I am writing this month from the shores of Port Dick and Port Graham, Alaska. I’ve been out at sea for three weeks, and I’ve not communicated with anyone during this time, just YHVH, man and the wild. This caused me to really think about how our Patriarchs lived their lives. Sometimes, current news would arrive weeks and even months later to them. No internet, cell phones, electricity, indoor plumbing, or life of the rat race was there. My definition of the previous things would be things that can become distractions.

Just man, a ball of dirt and water called Earth. Many questions run through my mind. I often wonder what they thought about as they lay down at night gazing into the same stars that I gaze at. Our culture has conditioned us into thinking that type of lifestyle is outdated and far locked away in the history books as mere stories or allegories. Well, I choose to disagree. The lives of our Patriarchs exemplify a life of true faith. One thing is evident: YHVH if faithful even when mankind isn’t. I’ve said this many times, but these Patriarchs weren’t super heroes. They were ordinary men who chose to come into covenant with the Creator of the Universe and live in His Kingdom according to His standards and guidelines. You and I have been given the same opportunity and responsibility as the Patriarchs, and it is our duty to remain faithful to the covenant just as our Forefathers did. Here is the reason why I don’t think that they were super heroes.

YHVH created us all equal and has given us free will to chose as we desire. In my opinion, these men weren’t super human because if they were, then you and I would try to use that excuse as an easy way out, justifying why they could and why we couldn’t fulfill our call and responsibility while here on the planet. I would argue these men were no different than you and me. For example, we have our father of the faith, Abraham. How did his super hero powers work out when he came across Pharaoh in Genesis 12? Sarah was still taken into Pharaoh’s house. YHVH came through in the end and delivered Sarah back to her rightful husband. Many have argued that Abraham was totally in the wrong by stating that Sarah was his sister. I humbly disagree. This is why studying the Ancient Near Eastern perspective is so important. John Walton points out in the IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament, “It was used as a protective strategy by migrants against local authorities, a contest between God and the god-king Pharaoh in Genesis 12, and a literary motif designed to heighten tension in the story when the promise of an heir to the covenant is threatened. The logic is possibly that if an individual in power desired to take a woman into his harem he might be inclined to negotiate with a brother, but he would be more likely to eliminate a husband. In each case, the ancestral couple are reunited and enriched, and the local ruler is shamed. On a personal level, this does not speak well of Abram, but it does make him appear more human than in other stories.”

The trials and tribulations that Abram went through aided his conversion into Abraham, the Father of our Faith. The Creator made a covenant with Abraham because of his FAITH not because he was Jewish or was perfect. It was because of Abraham’s FAITH which produced OBEDIENCE to Yahweh’s charge, commandments, statutes, and laws. (side note: I find it interesting that Abraham knew YHVH’s Torah even before there was a Sinai)

Genesis 26:5 because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

Hebrews 11:8-11 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old—and Sarah herself was barren—because he considered him faithful who had promised.

Here we are again back to where I began this piece, faith. Again, we have more evidence demonstrating Abraham was a mere man just like you and me.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

When YHVH gives us a promise, it is final on His end. We are left to fulfill our end of the contract. YHVH’s word is foundational and, when acted upon, will produce what the word says.
In other words, Yahweh’s foundation leads us to His conclusion just as Hebrews 11:1 eludes to. The Word of Yahweh is the TRUTH not seen. The word of Yahweh is a real thing; it’s just not seen. For example, by His stripes we ARE healed (Isaiah 53:5). The Word of Yahweh is the TRUTH; it’s just not seen. It’s a real thing because the word IS the evidence that it is TRUE.

When we accept the Word of Elohim as though it has already happened, even though it is NOT SEEN, it is a REAL THING, and the Word is our evidence something is happening NOW to what we are HOPING for. The Word of Yahweh is the truth, but it’s an unseen thing that has been COMPLETED. The Word is a real thing, but it’s invisible. The Word is your evidence it’s already happened. Your hoping for it to move from being an invisible thing to a visible thing, and because you’ve accepted it as an unseen real thing and the WORD is your EVIDENCE it’s already true, not because of a physical visible thing. When it becomes a visible physical thing, the word has now become SUBSTANCE and NOW FAITH IS.

When you see Hebrews 11 from this perspective you aren’t believing for something to happen which is linear Greek thought. Hebrew thought means you believe that something has already happened, Yahweh’s foundation. Yahweh responds to your faith with anointing, glory and faithfulness because you have reached His conclusion. When you accept Yahweh’s foundation and conclusion and make a decision based on that, it moves you in a certain direction and causes you to step into destiny.

Abraham’s faith produced YHVH’s promise. Abraham’s faith and obedience was the foundation that brought about the conclusion which led him to his destiny as the Father of the Faith. If Yahweh is no respecter of persons then what does that say about us?

Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that YHVH is no respecter of persons.

The day of making excuses and justifying our lack of faith and disobedience is drawing to a close. He is looking for a few good men and women who will step up to the plate and meet the challenge head on. YHVH needs each one of us to function in our purpose and demonstrate our FAITH to a lost and dying world. Shalom and blessings.