Saturday, August 09, 2008
God Of This City
I love this song! Heard it live at Passion KL'08. Powerful stuff!
-> God 1st loved you, still does, and always will. <-
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Watching... Watching...
Lately I've been rather lazy to post anything on my blog. Sometimes it's just my intermittent internet connection that irritates me.
But I guess when it comes to something important to share from my heart with all who would read it, I will blog about it, as is wise to do so.
I've been on an exciting journey of discovery rather recently, considering how I've come to realize truths that have been hidden from us because we just take in whatever is taught to us. How many of us actually bother to find out for ourselves the truth of what we've been taught much of our lives? How many of us thoroughly search Scripture to check about what is true - what is God's idea, or what is man's idea? As much as people have good intentions, that doesn't stop them from getting it wrong sometimes. As much as people are wonderful persons, sometimes they still falter.
So then, the question begging our attention is, "How many of us actually work out our salvation in fear and trembling continually?" That is not to say that we are to have a spirit of fear, that is wrong. But we need to search out for ourselves regarding every matter that we've believed in. That way, whatever is true and good will emerge stronger, whatever is not will fall away, and YHWH God will continue to work in us as we seek Him with all our hearts, minds, and strength.
So regarding this, I'm repenting of my ignorance pertaining to my faith, and digging deeper what my faith is all about, to make it my own, rather than catch on to someone else's. And some things that I observe in all our lives - many of us care too much about what is seen, as compared to what is unseen, myself included.
What is really going on in the world? We have all sorts of things happening that point to our Master's 2nd coming, and yet we are more occupied with the rising cost of living and what our work entails, when all that is just temporary. Why don't we dig deeper to find out what is really happening around us in the spiritual realm? What is God really doing? What is He up to? Do we seek Him on that? Or do we just continue to pray "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" with but our lips?
Now I do not carry with me a tone of judgement, for I am guilty of it myself. I am just sharing that we all need to repent of our ignorance and start digging deeper, start seeking YHWH God more. There's so much He longs to show us, if we would just seek Him on it.
With regard to "No one knows the day or the hour", of when our Messiah Yahushua (aka Jesus) comes again, that is what we have been interpreting out of context. We may not know the exact date or year or time, but we can watch the signs that point us to His coming with enough certainty.
Let's look at the passages again - Mark 13:32-37 (KJV)
"32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. 33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."
Isn't it strange that He tells us we do not know the exact moment, yet He tells us to watch? Look at the next passage - 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 (ESV)
"The Day of the Lord
1Now concerning [Dan. 2:21; Acts 1:7] the times and the seasons, brothers, (Or brothers and sisters; also verses 4, 12, 14, 25, 26, 27) [ch. 4:9] you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that [[2 Thess. 2:2]; See Matt. 24:43; Luke 17:24] the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, There is peace and security, then [Luke 21:34; [Ps. 35:8; Luke 17:26-30; 2 Thess. 1:9]] sudden destruction will come upon them [See Isa. 13:8] as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you [1 John 2:8] are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all [See Luke 16:8] children (Or sons; twice in this verse) of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then [[Mark 13:36]; See Rom. 13:11-13] let us not sleep, as others do..."
Reading this in context, we will see that those who do not know are those who are sleeping or ignorant, those who are not watching. For it says "concerning the times and the seasons, you have no need to have anything written to you... But you are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief." We are not to be caught surprised, for God has not destined us for wrath, as it says in the later part of the chapter.
So this is the first thing I need to get across to everyone around me - better be watching, you can know and discern the times. Seek YHWH God to show us what we need to see, and we will find it. I am discovering many amazing things myself, but it would be pointless for me to just spill it all out here - you would just be waiting to be spoon-fed, as I had been myself.
So then, search, seek, dig, pray, watch. Find out for yourself, work out your faith continually. We are still in process, our faith is yet to be complete, we even have got many things wrong so far. Go search it out for yourself it you don't believe me, the whole of church history stands with me on this. What I have found are facts, that I cannot deny, and my life is changing amazingly. Don't miss out on it by being ignorant. Search for the truth.
And as you are searching, if you say, "There's just too much I don't understand, it's too 'cheem'!" Well then, looks like you have much finding out to do. =)
-> God 1st loved you, still does, and always will. <-
But I guess when it comes to something important to share from my heart with all who would read it, I will blog about it, as is wise to do so.
I've been on an exciting journey of discovery rather recently, considering how I've come to realize truths that have been hidden from us because we just take in whatever is taught to us. How many of us actually bother to find out for ourselves the truth of what we've been taught much of our lives? How many of us thoroughly search Scripture to check about what is true - what is God's idea, or what is man's idea? As much as people have good intentions, that doesn't stop them from getting it wrong sometimes. As much as people are wonderful persons, sometimes they still falter.
So then, the question begging our attention is, "How many of us actually work out our salvation in fear and trembling continually?" That is not to say that we are to have a spirit of fear, that is wrong. But we need to search out for ourselves regarding every matter that we've believed in. That way, whatever is true and good will emerge stronger, whatever is not will fall away, and YHWH God will continue to work in us as we seek Him with all our hearts, minds, and strength.
So regarding this, I'm repenting of my ignorance pertaining to my faith, and digging deeper what my faith is all about, to make it my own, rather than catch on to someone else's. And some things that I observe in all our lives - many of us care too much about what is seen, as compared to what is unseen, myself included.
What is really going on in the world? We have all sorts of things happening that point to our Master's 2nd coming, and yet we are more occupied with the rising cost of living and what our work entails, when all that is just temporary. Why don't we dig deeper to find out what is really happening around us in the spiritual realm? What is God really doing? What is He up to? Do we seek Him on that? Or do we just continue to pray "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" with but our lips?
Now I do not carry with me a tone of judgement, for I am guilty of it myself. I am just sharing that we all need to repent of our ignorance and start digging deeper, start seeking YHWH God more. There's so much He longs to show us, if we would just seek Him on it.
With regard to "No one knows the day or the hour", of when our Messiah Yahushua (aka Jesus) comes again, that is what we have been interpreting out of context. We may not know the exact date or year or time, but we can watch the signs that point us to His coming with enough certainty.
Let's look at the passages again - Mark 13:32-37 (KJV)
"32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. 33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."
Isn't it strange that He tells us we do not know the exact moment, yet He tells us to watch? Look at the next passage - 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 (ESV)
"The Day of the Lord
1Now concerning [Dan. 2:21; Acts 1:7] the times and the seasons, brothers, (Or brothers and sisters; also verses 4, 12, 14, 25, 26, 27) [ch. 4:9] you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that [[2 Thess. 2:2]; See Matt. 24:43; Luke 17:24] the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, There is peace and security, then [Luke 21:34; [Ps. 35:8; Luke 17:26-30; 2 Thess. 1:9]] sudden destruction will come upon them [See Isa. 13:8] as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you [1 John 2:8] are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all [See Luke 16:8] children (Or sons; twice in this verse) of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then [[Mark 13:36]; See Rom. 13:11-13] let us not sleep, as others do..."
Reading this in context, we will see that those who do not know are those who are sleeping or ignorant, those who are not watching. For it says "concerning the times and the seasons, you have no need to have anything written to you... But you are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief." We are not to be caught surprised, for God has not destined us for wrath, as it says in the later part of the chapter.
So this is the first thing I need to get across to everyone around me - better be watching, you can know and discern the times. Seek YHWH God to show us what we need to see, and we will find it. I am discovering many amazing things myself, but it would be pointless for me to just spill it all out here - you would just be waiting to be spoon-fed, as I had been myself.
So then, search, seek, dig, pray, watch. Find out for yourself, work out your faith continually. We are still in process, our faith is yet to be complete, we even have got many things wrong so far. Go search it out for yourself it you don't believe me, the whole of church history stands with me on this. What I have found are facts, that I cannot deny, and my life is changing amazingly. Don't miss out on it by being ignorant. Search for the truth.
And as you are searching, if you say, "There's just too much I don't understand, it's too 'cheem'!" Well then, looks like you have much finding out to do. =)
-> God 1st loved you, still does, and always will. <-
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
What have I been up to?
Been rather busy doing nothing this week. Almost!
Had a great gig party last Friday, with many of my friends and buddies turning up. It went a lot better than I expected, firstly cos I wasn't nervous at all, which was a big surprise! I was so excited/nervous the night before and the whole day I couldn't sleep or have a restful peace of mind. But once everything kicked off in terms of preparations, it just took my mind off being nervous or anything.
I guess getting a little irritated by people losing their way to the venue helped. Not like it's their fault, but well, I got irritated not being able to do the preparations/sound check without getting interrupted the whole time. Could have been nicer to the people who called, definitely. =P
That highlighted my short tolerance for perpetually getting interrupted when I got stuff on my hands to settle. I don't take to distractions kindly. A point from which to learn patience and long-suffering perhaps?
Secondly, I was just so blessed to be able to do it in the first place. Yahweh miraculously provided in several instances - the finding of the venue, cos it's so hard to find a suitable one; the food and drinks, cos I managed to get it within budget with too many leftovers too; the equipment from friends; the transport to & fro; being able to mingle and catch up with a great number of people; the ability to sing the whole gig after straining my voice talking to so many people...
A step out of faith to rely on His grace, and everything falls into place, while having a complete peace of mind throughout. Like when I stepped out of my home with a guitar and slingbag on me, and my hands full with a 2nd guitar and gadget. I knew I had to get a cab near my home, cos I couldn't walk very far under such a load, or wait too long for a cab. So I made a short prayer to Yahweh, "God, you know I need a cab. You've got to help me on this." And just as I finished praying this simple prayer in my heart, 3 cabs passed by in front of me, which is rare at the hour I stepped out onto the street. Instant answer! Such favour and grace.
Thank God for Hsien Xian too, he took half day off for the gig, so he could help me with the preparations, which was no joke. We "borrowed" a trolley from cold storage and rolled everything to the venue from Bugis Junction! And thank God for Benji too, he gave me and all the gear a ride home, then dropped me off for supper with the 04s45 class peeps.
Amazingly, on the day itself the projected attendance went up to 60, and thankfully only 40+ of them turned up. Otherwise it'll be too crowded to be comfortable, and I may not have enough food & drink. Moreover, everyone turned up with such generous gifts - 2 slingbags (a Crumpler worth ~$100 & an Adidas pseudo-leather sling bag), many t-shirts (which I've been thinking of getting some myself), a nice pair of flip-flops which I've needed for a while now... And not to mention all the other wonderful gifts from friends and family, though not received on the night itself. Maybe I should list all my blessings on a separate post and count my blessings!
I was expecting nothing, and choosing to do everything out of my own expense to sow & water seeds of life, and Yahweh God blessed me so richly in return.
I could go on forever about all the good things that I experienced from this gig party, and if there's anyone who benefited from it the most, it was me. Definitely the most blessed and best birthday present was the whole experience itself.
Honestly, it wasn't up to standard, but everyone gave such an affirming and kind response that I can't help but take it all positively. After all, it's a first time! Amusingly, a number of my friends were asking me to hold another one soon, or join a talent competition or something... Which to do in Singapore would be a joke, in many instances.
And now that that's over, it seems like life is a little empty, cos everything was gearing up towards such a big event (to me). So it seems, post-gig boredom sets in.
Time to get back to all I was getting down to doing before this came in. =)
-> God 1st loved you, still does, and always will. <-
Had a great gig party last Friday, with many of my friends and buddies turning up. It went a lot better than I expected, firstly cos I wasn't nervous at all, which was a big surprise! I was so excited/nervous the night before and the whole day I couldn't sleep or have a restful peace of mind. But once everything kicked off in terms of preparations, it just took my mind off being nervous or anything.
I guess getting a little irritated by people losing their way to the venue helped. Not like it's their fault, but well, I got irritated not being able to do the preparations/sound check without getting interrupted the whole time. Could have been nicer to the people who called, definitely. =P
That highlighted my short tolerance for perpetually getting interrupted when I got stuff on my hands to settle. I don't take to distractions kindly. A point from which to learn patience and long-suffering perhaps?
Secondly, I was just so blessed to be able to do it in the first place. Yahweh miraculously provided in several instances - the finding of the venue, cos it's so hard to find a suitable one; the food and drinks, cos I managed to get it within budget with too many leftovers too; the equipment from friends; the transport to & fro; being able to mingle and catch up with a great number of people; the ability to sing the whole gig after straining my voice talking to so many people...
A step out of faith to rely on His grace, and everything falls into place, while having a complete peace of mind throughout. Like when I stepped out of my home with a guitar and slingbag on me, and my hands full with a 2nd guitar and gadget. I knew I had to get a cab near my home, cos I couldn't walk very far under such a load, or wait too long for a cab. So I made a short prayer to Yahweh, "God, you know I need a cab. You've got to help me on this." And just as I finished praying this simple prayer in my heart, 3 cabs passed by in front of me, which is rare at the hour I stepped out onto the street. Instant answer! Such favour and grace.
Thank God for Hsien Xian too, he took half day off for the gig, so he could help me with the preparations, which was no joke. We "borrowed" a trolley from cold storage and rolled everything to the venue from Bugis Junction! And thank God for Benji too, he gave me and all the gear a ride home, then dropped me off for supper with the 04s45 class peeps.
Amazingly, on the day itself the projected attendance went up to 60, and thankfully only 40+ of them turned up. Otherwise it'll be too crowded to be comfortable, and I may not have enough food & drink. Moreover, everyone turned up with such generous gifts - 2 slingbags (a Crumpler worth ~$100 & an Adidas pseudo-leather sling bag), many t-shirts (which I've been thinking of getting some myself), a nice pair of flip-flops which I've needed for a while now... And not to mention all the other wonderful gifts from friends and family, though not received on the night itself. Maybe I should list all my blessings on a separate post and count my blessings!
I was expecting nothing, and choosing to do everything out of my own expense to sow & water seeds of life, and Yahweh God blessed me so richly in return.
I could go on forever about all the good things that I experienced from this gig party, and if there's anyone who benefited from it the most, it was me. Definitely the most blessed and best birthday present was the whole experience itself.
Honestly, it wasn't up to standard, but everyone gave such an affirming and kind response that I can't help but take it all positively. After all, it's a first time! Amusingly, a number of my friends were asking me to hold another one soon, or join a talent competition or something... Which to do in Singapore would be a joke, in many instances.
And now that that's over, it seems like life is a little empty, cos everything was gearing up towards such a big event (to me). So it seems, post-gig boredom sets in.
Time to get back to all I was getting down to doing before this came in. =)
-> God 1st loved you, still does, and always will. <-
Friday, May 30, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Simply Amazing - Witches Repent
African Witches Come to Christ through Jesus Film
By Michelle A. Vu
Christian Post Reporter
Thu, May. 22 2008 05:41 PM ET
In a central African nation with a dark history of witchcraft, the Gospel message is breaking through and touching the hearts and lives of villagers, including witches.
Screenings of the “Jesus” film in the Central African Republic has led to tens of thousands of commitments for Christ, dozens of churches planted, and witches being freed from dark forces, according to The Jesus Film Project.
Central African Republic, which neighbors the highly-troubled nations of Chad and Sudan, has struggled with what some might consider an epidemic of witchcraft. Local witches reportedly have the power to kill and cause excruciating physical pain, leading to great fear among villagers.
The government routinely imprisons accused witches, but has found that prison walls cannot contain their power.
When witches saw the “Jesus” film – which follows the life and teachings of Jesus Christ – in their own language, many reportedly were convicted by the Holy Spirit. They repented of their sins, were freed from their spiritual bondage, and committed their lives to Jesus Christ, The Jesus Film Project reported.
In the Bossangoa area in western CAR, people have dubbed the “Jesus” film, “The Miracle Film.”
The region’s governor has personally called the “Jesus” film team to thank them for the “miracles” the movie has done on the witches in his area.
Next month in June, “Jesus” film teams plan to reach those speaking the Gbeya language in CAR. There are some 176,000 people in the country that speak this language, including the country’s current president.
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080522/32489_African_Witches_Come_to_Christ_through_Jesus_Film.htm
By Michelle A. Vu
Christian Post Reporter
Thu, May. 22 2008 05:41 PM ET
In a central African nation with a dark history of witchcraft, the Gospel message is breaking through and touching the hearts and lives of villagers, including witches.
Screenings of the “Jesus” film in the Central African Republic has led to tens of thousands of commitments for Christ, dozens of churches planted, and witches being freed from dark forces, according to The Jesus Film Project.
Central African Republic, which neighbors the highly-troubled nations of Chad and Sudan, has struggled with what some might consider an epidemic of witchcraft. Local witches reportedly have the power to kill and cause excruciating physical pain, leading to great fear among villagers.
The government routinely imprisons accused witches, but has found that prison walls cannot contain their power.
When witches saw the “Jesus” film – which follows the life and teachings of Jesus Christ – in their own language, many reportedly were convicted by the Holy Spirit. They repented of their sins, were freed from their spiritual bondage, and committed their lives to Jesus Christ, The Jesus Film Project reported.
In the Bossangoa area in western CAR, people have dubbed the “Jesus” film, “The Miracle Film.”
The region’s governor has personally called the “Jesus” film team to thank them for the “miracles” the movie has done on the witches in his area.
Next month in June, “Jesus” film teams plan to reach those speaking the Gbeya language in CAR. There are some 176,000 people in the country that speak this language, including the country’s current president.
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080522/32489_African_Witches_Come_to_Christ_through_Jesus_Film.htm
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Meditations on Grace [3] - The Common Misunderstanding
Ever since discovering YHWH (Yahweh) is the personal name of God, I've come to think and to question - since He is the Eternal Unchanging One, why are we taught that the God of the old covenant and the God of the new covenant are so different? After all, doesn't the Old Testament and the New Testament paint such different pictures of our God?
Instinctively, this cannot be true, for that would violate the very Name of the Father - YHWH¹. So, with such a heart, yearning to know Him for who He really is, rather than who men say He is (which is often incorrect today), I scoured the Torah (the 1st 5 books of Scripture, aka the Pentateuch) to look for evidence that would correct such a view. After all, the Torah is where many point to and say, "See, here is the Law, so devoid of the grace of the New Covenant. Just lots of do's and don'ts." Determined to determine the truth, I looked to Scripture.
In Deuteronomy (I read chapters 21-24), I read so much of laws that seem legalistic and so devoid of the grace Yahushua² dispensed. It was so hard to see how a gracious God portrayed in Yahushua could be so different and legalistic. The regulations of the law, the specific directions to be followed to the letter just seem so stifling I find it hard to believe they were God-given. Could Moses have gotten it wrong?
But Moses has got to be right. He was the only person to see YHWH in His glory as is humanly possible. Even God referred to him as "a friend with whom I speak face to face... plainly, not in riddles as I do with others" (Numbers 12:8). I was about to resign to the common conclusion, that indeed, the God of the Old Testament is One of fierce wrath and legalistically-inclined, until YHWH led me to Ezekiel 18, where I read of His apparent injustice in our eyes, and there He clearly declares "Do I take pleasure in the death of anyone, including the wicked? Do I not prefer it by far, if they repent & live? Is it not your ways that are unjust?" Amazingly, amidst the common perception of the Israelites, YHWH spoke up for who He really is.
His gracious act of sparing the wicked for a time in the hope that they will turn to Him just shows the all-important thing that YHWH does not change. His grace was still abundant in Old Testament times, amidst the Old Covenant, plentifully embedded throughout the Torah. It is just plain human nature that we tend to focus on the negative so much, on the do's and don'ts, and pursue our own righteousness through legalism, until we miss the point of it all. So much so, that the Pharisees even developed a principle that children bear the sins of their fathers and suffer for it (John 9:2,34), even though it was explicitly said not so in Ezekiel 18:20 and 2 Kings 14:6.
Indeed, YHWH does not change - He never does. His Torah are really just steps laid out for us to observe His heart from. We grow closer to Him by having close to our hearts what is close to His, by having in our hearts what is in His. In fact, a more accurate translation of the Hebrew word "Torah" would be "Directions to the Father", rather than "Law". The Torah only becomes a death-bringing law when a biased view that over-emphasizes the punishments mentioned is taken. Those punishments laid out like stoning are simply because YHWH wanted His people to remain pure - if there is a rotten apple, it makes the whole basket bad. People's mentality and attitudes flow with the norm of society - "If many people are doing it, it can't be that bad or wrong; it's okay!" We gradually lose our morals as the world around us loses its own.
YHWH did not want that opportunity of corruption to happen, as it would distance His people from Him - something our relationship-loving God would never want. Is the Torah really a death-giving law? No, it really is a life-giving guide, for us to know YHWH deeper as we adopt His practices. He wants us to "take My yoke upon you and learn from Me... for My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matt 11:29-30)
YHWH is really more interested in us finding Him through the directions He gives us that point to Him rather than how to live. He does not want us to be obsessed and burdened by the sheer measure of detailed laws to live by - rather, He delights in us discovering Him and His heart. He wants us to learn to be like Him in all we do. After all, we were really made in His image. The more we become like Him, the more the set of do's and don'ts disappear, in the sense that it becomes a natural part of us to be like Him, righteous and just, merciful and gracious. Of course, this does not mean that we don't have to do what His Word says. It simply speaks of this attitude - when I love a person, there are certain things I will do and will not do, just so that I will grow closer to that person.
I can't help but find how much YHWH cares for the weak and needy, and fights against their oppression or exploitation that He would command certain practices found in the Torah that has such great consideration for them. Such is His grace and His heart, and such is the graciousness that I'm still so far away from. When I understand a person more through his thoughts and actions, I grow closer to that person; when I understand YHWH more through His Word, I grow closer to Him.
Footnotes:
¹ - Yahweh, which literally means "I exist", or the Eternal Unchanging One.
² - Or shortened "Yeshua", the Hebrew pronunciation of the name "Joshua"; a more accurate rendition of the original name of "Jesus", one that has been transliterated so badly that it no longer resembles anything close.
-> God 1st loved you, still does, and always will. <-
Instinctively, this cannot be true, for that would violate the very Name of the Father - YHWH¹. So, with such a heart, yearning to know Him for who He really is, rather than who men say He is (which is often incorrect today), I scoured the Torah (the 1st 5 books of Scripture, aka the Pentateuch) to look for evidence that would correct such a view. After all, the Torah is where many point to and say, "See, here is the Law, so devoid of the grace of the New Covenant. Just lots of do's and don'ts." Determined to determine the truth, I looked to Scripture.
In Deuteronomy (I read chapters 21-24), I read so much of laws that seem legalistic and so devoid of the grace Yahushua² dispensed. It was so hard to see how a gracious God portrayed in Yahushua could be so different and legalistic. The regulations of the law, the specific directions to be followed to the letter just seem so stifling I find it hard to believe they were God-given. Could Moses have gotten it wrong?
But Moses has got to be right. He was the only person to see YHWH in His glory as is humanly possible. Even God referred to him as "a friend with whom I speak face to face... plainly, not in riddles as I do with others" (Numbers 12:8). I was about to resign to the common conclusion, that indeed, the God of the Old Testament is One of fierce wrath and legalistically-inclined, until YHWH led me to Ezekiel 18, where I read of His apparent injustice in our eyes, and there He clearly declares "Do I take pleasure in the death of anyone, including the wicked? Do I not prefer it by far, if they repent & live? Is it not your ways that are unjust?" Amazingly, amidst the common perception of the Israelites, YHWH spoke up for who He really is.
His gracious act of sparing the wicked for a time in the hope that they will turn to Him just shows the all-important thing that YHWH does not change. His grace was still abundant in Old Testament times, amidst the Old Covenant, plentifully embedded throughout the Torah. It is just plain human nature that we tend to focus on the negative so much, on the do's and don'ts, and pursue our own righteousness through legalism, until we miss the point of it all. So much so, that the Pharisees even developed a principle that children bear the sins of their fathers and suffer for it (John 9:2,34), even though it was explicitly said not so in Ezekiel 18:20 and 2 Kings 14:6.
Indeed, YHWH does not change - He never does. His Torah are really just steps laid out for us to observe His heart from. We grow closer to Him by having close to our hearts what is close to His, by having in our hearts what is in His. In fact, a more accurate translation of the Hebrew word "Torah" would be "Directions to the Father", rather than "Law". The Torah only becomes a death-bringing law when a biased view that over-emphasizes the punishments mentioned is taken. Those punishments laid out like stoning are simply because YHWH wanted His people to remain pure - if there is a rotten apple, it makes the whole basket bad. People's mentality and attitudes flow with the norm of society - "If many people are doing it, it can't be that bad or wrong; it's okay!" We gradually lose our morals as the world around us loses its own.
YHWH did not want that opportunity of corruption to happen, as it would distance His people from Him - something our relationship-loving God would never want. Is the Torah really a death-giving law? No, it really is a life-giving guide, for us to know YHWH deeper as we adopt His practices. He wants us to "take My yoke upon you and learn from Me... for My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matt 11:29-30)
YHWH is really more interested in us finding Him through the directions He gives us that point to Him rather than how to live. He does not want us to be obsessed and burdened by the sheer measure of detailed laws to live by - rather, He delights in us discovering Him and His heart. He wants us to learn to be like Him in all we do. After all, we were really made in His image. The more we become like Him, the more the set of do's and don'ts disappear, in the sense that it becomes a natural part of us to be like Him, righteous and just, merciful and gracious. Of course, this does not mean that we don't have to do what His Word says. It simply speaks of this attitude - when I love a person, there are certain things I will do and will not do, just so that I will grow closer to that person.
I can't help but find how much YHWH cares for the weak and needy, and fights against their oppression or exploitation that He would command certain practices found in the Torah that has such great consideration for them. Such is His grace and His heart, and such is the graciousness that I'm still so far away from. When I understand a person more through his thoughts and actions, I grow closer to that person; when I understand YHWH more through His Word, I grow closer to Him.
Footnotes:
¹ - Yahweh, which literally means "I exist", or the Eternal Unchanging One.
² - Or shortened "Yeshua", the Hebrew pronunciation of the name "Joshua"; a more accurate rendition of the original name of "Jesus", one that has been transliterated so badly that it no longer resembles anything close.
-> God 1st loved you, still does, and always will. <-
