1Observations
Teaching
1
Yahowah v. Lord
Who Are You Going to Call?…
It is with tremendous pleasure that I share the story presented in Melekym / 1 Kings 18:16-40. It is as entertaining as it is enlightening. There was a certain panache with the way ‘ElYah | Yah is God, the prophet, dealt with the religious influences of his day.
As it turns out, ‘ElYah | Elijah devised a test specifically designed to denounce and disprove the religion of the Lord, the ‘el | god referred to as ha Ba’al throughout the Canaanite Bible. A recently discovered limestone stele from Ugarit in northern Syria depicts ha Ba’al | the Lord with a lightning bolt in his hand, revealing his role as “the Thunderer who Rides the Clouds.” In addition, a bronze figurine of ha Ba’al from the 13th century BCE was found at Ras Shamra, and it shows the Lord thrusting a bolt of lightning at a presumed critic such as myself.
As we shall soon see, the great confrontation between ‘ElYah | Elijah and the 850 prophets of ha Ba’al | the Lord and ‘Asherah | Beneficial Relationship, who was presented as the Mother of God, Queen of Heaven, and Madonna and Child, is depicted in Melekym / 1 Kings 18. This inspired account reveals that Yahowah’s prophet was fully aware of the claims the Canaanites had made in favor of their god because he used them against them. The ha Ba’al | the Lord as a storm god, was shown to be impotent by ‘ElYah when he couldn’t so much as ignite a fire beneath an altar.
Then after Yahowah kindled the fire, and ‘ElYah sought to embarrass the Prince of the Air further, it was 2Yahowah who caused it to rain, extinguishing the fire that ha Ba’al was unable to snuff out. Without the images and texts from Tell Ras Shamra, we would not have known why the contest between real and imagined was structured in this way.
Let’s turn to it now and see how the historical and religious texts of the Canaanites regarding ha Ba’al contribute to our understanding of the story. And as we begin, we witness the oldest political trick in the book. Politicians project their flaws and vulnerabilities upon their opponents in the hope of confusing constituents and deflecting criticism away from themselves, all while muddying the waters and slandering their rivals.
“And (wa) it came about (hayah – it came to be), when (ky) ‘Ach‘ab (‘Ach‘ab – Woeful Father or Father’s Brother; a compound of ‘ach – woe or brother and ‘ab – father (king of Yisra’el and husband of ‘Iyezebel / Jezebel)) saw (ra’ah – viewed) ‘ElYah (‘Elyah – Yahowah is God) that (wa) ‘Ach‘ab (‘Ach‘ab – Woeful Father or Father’s Brother) said to him (‘amar ‘el huw – asked of him), ‘Is this you (ha ‘atah zeh), you troubler (‘akar – the source of hardship and anguish who distresses and oppresses, excommunicating the people) of Yisra’el (Yisra’el – Individuals who either Strive or Struggle with God)?’ (Melekym / Rulers / 1 Kings 18:17)
And (wa) he answered (‘amar – he expressed, clarifying), ‘It is not I who has troubled (lo’ ‘akar ‘eth – I am not the source of hardship or anguish who distresses and oppresses, excommunicating the people of) Yisra’el (Yisra’el – Individuals who either Strive or Struggle with God) but you (ky ‘im ‘atah), and your father’s household (wa beyth ‘ab ‘atah), in that (ba) you have abandoned (‘azab ‘atah – you have rejected any association with, wholly neglecting) the conditions and instructions pursuant to the relationship with (‘eth mitswah – the terms of the covenant agreement with) Yahowah 3(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) and (wa) have followed after (halak ‘achar – walking after) the Lords (ha Ba’alym – the owners and masters, the ones who control and possess in the name and title of Satan, the god of Babylon and Canaan). (Melekym / Rulers / 1 Kings 18:18)
So now (wa ‘atah), send for (shalach), assembling together (qabash) unto me (‘el ‘any – for me), all (kol) Yisra’el (Yisra’el – Individuals who either Strive or Struggle with God) to (‘el) the Mount of Karmel | the Garden (Har ha Karmel – mountain, hill, or range of the vineyard, orchard, or grain (bordering the harbor of Haifa and stretching to Megiddo)) along with (‘eth) the 450 (‘arba’ me’ah wa chamesh) prophets (naby’ – those claiming to be messengers of God who can predict the future) of ha Ba’al | the Lord (ha Ba’al – the lord, master, and owner who possesses and controls, the name and title of Satan and the god of Canaan and Babylon) and the 400 (‘arba me’ah) prophets (naby’ – those claiming to be messengers of God who can predict the future) of the ‘Asherah | Blessed Relationship (ha ‘Asherah – the Queen of Heaven and Mother of God in the Babylonian and Canaanite religions, the basis of Easter, a pagan goddess associated with Venus; from ‘ashar / ‘asher – to benefit by blessing the way to the relationship) who eat (‘akal – who dine) at ‘Iyezebel’s | the Beast of Bel’s | Jezebel’s (‘Iyezebel – the Monster of Ba’al Dwells with Me and Where Ba’al is Exalted; from ‘ay – alas, a howling beast, zabal – is honored and exalted while dwelling, and Ba’al – the Lord) table (shulchan).’” (Melekym / Rulers / 1 Kings 18:19)
Since I am always interested in why things happen in certain places, it is interesting that the remains of Neanderthals were found in caves within the Carmel range. 4Carbon 14 dated to around 35,000 years ago, these finds demonstrate that Neanderthals survived well into the rise of Homo sapiens and that they were erect and modern in many ways. This is also where Thutmose III (the Pharaoh of the Exodus) won an early battle while he was co-regent with his stepmother and Yowsyah / Josiah met his death at the hands of Pharaoh Necho.
Also fascinating, Yahowah would deploy a single prophet while the King of Yisra’el, as Satan’s representative, could call upon 850 prophets between the Ba’al and ‘Asherah cults. The numbers are even more extreme now between years 5991 and 6000 Yah. While there may be 700 Covenant members today, and that will likely grow to over 7,000 before the final Family Reunion, there are 2.4 billion Christians, 1.8 billion Muslims, 0.9 billion Hindus, 1.5 billion communists and socialists, and around 4.0 million Orthodox Jews. There are also 2.0 million devoted conspiracy theorists, although 90% overlap the other societal disorders. Therefore, the ratio of overtly religious and political individuals to Covenant members is about a million to one – which is the estimate Yahowah provided in the 2nd Statement on the 1st Tablet.
As for the 450 serving the Lord, when searching for a comparative measure, if we were to add Catholic and Orthodox priests, pastors of independent churches, unaffiliated Christian authors, rabbis, imams, and monks, today the prophets of Lord Ba’al and Lady ‘Asherah exceed 750,000 in the United States. With America representing five percent of the world’s population, this extrapolates to 15,000,000 clerics worldwide. But for every religious whore who is paid to pander on behalf of pagan gods, there are ten times their number mumbling for nothing.
Of the 700 Covenant members today, growing to somewhere past 7,000 over the next nine years, with around 10% actively engaged editing, promoting, and 5distributing these books, if this comparison is correct, rather than 850 to 1, it is now 200,000 to 1, contrasting religious clerics to active Covenant members. Thankfully, this is not a popularity contest. The truth has never been common. Yahowah has never been well received.
And that is the underlying message here. God wants us to know that to be with Him we must separate ourselves from most others. To speak for Yahowah we have to speak against the religious, political, and conspiratorial.
Given such a small following, had Tea with Terrorists and God Damn Religion, and especially Yada Yahowah, An Introduction to God, Babel, Twistianity, Observations, Shattering Myths, and Yada Yah Radio, not to mention the many thousands of appearances on syndicated talk radio programs, drawn a wide audience and popular support, this measure of “success” would have demonstrated that we were wrong.
It is telling that the Adversary’s religious spokesmen dined with ‘Iyezebel | Jezebel – a name which suggests that the Queen of Yisra’el was announcing that “the Beast of Ba’al Dwells with Me and so the Lord is Exalted.”
The question ‘ElYah poses and the answer he provides at the conclusion of the following statement should be plastered on the door of every home and church the world over. For this alone, we have been rewarded for having delved into the great showdown between the Lord and God.
“And (wa) ‘Ach‘ab (‘Ach‘ab – Woeful Father or Father’s Brother) reached out (shalach) to all of the children of Yisra’el (ba kol ben Yisra’el) and assembled (wa qabash – gathered together) the prophets (‘eth ha naby’) on the Mount of Karmel | the Garden (‘el Har ha Karmel – mountain, hill, or range of the vineyard, orchard, or grain). (Melekym / Rulers / 1 Kings 18:20)
6Then (wa) ‘ElYah (‘Elyah – Yahowah is God) approached and presented himself (nagash – drew near) to all of the people (‘el kol ha ‘am).
He said (wa ‘amar), ‘For how much longer (‘ad matay – until when) will you waver and vacillate (‘atah pasah – will you continue to pass by and dance about the issue of Passover, becoming mentally unstable by failing to confront it, bouncing between such things, incapacitated and unable to commit) over (‘al – among) the two (shanaym) opposing views (sai’phym – different perspectives, variant thoughts, contradictory conclusions, conflicting opinions, and irreconcilable divisions; from sa’aph – to cut off the ambivalent, lopping off half-hearted branches)?
If (‘im) Yahowah (Yahowah – the proper pronunciation of YaHoWaH based upon His towrah – teaching regarding His hayah – existence) is God, Almighty (ha ‘elohym – the God), choose to walk after Him (halak ‘achar huw’ – you should want to go to and follow after Him, choosing to conduct your life thereafter as He would (qal imperative)).
But if (wa ‘im) ha Ba’al | the Lord (ha Ba’al – the Master who Owns and Possesses), make the choice to follow after him (halak ‘achar huw’ – you should want to go to him and behave like him, choosing to conduct your life thereafter as he would (qal imperative)).’
But (wa) the people (ha ‘am) did not respond to him (lo’ ‘anah ‘eth huw’ – did not answer him) with a word (dabar – with any statement).” (Melekym / Rulers / 1 Kings 18:21)
Stupid is hard to resolve. Even when confronted by one of God’s most articulate and brilliant prophets, every Jew was dumbfounded. And that is Satan’s greatest victory, the reason he is the author and advocate of religion. 7And while Christianity and Islam may be worse, this is the intent and consequence of Judaism.
It should be noted that as a noun, Pesach is Passover. As a verb, it can be either “to pass over” or “to waver and vacillate, failing to confront the issues.” This is the same dichotomy we witness between yare’, meaning revere or fear, and ‘anah, meaning respond or afflict, further demonstrating that our choices determine our fate.
This is the most life-altering and cathartic proposition any of us will ever encounter. With the referendum between God and the Lord, Yahowah or Satan, it is stunning, gut-wrenching, and essentially unfathomable to realize that most people cannot or will not distinguish between them. For most, the Lord is God. They unwittingly worship Satan and irrationally view Yahowah as their adversary.
And yet, according to ‘ElYah, the prophet whose very name declares that Yahowah is God, since he spoke for Him, there wasn’t a single person who could correctly distinguish between the Lord and God. That is breathtaking. This remained true until twenty-three years ago and is only marginally different today as a result of Yada Yahowah.
Considering for a moment that ‘ElYah was Yahowah’s Divinely inspired and authorized prophet and that he was speaking directly to the Children of Yisra’el regarding the life-and-death choice of walking to the one and only God or following after the Adversarial Lord, and he didn’t get so much as a single person to respond, after fifteen years of translating and sharing what Yahowah revealed through His prophets, this flawed implement is amazed so many have responded over the years.
The fact is, the way to death and destruction is broad, and many follow it. The way to life is narrow, and few find it.” Christianity, Islam, and Judaism are wrong for many 8reasons, not the least of which is that they are popular – as is the Lord.
The most incredulous part of this lingering conundrum is how much more rational and rewarding one option is over the other. Yahowah has proven through prophecy that He is God and has demonstrated that He can be trusted. The Lord has demonstrated that he isn’t God and that he cannot be trusted.
Yahowah is offering to perfect our souls, make us immortal, adopt us into His Family, raise us as His children, enrich our lives, enlighten our minds, and empower our souls, while liberating us to explore the universe. Satan would deny the faithful all of that, beguiling them into being fettered with him in the eternal darkness of She’owl. Yahowah has Moseh, Dowd, and ‘ElYah speaking for Him, while Satan deploys the likes of Paul, Akiba, and Muhammad. It is the Towrah, Prophets, and Psalms versus the New Testament, Talmud, and Quran. It is brilliant vs. stupid, right vs. wrong, life vs. death, the truth vs. the lie.
The choice is yours. But for god’s sake, stop vacillating between these two wholly contradictory and irreconcilable options. If the Lord is your god, goodbye and good riddance.
If I may take a few remaining swipes at this: since Yahowah has proven through prophecy that He is God and that we can therefore trust His Towrah, Naby’, wa Mizmowr, why do most people ignore, reject, or worse, oppose His testimony? It is worse than being ignorant and irrational; it is insane.
And speaking of ignorance, how is it that Christians have failed to accept the obvious realization that the Canaanite religion is so similar to their own? How have they missed the fact that their faith reflects Satan’s ultimate ambition? The Son of God, who is actually called “the 9Lord,” is worshiped as the Savior for having conquered death through his own death and resurrection and for having risen above his father, who is actually called, “God.” And for the over two billion Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christians, the Canaanite religion comes ready-made with the Queen of Heaven and Mother of God, Sunday Worship, a paid clergy, and even the forerunners of Christmas and Easter. Are you blind?
How is it that Christians have failed to recognize that what they call the “Old Testament” and their “New Testament” are not only contradictory, they are irreconcilable? How is it that they continue to vacillate between these opposing views, remaining crippled by having danced between conflicting perspectives, unswayed by their contradictory conclusions?
How is it that Christians, Muslims, and religious Jews have failed to make the obvious connection between the Lord and Satan? Even here, this confrontation is clearly between ‘ElYah as Yahowah’s representative and those who speak for the Lord. They are on opposite sides and are in opposition to one another. Yahowah cannot be the Lord. The Lord is adversarial to Yahowah. And that means that the Lord is “ha Satan – the Adversary.” Wake up and smell the logic.
It is with tears in my eyes that I press on, knowing just how frustrated Yahowah must be that His creation would rather worship Satan than get to know Him. And yet like ‘ElYah in Yisra’el around 850 BCE, if I do not speak for Yahowah, who will?
“Then (wa) ‘ElYah (‘Elyah – Yahowah is God) said (‘amar – declared and mentioned, responding (qal imperfect)) to the people (‘el ha ‘am), ‘I am the only remaining (‘any yathar – I am what is left, the lone surviving (nifal perfect – for a certain period of time I am acting as and enjoying the benefits of being the lone 10remaining)) prophet of (naby’ – man speaking for who can correctly convey the future according to) Yahowah (Yahowah – the proper pronunciation of YaHoWaH as ‘elowah – God instructed in His Towrah – Guidance regarding His hayah – existence).
I am the only one (la bad ‘any – approaching concerning this, I am alone, by myself, and yet part of a branch, serving as a limb, part of the body, and member of the set-apart association).
But (wa) the prophets (naby’ – those who claim to speak through divine inspiration) of the Lord (ha Ba’al – of the Master who seeks to own and possess (singular)) are 450 (‘arba’ me’ah wa chamesh) individuals (‘ysh – people and men).’” (Melekym / Rulers / 1 Kings 18:22)
At least there was one. By all rights, Yahowah would have been justified in giving up on them.
Today, there is no authorized and inspired prophet speaking for Yahowah. There has not been one for the past two thousand four hundred years. But at least there is a Witness and soon there will be two with the return of ‘ElYah.
As Dowd’s Herald, I was called to translate and contemplate the words Yahowah conveyed through the likes of Moseh, Shamuw’el, Dowd, Yasha’yah, Yirma’yah, and Zakaryah, sharing what I have learned along the way. And yet, that is sufficient since Yahowah revealed more than we need to know to find our way back Home.
So that no one is confused, the fact that ha Ba’al means “the Lord” is readily affirmed and irrefutable. There is no question whatsoever that the Lord is neither God nor good, neither real nor right. Further, there is no debate over the realization that the prophets of the Lord were leading a popular, albeit counterproductive, religious cult. This was 11a referendum between the Lord and Yahowah, making the Lord the adversary of God. These facts alone, at least among those who are informed and rational, are sufficient to disavow Christianity, Judaism, and Islam because the scriptures of each present the Lord as God when the opposite is true.
Further, there are only three ways that the god of Babylon and Canaan became known as the Lord. First, there is the possibility that pagans ascribed this name to their god because they saw the sun as lording over them. If so, by continuing to use this title, a petitioner is inferring that the pagan deity was real. A person might as well call their god Ba’al, Amen Rah, Adonis, Jupiter, Dionysus, Apollo, or Zeus, even Jesus or Allah. They are all the same.
Second, Satan may have chosen this title for himself because it serves his interests. It replaces the “ha Satan – the Adversary” title he is trying to dismiss while positioning himself to be worshiped as if he were God. But if so, a prayer to the Lord is a plea to Satan.
Third, Yahowah may have been responsible for attributing this title and name to the Adversary. He could have done so because it reveals Satan’s ambition which is to rule over men and to be seen as their master. It may have been designed to differentiate the Adversary’s ambition from His own as Father. But no matter which of these is true, the Lord is false.
With his next statement, ‘ElYah is establishing the guidelines to resolve the debate between the Lord and God, between Satan and Yahowah, between fake and real. It begins with bulls, one of the Lord’s favorite guises. It speaks of cutting because this is a referendum on being cut in or out of the Covenant relationship. There is wood, but no fire, because the timbers represent the doorway to life which is for naught without light.
12Before we press on, however, I must tell you that the propensity for almost every Bible translation to replace Yahowah’s name with “the LORD” in the midst of this debate between “ha Ba’al – the Lord” and “ – Yahowah” makes me nauseous, and indeed, infuriated. How dare they?
“‘So (wa) let them present to us (nathan la ‘anachnuw – let them choose of their own volition to give to us (qal imperfect jussive – this offering is an expression of third-person volition with genuine and ongoing implications)) two (shanaym) bulls (par – a typically uncastrated adolescent to fully-mature male oxen or bullock; from parar – to be broken, frustrated, and ineffectual, in violation of the agreement and thus split away).
And then (wa) let them choose (bachar – let them select) one (ha ‘echad) bull (par – uncastrated adolescent or fully-mature male oxen or bullock; from parar – to be broken, frustrated, and ineffectual, in violation of the agreement and thus split away) for themselves (la hem).
Cut it into pieces (wa nathach huw’ – slice it into segments, dividing it) and lay them on some wood (wa sym ‘al ha ‘ets – placing them upon the timbers), but without setting the fire (wa ‘esh lo’ sym – but the fire not causing or bringing about).
Then (wa) I will act upon (‘any ‘asah ‘eth – I will prepare and work on, engaging with) the other bull (ha par ha ‘echad), placing it (wa nathan – giving it and bestowing it) upon the wood (‘al ha ‘ets – on the timbers), also without setting the fire (wa ‘esh lo’ sym – but the fire not bringing about).’” (Melekym / Rulers / 1 Kings 18:23)
The bull was chosen by the religious establishments in Babylon, Assyria, Egypt, and Canaan for the same reason. Almost every religion, including Christianity, bestows astronomical attributes to their gods – and most were based 13in astrology. The sun, representing god, crosses the Constellation of Taurus the Bull during the Vernal Equinox. Then the sun is said to impregnate the Mother of God so that nine months later, during the Winter Solstice, she can give birth to the Son of God. As the sun rises higher in the sky and the days grow longer than nights, the annual celebration of the resurrection of the Son of God on the Sunday closest to when the Sun crosses Taurus is symbolic of the earth coming back to life and crops rising.
There is yet another possibility for the bull, in that it is not a lamb. The titles “ – God” and “ – Father” both begin with the Aleph, drawn in a triangular fashion to depict a ram’s head: . Satan, in competition with Yahowah, and as a Lord rather than a Father or Shepherd, chose a larger, more powerful, and imposing animal – one which is not nearly as curious, smart, or interactive. Walk into the children’s area of a zoo sometime and consider the presence of lambs and the absence of cows.
With lightning bolts in hand, igniting the fire should have been child’s play for the Lord. But if the god of lightning could not so much as cause a spark, he was a dud.
“‘You call upon the name (wa qara’ ba shem – then you issue a summons in the name) of your gods (‘elohym ‘atem), and (wa) I (‘any) will invite, calling upon the name (qara’ ba shem – will summon and call out, reading and reciting in the name) of Yahowah (Yahowah – based upon ‘elowah’s – God’s towrah – guidance on His hayah – existence).
Then (wa) let it be (hayah – let it come to exist and be known (qal perfect consecutive)) that the God (ha ‘elohym) who (‘asher – who to show the way to the benefits of the relationship and to reveal the correct and restrictive path to life) answers, responding (‘anah – replies, making a declaration) with fire (ba ‘ets), He (huw’) is God (ha ‘elohym – is the Almighty).’
14And all the people (wa kol ha ‘am) replied (‘anah – answered by responding), ‘This statement and resolution (ha dabar – this accounting, treatise, and systematic approach, these words and this message) is appropriately (wa towb – is good, favorable, generous, and beneficial, pleasing and reasonable) stated (‘amar – presented and conveyed).’” (Melekym / Rulers / 1 Kings 18:24)
The pagan Yisra’elites were, of course, pleased with these conditions. This test played to their god’s strong suit. The religious of the time not only attributed lightning and thunder to their gods, but they also deified fire, water, earth, and air. It was like playing poker and spotting your opponent four of a kind knowing that you would be dealt a royal flush.
As is His nature, Yahowah teased these prophetic parasites with qara’ because this was also a referendum on the Miqra’ey vs. the pagan holidays. Qara’ lets us know that we can “invite” God into our lives and enjoy a relationship with Him or be “summoned” before Him during a trial. We can “read and recite” His Word or listen to the rantings of the religious buffoons. We can be “called out” and “meet” with God, “welcomed” into His Home and Family, or we can remain outcasts with the rest of humankind.
Sometimes, especially among people who are not good listeners and who are prone to making ridiculous excuses, repetition is required.
“And (wa) ‘ElYah (‘Elyah – Yahowah is God) said (‘amar – declared and mentioned, responding (qal imperfect)) to (‘el) the prophets (naby’ – those who claim to speak through divine inspiration) of the Lord (ha Ba’al – of the Master who seeks to own and possess (singular)), ‘Examine and choose (bachar – test and select, probe and accept (qal imperative)) for yourselves (la ‘atem) one (ha ‘echad) bull (par – uncastrated adolescent or fully-mature 15male oxen or bullock; from parar – to be broken, frustrated, and ineffectual, in violation of the agreement and thus split away) and act upon it first (wa ‘asah ri’shown – and engage, doing your thing, preparing it first), for you are many (ky ‘atem ha rab – because you are more numerous).
Then call upon the name (wa qara’ ba shem – summon the reputation and renown) of your gods (‘elohym ‘atem), but without setting the fire (wa ‘esh lo’ sym – but the fire not bringing about).’” (Melekym / Rulers / 1 Kings 18:25)
It is interesting that God is so patient. He waited, allowing the Lord and his multitude of prophets to go first, probing and choosing the best bull and the most auspicious pile of wood. The Lord and his clerics would be given an opportunity to perform a simple act, doing something any man could do – light a fire.
The reason I mention the Lord’s inability to kindle a fire is that most people give Satan far too much credit. He’s a pathetic, self-absorbed, braggadocious liar and showoff, but nothing more. This was probably the largest gathering of his prophets in human history, and he didn’t even show up.
Satan can only be in one place at a time, he cannot do anything Yahowah has forbidden, and he only knows what he has previously witnessed or heard. He is just one of countless spiritual implements Yahowah created and is hopelessly outnumbered and overpowered. Allahu Akbar my ass (pun intended).
“And they grasped hold of (laqach – obtained and accepted, leading away) the bull (‘eth ha par – male oxen or bullock; from parar – to be broken, frustrated, and ineffectual, in violation of the agreement and thus split away) that they had produced for their benefit (‘asher nathan la hem – which they had offered for their advantage 16and given to show their way) and prepared it (wa ‘asah – engage and acted upon it).
Then they called upon the name (wa qara’ ba shem – and they called out in the name, summoning the reputation) of the Lord (ha Ba’al – of the Master who seeks to own and possess (singular)) from the morning (min ha boqer – from the dawn and rising sun), (wa) up until midday when the sun is at its highest and brightest during the day (‘ad ha tsoharym – as far as and up to noon), saying (la ‘amar – commanding and hoping to be obeyed, pleading and declaring), ‘O Lord (ha Ba’al – Master), answer us (‘anah ‘anachnuw – respond to us, reply to us and provide some evidence, lift up your voice and speak)!’
But (wa) there was no voice (wa ‘ayn qowl – there wasn’t a sound), and no one answered (wa ‘ayn ‘anah – no one responded).
So (wa) they vacillated and wavered, dancing about (pasah – crippled over their failure to confront Passover, becoming mentally unstable by improperly engaging, bouncing between and incapacitated) over (‘al – concerning the Almighty) the altar (ha mizbeach – platform for placing gifts or sacrifices to a deity) which they had made (‘asher ‘asah – which to show the benefits of their way they had acted upon).” (Melekym / Rulers / 1 Kings 18:26)
I cannot help but think of evangelical and Pentecostal Christians swinging their arms in the air and laying hands on one another while beseeching their god to do something for them. Having witnessed it, it always gave me the creeps.
Once again God is toying with the Lord’s ministers. Their “qara’ – summons” began as their god was rising in the sky, his dim light emerging from the darkness. And it continued until the sun was at its zenith, its highest and 17brightest point of the day. But 93 million miles away, the big ball, fusing 620 million metric tons of hydrogen per second and 333,000 times the mass of the Earth, was neither God nor capable of igniting a fire.
But can you imagine the sense of futility? It takes about five seconds to say, “O Lord answer us.” Repeated twelve times a minute and 720 times an hour, they would have petitioned the sun 4,320 times without so much as a chirp. But then compare that to 15,000,000 priests, rabbis, pastors, and then imams in 6,000,000 synagogues, churches, and later mosques, petitioning their god in prayer for 1,212,265 days (from 1300 BCE to 2020 CE) without an answer.
And speaking of answers, ‘anah is an integral part of the “Miqra’ey – Invitations to be Called Out and Meet” with God. The invitations Yahowah is extending for us to meet with Him, to become immortal, perfect, adopted, enriched, and empowered troubadours, afford us the opportunity to camp out with God. They are of no value to us unless we “‘anah – reply and respond, answering” the Invitations “by making a declarative statement.” ‘Anah is also indicative of what happens to souls who reject or oppose what Yahowah is offering. Their souls will either be “‘anah – diminished,” ceasing to exist, or “‘anah – bowed down in judgment, humbled, afflicted, and abased” in She’owl.
Among the many things I continue to find incredulous about the religious, especially those who promote these poisons, is that they never admit defeat, no matter how obvious it is that their beliefs are invalid. The fact that their god never answers their prayers does not stop them from praying to him. The fact that their religion is based upon the cults God has impugned does not faze them. The fact that their scriptures contain thousands of invalid claims, outright lies, half-truths, logical fallacies, and contradictions is lost on them.
18Set up a test to prove that they are wrong, and are thus wasting their lives and souls, and like an irritating mosquito that has been brushed away, they will move on as if nothing has happened and bite in another place. There is no reasoning with them. Neither God nor His Word resonates. And in fact, both irritate believers.
The most ironic thing about religion is that its proponents claim to speak for God when they all rail against Him. They all claim to lead to God when they all lead away from Him. They all claim the ability to save when none has ever saved anyone.
“And it came to be (wa hayah – so then it came to pass) at midday, when the sun was at its highest and brightest point (ba ha tsoharym – as far as and up to noon), that (wa) ‘ElYah (‘Elyah – Yahowah is God) mocked and taunted them, pointing out the irony to them (hathal ba hem – ridiculed them, scorning and deriding them, openly showing his contempt for them while playing with them and laughing at them (piel imperfect – whereby the object, those praying to the Lord, came to continually embody the irony and ridicule)), saying (‘amar), ‘Call out (qara’ – summon) in a loud voice (ba qowl gadowl – with a great many important voices) for (ky) god (‘elohym) because he (huw’ ky) is meditating (syach – is preoccupied with his devotional, pondering a frivolous conversation, and complaining about something senseless), or perhaps (wa ky), he is having a bowel movement and is relieving himself (syg la huw’ – he has withdrawn to defecate in private and pee), or rather (wa ky), he is out on a walk (darak la huw’ – he is shooting his arrows as he travels down the road, displaying his vigor and might).
Maybe (‘uwlay – what if) he is sleeping (yashen huw’ – he is old and asleep, even chronically comatose) and he must be awakened (wa yaqats – so he needs to be roused from his stupor).’” (Melekym / Rulers / 1 Kings 18:27)
19Now that is funny. It is snarky and sarcastic. I rather enjoy ‘ElYah’s sense of humor, but I don’t suppose the Canaanites would agree.
Just as I am certain that Jesus Christ didn’t exist and was not God, that Paul was a false prophet, that the New Testament is unreliable, and the Christian religion is invalid, ‘ElYah realized that Ba’al wasn’t God and that the Canaanite religion was deplorable, so he did what Yahowah would have done – he mocked them. But more than laughing in their faces and taunting these reprehensible clerics, he pointed out the irony, sarcastically that it was noon, and their god was now at his most powerful, highest, and brightest point, but all his devotees were getting from him was a sunburn.
Sarcasm is intellectual humor, something also called satire or cynicism. It points out the irony in things and disparages them by making comparisons.
This narrative proves a number of things I’ve been harping on for years. There is nothing wrong with mocking religious advocates and clerics. In fact, it’s the most appropriate response. That is what ‘ElYah did, and there is no disputing that the Spirit of Yahowah was on him, that he was inspired by God, or that Yah cherished His relationship with this man to such a degree that, rather than have him continue to endure the religious, political, and militaristic malfeasance of his people and their foes, God was calling him Home.
The religious seldom refute criticisms of their faith with evidence or reason but instead dismiss critics by inferring that it is inappropriate and impolite, even unGodly, to criticize the underpinnings of their faith. They go so far as to claim that an individual attacking their religion is influenced by Satan.
Based upon this account, and so many others, however, the opposite is true. They deserve to be taunted 20and ridiculed. It is Godly to show one’s contempt, utter disdain, and complete disrespect for what they have done and said. In their positions of power and influence over people, they have misled them. Pretending to lead them to God and save their souls, they have done just the opposite. Religious advocates are reprehensible.
Also relevant, ‘ElYah was the right man to do this job because he not only knew and loved Yahowah, he understood and despised religion. Yes, Yahowah inspired him, enlightening and empowering him, but it’s evident from the way this test was structured that ‘ElYah knew just how to embarrass the Yisra’elites who were worshiping the Lord. He was an expert in the Canaanite religion. That is one of many attributes that made him the perfect man for this job. And it is expressly why Yahowah is sending him back during the Time of Ya’aqob’s Troubles. Who better to mock the religious, to point out the irony of their faith, than the man who proved he could do so?
And that means that the Christians and Muslims who survive deep into this fateful time will find ‘ElYah, and especially the second witness who will accompany him, distasteful. The unnamed witness who speaks for God will be resolutely opposed to man’s religions – and he will laugh at them with God’s support and blessing.
I tend to suffer fools poorly. I will toy with those who call into my radio programs to irrationally defend their religion, often pointing out the ironic nature of their claims. And while I once viewed doing so as inappropriate, now we know otherwise.
We should all endeavor to be like ‘ElYah. And who would have thought that Yahowah’s prophet would have mocked 850 religious clerics in front of their following, suggesting that their god was either out meditating as part of his devotional, had been out taking a nap, or, best of all, 21was having a bowel movement? God most certainly has a sense of humor – and so should we.
Although the mission has been to progress through Yasha’yah / Isaiah, and in so doing come to understand the connections between religion and death, between death and Paul, between Paul and Christianity, between Christianity and the Whore, between the Whore and Satan, between Satan and Babel, and between Babel and the Bible, even between the Lord and the Adversary, this adventure with ‘ElYah has been especially rewarding. And just think, we embarked upon it for no other reason than we had come to know a great deal more about the Canaanite religion as a result of the Ras Shamra tablets.
You will note that, just as is the case today with Christians, the Lord’s ministers were either unwilling or unable to accept the fact that their religion was as worthless as their gods. Rather than shut up and listen to Yahowah’s “qara’ – invitation,” they continued to jibber jabber to the sky. It reminds me of the foolishness of Paul’s “Pray without ceasing.” When we flap our lips and wag our tongues, we are not listening to Yah.
“They called out (wa qara’ – so they continued to summon (qal imperfect)) with a great many loud and important voices (ba qowl gadowl), and cut themselves with their blades (wa gadad – they banded together and sliced themselves as part of their worship (hitpael imperfect – they acted upon their own initiative and made a habit of cutting themselves with sharp objects)) as was their way of resolving disputes (ka mishpat hem – consistent with their prescription and practice), using swords and lances (ba chereb wa ba ha romach – with double-edged swords and spears) until blood gushed out (‘ad shaphak dam – while blood poured out) upon them (‘al hem – over them).” (Melekym / Rulers / 1 Kings 18:28)
22Rather than accept Yahowah’s terms and cut themselves into the Covenant, they cut themselves out of it, lacerating their bodies in the process. And they were not alone. Self-inflicted wounds have long been part of religion. Christians did it throughout the Middle Ages, from 400 to 1600 CE, and some continue to do so today, carrying crosses during Easter.
Shi’ite Muslims whip themselves during the celebration of ‘Asherah Day – in honor of the Queen of Heaven and Mother of God. Even Rabbinic Jews afflict themselves each year during Yom Kippur. It is hard to fathom why the faithful would want to spend an eternity with a god who enjoys watching his devotees hurt themselves.
Rather than celebrate that Yahowah’s beloved Son volunteered to serve as the Zarowa’ | Sacrificial Lamb, with Dowd shedding His blood so that we might live, they shed their own. This is akin to bowing down when Yahowah tries to lift us up. It is like Paul having claimed to have suffered so as to complete the insufficient sacrifice of his god.
Having debated countless religious individuals, I have come to realize that no matter how many times you prove them wrong, instead of listening, they turn the page and cite another inane verse from their twisted scriptures. That is what occurred on this day as well.
“It came to be (wa hayah – it came to exist) as (ka) the sun passed by its highest and brightest point (‘abar ha tsoharym – the sun crossed its zenith and it was past noon), they prophesized (naby’ – they claimed to speak on behalf of their god, predicting what would soon occur) until the time (‘ad la) to lift up (‘alah – to offer up) the sacrifice (ha minchah – the obligatory tribute in submission), but (wa) there was no voice (‘ayn qowl – not a sound), no answer (‘ayn ‘anah – no response or reply), 23and (wa) no one paying attention (‘ayn qesheb – no one alert, listening, or responsive).” (Melekym / Rulers / 1 Kings 18:29)
“And no one was paying attention.” That, indeed, is the blight of religion. And it has never been worse than it is today. The putrid voices of the many drown out the lone voice speaking on behalf of God. Predicting a dark and dire fate for the few who are willing to convey Yahowah’s words, they fail to consider what He has already done. There is no answer that will prevail with such deluded individuals. And the irony of this is that they actually believe that the Lord they are speaking for and serving is God, when in truth, they are worshiping Satan.
Let’s pause here for a moment and reflect on everything we have learned thus far.
“And it came about when ‘Ach‘ab, the Woeful Father, saw ‘ElYah, meaning Yahowah is God, that ‘Ach‘ab said to him, ‘Is this you, you troubler of Yisra’el (Individuals who either Strive or Struggle with God)?’ (Melekym / 1 Kings 18:17)
He answered, ‘It is not I who has troubled the people of Yisra’el but you, and your father’s household (speaking of previous kings), in that you have abandoned and forsaken the conditions and instructions pursuant to the relationship with Yahowah.
You have followed after ha Ba’alym | the Lords, who seek to control and possess souls in the guise of Satan. (1 Melekym / 1 Kings 8:18)
So now, assemble together unto me all Yisra’el to the Mount of Karmel | the Garden, along with the 450 prophets of ha Ba’al | the Lord and the 400 prophets of ‘Asherah | the Blessed Queen of Heaven and Mother of God, who dine at ‘Iyezebel’s | Jezebel’s (the Beast of 24Ba’al Dwells with Me and so the place Where Ba’al is Exalted) table.’ (Melekym / 1 Kings 18:19)
And ‘Ach‘ab reached out to all of the children of Yisra’el and assembled the prophets on the Mount of Karmel | the Garden. (Melekym / 1 Kings 18:20)
Then ‘ElYah approached and presented himself to all of the people. He said, ‘For how much longer will you waver and vacillate, failing to engage, continuing to pass by and dance about the issue of Passover? Have you not become mentally unstable by failing to confront it and incapacitated by being unable to commit over the two opposing views?
If Yahowah is God, Almighty, choose to walk after Him. But if it is the Lord, make the choice to follow after him.’ The people did not respond, not even replying to him with a single word. (Melekym / 1 Kings 18:21)
Then ‘ElYah said to the people, ‘I am the lone remaining prophet of Yahowah. I am the only one. But the prophets of the Lord are 450 individuals. (Melekym / 1 Kings 18:22)
Let them present to us two bulls (which are ineffectual and in violation of the agreement and thus separating). And then let them choose, testing the outcome, before they select a bull for themselves. Butcher it and lay the pieces on some wood, but without setting the fire. Then I will act upon the other bull, placing it upon the wood, also without setting the fire. (Melekym / 1 Kings 18:23)
You call upon the name of your god. I will invite, calling upon the name of Yahowah. Then let it be known that the God who, to show the way to the benefits of the relationship, answers, responding by making a declaration with fire: He is God.’
25And all the people replied, ‘This resolution is appropriately stated, favorable and generous.’ (Melekym / 1 Kings 18:24)
So ‘ElYah said to the prophets of the Lord, ‘Examine and choose for yourselves one bull and act upon it first, for you are many. Then call upon the name of your gods, but without setting the fire.’ (Melekym / 1 Kings 18:25)
Accordingly, they grasped hold of the bull that they had produced for their benefit and prepared it. Then they called upon the name of the Lord from the rising of the sun until midday when the sun was at its highest and brightest.
They said, ‘O Lord, answer us! Respond to us, providing some evidence you exist. Lift up your voice and speak!’ But there was no voice, and no one answered.
They vacillated and wavered, crippled over their failure to confront Passover, becoming mentally unstable by bouncing between various options. (Melekym / 1 Kings 18:26)
And it came to pass that at midday, when the sun was at its highest and brightest point, ‘ElYah mocked and taunted them. He pointed out the irony of this to them, ridiculing and deriding them, openly showing his contempt for them.
He said, ‘Summon him in your loudest and most impressive voices because it appears that your god must be meditating. He is surely preoccupied with his devotional. Or perhaps he is having a bowel movement and is relieving himself. Maybe he has gone out for a walk.
26Is he so old that he is napping and must be awakened and roused from his stupor?’ (Melekym / 1 Kings 18:27)
They called out with a great many loud and important voices. Then they banded together and cut themselves with their blades, slicing themselves as part of their worship as was their way of resolving disputes.
They used their swords and lances until blood gushed out all over them. (Melekym / 1 Kings 18:28)
As the sun passed its zenith, they prophesized until it was time to lift up the sacrifice. But there was no voice, not a sound. There was no answer, no response of any kind. No one was paying attention, listening, or responsive.” (Melekym / 1 Kings 18:29)
This should have been the death knell of religion, at least for those who stopped praying to the Lord and listened to God.
“‘ElYah (wa ‘Elyah – Yahowah is God) said (‘amar – declared) to all the people (la kol ha ‘am), ‘Move toward me, drawing near (nagash ‘el ‘any – come to me).’
All the people (wa kol ha ‘am) approached him (nagash ‘el huw’). Then he repaired (rapha’ – he restored) the altar (mizbeach – place for offering sacrifices representing the mount where the Pesach ‘Ayl was sacrificed; from zebach and zabal – an offering on behalf of an honorable dwelling place) to 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 – 27reconciliation) which had been previously destroyed and lay in ruins (ha haras – that had been torn down). (Melekym / 1 Kings 18:30)
And (wa) ‘ElYah (wa ‘Elyah – Yahowah is God) took (laqach – obtained and grasp hold of) twelve stones (shanaym ‘esreh ‘eben) according to (ka – similar to and in the manner of, representing) the number of tribes (mispar – the written record and accounting of subdivisions based upon related family groups) of the children of Ya’aqob (beny Ya’aqob – the descendants comprising Yisra’el), because it was unto them that (‘asher ‘el huw’ – to whom to show the way to the benefits of the relationship) the Word (dabar – the statements and communication) of Yahowah (Yahowah – the proper pronunciation of YaHoWaH as ‘elowah – God instructed in His Towrah – Guidance regarding His hayah – existence) had come to exist (hayah – exists and came to be (qal perfect)).
He declared (la ‘amar – to affirm, expressing in words), ‘Yisra’el (Yisra’el – Individuals who Strive and Contend or Engage and Endure with God) is your name (hayah shem ‘atah – will serve to convey your proper designation and reputation (qal imperfect)).’” (Melekym / Rulers / 1 Kings 18:31)
The fact that it was twelve stones, not ten, reveals that this referendum was for all Yisra’el, including Yahuwdah. And stones were chosen to represent the twelve tribes for one of two reasons: to demonstrate that Yah’s commitment to His people was rock solid or to infer that they were now dumb as stones – and no more responsive.
When Christians and Muslims dismiss Yisra’el with disdain, believing that they are somehow superior, they obviously have missed the point. Everything Yahowah revealed to humankind has been conveyed through Yisra’elites. Without them, God is unknowable. Without 28the promises He made to them, God would be unapproachable.
Yahowah gave His people a name that would correctly represent the best and worst in them. Yisra’el is a compound of ‘ysh – individual, sarah – who either strives and struggles or engages and endures, with ‘el – God.
“And (wa) with the stones (‘eth ha ‘eben) he rebuilt for the family (banah – he reconstructed, restoring a home for the household), an altar (mizbeach – place for offering sacrifices) in the name of (ba shem) Yahowah (Yahowah – the proper pronunciation of YaHoWaH based upon His towrah – teaching regarding His hayah – existence).
Then he engaged to fashion (‘asah – he expended considerable effort to make) a restoring channel (ta’alah – a renewing trench and repairing conduit for healing water) to approach the altar (la ha mizbeach).
They were suitable (ka) to house (beyth – serve as home to) two measures (sa’ahym – two defining quantifications of flour or grain of approximately 20 liters; from an unused root meaning to define) of seed (zera’ – representative of offspring and descendants).” (Melekym / Rulers / 1 Kings 18:32)
Yahowah’s Beyth – Family bears His name. His Beryth – Covenant is His Family.
When we examine the meaning of ta’alah, we find two definitions that are only united when we consider the purpose of the channel – which was to carry water. This conduit is restoring and renewing because that is the purpose of water.
It should be no mystery as to why there would be “two measures of seed.” The twelve tribes were now divided into two groups, Yisra’el and Yahuwdah. Their descendants would both be included in this demonstration.
29Since the bull symbolized corruption and separation, it would be cleansed. And in the process, Divine intervention would be required to ignite it. There would be no sleight of hand, and no mistaking the result.
“Then he arranged the wood (wa ‘arak ‘eth ha ‘ets – and he put in order the timbers). He cut the bull into pieces (wa nathach ‘eth ha par – sliced the bullock into segments, dividing it), and he laid them on the wood (wa sym ‘al ha ‘ets – placing them upon the timbers).
He said (wa ‘amar), ‘Fill four jars to completion (male’ ‘arba’ kad – fill to the point that they will hold nothing more, fulfilling their entire design capacity of four (representing the process of completion) pitchers) with water (maym – serving as a metaphor for the source of life and as the universal solvent to clean) and pour them out (wa yatsaq – so as to wash and cleanse) upon the offering which elevates (‘al ha ‘olah – on that which uplifts, making it acceptable) and upon the wooden timbers (wa ‘al ha ‘etsym – on the wood planks representing the doorway to life on Passover).’ (Melekym / Rulers / 1 Kings 18:33)
Then he said (wa ‘amar), ‘Do it again (shanah – repeat it, doing it a second time).’ And they did it a second time (shanah).
So, he said (wa ‘amar), ‘Do it a third time (wa shalash).’ And they did it a third time (wa shalash).” (Melekym / Rulers / 1 Kings 18:34)
Yahowah never misses an opportunity to teach. There were four jars filled with water. Four represents the process of completion. For example, the initial Miqra’ey were fulfilled in year 4000 Yah. By doing so, Father and Son enabled all of the Covenant’s benefits.
Water is the source of life and the universal solvent, and thus represents cleansing. More than this, these dual 30aspects of water personify the express purpose of the first two Miqra’ey | Invitations to be Called Out and Meet: Pesach | Passover as the source of life and Matsah | UnYeasted Bread as the method of cleansing.
Three is the number of family, of father, mother, and child. Collectively, the first three Miqra’ey | Invitations to be Called Out and Meet – Pesach | Passover, Matsah | UnYeasted Bread, and Bikuwrym | Firstborn Children, enable us to become part of Yahowah’s Family. And just as there are three sets of Miqra’ey, three in the Spring, one in the Summer, and three in the Fall, human history from the expulsion from the Garden of ‘Eden and the return to it, plays out in three sets of forty Yowbel | Redemptive Years.
The Yowbel | Redemptive Years of Yah’s Lamb are spaced seven times seven plus one years apart, following the pattern established between Matsah | UnYeasted Bread and Shabuw’ah | the Promise of the Shabat, with the latter following the former by fifty days. Forty (representing the process of completion) times fifty (the interval between Yowbel | Redemptive Years of Yah’s Lamb) represents 2,000 years. Using the final clue ‘ElYah provided, we should expect three sets of forty Yowbel years to transpire during mankind’s journey away from Yahowah with the Lord and then back to God. After all, that is the purpose of this story.
And indeed, that is exactly what we discover when we examine the record. In 3968 BCE, ‘Adam and Chawah were expelled from the Garden for not listening to and acting upon what Yahowah had told them. Forty Yowbel later, in 1968 BCE, ‘Abraham and Yitschaq met all of the conditions of the Covenant, affirming and accepting the Beryth, enabling the rest of us to follow their example should we want to be part of Yahowah’s Family – because on that day, Yahowah underscored the purpose of the Yowbel by providing the Lamb for the Passover sacrifice.
31Two thousand years thereafter, in the Yowbel Year of 4000 Yah, 33 CE on the Imperial Roman calendar popular today, in the fourth millennium of human history, Dowd fulfilled the spring Miqra’ey on Mount Mowryah, upon the same mountain his Father had affirmed the Beryth | Covenant with ‘Abraham and Yitschaq. Dowd and the Set-Apart Spirit enabled all of the benefits of the Covenant – offering eternal life, perfection and vindication, adoption into God’s Family, enrichment through our inheritance, and infinite empowerment – by enabling the promises of Pesach, Matsah, and Bikuwrym. And once again, Yahowah underscored the purpose of His Yowbel | Redemptive Years of Yah’s Lamb. Through His work, we as slaves are freed, our debts are forgiven, and we are brought Home to live with our Heavenly Father.
From here, the math is easy. Forty Yowbel from 33 CE takes us to 2033, when on Yowm Kipurym | the Day of Reconciliations, the tenth day of the seventh month on Yahowah’s calendar, in year 6000 Yah (sunset, 6:22 PM, Sunday October 2nd, 2033, in Yaruwshalaim), Yahowah will return with the Messiah and reconcile His relationship with Yisra’el and Yahuwdah.
That is what this trial facing Yisra’el, between Yahowah and the Lord, as conducted by ‘ElYah, is revealing to us. And then, five days later, after transforming the Land back into the conditions experienced in the Garden of ‘Eden and ridding it of all aspects of religion and politics, Yahowah will Sukah | Camp Out with His Covenant Family for one thousand years, taking us to Year 7000 Yah.
There is a lot we can learn if only we are willing to listen and keep an open and inquiring mind. After all, haven’t we been told that ‘ElYah was a prophet? Therefore, would it not be reasonable for us to at least try to ascertain the future implications of this historical event? Why else do you suppose we were told that there were four pitchers 32filled to completion with water and that they were deployed three times?
‘ElYah, who had previously stated that Yahowah was the God of Ya’aqob, deliberately left Ya’aqob out of the following list, leaving only ‘Abraham and Yitschaq. I suspect that this was specifically designed to get us thinking about the kinds of things we have just considered. We are also being reminded that ‘ElYah is a prophet, suggesting that the failure to reference Ya’aqob / Yisra’el speaks of the people’s current estrangement. It could well be underscoring the realization that they will come to know that Yahowah is God and appreciate the purpose of Yowm Kipurym | the Day of Reconciliations.
“So, the water (wa ha maym) traveled (halak – ran and went) all around (sabyb – on all sides, encircling) the approach to the altar (la ha mizbeach) and also (gam) the restoring channel (‘eth ha ta’alah – the healing conduit for water and renewing and repairing trench) filled with water (male’ maym). (18:35)
Then (wa) when it came to be the time for the offering to rise (hayah ba ‘alah minchah), (wa) the Prophet (ha naby’ – the one who is inspired to speak for God) ‘ElYah (‘Elyah – Yahowah is God) approached (nagash – came near), and said (wa ‘amar – declared),
‘Yahowah (Yahowah – based upon ‘elowah’s – God’s towrah – guidance on His hayah – existence), God (‘elohym) of ‘Abraham (‘Abraham – Merciful and Enriching Father) and Yitschaq (Yitschaq – Laughter and Play), this day (wa ha yowm) let it be known (yada’ – let everyone choose to acknowledge and accept, become aware of and understand (nifal imperfect jussive – the subject provides the means to understanding and receives the benefit as an expression of volition in the third person with unfolding implications throughout time)) to Yisra’el (Yisra’el – to the Individuals who Engage and Endure with 33God) that You are Almighty God (ky ‘atah ‘elohym) in Yisra’el and with Individuals who Engage and Endure with God (ba Yisra’el), and that I am Your associate and coworker (‘any ‘ebed ‘atah – I am your helper, implement, and willing servant; from ‘abad – to work, expending considerable energy and intensity to accomplish a task).
In accordance with Your Word (wa ba dabar ‘atah – so then in and with Your Word), I have engaged and made all of these statements (‘asah ‘eth kol ha dabarym ha ‘eleh – I have acted and accomplished all of this, conveying all of these words).’” (Melekym / Rulers / 1 Kings 18:36)
Everything ‘ElYah has said and done is in full accord with the Word of Yahowah. He spoke and acted in accord with everything he came to know and understand. That is the most that can be asked of any of us.
By comparison, the Lord, as the Serpent in the Garden, took snippets of Yahowah’s words out of context and then embellished them, changing the original intent. By so doing, he beguiled and confused Chawah. This would be the same strategy Satan would use with his Apostle Sha’uwl / Paul, and then again with his Messenger, Muhammad.
It should be readily apparent, but if not, while I have done my utmost to prepare complete and accurate translations of Yahowah’s Word, always presenting what God had to say in context, I am incapable of performing to ‘ElYah’s standard, which is to be in full accord. It is why I encourage you, and everyone who reads these books, to verify the meaning of God’s words for yourself.
I have never been monetarily compensated for these translations and related insights. I do so freely because I enjoy learning from Yah, thinking about what He has said, and then sharing what it means for all of us.
34I understand that not everyone has the time I have been afforded or the resources. And I realize that there are some unappealing consequences of being resolutely rational. Nonetheless, anyone seeking to know Yahowah, in addition to every Covenant member striving to better understand His testimony, ought to devote quality time to listening to what He has to say.
When we listen to Yahowah, when we come to know Him and accept what He is offering, He responds to us. In fact, by listening to God, every important question we could ever ask is answered.
We do not need Yahowah to kindle a fire or to burn brightly before us. Instead, we should come to know Him and then radiate His light as a result of observing and then contemplating His testimony.
God reveals who He is, shares what He is offering, and clearly conveys what He expects in return. He also admonishes us, warning us about what is not in our interests. Therefore, while we can appreciate why it was important for ‘ElYah to request this of God, and thereby impress upon Yisra’el that Yahowah is God and that the Lord is not, since he did so, we ought not have to.
“‘Please choose to reply to me (‘anah ‘any – of Your own volition and because it is what You want, respond by testifying, offering evidence (qal imperative)), Yahowah (Yahowah – based upon ‘elowah’s – God’s towrah – guidance on His hayah – existence), choosing to answer me (‘anah ‘any – electing to make a declaration, shouting out, vocally communicating to me (qal imperative)) so that this people (wa ha ‘am – so that this family of related individuals) may come to know (yada’ – may choose to observe, accept, acknowledge, understand, and reveal (qal imperfect jussive – genuinely and literally, consistently and habitually as a matter of choice come to know and accept)) that indeed, You (ky ‘atah – that surely and truly, You), 35Yahowah (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), are God Almighty (ha ‘elohym).
And You (wa ‘atah) have turned around (sabab – have changed, encompassing (hifil perfect – causing them to be more like You for a finite period of time have transformed)) their thinking and judgment (‘eth leb hem – their ability to observe what is happening and respond appropriately, taking to heart what they have witnessed and evaluated) bringing them back again (‘achoranyth – returning to the original design specifications, as it was originally intended).’” (Melekym / Rulers / 1 Kings 18:37)
This is the underlying message of Yowm Kipurym / the Day of Reconciliations. The surviving Yisra’elites are going to change their thinking, and by observing what has transpired and been said, they will respond differently, taking to heart for the first time in three thousand years that Yahowah is indeed, God. It will serve as the basis of their reconciliation and fulfill the intended purpose of the Miqra’ | Invitation to be Called Out and Meet with God.
It may be subtle, but it is worth considering. The purpose of this demonstration was to turn around and transform Yisra’el’s thinking so that they would consider what they have observed and take it to heart, thereby bringing them back again to the original intent – which was to know, understand, accept, engage in a relationship with, and then reveal Yahowah through His words.
We are now afforded a word’s-eye-view of a miracle. And every word is dripping in portent…
“Then (wa) the fire (ha ‘esh – representing the radiant light and warmth) of Yahowah (Yahowah – the proper pronunciation of YaHoWaH as ‘elowah – God instructed in His Towrah – Guidance regarding His hayah – 36existence) descended, moving from a higher position to a lower one (naphal – fell and was allocated and distributed).
It consumed (wa ‘akal – and it devoured) the offering which elevates (ha ‘olah – uplifting sacrifice; from ‘alah – to lift up (representing Passover)) and also the wooden timbers (wa ‘eth ha ‘eshym – in addition to the wooden pillars comprising the doorway to life and the upright pole of Passover), along with (wa ‘eth) the stones (‘eben – symbolizing the rock-solid relationship Yahowah intended with the twelve tribes of Yisra’el) and the dust (wa ‘eth ha ‘aphar – the infinitesimal ash representing the descendants of Yisra’el, and thus the seeds which had been transformed by the fire), licking up (lachak – consuming by evaporating) the water (‘eth ha maym) such that to show the way to the benefits of the relationship (‘asher – revealing the correct path to walk to give life meaning), was in the healing and restoring channel (ba ha ta’alah – in the renewing trench and repairing conduit designed to carry life-giving water).” (Melekym / Rulers / 1 Kings 18:38)
The pieces of the puzzle comprising this test have been brought together. They collectively speak of Yahowah’s nature as light, fulfilling the Miqra’ey with His Son so that He might restore and reconcile His relationship with Yisra’el, healing the rift that had come to exist between Him and His people as a result of their affinity for the Lord.
Stupid is as stupid does. Trying to lift them up, they all fell down.
“And when each and every person (wa kol ha ‘am – when the entire family of related individuals) witnessed it (ra’ah – observed it, seeing it with their eyes and considered it, paid attention to what was being revealed (qal imperfect)), they fell upon their faces (wa naphal ‘al paneh hem – they dropped, falling away and prostrate, 37foreheads lowered, ultimately appearing to die, their presence cast down, as a result of their neglect, in front of and before this appearance and presence; from panah – to turn toward or away, to turn and look or to turn back (qal imperfect)).
They said (wa ‘amar – so as to convey and utter, proclaim and announce, so as to repeat), ‘Yahowah (Yahowah – the proper pronunciation of YaHoWaH based upon His towrah – teaching regarding His hayah – existence), He (huw’) is the Almighty God (ha ‘elohym – 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), the title, God, applies to Him (huw’ ha ‘elohym – the Almighty).’” (Melekym / Rulers / 1 Kings 18:39)
It is hard to talk when your mouth is in the dirt. Their reply was a product of their fear, not respect. They did not know Yahowah any better at that moment than they had in the minutes before the fire devoured everything arranged before them. They did not understand any of the symbols that you and I have considered.
This might sound judgmental, and indeed it is. But by falling down, they clearly demonstrated that they were still clueless. I have no doubt that they mumbled “Yahowah, He is the God” with dust in their noses and dirt on their lips, but their words would ring hollow for nearly three thousand years. Their proclamation was for another time, for 2033 CE rather than 1300 BCE, when the Children of Yisra’el will finally come to embrace the Light, and actually mean it when they look up and call out, “The title of God applies to Yahowah.”
This is why Yahowah seldom conveys His presence through signs and wonders. It does not lead people to know 38Him but instead to be in awe of Him. That is not the intent of a loving Father.
And yet, even though the Yisra’elites were dumb as the stones, and although ‘ElYah had agreed to represent them, didn’t mean Yahowah’s prophet could be counted among the religious. He understood the consequence and fate of false prophets – of those who speak for the Lord.
Therefore, as a lesson to all who would dare be religious, especially Yisra’elites, we read…
“So then (wa) ‘ElYah (‘Elyah – Yahowah is God) said (‘amar – conveyed and declared, responding) to them (la hem), ‘Seize (taphas – of your own volition, having caught them in the act, capture, arrest, and control, dealing with (qal imperative)) the prophets (‘eth naby’ – those who claimed to speak on behalf) of the Lord (ha Ba’al – of the one acting as master and owner with the intent of possessing and controlling), not letting a person among them find salvation or escape (‘ysh ‘al malat min hem – choosing to not allow a single individual who is part of them to be spared (nifal imperfect jussive – a third-person expression of volition with ongoing implications throughout time whereby the people who were doing this would be influenced by their actions)).’
And they, after catching them in the act, captured and took control of them (wa taphas hem – they caught them and seized them, dealing with them (qal imperfect)).
They brought them down (wa yarad hem – they either fell down or were made to bow down before (hifil imperfect)) to ‘ElYah (‘Elyah – Yahowah is God) and to the Qyshown (Qyshown – to Lure and Snare in Serpentine Fashion; from qowsh – to bait, lure, and then snare (winding through the Plain of Megiddo and dumping out into the Mediterranean)) River (nachal – brook or stream, gorge, valley, or ravine).
39He killed them then and there (shachat shem – he took their lives, slaying and slaughtering them as a result of the name and reputation).” (Melekym / Rulers / 1 Kings 18:40)
God would have them do to the prophets of the Lord what the name and title ha Ba’al implies: take control of them, possessing them. They would not be allowed to continue plaguing God’s people, killing them.
For these religious ministers, there would be no chance of salvation or escape. Their souls were on a collision course with She’owl. They would spend eternity incarcerated with the likes of Sha’uwl.
You will note that ‘ElYah did not try to rehabilitate them or save them. He did not negotiate with them, respect them, compromise with them, or tolerate them. They, like every religious cleric before and after, sought to negate the value of Yahowah’s name by referring to their god as “the Lord.” It is the unforgivable sin that serves as the basis of the Third Statement Yahowah etched in stone.
They would be killed because they were promoting and spreading death. The outcome was appropriate and fair. There is no mercy, no salvation, for those who withhold the benefits of the Covenant from Yahowah’s people.
Even worse, those who align themselves with the Lord will forever be associated with him. As a result, they are afforded an express ticket to She’owl. Considering what they would have continued to do to plague Yisra’el, it was the most compassionate, loving, responsible, and moral response.
However, we are not God. We are not one of His prophets. Most of us do not live in Yisra’el under the authority of the Towrah. Therefore, we should not do what 40‘ElYah has done – even though it was the right action for him to undertake.
‘ElYah is exceptionally unique. He was Yahowah’s sole representative on Earth at this time. He was a prophet. He was an exceptional orator – one uniquely capable of expressing the life-and-death consequences of the intended relationship versus the Lord’s religion. ‘ElYah was one of only two men who was taken directly to heaven without first experiencing mortal decay or death. Moreover, ‘ElYah will be one of the two witnesses during the Time of Ya’aqob’s Troubles.
And it is during this time, as time as we know it comes to a close, that this man’s words will actually pierce and kill the remaining advocates of religion, politics, militarism, and conspiracy. It will be as if his words are ablaze.
The fact remains people should be able to live in peace and not be victimized. When evaluating the life and liberty of those who are harmed in comparison to those who harm others, our compassion and support belongs to the abused, and our condemnation and disdain should be directed at the abusers. We ought to love the former and hate the latter. We ought to liberate the abused and constrain the abuser.
Even the name of the river, the Qyshown, affirms why Ba’al’s prophets had to die. They had baited a trap and lured the nation of Yisra’el into their snare. They knew what they were doing and were now being held accountable. Can you imagine what the millions of beavers, minks, and bears, who were tortured to death in the steel jaws of a trapper’s snare, would do if they could hold those who mercilessly murdered them for their pelts accountable?
In this case, death was an intervening step and not the penalty. The prophets of the Lord were sentenced to spend eternity locked up in the lightless realm of She’owl – from 41which there would be no escape. And they would have to spend an unlimited amount of time in unbearably close proximity to other snake-oil salesmen. In reality, they were given what they wanted: an eternity with the Lord.
You ought not be surprised, nor even bothered, by the conclusion of this affair. It was not just a test between Yahowah and the Lord, it was a referendum on life and death. This same choice is before all of us, and the consequences and penalties remain unchanged.
Finally, this is one of many times where we as readers are advantaged over the eyewitnesses. I would not have wanted to have been within a thousand miles of the stench of 850 of the Lord’s prophets. I would have been far less patient with them than was ‘ElYah.
I doubt we would have correctly identified each clue as we have now done with the benefit of time and perspective. Further, we would not have been overly excited by the fire, knowing that it was an infinitesimal manifestation of His power. To the contrary, we would have screamed our lungs out at the moronic response of the people who fell on their faces.
Now, for our own edification, let’s review the conclusion to this amazing prophetic story…
“‘ElYah said to all the people, ‘Gather around me, drawing near.’ So, all the people approached him.
Then he repaired the altar for Yahowah which had been previously torn down and now lay in ruins. (Melekym / 1 Kings 18:30)
‘ElYah obtained and grasped hold of twelve stones, each representing the number of family groupings of the children of Ya’aqob. Unto whom, to show the way to the benefits of the relationship, the Word of Yahowah came to exist.
42He affirmed and declared, ‘Yisra’el will be your name. It will serve to convey your proper designation and reputation.’ (Melekym / 1 Kings 18:31)
With the stones he rebuilt for the family, an altar in the name of Yahowah. Then he engaged to fashion, expending considerable effort to make a renewing and restoring channel to approach the altar.
It was suitable to house two measures of seed (representing Yisra’el and Yahuwdah). (Melekym / 1 Kings 18:32)
Next, he arranged the wood. He cut the bull into pieces and laid them on top of the wood. He said, ‘Fill four (representing the process of completion) jars completely with water (serving as a metaphor for the source of life and as the universal solvent to clean).
Then pour them out so as to wash and cleanse the offering which elevates, making it acceptable, and also upon the wooden timbers (representing the doorway to life). (Melekym / 1 Kings 18:33)
He said, ‘Do it again.’ And they did it a second time. He said, ‘Do it a third time.’ And they did it a third time (indicating the number of times the promise of the Yowbel will be fulfilled in human history). (Melekym / 1 Kings 18:34)
Therefore, the water traveled and ran all around the altar as the renewing and restoring channel was filled with water. (Melekym / 1 Kings 18:35)
When it came to be time for the offering to rise, the prophet who is inspired to speak for God, ‘ElYah, approached, and said, ‘Yahowah, God of ‘Abraham and Yitschaq, this day let it be known to Yisra’el, let everyone choose to acknowledge and accept the unfolding implications throughout time that You are Almighty God in Yisra’el, and I work with You.
43In accordance with Your Word, I have engaged and made all of these statements. (Melekym / 1 Kings 18:36)
Please choose to reply to me of Your own volition, responding by testifying, offering evidence, Yahowah, so that this family of related people may come to know, choosing to observe and acknowledge, that indeed, You, Yahowah, are God Almighty.
Thereby, You will transform their thinking and judgment so that they take what they have observed and contemplated to heart, bringing them back again to the original intent.’ (Melekym / 1 Kings 18:37)
Then the fire conveying the radiant light and warmth of Yahowah descended, moving from a higher position to a lower one as it was allocated and distributed.
It consumed the offering which elevates and also the wooden timbers (collectively representing Passover and the Doorway to Life), along with the stones (symbolizing the rock-solid relationship Yahowah intended with the twelve tribes of Yisra’el), and the dust (indicative of the infinitesimal ash representing the descendants of Yisra’el, and thus the seeds which had been transformed by the fire).
It licked up the water in the healing and restoring channel to show the way to the benefits of the relationship. (Melekym / 1 Kings 18:38)
And when each and every person, the entire family of related individuals, witnessed it, they fell upon their faces. They said, ‘Yahowah, He is the God. The title, God, correctly represents Yahowah.’ (Melekym / 1 Kings 18:39)
‘ElYah responded to them, ‘Of your own volition, now that we have caught them in the act, let’s capture 44and gain control over the prophets who claim to speak on behalf of the Lord, not letting a person among them find salvation or escape.’
And they took possession of them. They brought them down to ‘ElYah at the Qyshown (to Lure and Snare in Serpentine Fashion) River. He killed them then and there as a result of the name.” (Melekym / 1 Kings 18:40)
The Lord is deadly. Do not ever lose sight of this reality. This was not a game. And therefore, death for death.
Before we turn the page and move on to the 9th chapter of Yasha’yah, there are a couple of additional statements that caught my attention. In the first, we discover that to keep him safe and facilitate his work, Yahowah assigned a mal’ak messenger to ‘ElYah.
Realizing that he was the lone credible voice in a duplicitous world, there were many important things that Yahowah wanted ‘ElYah to accomplish before He called him Home. And the adventure would not begin again until the prophet was standing up and properly nourished. Only then would he commence the next stage of his journey.
We are reminded not only that God wants us to walk with Him, but also that His fortification will endure for forty days and forty nights – reaffirming this as the measure of the time of completion for any stage in Yahowah’s mission. And you will notice where ‘ElYah was being led, right back to the place Yahowah had given His Towrah Instructions to the Children of Yisra’el. It is where God spoke directly to His prophet. It is where we should go if we want to listen to Him.
“And the messenger (wa mal’ak – the spiritual representative and heavenly envoy) of Yahowah (Yahowah – the proper pronunciation of YaHoWaH based 45upon His towrah – teaching regarding His hayah – existence) returned (shuwb), a second time (seny), and touched him (wa naga’ ba huw’), saying (wa ‘amar – informing and announcing), ‘Arise (quwm – stand up, get up, and accomplish the mission), being nourished (‘akal – eating) because (ky) the path and journey (derek – the way) for you are numerous and important (rab min ‘atah – for you are abundant and impressive, extensive and great).’ (19:7)
He stood up (wa quwm – he arose, got to his feet, and took a stand), ate and drank (wa ‘akal wa shathah).
Then he walked (wa halak – he traveled and journeyed out) based upon the fortification (ba koach – in the physical provision and vigor of the resource) of that meal (ha ‘akylah ha hy’ – of that nourishing food) for forty (‘arba’ – to make square and thus even) days (yowmym) and forty nights (wa ‘arba’ layl) unto (‘ad – as far as and until) Choreb (Choreb – Desolate; from charab – dry and lifeless place (on which Yahowah gave Moseh the Towrah on Shabuw’ah)), the mountain (har) of God (ha ‘elohym – the Almighty). (Melekym / 1 Kings 19:8)
Eventually (wa), he came upon (‘el bow’ – he approached and entered) a cave (ha ma’arah – a barren den or uninhabited wasteland). It was there (shem), when spending the night (lyn – to lodge overnight and rest), that behold (wa hineh – when he became aware), the Word (dabar – the statement and message, the communication) of Yahowah (Yahowah – the proper pronunciation of YaHoWaH based upon His towrah – teaching regarding His hayah – existence) came to him (‘el huw’).
She said to him (wa ‘amar la huw’) ‘Why are you here in this place (mah ‘la ‘atah poh), ‘ElYah (‘Elyah – Yahowah is God)?’ (Melekym / 1 Kings 19:9)
He replied (‘amar), ‘I have been extremely zealous and desirous, jealously devoted to a monogamous 46relationship (qana’ qana’ – I have been fervent and passionate about my exclusive relationship (piel infinite piel perfect)) with (la – approaching and regarding) Yahowah (Yahowah – the proper pronunciation of YaHoWaH as ‘elowah – God instructed in His Towrah – Guidance regarding His hayah – existence), the God of the spiritual envoys (‘elohym tsaba’ – the Almighty of the heavenly implements and representatives).
By contrast (ky – for honestly), the Children of Yisra’el (beny Yisra’el – the Sons who Strive and Struggle with God) have forsaken, rejected, and abandoned (‘azab – have rejected, neglected, and severed all association with (qal perfect)) Your Familial Covenant Relationship (Beryth ‘atah – Your agreement, compact, and pledge signifying the binding oath of a marriage vow with the intent of You raising a family).
They have torn down and destroyed (haras – they have demolished and laid waste to) Your altars (mizbeach ‘atah – platforms for placing sacrifices), murdered (harag – slain and killed) Your prophets (naby’ ‘atem – those who have been inspired to speak for You) with the sword (ba ha chereb – with a double-edged dagger or cutting implement), and (wa) I am left (yathar ‘any – I remain) by myself (la bad ‘any – I am alone, the only member and branch).
And they are searching for me (wa baqas – so they are looking for me, procuring information to hold me responsible) to take (la laqah – to grasp hold of, take away, and possess) my soul (‘esh nepesh ‘any – my consciousness).’” (Melekym / Rulers / 1 Kings 19:10)
‘ElYah was passionate about His relationship with Yahowah. Nothing was more important to him. And yet he knew that nothing was less important to his kin, the Yisra’elites. They had forsaken the Covenant, as has everyone involved with Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and 47Humanism ever since. As few as one in a million embrace the Covenant.
In all fairness to ‘ElYah, there is no way of knowing if he would have been afforded access to the 91st Mizmowr / Psalm. He may not have known that Yahowah had deployed far more than the returning mal’ak he could see, to protect him.
The religious response to the truth, to God’s Word, has always been to silence His messengers. No one has done this better than the Roman Catholic Church. They were sure to torture every correct and courageous soul that interfered with their dominion over mankind.
What follows is a startling revelation, one which serves as a fitting conclusion to this time with ‘ElYah. In all of Yisra’el, there were only seven thousand men, women, and children who had not bowed before Ba’al. That is not to say that any of these people knew Yahowah, only that this was the full extent of those who were not paying homage to the Lord.
Everyone else, millions of people, either got down on their knees showing reverence for the Lord, as almost every religious person is prone to do, or gave lip service to him, some out of affection, others out of submission. Millions of people, even in Yisra’el, had become subservient and obedient to Satan, picking up arms on his behalf, and kissing those wearing his ring.
“‘I will leave a remnant (wa sha’ar – I will spare and leave behind (hifil perfect)) in Yisra’el (ba Yisra’el). There are seven thousand (sheba’ ‘eleph), including all of those whose knees (kol ha berek ‘asher) have not bowed down, showing reverence (lo’ kara’ – knelt down, prostrating themselves) to the Lord (la ha Ba’al – to the one who seeks to be the master, to own and possess).
48This includes every mouth (wa kol ha peh) that has not submitted to him (‘asher lo’ nashaq la huw’ – which has not yielded in obedience to him, taken up arms on his behalf, or as a gesture of either affection of submission, kissed him).’” (Melekym / Rulers / 1 Kings 19:18)
There is no indication that any of these seven thousand individuals knew Yahowah or were members of the Covenant. They may have all been agnostics or atheists. The fact is, they were not religious. There was hope for them, just as there is a very real possibility for Yahuwdym who are neither political nor religious today. Many, if not all, of them may come to know and love the God of Yisra’el.
Sadly, while Yahowah clearly won this challenge, overall, the prophets of Ba’al have prevailed. They have plagued the overwhelming preponderance of the people – continuing even to this today. Only one person on the planet knew Yahowah well enough to speak for Him, and millions if not billions were worshiping the Adversary.
