Greek or Hebrew

     An interesting note in the how the bible was originally written in Greek that should bring up red flags. Peter, Paul, Mathew, etc. were men of Jewish decent. They wrote letters and gathered up collections if information toward the creation of the book of Acts. As most of the New Testament was written as letters there are two important factors to consider. The first factor is as stated the authors were Hebrew with a Hebrew mind set. The recipients of those letters were also Hebrew therefore having a Hebrew mindset. This creates an issue to be worked through. The first question to ask is this. Why would a Hebrew decide to write a letter and then write the actual content in Greek knowing that the recipients are also Hebrew. Which means that they are going to have to translate this letter written to them from Greek back to Hebrew.

      Archeological evidence can be found to support Hebrew as the primary language of the day. In 1963-65 Professor Yigael Yadin uncovered a strong hold in or near Massada overlooking the Dead Sea. It appears to have been owned by King Herod. Found in the stronghold was over 4000 coins, 14 scripts, and 700 ostraka. Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, and Latin languages were found on these items. However Hebrew was found 9 times for every 1 of the other 3 languages.

     An interesting account in the bible can be found of Yeshua being questioned about taxation. At the time Greece was heavy into taxation of the surrounding nations. However the interesting response of Yeshua is profound. Mat 22:17-21 give to Caesar what is his. It is noted that the image printed onto the coin was that of Caesar. Yet there were Hebrew coins in use at that time and they had inscriptions that were significant to the Hebrew nation. There is implication here that the taxation of the Hebrews was toward the monies that were from Greece. The Tax collectors did not appear to be seeking Hebrew money.

      Another interesting fact is that the though the letters that would become the New Testament were translated into Greek very quickly they contained special phrases that would later be labeled Hebraisms. These quotes merit examination because in all of the ancient translations these little sayings were kept. And yet this sayings appear to make absolutely no sense in any language. With one Exception, in the Hebrew language from the Hebrew mindset these Hebraisms become clear.

      The most important factor that should close this subject is this. Grecians were pagans. Most of all they did reflect that belief system. Archeology shows to this day that ancient Grecians were predominantly pagan is their worship system.

1 Corinthians 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 10:19-21, Matthew 6:31-33, Matthew 6:6-8

      In each of these scriptures it is noted that Paganism is not something followers of Yeshua Hamashiach should be participating in. Strong warnings are found in these verses as well as many others. This brings implication that pagans were an unclean oriented peoples. For Jewish people to embrace Pagan writing and send it to each other is almost as unthinkable as a Jewish man or woman eating of swine in those days. This was just not going to happen. This inclines that those biblical writings found in archeology were first translations for the outreach to the pagans after Peter’s vision in which he felt called to go out from the Hebrew nations toward those that had been considered unclean in the past. Mathew 10:28 reveals that Peters own interpretation of his vision was a release to go forth and preach.

 

 

 

http://www.keyway.ca/htm2000/20000924.htm

Money Pit

     Money can be one of the greatest stumbling blocks that a Christian can face. It seems that either people reject money or worship it. Those who reject it cling to the mindset that money is evil or will lead to their personal destruction. Though this can be true it can become a point of impasse. How money is handled does reflect on the depth of faith and regard for YHVH’s commands in the area of finance. I believe that one of the commands to Christians is about helping the poor. As you look through biblical history you will note that many Christians had money. In fact it is noted that we should be the lenders and givers to the world. But what can you lend if you have so little you are struggling to tend your own needs. The bible promises that YHVH will tend our needs and more. However trusting HIM for our needs and the wisdom to handle what we have is required. To turn away from finance in declaration of desire of poverty is either an act of faithlessness or an act of not caring about wealth. My biggest struggle with someone who has no care about wealth limits themselves in being obedient to the scripture. There are many bible verses that tell us to reach out to those less fortunate. One of the greatest ways to reach out to an unbelieving world is help them with needs that are currently being unmet by the world system. In fact I believe that the world system has no business providing for the poor. The bible calls the church to take action. Yet these days churches tell people “we don’t do that” or “we only help official members”. This is a dark time for churches as the constantly call out for the tithe, yet never look to Yeshua and how He ran His preaching practices. He never requested money from those in attendance but always was tending their needs.

       The next struggle with money of coarse is a much darker one. It takes the form of idolatry very quickly. Dependence on money rather than YHVH for our needs is very easy as wealth grows. If our faith and trust cannot handle wealth the bible says we shall only receive that which we can be trusted with. This contains wisdom and insult to some degree. Better to save the person than lose them to worldly wealth. Yet it is also an insult that the person is not trustable with more than a pittance of financial ability. Why would a person not request to YHVH wisdom and trust in Him to a greater degree so that obedience can be followed through. The fact that a person does not states something large about their personality and the limits of their willingness to grow in faith. However on the opposite pole of this is those who attain small amounts of worldly wealth and become stuck on it. They never find a greater depth to their faith because they no longer seek YHVH for their needs. They can provide for themselves. And when things come easy to us by apparent use of our own abilities it is very easy to forget whom all things come from.

      It is my thoughts that money is a stumbling block placed in life to cause us to seek YHVH with all that we are. If you have little you seek HIM by asking HIM to grant you the faith and wisdom to handle more. If you do not do this you are limiting your own growth. If you have so much wealth that you don’t seek HIM, again you are limiting your spiritual growth. The idea here is this. If you seek to be faithful in all things and desire that your faith would grow no matter what, money no longer becomes an issue of any significant hindrance. In fact as you place your willingness to obey HIM in all things especially money you will find that you can move on to greater things of faith. Money is like a gate way with many riches sitting on the threshold. What is beyond the gateway is growth in faith to those promises mentioned in the bible. Such as being able to throw mountains into the sea. But there are two traps at the gate, greed and fear. If greed takes you over you will get stuck at the gateway and never go beyond into the depths of faith where the real gifts from YHVH are. The other trap is fear. Which means you run from the gateway in fear that you will obsess. Neither trap allow faith and obedience to grow. But it is better to run in fear than to get trapped by greed and become delusional about your own abilities. My personal choice is to request my faith and obedience will grow so that I might handle greater wealth and greater gifts that lie beyond gate way of monetary wealth.