7 Guardian Angel - D’varim 1
25 July 2015 ~ 9 Av 5775
Torah Parashah “D’varim” ~ “Words” - D’varim
1:1-3:22 RSTNE p 138
7 Guardian Angel teaching by Skip Moen
The 9th of Av... Tisha b’Av...
2448 Hebrew Year
(1312 BC) - Spies return from 40 days in Israel with evil reports of the Land
of Israel. Jewish people cry in despair, give up hope of entering the Land of
Israel.
3340 Hebrew Year
(421 BC)
Destruction of
First Temple by the Babylonians, under Nebuchadnezar. About 100,000 Jews killed
during invasion. Exile of remaining tribes in southern kingdom to Babylon and
Persia.
3830 Hebrew Year
(70 AD)
Destruction of
Second Temple by Romans, under Titus. Over 2,500,000 Jews die as a result of
war, famine and disease. Over 1,000,000 Jews exiled to all parts of the Roman
Empire. Over 100,000 Jews sold as slaves by Romans. Jews killed and tortured in
gladiatorial "games" and pagan celebrations.
3892 Hebrew (132 AD)
Bar Kochba revolt
crushed. Betar destroyed - over 100,00 killed.
3893 Hebrew (133 AD)
Turnus Rufus
ploughs site of Temple. Romans build pagan city of Aelia Capitolina on site of
Jerusalem.
4855 Hebrew (1095
AD)
First Crusade
declared by Pope Urban II. 10,000 Jews killed in first month of Crusade. Crusades
bring death and destruction to thousands of Jews, totally obliterate many
communities in Rhineland and France.
5050 Hebrew (1290
AD)
Expulsion of Jews
from England, accompanied by pogroms and confiscation of books and property.
5252 Hebrew (1492 AD)
Inquisition in
Spain and Portugal culminates in the expulsion of the Jews from the Iberian
Peninsula. Families separated, many die by drowning, massive loss of property.
5674 Hebrew (1914
AD)
Britain and Russia
declare war on Germany. First World War begins. First World War issues
unresolved, ultimately causing Second World War and Holocaust. 75% of all Jews
in war zones. Jews in armies of all sides - 120,000 Jewish casualties in
armies. Over 400 pogroms immediately following war in Hungary, Ukraine, Poland
and Russia.
5702 Hebrew (1942)
Deportations from
Warsaw Ghetto to the Treblinka concentration camp begin.
5749 Hebrew (1989)
Iraq walks out of
talks with Kuwait.
5754 Hebrew (1994)
The deadly bombing
the building of the AMIA (the Jewish community center in Buenos Aires,
Argentina) which killed 86 people and wounded some 300 others.
*** ***
*** *** *** *** ***
7th Guardian
Angel teaching from Skip Moen’s book “Guardian Angel”
Last time we ended
with:
Biblical text tells us Adam named her Chavah -
not Eve.
The fact that the text tells us what Chavah
means ... is very interesting.
It means “the mother of all living”...
This is another “big red flag waving in the
breeze”... just like a double letter or a double word is....
Moen says...If the word had an obvious Hebrew
meaning, the explanation would be redundant and unnecessary.
Therefore, the inclusion of an explanation
means that the author is connecting this word to a meaning it would not
naturally have.
The word
picture of CHAVAH = “what comes from the place of work”.
Woman is a vehicle through which all living
come into existence.
-
Another way to say this is: through which all those who work - come into
existance.
BUT - we have to know -- this is not
“work” - as the toil and labor we think
of....
Remember the word
“AVAD” in B’re’shiyt (Genesis) 2:5 (Which is translated as “till”) = is connected to SERVICE and WORSHIP.
Thus CHAVAH = literally means = “the
mother (source) - the one who brings
life - of all living/ all those who work/WORSHIP!!”
This is her legacy.
~
Moen makes the point to say...
The Torah record is not some kind of worship
of woman. It’s not pagan Mother Earth
and it’s not the idolization of Mary. It
is simply the biblical recognition that YHWH chose woman to be the way that
every living human being becomes a member or the working / worshipping
community. It’s the recognition that
mothers matter.
~~
We have arrived at chapter 5 of Guardian
Angel...
B’re’shiyt (Genesis) 2:18 p
10
“And
YHWH Elohiym said, It is not tov (good) that the man should be alone; I will make for him an ezer (helper) kenegdo
(as in front of him).”
It is here that Moen makes a strong point
that we need to hear...
He says:
“A great deal of misinformation has been
foisted upon the believing community because we did not read B’re’shiyt 2:18 in
its Hebrew context. Most of our
contemporary Christian thinking about the role of woman and the status of wives
begins with Paul (Shaul). We assume a
Greek ante-Nicene New Testament orientation in our interpretation and forget
Paul (Shaul) is NOT a “NEW” Testament “Christian” believer.”
Who does Shaul say he is?
Maaseh Shlichim (Acts) 23:6
“I
am a Prush (Pharisee), the son of a Prush; because of my tikvah (hope) in the
resurrection of the dead - the meechayai hamaytiim (resurrection of the dead as
a reality, hope, or doctrine)- I am being questioned.”
Phylypsiyah (Philippians) 3:5
p890
“I
was circumcised the 8th yom (day), of the race of Am-Yisra’el (the nation or
people Yisra’el), of the tribe of Benyamin, an Ivri (Hebrew), son of an Ivri
(Hebrew); regarding Torah, a Prush (Pharisee).”
We have to understand the Torah that Shaul
studied and knew by heart - was the Tanakh (Old Testament)!
Moen says “Shaul could never have been a
Pharisee of the Pharisees without a thorough and exhaustive understanding of
the Torah account of the creation. His
method for understanding Scripture is rabbinic through and through. He does NOT think like a contemporary
christian. If we don’t recognize the
difference, we will never understand him.
Shaul considers Scripture his absolute authority on many different
levels, all of which were common to rabbinic thought but most of which are
totally absent from our contemporary interpretations.”
WE need to know / understand what Shaul knew
about the story of creation in B’re’shiyt.
Let’s start on the surface with the Hebrew
words used to describe this creature YHWH is about to construct.
B’re’shiyt 2:18
the
usual English reads:
“I will make for him a helper”
The Hebrew text reads:
“lo-tov heyot ha’adam levado e’ese-lo ‘ezer
kenegdo.”
The most important part of this phrase - is
what we’ve been talking about = Ezer Kenegdo.
If we were linguists of Hebrew - we would
know - that “EZER” is not the word that we would have expected here.
EZER is in B’re’shiyt 2:18 and 20 and then
not again in B’re’shiyt.
YHWH chose EZER to describe the woman.
It wasn’t Adam’s word - ishshah
and it wasn’t Adam’s name he gave her -
Chavah
nor does the text use the word for female -
neqevah.
YHWH’s choice - EZER
- is very interesting...
Ezer
is masculine ...
So we have to know that the gender locus of
this word must come from someplace else.
Ezer is used in the Word 112 times (in
various forms).
In about half of them... EZER is used to describe YHWH’s relationship
to Yisra’el!!
What functions does YHWH perform as the
EZER of Yisra’el?
Sh’mot
(Exodus) 18:4 p 62 - delivers, helps rescues
D’varim
(Deut) 33:7 p 165 - assists, supports and reinforces
Yisra’el against her enemies
Tehillim
(Psalm) 33:20 p 506 - shield, help, delivering Yisra’el
from death and showering Yisra’el with lovingkindness (chesed).
Tehillim
(Psalm) 70:5 p520- provides in times of affliction and
need.
Tehillim
(Psalm) 115:9 p538 - help and shield - the One Yisra’el
must trust
Tehillim
(Psalm) 146:5 p 548 - When YHWH is EZER - Yisra’el is
blessed and has hope!
Recognizing YHWH is EZER for Yisra’el - gives
us description of what an EZER does.
Moen says -
This word EZER “carries the idea of help from
one who is more capable. In fact, the
etymology of this word suggests someone who has superior military strength.”
- We
understand this when we think of YHWH in relationship to Yisra’el - BUT that is
hardly what we think of when we think of Adam and Chavah... or husband and
wife!
Moen goes on to say that
EZER isn’t a common word in Torah...
“He not only makes a person through whom an
entire species of voluntary worshippers will exist, He also positions her as
the final statement of the divine image manifested in the flesh.”
“To be the EZER, she is to play the same
role with her man as YHWH plays with His people Y’isra’el.”
This includes:
... deliverance from oppressors, rescue from
danger, assistance, support and reinforcement shielding from death, blessing
within a covenant relationship,
provision in difficult times, trustworthiness, hope and forgiveness.
~
EZER is derived from the verb “AZAR”.
The noun AZARA is also derived from AZAR.
It means “enclosure”... an interesting nuance of the Semitic idea of
help.
AZAR means = military aid, social and moral
support deliverance, salvation, enclosure (protection) and general
assistance.
Moen says
“What is most reveling is this: YHWH is always the assumed source of true
help. For this reason, the noun EZER is
often used to describe the character of
YHWH. He is the helper par
excellence.”
“You don’t have to convince Him, appease Him,
placate Him or prove your worthiness in order for Him to act on your
behalf. Aside from the fact that false
gods are FALSE, the distinctive difference between YHWH and idols is this: YHWH helps in spite of our unworthiness. He helps us when we least deserve it.”
Moen goes on to say
“The foundation of HELP after the fall is
forgiveness.”
Isn’t it amazing that YHWH - HELPS those who stand in opposition to his
sovereignty, holiness and majesty ... and that HE forgives ???!!!!!
HELP comes because YHWH forgives!
“It is only on this basis that we - the
unworthy - can cry out, “AZRENU!” (help
us!)
~
So when you look at this... how EZER is used
to describe YHWH and the way He helps Yisra’el - His people...
We must go back to the fact that YHWH calls
woman Adam’s EZER....
We have to understand that the comparison is
intentional. NOT that women are
gods! BUT that SHE is called to be a
helper like YHWH forgiving and protecting and leading and reminding the one who
is called to know what YHWH says and does it... to remember!!!
If man knows what YHWH says and does it... he
will offer provision and protection and take care of the one who is called to
do the same for him... only differently.
~
EZER is spelled Ayin - Zayin - Resh
The word picture is =
“first
cut from a person”
“to
see a weapon of a person”
“to
experience the weapon of a person”
“the
first weapon (of defense) of the person”
WE know that woman is the first cut from man.
And the role of Ezer is to protect, help,
provide, and nourish - which is
the Biblical view of strength and defense ...
to protect, help, provide, and nourish.
Moen says...
What YHWH has in mind is not subservience or
patriarchal hierarchy.
His choice of EZER indicates the woman is a
man’s first line of defense, an equal partner in the journey of life, equipped
for a special function in the life of her mate.
The EZER is YHWH’s gift to the husband.
She is
built to bless him.
She is Adam’s protector!
~~
In Summary:....
1. Scripture tells us a woman is YHWH’s chosen
protector, provider, counselor, priest and strength for a man.
2. She
is from Man, equally a partner under YHWH and is perfectly matched for re-union
as one.
3. She’s
the physical transporter of life for all Mankind.
These three things are all wrapped up in one
person.
When we confuse them and put the emphasis on
one and ignore the other two - Moen says, we end up with “terrible distortions
like the pagan Mother Earth or the contemporary idea of woman as servants of
men”
So the question is....
What does this tell us about the ORIGINAL
purpose of Chavah?
Did YHWH intend CHAVAH to be the protector
and provider, the stronger party, in the male-female relationship?
Moen says... “There can be little doubt that
these thoughts are implied in the choice of EZER. She is the one who will be his strength, who
will safeguard him.”
Safeguard him from what?.....
let’s go further....
Moen says
“The Christian world has almost universally
misunderstood the concept of EZER”...
“More
often than not, the role of the “helper” has been viewed as some kind of
assistant, available to carry out delegated tasks not specifically assigned to
the male.
Household maintenance, child rearing, and
domestic tasks become the boundaries of the helper’s world.
With this preconceived status, we ignore
those parts of Scripture that describe woman in terms other than domestic
managers.
Even Mishle
(Proverbs) 31 p 565 - often proclaimed as the model of a
perfect wife, is reduced to actions under the oversight of the male.
Typical English translations of Mishle
31:10 use words like “excellent” or
“virtuous”.
Our RSTNE says
Mishle 31:10
p 565
“Who
can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.”
BUT --- the Hebrew Word is HAYIL
HAYIL is connected with = strength, wealth,
and warrior...
NOT
moral virtues.
A better english word would be VALOR.
So it would read “Who can find a woman of
VALOR.”
Moen says
- this change - “reveals the translator’s culture.”
Turns out “Proverbs 31 is heroic poetry, not
a simple description of the duties of a good wife!” - Moen says.
~
If we look at all the patriarchal history of
humanity - we could go along with everyone else and not study the Hebrew words
and just think that woman was created to be man’s assistant.... but if we look
at the Hebrew words, we find something very different.
Moen says
Nowhere is man delegating to woman - ever
included in YHWH’s original design in B’re’shiyt.
~
B’re’shiyt (Genesis) 2:22
p 10
“And
with the rib that YHWH Elohiym had taken from man, He made a woman, and brought
her to the man.”
(Janet’s note:
The English word “RIB” = which is spelled =
tzadi- lamed- ayin
Is the Hebrew word “TSELA”
In
Strong’s it is defined as
=
side, rib, beam
and
it is feminine )
~~
The english
word “MADE” = is spelled = bet-nun-hey
Is the Hebrew word = “BANAH”
In
Strong’s it is defined as
=
build, rebuild and establish
This is a verb and suggests a carefully
constructed, according to plan, designed production.
Moen says - “In other words,....
......Adam was
created but Chavah was BUILT.”
AND - did you notice ... that “the recognition
of her life-continuing role comes AFTER the Fall.” ??
This means that her purpose did not arise
from her sexuality.
Moen says “This is crucial because it implies
that her divinely given purpose remains intact even after her role as mother of
all living moves to center stage.”
~
Let’s go back to the Prime Directive ...
B’re’shiyt 1:28
“And
Elohiym blessed them, and Elohiym said to them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and
replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea,
and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the
earth.”
There is no distinction of genders given in
the Prime Directive...
Moen says
“This fact removes the idea that Woman is
subordinate to Man. When it comes to the
Prime directive, there is no hierarchy.
There is only assignment.”
He goes on to say - unlike the prime
directive... when it comes to woman... “she has been built for a purpose that
only she can fulfill.”
~~
I also believe that Adam / man was created
for a purpose that he alone fulfills as well.
~~
The question is... What was the purpose
Chavah was created?
Moen says...
and i want to /have to basically quote him
much of the time, because he understand Hebrew much better than i... (so we are
to some extent taking his word for what the Hebrew says..)
“When Scripture uses an odd combination of
words to describe something as important as Woman, we better pay attention.”
He says - “Nothing is stranger than the way
the Torah describes the creation of Woman.”
She is called EZER Kenegdo....
WE’ve talked about EZER ...
we know that it absolutely does NOT mean
“assistant”, but things like... military
aid, guide, rescuer, counselor, priest, leader....
She is clearly designed to bless man...
HOW does she do that?... This might get us to her purpose. :)
The next word after EZER is KENEGDO... and
Moen says - this word increases the potential for confusion...
This is because KENEGDO occurs only once -
right here - in all of Scripture.
KENEGDO is made up of 2 Hebrew words:
KI
and NEGED.
NEGED is not a noun or verb or
adjective.
NEGED is a preposition.
= very odd.
That means it is saying... Chavah is a
“helper before” or a “helper in front of”
KI is also a preposition - which is really
really odd
= 2 prepositions put together to make a word.
KI means = “like” or “as”
WE talked last week a bit about woman being
the “perfect enemy” of man.... meaning
that she will support and support when he is obedient to YHWH...but when he is
not - she will utterly defy/ challenge him to serve YHWH.
Moen says...
“When she is truly EZER KENEGDO, she protects
her man as no other. She is his ultimate
weapon against unrighteousness, even when the unrighteousness is found within
him.
She is the boundary-setter, designed with
special awareness of YHWH’s intentions.
The popular idea of a woman’s intuition acknowledges that she is
equipped with a a certain sensitivity that eludes men.
She plays a role that he cannot play (and
visa versa!!), not simply in procreation but as the one who brings
reinforcements, encouragement and sustenance.
She is YHWH’s representative close at
hand. She is perfect because YHWH made
her that way. She is perfectly equipped
to fulfill the purpose YHWH had in mind.
This is built into her.
Furthermore she is the perfect opposition,
the perfect enemy, when her man steps away from obedience to YHWH.
She knows him better than anyone.
She is part of him.
She is his shield and guide.
Therefore she is perfectly to deflect his
excuses, see through his justifications and ignore his rationalizations in her
effort to align him with his own perfect purpose.”
~~
BUT - this amazing positioning and
responsibility - and power comes with HUGE risk... that we have to also understand....
The story of her design is accompanied by the
story of the FALL.
We will get to that.
**
So what do we know??.....
WE know that Ezer Kenegdo is designed with a
specific purpose...
encouraging
and maintaining obedience between her man and YHWH. She is to help him exercise his free will in
ways that honor YHWH. She is to
guard his relationship with YHWH,
support him when he embraces YHWH’ direction and oppose him when he does
not.
Moen writes:
“The EZER KENEGDO” is intended to function
more like an appointed guardian or priest than any other role found in ordinary
human tasks.”
She is not a subordinate or an employee...
She is supportive and confrontational.
Think about how i am with you all...
My job is to offer encouragement and also to
be confrontational... you don’t like it... but if i don’t call you on the hard
stuff, who will?
She is YHWH’s gift to man and she is designed
to bless man the way YHWH blesses His people!
Her job is to insure that he becomes all that
YHWH intends him to be.
Just as he does that for her as well.
**
AMEIN.
