What's in a Name?

Moses went to a great deal of trouble and effort, as did the prophets and scribes who followed; to make certain, The Name spoken in Exodus 3:15 would be known throughout all generations.  The Name appears in the Hebrew Scriptures over 6,000 times.  I try to make The Name of YHWH known, and that of His Son's, then try to avoid most arguments.  Since I'm unsure where the line is drawn between proclaiming The Name and taking His Name in vain, arguing seems unwise.  There were no vowel points in the original Hebrew, so I have no authority to argue the pronunciation, nor do I spell check the transliteration.  The (Vav) can be translated to U, V, or W but the other three letters currently translate without debate.  I use YHWH as the English translation for:  hwhy

Although many promote various translations of the Bible and rail against others, I am an advocate of the King James Version of the Bible.  I came to know The Name of our Creator and the Name of His Son through the KJV with a Strong's Concordance.  I was absolutely overjoyed to realize how many times Y'hshuwah appears throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, and His Name is spoken even in traditional synagogues, today.  I did take a bit of offense at the dedication page of the KJV, but those translators were trying to "keep their heads."  There are only three major issues I take with the KJV of Scripture.   The title and position of "Lord" already existed in English nobility and peerage, designated by the King.  I'm troubled that a King would take it upon himself to designate a title for the Creator of the universe, lower than his own.

Easter in the book of Acts appears to be an intentional attempt to mislead and separate, as the same term pavsca Pascha,  is translated throughout the rest of the New Testament as, Passover.

The translation of Y'hshuwah HaMoshiach to Jesus Christ misses by a mile.  Messiah is the obvious English translation for the Hebrew: xyXm  - Moshaich and Greek:  Messivaß -Messias.

Y'hshuwah/Jesus may or may not be interchangeable, since there is no need to translate a name, but rather; the message that has come along with the translation.  I've been told more than once, that believing the Hebrew Name of Messiah is special, compares my faith to magic or His Name to a magic word.  To believe there is power in The Name, is far from superstition.  Most Christians end their prayers with "in Jesus' name," but would never consider that be using the name like a magic word.  I realize those who have embraced the Name of our Messiah in Hebrew can become intense, but by the same token, I remember how casually the name of Jesus could be used in a sinner's prayer that basically appeared to change nothing about a person's life.  Scripture says, there is no other name given . . .  Messiah said to ask in His Name.  Whosoever calls upon The Name . . . The Bible really does make the Name sound pretty important.  By saying it doesn't matter or it's open to interpretation, lays a foundation of "changing the Bible to suit us," rather than the Bible changing us.

Since the interpretation of Paul's letters seem to be a major point of division, I'll use his terminology. He  used the term "adoption" so I'll reference, adopted or adoption, as well.  When a foreign child is adopted into a family, depending upon the age of the child, the first name may remain that of it's native country, but in an adoption, the sir name is changed and becomes, that of the parents.  In the case of a newborn, the parents choose the name.  I still remember an American couple who adopted a beautiful little newborn from China.  Her name is Rose and her last name is theirs.

Adopted children do not change the family name, nor do they change the name of the other children in the home, certainly not the eldest son who is often named for the father.  Y'hshuwah has the Name of the Father in His, "Yah is salvation." When we are born again, we become the new creatures . . . adopted newborns, if you will.  Although some believers have legally changed their names to a Hebrew name, I did not.  My name is a name in Scripture, but I didn't change the pronunciation when I became a believer.   As I consider those two options I didn't take, either one would actually make more sense than changing Messiah's name to a poorly translated Greek or English term.  Strong's Concordance clearly draws a line from the Hebrew to English translation, in the name, Joshua.

In summation, I'd like to add a footnote.  I don't give much focus to the adversary, but in this particular instance, this seems worthy of mention.  Here is the Hebrew word for Satan:  !tX Satan     Here is the Greek term for Satan:  Satana'ß Satanas
 I find it just a little more than curious that the adversary's name wasn't rendered to just a title or a poor translation.

Focus

As I've collected my thoughts and notes for this article, I am reminded, I need this reminder.  As editor of this publication, it's easy to see and become focused on the turmoil as the tempest increases.  I remind myself frequently of Messiah's words in Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.   This article may sound a bit like a trip down memory lane, and perhaps it should, as our focus in life seems to be aimed more at what we are against than what and Whom we believe.

I can testify in my own life the varying issues that took my focus along the way through my spiritual walk and even before.  I want to take this moment to say, social media is doing a great deal of promotion of Oral Torah and the Noahide laws, and I've done enough research on both in writing a book a few years ago, to say, avoid the distraction.  Neither provide edification, but rather have served to take many away from seeking YHWH through Messiah.  But there are other issues believers get focused on as well, that don't necessarily cause them to turn away, but rather stifle their walk and silence their witness, while they still believe themselves to be moving forward on the narrow path.

The enemy is not omnipresent, nor is he omniscient, but he is a shape-shifter and he loves attention, especially the attention of those who claim to be believers.

When we stop and think of how many things we are against that get our attention, it's mind-boggling.  I am against tampering with creation, so I have a "Nonsanto" website and logo and I'm staunchly opposed to pharmaceuticals, but I also spend a great deal more time and definitely more energy sharing and encouraging organic gardening, natural food preservation, and healthy recipes.  In this publication, I have made a concerted effort to make sure I offer a plan, not just a criticism.  So far all of the Anti-Monsanto protests have been on Sabbath, making it so obvious, I can't just protest something, in following Messiah, I have to also be able to offer something "To Do."

Throughout the years, there has been an off and on focus of deliverance, but I've yet to see the focus remain on Messiah, once those "ministries" are officially declared.  I cringe when I hear the term demonology and I shudder when I watch someone set themselves up as the one who can deliver the deliverance.  YHWH is our deliverer in Messiah, and none other.

The focus on abortion is another troubling issue.  Oh, I don't believe in abortion, but it is a clear example of being focused on what we are against, and sometimes the better option is lost in the rhetoric.  I, personally, made the choice to live at a certain income level, so I would not pay taxes that fund Planned Parenthood.  Abba has never failed to provide for me, and I've been blessed to hold a number of sweet babies and provide gifts for them.

To be honest, ISIS is the current satanic focus in my awareness, and it rears a very ugly head.  The story of the Maccabees comes to mind frequently as I read the headlines.  I find it a real challenge to bring those thoughts captive and focus on the victory that is the end of the story . . .  Current events are turbulent, and Scripture indicates it will get worse before we see Messiah.  We must keep our eyes on Him, or the horror will indeed become our focus.