Is it Your way, the way of the Israelite, or Yah’s way? Part 3

Is it Your way, the way of the Israelite, or Yah’s way? Part 3

A few years ago, standing alone outside on my patio, I gazed at the stars and I asked YHVH why I was even here. I was a bastard child, a terrible teenager, a contentious young adult and real pain in the rear as a human. Questions about why dishonest businessmen succeeded and I didn’t, why things like cancer and premature death happened to “good” people. Why things in the Bible couldn’t be explained yet there were answers to every psychological disorder (usually some chemical) known to man.

Not a proud moment in my life as I followed it up with a shouting, half crazed rant towards the moon lit sky. I practically dared YHVH to do something with me, after all, he had to have been the one that kept me from getting killed several times over. There have been car wrecks, motorcycle wrecks, and all sorts of stupid actions on my part that should have gotten me killed but did not. He must have a reason for me to be here and it was either for His use or His torture.

Thankfully I serve a very, very, very, very (you get the point) gracious Heavenly Father. In a still small voice, He said, “What doest thou here?” Now humbled by the magnificence of my Creator, I unloaded my heart, my hurts and my life. I asked why I felt like “church” wasn’t answering my questions concerning life and its ability to constantly pull the old switcheroo on me. Despite my hard work and faithful attendance, life as it seemed, always came up short of the “glorious riches” they spoke of.

Then He asked me what I thought “glorious riches” were? I supposed that they were things that related to comfort and ease and would relate the same to the world. I quoted back to Father God that Jesus promised me “His peace” and my life was anything but peaceful. I had people using my business as their own personal bank, taking months to pay, while other simply closed their doors leaving me without payment.  I got into arguments both in person and on social media over politics and public policy. Life wasn’t the tailored suit and pristine smile, or the casually confident and altruistic optimism portrayed in my local congregation.

Father God gently and lovingly told me that these were not His versions of peace or glorious riches. The world is place full of people making choices every day some of which are harsh. Matthew 10:22 “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Continuing He told me I wasn’t ready to be used of Him as I had not held up my end of the deal. Mark 10.21 “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”

Revelation 21:10-13 “And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.”

This is reminiscent of the way the twelve tribes camped around the tabernacle (in Numbers 2) and the allotment of tribal lands around the millennial temple. (Ezekiel 48) This is the peace of Yeshua the Messiah, living in eternal glory with YHVH. The glorious riches are the relational existence with the Creator of the Universe.

Romans 11:13-24  “For I speak to you Gentiles (race, tribes or nations), inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles (race, tribes or nations), I magnify mine office (explain my purpose): If by any means I may provoke to emulation (excite or provoke to compliance) them which are my flesh (like me, human), and might save some of them. For if the casting away of them (if they are rejected) be the reconciling (restoration of divine favor) of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? (being permitted into heaven)

For if the firstfruit (Yeshua the Messiah) be holy, the lump (everyone associated) is also holy: and if the root (the foundation) be holy, so are the branches (rest of the plant). And if some of the branches be broken off (the divorce of the House of Israel), and thou (Gentiles), being a wild olive tree (untamed member), wert grafted (taught Torah) in among them, and with them partakest of the root (share in Yeshuas salvation) and fatness (riches) of the olive tree (secure standing); Boast (rejoice, brag) not against the branches (those broken off). But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root (you are not giving Yeshua honor), but the root thee (making Yeshua honor you). Thou wilt say (declare it) then, The branches were broken off (the House of Israel), that I might be grafted in. (replacing them or dispensational theology)

Well; because of unbelief (the people were not following Torah) they were broken off (divorced), and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches (the House of Israel), take heed lest he also spare not thee. (God separated himself from the people he had chosen because they were not faithful.)

Behold therefore the goodness (faithfulness) and severity (seriousness) of God: on them which fell (gone astray), severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief (any person that disowns paganism), shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again (The House of Israel). For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature (born outside the belief in YHVH), and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree (Yeshua): how much more shall these, which be the natural branches (The House of Israel), be grafted into their own olive tree?”
Paul tells us “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” The will of YHVH is that we be transformed into the image of the Savior. Like the bracelets of pop culture ask “What would Jesus do? He kept the Torah, he ate the foods described as clean in Leviticus, he worshipped on the Sabbath? He lived out the instructions as an example for us to follow.

Will you do the same?