Welcome to the fourth study in our series, where we continue exploring Biblical characters and their significance in understanding our relationship with Elohiym (God) and His Son, Yahusha Ha’Mashiach (Jesus Christ). In our first study, we examined Elohiym as the first and most foundational character in the Hebrew Scriptures and we explored how Elohiym is The Word of Yahuah.
In this session, we will focus on us, humanity, as another key character in the Hebrew Scriptures. Not only will we look at humanity as a whole, but we will look at the two groups of humanity:
1. Those who fear Yahuah and guard His covenant
2. Those who do not fear Yahuah and reject or ignore His covenant.
These two groups of humanity include everyone and we are all in a continual flux of being in both categories, for “all have sinned and come short of the glory of Elohiym.” Romaiym 3:23
Understanding Humanity: To begin, we need to understand what humanity is and how it was created.
In Bere’shiyth (Genesis) 1:26, we see that Elohiym made man in His image:
“And Elohiym said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness…”
This foundational verse highlights the special nature of humanity. Elohiym created man to reflect His image and likeness, giving humanity a unique identity among all creation.
The Creation of Man in Detail:
In Bere’shiyth (Genesis) 2:7, we see a more detailed account of the creation of man:
“And Yahuah Elohiym formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”
This verse gives us the two components of humanity:
- The dust of the ground: This refers to the flesh, the physical body made from the earth.
- The breath of Yahuah Elohiym: This represents the Spirit, the divine life that animates and gives life to man.
When these two are combined, man becomes a living soul. This dual nature of humanity—the flesh and the spirit—forms the basis of the continual struggle between choosing to follow Yahuah and His covenant or choosing to walk according to the flesh.
The Struggle Between Flesh and Spirit:
This dynamic tension is described in Galatiym (Galatians) 5:16:
- “This I say then, Walk in the Ruach (Spirit), and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
The scriptures plainly state that the Spirit and the flesh are at war constantly, and the soul (the seat of decision-making) must choose which one to follow. This war within humanity determines whether we will walk in covenant with Yahuah or fall out of it.
Group 1: Those Who Fear Yahuah and Guard His Covenant
This group is characterized by:
1. Reverence: A deep respect and awe for Yahuah’s authority and holiness.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 (Qoheleth)
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear Elohiym, and guard His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
Reverence for Elohiym is the essence of human responsibility. The fear of Yahuah and obedience to His commandments is man’s central duty.
2. Obedience: Guarding Yahuah’s commandments and living in accordance with His statutes.
Exodus 19:5 (Shemoth)
“Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and guard My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine.”
This verse reflects the covenantal relationship between Yahuah and Yashar’el. Obedience to Yahuah’s voice makes His people a special treasure to Him.
James 1:22 (Ya’aqov)
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
Obedience requires not just hearing Yahuah’s word but putting it into practice. A life of obedience involves action based on the instructions of Yahuah.
3. Commitment: A heart dedicated to following Yahuah, even in times of difficulty or challenge.
Deuteronomy 6:5 (Devariym)
“And thou shalt love Yahuah Elohayka with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”
This verse highlights the wholehearted commitment to Yahuah, requiring complete devotion of heart, soul, and strength.
Matthew 6:24 (Mattithyahu)
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve Elohiym and mammon.”
Yahusha emphasizes that commitment to Yahuah cannot be divided. Full devotion is required, as it is impossible to serve both Yahuah and the world.
The fear of Yahuah, as described in scripture, goes beyond mere fear; it embodies awe,respect and fear of His power, authority, and righteousness. Those who keep His eternal covenant are marked by their faithfulness to Yahuah’s laws and their continual desire to live a life pleasing to Him.
Group 2: Those Who Do Not Fear Yahuah and Choose to Live Outside of His Covenant
This group is characterized by:
1. Rebellion and Stubbornness: Resisting and rejecting any of the commandments of Yahuah, choosing our own ways instead of submitting to His authority.
Isaiah 65:2 (Yeshayah): “I have spread out My hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts.”
Rebellion is shown through their refusal to walk in The Way of Yahuah, opting instead to follow their own thoughts and desires.
2. Pride and Self-Reliance: Exhibiting pride, rejecting Yahuah’s authority, relying on their own strength, wisdom, or righteousness instead of trusting in Yahuah.
Proverbs 16:18 (Mishley): “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Their pride blinds them to their need for Yahuah, leading to spiritual destruction.
3. Spiritual Blindness and Deception:Spiritually blind, unable to discern truth from falsehood, and often fall into deception.
2 Corinthians 4:4 (Qorintiym Bet): “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Ha’Mashiach, who is the image of Elohiym, should shine unto them.”
Their spiritual blindness keeps them from recognizing the truth of Yahuah and Yahusha Ha’Mashiach.
4. Lawlessness and Disobedience: Rejecting the laws and commandments of Yahuah, choosing to live without the guidance of His Word.
Titus 1:16: “They profess that they know Elohiym; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”
Though they may claim to know Elohiym, their disobedience proves otherwise. Their actions deny Yahuah’s sovereignty.
5. Lovers of the World and Flesh: Prioritizing worldly pleasures and the desires of the flesh over the things of Yahuah.
1 John 2:15-16 (Yochanan Aleph): “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
Their love for the world supersedes their love for Yahuah, leading them away from His covenant and into the pursuit of fleshly desires.
6. Idolatry: Replacing Yahuah with idols—whether physical, ideological or personifying themselves as god or a god—leading them into further rebellion.
Romans 1:22-23 (Romaniym): “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible Elohiym into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”
Their idolatry is driven by their rejection of Yahuah’s truth, leading them to replace Him with things that are unworthy of worship.
7. Hatred for the Truth: Rejecting the truth of Yahuah’s Word, preferring to believe lies or follow false teachings.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 (Timotheos Bet): “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
Their rejection of truth leads them to false teachings and deceptive ideologies that support their desires.
Those who do not follow Yahuah and do not guard His covenant are described as rebellious, prideful, spiritually blind, disobedient, lovers of worldly desires, idolaters, and haters of the truth. Their lifestyle is marked by a rejection of Yahuah’s commandments, a reliance on their own wisdom, and an alignment with the desires of the flesh and the world. This leads them further away from the covenant Yahuah desires to establish with all humanity.
Conclusion:
Humanity, created in Yahuah’s image, is called to live in covenant with Him, but each individual must choose between two paths: to fear Yahuah and keep His eternal covenant or to reject His ways. The struggle between flesh and Spirit is real and is ongoing, but Yahuah’s grace and mercy provide a way for those who seek Him to return to Him. This study serves as a reminder of the importance of fear, commitment, and obedience in walking with Yahuah and being part of His eternal covenant through the example and sacrifice of His Son. Yahusha Ha’Mashiach is the only path and way to Yahuah’s salvation.