah, 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts in your ignorance, 15 instead, as the One who called you is set-apart, so you also should become set-apart in all behaviour, 16 because it has been written, “Be set-apart, for I am set-apart.”

Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 4:3-5 “For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the desire of the nations, having walked in indecencies, lusts, drunkenness, orgies, wild parties, and abominable idolatries, 4 in which they are surprised that you do not run with them in the same flood of loose behaviour, blaspheming, 5 who shall give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.”

Sha’ul commends the believers in Thessalonica for how they had turned from idols to serve Elohim!

Tas’loniqim Aleph/1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 “For they themselves report what kind of reception we had with you, and how you turned to Elohim from idols, to serve the living and true Elohim, 10 and to wait for His Son from the heavens, whom He raised from the dead, יהושע, who is delivering us from the wrath to come.”

The Greek word that is translated as ‘idols’ comes from the root word εἴδωλον eidolon – Strong’s G1497 which means, ‘an image (used for worship); by implication – a false mighty one’ which comes from the root εἶδος eidos – Strong’s G1491 which means, ‘that which is seen, form, figure, shape, appearance, sight’.

The Greek words that are translated in Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 4:3 as ‘abominable idolatries’ are as follows:

The Greek word translated here as ‘abominable’ is ἀθέμιτος athemitos – Strong’s G111 which means, ‘unlawful thing, prohibited by law, criminal, illicit’, and the Greek word translated as ‘idolatries’ is εἰδωλολατρία eidōlolatria – Strong’s G1495 which means, ‘idolatry, worship of false deities, formal feasts in honour of false deities, worship of mammon’, and is the compound of two words: 1) εἴδωλον eidolon – Strong’s G1497 which means, ‘an image (that is for worship), and by implication a false mighty one (idol)’, and 2) λατρεία latreia – Strong’s G2999 which means, ‘service of worship, set-part service’, and by the construct of these two words we are able to clearly see the picture of what so many are doing today as they are rendering an unlawful service of worship unto mammon and even keep designated feasts that are designed for such abominable idolatries!

Kěpha proceeds into verse 4 by telling us that the world is surprised when we do not engage in what they do, and are surprised by the fact that we do not run with them in what is clearly outright blasphemy against our Master. During this time of year, we see how many are surprised, in a negative and vindictive way, by the fact that we refuse to have any part in the pagan rooted festival of Christmas, that is in honour of a wicked and idolatrous sun-worship system of man!

Those who partake in such blasphemous idolatries, lusts, wild parties, orgies, drunkenness and indecencies will give an account of their wicked works before Elohim at the second resurrection!

Do not be affected by the negative slander that is hurled at you for doing what is good and right in the eyes of יהוה, by guarding His commands and doing His desire, while ceasing from all sin and lawlessness!

Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 2:11-12 “Beloved ones, I appeal to you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts which battle against the life, 12 having your behaviour among the gentiles good so that when they speak against you as evil-doers, let them, by observing your good works, esteem Elohim in a day of visitation.”

We are to have nothing more to do with abominable idolatries and make sure that we have properly returned to יהוה – for our fruit comes from Him, and as we stay in Him we shall bare much fruit of righteousness!!!

In this clear call to return to יהוה this book of Hoshěa/Hosea ends with the clear truth that the ways of יהוה are straight and the righteous walk in them, while transgressors stumble in them!

This is a call for the true Bride of Messiah to be watchful and awake, as wise maidens who have their lamps ready, trimmed, oiled and burning bright!

Who is wise and understands these words? That is the question that is presented at the end of this very powerful book of Hoshěa. Wisdom and understanding are key to being able to properly return to יהוה.

The Hebrew word for ‘wise’ is חָכָם ḥaḵam – Strong’s H2450 which means, ‘expert, skilled, learned’ and comes from the primitive root word חָכַם ḥaḵam – Strong’s H2449 meaning, ‘to be wise, skilful, make wise’. To be wise means to be one who is skilled or learned and this takes time, determination and discipline! To be wise is evident of one who is increasing in their learning, as he gives his ear – that is his full attention – to hearing instruction and living as a taught one of the Master:

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 1:5 “The wise one hears and increases learning, and the understanding one gets wise counsel”

It is from this root verb חָכַם ḥaḵam – Strong’s H2449 that we get the Hebrew word for ‘wisdom’, which is חָכְמָה ḥoḵmah – Strong’s H2451 meaning, ‘wisdom, skill’.

In the ancient pictographic alphabet, this Hebrew word for ‘wisdom’ – חָכְמָה ḥoḵmah – Strong’s H2451 looks like this:

Ḥet – חָ:

The ancient script has this letter as which is a ‘tent wall’, and carries a meaning of ‘SEPARATION’, as a tent wall separates two halves of the tent; or it can also reflect the outside walls that separate the people inside from that which is outside and so can also symbolise protection and security to those inside, while picturing a cutting off of those who are outside. Hence this letter can mean ‘established, secure’ as well as ‘cut off, separated from’. As a tent wall we are also able to recognise the picture of stones being built up to make a complete wall, having been separated from the world and built up in the master!

Kaph – כְ:

The ancient form of this letter is – meaning ‘the open palm of a hand’. The meaning behind this letter is ‘to bend and curve’ from the shape of a palm as well as ‘to tame or subdue’ as one has been bent to another’s will (under their hand), as an open hand symbolises submission. This also can picture for us a palm or palm branch from the curved palm shape. The hand also speaks of one’s work, or under whose hand you submit and obey!

Mem – מָ:

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as ‘water’, and also carries the meaning of ‘chaos’ (from the storms of the sea) and can also picture that which is mighty or massive as well as the unknown. We are also able to understand this letter as representing the nations, for the nations are often likened to the seas in Scripture. Knowing this letter represents ‘water’, we are also able to see how this can render for us the meaning of ‘washing’ or ‘cleansing’.

Hey – ה:

The ancient script has this letter pictured as , which is ‘a man standing with his arms raised out’. The meaning of the letter is “behold, look, breath, sigh and reveal or revelation”; from the idea of revealing a great sight by pointing it out. It also carries for us the meaning of surrender, as we lift up our hands and submit to יהוה as we lift our hands in praise, declaring His authority under which we humbly submit!

As we consider these pictographic letters that render for us the term for ‘wisdom’ we are able to clearly see that wisdom entails a separation, as pictured through the tent wall. We can therefore render the meaning of the construction of this word, in terms of true wisdom, as meaning:

WE ARE BUILT UP IN THE MASTER AS WE SEPARATE OURSELVES FROM THE WORLD AS WE SUBMIT UNDER THE HAND OF OUR MASTER AND DO WHAT HIS WORD INSTRUCTS AS IT WASHES US, AND ENABLES US TO LIFT OUR HANDS TO HIM IN CONTINUAL PRAISE!

Wisdom, at its core, speaks of one’s ability to clearly separate the good from the bad, the right and wrong, the left and right, and know the difference between up and down, so to speak. This we are to be able to do as we exercise true discipline – that is – the discipline of separation!

Wisdom is often used in the context of a skilled workman that has been equipped by the Spirit of Elohim:

Shemoth/Exodus 28:3 “And you, speak to all the wise of heart, whom I have filled with a spirit of wisdom, and they shall make the garments of Aharon, to set him apart, for him to serve as priest to Me.”

Wisdom, in the ancient text, can speak of a clear separation by the washing of one’s hands; and as we consider the design of the Tabernacle, we need to be reminded that the bronze laver was used for the serving priests to wash their hands and feet; and clearly pictures for us how we are to be continually washing our work and walk through being immersed in the Word that transforms us!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘as understands’ is וְיָ֣בֵֽן – veyaḇen which comes from the primitive root verb בִּין bin – Strong’s H995 which means, ‘to discern, act wisely, clever, diligently consider’, and is used in:

Tehillah/Psalm 119:34 “Make me understand, that I might observe Your Torah, and guard it with all my heart.”

Tehillah/Psalm 119:104 “From Your orders I get understanding; therefore I have hated every false way.”

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 2:4-5 “If you seek her as silver, and search for her as hidden treasures, 5 then you would understand the fear of יהוה, and find the knowledge of Elohim.”

Understanding comes in the doing of the Word and we recognise that the one doing the Word is one who earnestly seeks יהוה, for true seeking brings about a proper application of what one hears, so that they hear, guard and do His Word, thus gaining understanding as they do what is clearly commanded!

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 28:5 “Evil men do not understand right-ruling, but those who seek יהוה understand all.”

Evil men are those who are not paying attention and observing and are therefore dysfunctional!

Those who are hearing but not understanding are not seeking – in other words they are hearers only!!!

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in יהוה with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding”.

We are to trust יהוה with all our heart, which entails trusting Him with all of the understanding and wisdom that is contained in His Word and not seek out our own vain and selfish reasonings.

We are to guard the proper understanding of the Word, which comes in the doing of the Word, and in doing so we must grow in our understanding of the Word and be able to discern the set-apart from the profane, becoming skilled in the Sword of the Spirit, and guard ourselves from becoming hard faced before the Master, as we take note that Mishlĕ/Proverbs 21:30 tells us that there is no wisdom or understanding against יהוה, for it is His!

Who is wise and understands these words? He who has ears to hear, hear what the Spirit says!!!

If one does not seek יהוה and guard to keep His Word then they can never be wise and understand His Word! So many today think that they are extremely wise, as they assume that the have so much knowledge of ‘the bible’, while the do not guard to do what is instructed therein and simply reveal that they are not wise at all but are rather foolish in their lawless mind-set!

The Hebrew root word used here in Hoshěa/Hosea 14:9 for ‘knows’ is יָדַע yaḏa – Strong’s H3045 and means ‘to acknowledge, clearly understand, to perceive, distinguish and discern’ and implies the ability to respond to and recognise the Master’s voice and this verb can also render the ability to know by experience.

יהוה chose Yisra’ĕl to be a people for Himself, not because they were more numerous that other peoples, but because of His loving-commitment to Aḇraham, Yitsḥaq and Ya’aqoḇ with whom He established the sure Covenants of Promise! Despite this clear choosing, Yisra’ĕl continually rejected the need to walk in set-apartness, and chose to follow after the ways of the world. The nation that was chosen to be a light to the nations did not shine the light of the Truth and as a result were unable to clearly make known to the nations who יהוה is.

Despite Yisra’ĕl’s claim to ‘know’ יהוה, while they were clearly walking in rebellion to His commands, יהוה made it clear that despite their lip service, their actions proved that they did not ‘know’ Him!

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 1:3-4 “An ox knows its owner and a donkey its master’s crib – Yisra’ĕl does not know, My people have not understood.” 4 Alas, sinning nation, a people loaded with crookedness, a seed of evil-doers, sons acting corruptly! They have forsaken יהוה, they have provoked the Set-apart One of Yisra’ĕl, they went backward.”

In this rebuke given to a rebellious and apostate people, it is made clear that even an ox ‘knows’ its owner and a donkey knows its master’s crib, yet Yisra’ĕl do not know יהוה. Here this word ‘know’ is also the Hebrew word יָדַע yaḏa – Strong’s H3045 and implies the ability to respond to and recognise the Master’s voice.

Yoḥanan/John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

To ‘know’ יהוה implies the clear ability to ‘hear’ His voice and guard to do what He commands, for then He shall know His own!!! To know His voice implies that one is able to know the sounding and take heed of what is coming, making sure that they hear His voice and follow Him!

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 2:3-5 “And by this we know that we know Him, if we guard His commands. 4 The one who says, “I know Him,” and does not guard His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever guards His Word, truly the love of Elohim has been perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.”

Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 8:3 “But if anyone loves Elohim, this one is known by Him.”

To love Elohim, gives us the sure promise that we are known by Him! Sadly, many do not ‘know’ what love for Elohim is:

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 5:3 “For this is the love for Elohim, that we guard His commands, and His commands are not heavy”

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 4:8 “The one who does not love does not know Elohim, for Elohim is love.”

The Greek word used for ‘know’ in Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John is γινώσκω ginōskō – Strong’s G1097 which means, ‘to perceive, to learn, to come to know, comprehend, understand, recognise, learn to know, get a knowledge of’. As we sit under the instructions of our Creator and Redeemer, we learn to know Him and get a knowledge of who He is and come to know how we are to live in obedience to His clear Torah. There are so many liars out there today who claim to know Elohim, yet they have no knowledge of His Torah at all, as they refuse to sit and learn His Word – how can they know Him!!! It is one thing to claim that you know Him, yet whether we know Him or not is seen in the fruit of our obedience to His commands, and all will be clearly revealed when He returns – as many will come running claiming they know Him, yet will be rejected!

To be wise, understanding and know the Word of Elohim entails a proper observance of guarding to do all He has commanded us and when we walk in His straight way of righteousness then we shall not stumble at all!

THE WAY:

In Hebrew the term ‘the way’ is typically translated from the Hebrew root word דֶּרֶךְ dereḵ – Strong’s H1870 which means, ‘way, road, distance, journey’ and is from the word דָּרַךְ daraḵ – Strong’s H1869 which means, ‘to tread or march’ and so speaks of our walk; our every step that we take. And the first time this word is used in in:

Berěshith/Genesis 3:24 “and He drove the man out. And He placed keruḇim at the east of the garden of Ěḏen, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.”

Due to the sin of Aḏam and Ḥawwah, they were driven out of the garden of Ěḏen, and driven from the presence of יהוה, with no access to the way to the tree of life!

Before they were driven out Elohim made for them coats of skin, and in this we are able to see the powerful shadow picture of the protection and covering we have in יהושע Messiah, the Passover Lamb that was slain for us, in order that we can once again be brought near to the presence of Elohim and have access to the tree of life and have the full assurance of an everlasting life with our Master who shall come and receive us to Himself!

In the ancient pictographic symbols of this word, we are given a greater insight in understanding how יהושע Messiah is THE WAY! This word – דֶּרֶךְ dereḵ – in the ancient script looks like this:

Dalet – דֶּ

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as a ‘tent door’. It can also have the meaning of a back and forth movement as one goes back and forth through a tent door and so speaks of an access point. It can also carry the meaning of ‘dangle’ or hanging as the tent door would hang from the roof pole of the tent. It speaks a great deal in terms of understanding the door of the tent of appointment as the only means of access.

Resh – רֶ

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as ‘the head of a man’ and has the meaning of the head of a man as well as chief, top, begging or first. Top as in the top or head of a body and chief an is head of a tribe or people as well as the one who rules the people.

Kaph – כֶּ:

The ancient form of this letter is pictured as – which is ‘an open palm of a hand’. The meaning behind this letter is ‘to bend and curve’ from the shape of a palm as well as ‘to tame or subdue’ as one has been bent to another’s will (under their hand), as an open hand symbolises submission. This also can picture for us a palm or palm branch from the curved palm shape. This also pictures for us that which has been openly revealed – by the ‘open hand’, or the revelation of the hand that has worked a function!

As we consider these three pictures in making up the Hebrew word דֶּרֶךְ dereḵ, in reference to this meaning THE WAY, we can clearly see how it is יהושע Messiah who is THE WAY. As we come to the DOOR of the Tent of APPOINTMENT we are able to come and submit under the hand of our Master and Chief, who gives us access into His presence.

Yoḥanan/John 10:19 “I am the door. Whoever enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and shall go out and find pasture.”

As one understands the design and service of the Tabernacle, then we are able to understand perfectly the clear words of our Master. It was at the door of the Tabernacle that the people would bring their offerings to the Priest, and before they were able to enter they needed to be washed. Looking at this ancient pictographic of the word that renders for us the meaning of THE WAY, we are also able to see the clear work of our Master, who is the Lamb that was slain, and it was His hands that took the nails for us, and in doing so released us from the dogmas which stood against us! His shed blood covers us from the punishment of death, as long as we remain in Him! The Houses that applied the blood of the lamb to the doorposts of their homes would not be visited by the Messenger of death, but would be passed over, as the final plague in Mitsrayim swept over the land, killing every first born of those homes that did not have the blood on their doorposts!

When Messiah said that He was the Living Bread, and that the bread that He gives is His flesh, which He would give for the life of the world, the Yehuḏim were striving with one another asking how He could give them His flesh to eat and He answered them clearly in:

Yoḥanan/John 6:53 “יהושע therefore said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Aḏam and drink His blood, you possess no life in yourselves. 54 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood possesses everlasting life, and I shall raise him up in the last day. 55 “For My flesh is truly food, and My blood is truly drink. 56 “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood stays in Me, and I in him.”

This was a hard teaching for most and many turned away from following the Master, as they found these words too harsh to hear and understand. What Messiah was clearly teaching here is that unless we eat of the Pěsaḥ Meal, we have no access into life. The Passover Meal and the Feast of Matzot is a sign on our hands and our foreheads that we belong to the Master and that we abide in Him and He in us, and that we have come to the Door and confessed our sins, having been immersed in Him and washed by His Blood, are now able to have access into the House into which we must abide, as we are built up in Him as living stones!

The WAY for us to return from sin and destruction, is to come to the Door and acknowledge the work of the Master as we guard to keep His Feasts. When Messiah showed Himself to His taught ones after His resurrection T’oma was not there the first time and he said that unless he sees in the Master’s hands the mark of the nails, and be able to put his finger into the imprints of the nails and into the Master’s side, that he would not believe. When the Master appeared a second time, while T’oma was present we see the following in:

Yoḥanan/John 20:27-28 “Then He said to T’oma, “Bring your finger here, and see My hands. And bring your hand and put it into My side – and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 And T’oma answered and said to Him, “My Master and my Elohim!”

The Hand of Elohim had now been revealed to T’oma and He acknowledged that יהושע Messiah was his Master and Elohim!

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 53:1 “Who has believed our report? And to whom was the arm of יהוה revealed?”

Messiah is THE WAY – the Outstretched Arm and Hand of Elohim that has been revealed, and we who partake in the Pěsaḥ Meal and guard to keep all His Feasts, have access to the WAY He has called us to walk in!

The righteous walk in the WAYS of Elohim but the transgressors stumble in them!

The Hebrew word that is translated here for ‘walk’ comes from the root word הָלַךְ halaḵ – Strong’s H1980 which carries the meaning, ‘to walk, to live, manner of life, cause to live’, and literally speaks of how one lives. It is used as a verb indicating that it is an active expression of one’s life and also carries the meaning, ‘to go, to walk, come, proceed, depart, move, go away, to die, live, manner of life (figuratively)’.

The root word for walk – הָלַךְ halaḵ – Strong’s H1980 in the ancient pictographic script looks like this:

Hey – הָ:

The ancient script has this letter pictured as , which is ‘a man standing with his arms raised out’. The meaning of the letter is “behold, look, breath, sigh and reveal or revelation”, from the idea of revealing a great sight by pointing it out. It also carries for us the meaning of surrender, as we lift up our hands and submit to יהוה as we lift our hands in praise, declaring His authority under which we humbly submit!

Lamed – לַ:

The ancient script has this letter as , and is pictured as a ‘shepherd’s staff’, can give the meaning of ‘to or toward’ and can represent that which pushes or pulls a flock in a direction, and can speak of authority or a yoke that is used to lead and guide, as well as the ability to bring back by Authority.

Kaph – ךְ:

When we look at the letters that spell out the root word that for ‘walk’ we are able to see a great declaration:

BEHOLD THE STAFF IN THE PALM!

With the picture of the shepherd’s staff and the open palm of the hand we are able to see the concept of ‘staff in the palm’ and we take note that a nomad that travelled on foot would have a staff in his hand in order to provide proper support in walking, as well as having a weapon in his hand to defend against predators and thieves!

When we walk as we should we submit under the proper authority of our Good Shepherd and guard to do all he has commanded us to as we give Him the proper praise in all we do, being armed in His Truth that gives us boldness to walk upright amidst a crooked world, for we are able to know the sounding of our Good Shepherd as we know His voice!

The Hebrew word that is translated here as ‘righteous’ comes from the root word צַדִּיק tsaddiq –Strong’s H6662 which means, ‘just, righteous, blameless, lawful’!

We are also told what righteousness is for us, in:

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 6:25 “And it is righteousness for us when we guard to do all this command before יהוה our Elohim, as He has commanded us.”

Therefore: RIGHTESOUNESS = OBEDIENCE and OBEDIENCE = LOVE!

The Hebrew root word that is used for ‘transgressors’ is פָּשַׁע pasha – Strong’s H6586 which means, ‘transgress, to be in rebellion, revolt, offend’.

Ěḵah/Lamentation 3:39-42 “What? Should mankind complain, a living man, because of his sins? 40 Let us search and examine our ways, and turn back to יהוה. 41 Let us lift our hearts and hands to Ěl in the heavens and say: 42 we, we have transgressed and rebelled. You, You have not forgiven.”

Many are refusing to acknowledge that they have transgressed and offended Elohim and as a result they continue to stumble in their vain attempts at claiming to be believers when their lawlessness and refusal to submit and walk in the Word highlights how foolish they are!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘stumble’ comes from the root verb כָּשַׁל kashal – Strong’s H3782 meaning, ‘stumble, totter, stagger, bring down, failing, weakening’… the same root word that is used in verse 1 and here in this last verse it is written in the ‘nifal’ verb tense, which can also render the meaning of, ‘to be tottering, feeble’ and therefore we recognise how feeble transgressors are, as they are unstable and stagger as drunkards and are unable to walk in the straight and narrow way of Elohim!

As we consider the urgency of this call for a backslidden and feeble Yisra’ĕl to return to יהוה, we are able to recognise how alive this call to return to יהוה is today! It is time for the true worshippers to worship in spirit and truth and turn away from all idolatry in order to serve the Living Elohim in complete set-apartness and righteousness!

While many of us have indeed turned away from idolatry we need to continually be sober in our assessment of our daily walk and make sure that we do to fall back to wrong ways as we do our utmost in seeking יהוה with our all and take proper action in being an ardent bride that has returned to our Husband and King, ensuring that whatever we do, whether in word or deed, that all be done to the esteem of His Name.

As you take stock of your life through intently looking into the mirror of the Word, ask yourself if you truly have responded to the call to return! Are there idolatrous areas in your life that you have not turned away from and due to compromise or fleshly comforts you have found that you have allowed certain things to become acceptable in your eyes while they are actually abominable in the eyes of our Master and Elohim? Perhaps the influence of the compromised standards of others has caused you to allow subtle compromises to creep back in to your life.

This call is a refining call being given to a called out, set-apart and purchased Bride! One that we need to make sure that we have responded to with urgency and joy, so that we please our Mighty Saviour and be a true ambassador of His coming reign! Our Master has cleansed us and healed us form all stumbling blocks of crookedness and therefore we are to live like it, so that we stay in Him and never stumble again!

For those who have returned to יהוה the responsibility does not stop there as the need to be the Remnant Bride that calls others to hear this call is extremely vital! The harvest is ripe and we are to be bold in proclaiming this call, along with His Spirit, to a backslidden and stumbling people, saying with urgency and confidence:

O YISRA’ĚL, RETURN TO YAHWEH!

Does your life represent one that has returned to יהוה? If so, then great… make sure that you never turn away again and be a trustworthy servant in calling others to return by being a good example of one who has returned, being the fragrance of Messiah wherever you are, as you hear, guard and do His Word with exceeding joy and complete shalom!

Our Master is coming soon, and those who have not returned will be rejected as not being known for their lawless behaviour, but those who have responded to the call will be a part of the True Remnant Bride that will be lifted up and gathered to be with Him forever! As you hear this call, how have you responded?

O YISRA’ĚL, RETURN TO YAHWEH!

יהוה bless you and guard you; יהוה make His face shine upon you and show you favour; יהוה lift up His face to you and give you Shalom!