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Israel, Ĕlōhīm, And The Trump Trial

Israel, Ĕlōhīm, And The Trump Trial

Last updated on: April 17, 2024 at 7:53 pm by Martin Thomas Johnson

Israel, Ĕlōhīm, And The Trump Trial 2024-04-17T19:53:03-04:00 Martin Thomas Johnson

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

This weekend the world was shocked by the massive attack by Iran against Israel. It isn’t the first time God’s people have been attacked by outside powers and it won’t be the last time.

Iran/Israeli attack

Image by Pixabay

We shouldn’t be surprised by what is happening in the Middle East, the Jewish prophets warned us long ago how the nations of the world would war against God’s chosen nation (Psalm 83:1-18, Isaiah 46:9-10, Zachariah 14:2-3, Joel 1:6.)

As God’s chosen people, Israel is faced with two options on how to deal with the hatred from other nations.

Earthly way
God’s way

This is the age-old battle between God’s people and the fallen world we live in. God set Israel apart from the world as His chosen people (Leviticus 20:26, Exodus 19:5-6.)

For thousands of years, God has been revealing His ways to His people and they should know His nature is divine, not earthly.

Divine

Divine is defined as, “Of or relating to a god, proceeding from God or a god. God’s divinity means He is not of this world, Scripture tells us He preceded this world (Genesis 1:1-3.)

Divine Nature

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Because of this, we understand God is sovereign over all because He created all. God’s people, including Christians, rely on the power and the strength of God, not ourselves or this fallen world.

We are to serve God and His purposes. Jesus reminded His followers to love God with all of their hearts (Matthew 22:37-40.) The Apostle Paul reminded the early church to set themselves apart from this world because we belong to God (Romans 12:2-4.) We follow the nature of God, not this world!

Ĕlōhīm

Judaism teaches God created man in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27.) Amazingly, the Torah uses the word Ĕlōhīm. Elohim is used to describe God more than 2500 times throughout the Bible. Elohim can also mean,” Ruler, mighty, or judge” depending on its context.

Interestingly, Elohim is a plural form of *ʾĔlōah (*Gods or Godhood.) Because Judaism also teaches there is only one God, not many gods. However, the fallen angel Satan deceived man and led him astray from God’s nature.

Here we see the age-old battle between the divine and human nature began with a lie. This is why the Torah teaches God’s people about God’s nature and His divine attributes or spirits.

The spirit of the Lord
The spirit of wisdom
the spirit of understanding
the spirit of counsel
the spirit of might
The spirit of knowledge
The fear of the Lord

The Bible tells us Jesus embodied the Divine nature of God (John 14:6-11, 1 Corinthians 2:9-11, Colossians 2:9, 2 Peter 1:3-4.) Yet, He didn’t sin because He loved God (2 Corinthians 5-21.) On the cross, Jesus cried out to Elohim (Matthew 27:46.)

The crucifixion

Image by Pixabay

This is why Jesus taught His followers to love Elohim. He also taught them not to judge others because Elohim will judge us also (Matthew 7:1-5.) The Apostle Paul also warned the early church not to judge others (Romans 2:1-3.)

Judge

This week there has been a lot of controversy around citizen Trump’s hush money trial. Maga has even harassed the judge and his family on social media.

Cout room

Image by Pixabay

While it is easy to criticize others, we each must remember that Elohim will one day judge us all, even Christians will give an account for every word (Matthew 12:36-37.)

It’s better to humble ourselves than to be humbled by God on the Day of Judgment. Meekness reminds us we aren’t God and helps us choose God’s divine way over our selfish wants.

Billy Graham wisely stated, “It’s the Holy Spirit’s job to convict, God’s job to judge, and my job to love.” When we follow the ways of the world or our flesh we aren’t being like God, the Apostle Paul reminds us to fight our selfish wants (Romans 7:15- 19.) Jesus reminded His followers to be Holy like God (Matthew 5:48.) Because God is Elohim!

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