He is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
The name Jew above is the Greek word Ioudaios, from Iouda, from the Hebrew word Yehuwdah (Judah from the English translation of the Hebrew, or (also) Judas from the English translation of the Greek). Yehuwdah is from the Hebrew word yadah, which is itself from the word yad. Seeing the full definitions (below) of these last two words tells us much about the power of God and His means of exercising it, in and through His people.
From the Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary:
Strong’s #3034: yadah (pronounced yaw-daw’) a primitive root; used only as denominative from 3027; literally, to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands).
Strong’s #3027: yad (pronounced yawd) a primitive word; a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows).
It is in the context of yadah, Paul writes Romans 11, there telling us God has not used His hand, His power, to cast away His people, but instead, He is consistently holding it out – to pull (harpazo) them from the fires they themselves have caused, by their wandering away (apostasy).
Romans 11
11 I say then, Has God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
2 God has not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot [know] you not what the scripture says of Elijah? how he makes intercession to God against Israel saying,
3 LORD, they have killed your prophets, and digged down your altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
4 But what says the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
7 What then? Israel has not obtained that which he seeks for; but the election has obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
8 (According as it is written, God has given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
9 And David says, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling-block, and a recompense unto them:
10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back always.
11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness?
13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
The title is from the final verse (29) of Romans 2, which is then followed by telling us who these leaders are, the hand and power of God at work. Romans 3 leads us to the same plan, of redemption and salvation, discussed in the prior post. It leads into a continuation of the revelation, to further understanding the pattern there spoken of multiple times. It is to, through this elect remnant, leaders God has raised up outside the corrupt orders of priests and rulers, pull all God’s people back from corruption, to Him.
Romans 3
1 What advantage then has the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God [as in the men of Jabez, and Rechab – see prior post].
3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That you might be justified in your sayings, and might overcome when you are judged [see the prophecy about Dan {the LORD as judge – seen in previous studies} below and the rider {Rechab} – and again, see the prior post].
5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)
6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?
7 For if the truth of God has more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?
8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.
9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11 There is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that does good, no, not one.
13 Their throat is an open sepulcher; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:
17 And the way of peace have they not known:
18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
19 Now we know that what things so-ever the law says, it says to them who are under the law [all who haven’t believed this report]: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus [Jehovah’s Salvation come by man – in human flesh, according to the scriptures, as He said He would].
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through [our] faith.
31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
In the previous post, Jeremiah 35 was mentioned as where the Rechabites (name meaning rider) are spoken of, who we are there told refuse the LORD’s teaching, there described as wine: for its quality of changing the mind. The chapter is part of the prophecy on Dan (judgment come as the LORD comes as the judge) recorded in Genesis 49:16 & 17. There we are told he (Dan) will bite at the heels of the horse (see Judges 5:10 below) so the rider (rakab) will fall backward (the same word as in Isaiah 28:13, where the men there refused to hear the LORD’s teaching).
Genesis 49
16 Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.
17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that bites the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward [‘achowr].
18 I have waited for your salvation, O LORD.
Isaiah 28
12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith you may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward [‘achowr], and be broken, and snared, and taken.
14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, you scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.
15 Because you have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
16 Therefore thus says the LORD God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believes shall not make haste.
17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then you shall be trodden down by it.
19 From the time that it goes forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.
Jeremiah 35
1 The word which came unto Jeremiah [Jehovah will rise and He will raise us by His rising] from the LORD in the days of Jehoiakim [Jehovah has now raised up] the son of Josiah [Jehovah will heal – by raising us] king of Judah [through His power displayed in His elect remnant – His leaders], saying,
2 Go unto the house of the Rechabites [the riders – who’ve carried the oracles], and speak [dabar, “ancient things,” word and ideas, the plan of God – see 1 Chronicles 4:22, and in the prior post], unto them, and bring them into the house of the LORD, into one of the chambers, and give them wine to drink.
3 Then I took Jaazaniah [those who hear Jehovah {in Jeremiah}, and are heard by Him] the son of Jeremiah, the son of Habaziniah [which is the light {understanding} of Jehovah], and his brethren, and all his sons, and the whole house of the Rechabites [the riders – who have carried the oracles forward – even if not understanding {until now} what they carried];
4 And I brought them into the house of the LORD, into the chamber of the sons of Hanan [into the presence and mercy of God – His grace in giving the free gift of this understanding], the son of Igdaliah [in who Jehovah is magnified], a man of God, which was by the chamber of the princes, which was above the chamber of Maaseiah [for the work of Jehovah] the son of Shallum [{recopmpense} into their reward and safety], the keeper of the door:
5 And I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites [the riders] pots full of wine, and cups, and I said unto them, Drink you wine [and your minds will be changed and you will enter understanding].
6 But they said, We will drink no wine: for Jonadab [who willingly offered himself to Jehovah, as a soldier] the son of Rechab [as a rider] our father commanded us, saying, You shall drink no wine, neither you, nor your sons for ever:
7 Neither shall you build house, nor sow seed, nor plant vineyard, nor have any: but all your days you shall dwell in tents; that you may live many days in the land where you be strangers.
8 Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he has charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters;
9 Nor to build houses for us to dwell in: neither have we vineyard, nor field, nor seed:
10 But we have dwelt in tents, and have obeyed, and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us.
11 But it came to pass, when Nebuchadrezzar [the false teaching of the false prophets, which now rules over God’s people causing their total desolation] king of Babylon [the confusion and delusion] came up into the land, that we said, Come, and let us go to Jerusalem [looking for peace and understanding – but didn’t know it when it came to us through Jeremiah, as wine] for fear of the army of the Chaldeans [those who control all the fallen world with their words], and for fear of the army of the Syrians [those who have taken Israel, God’s people at large, carrying them into captivity]: so we dwell at Jerusalem [looking for peace and safety, but we find none].
12 Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,
13 Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah [the leaders who have rejected God’s words] and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will you not receive instruction to hearken to my words? says the LORD.
14 The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father’s commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but you hearkened not unto me.
15 I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return you now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and you shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but you have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.
16 Because the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them; but this people has not hearkened unto me:
17 Therefore thus says the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered.
18 And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because you have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he has commanded you:
19 Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever.
Friends, God’s people in this time have fallowed men, as the Rechabites followed the commands of their father, and because of it didn’t enter understanding. In our time, the preachers and teachers that lead all God’s people, have commanded them to not listen to anything that contradicts their false teaching. God’s people therefore and thereby will never come to understanding (until these men are taken out of the way – see 2 Thessalonians 2:7), instead choosing to follow their fathers (preachers and leaders) into perdition and hell. They reject the grace of God, as they have been taught. This is the point of the above chapter, as we now see as all God people reject Him, choosing instead their churches and their (ignorant) fables.
The good news is the LORD made a promise, that Jonadab the son of Rechab would not want for a man to stand before Him for ever. The name Jonadab appears to be from words also alluding to Jonah, whose name means dove, in the sense of a sign of the destination reached. As we know from our studies, Jonah is from the Hebrew word yayin, meaning wine; thereby giving us the understanding of all these ideas (changing the mind seen as the destination) transmitted in them. The dab portion of the name Jonadab again appears to lead us to the word dabar, which we saw is speaking of the words and ideas of God’s plan, which are called the “ancient things” (‘attiyq dabar) in 1 Chronicles 4:22. These are the ideas held in safekeeping, in the words of God, to be carried forward by the riders (rakab), until revealed at this time of the latter rain. The soldier who would reveal them is the one promised in the prophesies these same riders unwittingly carried forward (hidden in the darkness of their neglect, and in the ignorance or their charge).
These riders and the dabar, the ancient things, which God has reserved for this moment, are spoken of in Judges 5, which we have recently discussed in detail. There we have seen the name Deborah, whose name means an orderly arrangement, from the identical word derived from dabar, thereby telling of the order that comes from the revelation of the word, the ideas and plan of God. In the same previous discussion (10 days ago), we also saw the name Deborah as virtually the same as the word dibrah, which is translated order in Palms 110:4 describing the “order” of Melchisedec.
We haven’t, until now, mentioned another close derivative of dabar, the word debiyr, which is the sixteen times used word always rendered “oracle.” This oracle is another name of the holy of holies, the innermost chamber of the temple where the LORD God manifests His presence. It is the place the forerunner entered, the LORD Jesus, who came in (who is) the order of Melchisedec, as we have in detail discussed as it appears in Hebrews 5 thru 7. This is the same entrance spoken of above, that comes with understanding, by receiving the report, the word of God received as the word of God.
Hebrews 6
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ [in us], let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this will we do, if God permit.
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that comes oft upon it, and brings forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, received blessing from God [as you do from this latter rain]:
8 But that which bears thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. [1 Corinthians 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.]
9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which you have shewed toward his name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
12 That you be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself,
14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you. [Receive this blessing and be multiplied.]
15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
16 For men truly swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entered into that within the veil;
20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Hebrews 7
1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abides a priest continually.
This word, the dabar, awakening is what is spoken of in Judges 5. Will you receive this report?
2 Peter 1
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.
12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you know them, and be established in the present truth.
13 Yea, I think it meet [the appropriate course], as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our LORD Jesus Christ has shewed me.
15 Moreover I will endeavor that you may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our LORD Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
2 Peter 2
1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily [from their own imaginations] shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the LORD that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingers not, and their damnation slumbers not.
Judges 5
9 My heart is toward the governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly [soldiers] among the people. Bless you the LORD.
10 Speak, you that ride [rakab] on white donkeys [see Revelation 6:2 – this rider is antichrist – the Kenite mentioned below in verse 24 – the false teachers who’ve mingled themselves among God’s people – see Deuteronomy 32:31, these are the false rock among us, which people have been fooled into trusting and blindly following – they should repent, and again I say, REPENT!], you that sit in judgment, and walk by the way.
11 They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the LORD, even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in Israel: then shall the people of the LORD go down to the gates [to understanding, the light – the entryway – also see the prior post and our discussion of Ezekiel 42 & 43].
12 Awake, awake, Deborah [order – the ideas and plan of God, revealed in His word realized as His word]: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak [understanding], and lead your captivity captive, you son of Abinoam [of agreement with God].
13 Then he made him that remains have dominion over the nobles among the people: the LORD made me have dominion over the mighty.
14 Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek [the king whose ways agitate and disrupt the peace of God’s people]; after you, Benjamin, among your people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer.
15 And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart.
16 Why abode you among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleating of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there was great searching of heart.
17 Gilead [this heap of testimony] abode beyond Jordan [descended into death]: and why did Dan [the judges] remain in ships [not immerse themselves in judgment]? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches.
18 Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeopardized their lives unto the death in the high places of the field.
19 The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach [on dry land – with God’s word] by the waters of Megiddo [this appointed time, the rendezvous]; they took no gain of money.
20 They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera [those arrayed for battle].
21 The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, you have trodden down strength.
22 Then were the horse-hoofs broken by the means of the prancing, the prancing of their mighty ones.
23 Curse you Meroz [their refuge in which they trust], said the angel of the LORD, curse you bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.
24 Blessed above women shall Jael [Jehovah God in her] the wife of Heber the Kenite be [the community mingled with antichrists – those denying the LORD has appeared in our flesh], blessed shall she be above women in the tent.
25 He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish.
26 She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen’s hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples.
27 At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: at her feet he bowed, he fell: where he bowed, there he fell down dead.
28 The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice, Why is his chariot so long in coming? why tarry the wheels of his chariots?
29 Her wise ladies answered her, yea, she returned answer to herself,
30 Have they not sped? have they not divided the prey; to every man a damsel or two; to Sisera a prey of divers colors, a prey of divers colors of needlework, of divers colors of needlework on both sides, meet for the necks of them that take the spoil?
31 So let all your enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goes forth in his might. And the land had rest…
