242Observations
Perspective
6
God or Government?
Who Do You Trust?
You may be surprised to learn that Paul’s “New Testament” letters present an entirely different perspective, in fact, a wholly contradictory approach to government than what God has to say through His prophets. And since Yahowah used prophecy to prove that we could trust what He revealed, these conflicting positions put Paul, and therefore Christians, in a precarious position.
Cited from the New King James Bible, which purports to be a literal translation, we read the following preposterous statement in the 13th chapter of the book Paul wrote to the Romans:
“Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God and those which exist are established by God. (Romans 13:1)
Therefore, he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. (Romans 13:2)
For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same; (Romans 13:3) for it is a minister of God to you for good.
But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil. (Romans 13:4)
243Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. (Romans 13:5)
For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. (Romans 13:6)
Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” (Romans 13:7)
Calling this declaration preposterous is being way too lenient. Paul’s statement may be among the most ignorant and irrational propositions ever attributed to God. It presents all governments as good when both history and current events affirm an entirely different reality.
Considering what Rome did to its Judean Provence in 70 CE and again in 133 CE, one would have thought that this insane man’s letter to the Romans, which became the cornerstone of Pauline Christianity, would have been tossed aside as a moronic hoax written by a Roman proxy and utter nincompoop. But unfortunately, in matters of religion, only one in a million believers think.
Yes, I just called the author of fourteen New Testament books a moron and nincompoop. I unabashedly stated that the only reason Christians believe that Paul was inspired to scribe the inerrant word of God is because they are ignorant, irrational, or both – at least with regard to their religion.
You can fact-check anything he wrote and will deduce fabrications more egregious than the pagan mythologies upon which his lies were predicated. The man who claimed that God appointed him as the lone apostle to the world would actually seek to annul and replace the Towrah, the Miqra’ey, the Beryth, Yahuwdym, and Yisra’el. It was as audacious as it was delusional. What he called wrong was 244right. What he called right was wrong – without exception. And yet, billions believe Paul in a world where less than one in a billion trusts Yah.
It is not just Sha’uwl’s | Paul’s patently absurd diatribe on behalf of mankind’s most unGodly and inhumane civilization that is foul, it is everything that he wrote. From beginning to end his letters are filled with inaccurate and preposterous claims. His letters and message are in irreconcilable conflict with the proven testimony of the prophets Yahowah actually deployed.
For example, when we compare Paul’s tribute to Roman authority to what Gabry’el | God’s Most Capable and Courageous Man | Dowd said to Dany’el | God Judges | Daniel, we are confronted by one of the most stark and irreconcilable conflicts in the Christian Bible. The Messiah confirmed that the Roman government was a beast, demonic and vicious. He then revealed that the institutional authority that would evolve out of the government of Imperial Rome, the Roman Catholic Church, would be far worse. He labeled it the most pervasive and vile beast in human history, one which would be dreadful and terrifying, predicting that it would crush and devour the world.
Rather than support Paul’s position on government generally, and Rome specifically, God predicted that the Romans, through their Empire and Church, would have the single greatest negative influence on His creation and His people. And it would be out of Rome’s influence, according to God, that the Towrahless One, known to Christians as the “Antichrist,” would emerge. No empire in human history wielded its sword more often, or more commonly, for evil intent.
While the Messiah’s revelations to Daniel are the antithesis of those promoted in favor of Roman authority by the man born as Sha’uwl, this was far from Yahowah’s first or most comprehensive condemnation of government 245or of Paul. God’s initial political commentary is found in the Towrah, where He revealed that the collective and ubiquitous cruelty of human authority necessitated the flood. It was not mankind’s improper relationship with God, or lack thereof, that caused Him to reset humanity but, instead, man’s collective viciousness toward his fellow man.
The most comprehensive critique of government, and indeed the most revealing commentary ever recorded in this regard, occurs in 1st Samuel immediately after the Yisra’elites requested a king to rule over them. God’s astute prognosis was particularly poignant because it followed His exposé on religion, the one He delivered through Shamuw’el, previously.
It is this juxtaposition between religion and government that is so enlightening. But what makes it both historic and prophetic is that the man whom the nation chose over Yahowah politically bore the same name, “Sha’uwl,” as the man billions would choose over God religiously.
The preamble to the political prophecy with religious implications begins with the opening line of the 8th chapter of 1st Samuel. Yah’s prophet had lived a long and productive life.
“And it came to pass, accordingly, when Shamuw’el, meaning, He Listens to God, grew old, he appointed his sons as judges to resolve disputes in Yisra’el, for those individuals who engage and endure with God. (Shamuw’el / 1st Samuel 8:1)
So, it came to be that the name of his firstborn son was Yow’el, meaning, Yahowah is God, and the name of his second was ‘Abyah, which affirms that the Father is Yahowah. They exercised good judgment to resolve disputes in Ba’rsheba’ – the Well of the Promise of Seven. (Shamuw’el / 1st Samuel 8:2)
246And yet, his sons did not always walk in his ways, and instead, they extended themselves to pursue dishonest gain and profited wrongfully. They accepted gifts and turned aside from the means to justly resolve disputes. (Shamuw’el / 1st Samuel 8:3)
Therefore, all of the elders of Yisra’el gathered together, and they came to Shamuw’el for their betrayal.” (Shamuw’el / 1st Samuel 8:4)
There was intrigue in the Land. The natives were not just restless, they were about to be defiant.
On the surface, it would appear that the elders had a legitimate concern. Yow’el and ‘Abyah were not living up to the names their remarkable father had given them. But there was betrayal underfoot, something sinister was brewing. The elders weren’t being altogether altruistic.
The story starts out well enough…
“And it came to be (wa hayah – so it came to pass and to exist), accordingly, when (ka ‘asher – comparatively) Shamuw’el (Shamuw’el – He Listens to God; from shama’ – to hear, to pay attention to, to perceive and to understand, ‘el – God Almighty) grew old (zaqen – became advanced in age, a dignified elder), (wa – then), he appointed (sym – he set in place) his sons (‘eth beny huw’) as judges to resolve disputes (shaphat – decision-makers, adjudicators of matters between parties, to execute good judgment) on behalf of (la – concerning the approach of) Yisra’el (Yisra’el – Individuals who Engage and Endure with God).” (Shamuw’el / He Listens to God / 1 Samuel 8:1)
This was among the means Yahowah deployed to communicate His guidance to His people, knowing that some were illiterate and therefore could not read His Towrah for themselves. It was also the means to keep peace in the family. If there was a disagreement, either personal or interpreting something Yahowah conveyed, the Shaphat 247| Judge would adjudicate the matter in accord with the Towrah and resolve the dispute.
The Shaphat were not religious or political. They were not paid. They had no power or authority. Their role was to assist the family in understanding the Towrah – Teaching of Yahowah so that they could apply its lessons to their lives.
“Then it came to pass (wa hayah) that the name (shem) of his firstborn son (ben huw’ ha bakowr) was Yow’el (Yow’el – Yahowah is God), and the name (wa shem) of his second (mishneh huw’) was ‘Abyah (‘Abyah – the Father is Yahowah).
They exercised good judgment to resolve disputes (shaphat – they rendered just and justifiable decisions, adjudicating and executing justice) in (ba) Ba’rsheba’ (Ba’rsheba’ – Well of the Promise of Seven; from ba’r – spring and sheba’ – the promise of seven).” (Shamuw’el / He Listens to God / 1 Samuel 8:2)
The man who Listened to God knew that, by simply introducing his sons by name, he would reveal the two most important truths in the universe: the Father is Yahowah and Yahowah is God.
Their occupation was also telling. Just as the Towrah was written to “mishpat – justly resolve disputes on behalf of those who exercise good judgment” regarding Yahowah’s Instructions, Yow’el and ‘Abyah were engaged in shaphat – the basis of mishpat. And not just anywhere. They prevailed at “Ba’rsheba’ | the Spring of the Promise of Seven.” Sheba’ is the Hebrew word for “promise,” “seven,” and “Sabbath.” Those who observe that the Shabat is a special day set apart from others to reflect upon our relationship with Yahowah come to recognize that God’s provision, based upon the formula of six (mankind) plus one (God), equates to seven (our Heavenly Father’s promise to perfect His children).
248As would be the case with Christians and Jews failing to follow the actual Son of God and Messiah, the boys with promising names did not walk in their father’s footsteps. The lesson for us may be that, no matter how perfect the father, sometimes even the best intentions don’t always produce the most desirable results. Consider God and His creation.
“And yet (wa), his sons (beny) did not walk (lo’ halak – did not conduct their lives (qal perfect – telling us that they were no longer actually walking)) in his ways (ba derek – in his approach or path), but (wa) they swerved and turned away (natah – they stretched out, stooped down, bent over, and extended themselves, moving in a different direction (qal imperfect)) after (‘achar) dishonest gain and wrongful profit (ha betsa’ – the illicit and unjust revenue, being cut off, severing the relationship, for ill-gotten gain).
They accepted (laqah – they grasped, received, and collected (qal imperfect)) gifts (sochad – presents and rewards, payment for a favor, sometimes even bribes designed to influence the outcome of their services) and turned away from (wa natah – moved in a direction that was different than the path to (hifil imperfect)) the means to justly resolve disputes (mishpat – way to execute good judgment and to properly decide; from shaphat – to justly adjudicate matters between parties).” (Shamuw’el / He Listens to God / 1 Samuel 8:3)
The purpose of the Towrah is to “mishpat – justly resolve the issues” that separate us from God. The remedy is delivered by way of the seven Miqra’ey | Invitations to be Called Out and Meet with God. This is the “derek – path” Yahowah provided to those who are interested in participating in His Covenant. Without “mishpat – exercising good judgment and responding correctly” to Yahowah’s offer, we remain flawed, and too imperfect and impoverished to enter His Home. So, when Shamuw’el’s 249sons veered away from this approach, when they moved in a different direction, they subverted God’s way and became worthless. Seeking to enrich themselves, they did just the opposite.
This is a serious matter with the Almighty. He does not like it when we prosper at the expense of others. He hates it when we pervert justice. And He is especially upset when someone, claiming to be serving Him, accepts money.
For example, the primary meaning of laqah sochad is “to receive a gift, to accept a present, or to collect a reward.” It is “payment for a favor.” Therefore, in this context and following “betsa’ – wrongful profit and unjust revenue,” it can be extrapolated to mean “receiving money with the expectation of a quid pro quo,” also known as “accepting a bribe.” But from Yahowah’s perspective, any gift, any monetary reward, any payment of any kind is inappropriate because a monetary exchange corrupts the plan He has freely provided. This is one of the many reasons He lambasts religious leaders for making merchandise of men.
God is wholly opposed to a paid clergy. If you want to work with Him, there are two hard and fast rules. First, communicate what He has said accurately. And second, do not accept any money for doing so.
He is not charging us for His towrah – guidance, for entrance into His Covenant – Family, or for enriching and empowering His children. He does not want our money. And He is the only one who can genuinely assist us. So, since He is doing so freely, the least we can do is communicate what He is offering accurately and without charge.
Religious clerics, and that would be all of them, violate both aspects of this baseline requirement. They accept money for their services, and they consistently misrepresent Yahowah’s testimony. For these reasons, 250most pastors and priests will spend eternity separated from God in She’owl.
The problem is easy to resolve. Ignore those claiming to serve God and turn directly to Him for answers. Read His Towrah | Teaching for yourself, closely examining and carefully considering His instructions.
That said, as was the case with those who listened to Shamuw’el, there is nothing wrong with doing what we are engaging in now. Shamuw’el didn’t charge anyone anything. And he accurately shared Yahowah’s Word.
While I’m not a recipient of personalized prophetic revelation from Yahowah’s mouth to my ear, I am able to translate what God told him and share it with you. As long as I endeavor to be accurate, open, and honest, and neither request nor accept any remuneration, then we are engaging in a proper and productive relationship.
That is as long as you remain cognizant of the fact that I’m nothing more than a flawed and enthusiastic tool in the right hands. I will share what I learn. What you do with Yahowah’s Guidance is up to you. If you come to accept it, then I would encourage you to augment what you are discovering here and, as time permits, begin to translate and contemplate God’s Word on your own, also sharing what you come to know along the way so that all of us are enlightened and enriched as a result.
Rather than going directly to God, and to His Towrah, the Yisra’elites went to Shamuw’el. And that’s perplexing because, as we learned in the previous chapter, Shamuw’el encouraged them to turn directly to Yahowah. But it may not have mattered, because these folks were interested in talking, not listening. It reminds me of Christians who are fixated on praying to their god, but never actually listen to God.
251“So then (wa), all of the elders (kol zaqen – every one of those advanced in age and mature) of Yisra’el (Yisra’el – Individuals who Engage and Endure with God in addition to those who Wrestle and Struggle with God) gathered together (qabats – assembled), and they came to (wa bow’ ‘el – returned to and pursued) Shamuw’el (Shamuw’el – He Listens to God) for their betrayal (ha ramah – to mislead, dealing treacherously, to beguile and to deceive, to abandon and to renege on the agreement (note: Ramah is a town in Benyamyn | Benjamin); also speaks of maggots and of a manmade religious shrine to gather and worship; from ram – where the exalted and lofty nobles are loud and proud).” (Shamuw’el / He Listens to God / 1 Samuel 8:4)
What’s interesting here is that we have two completely different options available to us with regard to the final word, ha-ramah. There was a town in Benjamin called Ramah, thereby associating this misguided action with history’s most infamous descendant of Benjamin: Sha’uwl | Paul. The other option is even more telling, and that is to simply translate ramah, thereby depicting the elders as “treacherous, beguiling, and deceitful.” A translation reveals that the actual intent of their gathering was to present themselves “ramah – like nobility, elevating their own status by being loud and proud.” And considering that the Covenant affords no accommodation for either, doing so was in essence “reneging on the original agreement and abandoning the relationship.” These “ramah – maggots” were “ramah – plotting to build their own religious shrines in order to worship their own gods.”
An amalgamation of these connotations, reveals that the ramah are: “arrogant, loudmouthed, self-exalting Benjamites who preach a treacherously deceitful message of betrayal to deceive the unwary into abandoning the relationship agreement with God for religious worship.” Yahowah has just painted a bullseye on Sha’uwl’s | Paul’s 252forehead. These men wanted to do away with the existing provisions Yahowah had established to justly resolve disputes and replace God’s plan with their own.
Ramah also serves as the basis for the Islamic Ramadan. Muslims will protest that it is an Arabic word (meaning scorching heat), not Hebrew, however, virtually every important Qur’anic term, such as “Quran,” itself (from qara’ | to read and recite), is of Hebrew origin. In this case, Ramadan is when Muhammad purported to have received his first Qur’anic revelation, an episode that was so “ramah – misleading and treacherous, so beguiling and deceitful,” it’s amazing that this demonic overture promoting the “abandonment” of Yahowah and “rejection of His Covenant agreement” would be celebrated by anyone sane. Not only was an illiterate man asked to “read,” a demonic spirit nearly killed him. The experience was so horrific, Muhammad tried to commit suicide, believing that he had been demon-possessed.
While Sha’uwl | Paul would demean and discard Yahowah’s Towrah | Teaching and Naby’ | Prophets, saying that God’s “old system should be equated to porn,” this treacherous assembly of elders simply called Yahowah’s prophet “old.” But that was just the beginning for both of them. It would get far worse. The plot is about to darken.
“And they actually said to him, ‘Behold, you are old. And your sons have not walked in your ways. So then, henceforth, we want to put in place for us a ruler, a king who is in charge of the government, serving as our political, religious, and military authority, to make our decisions for us and to govern us, just like all of the Gentile nations.’ (8:5)
253And this statement was quite literally wrong and would always be harmful, continuously troubling, immoral and improper, in the eyes and understanding of Shamuw’el, accordingly, when they said, ‘Appoint for us a ruler, establishing a government, for the purpose of actually deciding for us and continually governing over us.’ So Shamuw’el personally requested ongoing intercession from Yahowah. (8:6)
Then Yahowah said to Shamuw’el, ‘Choose to actually listen within certain limits to the voice of the people concerning everything they have to say to you because they are not against you, rejecting you, but, instead, they have rejected Me, avoiding and actually despising an association with Me as an authority and advisor to ponder, consider, and respond to among them. (8:7)
Similar to and consistent with the deeds, customs, and practices that they have engaged in from the day I lifted them up and withdrew them out of the crucibles of Mitsraym, even to this very day. And so, they have rejected Me and are continually abandoning Me, and they are serving gods of others. And now they are also doing so to you.’” (Shamuw’el / He Listens to God / 1 Samuel 8:5-8)
This is extraordinarily sad. Freewill is a tremendous gift, but one which has to be handled with considerable care. That was not the case in Yisra’el.
It would be the turning point, the place in time when man decided he was more capable than God. So let’s examine these words carefully in order to avoid the same mistakes.
“And they actually said to him (wa ‘amar ‘el huw’ – so they continually conveyed to him (qal imperfect)), ‘Behold (hineh – now pay attention), you are old (‘atah zaqen), and your sons (wa beny) have not walked in your 254ways (lo’ halak ba derek – have not journeyed along your path (qal perfect)).
So then, now (‘atah – henceforth, from this point on, and straightaway, for the next phase) we want to put in place for us (sym la ‘anah – appoint and assign before us) a ruler (melek – a king, a head of state, a governmental, political, religious, and military authority) to judge us (shaphat – to resolve our disputes and to make our decisions for us, to govern us) just like (ka – as it the case with and similar to) all of the Gentile nations (kol ha gowym – all of the animalistic and pagan foreigners).’” (Shamuw’el / He Listens to God / 1 Samuel 8:5)
By making this request, the leading elders of Yisra’el were rejecting the Towrah, its Covenant, and its Author. At this juncture, the Gentile nations with which the Yisra’elites were most familiar were Mitsraym and Kana’an.
“And Yahowah communicated to Moseh to say, (Qara’ 18:1) ‘Speak to the children of Yisra’el. And you should say to them, “I am Yahowah, your God. (Qara’ 18:2) Anything similar to the practices of the realm of Mitsraym | existing as the crucibles of human oppression, in which you dwelled, you should not act upon or engage in.
And also, anything similar to the customs and pursuits of the realm of Canaan, the Merchants who Subdue, where I am bringing you, there you should not engage in what they choose to do. You should not walk in or follow their clearly communicated and inscribed prescriptions for living. (Qara’ 18:3)
In accord with My means to execute good judgment regarding the way to resolve disputes, you should engage and act, and in association with My clearly communicated and inscribed prescriptions for living, you should observe, closely examine and carefully 255consider, to approach by walking in and following them. I am Yahowah, your God.”’” (Qara’ / Called Out / Leviticus 18:4)
But this was not the only time Yahowah advised His children on the subject of emulating the ways of the Gentile nations. Also, in Qara’ / Leviticus, this time in the 20th chapter, God listed some of the things He detested about Gentile customs prior to offering the same admonition. First among them was choosing to place one’s children under the influence of gods established by governments:
“Speaking through Moseh, Yahowah says (Qara’ 20:1) to the children of Yisra’el, ‘Any man whosoever, whether Yisra’elite or foreigner, dwelling in Yisra’el, who offers his children to Molek, to the pagan god of government, to the god of kings and rulers, to those who entrap and control their prey by way of their counsel (Molek – god of the Phoenicians and Ammonites; from malak – the reign of kings and the imposition of government), surely such people will die. The people of the Land should stone him with stones. (Qara’ 20:2)
And My presence will be set against that man, and I will cut him off from the midst of his people, since he has given some of his offspring to the Molek, to the pagan god of government, to the god of kings and rulers, to those who entrap and control their prey by way of their counsel, so as to defile My sanctuary and to profane My set-apart name. (Qara’ 20:3)
If the people of the Land, however, choose to disregard that man, closing their eyes regarding him, when he offers any of his offspring to the kings, to the government and their god, to Molek, so as not to put him to death, (Qara’ 20:4) then, I, Myself, will set My presence against that individual and also against his constituents, nation, extended family, and kindred spirits, along with everyone who is following after him 256and unfaithful, prostituting themselves by engaging in whoring around after the god of kings and government, Molek, who seeks to entrap and control from the midst of the people and family. (Qara’ 20:5)
So, the soul who relationally turns to intoxicating spirits, to inebriating spiritualists and mediums, to the ghosts of the dead, or to those who are familiar with and claim to know about spirits, necromancers, and soothsayers, even approaching whoring around after them, I will establish Myself against that soul and will cut them off from being part of the family. (Qara’ 20:6)
Therefore, separate yourselves and then you shall exist set apart, because I am Yahowah, your God. (Qara’ 20:7)
Observe My clearly communicated and inscribed prescriptions for living and act upon them, because I am Yahowah who sets you apart.’” (Qara’ / Leviticus 20:8)
So then after telling us not to sacrifice our children, by whoring after the god of government, and not to participate in any form of religion, Yahowah tells us:
“If any individual belittles, disdains, despises, or trivializes (qalal – diminishes the value of, retreats from, and makes light of) in this regard, his Father or in this regard, his Mother, he shall surely die, ceasing to exist.” (Qara’ / Leviticus 20:9)
In this context, and especially following the criticism of fathers offering their children to Molek, the Father and Mother we ought not to belittle represent our Heavenly Father and Spiritual Mother.
This is followed by stating that “continually committing adultery with an evil and adversarial woman is deadly.” (Qara’ 20:10)
257The list of debilitating perversions includes every possible permutation of incest, as well as bestiality. God concludes with:
“Therefore, you should observe, closely examining and carefully considering, all of My clearly communicated and inscribed prescriptions for living as well as the entirety of My means to execute good judgment regarding the way to resolve disputes, and likewise, act upon them, so that I do not vomit you out of the Land where I’m bringing you to live. (Qara’ 20:22)
And you should not follow, walking in, the engraved ordinances regarding conduct associated with the Gentile nation that I dispatched and sent away before you because they did all of these things and I detested them.” (Qara’ / Leviticus 20:23)
While nothing could be as germane to the issue at hand than the Qara’ 20 decree, similar cautions regarding the politics, social customs, and religion of the Gentiles can be found in Dabarym / Deuteronomy 12:20 and 18:9 (which we’ll consider later), as well as Shaphat / Judges 6:10, leaving the elders of Yisra’el without excuse. The best-known instruction in this regard was scribed by Yirma’yah / Jeremiah (in 10:2), albeit four centuries later.
The Christian, Sha’uwl, was also rather fond of the Gentile nations. He adopted a Roman name, Paulos. He wrote in their language, Greek. He quoted and praised their gods, the Lord and the Graces. And he wanted everyone to subject themselves to their governments.
Just as would be the case with Sha’uwl | Paul, and the Christians he betrayed, the Elders of Yisra’el didn’t much like God’s way. Neither would walk in His way. They all preferred the ways of the pagan Gentiles.
258Shamuw’el, appreciating God’s disdain for Gentile nations, Gentile governments, Gentile religions, Gentile gods, Gentile militaries, Gentile leaders, and Gentile customs, or in His parlance, “the disgusting ways of the Gentile nations,” recognized immediately that this was a horrible idea with devastating consequences.
“And (wa) this statement (ha dabar – this matter and word, this speech) was literally wrong and would always be harmful (ra’a – it was decidedly evil and actually immoral, it was genuinely wicked and continuously troubling, it was consistently displeasing, disastrous, and distressing, it would bring great hardship, affliction, misery, terrible mistreatment, absolute calamity, injury, and ruin over time; from ra’ – it was improper and sinful and would sever the relationship bringing sadness, sorrow, and regret (the qal stem denotes a literal interpretation, while the imperfect conjugation conveys ongoing results (rosh ayn ayn))) in the eyes and understanding (ba ‘ayn – from the perspective and in the sight) of Shamuw’el (Shamuw’el – He Listens to God; a compound of shama’ – hear, pay attention to, perceive, and understand ‘el – God Almighty), accordingly, when (ka ‘asher – in the matter of the relationship, in as much as) they said (‘amar – they claimed, intending and requesting, avowing (qal perfect)), ‘Appoint for us (nathan la ‘anachnuw – place before us, giving and granting us the approach of, bestowing, producing, committing, granting, and delivering to us) a ruler (melek – a king, someone to be in charge of the government, a political, societal, religious, and military authority and advisor to ponder, consider, and respond to) for the purpose of (la) actually deciding for us and continually governing over us (shaphat nuw – always judging for us, having ongoing authority over us, leading us and defending us (qal infinitive construct – a verbal noun intensifying the action of an ongoing condition)).’
259So (wa) Shamuw’el (Shamuw’el – He Listens to God; from shama’ – to hear, to pay attention to, to perceive and to understand, ‘el – God Almighty) personally requested ongoing intercession (palal – decided on his own initiative that he’d receive a thoughtful response regarding the consequences, and thus individually made a request of, while asking for intervention mediation, and arbitration (hitpael stem, whereby the subject, Shamuw’el, acts upon his own initiative and in the process causes the object, Yahowah, to respond and engage, imperfect conjugation – on an ongoing basis)) from (‘el – from the perspective of the Almighty) Yahowah (Yahowah – an accurate transliteration of the name YaHoWaH, our ‘elowah – God as guided by His towrah – instructions regarding His hayah – existence and our shalowm – reconciliation).” (Shamuw’el / He Listens to God / 1 Samuel 8:6)
Shamuw’el already knew God’s position on this matter. He had read the Towrah – as have we. Yahowah had provided clear and unequivocal instructions regarding the ways of the Gentiles, telling all who would listen not to do what they did, especially governmentally and religiously. But nonetheless, Shamuw’el asked and then paused to listen to Yahowah’s response.
“Then (wa) Yahowah (Yahowah – the proper pronunciation of the name of YaHoWaH, our ‘elowah – God as directed in His towrah – teaching regarding His hayah existence and our shalowm – restoration) said (‘amar – answered and spoke, responded audibly using words (qal imperfect)) to (‘el – as the Almighty to) Shamuw’el (Shamuw’el – He Listens to God from shama’ – to hear, to pay attention to, to perceive and to understand ‘el – God Almighty),
‘Choose to actually listen (shama’ – it’s at your discretion, but I’d like for you to genuinely hear and understand (qal imperative – literal interpretation of a request presented under the auspices of freewill in the 260second person)) within certain limits (ba – within their defined three-dimensional area), to the voice (qowl – to the sound) of the people (ha ‘am – of the nation, group, followers, and related kin) concerning (la – with regard to) everything (kol – all and the totality of) that they have to say (‘asher ‘amar – what they propose and claim on an ongoing basis regarding the relationship (qal imperfect)) to you (‘el ‘atah), because (ky – for indeed, truly) they are not against you (lo’ ‘eth ‘atah), rejecting you (ma’as – avoiding an association with you at this moment, temporarily despising, scorning, and spurning you, being adverse to and loathing you (qal perfect)), but, instead (ky ‘eth), they have rejected Me, avoiding and actually despising an association with Me (‘any ma’as – refusing and spurning the idea of Me (qal perfect)) as (min) an authority and advisor to ponder, consider, and respond to (melek – a ruler, a king, someone to be in charge) among them (‘al hemah – before and over them).’” (Shamuw’el / He Listens to God / 1 Samuel 8:7)
It was sad but true. And the same could be said of Sha’uwl | Paul and the Christians he misled. They weren’t just rejecting a prophet, they were not just demeaning the original way God had established of doing things, they were not just abandoning the Towrah’s Guidance, or simply the means God provided to justly resolve disputes. They were rejecting Yahowah. Those who choose to trust government or religion distance themselves from God. By choosing one over the other, they are estranged from the Covenant and excluded from Heaven.
There are no exceptions. There are no excuses. There is no remedy. There is not and never will be a single Christian, Muslim, Secular Humanist, Hindu, Buddhist, Roman Catholic, or Mormon in Heaven. Similarly, there are no politicians who have devoted their lives to government service in heaven. God is overtly opposed to 261both, and so the last thing on His mind is spending His eternity with such misguided men and women.
Should you be curious, I can think of three reasons Yahowah would encourage Shamuw’el to listen to those proposing this horrendous idea. First, His prophets are more effective when they understand the reasons human schemes are counterproductive, and thus why they are an abomination to God. Empathy can be a powerful motivator when compassion drives us to expose and condemn ideas that are deceitful, destructive, deadly, and damning.
Prior to hating religious and political institutions which inspire things like terrorism, kidnapping, slavery, rape, pedophilia, sexual discrimination, deprivation of freedoms, indoctrination, thievery, and mass murder, we serve as unwitting enablers. Our failure to understand the menace, and stand up against it, leads to more innocent people becoming victimized by the perpetrators of these crimes. Righteous indignation is enlightened, compassionate, moral, rational, responsible, Godly, and right. It is a wonder that misguided and immoral Secular Humanists under the umbrella of Political Correctness get away with their campaign against morality.
Second, Shamuw’el was God’s friend, associate, and companion. Friends share joys and burdens with those they love and respect. Yahowah was deeply hurt by Yisra’el’s betrayal, and Shamuw’el was among a handful of people with whom He could share His frustration. In this way, our neshamah – conscience not only causes us to reflect our Creator’s nature, but it also enables us to appreciate the mind and emotions of God. It allows us to relate to one another in meaningful ways.
Third, there is power in understanding. The more we know about the history of government and religion, the more clearly God’s instructions regarding the ills of these 262institutions resonate, and the more likely we will do as He requests and walk away from them.
For this reason, Moseh was chosen to go with Yahowah to Mitsraym. He understood the Egyptians. He knew the pharaoh, his government, his religion, and his military. This made him more effective.
Howsha’ | Hosea was asked to marry a temple prostitute so that he would better appreciate Yahowah’s frustration with Yisra’el’s relationship with the Whore of Babylon. As a result, Howsha’s prophetic testimony is extremely compelling.
I was once a Christian, an ordained ruling elder in the Presbyterian church, and an evangelist who taught Bible studies. This exposure, while embarrassing to me now, has the benefit of having equipped me to be a much more effective witness against the religion’s many deceptions. This is similar to how Moseh must have felt looking back at his time in Pharaoh’s household.
Simply stated: the more we know, the more we understand, the better our relationship with Yahowah will be and the more productive we become witnessing to our fellow man.
Speaking of understanding, Sha’uwl | Paul did not prevail in a vacuum. The Greeks and the Romans were already predisposed to despise Yahowah, His message, and His people. Similarly, these arrogant and treacherous elders weren’t the first nor were they alone among Yisra’elites in their rejection of Yahowah. Neither God nor truth has ever been popular.
“‘This is similar to and consistent with (ka – making a comparison and connection, this is like) all of (kol – everything and the totality of) the deeds, customs, and practices (ha ma’asah – the work, the labor, the focus of the undertakings and pursuits, the habits, and the things 263constructed) that they have engaged in (‘asher ‘asah – which they have by way of association acted upon and accomplished (qal perfect)) from the day (min yowm) I lifted them up and withdrew them (‘alah ‘any ‘eth hem – in association with them, I caused them to rise up and, together with them, I took them away (hifil infinitive – expressing action unlimited in time or individuals whereby the subject (Yah) causes the object (Yisra’el) to participate in the action as if they were just like the subject (God))) out of (min – away from) the crucibles of Mitsraym (mitsraym – the Black Land, Egypt, the confining and enslaving cauldrons of governmental, religious, military, and economic oppression; plural of matsowr which is from tsuwr – to be besieged by an adversary, curtailing freedoms, to be assaulted and tested to the limit of human endurance by a relentless foe, to be bound and controlled as a result of being confronted by a militaristic enemy which hems in and precludes escape, cutting off supplies, while relentlessly attacking the source of strength), even to this very day (wa ‘ad ha yowm ha zeh – also continuing to this specific time).
So (wa – then in addition, moreover) they have rejected Me and are continually abandoning Me (‘azab ‘any – they are actually leaving and ending any association with Me on an ongoing basis, continuously neglecting, discarding, and literally forsaking Me (qal imperfect)).
Moreover (wa), they are serving (‘abad – they are expending considerable energy and intensity to be indentured to, lowering their status by being enslaved, and reduced to servitude by worshiping (qal imperfect)) the gods (‘elohym) of others (‘acher – who are strange, manmade, additional, and different, who solicit a following, and who are derived from Benjamin – 1 Chronicles 7:12).
And now (wa) they are also doing such things with you (hemah gam ‘asah la ‘atah – they are engaging and 264acting this way in turn with you).’” (Shamuw’el / He Listens to God / 1 Samuel 8:8)
Based upon my experience over the past twenty-two years, I suspect that Yahowah’s accounting is correct, that there are thousands among billions who have accepted His merciful plan as a result of being observant. That means that as few as one in a million people are on the right path. The customs, deeds, and practices of the rest are misguided and counterproductive. And this has not changed. It was the same in Shamuw’el’s time.
It is subtle to be sure, but it isn’t insignificant. Yahowah “‘alah – lifted His children up and then withdrew them” from this bastion of religious and political subjugation. The kings, clerics, generals, and merchants, who were inferior to God in every way, forced every man and woman to bow before them and to submit to their authority. And yet, Yahowah enabled those who had been enslaved, controlled, and abused by the institutions of the Black Land to stand in His presence.
Fathers get on their knees to lift their children up. As our Heavenly Father, this is God’s initial goal with regard to His Family. He wants us up on our feet, not only so that He can lead us away from human subjugation, but also so that we can engage with Him and go where He would like to lead us. This is yet another example of how man’s ways are the inverse of God’s ways. Satan, and those working for him, have amassed a cadre of religious gods, all of which demand to be worshiped and to have men bow before them. This is the antithesis of what is desired by the one and only God.
There is a timeless message in the statement: “I lifted them up and withdrew them, and in association with them, I caused them to rise up, taking them out of and away from the Black Land, the confining and enslaving crucibles of governmental and religious oppression where they were 265besieged by an adversary who sought to curtail their freedoms, relentlessly assaulting and testing them to the limit of human endurance (‘alah ‘any ‘eth hem min mitsraym).” In it, the infinitive construct affirms that Yah’s response is unlimited in time and that it is available to every individual. Also, in the hifil stem, God is enabling us to participate in our quest for liberty while elevating us so that we become more like Him. In this regard, He is offering to free us from the negative influences of our country, our society, and our religion, as long as we are willing to stand up and walk away with Him.
In spite of the offer, or the One making it, 999,999 out of every 1,000,000 individuals turn it down, choosing instead to put their faith in false gods and unworthy people. The single most rejected individual in human history is the single most desirable.
In the previous chapter, we learned that religion separates mankind from God. Now we are discovering that so does government. Those who want their government to make decisions for them, to take care of them, to protect them, are rejecting Yahowah’s Instructions in this regard.
The Creator of the universe and the Author of life said of the people He had fashioned and rescued, that “‘azab ‘any – they had rejected and abandoned Me, they have neglected and discarded Me.”
And while that’s incomprehensible, they didn’t just end their association with their Creator and Savior. They replaced Him with false gods – gods conceived and created by the very human institutions that were abusing them. Can you even imagine Yahowah’s disappointment, His frustration, or His disgust?
It is a wonder He didn’t give up on us. But yet, just as there was a Shamuw’el, there would be others like him, 266men and women willing to listen to Him and accept His generous offer.
Akin to light, and in the seventh dimension, Yahowah is able to see our future and witness the consequences of our choices prior to their occurrence in our ordinary flow of time. Then He asks His prophets to write down what He has witnessed so that, when we read their accounts of future history, we will come to trust God’s witness and be forewarned.
What follows is an example of this. Yahowah knew that rulers would abuse their subjects and that all governments would be counterproductive. Choosing government over God would be as devastating as choosing religion over the relationship He envisioned.
“‘And so now, it’s at your discretion, but I’d like you to listen and understand, but only because you should testify repeatedly as a witness, admonishing and warning them now and continuously, approaching them and telling them conspicuously in their presence of the decisions and judgments of the ruler who shall reign over them.’ (Shamuw’el / 1 Samuel 8:9)
And so Shamuw’el conveyed all of the statements, every word, of Yahowah to a nation asking for a ruler. (Shamuw’el / 1 Samuel 8:10)
He said, ‘This specifically will continuously exist regarding the decisions and judgment, the procedures and processes, of the ruler and government who shall reign over you:
1) he will continually take your sons,
2672) he will appoint for himself vehicles to be used as his weapons, as his cavalry, his warhorses, and his horsemen as a means to pierce, separate, and scatter.
3) And they [your sons] shall be swiftly deployed within his vehicles serving as weapons of war. (Shamuw’el / 1 Samuel 8:11)
4) Then he will appoint for himself commanders and captains, lords and princes, thousands of military officers with rank, along with leaders of the government and society by the fifties.
5) And by extension, they will conceal the evil they are doing for him while devising a plot that causes others to be deaf, dumb, and speechless.
6) They will reap his harvest for the purpose of manufacturing his weapons for continuous war, along with the implements to complete his military vehicles. (Shamuw’el / 1 Samuel 8:12)
7) And with regard to your daughters, he will continually take them for ointment makers and mixers, working for him as druggists, and as menial executioners and butchers, even as bakers of bread or cakes. (Shamuw’el / 1 Samuel 8:13)
8) From the best of your fields and pastures for grazing, and your cultivated land and vineyards, as well as your olive groves, he will continually take, and he will give all of these to his slaves and servants, to his designated officers and officials, and to his dependents. (Shamuw’el / 1 Samuel 8:14)
9) The sowing of seeds and the cultivation of your land and vineyards, he will decimate by demanding a tax, confiscating a tenth, and he will give all of it to the high-ranking military officers, government officials, and the religious ministers he has castrated, to his 268subjects, slaves, and servants. (Shamuw’el / 1 Samuel 8:15)
10) And with your male and female workers, your subordinates and dependents, in addition to your best young men, even your finest beasts of burden, along with your most desirable oil, he will consistently take to engage in his prescribed affairs and mission. (Shamuw’el / 1 Samuel 8:16)
11) Your flocks, he will decimate by demanding a tax, confiscating a tenth,
12) and you shall literally and continually exist for him, therefore, as slaves, subjects, and servants.’” (Shamuw’el / 1 Samuel 8:17)
That certainly does not sound pleasant or productive. So why is anyone patriotic? Why would anyone in their right mind ask God to bless their country or, worse, bless their troops after reading this?
Yahowah had a lot to say about the human institution of government. Let’s listen carefully, starting again with the preamble of His debilitating list of grievances.
“‘And now (wa ‘atah – so then), it’s at your discretion, but I’d like you to listen and understand (shama’ – choose to hear (qal imperative – literal interpretation of a request presented under the auspices of freewill)), but only because (‘ak ky – indeed, albeit by way of contrast, rather) you should testify repeatedly as a witness, admonishing and warning them now and continuously (‘uwd ‘uwd ba hem – you should correct them at this time and on an ongoing basis and caution them by boldly declaring a vital caveat (hifil imperfect infinitive)), (wa) approaching them and telling them conspicuously in their presence (nagad la hem – informing them in their midst, making it known to them by announcing, expounding, acknowledging as a messenger, 269and publishing the report in opposition to them) of the decisions and judgments (mishpat – the procedures and processes, even the justifications; from shaphat – the means to exercise judgment, to make decisions, and to decide disputes, to plead the cause and case of and to defend the controversy of the government) of the ruler (ha melek – of the king, of the one in charge of the government, of the political, societal, religious, and military authority, of the advisor to ponder, consider, and respond to) who shall reign (‘asher malak – who as a result of this association shall act as an authority to rule and be in charge) over them (‘al hemah – before and among them).’” (Shamuw’el / He Listens to God / 1 Samuel 8:9)
The choice is ours. That is the nature of freewill. But no decision can be reasoned or rational if we are ill-informed or misinformed. God wants us to embrace the best possible option, the one that provides the most reliable and beneficial results. So, in addition to explaining the merits of His Covenant, He has taken the time to expose and condemn the failures of government.
We have been forewarned which is why we are without excuse. Yahowah asked Shamuw’el to approach mankind in the most conspicuous way, in our presence, declaring and publishing what He knew would befall us if we submitted to human authority, if we became political. And be aware: this isn’t just a treatise on the ills of totalitarian regimes. This admonition isn’t just in opposition to the Holy Roman Empire’s imposition of clerics and kings. The people were not only choosing to be governed, but they also chose the candidate and system of governance. The notion that democracy is somehow Godly is completely misplaced.
“And so (wa – then) Shamuw’el (Shamuw’el – He Listens to God from shama’ – to hear, to pay attention to, to perceive and to understand ‘el – God Almighty) conveyed (‘amar – continually and actually spoke, said, 270communicated, and declared (qal imperfect)) all of the statements, every word, (kol dabar – the entire message), of Yahowah () to a nation (ha ‘am – to a group of people or related kin) asking for (sha’al – inquiring about and requesting, even demanding; serving as the basis for Sha’uwl – the given name of the author of the Christian New Testament (meaning Question Him)) a ruler (ha melek – a king, a leader to be in charge of the government, a political, societal, religious, and military authority, a head of state to ponder, consider, and respond to).” (Shamuw’el / He Listens to God / 1 Samuel 8:10)
This government, one modeled after the pagan military states surrounding them, was the people’s choice. In spite of all of the abuse they had suffered at the hands of such regimes, especially in Egypt, they wanted to forfeit their independence and relinquish their freedom.
There is a myth that a nation’s people are free if their leaders govern them as opposed to being governed by another nation. But men are men. Leaders don’t suddenly become good in Ireland but bad in Scotland, evil in England but righteous in Wales, wicked in Spain but altruistic in France. The Soviets weren’t any better than the Nazis. The Romans were worse than the Greeks. The US government is more oppressive by almost any measure than that of the native peoples it displaced.
Everything that follows is a consequence of requesting a ruler, of wanting to be governed, of favoring the oversight of a political, religious, and military institution. This is the way governments operate, their standard procedure, their accepted practices, and the way they make decisions and impose their judgments.
“He said (wa ‘amar – so He answered and promised, communicating, claiming, and declaring (qal imperfect)), ‘This specifically (zeh – in direct reference to this entity, this should be regarded as what) will continuously exist as 271(hayah – will come to always and actually be (qal imperfect)) the decisions and judgment, the procedures and processes (mishpat – the measures and justifications; from shaphat – the means exercise judgment, to make decisions, and to decide disputes, to plead the cause and controversy of the authority) of the ruler and government (ha melek – of the king, of the one in charge of the government, of the political, societal, religious, and military authority, of the advisor to ponder, consider, and respond to) who shall reign (‘asher malak – who as a result of this association shall act as an authority to rule and be in charge) over you (‘al hemah – before and among you): In opposition (‘eth – in association and with accomplices):
1) He will continually take (laqah – he will habitually obtain and grasp hold of, he will always collect, select, and consider his possession (qal imperfect)) your sons (‘atah beny – your children),
2) and he will appoint for himself (wa sym la huw’ – he will cause to be made and then give to himself, establishing for himself) vehicles used as his weapons (merkabah huw’ – his chariots as part of him doing business, wheeled vehicles in which his soldiers will be seated and ride; from merkab and rakab – mobile military vehicles which are ridden into battle by troops), as his cavalry and his horsemen as a means to pierce, separate, and scatter (wa ba parash huw’ – along with his horsepower designed for aggressive military purposes and the experts trained to fight on them; from parash – to distinguish as dung by breaking things into pieces, to declare distinct and separate (military vs. civilian) to sting and toss aside, to wound and puncture reducing to fecal matter).
3) Then (wa), they [your sons] shall move swiftly, being rapidly deployed (ruwts – they shall quickly and aggressively pursue, speedily running (qal perfect)), in the presence of (la paneh – in the presence of) his vehicles 272serving as weapons of war (merkabah huw’ – his chariots as part of him doing business, his wheeled vehicles in which his soldiers will be seated and ride; from merkab and rakab – his mobile military vehicles which are ridden into battle by his troops).’” (Shamuw’el / He Listens to God / 1 Samuel 8:11)
The numbers 1), 2), 3), etc. have been supplied, and like the verse designations, are not in the original text.
Governments are warlike. Their first inclination is to establish a military by drafting the nation’s children. Then they build weapons of war. Their second inclination is to use them.
Consider the Gentile nations of Babylon, Egypt, Assyria, Persia, Sparta, Greece, Carthage, and Rome. Consider the Byzantines and Ottomans, Great Britain and Germany, Russia and China. It has always been this way.
Today, the world’s largest military is in the United States. It is the most expensive and best equipped. It is also the most prone to be deployed. America has become what Yahowah predicted, having fought 101 wars since the first European Christians set foot upon the continent.
Government leaders do not act alone. They enjoin accomplices. Kings authorize lords to enslave the people, to rob them of their dignity, their freedom, and the fruits of their labor. Rulers also need generals to impose their authority. Generals need officers to do their bidding.
Hitler was an evil man, but he was powerless until the masses voted for him. Even then, he required a legion of accomplices to carry out his agenda and start a war. In Imperial Rome, the first thing a wannabe Caesar did during his rise to power was bribe generals and their legions to support him. Muhammad founded a religion by telling his jihadists that they could keep eighty percent of whatever they stole.
273Recognizing that this would be the case, God reported…
4) “‘And then (wa), he will appoint for himself (sym la huw’ – he will cause to be made and then give to himself, arranging and establishing for himself, putting into place for himself (qal infinitive)) commanders and captains, lords and princes (sar – military officers with rank, leaders of the government and society, wardens overseeing those who are imprisoned, official rulers, merchant princes, vassals and overseers, nobility; from sarar – those who have the power to lord over and govern in an adversarial manner), by the thousands (‘elephym) and (wa) military officers with rank and leaders of the government and society (sar – commanders and captains, lords and princes, official rulers, merchant princes, vassals and overseers, nobility; from sarar – those who have the power to lord over and govern in an adversarial manner) fifty at a time (chameshym).
5) And by extension (wa la), they will conceal the evil they are doing for him while devising a plot that leaves their victims deaf, dumb, and speechless (charash charysh huw’ – they will use an engraving tool to inscribe for him, holding their tongues, while secretly engaging in demonic religious rituals for him, working clandestinely in a manner not widely known, keeping their sorcery and specifics known only to those working for him at the highest level in his harsh and vehement tilling scheme (qal infinitive)).
6) They will reap (qatsar – they will cut off, vex, and grieve, they will anguish, shortening the life and strength of (qal infinitive)) his harvest (qatsyr huw’) for the purpose of (wa la – so as to and concerning) manufacturing (‘asah – creating and making, fashioning and deploying, acting and engaging with (qal infinitive)) his weapons (kely huw’ – his vessels, equipment, objects, supplies, and articles) of continuous war (milhamah – for 274constant combat, for conducting ongoing battles, always ready to attack in hostile military actions; from malah and lacham – fighting using naval vessels, engaging in battles and waging wars) along with (wa) the implements and apparatus to complete (kaly – the equipment required to facilitate and finish; from kalah – to accomplish and consume, to complete) his military vehicles (rekeb huw’ – his mounted cavalry and chariots).’” (Shamuw’el / He Listens to God / 1 Samuel 8:12)
Almost every oppressive human institution has a hierarchical structure. In the Roman Catholic Church, the pope rules over cardinals who outrank bishops, who in turn preside over priests, with the laity at the bottom rung. In the army, generals command colonels, who in turn order majors to direct captains over lieutenants, warrant officers, sergeants, and privates of various grades and classes.
Among royalty, we find kings over queens, princes over dukes, earls, and barons, and all lording over the common man. Even in business, there is a Chairman of the Board, a CEO, a President, Senior and Executive Vice Presidents, Directors, Managers, Supervisors, and Foremen.
With God, there is no hierarchy – no chain of command, no organizational chart, no caste system. Yahowah does not lord over us. He lifts us up so that we can stand with Him. If you recall, that was the lesson Yahowah wanted us to understand by observing ants.
The evil intent of government is almost always concealed from the public. But even when the most reprehensible acts are made public, as was the case recently with Julian Assange of WikiLeaks and Edward Snowden, the masses don’t seem to care. It is as if governments have devised plots that are so debilitating that the masses are left deaf, dumb, and speechless. This condition is pervasive in 275the West, and especially in the era of the Department of Homeland Security.
The Romans accomplished the same thing by crucifying anyone who criticized them, or who sought to be free of them. The Roman Catholic Church followed their example and devised the most gruesome implements of torture the world has ever known to silence their critics.
Today, socialist secular nations, under the guise of political correctness, cloak their wickedness in darkness by ostracizing anyone who is willing to tell the truth. Criticize a religion, homosexuality, the military, or democracy in a public forum and watch what happens. If you are elected, you’ll be booted out of office, and if you are employed, you will lose your job.
In this vein, the economy of nations is all too often predicated upon the strength and imposition of their militaries. Rome’s economy, like that of Babylon and Assyria, was based upon tribute, of forcing people conquered by their armies to surrender their wealth. They even took their sons, forcing them to serve in the legions that facilitated Rome’s propensity to steal.
Islam grew this same way. During its “Golden Era,” Muslims, following Muhammad’s example, ravaged the planet, killing, enslaving, and plundering the highest percentage of the world’s population ever endured. Similarly, the British Colonial Period was a product of its navy. More recently, America has become the merchant of death by building the world’s largest military and selling more weapons than any nation in human history. It has military bases in over one hundred countries and uses its Army, Navy, and Air Force to impose its economic preferences and trade practices.
This is why Yahowah told us that a nation’s harvest would falter because the proceeds would increasingly be used to manufacture deadly and destructive devices. So 276once again, whether we are looking at what happened to Yisra’el, what happened to Rome, or what’s occurring before our eyes in America, God has been right on the money.
But He was not done exposing and condemning government. In fact, He was just getting started.
7) “And with regard to your daughters (wa ‘eth bat ‘atah), he will continually take them (laqah – he will habitually obtain and grasp hold of, he will always collect, select, and consider his possession (qal imperfect)) for (la – to approach as) ointment makers and mixers, working as druggists (raqach – to mix and prepare oil and spices in a pharmacy, to make compounds in an apothecary, to supply drugs), and as menial executioners and butchers (wa la tabahah – to cook up killing without a struggle, to butcher and to slaughter), even as (wa la) bakers of bread or cakes (‘aphah – cooks).” (Shamuw’el / He Listens to God / 1 Samuel 8:13)
Most religious translators render raqach as “perfume makers.” I suspect they do so to trivialize the work of women and to diminish the scope of Yahowah’s rebuke. But the word is actually very similar to the Greek “chriso – to supply and apply drugs” as well as “to be drugged,” upon which the title and designation “Christ” and “Christian” were derived.
As is the case with America, where such a high percentage of the population is drugged, either with prescription narcotics, illicit drugs, or alcohol, the masses are often controlled this way. In fact, beer, ale, and wine became the cornerstone of human civilization, without which cities would not exist.
Drinking untreated water was and remains deadly because it is contaminated with pathogens, especially when that water is polluted by man. But that came with a price. Alcohol is intoxicating, impairing judgment, dulling 277consciences, and debilitating the ability to properly respond to what the inebriated observe.
I write these words in Butler County, Ohio. That’s relevant because in the first nine months of last year, 2015, 108 of the 135 deaths in the county were attributed to heroin overdoses. Nationwide, heroin use is up over 400%. The country is decaying in its heartland.
Even the title “‘aphah – baker” carries concerning overtones. In Howsha’ | Hosea 7:4, the bakers are called adulterers for tainting the process of baking as well as for creating the round wafer cakes used in religious rituals. That is why mothers were implicated in the Yirma’yah | Jeremiah passage we considered previously in association with the Eastertime worship of ‘Ashtart | Ishtar.
Governments confiscate the proceeds of those who, unlike them, work to be productive. Taxation is legalized stealing. The money is used to advance a whole host of inappropriate activities, including enriching those in charge.
8) “‘From the best of (wa ‘eth ha towb – out of the prosperity of your goods in) your fields and pastures for grazing (sadeh – land under your care and in your territory, particularly that used by shepherds to graze their sheep), and your cultivated land and vineyards (kerem – your farmland where crops are planted, tended, and harvested, often associated with growing grapes for wine), as well as (wa) your olive groves (zayth – your orchards), he will continually take (laqah – he will choose to consistently collect and habitually obtain, literally taking away with developing consequences over time (qal yiqtol imperfect)).
And he will give all of this to his slaves and servants, to his designated officers and officials, and to his dependents (wa nathan la ‘ebed – and then he will offer and totally provide these to those he controls, bestowing them completely to those who serve him, actually granting 278and assigning them to those who work for him, advise him, and worship him (qal perfect)).’” (Shamuw’el / He Listens to God / 1 Samuel 8:14)
This is what is known today as “progressive taxation and liberal spending.” This wealth redistribution scheme penalizes those who are productive and rewards those who are not. Recognizing that Robin Hood was a thief engaged in armed robbery, this is the same system, albeit on a national scale. The payments are called “entitlements,” but in fact, they do little other than cause the recipients to become dependents – which is their purpose. Such individuals are easy to control, and they never rebel.
Politicians garner support for themselves by taking from the few and giving to the many. The productive may protest, but when they fight to keep what they have earned, their property is confiscated as is their liberty and life. The masses, however, come to depend upon these grants, provisions that they have neither earned nor deserve. So, no matter how evil their government may be, they are conditioned to rely upon it, making them, in essence, dependents of the State – its children. The scheme destroys incentive and character.
And this is, of course, a bankrupt policy, which is why America has a national debt of over $30 Trillion and is burdened by another $100 Trillion in unfunded mandates. This system of entitlements is bankrupting Europe as well. Global economic collapse is inevitable. And it will inevitably lead to anarchy and chaos, the perfect conditions for evil to impose its will. Nations will falter economically before the world succumbs to Islamic Terrorism, Anthropogenic Global Warming, or the militarization of the world’s police, even to world war.
The Roman Catholic Church under Theodosius in 400 CE imposed the lord and serf fascist system of economic governance being described by God. It would devastate 279Europe for a millennium, depriving the masses of their productivity and freedom.
You may have noticed that there were three productive assets being confiscated: the best sheep, wine, and olive oil. The first two represent Passover’s Sacrificial Lamb and the blood He shed upon the Doorway to Life and upon the Mercy Seat to make the Covenant’s Children immortal.
Olive oil represents the Set-Apart Spirit because it enlightens, cleanses, and nourishes. Her Light perfects and empowers the Covenant’s Children, enriching them. When these three things are taken by the government, there is no hope for those controlled by it.
And while it will cost them their souls, those who do the bidding of rulers, their servants, officers, and officials, will remain loyal as a result of having these riches confiscated and assigned to them. As may have been the case with Shamuw’el’s sons, those who serve the government’s agenda are being paid to do so. Their judgment is compromised as is their collective character.
In this regard, democracy is the tyranny of the majority on the minority. The majority will vote for those who increase their entitlements by confiscating the wealth of the minority. This is also known as fascism, socialism, and communism – all of which are highly controlled forms of capitalism.
9) “‘And (wa) with the sowing of seeds (zera’ – your kernels which propagate the species and are productive, yielding a desirable result, your offspring and children, your posterity, that which you produce from your fruitful sowing) and cultivation of your land and vineyards (kerem – from your farmland where your crops are planted, tended, and harvested, especially your growing of grapes for wine), he will decimate by demanding a tax, confiscating a tenth (‘asar – he will annihilate by tithing, using governmental or religious authority to impose and 280extract ten percent, he will reduce and devastate (qal yiqtol imperfect)).
He will give all of it to the high-ranking military officers, the government officials, and the religious ministers he has castrated (wa nathan la saris – and then he will offer and totally provide it to those he’s made impotent, bestowing it in its entirety to the presidents, heads of state, and chiefs of staff, actually granting and assigning it to his authorized overseers; related to seren – his fellow lords, rulers, and tyrants (qal perfect)), as well as to his subjects, slaves, and servants (wa la ‘ebed – and to those he controls, and to his dependents, those who serve him, those who work for him and worship him).’” (Shamuw’el / He Listens to God / 1 Samuel 8:15)
Zera’, which speaks of “sowing seeds,” also addresses “being productive so that one’s labor yields a desirable result.” So once again, it is productivity that is being penalized, and thereby diminished.
But zera’ is just as accurately translated as “offspring” as in “children,” one’s “posterity.” Therefore, in this case, the lesson is that governments will influence generations of children, indoctrinating them to the point that their lives are devastated, and their souls are annihilated.
‘Asar, meaning “to confiscate ten percent as a tax or tithe,” is from ‘ashar, a verb which has two distinct meanings, one good, the other bad. On the positive side, it means “to enrich tenfold,” although it is usually written ‘isarown in such cases. Negatively, ‘asar is “to fake wealth and to pretend to be rich.” The verb is related to ‘asuwq which is “to oppress through extortion.” This is an ugly picture of a horrid institution. However, it is a valid portrayal of a fiat economy where assets are actually liabilities, and the currency has no tangible value.
This decimating tax is designed to confiscate the lion’s share of the food that is produced. The first cut is being 281used to feed the troops. The second is sold to equip them. But it also feeds the monster, enriching those who sacrifice their conscience for capital gain.
However, taxation, which penalizes productivity, reduces a nation’s output, devastating the economy over time. Wealth is confiscated, not created. It is taken from those who know how to use it to create more of it and given to those who squander it. Moreover, taxation is a control mechanism – a way of imposing power and rewarding the loyalty of the collaborators.
Should there have been any question regarding the nature of those receiving the ill-gotten gain, their station within the government and their affiliation with the leadership, Yahowah has added “saris – high-ranking military officers, government officials, and religious ministers who are heads of state, lords and tyrants” to “‘ebed – subjects, slaves, and servants who are dependent upon and controlled by the ruler.”
To be castrated is to have one’s testicles removed, emasculating the man and depriving him of his power and courage. A castrated man is neutered and thus easy to control. He is impotent.
It happens so often that it has become commonplace for senior political and military leadership of those nations charged with war crimes to protest that they were emasculated and impotent, powerless to prevent the horrors perpetrated by their government. And yet, it was that same government that empowered them and enriched them.
In organized crime, which is akin to politics and religion, deputies are “made” by documenting the crimes they are told to commit. Should the official grow a conscience, the cost of leaving the regime is character assassination at the very least.
282Over time, everything of value is decimated by government. The burdens grow, and so do the dependents, until the weight is too great for the productive to support, and it all crashes down. Nations seldom die at the hands of invaders. They almost always succumb to their own villainy and collapse from within.
10) “‘And with your male and female workers, your subordinates and dependents (wa ‘eth ‘ebed wa ‘eth ‘ebeduw – your male and female workers (from the DSS 4QSam, the MT has shiphchah – maids/slave girls)), in addition to your best young men (wa ‘eth bachuwr – your chosen one, your elect male youth, the most acceptable of your youth), and your finest beasts of burden, as well as the most desirable oil (ha towb ‘eth chamowr – the most beneficial and productive livestock trained to carry loads and barrels (a chomer is 65 gallons) of oil, pitch, tar, and bitumen), he will consistently take (laqah – he will habitually obtain and grasp hold of, he will always collect, select, and consider his possession (qal yiqtol imperfect)) to engage in (wa ‘asah – to act upon and do all of (qal perfect)) his prescribed affairs and mission (la mala’kah – to approximate his version of the service of the spiritual messenger; feminine of mal’ak – heavenly representative and spiritual envoy).’” (Shamuw’el / He Listens to God / 1 Samuel 8:16)
This is getting progressively worse. After confiscating the nation’s sons, building weapons of war, and sending boys off to fight for him, after imposing an autocratic hierarchy to carry out his clandestine mandates, after using young girls to intoxicate the public, after controlling the food supply, after imposing debilitating taxes to enrich his fellow lords and tyrants, making his subjects dependent slaves, he wants to control the means of production, taking the proceeds to engage in his own prescribed affairs.
His mission will be to position himself so that he is seen as an alternative to the “mala’kah – service of the 283spiritual messenger and heavenly representative” of Yahowah. He will have his own doctrine, a new covenant. The wannabe King Sha’uwl | Saul is in this way a prophetic prototype for the wannabe Apostle Sha’uwl | Paul.
The repurposed male and female workers were employees but are now servants. The beasts of burden are machines that have been transformed from the means of production to implements of war. But beyond this, chamowr is evocative of the transition from the purity of olive oil to the crude nature of a barrel of oil, the fuel of today’s war machines and the world’s most lucrative, enriching, and empowering commodity.
The best young man, however, is symbolic of the Chosen One, Dowd, Yahowah’s beloved Son – and thus the One we should be following instead of the King or Apostle. By appropriating Him, clerics and kings are engaging in Replacement Theology, whereby pagan myths are incorporated into their ill-conceived schemes.
It is interesting to note, that according to God, governments appropriate and control the means of production. All capitalistic systems, including free enterprise, fascism, socialism, and communism, orchestrate the four categories of capital – man, machine, money, and property – to drive the economy.
With free enterprise, the government regulates all of these things. With fascism, the government controls all of these things. With socialism, the government allots all of these things. And with communism, the government owns all of these things. But since ownership and control are different sides of the same coin, without exception, man’s economic systems serve governments.
You have heard of give and take in a relationship. Well, this is forcibly take and then give some of what you’ve taken to retain control.
284Yahowah is our shepherd. We are His sheep. He wants to lead us to the finest pastures, protecting and nurturing us along the way. Governments, however, consistently lead the sheeple astray, often to their slaughter.
11) “‘Your flocks (tso’n – your migrating herds, typically of sheep, goats, and cattle), he will decimate by demanding a tax, confiscating a tenth (‘asar – he will annihilate by tithing, using governmental or religious authority to impose and extract ten percent, he will reduce and devastate (qal yiqtol imperfect)),
12) and you shall literally and continually exist for him (wa ‘atem hayah – and you shall always be as an extension of his whim and will (qal yiqtol imperfect jussive)), accordingly (la – approaching the status of), as slaves (‘ebed – as servants controlled by the authority of government, the property of lords and masters, working for another as his subjects).’” (Shamuw’el / He Listens to God / 1 Samuel 8:17)
Yahowah led His children out of slavery, freeing them from bondage and servitude. Governments and those who rule over them take mankind in the opposite direction. That has been the message from the beginning.
Choose Yah, accept His Towrah Guidance, and engage in His Covenant and He will make you immortal. He will perfect you, adopt you, enrich and empower you, raising you up so that you can walk with Him. Choose man, accept human government, engage in politics and religion, and you will die after being corrupted, abused, and discarded, impoverished, and disenfranchised. So why is it that only one in a million choose Yah?
