336Questioning Paul

Liars Lie

…Contradicting God

 

9

Towkechath | Rebuke

 

Say What?…

Sha’uwl, the man who wanted the world to acclaim him as Paul, continued his disjointed travelogue and arrogant autobiography with another series of inaccurate statements. The reason behind, and timing of, the meeting at the heart of the Promised Land was not as he claimed. Therefore, the wannabe apostle lied when he wrote:

“Later (epeita – thereafter in the sequence of events), through (dia – by) fourteen (ekatessares) years (etos) also (palin – furthermore, again, and additionally), I went up (anabaino – I ascended and rose) to (eis) Yaruwshalaim | Jerusalem (Hierosoluma – transliteration of the Hebrew name Yaruwshalaim, meaning Source from which Guidance Regarding Reconciliation Flows) along with (meta) Barnabas (Barnabas – of Aramaic origin from bar, son of, naby, a prophet), having taken along (symparalambano – having brought) also (kai) Titus (Titos – of Latin origin meaning honorable).” (Galatians 2:1)

Before it was even born, Yaruwshalaim | Jerusalem was where the Covenant was confirmed. It is the place Abraham and Yitschaq | Isaac tangibly confirmed their commitment to God’s Family and where Yahowah first revealed that He would provide the Passover Lamb. Yaruwshalaim is also the place where Passover, UnYeasted Bread, Firstborn Children, and Seven Shabats were fulfilled in 33 CE – year 4000 Yah.

337Its name proudly declares that this city is the source from which guidance regarding reconciliation flows. It is, therefore, unconscionable that Sha’uwl would spend nearly two decades within walking distance of the place and people who witnessed the most important four days in human history, and not stop by on occasion to soak it all in. And yet, Sha’uwl | Paul remained fixated on Damascus.

Since Sha’uwl will associate Yaruwshalaim with the enslavement of mankind two chapters hence, his disdain for Yahowah’s favorite place on Earth should be evident. Paul, and the faith he conceived, would be averse to Yahowah’s Chosen People, Promised Land, Torah, Covenant, Invitations, and city.

The events Paul has regaled in this letter and in Luke’s correspondence, now called “Acts,” suggest that more time had passed. But perhaps afraid that someone might do the math and recognize that, if the duration between being misled and blinded entering Damascus and being tried by the disciples was not trimmed to fourteen years, his conversion would have preceded Yahowsha’s demise – ruining his entire story. And even then, if fourteen years transpired, Paul’s transformation from misguided fists to words would have occurred in 36 CE, which was still too early for his mission to annihilate Jewish Ebionites in Syria to be credible. Prior to the advent of telephones, radio, television, and the internet, news did not travel at the velocity required to have a sufficient number of Ebionites (Towrah-observant Yahuwdym who knew of Yahowsha’) to be in Damascus.

“I went up (anabaino), but then (de) downward from (kata – down, toward, along with, according to, and through) an uncovering (apokalypsis – a disclosure or vision that makes the unknown known, an unveiling which lays bare; from apokalupto – to uncover and unveil) and set forth (kai anatithemai – set before and laid down) to them (autos) the beneficial messenger (to euangelion – 338the healing message) which (o) I preach (kerysso – I proclaim, announce, and herald) among (en – in) the races and nations (tois ethnos – people from different races, places and cultures) down from (kata) one’s own (idios – uniquely and separately),...” (Galatians 2:2)

As we consider the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament, 27^th Edition with McReynolds English Interlinear rendition of this statement to further illustrate the deplorable quality of Sha’uwl’s writing, beware that I checked a dozen lexicons and all but one defined kata as “downward from,” not “by.” Not a single dictionary listed “by” as an option. “I went up but by uncovering and I set up to them the good message that I announce in the nations by own...”

If we were evaluating a creative writing assignment prepared by a developmentally disadvantaged child in the sixth grade, we would be inclined to listen to this with a sympathetic ear, but that is hard to do when the scribe is an adult claiming divine inspiration. And keep in mind, the Nestle-Aland is the most universally respected textual resource regarding the Christian New Testament.

In due time, we will come to understand the reason that this “unveiling” came “kata – downward,” why Paul “anatithemai – set forth and laid down” his message as opposed to simply sharing it, and why he did so “idios – on his own, uniquely and separately” from anyone else. But between the attitude on display here and the quality of the writing, something remains seriously amiss.

In actuality, Paul is lying again. He was compelled to go to Yaruwshalaim | Jerusalem as a result of a conflict between his message and the Towrah’s instructions. This summit would include the most influential men on the planet at that time, Yahowsha’s disciples, in addition to the leadership of the Called Out in Yaruwshalaim.

This statement includes the Greek noun euangelion, 339which as a compound of “eu – well done, prosperous, healing, and beneficial” and “aggelos – messenger or message,” literally means “healing message and beneficial messenger.” While plausible as an extension, it is a stretch to render it: “good news,” as is often the case in Christian Bibles. Also, since the Greek verb kerysso, “I preach,” means “to announce, herald, or proclaim,” by having used euangelion and kerysso together, we can now be certain that if Sha’uwl wanted to say “preach” he would have used kerysso, not euangelizo, here as well as in previous statements. And this realization exposes the ubiquitous and indefensible translation errors manifest throughout the King James Bible and the New Living Translation Bible.

As we are discovering, the epistle to the Galatians was Sha’uwl’s attempt to reestablish a tattered reputation – one that had been called into question because he alone, among those claiming to speak for God, was willing to contradict God. Therefore, the best way for him to appear credible would be to tell us that he and his message had been approved and endorsed by Yahowsha’s disciples, and specifically by Shim’own, Ya’aqob, and Yahowchanan, the most influential.

Had it been prudent to believe Paul, at least apart from his vile and vicious nature and lack of literacy, then they would have endorsed him. But if they did, there is no evidence of it and no reason for this heated letter. And if so notwithstanding these omissions, it would be a favor Paul would not reciprocate.

“…but then (de) to the one’s (tois) opinions (dokei – presumptions and suppositions) not (me) somehow perhaps (pos – in some way possibly) to (eis – into) foolishly and stupidly (kenos – without purpose and falsely, for nothing and vainly) I might run (trecho – I may have run in haste (present tense which portrays an action in process with no anticipation of its completion, active voice which signifies that Sha’uwl is doing the running, and 340subjunctive mood which presents this action as a mere possibility)) or (e) I ran (trecho – I rapidly moved hastily (aorist active indicative which conveys a moment in the past performed by Sha’uwl)).” (Galatians 2:2)

This is nearly incomprehensible. So let’s confer with the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament, 27^th Edition with McReynolds English Interlinear to ascertain whether this is what Sha’uwl actually wrote. “...but to the ones thinking not perhaps in empty I might run or I ran.” I suspect the problem is as much with the quality of the writing as it is the questionable merit of the translations.

Plunging into the words themselves, this is the first of five times we will confront “dokei – opinion” in the context of this letter. Its primary connotation is “to suppose and to presume,” as well as “to hold an opinion based upon appearances.” Dokei conveys the idea of “wanting to see something a certain way, or of someone being predisposed to a certain viewpoint.” It is neither flattering nor reassuring. And because it is not thoughtful, this is not a ringing endorsement.

Cutting to the chase, dokei conveys a “subjective opinion,” as opposed to an objective conclusion. So, in the context of an endorsement on a topic which is literally life and death, and one so easily verified by way of the undisputed standard, Yahowah’s Towrah, this is a glaring red flag.

It gets worse in context because, in addition to the “presumptuousness” of dokei, we must add the “somehow and perhaps” aspects of pos. Further, the standard Paulos is claiming to have bested was “kenos – stupid and foolish.” Even I would not accuse Paul of being “stupid” – false and vain, yes.

As weak as these opinions appear, there are reasons to suspect that Sha’uwl’s tepid assessment may not even be accurate, or at the very least, it may be purposefully 341misleading. There is another account, one more credible and detailed than this, expressing what transpired during this meeting. This is what politicians would call “spin,” as opposed to an outright lie. And in that light, this is not actually an endorsement of Paul, his message, or his mission. This is more of an indication that something was seriously wrong: “opinions not somehow perhaps to foolishly and stupidly I might run or I ran.” Even if we could figure out the rest, this still doesn’t say what he was running to, for, or from.

In that Protestant Christianity is predicated in large part on the King James Bible’s interpretation of Paul’s theology, it is incumbent upon us to compare these texts. So we must recognize that Paul actually wrote: “I went up, but then downward from uncovering an unveiling which lays bare, laying down to them the beneficial messenger which I preach among the races and nations down from one’s own, uniquely and separately, but then to the opinions and presumptions, not somehow perhaps into foolishness and stupidity, without purpose and falsely, I might run or I ran.”

Therefore, there is no basis for “Gospel,” “privately,” or “which were of reputation” in the KJV, which reads: “And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.”

Should this be accurate, why would Sha’uwl consider running from them? He had come to impress them and dazzle them with his oratory and rhetoric. And it had been he who had persecuted them, not the other way around. Further, should Paul have actually been inspired by Yahowah, he would have known that God’s message is never in vain – only man’s. So if he is attributed saying these things, then Paul is providing us with a window into the origin of his mantra.

342By adding “privately” to this text without justification, biblical scholars, inadvisably trusting their King James Version, have tended to disassociate Paul’s description of this meeting in Yaruwshalaim from the detailed account of the “Apostolic Council” presented in Acts 15. I can only assume that they do so because, when the divergent testimonies are compared, Paul’s credibility is shattered – and, with it, their religion.

It is easy to see where the KJV went wrong. Rather than accommodate the Greek text, they twisted the Latin Vulgate, the translation which gave rise to Roman Catholicism. Jerome’s amalgamated rendition reads: “And I went up according to revelation, and I debated with them about the evangelium that I am preaching among the Gentibus / Gentiles, but away from those who were pretending to be something, lest perhaps I might run, or have run, in vain.”

The origin of words is always a fascination. There is a misguided belief that “gentile” is from gowy or gowym (in the plural form). And while the evolved meaning of “gentile” is consistent with gowy, that has not always been the case. The English word is transliterated from the Latin noun gentilis, a variation of which was highlighted in the Vulgate passage. It meant “of the same family or clan of Romans.” The Latin word was used by Jerome to translate the Greek ethnos. It evolved over time such that it was thought to translate the Hebrew word gowy, meaning non-Yisra’elite races and nations. As an interesting aside then, gentilis | gentile, based upon its root, could be reasonably attributed from Romans to Roman Catholics as the Empire morphed into the Church. That being the case, all of Yahowah’s warnings against Gentiles would serve as a rebuke of Roman Catholicism.

As for the introduction of “privately,” since it does not appear in the Vulgate or in the Greek,” it may have been deployed by Francis Bacon, the suspected coordinator of 343the KJV. He would have wanted to steer clear of the Latin translation, “but away from those who were pretending to be something,” because it would have undermined the notion that kings were appointed by God. However, by translating dokei “pretending to be something,” Jerome and the Roman Church were acknowledging that Paul was deliberately demeaning Yahowsha’s disciples. And indeed he was.

The Latin Vulgate’s presentation also suggests that Paul was in competition with others, debating with them – racing against them. In this context, and based upon what is revealed elsewhere, this could only mean that Sha’uwl is trying to dismiss Yahowsha’s disciples, discrediting them by suggesting that they were pretending to be Apostles, while he was presenting himself as being “idios – uniquely qualified” to run on his own in this race.

However, as we have acknowledged, this is actually a lame proposition. If we are to believe that Paul was inspired by Yahowah, and doing what God wanted done, nothing would have caused him to run independently from the very disciples with whom Yahowsha’ had entrusted with His witness. And this is especially disturbing considering what follows, where Sha’uwl condemns Shim’own for running in fear.

It is becoming increasingly easy to see why so many Christians remain befuddled and in the dark. The popular New Living Translation perpetuates the mistakes inherent in the King James Version, and then adds some myths of its own. “I went there because God revealed to me that I should go. While I was there I met privately with those considered to be leaders of the church and shared with them the message I had been preaching to the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure that we were in agreement, for fear that all my efforts had been wasted and I was running the race for nothing.”

It is evident from his nomenclature and attitude that 344Paul was not interested in knowing if the disciples disagreed with him. Their opinions would never have caused him to question himself. No, Paul has already told us that there was a curse on those who challenged him. This translation is nonsense.

While his intent may have been to skirt the truth by inferring that God, rather than the disciples, had ordered him to appear in Jerusalem, Paul did not actually say that his “unveiling” came from “God,” or that it was the reason for his ascent. The contemporary audience would have immediately recognized such suggestions as disingenuous. There is no reference in Paul’s testimony to a “private meeting,” but instead, Paul speaks of “setting forth and laying down” the message through “preaching,” which is public discourse. There was no reference to a “church,” nor “leaders,” nor to “sharing” in Paul’s prose. And the terms Paul selected to frame his statement were all equivocal and are thus the antithesis of “making sure” he wasn’t a “foolish, stupid, deceiver, running in vain.” As a result, if you have been led to believe that this novel is a translation of the “inerrant word of God,” it’s time to abandon both myths.

In addition to rebuking the New Living Translation for their contrived interpretation of Sha’uwl’s letter, it is important to reinforce the fact that those who know they are presenting the Word of God do not seek the endorsement of others – ever. They rely exclusively on Yahowah. His testimony is memorialized in writing, it is unambiguously and consistently stated, it is available to everyone, and it does not change – making it reliable, and those who share it, dependable. Further, no matter the response, the time we spend conveying our Heavenly Father’s teaching is never “wasted.” While most human endeavors are “run in vain,” those who work alongside Yahowah never “run [His] race for nothing.”

However, those lost in a world of “faith” do not know, 345so they are compelled to seek human approval. That is why believers congregate together. Perhaps the inadequate faith of these religious publishers seeped into their prose.

This is no small matter. It reveals why so many Christians get upset when others do not agree with them. The insecure nature of faith cannot handle the strain of knowing that informed and rational individuals don’t support what they have been led to believe. It is as if they worry that the slightest chip on the veneer of their faith will cause everything to crumble. Questioning scares them, so they react by reinforcing one another and collectively pushing the perceived threat away.

Perhaps this is why history is rife with many delusions and with the madness of crowds, demonstrating that popular acceptance has never been a measure of truth. Said another way, individual deceptions are relatively rare, but collective misconceptions are common, especially among the religious, political, conspiratorial, and militaristic.

Before we press on to Sha’uwl’s next sentence, let’s linger here a good while longer – especially since the mother’s milk of faith, the specter of supposition, has now been raised. Opinions are to conclusions as faith is to trust. Since Yahowsha’s disciples had at their disposal a pair of unassailable tests to ascertain with absolute certain whether Sha’uwl was speaking for Yahowah, for himself, or on behalf of the Adversary, there was no reason for them to presume anything. God’s criterion is straight forward, and it is easily accessible because it is found at the conclusion of His Towrah Guidance. The best known of these tests contains six elements (with six being the number of man):

1. Is the person a naby’: someone who claims to speak on behalf of God? (This is a screening codicil, because if a person admits that they are speaking only for themselves, then there would be no reason for anyone to associate his or her message with God. As for 346Sha’uwl, he unequivocally claimed to be a “naby’.”)
2. Is the person zyd: someone who oversteps their bounds, speaking presumptuously and contemptuously, with an inflated sense of self-worth, demonstrating self-reliance while taking liberties to defy God. Are they someone who arrogantly pretends to know, who insults others and is disrespectful? Do they display pride in the pursuit of personal recognition and acclaim while despising and demeaning perceived competitors, lashing out at anyone who rebels against that which is established? Are they prone to rage, seething with anger and often furious, overbearing, rude, and conceited in their plans? (As we shall discover during our review of Sha’uwl’s initial epistle, this could be written to say: does the person act like Sha’uwl | Paul.)
3. Does the person dabar ba shem: openly and publicly preach to others, communicating his or her message in the name of God? (As was the case with the first codicil, this is also a screening test. If the person has an insignificantly small audience, if his or her statements are exclusively conveyed in private, if his or her influence is limited to a specific time and place without an ongoing legacy or lingering consequence, then there would be no reason to apply this test. But such is not the case with Paul, whose public preaching and copious letters have influenced billions.)
4. Is the person’s message lo’ tsawah: inconsistent with what Yahowah has instructed and directed? Does his or her message conflict with what God appointed, constituted, and taught? Does it vary from His Instructions? (This is where Sha’uwl | Paul is the most vulnerable because his theology is usually the antithesis of Yahowah’s teaching.)
5. Does the person dabar ba shem ‘aher ‘elohym: speak in the name of gods other than Yahowah? (Paul’s “in 347the name of Charis | Grace,” his “Amen” salutation, his renaming of Yahowsha’ as Iesou, along with the derogatory title Christos, and his constant use of “Kurios – the Lord” are all in violation, so he failed this test miserably.)
6. Are the individual’s written and spoken statements consistent with that which hayah: has occurred and is existing, as well as what has been established and instituted by God, and do their prophetic pronouncements bow’: come to fruition? Does what they have said in the past transpire in the future? (Sha’uwl not only inaccurately conveyed the history of the Covenant, the Exodus, and Yahowsha’s life, he misrepresented current events in his own life, while also failing in his lone attempt at prophecy.)

We are still early in our review of this epistle, so not all of the evidence necessary to prove that Sha’uwl failed every aspect of this test has been revealed thus far. Nonetheless, it has been presented here in connection with Paul’s reference to “dokei – subjective opinion” which Sha’uwl interjected into the previous statement. Since he wants to trade on opinions, I wanted you to be equipped with the facts because God has provided an objective test. You are now properly equipped to quarrel with Sha’uwl if he violates clause two (of which we already have serious concerns), four (which will serve as the focus of our evaluation), five (of which Charis/Gratia/Grace is a problem), and six (when he misrepresents the timing of his “harpazo – rapture”).

We will also be looking for historical chronologies (such as his testimony regarding the Yaruwshalaim Summit) as well as other prophetic predictions because, without them, Yahowah’s signature and endorsement will be missing. Yahowah’s prophetic trademark is required if this, or any of Sha’uwl’s letters, is to be considered 348inspired. So once we have completed our review of Galatians, we will deploy this same test to objectively demonstrate with absolute certainty that Sha’uwl | Paul did not speak for God.

Since Yahowah provided ample prophetic warning regarding Sha’uwl | Paul, and then equipped us with the means to evaluate his subsequent credibility, let’s take a moment and review the text of the Towrah from which my summation of God’s test emerged:

“Surely (‘ak – indeed and reliably, emphasizing the point), the person who proclaims a message on behalf of a deity (naby’ – a prophet speaking for God regarding the past, present, or future) who (‘asher – relationally) oversteps their bounds and speaks presumptuously, contemptuously, and improperly (zyd – has an inflated sense of self-worth, demonstrating self-reliance while taking liberties to rudely defy God, who arrogantly disapproves while pretending to know better, who insults others and is disrespectful, displaying pride in the pursuit of personal recognition and acclaim while despising rivals, who rebels against that which is established and is prone to rage, who seethes with anger and is often furious, overbearing, rude, and conceited in their plans (here the hiphil stem reveals that the prophet and his statements are working together and that he causes this result to occur, while the imperfect conjugation speaks of their continual and ongoing influence)) for the express purpose of conveying (la dabar – for the intent of saying, of communicating verbally or in writing (piel infinitive construct – by design and intent)) a statement (dabar – a message, written or verbal in a letter or speech) in (ba) My (‘any) name or reputation (shem – proper designation or renown) which accordingly (‘asher ‘eth – inferring access, relationship, and benefit which) I have not expressly appointed, taught, guided, nor directed him (lo’ tsawah – I have not provided his instruction, nor 349assigned, constituted, decreed, prescribed, or ordained this guidance through him, deliberately and demonstrably making him My understudy (piel stem and perfect conjugation)) to (la) speak (dabar – to say or write, conveying a statement or message), and (wa) who (‘asher –relationally) speaks (dabar – communicates) in (ba) the name (shem) of other (‘aher – different and additional, even subsequent) gods (‘elohym), indeed, then (wa) that prophet (ha naby’ – that individual who claims that their message regarding the past, present, or future is from God), he (huw’) is deadly (muwth – devoid of life and destructive).” (Dabarym / Words / Deuteronomy 18:20)

This test only applies to those who claim to speak for God by name or renown – as was the case with Sha’uwl | Paul. It pertains to those who are vocal, and who promote their perceptions of God through the spoken and written word. To justify such scrutiny, the individual’s speeches and books must, therefore, be published and widely distributed so that the test can be fairly and accurately conducted.

By using naby’, only those who are prophetic can be considered. The person under scrutiny must be a prophet, which means that they must accurately reveal what occurred in the past and will transpire in the future. Therefore, if someone like Sha’uwl | Paul does not provide proof of his inspiration by revealing something relevant in the past or meaningful in the future that only Yahowah would have known, he is not speaking for God. Since there are no such revelations or insights in any of Sha’uwl’s numerous letters or copious speeches, there is no chance whatsoever that Paul spoke for Yahowah. He was lying when he claimed otherwise.

Arrogance is an anathema to God. Ego is odious. Therefore, zyd serves as a benchmark, such that we can make a determination based upon the speaker’s attitude toward God and man. In this light, it is a poor life decision 350to suggest that God is wrong and that we, by comparison, are right. It is never right to infer that God is wrong, which makes Sha’uwl | Paul wrong.

We ought not overstep our bounds. This means we should not go beyond where Yahowah’s words lead. His Way is narrow, restrictive, and unpopular. But since it is His Way, we are not at liberty to widen it, change it or, worse, replace it.

Knowing Yahowah exudes confidence, but since it is based upon our relationship with Yah and upon His assurances, it is the furthest thing from conceit. Self-reliance is presumptuous, while trusting God is not.

This known, there is nothing wrong with calling something or someone “stupid,” so long as we correctly demonstrate why it or they are foolish. Contradicting God is disrespectful, even arrogant and appalling. Challenging me based upon what I have written is fair game, so long as the criticism is properly evidenced and reasoned.

Therefore, since it takes an enormous ego or tremendous confidence to speak on behalf of Yahowah, the charlatan condemns himself by being presumptuous and contemptuous. Sha’uwl | Paul is eminently recognizable as such, overbearing and conceited, derisive and repugnant. With his every word, he is promoting himself and seeking worldwide recognition and acclaim. And when he is challenged, he is enraged.

The core of God’s test is based upon a comparison between what Yahowah has “tsawah – instructed and directed” and what another has written. Therefore, the surest way to know if Yahowah has appointed someone to speak for Him, is that you will likely find an affirmation of their mission, its timing and purpose, in the established Towrah and Prophets. For example, Yahowah predicted what I am doing for you, referring to me as Yada’, His Choter and Nakry, and these books as His Nes. You will 351find the evidence for this in Observations and Coming Home. While that does not make me a prophet, it does indicate that I am speaking for Yahowah. And as for Sha’uwl | Paul, I have uncovered a plethora of prophetic warnings regarding him – all of which I will share with you.

My calling does not make me special, but instead puts you in a position to be special. Yahowah does not choose those who represent Him based upon their merit or acclaim, but instead on their willingness to be used and to go where His words lead. Through these books, Yahowah is introducing Himself to you, trying to get your undivided attention, so that, if you respect Him, you will be in a position to act upon His instructions and enter His Covenant.

We can validate a prophet’s calling by comparing what they say to what God has instructed and directed. If the message is the same, if the writer and speaker are accurately conveying Yahowah’s instructions and directions, beginning with His Towrah | Instructions and Directions, then they can be trusted because Yahowah can be relied upon. My books are entirely consistent and complementary, and Paul’s are universally conflicting and contradictory.

To apply this test to any individual’s books or speeches, two things are required of the evaluator. They must know what Yahowah instructed by having become Towrah observant, and they must be aware of what the individual being scrutinized conveyed. The corresponding citations must be correctly presented and logically compared. The process should be consistent, comprehensive, and methodical – which is why Questioning Paul is over 2000 pages and the Yada Yahowah series is 15,000 pages long and growing.

And lest I forget something that makes most people 352uncomfortable; for any valuation to be meaningful, it must be judgmental. To discern fact from fiction we must exercise good judgment and be discriminating and rational.

According to Yahowah, those who speak for Him, speak in His name. They do not make pronouncements in the names of other gods, nor do they negate Yahowah’s name by writing “HaShem” or “‘Adoni” instead. If you see names like Amen, Charis, Grace, Jesus, Christ, the Lord, or Allah in someone’s writings (other than to point out that they are wrong), such individuals were not inspired by Yahowah.

Muwth makes the statements of a false prophet “deadly and destructive,” revealing that those who believe him or her “will die.” And because this is nothing to trifle with, we should do everything we can to decimate their message before it infects and kills more unwitting souls.

Yahowah continued…

“And if (wa ky) you actually say (‘amar – you genuinely ask over the course of time (scribed in the qal imperfect)) in (ba) your heart, applying your best judgment (lebab – your inner nature and thinking (in recognition that the heart was considered the seat of judgment)), ‘How (‘eykah) shall we actually and consistently know (yada’ – shall we come to acquire the information needed to genuinely distinguish, discriminate, understand and acknowledge (here the qal stem was used to convey actually, genuinely, and literally while the imperfect conjugation reveals that the ability to know is ongoing, consistent, and continual irrespective of time)) accordingly if the (‘eth ha – whether the) statement (dabar – written or spoken communication) which (‘asher – under the expectation of a beneficial relationship) he speaks or writes (dabar – his complete testimony (here the perfect conjugation requires us to examine the totality of the person’s written and spoken communication while the 353piel stem reveals that our perceptions of the object’s writings, Yahowah’s Towrah in this case, suffer the effect of the false prophet’s testimony)) is not (lo’) Yahowah’s ()?’

If that which (‘asher) is deliberately spoken over time (dabar – has continually orchestrated through written or spoken communication (with the piel stem the subject influences the object and with the imperfect conjugation the consequence is ongoing)) by the one who proclaims the message (ha naby’ – prophet who claims divine inspiration) in (ba) Yahowah’s () name or reputation (shem – designation or renown) did not occur or is not literally and consistently established (lo’ hayah – is not actually instituted and existing (qal imperfect)), or it does not actually come to be (wa lo’ bow’ – does not consistently arrive (such as a predicted harvest) or literally happen (an errant prediction) (qal imperfect)), the message (ha dabar – the written statement and spoken communication) which (‘asher – from the perspective of a beneficial relationship) he (huw’), himself, has deliberately spoken to influence (dabar – the totality of what he has communicated orally and in writing to effect one’s perceptions regarding the object, which is God (piel perfect)) is not (lo’) Yahowah’s ().

In (ba – with) arrogance and presumptuousness (zadown – with an inflated view of himself, self-willed and self-motivated, this morally flawed, disrespectful, imprudent, insulting, and shameless individual has taken great liberty while overstepping all due bounds in contempt of the established authority), the prophet (ha naby’ – the one claiming to be issuing inspired statements from God) has spoken and written (dabar – he has conceived and presented his message (piel perfect – he has completely and deliberately sought to influence)).

You should not respect or revere him nor conspire to rebel with him (lo’ guwr min – you should not fear him, 354join him, congregate or live with him either).” (Dabarym / Words / Deuteronomy 18:21-22)

At the time Moseh shared this test with the Children of Yisra’el, the heart was considered the seat of judgment, of personal conviction, and character. The liver was the source of emotions.

God’s test is for those who genuinely want to “yada’ – know.” If your faith takes precedence over the truth, please get out of the way and move along. This test is not for you.

As a surprise to those who are religious, God has no interest being around a bunch of dunderheads who do not care to know His name, understand His instructions, nor think about what He has to say. To avoid the embarrassment of being rejected, only thoughtful and discerning individuals should apply.

To be with Yahowah, we must seek to yada’ | know Him and understand what He has conveyed to us. And therefore, dabar | words matter. Emphasizing this, dabar was spoken four times in the opening statement and was repeated another six times in the second.

This is a word-for-word evaluation, where the word of God and the words of men are compared side by side. If they match, they are both right. If they do not, then the prophet is a liar.

It should be noted that while “hayah – exists, is instituted, and is established” and “bow’ – come to be” convey somewhat similar thoughts in English; they do not in Hebrew. By using them in conjunction with each other, Yahowah is telling us that if anything a prophet says is divergent from what He has already instituted and established in His Word, or inconsistent with history, both past and future, this prophet was not inspired by God. Those who speak for Yahowah must, therefore, accurately 355describe what has occurred in addition to accurately predict what will occur, while never contradicting anything God has said.

So while it should already be obvious that Sha’uwl | Paul flunked historical accuracy and Towrah consistency, it is only a matter of time before he fails prophecy, too.

Prophecy is not only about the future. For example, Moseh was called the greatest of the prophets and he had far more to say about the distant past and his present circumstances than the future. Never discount the difficulty of flawlessly reporting prior events. Neither Paul nor Muhammad could do it, and they, thereby, failed the test of history past.

In addition, hayah is not only the basis of Yahowah’s name, it is related to the Hebrew word for “life,” chayah. To ignore Yahowah’s hayah is to deny chayah.

The primary meaning of bow’ is “to go from one place to another, and to arrive, coming upon the scene.” It is all about the future and where Yahowah and we are going. The test is to determine if we are going in the same direction.

The reason zadown | presumptuous arrogance is reaffirmed in this manner is because this test is designed to determine if someone is speaking for themselves, and if they are self-reliant, rather than speaking for God – and thereby predicating their message on His message. What I or anyone says only matters if it is based upon what Yahowah has said. And therefore, Sha’uwl’s trademark line, “But I, Paul, say…” is the surest sign of a false prophet – especially when what follows contradicts God.

Based upon the negation provided by lo’ in the concluding thought, Yahowah is saying that a false prophet should “not be revered or respected, neither dreaded nor feared.” He is conveying this so that we become more comfortable aggressively exposing and condemning those 356who deliberately contradict His message. And make no mistake, it takes character and courage to excoriate the likes of Paul and Muhammad. This alone limits the number of people available for Yahowah’s use.

Now that we are aware of this assessment, let’s consider another. Yahowah’s teaching regarding false prophets was initially broached in Dabarym / Words / Deuteronomy 13. Its evaluation is especially troubling for those who embrace Sha’uwl | Paul and his New Testament because it reveals that we should not listen to anyone who dismisses any aspect of the Towrah, who adds to the Towrah, or who claims to have received divine revelations, especially if they claim to perform signs and wonders, or if they promote service to or worship of a different god. It reads:

“With regard to (‘eth) every (kol) word (dabar – statement) which to show the way to benefit from the relationship (‘asher – to reveal the path to get the most out of life) I am (‘any) instructing (tsawah – providing guidance and direction to) you with accordingly (‘eth ‘eth), observe it (shamar – closely examine and carefully consider it, focusing your attention on it) for the purpose of (la) engaging in and acting upon it (‘asah – responding by profiting from and celebrating it), not adding to it (lo’ yasaph ‘al – never increasing it (through a New Testament, for example)) and not subtracting from it (wa lo’ gara’ min – reducing or diminishing the intent (by suggesting that it can be distilled into a single promise, a single act, a single statement, or a single profession of faith, for example)). (Dabarym / Words / Deuteronomy 12:32)

Indeed, if (ky) a prophet (naby’ – a person who claims to proclaim the message of a deity to explain the past or foretell the future) stands up trying to establish himself (quwm – rises up and exalts himself) in your midst (ba qereb) or an interpreter of revelations (chalowm chalam), and provides (wa nathan) a sign (‘owth – an 357omen via a consent decree (thereby claiming to be authorized to speak for God as Sha’uwl did)) or (‘o) miracle (mowpheth – something which appears marvelous or wonderful, inspiring awe (as Sha’uwl claimed as well)) to you (‘el), and the omen or miracle worker (ha ‘owth ‘o ha mowpheth) appears before you (wa bow’) who has spoken thusly (‘asher dabar – who has communicated and promised this) to you (‘el) to say (la ‘amar), ‘Let us go after (halak ‘achar – later let us again walk toward and follow) other (‘acher – different or additional) gods (‘elohym) which (‘asher) you have not known (lo’ yada’ – you do not recognize and are not familiar with) and let us serve and worship them (wa ‘abad – ministering on their behalf), do not listen to (lo’ shama’ ‘el) the words (dabar – statements) of that prophet (ha huw’ naby’) or (‘o) interpreter of revelations (ha huw’ chalowm chalam).

Indeed, this is because (ky) the test (nasah – the means to learn if something is true) of Yahowah (Yahowah – a transliteration of , our ‘elowah – God as directed in His towrah – teaching regarding His hayah – existence), your God (‘elohym), accordingly (‘eth) is for you to know, understand, appreciate, and acknowledge (la yada’ – to recognize and comprehend) whether this affirms your (ha yesh) love (‘ahab – relationship with and affection) for Yahowah ( – the pronunciation of YaHoWaH as guided by His towrah – teaching regarding His hayah – existence), your God (‘elohym), with all (ba kol) your heart (leb – your thinking and judgment) and with all (wa ba kol) your soul (nepesh – conscious awareness, character and persona).

After (‘achar – following) Yahowah (Yahowah – the proper pronunciation of YaHoWaH, our ‘elowah – God as directed in His ToWRaH – teaching regarding His HaYaH – existence and our ShaLoWM – restoration), your God (‘elohym), you should walk (halak – you should be guided 358and directed (which means following His Towrah guidance)).

And with Him (wa ‘eth), you should be genuinely respectful (yare’ – you should actually show admiration, reverence, continually and esteem (qal stem denotes a literal interpretation and genuine response while the imperfect conjugation conveys that this respect should be ongoing throughout time)).

Also (wa – in addition), in concert with (‘eth – in association with and concerning) His terms and conditions (mitswah – His directions and prescriptions of His binding covenant contract and His instructions regarding the relationship), you should continually be observant (shamar – you should consistently focus upon them, closely examining and carefully considering them (qal imperfect)).

Concerning His voice (wa ba qowl – then regarding His proclamations and pronouncements), you should literally listen (shama’ – you should make a habit of continually hearing (qal imperfect)) so that (wa), with Him (‘eth), you can consistently engage and serve (‘abad – always work alongside as a productive associate (qal imperfect)).

And (wa) to Him (ba – with Him), you should choose to cling (dabaq – you should literally and genuinely stay close, actually choosing to join together and be united, tightly holding on (scribed in the literal qal stem, the continuous imperfect conjugation and the paragogic nun ending which serves as an expression of freewill)).

So therefore (wa), a prophet (ha huw’ naby’) or (‘o) interpreter of revelations (ha huw’ chalowm chalam) is deadly (muwth – he is the absence of life, is destructive and damning (with the hophal stem, the subject of the verb, in this case, the false prophet, causes the object of the verb, which is those listening to him, to participate in the action 359which is to die)) if by contrast (ky – if by comparison), he has spoken (dabar – that which he has communicated is (scribed in piel stem whereby the object suffers the effect of the action and the perfect conjugation, which addresses the limited scope of the potificator’s existence)) rebellious renunciations (sarah – revolting disassociation, turning away and departing, of defection and withdrawal, or of being removed) against (‘al) Yahowah (Yahowah – written as directed by His towrah – teaching regarding His hayah – existence), your God (‘elohym), the One who led you out (ha yatsa’ ‘eth – the One who descended to serve you by extending Himself to lead you out) from (min) the realm (‘erets) of the Crucibles of Oppression Egypt (mitsraym – of human religious, political, economic, and military control and subjugation) and the One who redeemed you (wa ha padah – the One who ransomed you) from the house (min beyth) of bondage and slavery (‘ebed – of servitude and worship).

His desire is to seduce and scatter you (la nadach – his purpose is to entice and compel you to be drawn away and thrust aside) from (min) the way (ha derek – the path) which beneficially leads to the relationship (‘asher – which fortuitously reveals the proper, narrow, and restrictive path to), Yahowah ( – the pronunciation of YaHoWaH as guided by His towrah – teaching regarding His hayah – existence), your God (‘elohym), described, providing you with a complete set of directions (tsawah – He taught, told, and instructed you, totally appointing these prescriptions for you (scribed in the piel stem, these directions guide those who follow them, teaching and instructing them, and in the perfect conjugation, it means that these existing directions are totally complete)) for you to walk in (la halak ba).

And so (wa) you should choose to remove (ba’ar – as an expression of freewill, you can purge that which should no longer exist (scribed in the piel stem, perfect 360conjugation, and consecutive mood telling us that all things displeasing to Yahowah are to removed from us when we choose to follow His Towrah directions, including)) that which is disagreeable, displeasing, and incorrect (ha ra’ – that which is wrong and thus wicked, no good and therefore counterproductive, immoral, malignant, mischievous, troubling, undesirable, unpleasant, distressing, injurious, and harmful) from your midst (min qereb – from your inner nature and thus from your soul).” (Dabarym / Words / Deuteronomy 13:1-5)

It is for certain that Paul has done everything his words allow to tear believers away from Yahowah and to disrespect Him. Sha’uwl’s animosity toward Yahowah’s Towrah Teaching does not engender love or respect for the God who authored and offered them. Therefore, the only way to cling to Paul would be to let go of God.

What Yahowah has reinforced with this test is consistent with my personal experience. It was not until I took the Towrah seriously, closely examining and carefully considering its guidance and teaching, that I came to realize that Paul was a false prophet. The god Paul was describing and the means to salvation he was presenting in his letters were completely different than the God and path I came to know and respect in the Towrah.

Summarizing this, Yahowah has said that the best way to know who is not speaking for Him is to closely examine and carefully consider His every written word and then compare them to those chosen by others competing for your attention. He says that knowing and understanding that His Towrah is His source of instruction comes first. Acting upon His guidance and engaging in the Covenant Relationship is next.

No one has been or will ever be authorized to add to or subtract from His Towrah. Therefore, if we witness someone attempting to diminish the Towrah’s role in our 361lives, or if we find a writer adding something new, like a new covenant, be careful because such a person is not speaking for God.

Yahowah reveals that if the prophet stands up claiming to have received a revelation from God, and establishes himself, personally speaking his own words in his own name, he is a false prophet. If he claims to have performed miracles, he is a false prophet. If he encourages his audience to go after other gods by other names, like the Roman Gratia or Greek Charis, he is a false prophet. If he promotes religious worship, he is a false prophet. If his writings do not affirm our love for Yahowah, he is a false prophet. If he directs his audience to disregard the terms and conditions of the Covenant, he is a false prophet. And of such revelations, God says that they are in opposition to Him, both ruinous and deadly, so we should completely remove that prophet’s disagreeable, displeasing, and evil stain from our midst.

One last thought before we move on. If you witness someone showing off with a display of miracles – run. Yahowah’s words are sufficient. Those who love Him cherish them. They do not need or want anything to upstage them. His words are the stars of this story.

Since this has been Sha’uwl’s personal revelation, his testimony, and his race against Yahowsha’s disciples and, indeed, his pursuit against everything Yahowah has established and offered, in the context of him running this race, it is time we return to Chabaquwq / Habakkuk. While we briefly considered Yahowah’s foreboding testimony through this largely unknown prophet in a previous chapter, this time we will linger and be more thorough.

362But first, this reminder. Sha’uwl wrote: “Later, through fourteen years, also, I went up to Yaruwshalaim along with Barnabas, having taken along also Titus. (2:1) I went up, but then downward from uncovering an unveiling revelation which lays bare, laying down to them the beneficial messenger which I preach among the races down from my own, uniquely and separately, but then to the opinions, presumptions, and suppositions, not somehow perhaps into foolishness and stupidity, without purpose or falsely, I might run or I ran.” (2:2)

As we shall discover in a subsequent chapter of Questioning Paul, Yahowah’s haunting prediction regarding Sha’uwl was announced 666 years prior to the time Galatians was written by the Devil’s Advocate. As a preview of this revelation in Chabaquwq / Habakkuk, here is an excerpt of what the actual prophet revealed in his opening statements regarding a false prophet…

“This is the prophetic pronouncement (ha masa’) which, for the benefit of the relationship and to show the way to get the most enjoyment out of life (‘asher) was received as a revelation by way of witnessing a prophetic vision of the future by (chazah) Chabaquwq | Embrace This (Chabaquwq), the prophet who proclaims the message of God (ha naby’). (Chabaquwq / Habakkuk 1:1)

For how long and to what extent (‘ad ‘an), Yahowah (), shall I plead for relief during this desperately horrible and dangerous situation (shawa’) because (wa) You will not actually listen for a prolonged period of time (lo’ shama’) to my anguished appeal and summons (za’aq)?

Toward and against You (‘el ‘atah) there is a devastating plot comprised of cruel lies regarding being Towrahless, plundering of people without moral 363restraint (chamas), and as a result (wa) You must continuously withhold salvation (lo’ yasha’). (Chabaquwq 1:2)

For what reason, for whom and why (la mah) are You having me witness (ra’ah ‘any) this grotesque corruption and deliberate fraud (‘awen) along with (wa) the distressing misery and abysmal situation being inflicted that (‘amal) You are having me consider (nabat)?

The demonic spirit seeking to be worshiped as God, who is exceedingly malicious and oppressive, the Devil, himself (shod / shed), is a destructive force, completely Towrahless and lacking moral restraint (wa chamas), and yet he is conspicuously before me, publicly conveying this message right out in the open (la neged / nagad ‘any).

He has been and continues to be (wa hayah) contentious and conflicting, taunting and quarrelsome, harboring in hostile opposition a different perception regarding the proper standard (ryb). He brings forth and continuously advocates (nasa’) dissention regarding condemnation and vindication (wa madown). (Chabaquwq 1:3)

In this regard (ken ‘al), he will consistently seek to incapacitate, invalidate, and paralyze the purpose of, striving to nullify, while bringing an end to (puwg) the Towrah | Teaching and Guidance (Towrah).

Therefore, he will never disseminate or carry forward (wa lo’ yatsa’) the everlasting and eternal approach (la netsah) to vindicate by justly resolving disputes or to exercise good judgment by making informed and reasoned decisions regarding the adjudication of relational issues (mishpat).

Instead, by contrast (ky), wickedness is invasive and 364injustice encompasses (rasha’ kathar) the means to be right and become innocent (‘eth ha tsadyq). For this reason, that which (‘al ken) he brings forth and disseminates (yatsa’) perverts, distorts, and convolutes (‘aqal) the way to make informed and rational decisions regarding judgment (mishpat). (Chabaquwq 1:4)

You can witness this (ra’ah) among the Gentiles (ba ha gowym) if you care to be consistently observant, carefully considering and evaluating (wa nabat).

And should you avoid being among those negatively influenced, you will be astonished and astounded, and thus by remaining free of societal influences, you will independently exhibit an exceptionally negative reaction, bewildered and dumbfounded, wondering how it was even possible (wa tamah tamah).

Indeed, it is true that (ky) a considerable undertaking will transpire (po’al pa’al) in your days (ba yowmym) which you will not find credible in spite of it being truthfully and reliably verified (lo’ ‘aman), even when it is properly assessed, written down, and he is held accountable (ky saphar). (Chabaquwq 1:5)

For this reason (ky), look to Me, and pay attention (hineh ‘any), being upright while taking a firm stand (quwm) regarding (‘eth) the Chaldeans and the religious influence of Babylon (ha Kasdym), the population of Gentiles (gowy) who are disagreeable and embittered (mar), impetuous and hasty (wa ha mahar).

Through the vast expanses of the region (la merchab ‘erets) he makes his way (ha halak) acting as if it were his inheritance, taking possession of (la yarash) inhabited places that are not his to own (mishkan lo’ la huw’). (Chabaquwq 1:6) He is (huw’ min) terrible and repugnant, exceedingly distressing and terrorizing (‘aym) as well as intimidating while demanding to be 365venerated (wa yare’).

And yet his decisions and judgment, his plans and means to resolve disputes (huw’ mishpat) are his alone (huw’). His proposals on being accepted into the relationship and to be forgiven (wa se’eth huw’), he brings forth and disseminates (yatsa’). (Chabaquwq 1:7)

They will be despised as abhorrent so they will fade away (wa qalal) as the dregs of a scummy remainder (min namer).

His swift airborne weaponry (suws huw’) will be as fierce and menacing as a lone wolf (wa chadad min za’ed) as the sun sets in the gloomy dusk at the approach of night by commingling and intermixing light and darkness, weaving things together while exchanging one thing for another, bartering with the darkness to replace and obscure in league with foreigners (‘ereb).

Their randomly dispersed and widely scattered (puwsh) mobile war machines and accompanying soldiers (parash huw’ wa parash huw’) will come from afar in the future (min rachowq bow’) flying through the air, even hovering (‘uwph), like (ka) birds of prey (nesher), quickly swooping down and ready (chuwsh) to consume and destroy (la ‘akal). (Chabaquwq 1:8)

With all of his (kol huw’) devastating plots to plunder the people of the Towrah comprised of cruel lies and great injustice (chamas), he persistently pursues (bow’ magamah).

They appear in the east in confrontational fashion, antagonistic and belligerent (hem paneh qadym). He gathers the victimized (‘asaph) captives (sheby) as if they were sand, innumerable and comparatively dense (ka chowl). (Chabaquwq 1:9)

And he, along with the religious and political rulers (wa huw’ ba ha melek) mock and ridicule (qalas). Those 366who govern and are empowered (wa rozen) scoff, as they are haughty and egocentric (mischaq) because of him (la huw’).

He, at everything (huw’ la kol) which defends and fortifies and should have remained off limits (mibtsar), laughs in amusement while degrading Yitschaq (tsachaq).

He piles up a massive amount (wa tsabar) of progeny along with their dust and debris (‘aphar), and he seizes them (wa lakad huw’). (Chabaquwq 1:10)

Then at that time (‘az), he will actually go with a new and completely different spirit, discarding the Spirit, sweeping Her aside, and actually exchanging the existing Spirit for a totally dissimilar spirit (chalaph ruwach).

And he will arrogantly travel throughout, intoxicating and alienating based upon an unjustified opinion of himself, sacrificing an inheritance while revoking the prospect of salvation by repealing Passover (wa ‘abar).

He will be wrong, incur guilt, and will genuinely suffer punishment for his acknowledged offenses (wa ‘asham). For this is (zuw) his influence (koach huw’) on behalf of his god (la ‘elowah huw’). (Chabaquwq 1:11)

Yahowah (YaHoWaH), my God (‘elohym ‘any), my Set-Apart One (qodesh ‘any), are You not eternal, from an unlimited duration of time (ha lo’ ‘atah min qedem)? Yahowah (Yahowah), we will not die (lo’ muwth) as the means to decide guilt or innocence (la mishpat).

You have actually appointed for him (sym huw’), accordingly (wa) the Rock (tsuwr) which You have assigned and positioned to argue against and rebuke him (la yakach yasad huw’). (Chabaquwq 1:12)

Too flawless (tahowr) are eyes to witness (‘ayn min 367ra’ah) such malignant and displeasing evil (ra’). You cannot endure nor prevail when (lo’ yakol) looking upon or responding to (wa nabat) such a perverse and grievous undertaking (‘el ‘amal).

For what reason would (la mah) You look at or consider (mah nabat) the betrayal of an offensive and deceitful trickster and traitor engaged in chicanery (bagad)?

So You will enable an implement to write against the plot, facilitating an inscribed response with ongoing implications by composing an effective demarcation while remaining otherwise silent and unresponsive, taking no other action for a prolonged period (charash) concerning that which is befuddling and confusing, doing so with effective communication, thereby devouring (ba bala’) the wicked (rasha’) more accurate and righteous than him (tsadyq min huw’). (Chabaquwq 1:13)

Therefore, You act and engage with (wa ‘asah) humankind (‘adam) in a manner which could be compared to (ka) fish (dag) of the sea (ha yam), similar to (ka) creatures which move freely about (remes) without anyone ruling over them or seeking to control them (lo’ mashal ba huw’). (Chabaquwq 1:14)

In everything associated with him (kol huw’ ba), he will use a lure and hook to entice, withdraw, and sacrifice (chakah ‘alah). When (wa) he catches them, he drags them away (garar huw’) in his dedicated trap (ba cherem huw’). And he gathers them together and removes them (wa ‘asaph hem) in his dragnets by kindling his victims’ yearnings while emotionally agitated and mentally dysregulated (ba mikmereth huw’).

And yet, concerning this (‘al ken), he is elated, being intoxicated with himself (samach), and he is glad, 368shrieking and shouting over this outcome (wa gyl). (Chabaquwq 1:15)

So therefore in this way (‘al ken), he sacrifices and slaughters (zabach) his devotees as they approach his net and are ensnared in his trap (la cherem huw’). And he blows smoke to make illicit worship seem pleasant (qatar), ensnaring his victims while remaining emotionally agitated and unstable (la mikmereth huw’).

For indeed (ky), by them (ba hem) he is enriched and satisfied (shaman), through seductive words while he claims a share of his persuasive plot (cheleq huw’).

And so what he devours (wa ma’akal huw’) is contrived, newly fashioned and artificial, recently created, entirely new, and synthesized, comprised of circumstances and conditions which have been amalgamated (barya’). (Chabaquwq 1:16)

So how is it (ha ‘al ken) that he continues in vain to advocate such worthless fantasies and delusions from so far away, promoting that which is unreal and has never existed, doing so without any benefit, only to disgorge into oblivion (ryq) believers from his trap (cherem huw’), thereby (wa) eternally and intentionally end the lives (tamyd la harag) of Gentiles (Gowym), showing no concern, compassion, or mercy (lo’ chamal)?” (Chabaquwq / Habakkuk 1:17)

With that introduction, God reveals that He isn’t about to alter any of the requirements to participate in His Covenant or change the approach that He has taken to facilitate our restoration by way of His Invitations. This alone is sufficient to put Sha’uwl | Paul in opposition to Yahowah.

“Upon (‘al – on this) My requirements and responsibilities and what I observe (mishmereth ‘any – My mission which functions and serves as a safeguard to 369watch over, protect, and preserve the observant; from my – to ponder the implications of shamar – to observe, closely examining and carefully considering, retaining My focus), I have decided of My own volition that I will literally and continually stand (‘amad – I will always choose to be present, actually standing and thereby genuinely enabling others to consistently stand, enduring and sustaining while being properly positioned and accountable (scribed in the qal stem which addresses actual events which are to be interpreted literally, imperfect conjugation which reveals that God’s presence here will continue throughout time, and in the cohortative which expresses volition and desire in first person)).

And (wa) I will choose to always stand firm and present Myself (yatsab – I will consistently serve, providing assistance by prominently appearing and presenting Myself (the hitpael stem tells us that God alone is taking this stand, and that He will not be influenced by anyone or anything, the imperfect conjugation reveals that His stand is consistent, continual, and enduring throughout time, and the cohortative conveys volition, making this God’s will)) upon (‘al – on the Almighty’s) that which strengthens, protects, and fortifies (matsowr – the defensive stronghold which safeguards, preventing a successful attack by the adversary).

Therefore (wa), I will be on the lookout (tsapah – I will continually keep watch and be on guard, surveying the situation (scribed in the piel stem where the object of the verb suffers its effect, imperfect conjugation which reveals that God is constantly observant)) in order to see (la ra’ah – so as to observe, consider, and perceive) what he will say about Me (mah dabar ba ‘any – posing a question concerning what he will communicate regarding Me and what message he will convey in association with Me).

So then (wa) how can I be expected to change My attitude, thinking, or response (mah shuwb – why should 370I reverse course and mislead) concerning (‘al – during and upon) My disapproving rebuke (towkechath ‘any – My complaint, correction, reproof, and strong disapproval, My rational arguments in response and subsequent chastisement and punishment; from yakach – to adjudicate and correct).” (Chabaquwq / Embrace This / Habakkuk 2:1)

God announced that He would be on the lookout for the likes of Sha’uwl, ever ready to disapprove and rebuke him or anyone suggesting that He has changed His plans or approach. So should we have been.

No one else in all of human history fits this prophecy besides Sha’uwl / Paulos / Paul – the author of Galatians and Romans. He not only tried to change God’s requirements, specifically His stand on participation in the Covenant relationship and the path to reconciliation, replacing God’s approach with his own, he claimed to speak for God while consistently contradicting and undermining Him. And it was all based upon the spurious notion of Replacement Theology – turning God into a liar.

That is why Yahowah has introduced this prophecy in this way. By affirming that He is not going to replace His specific requirements for participating in the Covenant with something as nebulous as faith, especially in Grace, nor shirk His own personal responsibilities, He has promised to become the living embodiment of His approach to salvation through His participation in Passover, UnYeasted Bread, Firstborn Children, and Seven Shabats en route to honoring the Day of Reconciliations. God has established Himself as being forever disapproving of Christianity, based as it is upon Sha’uwl’s repudiation of His Towrah.

A connection worth noting in what follows is that Sha’uwl’s | Paulos’ preferred conduit of misinformation was letters, often large and distinct ones from his own 371hand. And not only has Sha’uwl | Paul admitted that he was running, he should have been, just as we should be running away from him.

“Then (wa) Yahowah (Yahowah – God’s name transliterated as guided by His towrah – instructions on His hayah – existence and His role in our shalowm – reconciliation as ‘elowah – Almighty God) answered me, approaching me (‘anah ‘any – responded to me, testifying by providing useful information).

And He said (wa ‘amar), ‘Write down (kathab – use the alphabet to inscribe, describing in writing) this revelation (chazown – this communication from God regarding the agreement), and then (wa) expound upon and reiterate it using those letters (ba’ar – teach others its significance by plainly and clearly declaring it using large and distinct alphabetic characters) upon (‘al) writing tablets (ha luwach – engraving it in stone or inscribing it on a panel or screen such that it is enduring and memorable) so that (la ma’an – for the express purpose and intent that), by reading or reciting this (qara’ by huw’ – by proclaiming this and making it known), he might run and go away (ruwts – he might flee).” (Chabaquwq / Embrace This / Habakkuk 2:2)

Yahowah realized that Sha’uwl would attempt to deceive His children. Therefore, He not only warned us about him, He provided the means to rebuke him so that we would not be fooled by him. By reciting this prophecy, we distance ourselves, and all who will listen, from Sha’uwl | Paul – from his letters, speeches, and influence.

Yahowah finds the perpetrator of this scheme sufficiently deadly to warn us specifically about him, and that is because this charlatan would claim that God had authorized him to undermine His credibility and competence. The lines of demarcation are clear, and the consequences are at the far extremes of what is possible, so 372Yahowah left no doubt whatsoever regarding this man, naming him as we shall soon see in the prophecy.

Only one man is guilty of every charge which is being laid out before us. This explains why “he” is identified in the third person masculine singular throughout. This known, there are three additional men who have earned a rebuke of this magnitude. So pushing aside the principal culprit for a moment, chronologically, the first of the remaining three is Rabbi Akiba. He was responsible for establishing the Jewish religion. He was a schemer of the highest order, and extremely arrogant, but not much of a writer. He operated in Yaruwshalaim, and he was preoccupied with his own self aggrandisment. He even promoted a false Messiah, Simon bar Kokhba, in 133 CE. His mistake led to the Yisra’elites being thrown out of Yahuwdah and to the Diaspora in Europe. It is immediately obvious to anyone other than an orthodox Jew that his proclamations were deadly and destructive. He was a lot like Sha’uwl | Paul in some of these ways.

Then there was Muhammad, the self-proclaimed “Messenger of God.” And while his Qur’an recital in 600 CE in Arabia was based upon qara’, the verb of the last sentence (Chabaquwq 2:2), he spoke for Allah, not Yahowah, and he was illiterate. Moreover, a literate person would not need this assessment to remain clear of Muhammad’s verbal diarrhea, because he was simply too stupid for words. There would have been no chance whatsoever that someone reading Yahowah’s prophets would have been fooled by Allah’s messenger. Although it is interesting to note that, while Muhammad claimed that his Qur’an confirmed the Torah, it is actually its antithesis. And while called a prophet, Muhammad never got one prophecy right. He was a lot like Sha’uwl | Paul in these ways.

One millennia after Akiba and five centuries post-Muhammad, Maimonides codified the principles of 373Judaism. He was a prolific writer, but rather than change the Towrah, he preferred instead to augment it and then misinterpret it. Maimonides, however, was only briefly in Yisra’el, as he lived his life around Muslims, not Jews, in Islamic Spain, Morocco, and Egypt. Also, like Akiba, the Rambam never pretended to speak for God. But like Paul, he was especially adept at making up his own rules.

If there is to be a fourth candidate in Yahowah’s hall of infamy, he would be Israel ben Eliezer, the founder of Hasidic | Orthodox Judaism as the religion is practiced today. Hailing from the Polish-Ukranian town of Miedzyboz circa 1700 CE. Oppressed and subjugated Jews in their black mourning clothes refer to this religious mystic and miracle worker as Baal Shem Tov: Master and Lord of the Good Name. He has become the stuff of legend to the foolish and a fool to the wise. His affinity for Kabbalah over the Towrah is to his shame.

Collectively, these men deceived billions, but they did not promote their delusions during the “mow’ed – meeting times” – something common only to Sha’uwl, and which we shall learn in a moment is germane. Sha’uwl was in Yaruwshalaim when Yahowsha’ was fulfilling the Mow’ed Miqra’ey – Invitations to be Called Out and Meet with God. And he not only became infamous for his letters, he was a rabbi who did an about face to attack God from an entirely new direction. Further, Sha’uwl admitted to being conceited and demon-possessed – things which will loom large in a moment.

Speaking through the Prophet Chabaquwq as the years ticked down to 600 BCE, it would be six centuries, six decades, and six years before Sha’uwl would question God’s Word, earning Yah’s disapproval and punishment. Therefore, Yahowah encouraged those who first read this prophecy to be patient. This warning was for another day.

“Still indeed, the subsequent realization of (‘owd ky 374– so therefore and nonetheless, the expectation regarding) this revelation from God (chazown – this divine communication) is for the Mow’ed | Appointed Meeting Times (la ha mow’ed – for the designated season for celebrating the festival feasts).

It provides a witness to and speaks, pouring out evidence (puwach – it reveals facts which condemn and malign, trapping and ensnaring, even censuring the puffery from the blowhard) in the end (la ha qets – toward the conclusion of the process concerning the last days regarding limit of the ordinary flow of time; from qatsats – to tear asunder and cut off, casting away).

Should it seem slow to develop, the extended period of time required for this question to be resolved (‘im mahah – if hesitant, question him, because no matter how long it takes; from mah – to ponder the who, what, why, when and how of this question) shall not prove it false (lo’ kazab – this revelation shall not deceive, delude, nor fail).

Expect him in this regard (chakah la huw’ – be certain concerning this and regarding him) because indeed (ky), he will absolutely come (bow’ bow’ – he will certainly arrive upon the scene and make his appearance), neither being delayed nor lingering (lo’ ‘achar – not take longer than expected nor live for a protracted duration of time).” (Chabaquwq / Embrace This / Habakkuk 2:3)

The first four Mow’ed | Appointed Meeting Times – Pesach, Matsah, Bikuwrym, and Shabuw’ah – were fulfilled by Yahowsha’, Yahowah, and the Set-Apart Spirit in year 4000 Yah, more commonly known as 33 CE. They enable our inclusion in the Covenant and provide God’s Family with the ultimate set of benefits. Sha’uwl was in Yaruwshalaim at the time training to be a rabbi. Shortly thereafter, he began undermining them.

I find it interesting that now, in 2021, just twelve years shy of Yahowah’s return, we are reading this prophecy and 375identifying it with Sha’uwl. Better late than never, I suppose.

As bad as this is, it is about to get much worse. This specificity suggests that Yahowah read Sha’uwl’s | Paul’s letters and was responding to them. It also means that Yahowah applied His own Towrah test to this man and found him wanting, setting an example we would be wise to follow.

“Pay attention (hineh – behold, look up and consider the details because), he will be audacious and oblivious, puffed up with false pride (‘aphal – his head will swell and he will be daring, becoming an oozing sore and pain in the butt, haughty and arrogant, he will be lifted up for being boldly presumptuous heedless of the truth, reckless, hemorrhoidal, and foolhardy).

His soul (nepesh huw’ – his attitude and personality, and thus his character), it is neither right nor straightforward (lo’ yashar – he does not consider anything appropriately and is circuitous in his reasoning, he wanders away by twisting and convoluting the teaching, and nothing is on the level) in him (ba huw’).

And so (wa – as a result, it follows) through trust and reliance (ba ‘emuwnah – by being firmly established, confirmed and upheld by that which is dependable and steadfast, always truthful and reliable, as well as being honest and truthful; from ‘aman – to be supported and confirmed by upholding the truth), he who is correct and thereby vindicated (tsadyq huw’ – he who is right and thus acquitted) shall live (chayah – he will be restored to life and kept alive by being nurtured and growing).” (Chabaquwq / Embrace This / Habakkuk 2:4)

While narrowing in on Sha’uwl | Paul in the first stanza, in the second, Yahowah reminds us that vindication and life everlasting come to those who trust and rely on His firmly established and always dependable testimony. This 376is and always has been the antidote for religion, especially Paul’s Christianity.

And yet in Galatians 3:11, in the midst of his initial assault against the Towrah, Sha’uwl misquotes this verse, the very one which condemns him for mocking God, removing it from its context and truncating it, all to promote a faith based on ignorance...

“But because with regard to the Torah absolutely no one is vindicated or justified by God becomes evident because: ‘Those who are vindicated, justified, and righteous out of faith will live.’” (Galatians 3:11)

As is the tendency of a daredevil when faced with the specter of death, Sha’uwl | Paul was so transfixed by this damning and deadly prophecy regarding him, he cited it again, this time at the beginning of his most famous letter:

“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from belief to belief, as it has been written, ‘But the righteous shall live by belief.’” (Romans 1:17)

Sha’uwl and Satan are taunting God. Their collective arrogance is unmatched.

There are six specific details in this next prophetic statement from Yahowah, all of which implicate Sha’uwl | Paul six hundred and sixty-six years before he incriminated himself. But one clue in particular removes any doubt about the identity of the individual God is excoriating because Yahowah identifies His foe by name. If you are a Christian, you may want to pay special attention to this...

“Moreover (wa ‘aph – in addition and much more), because (ky) the intoxicating and inebriating spirit (yayn – the consequence of the naturally processed and fermented wine and resulting drunkenness) of the mortal man (geber – the individual human being) of deceptive infidelity and treacherous betrayal (bagad – who is untrustworthy, unprincipled, unfaithful, and unreliable, of 377adulterous and offensive behavior, a traitor handing people over to the influence and control of another without justification through chicanery, trickery, and deceit) is an overbearing moral failure of unwarranted self-importance (yahyr – is arrogant, meritless, and presumptive, high-minded and conceited individual aggrandizing himself), he will not rest, find peace, nor live, nor will he find appropriate words (wa lo’ nawah – then he will not succeed, achieve his aim, or reach his goal, nor will come home or be beautifully adorned, he will not camp out or abide because there is no laudable, honorable, nor beneficial message for (qal imperfect)), whomever is open to the broad path (‘asher rachab – when one is receptive to the wide open, broadened and expanded, public and limitless, albeit contrived, opportunistic, and improper way) associated with (ka – according to) Sha’uwl (Sha’uwl – the personal and proper name of the individual in question, but also the name of the place of separation, the realm of the dead, the dominion of questioning: She’owl [she’owl and sha’uwl are written identically in the Hebrew text (consider Strong’s H7585 and H7586)]).

He (huw’) and (wa) his soul (nepesh huw’ – his essential essence, consciousness, character, attitude, inner nature, and personality) are like (ka – can be compared to) the plague of death (ha maweth – the pandemic disease that kills a large population of people).

And so (wa) those who are gathered in and brought together by him, accepting him (‘asaph ‘el huw’ – those who associate with and join him, those who are removed and withdrawn by assembling with him, moving toward him and thereby victimized by him) will never be satisfied (lo’ saba’ – he will not find contentment nor fulfillment [based upon 8HevXII among the Dead Sea Scrolls (‘he will not be satisfied’ versus ‘and will not be satisfied’)]).

Most every gentile ethnicity (kol ha gowym – those 378of every race and place estranged from Yisra’el) he will claim as his own and gather together unto himself (qabats ‘el huw’ – he will grasp hold of, obtain, assemble, and collect for himself), all such people will be among his followers (kol ha ‘am – including the nations).” (Chabaquwq / Embrace This / Habakkuk 2:5)

It is obvious, so let’s go ahead and say it: this prophecy identifies Sha’uwl | Paul by name and condemns him along with the gentiles he has beguiled. The Plague of Death is not She’owl because Hell is not a gerber | mortal man nor does this place of incarceration have a nepesh | soul.

This is one of many scores of prophecies wherein Yahowah specifically warns us about Sha’uwl | Paul and the plague he has inflicted upon gowym. Never in the annals of human events has one man done as much to harm mankind. Paul is quite simply: the worst man who ever lived.

In 1 Corinthians 11:20-21, Sha’uwl | Paulos tells those who have joined his assembly not to participate in Passover, which is the ultimate plague of death, and not to drink wine in association with it, which thereby nullifies the symbolism associated with the blood of the Passover Lamb. This serves as a treacherous betrayal of Yahowah’s instructions regarding the narrow path He provided to the Covenant and life eternal.

Attacking the core of Yahowah’s plan is the epitome of presumptuousness and immorality. Those who ascribe to such moral turpitude die. Those who promote it will find themselves in She’owl along with Sha’uwl. And yet, Pauline Doctrine is popular, providing, for those who are open to it, man’s broadest path to destruction. Yahowsha’ will differentiate this same, immensely popular and broad, path from the Towrah in his Instruction on the Mount, revealing that religious affiliations lead to death and destruction.

379Sha’uwl promises the gift of life, but his religion, the most popular ever conceived, is the plague of death. Sha’uwl promises heavenly rewards to those who place their faith in his Gospel of Grace, and yet those intoxicated by this myth will find no satisfaction or contentment. They will remain estranged from God because, unlike Yahowah’s assurances in the Towrah, Sha’uwl’s hollow promises will all go unfulfilled. And that means that the people Sha’uwl claimed as his own, the Gentiles – individuals from many different races and places – will suffer the consequence of his New Testament.

Even if Sha’uwl had not been condemned by name, with the mention of the Gentiles, or the “ethnos – races” in Paul’s parlance, Rabbis Akiba, Maimonides, and Lord Shem Tov have now been eliminated from the potential list of contentious culprits – not that it isn’t already obvious. These religious stalwarts corrupted Yahuwdym not Gowym.

Pauline Doctrine has influenced more people in more places in this world than any other corruption of Yahowah’s testimony. And the means to this madness is consistent with Yahowah’s prophecy, in that Paul inferred that God had authorized him to alter the requirements upon which Yahowah had already taken His stand.

Sha’uwl, like Satan before him in the Garden, shortchanged Yah’s testimony, removing His directions from their context to beguile individuals into believing that God had instituted the changes. Every time Sha’uwl quotes Yahowah, it is always a terse reference which is lifted as an object of scorn to ridicule the Torah, most often with these allusive references serving as clichés – simple adages which are easy to articulate and remember.

In spite of this, and even though Sha’uwl means “Question Him,” nary a Christian considers the irresolvable conflicts between Paul’s letters and God’s Word. So while the following continues to identify the 380culprit, most Christians remain oblivious to Yahowah’s prophecy regarding them or him...

“They do not ask questions, any of them, about him (ha lo’ ‘eleh kol hem ‘al – why are none of them against him). Terse references to the Word they lift up as taunts to ridicule (mashal nasa’ – simplistic and contrived equivalencies, often easy to remember aphorisms (clichés, dictates, and adages) become bywords with implied associations with that which is well-known to mock and to exercise dominion through comparison and counterfeit), along with (wa) allusive sayings and mocking interpretations (malytsah – derisive words wrapped in enigmas arrogantly spoken, even that which is undecipherable).

There are hard and perplexing questions which need to be asked of him (chydah la huw’ – there are difficult enigmas to be solved, dark and hidden secrets, and double dealings, to be known regarding him).

And (wa – moreover) they should say (‘amar – they should declare), ‘Woe (howy – alas, expressing a dire warning) to the one who claims to be great so as to increase his offspring, acting like a rabbi (rabah – to the one who thrives on numbers and who considers himself exceedingly great (the basis of rabbi, something Sha’uwl claimed to be)),’ neither of which apply to him (lo’ la huw’ – which is not his).

In the meantime, for how long (‘ad mathay – until when) will they make pledges (‘abtyt – will they be in debt) based upon his significance (kabed ‘al huw’ – pursuant to the weight and burden of his testimony and the grievous honor afforded him)?” (Chabaquwq / Embrace This / Habakkuk 2:6)

Sha’uwl dismissed and cursed all those who would dare question him, claiming that by doing so they were opposed to God, that they were Satanic, when the opposite 381was true. And speaking of truth, the reason religious belief systems like Christianity are averse to questions is because those who do so lose their faith. Evidence and reason seldom matter in matters of religion. It is only the believer’s pledge of allegiance which is considered binding.

Besides, now you know why this book is entitled Questioning Paul. Turns out, it was not my idea.

This next statement is associated with the previous prediction. It is rendered from the Dead Sea Scrolls because the Qumran text differs considerably from the Masoretic.

“Since (wa) he loads himself down (ta’an – he burdens himself) with (‘eth) thick (‘aphelah – dark and wicked) mud (tyt – dirt and dust to be swept away), why not (ha lo’) quickly, even if only for a short period of time (peta’ – instantly and all of a sudden), rise up and take a stand (quwm)?

And (wa) those of you who are bitten and under his influence, perhaps making payments to what he represents (nashak ‘atah – those showing interest, earning money, or becoming indebted to him), wake up from your stupor (wa yaqats – stop being so sedentary, take action, and alter your state of awareness) such that you move away in abhorrence (zuwa’ ‘atah – fleeing in dread of him, terrified of vexing nature).

Because otherwise (wa) you will be (hayah) considered (la) plunder and be victimized by them (mashisah la hem – as booty, spoiled by them).” (Chabaquwq / Embrace This / Habakkuk 2:7)

Only Paul, among those who claimed to speak for God, solicits money. It is why Christian clerics embrace him. So following his example, his instructions, Christian institutions have made merchandise of men – and worst 382among them has been the Roman Catholic Church. Yah is trying to rouse their victims before it is too late.

But there is a consequence...

“Indeed, because (ky) you (‘atah – as a single individual) have plundered and impoverished, victimizing (shalal – you have looted and wronged, seizing and preying upon) an enormous number of (rab – a great many; and serving as the basis of rabbi) Gentiles (gowym – people from different races and places), so (wa – therefore (from the DSS)), they shall seize, harass, and diminish you (shalal ‘atah – appropriate, impoverish, and victimize this singular individual being addressed).

For all (kol) of the remaining (yether – of the remnant of, including the residue of the wealth of) people (‘am – populations, nations, or families), as a result of (min – from and because of) the blood (dam) of humankind (‘adam – mankind), and also (wa) the violent and cruel destructive forces terrorizing (chamas – the immoral maiming and murdering which oppresses) the Land (‘erets – the Promised Land, singular, and thus Yisra’el), Yah’s city (qiryah – to Encounter Yah, Yaruwshalaim – the source of teaching regarding reconciliation, also singular; from qarah – to encounter and meet Yah – an abbreviation of Yahowah), and all (wa kol) who dwell in her (yashab ba hy’ – who inhabit and live in her (Yaruwshalaim)),…” (Chabaquwq 2:8)

As twisted and perverse as was Sha’uwl | Paul, it is unlikely that Yahowah would have revealed this prophecy regarding him, or the scores of others, without the imposition of Replacement Theology or the murderous effect it has had on Jews. Yes, Paul robbed billions of Gentiles of their possessions and souls, but what made him the worst man who ever lived is that he inspired his followers to plunder the Chosen People. Christianity is the most lethal curse ever inflicted upon Yisra’el and 383Yahuwdah.

Paul mercilessly attacks “Jews” throughout his letters, making them the enemy of his god and his new religion, thereby creating the anti-Semitism that ultimately took root in the Christian church. Paul, a Roman citizen, seeded the hatred of God’s Chosen People that boiled over seventy years later with the destruction of Yisra’el and Yaruwshalaim by the Empire’s legions. It happened just as Yahowah predicted it would. Seven hundred years from the time this prophecy was committed to writing, Yaruwshalaim was sacked, Yisra’el was salted, and those not murdered by Rome where hauled off into slavery.

According to Yahowah, to be “cut off” from Him is to be estranged from the Covenant, thereby, excluded from this relationship and forsaken – which is to be damned. Therefore, you do not want God to say of you what He said of Sha’uwl...

“…this is a warning (howy – woe) to one who coveted ill-gotten gain and would do anything to take advantage, but now, as an extension of the dead, is cut off and finished soliciting (batsa’ batsa’ – to one who was manipulative and divisive, unjust and dishonest, greedy and deadly) evil (ra’ – that which is harmful and immoral, maligning and malignant, improper and injurious) to approach his house and temple (la beyth huw’ – concerning the establishment of his familial covenant).

He sets it on high (la sym ba ha marowm – he places and appoints it in the heights of heaven, exalting its lofty position) to spare (la natsal – for delivering and saving the plunder associated with) his elevated abode (qan huw’ – his nest) from the paws (kaph – hands and palms, the reach and control) of corrupt coconspirators and perverted associates (ra’ – of the evil residing in close proximity).” (Chabaquwq / Embrace This / Habakkuk 2:9)

It is difficult to know if qan is the contracted form of 384“qana’ – to acquire wealth,” “qanan – nest,” “qenets – snare,” or more likely “qanah – acquire property and possessions,” even “qana’ – jealousy, envy, religious zeal, and sexual passion.” But in this context, I suppose they would all apply.

The Roman Catholic Church, which was founded on Pauline Doctrine, not only constructs gold-laden cathedrals and has storehouses filled with unfathomable weath all via ill-gotten gain, they have positioned themselves as having sole possession of the keys to heaven. It is interesting, however, that recently they have had to return billions of dollars to the families of children their homosexual priests have molested, priests following the Pauline mandate to follow his example and not marry.

We are not yet at the point where Paul has revealed the ploy that helped me initially understand the scheme he was using to foist his plot on the unwary. But six hundred years before he conceived and articulated it, Yahowah was cognizant of his intent to confuse.

“You have deliberately decided upon and conspired at the advice of another to promote a shameful plot to confuse (ya’ats bosheth – you (masculine singular) after consultation, have come to an informed conclusion through deliberation to conceive and perpetrate a lowly plan with the intended purpose to confound while displaying an adversarial attitude; bosheth – shameful, lowly, and confusing is from bashan – the serpent, associating this adversarial scheme with Satan, with whom Sha’uwl admittedly consulted) those who approach your house (la beyth ‘atah – those who enter and are associated with your household and your covenant construct), ruining and reducing by cutting off (qatsah – severely injuring, maiming, decreasing, and destroying by scraping away and ending the existence of) many (rab – a multitude of) people (‘am).

385And in the process (wa), you have forfeited (chata’ – you bear the loss by impugning guilt through missing the way, surrendering) your soul (nepesh).” (Chabaquwq / Embrace This / Habakkuk 2:10)

This answers a question I’m often asked: did Paul deliberately perpetrate this fraud or was he misled. It also affirms the now obvious connection between Paul and Satan, the very spirit Sha’uwl claimed had possessed and goaded him.

Since beyth serves as the basis for beryth – covenant, God is inferring that Sha’uwl’s “new covenant” is a shameful plot designed to confuse the unwary. And make no mistake, Paul referred to himself as the father of his faithful children, and thus of his new covenant family. He wrote about life in the household he had conceived.

To be cut off from Yahowah’s one and only Covenant, the very Covenant Sha’uwl condemned in Galatians, is to die with one’s soul ceasing to exist. So while the perpetrator of this crime will endure forever in She’owl, the souls of his victims are reduced to nothing, their lives squandered as a result of Sha’uwl’s shameful scheme.

“Indeed (ky – surely and truly), the Cornerstone and Rock (‘eben) as part of the structure of the home (qyr – as the walls and ceiling which provide protection for a family), will issue a proclamation (za’aq – will issue a summons for an assembly meeting and will cry out (qal imperfect)).

And (wa) that which makes a connection (kaphys – the rafter and the beam comprising the finished structure of a home) from (min) the timber (‘ets – the carpenter’s work, the tree, and gallows, the wooden plank), he will answer and respond (‘anah huw’ – making a public declaration, providing a contextual reply (qal imperfect)).” (Chabaquwq / Embrace This / Habakkuk 2:11)

386Dowd is the cornerstone of the Covenant, the one who articulates the structure of God’s home. And it is in his Psalms, more than anyplace else, where Sha’uwl is exposed, labeled, and condemned. As for the one representing the wooden pillars forming the doorway to life, by answering the call to fulfill Passover, Yahowsha’, too, made a declaration against Sha’uwl.

And while these men, in addition to Moseh, are the leading characters in God’s story, we will soon discover that Shim’own Kephas, the man Yahowsha’ personally named the Rock, “summoned” Sha’uwl to Yaruwshalaim and issued a “proclamation” against him. And Shim’own acquired the moniker “Rock” when Yahowsha’, in Hebrew, told Shim’own: “Upon (‘al) this (ze’th) Rock (‘eben) I will build (banah) My Invitations to be Called Out and Meet (Miqra’ey).”

In addition, the wood and rock symbolize what is real, tangible, and sustainable, which is the antithesis of the shifting sands of faith. Yahowah is, therefore, also pitting His reality against Paul’s embrace of Gnosticism. This debunked philosophical and religious affinity of the Greeks will soon be deployed by Sha’uwl to denounce the Towrah, thereby fixating on the flesh. So God says...

“Woe to (howy – a strong warning to) the one who establishes (banah – the one who builds a family and constructs (qal participle)) a terrorist shrine, an anguishing place of incitement (‘iyr – a haunt for asses, and a temple complex which is exposed and where violence is incited; ‘uwr – to provoke, inflame, goad, and stir up by blinding and rendering the chaff exposed while laying the skin bare in a popular place) in blood (ba dam – through death; from damam – to destroy by making deaf and dumb).

And he conceives and forms (wa kuwn – he proposes, prepares, establishes, and supports (the polel stem reveals 387that the subject suffers the effect of the verb’s action and the perfect conjugation indicates that the process was completed in a finite amount of time)) a populated institution promoting (qiryah – a place to meet; from qarah and qary’ah – to encounter and meet, a building and its furnishings as part of an institution where people congregate for preaching) that which is unrighteous and incorrect, invalid and harmful (ba ‘awlah – in wickedness with evil intent, unjustly damaging others through perversity).” (Chabaquwq / Embrace This / Habakkuk 2:12)

And since there is a better option, the prophet reveals...

“Why not pay attention (ha lo’ hineh – why not look up and consider this) as part of an association with (min ‘eth – by means of approaching and in accompaniment with) Yahowah ( – a transliteration of YaHoWaH as instructed in His towrah – teaching regarding His hayah – existence) of the spiritual implements (tsaba’ – of the vast array of heavenly envoys who serve as effective and compliant tools)?

But instead (wa), the people (‘am – the family) expend their energy and grow weary (yaga’ – they toil and labor, growing tired for lack of rest (qal imperfect)) amidst a profuse conglomeration (ba day – amongst a great excess and abundance) of worthlessness, trifling with a dangerous flame (‘esh – of that which is combustible and consuming and has no value).

So the people united by a single individual in an antiquated system (wa la’om – the peoples who congregate under a common cause) exhaust and then destroy themselves, falling (ya’eph – are worn out, fatigued and weakened, and fall) into excessive emptiness and extravagant delusions (ba day ryq – into endless fantasies and an overabundance of vain misrepresentations).” (Chabaquwq 2:13)

388After witnessing Sha’uwl’s blaspheme and resulting carnage, he interrupts the flow of his nauseating presentation of human malfeasance with a simple question: “Why not pay attention to Yahowah and build a relationship?”

“Indeed (ky – this is reliable and true), She will fulfill, edify, and completely satisfy (male’ – She will impart an abundance of that which is healthy, valuable, empowering, and satisfying (the niphal stem is the grammatical voice of genuine relationships where the subject is fulfilled and the imperfect conjugation addresses ongoing effects of edifying)) the land (ha ‘erets – realm, region, and world) to approach, to actually know, to become genuinely familiar with, and understand (la yada’ ‘eth – to move toward, discover, and acknowledge, coming to understand and appreciate becoming friends in association with (qal infinitive)) Yahowah’s (Yahowah – written as directed by His towrah – teaching regarding His hayah – existence) manifestation of power, glorious presence, and abundant value (kabowd – splendor, honor, respect, status, and reward).

This should be similar to (ka) the waters (maym – the various forms of water, including ice, snow, liquid, humidity, clouds, and steam) providing a covering (kasah – spread over and adorning (piel imperfect)) upon the sea (‘al yam – upon a lake).” (Chabaquwq / Embrace This / Habakkuk 2:14)

There is a ray of light at the end of this nightmare. By fulfilling the Towrah’s promises in the Land, we can come to know Yahowah, even enter His glorious presence.

God has a lot more to say about Sha’uwl, and while we need to move on and continue to expose his letter, I would be remiss if I did not share a couple of additional thoughts. In the first, we find the prophet not only warning us about Sha’uwl’s profuse venom and his perverted 389sexuality, he addresses Paulos’ “little and lowly” reputation in addition to his animosity toward circumcision. So from “Sha’uwl | Question Him” to “Paulos | the Lowly and Little,” from poisonous toxins to an unacceptable approach to the sign of the Covenant, this is an indicting summation of this man’s legacy.

“Woe to (howy – a strong warning to) the one who is responsible and then who partakes, pouring out for (shaqah – the one who appoints and then associates with (hifil participle – in an explicit and demonstrable manner he causes his victims to be like him)) his corrupt companions and evil countryman (ra’ huw’ – his wicked coconspirators and inept associates) that which causes them to join together and be exposed to (saphach – he encourages them to share in (piel participle – the object suffers the effect in dramatic fashion)) your debilitating poison, intense passions, antagonizing venom, and serpentine toxin (chemah ‘atah – your poisonous and injurious rage, indignation, and debilitating rancor, while being all worked up emotionally with your life in turmoil).

And much more than this (wa ‘aph), becoming drunk and then intoxicating others to the point of incapacitation (shakar – being under the influence while causing others to drunk such that they become weakened and giddy such that their judgment is impaired) for the express purpose of (la ma’an – for no other reason than) gazing upon while demonstrating a preference for (nabat ‘al – to look at and consider, showing a favorable regard for (hifil infinitive – he is trying to convert his victims such that they share his highly demonstrative affinity for)) their genitals (ma’aowr hem – their male genitalia, the private parts of a man’s or boy’s body, specifically with their pudendum being naked and exposed either publicly to shame and embarrass or privately for sexual activity; from mah – to question and ‘uwr – being exposed, bared, and made to be naked).” (Chabaquwq / 390Embrace This / Habakkuk 2:15)

Anyone who deliberately intoxicates others, incapacitating them to have sex with them, is scum. And while such despicable behavior is individually criminal, the problem with Sha’uwl | Paul is infinitely more egregious. He not only convinced billions to denounce and disregard the Towrah | Guidance of Yahowah, he turned Gentiles against Jews, fanning the flames of anti-Semitism.

“You will get your fill of (saba’ – you will be met with an abundance of (the qal perfect indicates that his is completely reliable while the second person masculine singular reveals that this is directed a lone male individual)) shame and infamy, insults befitting such a lowly individual (qalown – dishonor and disgrace, scorn and contempt, along with a humbling, degraded and discredited reputation) instead of (min) honor and glory (kabowd – the manifestation of the power and presence of God which rewards and empowers).

You choose to be inebriated yourself in addition to intoxicating others (shathah gam ‘atah – you decide to consume and experience large quantities of alcohol yourself and to become a drunkard while also inebriating others (qal imperative – of your own freewill, actually desiring intoxication)), and then (wa) you what them to be unacceptable because of your choice to not become circumcised (‘arel – you choose to expose them, making them unacceptable and unredeemable by remaining uncircumcised for religious reasons (nifal imperative – the subject of the verb both carries out and suffers from the action based upon his choices and desires)) encompassing them from all angles with circular reasoning (sabab – going round about in circles, on and on infinitum with this alternative direction (qal imperfect – literally with ongoing implications)).

Upon you is (‘al ‘atah – before you is) the binding 391cup (kows) of Yahowah’s (Yahowah – a transliteration of , our ‘elowah – God as directed in His towrah – teaching regarding His hayah – existence) right hand (yamyn – serving as a metaphor for judgment and as a reference to yamyny – being a Benjamite).

Therefore (wa), public humiliation and an ignominious reputation as a result of being dishonorable and disgraceful (qyqalown – insults befitting a lowly and little individual of degraded status who is sleazy, disreputable, and contemptable; from qalown – being scorned and humbled with a discredited reputation) will be your reward (‘al kabowd ‘atah – the manifestation of your reputation and attribution of your status (second person masculine singular suffix – thus addressing a solitary man)).” (Chabaquwq / Embrace This / Habakkuk 2:16)

Pauline Doctrine is poison, intoxicating venom from the most vile of serpents. But more indicting still, Sha’uwl, who never knew the love of a woman, provocatively expressed his love for a young man, Timothy. And even though Paul detested circumcision and spoke hatefully about the sign and requirement of the Covenant, he personally circumcised the young Greek youth at the nexus of his affection.

Furthermore, Sha’uwl so craved recognition and status, he heaped it upon himself. But here God is saying that Sha’uwl’s poisonous attack against circumcision will come full circle and slather him in shame. The man who claimed to be God’s exclusive apostle to the Gentiles has become the man of infamy.

I dare say, in the whole of Yahowah’s prophetic testimony, no prediction is as dire as this one. But that is because no one ever did what Paul has done. It was not required of anyone else.

Yahowah has provided His evaluation of Sha’uwl | 392Paul and His assessment of his followers. In this light, the only way to view him and his religion favorably is to ignore God and estrange ourselves from Him. The debate now is between good and evil, because the issues are white and black. We will question everything Paul says and writes. And we will hold him accountable. It may be too little, but it is never too late.

And that is why we find Yahowah conveying...

“Indeed and by contrast (ky – this is reassuring because), He will constantly keep you covered and continually protected (kasah ‘atah – He will always provide a covering by which He adorns you, clothing and forgiving you (the piel imperfect jussive energic nun affirms that we, as those being clothed, receive continuous and enthusiastic protection by choice)) from this grievous injustice and blatant wrongdoing in opposition to (chamas – this unrighteous and unrestrained campaign of error and of towrahlessness in destructive conflict with) that which purifies, empowers, and enriches (labanown – that which cleanses and whitewashes, becoming morally pure and white as snow, typically transliterated Lebanon, but from laban – purifying, cleansing, and whitening” and ‘own – being substantially empowered, growing vigorously, while becoming enormously enriched).

And as for (wa) the destructive and demonic influence of the Devil seeking to be worshiped as God as satanic (shed / shod – Satan’s devastating and ruinous, plundering and oppressive) beasts (bahemah), He will shatter and separate them (chathath hem – He will astound them, causing them to wane as the experience something truly dreadful) because of (min – as a result of) the blood (dam – death) of humankind (‘adam), and also (wa) this grievous injustice against and blatant wrongdoing in opposition to (chamas – this unrighteous and unrestrained campaign of error and towrahlessness in destructive conflict with) the Land (‘erets – realm, region, 393or earth), the city (qiryah – to encounter, meet and be present with Yah), and all (wa kol) of her inhabitants (ba yashab – who have settled there to meet, to marry, to be restored, to be established, and to live (qal participle)).” (Chabaquwq / Embrace This / Habakkuk 2:17)

Yahowah’s light grows ever brighter as the flickering flame of Christianity fades. Bereft of Sha’uwl, we find Dowd, too, singing to Yisra’el, pleading with his people to come home.

And yet since most people remain oblivious to the obvious, not realizing that the Christian “Jesus Christ” is a caricature who has become an object of worship, Yahowah asks a foreboding question...

“How does he succeed with a caricature (mah ya’al pesel – why does he benefit with a false representation of God, what is the value of a religious deity, and how can one profit with a created image (hifil perfect))?

Indeed (ky), he will construct him (pasal huw’ – he will shape it), fashioning him (yatsar huw’ – he will devise, form, and ordain him (qal perfect)) by concealing the association with the representation of the pagan god (masekah – by forming an alliance which covers over and veils the connotation with the false god, hiding and covering up the true identity of the idolatrous image (qal perfect)) and by becoming a teacher of lies (wa yarah sheqer – tossing out deceptive instructions and misleading directions, along with mistaken and useless guidance for no reason or benefit (with the hifil stem the subject, Sha’uwl, is putting the lies which reflect his nature into action while the participle is a verbal adjective, making Paul a deceiver)).

Thereby (ky), he adds credence to and encourages reliance upon (batach – he makes credible and believable, even preferable that which causes believers to stumble and the unsuspecting fall as a result of their penchant and 394fondness for trusting and depending upon) the one who created the construct of himself (yatsar yetser huw’ – the one who was motivated to devise, plan, prepare, and form such idolatrous thoughts and inclinations regarding himself and his desires by fashioning himself into someone to be venerated and worshiped (qal participle)).

For he, himself, performs to make (‘al huw’ ‘asah – he personally acts and engages to fabricate and profit from) worthless gods who do not speak (‘elyl ‘ilem – references to imagined and ineffectual religious deities to worship who are silent, speechless, mute, and dumb). (Chabaquwq 2:18)

Woe to the one who says (howy ‘amar – this is a warning to him because he will state) with regard to the Wood (la ha ‘ets – approaching the upright pillar, timber, wooden planks, and tree), ‘Awaken and become alive (quwts – be roused from lifelessness and become alive again after death; from the verbal form which addresses the idea of abruptly starting something after having been asleep). Arise while precluding further observation by providing false testimony (‘uwr – rouse oneself and rise up, choosing to be angry over the malicious misfortune, becoming unknowable in body in skin, blinding the observant so that they are unjustly deprived of an accurate recollection of what was witnessed (qal imperative)),’ silencing the Rock by depriving him of life, thereby muting (‘eben duwmam huw’ – as if the Cornerstone was an inanimate object, muzzling) his desire to guide and teach (yarah – his decision to instruct and direct, showing the way and making it known (hifil imperfect jussive)).

Behold (hineh – pay attention), it (huw’) has been seized and overlaid (taphas – has been grasped hold of and held as an object signifying victory, dealt with and manipulated such that it wields considerable influence when adorned (qal passive – having this actually done to it)) with gold (zahab) and silver, becoming extremely 395valuable and desirable (wa keseph – gilded in silver so as to be yearned for and desired), but completely devoid of (wa kol ‘ayn) the Spirit (ruwach) in its midst (ba qereb huw’ – associated with it so as to animate its existence).” (Chabaquwq / Embrace This / Habakkuk 2:19)

The Pauline Iesou Christo was modeled after Dionysus and bears little in common with Yahowsha’. He is nothing but a caricature, an object of idolatrous worship. Sha’uwl made him in his own image, not unlike Muhammad concocted with Allah – the messenger’s alter ego.

Dowd | David was Sha’uwl’s enemy, just as it had been between his namesake (King Sha’uwl | Saul) and the actutal Messiah (the Beloved, Dowd). So Sha’uwl tried to silence Dowd, Yahowah’s Shepherd, such that the world would admire the caricature he had contrived rather than the genuine article.

It is, therefore, the Rock, a reference to Dowd and later to Shim’own Kephas which Sha’uwl must moot to fool the unwary with his irrational rhetoric. Dowd’s teaching in particular, most especially his 119^th Mizmowr, his ode to the Towrah predicated upon the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, is as brilliant and edifying as words allow.

Sha’uwl will repeatedly state that “the wooden pillar,” more commonly known as the “Christian Cross,” exists as the means to be “quwts – awakened from the dead,” or to be “resurrected” in religious parlance. He will even equate “sleep” with death and speak of those who were sleeping rising up abruptly. So this is an allusion to the Pauline fixation on the wooden cross, from which he promotes resurrection from the dead, thereby dismissing Pesach, Matsah, Bikuwrym, and Shabuw’ah in addition to Taruw’ah, Kipurym, and Sukah.

Paul’s plan begins and ends at the cross with the death of his god. It was an edifice constructed out of false 396testimony – every perception a delusion.

And in the end, it is Dowd who will once again prevail over Sha’uwl. According to Yahowah, His Messiah, Shepherd, and King will return as brilliant as the sun. And when that occurs, just twelve years from now in 2021, the spirits which tormented Sha’uwl, as they did his namesake, will vanish – leaving Yahowah and His beloved to enjoy Sukah | Camping Out together.