What’s in a name?

Israel of old was scattered into all the nations where they have been for between 2000 and 3000 years. We were disobedient, and like a wife that will not obey her husband we were but away.

Today we are beginning to hear that very small voice in us  comes from the Creator of the universe who is calling us back to Himself. Many of us are repenting of our ways and have begun learning our Fathers ways given to us through Moses. But what do we, who want to return to our Fathers ways, call ourselves?

I write this note with great concern for this precious group that is seeking the Father and His ways diligently. I see so many folks that are beginning to calling themselves “Messianic.” But what does that mean? Are names really important? I believe they are; more important than we know. I called myself a “Christ”ian for many years but I had never learned the ways of the Father given through Moses; the Same ways that His “Christ” kept. Instead I learned and kept pagan ways and holidays. I had never really repented except to keep the ways of men. This was a very broad road.

In the 70’s many people of Judah who had learned the ways of Judaism had begun to repent and acknowledged the Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) and joined themselves to Christianity; and calling themselves “Completed Jews.”

Unfortunately, while Christianity has ignored almost all the ways of the Father, Judaism has added to many of their ways and traditions to the Fathers ways. But are we allowed not to add to or subtract from any our Fathers ways?

“Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which Yehovah God of your fathers is giving you. You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of Yehovah your God which I command you. (Deu 4:1-2)

“Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it. (Deu 12:32)

Today we have a brand new and growing group of people who call themselves “Messianic.” What does this mean? I believe that it is a very subtle way of saying “Messianic Judaism.” Now we have people bringing the Romanized Christian ways to Judaism. This blended group has the potential to be the worst of two worlds and have, as a result, been labeled by many as “Messy-antics.”

The remedy is for us all to open the Scripture and begin to learn the ways of our Father. We are told to:

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2Ti 2:15)

This word of truth is the Law and the Prophets! But where do most of us spend our time? Answer – In the commentaries!

Our failure, to be individually diligent to show yourself approved by rightly dividing the word of truth, will only keep us on the “broad road” and in broad road religions.

In these last days the descendants of True Israel are beginning to rise up and these people will only follow the Fathers ways and none other. What does the word say that these people will call themselves?

“Yet hear me now, O Jacob My servant, And Israel whom I have chosen. Thus says Yehovah who made you And formed you from the womb, who will help you: ‘Fear not, O Jacob My servant; And you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, And floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, And My blessing on your offspring; They will spring up among the grass Like willows by the watercourses.’ One will say, ‘I am Yehovah’s‘; Another will call himself by the name of Jacob; Another will write with his hand, ‘Yehovah’s,’ And name himself by the name of Israel. (Isa 44:1-5)

Yehovah told Moses to say these word to Pharaoh.

Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says Yehovah: “Israel is My son, My firstborn. So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me.” (Exo 4:22-23)

Israel – Works for me!

2 thoughts on “What’s in a name?

  1. Michael,
    Another insightful statement on a very important subject.
    Thank you again for your time,and teaching
    a fellow servant and follower of Yah
    Yohanan

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