This is part two in a series of articles called “False Images.” Here is part 1. These writings are an attempt to build a firm foundation for folks by providing the tools (or precepts) that are required to understand Yehovah’s word for themselves. However, it is only by the application of Yehovah’s word in our lives that His image and kingdom will be manifested in the earth and the light of His glory seen by all people. In order to identify and dismantle the many false images which have been set up in our minds, we must select the correct tools fitted for the task, for not just any old tool will serve our purpose.

Precepts Are The Foundations Of Yehovah’s Words

Through Your precepts I get understanding, therefore I hate every false way. Psalms 119:104

Many of us today are deceived as to our true condition before God (Elohim). We congratulate ourselves for the wrong acts which we do not commit, and refuse to do the good and righteous deeds which Elohim requires of us. Precepts are the tools which give us the understanding to distinguish the false ways from the good and righteous deeds which Yehovah requires of us. Precepts are the first things that a new believer should be taught in order to someday understand the message and to be able to discern between a teacher who is teaching the correct way to go and the one who is not. With Yehovah’s precepts a new believer has unlimited ability to grow in grace and in knowledge; but, without them he will be led astray by every new teacher and doctrine of men. Any thought or imagination that violates one of these precepts must be toppled in order to progress in our understanding.

Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from the milk? Those just drawn from the breasts? For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little. Isa 28:9-10

Can a baby or even a toddler understand Yehovah’s word, the message to His creation? NO! It takes deliberate effort over many years of searching and study to understand this message, the good news of His kingdom and His ways.

“I [Yeshua] still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.  John 16:12

And with many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. Mark 4:33

Yeshua could not teach the people all that he wanted because they were not ready to receive all of the deeper truths he had for them; because they had not learned the precepts, the foundational truths which they needed to understand further truth. Their minds were so full of the doctrines and traditions of men that they could not receive the truth. The precepts are the building blocks, or to use our file cabinet analogy (from part 1), the files that all our future understanding goes into. They are the solid rock that we are to build our house on; and if the precepts are rooted and grounded in truth our foundation is secure. It is these foundational truths, “the first principles of oracles of Elohim,” which are the “sincere milk of the word” that Peter talks about.

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby. 1Pe 2:2

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of Elohim; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. Heb 5:12-13

But what are the Oracles of God (Yehovah) and what words are we to get these first principles from? We are told that precept must be upon precept and precept upon precept, line upon line and line upon line. We are to search His word as one searches for silver and hidden treasures; precious commodities which are not just lying around for anyone to pick up.

My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding. Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures. Then you will understand the fear of the Yehovah, and find the knowledge of Elohim. Pro 2:1-5

Peter said,

If any man speak, let him speak as [according to] the oracles of Elohim. 1Pe 4:11

The word translated as oracle here is the Greek word logion; Strong’s defines this word as an “utterance.” So what are the oracles or utterances of Elohim and where can they be found? To answer this question we must remember that precepts are gathered ‘line upon line”, “here a little and there a little”. The oracles of Yehovah must always be interpreted in light of themselves. If lines (or verses) do not agree with one another we do not have a valid precept or a correct understanding of the oracle of Elohim (what Yehovah is actually saying to His called-out people).

The Oracles of Elohim are the words that Moses received directly from Elohim at Mount Sinai. They are the first five books of our Bible; known as the Pentateuch by some, the Torah by others and the Law by still others. Moses’ writings are the instructions which Yehovah has given to His called-out people explaining the way He expects them to live and to teach to all peoples.

Go to Precept #1