Understanding YAHWEH and following his instructions
The Bible tells us that as far as the east is from the west so are my ways higher than yours. The human mind is incapable of totally comprehending the awesomeness, glory and wonder of YAHWEH. Many of us have difficulty grasping simple concepts like water transforming to ice then vapor. How then can we understand YAHWEH? The bible teaches that YAHWEH is love, HE is good and HE has revealed Himself in JESUS CHRIST. If you want to see YAHWEH, look at YAHSHUA who said “He who has seen Me has seen the FATHER.” YAHWEH is so Wonderful that mortal man faints in HIS presence, the angels worship in wonder and adoration. The statement “YAHWEH is great and greatly to be praised” is an understatement.
Therefore, when YAHWEH gives us an assignment or we desire to be in service to YAHWEH, we have to have faith and trust HIM. Only once we have started the walk is it possible to understand HIM a little more and the consequences of our little actions. Think of Abraham, when YAHWEH told him to leave his father’s house and HE would make him a great nation. There were no nations as we call them today. Probably, in Abraham’s mind that would be like 5,000 people. Look at what Abraham thought YAHWEH meant and look at what we now know YAHWEH meant. Just trust HIM.
Similarly, YAHWEH’s instructions have to be followed to the letter regardless of what the circumstances hold. See the story of Shadrack, Meshack, Daniel and Abednego in Babylon. If they had compromised, what would that have meant to modern administrative state policy as regards beliefs. It is thought that the modern principles of freedom of worship evolve from such early tales of persons being faithful to their beliefs.
Obedience
The Bible famously states that obedience is better than sacrifice. Obeying is a term much rather not used by Christians today because it has undertones of slavery and subservience. Obedience means to carry out the instruction to the letter without question immediately as a slave would. Obedience that is reluctant, hesitant, fearful may not yield the desired results and may not even be termed obedience but rather an afterthought. Christians today apply logic, science, advice and knowledge to YAHWEH’s instructions. Perhaps that’s why the church seems to be slow and lethargic.
The case of Saul is a case in point. YAHWEH told Saul to kill the Amalekites and not spare anything or person because of the Amalekites incredible hatred for YAHWEH’s people. Saul spared the animals and the king Agag. Centuries later, the descendant of the spared king Agag, Haman the Agagite raised his filthy hands against Israel. What Saul did not realize is that his obedience in a seemingly small matter was a matter of life and death for his whole nation. His actions or rather inaction threatened Israel with annihilation. No wonder YAHWEH was terribly displeased with HIM. Since then the Jewish nation has faced many attacks; could this all be because of Saul?
Obedience must be wholehearted and to the letter. Paul teaches us to be slaves of JESUS CHRIST. HE says “Jump!” we ask, ”How high?”
Another case in point is Moses at the Red Sea with the Israelites. What Moses may not have known was that YAHWEH wanted to destroy Egypt forever and stop them from pursuing Israel. He could have said as he smelt the sea ”What are YOU doing? Do YOU see the sea?” He could also have used his judgment and turned the people in another direction. But he obeyed even though he did not fully understand. The result , the destruction of Egypt and its YAHWEHs.
Does YAHWEH trust you?
History is resplendent with tales of people who once YAHWEH answered their prayers promptly disappeared and were never heard of again in the same sentence with YAHWEH and holiness. Even we in our families and congregations have such persons. YAHWEH will always give us opportunities to see what’s in our hearts and what needs to be changed before he entrusts us with heavy duty tasks. If you cannot handle your family, will you handle a nation? If you cannot walk with the footmen will you run with the horsemen? If at the slightest sight of a cold you are drowning in medications yet YAHWEH is RAPHA, how will you visit the sick and minister healing? Be faithful in small tasks and YAHWEH will entrust you with big tasks. Moses was faithful with Jethro’s sheep; YAHWEH gave him HIS sheep. David defended his little sheep YAHWEH gave him the nation of Israel forever. Abraham was faithful with Lot, Sara, Isaac and Ishmael according to YAHWEH’s guidance. The result? We are all his children by faith.
Service to humanity
Service to humanity cannot be ignored. However, service to YAHWEH is superior to this. Many acts have been done in the name of service to humanity that has resulted in situations YAHWEH did not want. This clearly shows that the perpetrators of these acts lacked divine guidance and instruction, nevertheless YAHWEH used the circumstances to advance HIS purposes.
Let’s put it this way, you cannot serve humanity if you are not serving YAHWEH at a personal level. That is why our YAHSHUA on judgment day will throw out those who served themselves and humanity as HE does not know them. The key is this serve YAHWEH first; it will then be automatic and less risky to serve humanity. YAHSHUA served HIS FATHER and humanity. The same humanity killed him but the FATHER raised and glorified HIM. Joseph served YAHWEH and was at odds with humanity until YAHWEH raised him to high position. Moses served YAHWEH and was ill treated by his people and YAHWEH had to intervene many times. When he decided to serve humanity above YAHWEH he lost the opportunity to enter the Promised Land together with the same humanity. This point cannot be over emphasized SERVE YAHWEH first according to HIS instructions. It will automatically benefit humanity.
Many have defied kings and men in order to serve YAHWEH. Yes, some, indeed many died, some survived. As Peter said, “We will serve YAHWEH not men.” YAHSHUA asked, “What benefiteth it a man if he gains the world but loses his soul?” He also instructed us not to fear those who destroy the body but have no power over the soul but rather fear HE who has authority and power over the body and soul. Enough said.
