Speak to the

Mountain

Have faith in God.
Whosoever shall say unto this mountain,

Be thou removed,

And be thou cast into the sea;

And shall not doubt in his heart,

but shall believe

that those things which he saith

shall come to pass;

He shall have whatsoever he saith.

Therefore I say unto you,

What things soever ye desire,

when ye pray,

Believe that ye receive them,

and ye shall have them.

Mark 11: 23-24

PREFACE

I began this study for two reasons.

FIRST, I needed a miracle for my wife to be healed of a virus that was attacking her and I was simply unsure of how to pray and what to expect.  Plain and simple.  I read the books on how God wants us to prosper, be wealthy, be well; but what I needed was the Scriptural Evidence that supported those claims.  I needed to walk the walk.

SECOND, and this proved the more difficult, I knew I needed to have a faith greater than I possessed.  It wasn’t that I didn’t believe God could heal; but rather I questioned my faith that I could be an instrument of (or even that I was worthy of) His healing.  So again, I turned to Scripture.

But – What started out to be a purely analytical study became a discovery of enlightenment and transformation.  And it was because of this transformation of thought that I came away with a much deeper appreciation of the relationship God wants to have with us and of the relationship I can have with Him.  The more I read and studied and meditated, the more in awe I became of the power and majesty of God.  

I approached this as a research topic.  I laid out my outline and prepared to fill in the blanks.  Very analytical.  It was the transformation that surprised me.  The deeper I progressed into the study, the more I had to go back and revise my thinking.  Correction.  The more I had to go back and expand my thinking. 

Things that I studied and understood the first time, took on deeper meanings the second and third.  The facts were the same, the truth was the truth; but as truths began to coalesce, to unite and combine, I began a process of enlightenment which transformed my thinking and beliefs. 

What is important to me is the transition from knowledge to revelation; and the transformation that takes place in my thinking.  I thought I could understand.  I’m not too sure that I can understand, or even that I need to.  Revelation and transformation continue.  Perhaps that is the end goal; to be transformed from the mind of the children of wrath, to the mind of Christ Jesus which is love for the Lord God.

I continue this study in awe of the Power and the Promise of our God.

If this is the first time that you have ever read something like this, and now only because you are lost or broken or seeking enlightenment in these darkening times; then let me be among the first to bless you in the Magnificent Name of our Lord, our God, and our Savior; and let me pray that by this simple study you will be blessed. 

Questions – Suggestions – Comments – Corrections – Email us here.

SPEAK TO THE MOUNTAIN began as a study of miracles and ended in so much more.

Have faith in God.

Mark 11:22

Completed Chapters:

1. From Old Testament to New Testament –
2. God’s Will –
3. Healing is part of Christ’s Reconciliation – 
4. Jesus gave the power to those who believe –

Chapters to Come:

• What you speak and the power of the tongue –
• Faith and belief –
• Obedience –
• Action –
• The author of sickness – 
• Prayer –
• How to pray –

OVERVIEW

Have faith in God.

For verily I say unto you,

That whosoever shall say unto this mountain,
Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea;

and shall not doubt in his heart,
but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass;

he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray,

believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Mark 11: 22-24

Here the study begins.

Peter just asked Jesus about a tree that He had cursed earlier and that has now withered away. 

Jesus responds by saying “Have faith in God.”  He then begins a simple yet infinitely profound instruction on the power of belief.

Yes, the power of YOUR belief to move mountains.

Ok.  I get it.  This is not a literal mountain but a figurative one.  (Though I suppose it would be just as difficult to cast a mountain into the sea as it would be to raise someone from the dead.)  I read that there are conditions: shall not doubt and shall believe; and action: saith.  So how do I translate this into something I can do to heal my wife?  Is this even what I should be concerned about?  Is this what God wants me to know – to do – to understand?

My stumbling block is “shall not doubt” and “shall believe”.  What can I do to increase my belief to “shall not doubt” so that I can cast the mountain into the sea?  But moreover, is it simply a matter of increased belief – as if that were a simple matter in the first place. 

How do we move mountains and speak miracles?  What exactly is a “mountain” in the first place?  Why don’t we hear more about miracles?  Is it a lack of faith or belief?  Are there no more miracles because God has withdrawn them?  Are there miracles taking place all the time that we just don’t see? How do I pray?  What is God’s will?  What does the Scripture say?

All of these are simple questions; but you just can’t go to the back of your Bible and look up the answers.

I set out with a purpose:  To explore the teachings on healing revealed in Scripture and confirmed by God’s Word. 

I acknowledge there are differences of opinion as to whether we can still witness miracles in this present day or; whether miracles were confined to the original disciples of Jesus; or any such other restrictions.  I can only respond to what I believe Scripture reveals.  As you read, it will become abundantly clear as to why I believe that when Jesus said, “Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”  He was speaking to us today just as clearly as he spoke to his disciples then.  I leave arguments to the contrary to others.

Now don’t get me wrong.  I am not so presumptuous as to believe that I can heal the sick or cast a mountain into the sea on the one hand; but then again on the other, why should I not believe so? 

Jesus said, “Speak to the Mountain.”  What is your mountain?  What is it that comes between you and what God intends for you?  Your health?  Finances?  Marriage?  Drugs?  Alcohol?  Temper? 

SPEAK TO THE MOUNTAIN is a book of discovery and revelation that will enlighten and transform your spiritual walk in miracles and more.

I

From Old Testament to New Testament –

One of the first things we need to understand is what do the Old and

New Testaments say about “healing”.

“Healing” is “râphâh'” in Hebrew, and is defined as “A primitive root; properly to mend (by stitching), that is, (figuratively) to cure: - cure, (cause to) heal, physician, repair, X thoroughly, make whole.”[1]  This also is one of the names of God, Jehovah  Raphah.  God Heals.

Physical healing is shown in Deu 32:39  See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. and Jer 30:17  For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds. and Psa 103:3  . . . who healeth all thy diseases.  So here is physical healing; the restoration of health, “I will restore health” and curing of disease that God alone can provide, “neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand”.  This is a promise from God.

Then there is the spiritual healing to be found in Psa 41:4  I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee. 

“Heal my soul.”  Such a simple prayer.  The Book of Psalms is attributed mostly to David.  We cannot tell with certainty who wrote every one of the 150 Psalms.  And it is with less certainty that we know the conditions in which a Psalm was written.  Psalm 41 is attributed to David and like so many of collection of Psalms, praise is the general characteristic.  In this Psalm, we hear David asking for mercy and for the healing of his soul because of his sin.  David recognizes that sin has made his soul “sick” and it requires healing from the Lord.  The Lord heals souls made sick by sin.

God breaks the earth and God heals the earth.  Psa 60:2  Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh. and 2Ki 2:21  Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters. 

These verses tell us that it is God who heals us, cures us and makes us whole physically and spiritually and it is He who heals our surroundings.

The Old Testament is filled with pleas for healing.  As examples, we find Moses asking that Miriam be healed of leprosy; David pleading for mercy and the healing of his soul; Jeremiah acknowledges that sins are diseases and healing them is the forgiveness of them which only God can grant; and in Lamentations, and we find a prayer that Jerusalem be healed and restored. 

The question becomes, “How does God heal?” 

We find the answer here in Psa 107:20  He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.  

He healed and delivered by His “word” His “dâbâr”. 

This is the same word used in the phrase “dâbâr Yĕhovah” which is, “the word of the LORD” used in 242 verses of the Old Testament and would be understood to mean “His power”. 

This “word” is different from what would be used in, “according to his word they were healed . . .”   which is “peh”.  This is what He “breathed or spoke” which is a spoken word. The spoken word cannot be seen.

But, the “dâbâr Yĕhovah”  is the “Power of Yĕhovah” which comes as a vision and speaks to Abram specifically in Gen 15:1 and to the prophets throughout the Old Testament; it is to be feared in Exo 9:20; it is despised in Num 15:31; and it is rejected in 1Sam 15:23. 

Pay particular attention to “He sent his word”.   The “dâbâr Yĕhovah”  is “the word of the LORD” which can be seen.  “He sent his word” implies something to be sent   “He sent His power”. 

Psa 107:20  He sent his word, and healed them.

Where do we find the power of the Lord that heals?

Where do we find the “dâbâr Yĕhovah”?

Where do we find the “Word of Yĕhovah”?

Where do we find the “Power of Yĕhovah”?

Where do we find the “Word of the Power of Yĕhovah”?

Revelation

We find it here in Isa 53:5  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.   This is the Messianic Prophecy of the one by whose “stripes we are healed” 

This prophecy is precisely what Matthew referred to in Mat 8:16-17  . . .  he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. 

The Psalm tells us that God sent his word to heal.

Isaiah prophesizes that one will come to heal us.

Matthew confirms that the one who God sent as the “Bâbâr Yĕhovah” as the “Word of the Power of Yĕhovah” is in fact the Lord Jesus Christ who healed all that were sick.

Note also that the Scripture says, “we are healed”.  This is present tense; not future tense, not “we will be healed”.  This says that the healing has already take place.  There is no disagreement among any of the translations.  We are healed. 

Healed from what, you may ask.  Surely this refers to being saved from condemnation for sin.  Yes.  That too and more.  Remember, the word translated as “healed” is “râphâh”  in Hebrew, and is defined as “to cure: - cure, (cause to) heal, physician, repair, make whole.”  So read the text as, “we are healed, we are cured, we are made whole.” 

Do you see any restrictions?  Neither do I.  Scripture does not withhold any healing.  Healed physically.  Healed spiritually.  Healed in our surroundings.

Scripture says that we are healed in all and everything that comes to destroy us.  Wow.  That is the healing I want to receive!

All healing comes from God through His “Bâbâr Yĕhovah”, which He sent to deliver us from all things which would destroy us. 

Prayer

We can pray as Jeremiah prayed Jer 17:14  Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.    

Transformation

We set out to find what Scripture says about healing and we found so much more.  We found the power of God that heals.  We found the word which He has sent.  We found the word of the power of God.  We found that we are healed of all things that come to destroy us.  We found the “Word of the Power of Yĕhovah”

Blessing

May the spirit of the Lord rest upon you: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord.  (Isaiah 11:2)

There is the Spirit of the Lord.  Of Wisdom.  Of Understanding.  Of Counsel.  Of Might.  Of Knowledge.  Of Fear of the Lord.  This is the Word of the Lord.  This is the Power of the Lord.  This is the Word of the Power of the Lord.

II

God’s Will –

Understanding that all healing comes from God

through His word which He sent

to deliver us from all things which would destroy us;

leads us to seek out what God’s will is for us.

Is it God’s will that “bad” things happen to “good” people?  The simple answer is of course not.  It is not His will that you should burn your hands; but if it is your will that you put your hand into the fire, so be it. 

Well surely, even then He could prevent you from being burned.  True.  And that would be a miracle; but God does not override your free will (otherwise it would not be free), and God does not override natural law (otherwise it would not be a law) unless it magnifies His purpose and glory.  There are consequences to our actions.

Everyone has heard The Lord’s Prayer and said at least once, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” which is another way of saying, “Keep me from sticking my hand into the fire and getting burnt.”  God does not run over and grab your hand and stick it into the fire.  You do that for yourself.  Once done, we pray for a miracle to be delivered from the consequences of our action.

Ok.  Fine.  It isn’t God’s will that my hand gets burnt.  But what about the time when I was minding my own business and out of nowhere this person lights my hand on fire.  I didn’t have a choice in the matter and now my hand is burnt.  Where was God then? 

The question I have to ask is how many times did God move you away from that crazy fire person?  What delay, or wrong turn, inconvenience, interruption . . . kept you out of harms way.  And then, even after all of that, your hand still gets burnt, what is your reaction?  Do you curse or praise?  Do you push away or draw near?  Your reaction determines your pain and your healing.

Is God a god of healing?  What is His will?

Joh 5:19  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.  Mat 15:30  And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them.   

Here we have the Word of the Power of God in the form of Jesus Christ whom God sent to deliver us from all things which would destroy us (with his stripes we are healed) telling us plainly that he can do nothing by himself but what God himself does. 

And what does Jesus do?  He heals great multitudes of lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others.  This is what God does.  This is what Jesus sees.  This is what Jesus does.

Nowhere is it recorded that Jesus harmed anyone, or refused to heal anyone, or told anyone to come back tomorrow.  Healing was freely and completely given; immediately and without reservation.

This is God’s promise: Isa 54:17  No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.  Here God is telling us plainly that nothing will prevail against us and this is our heritage as His servants. 

This heritage is ours not because of our righteousness, but because of His righteousness.  

What exactly is it that is holding you back from receiving God’s rich blessings – From claiming your heritage?  What is more powerful than God?  What is your mountain?

The blessing and heritage spoken of is demonstrated in the 23rd Psalm, A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Perhaps more than any other Scripture, this is God’s will for us.

For the love of God take hold of this.

This is the relationship He wants to embrace us with.  In this embrace, I shall not want.  Green pastures and still waters are mine and my soul is restored.  This is the miracle we all seek.  Peace.  Even in death I have no fear; I am comforted.  When my enemies come against me, I am anointed and seated at the table of the Lord and I feast.  My cup runneth over.  Such is God’s will.  Receive this.  This is the miracle you seek.

Psa 23:1,5  I shall not want.  My cup runneth over.

What are the limits of God’s provision?

Revelation

Without measure:  Php 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 

The “Bâbâr Yĕhovah” the “Word of the Power of Yĕhovah” is Jesus Christ who healed all who were sick and through whom God supplies all your needs.  Even far more than that.  More than we can ever imagine because it is not limited but rather it is according to his riches – the riches of God.

2Pe 1:4  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature.  God does not supply some of our needs; He supplies all of our needs.  God does not give us little and worthless promises; He gives us exceeding great and precious promises. 

God wants us to share in His divine nature.  There is no limit in God’s provision.  God wants us to share in His divine nature.  All this comes through Jesus Christ.  This is unequivocal.

Prayer

I can think of no better than Psa 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  This is both a prayer and a statement of faith and conviction.  By embracing this I place everything in the hands of the Lord. 

In this prayer, I receive all the exceeding great and precious promises; my head is anointed with oil and my cup runneth over.

Transformation

I am humbled to submission by the very thought of partaking in the divine nature of God.  Not a submission of bondage; but of supplication in the realization that whatever else, God will supply all of my needs with exceeding great and precious promises according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Jesus tells us in Joh 5:19  The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do.  Jesus reflects God.  God supplies my needs by Christ Jesus.

Blessing

May the Lord grant you the desire of your heart. May he welcome you with rich blessings and place a crown of pure gold on your head.  (Psalm  21:2)

III

Healing is part of Christ’s Reconciliation  –

God will supply all of your needs according to his riches in glory

by Christ Jesus.

We must learn about Jesus Christ; the “Bâbâr Yĕhovah” the “Word of the Power of Yĕhovah” who healed all who were sick and through whom God supplies all our needs. 

Let us start simply, for this is a complicated study in and of itself. 

Begin with Mat 1:21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.  

A couple of things to take note of. 

First, the name “Jesus” is “Iēsous” in the original Greek which is “Jehoshua” in Hebrew and is translated “Jehovah-saved”.   “Jehoshua” is a name of the same significance as Joshua and Hosea, and may be interpreted as "Savior", a name give by God himself through an angel. 

Second, “he shall save his people from their sins”  “Sins” here is “hamartia” which is defined as “offence”.   So what of it? 

Consider, Psa 41:4  I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.  “Heal my soul for I have sinned.”  Jesus saves his people from their sin, their offence, and this heals their soul.

This begs the question, how does Jesus save people from their offence (their sin)? 

The answer can be found in Act 5:31  Him (Jesus) hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.  God gives repentance and forgiveness of sin through Jesus. 

2Co 5:21  For he (God) hath made him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.  

Follow this with 1Pe 2:24  Who his own self (Jesus) bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.   And 1Co 5:7  For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.   (Read about the Passover sacrifice.[2])

Now it becomes clear.

Jesus took on our sins, our offences, while he himself was blameless; he was sacrificed for our repentance and our forgiveness so that we might be made righteous with God through him; and therefore by his stripes, by his sacrifice, we are healed.

Jesus saved his people by his sacrifice.  By his death.

Are you with me so far?  Let’s dig a little deeper.

Mat 26:28  For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.   Christ Jesus shed his blood and died as our Passover sacrifice for the remission of our sins.   "Remission" is “aphesis” defined as “freedom; (figuratively) pardon: - deliverance, forgiveness, liberty.”

 Rom 5:11  . . . through our Lord Jesus Christ, . . . we have now received the reconciliation.  

Reread the above few Scriptures.  Pay attention to, “made the righteousness”, “live unto righteousness”, “healed”, and “we have now received the reconciliation”.  What you find is that there are no exclusions or conditions. 

“We have now received the reconciliation” once and for all.  There is no need for any additional sacrifice of any kind.  Joh 19:30  Jesus said, It is finished.  No more need for blood sacrifice.  We now have the “blood of the new testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins”

Now we have the full of it.

We have received reconciliation through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ which was shed for the forgiveness of our sins that we might be made righteous with God through Christ because by his sacrifice we are healed.

“It is finished.”  

I know this has been tough to follow.  Let’s see if we can tie it all together.  Bear with me on this discussion as it is important.

We have been reconciled.

The “Day of Atonement”[3]  is the English phrase for Yom Kippur which is the holiest day of the year for the  Jews[4].  Yom Kippur was the only time when the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies and call upon the name of YHWH to offer blood sacrifice for the sins of the people.  This “life for a life” principle is the foundation of the sacrificial system and marked the great day of intercession made by the High Priest in behalf of Israel.

“Kâphar”  is “A primitive root; to cover; figuratively to expiate (i.e.; to put an end to[5]) or condone, to placate or cancel: - appease, make (an) atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, to pitch, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile (-liation).”  Appreciate the power of this word.

The central theme of Yom Kippur is “repentance”[6] which is “teshuva” in Hebrew, is literally, “ to “expiate”; that is, “to put an end to.”  In Greek, the word is “metanoeō” which is to think differently, reconsider, or repent. 

Kâphar is translated 80 times in the King James Old Testament as “atonement” and is associated with a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin. 

Kâphar occurs 49 times in Leviticus in the sense of:
Lev 4:26  . . . and the priest shall make an atonement (kâphar ) for him as concerning his sin, and it shall be forgiven him.  and;
Lev 16:11  And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make an atonement (kâphar ) for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which is for himself.
This is a blood sacrifice made by a priest for the atonement (kâphar) and forgiveness of sin.

Why so?  Because, this is the law pronounced by Jehovah God:
Lev 17:11  For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement (kâphar ) for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement (kâphar ) for the soul. 

There are two truths here:

Blood is a required sacrifice to kâphar sin; and second,

Blood for the sacrifice has been given to us by God.

The translation of “kâphar”  as “atonement” is said to be rather dubious.  Atonement is neither an Old Testament or New Testament word as its origin is traced to the 1510’s from the phrase “at one”[7].  The first time “kâphar”  is used is in Gen 6:14  Make thee an ark of gopher wood; . . .  and shalt cover (kâphar) it within and without with pitch. (Form the New King James)  

So a better translation of “kâphar” is “to cover”[8].  This is not to quibble, but rather to help create a better understanding of Scripture. 

It is a blood sacrifice that covers sin.  How do we know this? 

The first blood sacrifice, and the first death in the Bible, was made by God to cover the sin of Adam and Eve Gen 3:21  Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. 

God made a blood sacrifice to cover the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.  Yom Kippur is “the day of covering, canceling, pardon, reconciling.”[9]

THIS VERSE IS KEY

Lev 17:11  For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make a propitiatory shelter (kâphar ) for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh a propitiatory shelter (kâphar ) for the soul. 

Wow!  Where did this come from?  Actually, from the original Hebrew.[10]  A “propitiatory shelter” is a covering to make something favorable.[11]

Now look closely.  Where does this “kâphar”, this “propitiatory shelter”, this favorable covering for the soul come from?  It comes from God.  Lev 17:11  I have given it to you. 

It is not we who reconcile ourselves to God by our atonement,
but rather God who has reconciled himself to us. 
We have been reconciled to God because we have been covered over
with the blood He has provided to us.

Go back to the definition of kâphar.  Kâphar  is  to cover, and to expiate.  Note the two aspects of the word.  “to cover” and “to expiate”.
 

It is we who must “expiate” which is to “put an end to”; and we who must “repent” which is to “confess and regret the sin and to forsake and resolve to not sin again”.  This is the focus of Yom Kaphar  – For someone who has committed a sin, a forbidden act, missed the mark; he can be forgiven of sin only if he performs techuva (repentance).[12], [13]  It is God who “covers.”

For man to be at one with God,

there must be atonement.

Man must repent.

God must cover.

According to Jewish tradition, God inscribes each person's fate for the coming year into a book, the Book of Life, on Rosh Hashanah, and waits until Yom Kippur to “seal” the verdict. 

On Yom Kippur, the judgment entered in these books is sealed. This day is, essentially, your last appeal, your last chance to change the judgment, to demonstrate your repentance and make amends. 

Such a day is Yom Kippur.  It is not a day of rejoicing. 

What assurance is there, even for the most devout, that he has met the requirements for techuva of all his sins and is acceptable to God?  There is none.  One must be in a state of perpetual repentance.

And then what of the day after Yom Kippur? – To begin the process again?

This being the requirement, how can we ever be made righteous with God? 

This being the requirement, how can we ever be made AT ONE with God? 

That’s the dilemma.  We can’t. 

Endless blood sacrifices can only cover sin; and every new sin must be covered anew. 

We must rely upon God to provide the perfect sacrifice.  The sacrifice that will put an end to sacrifices.  The sacrifice that will not simply cover sin, but will take sin away.

Here is that sacrifice:  Act 5:31  Him (Jesus) hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.  2Co 5:21  For he (God) hath made him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.   1Co 5:7  For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.   Joh 1:29  John (the Baptist) seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

God said, Lev 17:11 “I have given it to you upon the altar”.  He is our High Priest. 

Here then is our perfect and final techuvi.  Here is our repentance and forgiveness for sin that is acceptable to God.  Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  Here is our Passover sacrifice.  Here is the atonement for our souls that God has provided.  Here is our reconciliation. 

Here is our Redeemer.
Here is our Savior.

Here is Eloheinu Mochia. 

Rom 5:11  . . . through our Lord Jesus Christ, . . . we have now received the reconciliation.  

This “reconciliation” is not to be taken lightly.  This is “katallagē” in Greek which means to “exchange, that is restoration to (the divine) favor . . . ” 

So Rom 5:11  . . . through our Lord Jesus Christ, . . . we have now received the exchange and restoration to divine favor.  

God provided the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ “the Lamb of God” in exchange for us so that we might be restored to His divine favor.  

Now we have Devine Reconciliation

Now we have final atonement

and now

We are HEALED.

1Pe 2:24  Who his own self (Jesus) bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.  

The miracle healing we seek has been provided through the blood sacrifice of Lord Jesus Christ which reconciles us with God, “by whose stripes ye were healed”. 

We now “live unto righteousness” which is “dikaios” which is “innocent, holy” because and only because Rom 5:11  . . . through our Lord Jesus Christ, . . . we have now received the exchange and restoration to divine favor.  

The “Dâbâr Yĕhovah” was given in sacrifice “upon the altar to make a propitiatory shelter (kâphar ) for our souls” (Lev 17:11) 

This is “The Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (Joh 1:29)
“to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins” (Act 5:31) 
that we “might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2Co 5:21)

Here then is the “blood of the new testament which is shed for
many for the remission of sins” (Mat 26:28)

We now therefore “live unto righteousness” (1Pe 2:24) for
 “through our Lord Jesus Christ, we have now received the exchange and restoration to divine favor.” (Rom 5:11) and
“ye were healed.” (1Pe 2:24)

Dâbâr Yĕhovah.

The Word of God.

The Power of God.

The Lamb of God.

Our Savior.

Eloheinu Mochia. 

The Lord Christ Jesus 

It is finished. (Joh 19:30)

Revelation
The “Bâbâr Yĕhovah” creates a powerful image in my mind.  Think of it.  The Word of God.  The Power of God.  The dâbâr Yĕhovah.  The Word of the Power of God.   The Bâbâr Yĕhovah manifested in the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Word of God.  The Power of God. 

Gen 1:3  And God said, Let there be light:  This is the God of all creation.  Such is the Bâbâr Yĕhovah.

And yet, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world is the Bâbâr Yĕhovah. 

In tenderness, I am drawn to the story in Genesis 22 where Jehovah God instructs Abraham to take his only son, Isaac, and offer him as a burnt offering.  Abraham got up early in the morning with Isaac and they traveled for three days to the place which God had told him.   For three days he walked with his son knowing that Jehovah God told him to offer Isaac as a burnt offering.   When they got there, Isaac asked where the lamb was that they were going to sacrifice.  In faith Abraham replied, “My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering.” (Gen 22:8)  Abraham was prepared to offer his son to God and for this God blessed him and provided a ram for a burnt offering.  Abraham called the name of that place “Jehovah Jereh” which is “God Provides”.   ( I can do only a poor job at relating this story here and direct your attention to this audio study.  Select Genesis  Chapter 22 recorded on 01/11/12.)

Prayer

Psa 143:8  Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Psa 141:2  Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Transformation

This chapter was originally to be called Healing is part of Christ’s Atonement. 

As I studied, I became less satisfied with the translation of “kâphar” and Yom Kippur as “The Day of Atonement” because the implied meaning (to me at least) is that I can somehow “atone” for my sins.   This simply is not so. 

Healing is part of Christ’s Reconciliation; and because of this, I am reconciled to God and counted as righteous. 

It is not about me.  It is about God.  If I accept that God Provides, and if I accept that He has provided for my reconciliation through Jesus Christ; then I receive healing.  I am healed.  It is this healing I am looking for.  This is not a situational healing – As in “healed today, sick tomorrow”.  This is not a provisional healing – If  . . . Then . . .   This is fully, irrevocably and unequivocally healed.  This is Jehovah  Raphah.  This is Jehovah Jereh.

Again I am forced to ask:  What exactly is it that is holding you back from receiving God’s rich blessings – From claiming your heritage?  What is more powerful than God?  What is your mountain?  God Heals.  God Provides.

Blessing

May God cover you with his feathers and you find refuge under his wings – His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.  (Psalm  91:4)

IV

Jesus gave power to those who believe –

Jehovah  Raphah.  Jehovah Jereh.

The “Dâbâr Yĕhovah” was given in sacrifice “upon the altar to make a propitiatory shelter for our souls” (Lev 17:11) 

This is “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (Joh 1:29)

This is foundational truth.  This is a principal principle.  This must be established as trustworthy and true.  The Hebrew word is “'êmûn” and is translated as “faith”.  This must be held with the highest moral conviction as truth itself.  The Greek word is “pistis” and is translated as “faith”. 

Have faith in God.

Mar 11:22

Here is the reward for those who have faith.  The Greek word is “pisteuō” and is translated “believe”.  Joh 14:12-14  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do . . .  And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.  Mar 16:17-18  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name . . . they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

There are two conditions.  One being, Joh 15:7  If ye abide (“menō” which is to “dwell”)  in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.  And the other being to “ask in my name”.

We have the promise that those who have faith and believe; and abide in Christ that, “Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.” 

And the purpose for this power given to those who believe?  That “the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

It is really not too difficult is it?

To receive the power and move mountains, you must have faith in God; believe and abide in Christ;

ask in His Name; for the glory of God.

To use the power and move the mountain, you must “not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass”

Revelation

In reflecting on this study, I am stuck by one thing in particular.  It is motive. 

I was seeking a miracle healing for my wife, for her; not for the glory of God.  It is not that I would not have given God the glory after she was healed; but in fact I should have given the glory to Him before she was healed.  It is not even that her healing would have given glory to God.  The prayer should have been that her illness bring glory to God. 

At what point in our lives do we surrender to the glory of God and live according to His will?  At what point do we live for the glory of God?

If we live for the glory of God, then there is no mountain that can stand before us because it cannot stand before the glory of God.

Prayer

Psa 8:1  O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.  Psa 29:2  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.  Psa 30:12  To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.  Mat 6:13  For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Transformation

Jesus lived his life abiding in God the Father.  Before he was to be crucified, he prayed in the garden Mat 26:42  O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.  He was praying for a miracle to move the mountain if it be God’s will.  I pray never to be faced with a mountain so large as crucifixion; but I will live for the glory of God, and the mountains I face will bring him glory.

Blessing

May the Lord take great delight in you – May he quiet you with his love – May he rejoice over you with singing.  (Zechariah 3:17)

FUTURE STUDY

This is as far as I have gone so far.  These are my notes for the future chapters.  I have made a commitment to complete this study. 

CHAPTER 5

What you speak and the power of the tongue –

Gen 1:3  And God^H430 said,^H559

Joh 1:1  In^G1722 the beginning^G746 was^G2258 the^G3588 Word,^G3056 and^G2532 the^G3588 Word^G3056 was^G2258 with^G4314 God,^G2316 and^G2532 the^G3588 Word^G3056 was^G2258 God.^G2316 

Luk 1:38  And^G1161 Mary^G3137 said,^G2036 be^G1096 it unto me^G3427 according^G2596 to thy^G4675 word.^G4487 

Joh 1:14  And^G2532 the^G3588 Word^G3056 was made^G1096 flesh,^G4561 and^G2532 dwelt^G4637 among^G1722 us,^G2254 

Heb 1:3  (He is) upholding^G5342 all things^G3956 by the^G3588 word^G4487 of his^G846 power,^G1411 

Psa 119:89  For ever,^H5769 O LORD,^H3068 thy word^H1697 is settled^H5324 in heaven.^H8064 

Pro 18:21  Death^H4194 and life^H2416 are in the power^H3027 of the tongue:^H3956 and they that love^H157 it shall eat^H398 the fruit^H6529 thereof.

Pro 6:2  Thou art snared^H3369 with the words^H561 of thy mouth,^H6310 thou art taken^H3920 with the words^H561 of thy mouth.^H6310

Jas 3:6, 8  And^G2532 the^G3588 tongue^G1100 is a fire,^G4442 a world^G2889 of iniquity:^G93 so^G3779 is^G2525 the^G3588 tongue^G1100 among^G1722 our^G2257 members,^G3196 that it defileth^G4695 the^G3588 whole^G3650 body,^G4983 and^G2532 setteth on fire^G5394 the^G3588 course^G5164 of nature;^G1078 and^G2532 it is set on fire^G5394 of^G5259 hell.^G1067  the^G3588 tongue^G1100 can^G1410 no^G3762 man^G444 tame;^G1150 it is an unruly^G183 evil,^G2556 full^G3324 of deadly^G2287 poison.^G2447

Pro 10:11  The mouth^H6310 of a righteous^H6662 man is a well^H4726 of life:^H2416 but violence^H2555 covereth^H3680 the mouth^H6310 of the wicked.^H7563

Pro 11:11  By the blessing^H1293 of the upright^H3477 the city^H7176 is exalted:^H7311 but it is overthrown^H2040 by the mouth^H6310 of the wicked.^H7563  

2Co 13:1  In^G1909 the mouth^G4750 of two^G1417 or^G2532 three^G5140 witnesses^G3144 shall every^G3956 word^G4487 be established.^G2476 

Mar 11:14, 20  No man^G3367 eat^G5315 fruit^G2590 of^G1537 thee^G4675 hereafter^G3371 for ever.^{G1519 G165} and the^G3588 fig tree^G4808 dried up^G3583 from^G1537 the roots.^G4491   

1Pe 1:23  Being born again,^G313 not^G3756 of^G1537 corruptible^G5349 seed,^G4701 but^G235 of incorruptible,^G862 by^G1223 the word^G3056 of God,^G2316 which liveth^G2198 and^G2532 abideth^G3306 for ever.^{G1519 G165} 

Jn 4:4  Ye^G5210 are^G2075 of^G1537 God,^G2316 little children,^G5040 and^G2532 have overcome^G3528 them:^G846 (the world) because^G3754 greater^G3187 is^G2076 he^G3588 that is in^G1722 you,^G5213 than^G2228 he^G3588 that is in^G1722 the^G3588 world.^G2889

Mat 12:35-37  A good^G18 man^G444 out^G1537 of the^G3588 good^G18 treasure^G2344 of the^G3588 heart^G2588 bringeth forth^G1544 good things:^G18 and^G2532 an evil^G4190 man^G444 out of^G1537 the^G3588 evil^G4190 treasure^G2344 bringeth forth^G1544 evil things.^G4190 But^G1161 I say^G3004 unto you,^G5213 That^G3754 every^G3956 idle^G692 word^G4487 that^{G3739 G1437} men^G444 shall speak,^G2980 they shall give^G591 account^G3056 thereof^{G4012 G846} in^G1722 the day^G2250 of judgment.^G2920 For^G1063 by^G1537 thy^G4675 words^G3056 thou shalt be justified,^G1344 and^G2532 by^G1537 thy^G4675 words^G3056 thou shalt be condemned.^G2613 

Deu 30:12-14  It^H1931 is not^H3808 in heaven,^H8064  Neither^H3808 is it^H1931 beyond^{H4480 H5676} the sea,^H3220  But^H3588 the word^H1697 is very^H3966 nigh^H7138 unto^H413 thee, in thy mouth,^H6310 and in thy heart,^H3824 that thou mayest do^H6213 it.

Mat 15:18-19  But^G1161 those things which proceed^G1607 out of^G1537 the^G3588 mouth^G4750 come forth^G1831 from^G1537 the^G3588 heart;^G2588 and they^G2548 defile^G2840 the^G3588 man.^G444  For^G1063 out^G1537 of the^G3588 heart^G2588 proceed^G1831 evil^G4190 thoughts,^G1261 murders,^G5408 adulteries,^G3430 fornications,^G4202 thefts,^G2829 false witness,^G5577 blasphemies:^G988

CHAPTER 6

Faith and belief –

Rom 10:17  So then^G686 faith^G4102 cometh by^G1537 hearing,^G189 and^G1161 hearing^G189 by^G1223 the word^G4487 of God.^G2316 

Rom 12:3  God^G2316 hath dealt^G3307 to every man^G1538 the measure^G3358 of faith.^G4102 

Mar 10:52  And^G1161 Jesus^G2424 said^G2036 unto him,^G846 Go thy way;^G5217 thy^G4675 faith^G4102 hath made thee whole.^{G4982 G4571}  

Jas 5:15  And^G2532 the^G3588 prayer^G2171 of faith^G4102 shall save^G4982 the^G3588 sick,^G2577 and^G2532 the^G3588 Lord^G2962 shall raise him up;^{G1453 G846} and if^G2579 he have^G5600 committed^G4160 sins,^G266 they shall be forgiven^G863 him.^G846

Luk 8:49-50  Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. 

Mat 17:17-20  O^G5599 faithless^G571 and^G2532 perverse^G1294 generation,^G1074 how long^{G2193 G4219} shall I be^G2071 with^G3326 you?^G5216 how long^{G2193 G4219} shall I suffer^G430 you?^G5216 bring^G5342 him^G846 hither^G5602 to me.^G3427 Why^G1302 could^G1410 not^G3756 we^G2249 cast him out?^{G1544 G846} Because^G1223 of your^G5216 unbelief:^G570 for^G1063 verily^G281 I say^G3004 unto you,^G5213 If^G1437 ye have^G2192 faith^G4102 as^G5613 a grain^G2848 of mustard seed,^G4615 ye shall say^G2046 unto this^G5129 mountain,^G3735 Remove^G3327 hence^G1782 to yonder place;^G1563 and^G2532 it shall remove;^G3327 and^G2532 nothing^G3762 shall be impossible^G101 unto you.^G5213 

Mar 11:23-24  For^G1063 verily^G281 I say^G3004 unto you,^G5213 That^G3754 whosoever^{G3739 G302} shall say^G2036 unto this^G5129 mountain,^G3735 Be thou removed,^G142 and^G2532 be thou cast^G906 into^G1519 the^G3588 sea;^G2281 and^G2532 shall not^G3361 doubt^G1252 in^G1722 his^G848 heart,^G2588 but^G235 shall believe^G4100 that^G3754 those things which^G3739 he saith^G3004 shall come to pass;^G1096 he^G846 shall have^G2071 whatsoever^{G3739 G1437} he saith.^G2036 (is saying) Therefore^{G1223 G5124} I say^G3004 unto you,^G5213 What things soever^{G3956 G3745 G302} ye desire,^G154 when ye pray,^G4336 believe^G4100 that^G3754 ye receive^G2983 them, and^G2532 ye^G5213 shall have^G2071 them.  

Mar 9:23-24  Jesus^G2424 said^G2036 unto him,^G846 If^G1487 thou canst^G1410 believe,^G4100 all things^G3956 are possible^G1415 to him that believeth.^G4100 And^G2532 straightway^G2112 the^G3588 father^G3962 of the^G3588 child^G3813 cried out,^G2896 and said^G3004 with^G3326 tears,^G1144 Lord,^G2962 I believe;^G4100 help^G997 thou mine^G3450 unbelief.^G570 

Luk 17:5-6  And^G2532 the^G3588 apostles^G652 said^G2036 unto the^G3588 Lord,^G2962 Increase^G4369 our^G2254 faith.^G4102 And^G1161 the^G3588 Lord^G2962 said,^G2036 If^G1487 ye had^G2192 faith^G4102 as^G5613 a grain^G2848 of mustard seed,^G4615 ye might say^{G3004 G302} unto this^G5026 sycamine tree,^G4807 Be thou plucked up by the root,^G1610 and^G2532 be thou planted^G5452 in^G1722 the^G3588 sea;^G2281 and^G2532 it should obey^{G5219 G302} you.^G5213 

1Jn 5:4  this^G3778 is^G2076 the^G3588 victory^G3529 that overcometh^G3528 the^G3588 world,^G2889 even our^G2257 faith.^G4102 

1Jn 4:4  greater^G3187 is^G2076 he^G3588 that is in^G1722 you,^G5213 than^G2228 he^G3588 that is in^G1722 the^G3588 world.^G2889 

Mat 10:33  But^G1161 whosoever^{G3748 G302} shall deny^G720 me^G3165 before^G1715 men,^G444 him^G846 will I also^G2504 deny^G720 before^G1715 my^G3450 Father^G3962 which^G3588 is in^G1722 heaven.^G3772

Rom 3:3-4  For^G1063 what^G5101 if^G1487 some^G5100 did not believe?^G569 shall their^G848 unbelief^{G570 (G3361)} make the faith of God without effect?^{G2673 G3588 G4102 G2316}  God forbid:^{G1096 G3361} yea, let God^G2316 be^G1096 true,^G227 but^G1161 every^G3956 man^G444 a liar;^G5583

Jas 1:5-8  let him ask^G154 of^G3844 God,^G2316 that giveth^G1325 to all^G3956 men liberally,^G574 and^G2532 upbraideth^G3679 not;^G3361 and^G2532 it shall be given^G1325 him.^G846  But^G1161 let him ask^G154 in^G1722 faith,^G4102 nothing^G3367 wavering.^G1252 For^G1063 he that wavereth^G1252 is like^G1503 a wave^G2830 of the sea^G2281 driven with the wind^G416 and^G2532 tossed.^G4494 For^G1063 let not^G3361 that^G1565 man^G444 think^G3633 that^G3754 he shall receive^G2983 any thing^G5100 of^G3844 the^G3588 Lord.^G2962 A double minded^G1374 man^G435 is unstable^G182 in^G1722 all^G3956 his^G848 ways.^G3598

CHAPTER 7

Obedience –

Exo 15:26  If^H518 thou wilt diligently hearken^{H8085 H8085} to the voice^H6963 of the LORD^H3068 thy God,^H430 and wilt do^H6213 that which is right^H3477 in his sight,^H5869 and wilt give ear^H238 to his commandments,^H4687 and keep^H8104 all^H3605 his statutes,^H2706 I will put^H7760 none^{H3808 H3605} of these diseases^H4245 upon^H5921 thee, which^H834 I have brought^H7760 upon the Egyptians:^H4714 for^H3588 I^H589 am the LORD^H3068 that healeth^H7495  thee.

Deu 30:9-10, 14  And the LORD^H3068 thy God^H430 will make thee plenteous^H3498 in every^H3605 work^H4639 of thine hand,^H3027 in the fruit^H6529 of thy body,^H990 and in the fruit^H6529 of thy cattle,^H929 and in the fruit^H6529 of thy land,^H127 for good:^H2896 for^H3588 the LORD^H3068 will again^H7725 rejoice^H7797 over^H5921 thee for good,^H2896 as^H834 he rejoiced^H7797 over^H5921 thy fathers:^H1  If^H3588 thou shalt hearken^H8085 unto the voice^H6963 of the LORD^H3068 thy God,^H430 to keep^H8104 his commandments^H4687 and his statutes^H2708 which are written^H3789 in this^H2088 book^H5612 of the law,^H8451 and if^H3588 thou turn^H7725 unto^H413 the LORD^H3068 thy God^H430 with all^H3605 thine heart,^H3824 and with all^H3605 thy soul.^H5315

Psa 1:1-3  Blessed^H835 is the man^H376 that^H834 walketh^H1980 in the law^H8451 of the LORD;^H3068 and in his law^H8451 doth he meditate^H1897 day^H3119 and night.^H3915 whatsoever^{H3605 H834} he doeth^H6213 shall prosper.^H6743

Jos 1:8  thou shalt meditate^H1897 therein (on) This^H2088 book^H5612 of the law^H8451 day^H3119 and night,^H3915 that^H4616 thou mayest observe^H8104 to do^H6213 according to all^H3605 that is written^H3789 therein: for^H3588 then^H227 thou shalt make^{H6743 (H853)} thy way^H1870 prosperous,^H6743 and then^H227 thou shalt have good success.^H7919

2Ti 3:16-17  All^G3956 scripture^G1124 is given by inspiration of God,^G2315 and^G2532 is profitable^G5624 for^G4314 doctrine,^G1319 for^G4314 reproof,^G1650 for^G4314 correction,^G1882 for^G4314 instruction^G3809 in^G1722 righteousness:^G1343 That^G2443 the^G3588 man^G444 of God^G2316 may be^G5600 perfect,^G739 thoroughly furnished^G1822 unto^G4314 all^G3956 good^G18 works.^G2041

Joh 9:31  Now^G1161 we know^G1492 that^G3754 God^G2316 heareth^G191 not^G3756 sinners:^G268 but^G235 if^G1437 any man^G5100 be^G5600 a worshipper of God,^G2318 and^G2532 doeth^G4160 his^G846 will,^G2307 him^G5127 he heareth.^G191

1Pe 5:9  Be sober,^G3525 be vigilant;^G1127 because^G3754 your^G5216 adversary^G476 the devil,^G1228 as^G5613 a roaring^G5612 lion,^G3023 walketh about,^G4043 seeking^G2212 whom^G5101 he may devour:^G2666 

Rom 5:12  Wherefore,^{G1223 G5124} as^G5618 by^G1223 one^G1520 man^G444 sin^G266 entered^G1525 into^G1519 the^G3588 world,^G2889 and^G2532 death^G2288 by^G1223 sin;^G266 and^G2532 so^G3779 death^G2288 passed^G1330 upon^G1519 all^G3956 men,^G444 for^G1909 that^G3739 all^G3956 have sinned:^G264

Deu 28:15  But it shall come to pass,^H1961 if^H518 thou wilt not^H3808 hearken^H8085 unto the voice^H6963 of the LORD^H3068 thy God,^H430 to observe^H8104 to do^{H6213 (H853)} all^H3605 his commandments^H4687 and his statutes^H2708 which^H834 I^H595 command^H6680 thee this day;^H3117 that all^H3605 these^H428 curses^H7045 shall come^H935 upon^H5921 thee, and overtake^H5381 thee:

CHAPTER 8

Action –

Jas 2:20  But^G1161 wilt^G2309 thou know,^G1097 O^G5599 vain^G2756 man,^G444 that^G3754 faith^G4102 without^G5565 works^G2041 is^G2076 dead?^G3498

CHAPTER 9

The author of sickness – 

2Co 4:4  the^G3588 god^G2316 of this^G5127 world^G165 hath blinded^G5186 the^G3588 minds^G3540 of them which believe not,^G571 lest^G3361 the^G3588 light^G5462 of the^G3588 glorious^G1391 gospel^G2098 of Christ,^G5547 who^G3739 is^G2076 the image^G1504 of God,^G2316 should shine^G826 unto them.^G846 

Mat 12:22  Then^G5119 was brought^G4374 unto him^G846 one possessed with a devil,^G1139 blind,^G5185 and^G2532 dumb:^G2974 and^G2532 he healed^G2323 him,^G846 insomuch that^G5620 the^G3588 blind^G5185 and^G2532 dumb^G2974 both^G2532 spake^G2980 and^G2532 saw.^G991  

Act 10:38   How^G5613 God^G2316 anointed^G5548 Jesus^G2424 of^G575 Nazareth^G3478 with the Holy^G40 Ghost^G4151 and^G2532 with power:^G1411 who^G3739 went about^G1330 doing good,^G2109 and^G2532 healing^G2390 all^G3956 that were oppressed^G2616 of^G5259 the^G3588 devil;^G1228 for^G3754 God^G2316 was^G2258 with^G3326 him.^G846

Rom 5:14  Nevertheless^G235 death^G2288 reigned^G936 from^G575 Adam^G76 to^G3360 Moses,^G3475 even^G2532 over^G1909 them that had not sinned^{G264 G3361} after^G1909 the^G3588 similitude^G3667 of Adam's^G76 transgression,^G3847 who^G3739 is^G2076 the figure^G5179 of him^G3588 that was to come.^G3195

Mat 15:11  Not^G3756 that which goeth^G1525 into^G1519 the^G3588 mouth^G4750 defileth^G2840 a man;^G444 but^G235 that which cometh^G1607 out^G1537 of the^G3588 mouth,^G4750 this^G5124 defileth^G2840 a man.^G444

CHAPTER 10

Prayer –

Mat 26:36-44  Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 

Mar 11:24  Therefore^{G1223 G5124} I say^G3004 unto you,^G5213 What things soever^{G3956 G3745 G302} ye desire,^G154 when ye pray,^G4336 believe^G4100 that^G3754 ye receive^G2983 them, and^G2532 ye^G5213 shall have^G2071 them. 

Joh 16:23-24  And^G2532 in^G1722 that^G1565 day^G2250 ye shall^(G3756) ask^G2065 me^G1691 nothing.^G3762 Verily,^G281 verily,^G281 I say^G3004 unto you,^G5213 Whatsoever^{(G3745) G302} ye shall ask^G154 the^G3588 Father^G3962 in^G1722 my^G3450 name,^G3686 he will give^G1325 it you.^G5213 Hitherto^{G2193 G737} have ye^(G3756) asked^G154 nothing^G3762 in^G1722 my^G3450 name:^G3686 ask,^G154 and^G2532 ye shall receive,^G2983 that^G2443 your^G5216 joy^G5479 may be^G5600 full.^G4137 

Mat 17:21  Howbeit^G1161 this^G5124 kind^G1085 goeth not out^{G1607 G3756} but^G1508 by^G1722 prayer^G4335 and^G2532 fasting.^G3521 

Joh 15:7  If^G1437 ye abide^G3306 in^G1722 me,^G1698 and^G2532 my^G3450 words^G4487 abide^G3306 in^G1722 you,^G5213 ye shall ask^G154 what^{G3739 G1437} ye will,^G2 Mat 16:19  And^G2532 I will give^G1325 unto thee^G4671 the^G3588 keys^G2807 of the^G3588 kingdom^G932 of heaven:^G3772 and^G2532 whatsoever^{G3739 G1437} thou shalt bind^G1210 on^G1909 earth^G1093 shall^G2071 be bound^G1210 in^G1722 heaven:^G3772 and^G2532 whatsoever^{G3739 G1437} thou shalt loose^G3089 on^G1909 earth^G1093 shall be^G2071 loosed^G3089 in^G1722 heaven.^{G3772 309} and^G2532 it shall be done^G1096 unto you.^G5213  

1Jn 5:15  And^G2532 if^G1437 we know^G1492 that^G3754 he hear^G191 us,^G2257 whatsoever^{G3739 G302} we ask,^G154 we know^G1492 that^G3754 we have^G2192 the^G3588 petitions^G155 that^G3739 we desired^G154 of^G3844 him.^G846

CHAPTER 11

How to pray –

Mar 10:46-52  And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

Mar 5:24-34  And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

 Mat 8:5-13  And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

END NOTES

On Faith

Rom 12:3  God hath dealt to every man the (full) measure of faith.  Jas 5:15  And the prayer of faith shall save the sick,  Mat 17:17-20  O faithless and perverse generation, verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.  Mar 10:52  And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole.  Heb 10:38  Now the just shall live by faith: 2Co 5:7  For we walk by faith, not by sight:    Psa 23:1  The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

On Belief

Luk 8:49-50  Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.  Mar 11:23-24  For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mat 8:5-13  Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.

On Obedience

Joh 9:31  Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.  Deu 28:15  But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: Psa 1:1-3  Blessed is the man that delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.  whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.  Isa 54:17  No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

On Atonement

2Co 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.  Gal 3:13-14  Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, that the blessing of Abraham might come.

Suggested Resources:

E-Sword is a favorite for personal research.  It is a free download of a number of different translations and includes a number of commentaries as well as a complete Strong’s dictionary. 

 

END NOTES

Word Study –
Etymology

Before I began this study, I wanted to get an understanding of the words being used.  Their meaning, implication and context. 

I quote the King James in this study.  I have the New King James, American Standard, New American Standard, Bishops, Darby, Geneva, International Standard, and Douay-Rheims among others.  In most cases, they all agree on the intent of the translation from Hebrew or Greek to English.  But there are differences.

Consider the Greek word “diasōzō” which is translated as: save, spare, bring safely through a dangerous or distressing situation, with a focus that the rescue is complete or full; to heal, with a focus that the injured or sick person goes from the danger of ill health to the safety of a completely restored or healthy life; to bring safely through; to convey in safety[14]  and as bring...safely, bring...safely through, brought safely, brought safely through, cured, safely through, save the life, saved[15]. 

Take King James: Luk 7:3  And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. Compared this to the American Standard:  Luk 7:3  . . . , beseeching him that he would come and save his servant. or to the New American Standard: Luk 7:3  . . . , beseeching him that he would come and save the life of his servant.

So while each of the translations are technically correct, you might agree that there is a greater sense of urgency with "save the life" compared to "heal"; the translations remain consistent.

Is this an issue?  No.  But it is worth being aware of as you read from one translation to another.  This is not to be confused with different versions of Scripture. 

Here is an example. 

In the original Greek, Joh 1:1 εν αρχη ην ο λογος και ο λογος ην προς τον θεον και θεος ην ο λογος[16] is translated the same whether it is from the Bishops Bible of 1568, Joh 1:1  In the begynnyng was the worde, & the worde was with God: and that worde was God. or the present day New Jing James Joh 1:1  In the beginning, was the Word,  and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

If you want to get very precise and very literal, the above “θεος ην ο λογος” translates verbatim “God was the Word”. 

Compare this to a different version of Scripture as in The New World Translation Joh 1:1 In the beginning, the Word existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was a God.  Obviously a TOTALLY different meaning by the insertion of “a” and with no basis what-so-ever in the original; and both contrary and contradictory to Scripture.

The difference lies in the original “τον θεον” which translates “THE God” and “ο λογος” which translates “THE Word”.  To obtain the translation in The New World Translation, the original Greek “θεος ην ο λογος” “God was the Word” would have to read “ο λογος ην θεον” “the Word was a God” which just isn’t so.  The argument that all previous translations – or the original Greek – somehow missed adding “a” doesn’t work because the entire sentence would have to be changed.

Consider carefully in your reading Rev 22:18  I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy in this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will strike him with the plagues that are written in this book.

Words are important.  The reason this is of interest is because we, in modern times, have a modern idea of what a word means that may not be what the full original meaning was in the original Hebrew or Greek. 

As an example, and without getting too far afield; we all know what “sin” is, don’t we?  Something evil, or bad.

By far the most prominent NT word for “sin” is “hamartanō”.  In the classical Greek, usage of this term indicated the missing of the target or road, hence also an intellectual error and moral fault[17].  As in Joh 8:11  . . .  go, and sin no more.  But this is not the same as “hamartia” which is “offence” as in Joh 1:29  . . . Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.  

Yes, I agree the differences are subtle.  But consider what your first impression of the word “sin” was and what it truly means coupled with the fact that “hamartanō” and “hamartia” are different words in the Greek but are translated the same into English. 

Given all this, you might wonder how often we miss the mark and therefore the meaning of the words we read in Scripture and thus miss the meaning of the Scripture itself.  Now again, don’t get hung up on this on the one hand, but don’t ignore it on the other.  The important thing to remember is that both Hebrew and Greek are rich in meaning and we are forced to translate the words into a single meaning based on the context of the word.  Knowing the original definition of a word and construction of the sentence simply adds more depth and meaning to the Scripture.

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur[18] is the tenth day of the month of Tishrei. On the 10th of Tishrei of the Hebrew year, 2449 (1313 BC), (which was 82 days after the people of Israel betrayed their new covenant with God by worshipping a Golden Calf and after Moses twice spent 40 days atop Mount Sinai pleading on their behalf), "God restored His goodwill with the Israelite people gladly and wholeheartedly, saying to Moses 'I have forgiven, as you ask', and gave him the Second Tablets", which established that as a day of atonement, forgiveness and teshuvah for them and all future generations.

During the Days of Awe, a Jew tries to amend his behavior and seek forgiveness for wrongs done against God and against other human beings. The evening and day of Yom Kippur are set aside for public and private petitions and confessions of guilt (Vidui).

At the end of Yom Kippur, one considers oneself absolved by God.

Guidelines for repentance, for  TESHUVA:

• regretting/acknowledging the sin;
• forsaking the sin;
• worrying about the future consequences of the sin;
• acting and speaking with humility;
• acting in a way opposite to that of the sin (for example, for the sin of lying, one should speak the truth);
• understanding the magnitude of the sin;
• refraining from lesser sins for the purpose of safeguarding oneself against committing greater sins;
• confessing the sin; [19], [20]
• praying for atonement;
• correcting the sin however possible (for example, if one stole an object, the stolen item must be returned or if one slanders another, the slanderer must ask the injured party for forgiveness);
• pursuing works of chesed (kindness) and truth;
• remembering the sin for the rest of one's life;
• refraining from committing the same sin if the opportunity presents itself again;
• teaching others not to sin.

Guides to the process of repentance in Judaism can be found through the rabbinical literature, see especially Maimonides' Rules of Repentance in the Mishneh Torah. 

RESOURCES

On the study of words and language:

What Language Did Jesus Speak? Why Does It Matter?, Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts, Apr 10th, 2011

http://www.patheos.com/community/markdroberts/series/what-language-did-jesus-speak-why-does-it-matter/

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[1]   All definitions are taken form the Strong’s Concordance.  Some of the definitions have been abbreviated for relevance.  If you are not familiar with Strong’s Concordance, you may find information at Wikipedia.  Here is a sample from the King James Old Testament Lev_17:11  For^H3588 the life^H5315 of the flesh^H1320 is in the blood:^H1818 and I^H589 have given^H5414 it to you upon^H5921 the altar^H4196 to make an atonement^H3722 for^H5921 your souls:^H5315 for^H3588 it^H1931 is the blood^H1818 that maketh an atonement^H3722 for the soul.^H5315   AND THE NEW TESTAMENT Mat 26:28  For^G1063 this^G5124 is^G2076 my^G3450 blood^G129 of^(G3588) the^G3588 new^G2537 testament,^G1242 which is shed^G1632 for^G4012 many^G4183 for^G1519 the remission^G859 of sins.^G266   Each number corresponds to a specific word and definition in Hebrew or Greek.  There are a number of on-line sources that link the Strong’s reference numbers to the original words (See E-Sword at http://www.e-sword.net/)

[2]  Passover sacrifice. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passover_offering

[3]  Yom Kippur –  The Day of Atonement, Hebrews for Christians, http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Holidays/Fall_Holidays/Yom_Kippur/yom_kippur.html  (accessed: September 20, 2011).

[4]  Jews.  Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jews

[5]  Expiate.  Merriam-Webster http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expiate

[6]   Repentance in Judaism.  Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repentance_in_Judaism

[7]  Atonement.  Dictionary.com.  Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper, Historian .http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/atonement  (accessed: September 15, 2011).

[8]  Atonement.  Bible-Exposition.org. Villanova University http://www.dabhand.org/Word%20Studies/Atonement.htm  (accessed: September 15, 2011).

[9]  Yom Kippur –  The Day of Atonement, Hebrews for Christians, http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Holidays/Fall_Holidays/Yom_Kippur/yom_kippur.html 

[10]   Scripture 4 All  http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Hebrew_Index.htm

[11]   Propitiation.  Wikipedia.  The Free Encyclopedia.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propitiation

[12]   Jewish Virtual Library, “Repentance” http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/repentence.html

[13]   A Time To Reflect, The Four Steps of Repentance, http://www.ou.org/chagim/elul/foursteps.html

[14]   Greek-Dictionary.net  http://www.greek-dictionary.net/

[15]   Search Gods Word  http://www.searchgodsword.org/

[16]   Scripture 4 All  http://www.scripture4all.org/

[17]   Buttrick, G. A. (editor) (1980). The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible.  Nashville, TN: Parthenon Press.

[18]   Yom Kippur “Day of Atonement” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yom_Kippur.

[19]   Confession in Judaism, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viduy

[20]   The Vidui Ashamnu (the shorter confession), Chayei Adam chapter 143, tr. Jonathan Baker, Yom Kippur 5760     http://www.panix.com/~jjbaker/vidui.htm