NO SUCH THING AS FAILING GOD!

     As a former leftist, liberal, feminist, then uppity church pew dweller, then prodigal, and all around screw-up, I know about as much about YHVH GOD, who created the universe as the average human screw-up. I'm far from an expert, but I have studied the Bible inside, outside, and upside down. I've studied the historicity of it and how GOD dealt with His people throughout the ages, especially His heroes who were total screw-ups. (They were all men, by the way, no women screw-ups in his heroine list that I could find!) I have lived in the fiery furnace of affliction for decades, some by my own doing, some not, and there is one thing that keeps coming back to me, and it's as old as Genesis. GOD predicted man's downfall and need for redemption before he even created the first man. He foreknew of their need deliverance. There is not one event or period of apostasy that GOD did not predict and even anticipate for his people and for each individual. The plan was set, but man being a dense as he is, he had to learn the hard way. I'm like that. I learn by trial and error, mostly error. What I'm going to tell you isn't rocket science, so it is not going to require a very long explanation. (But don't count on that from a writer!)

       GOD IS OMNISCIENT!

   What does Omniscient mean?  Well, it means that before you were born, GOD knew every mistake you would make. He knew about that mathematical error on your first grade math paper, to the low score on your SAT's because you were out partying the night before the exam.  He knew about the D you got in Geology 101 as a college freshman, because you skipped class that was the maps portion of the course and you turned in a blank final exam.  He also knew about that girl or boy that you would charm into bed because, well, they were hot, and you were dumped by the love of your life. He knew about that bad marriage and all the mistakes you would make in it.  He knew that child you screwed up the first time around parenting because you had awful parents and you had no idea what you were doing as a new parent.  He knew about that guy you fell head-over-heals in love with right after your husband dumped you.  He knew that you'd cave into your heart's desire even though you knew how wrong it was.  He also knew the pain you would suffer for that decision for years to come, and that's what brought real spiritual growth in your life.  He knew that after the biggest mistake of your life you would dedicate your life to Him, even if that meant a lonely existence with no new love in your life for the rest of your days.  

  Are you catching on?  He knew all the mistakes you were going to make. As a matter of fact, He actually weaved the lessons you would learn from them into your life to teach you how to be a better person and servant.  He loved and corrected you like a son or a daughter, because He knew that you would be a devoted one.  GOD knew that all your mistakes would get you a PhD in the college of Hard Knocks, and you would turn it all around and write a block buster book that would go viral after you left this earth.  The whole time you were screwing up, He knew that there would be other screw-ups who would someday need a screw-up to look up to!  Learn this one fact, there is no way to fail GOD, because even if you did not do all those things like I did,  He knew that He had a purpose for your life, and He was going to accomplish it whether you wanted Him to or not.  And, here's the kicker, for those outside the family of GOD, you did not fail Him either, because He knew that you would never turn to Him and want to turn your life around to do something good for the Kingdom.  It's impossible to fail someone who knows your every thought, word and deed before you were even born.  

     If you are a parent, tell me, do you love your children?  Are they perfect?  Did you ever stop loving them with each mistake they made?  When they were born did you expect them to be perfect, or did you know that there would be a lifetime of mistakes that they would make before they turned thirty? It is just like you understand your rebellious teen because it's a phase, one you yourself went through.  Your child did not fail you when they went through that awkward stage of thinking they knew more than you at the ripe old age of fourteen.  We cannot fail the Omniscient Creator who knew long before you took your first breath that you would be total screw-up, but one that He loved enough to send His Son for so you could live with Him forever in Paradise.  The next time you see a post where someone confesses to fail GOD, send them my way, so I can straighten them out, because that's my job.  

 RIZPAH AND OTHER UNKONWNS (Part 2) 

   Since beginning the new wonderful job GOD has given me, I've not written a single word in almost nine months, but that doesn't mean I've not contemplated a thousand things.  This one theme of "nobodies" has been on my mind for a very long time, and I knew that my previous post Rizpah and Other Unknowns Part 1 needed a part 2.  I just had to wait until the Almighty gave it to me.  This story of Naomi has been on my mind for sometime, as I myself have many times considered myself a Naomi, a Mara, bitter because of one man's decision.  Many times, I have felt abandoned by GOD, however, I know that "emotions have no intellect and facts have no feelings;" a truth my Savior taught me many, many years ago.  

    A few years back, I studied this book with my favorite TORAH teacher.  For your studying pleasure, may I suggest you listen and learn from this great teacher.  The Book of Ruth.  In that wonderful study, I learned more about this books true message from the Hebrew aspect.   When I studied it in the Christian church, I learned a completely different lesson from it.  That is true for all of Scripture.  If we do not know the true ancient Hebrew mindset from the writer's and listener's perspective, we miss the most meaningful truths from Scripture.  We must take off our 21st Century lenses, our contemporary (Christian) glasses and see it from the writer's perspective, the listener's perspective and from those living out these wonderful stories.  The premises of this post is about people who are nobodies in people's eyes, but somebodies in YHVH GOD's eyes.  The Most High has a Name, He gave it to Moses because He wanted it known to His people.  It is Yod Hey Vav Hey.  He wants His name known, and He does it with nobodies. The nobody I'm referring today is called Naomi, or Mara, in her own words. 

    This poor woman was subject to the sin of her husband and sons.  Yes, I said sin.  Her husband left the Holy land of Bethlehem and went to a foreign land, one he was told never to dwell in.  He went because of a famine, instead of trusting YHVH GOD to be his Provider. He went to provide for himself and his family.  Then, after he earned for himself, he kept his family in that foreign land instead of returning to the place from which YHVH GOD had placed him.  Not only did he commit this sin of self-reliance, but he taught his sons the same sin.  YHVH GOD's judgment fell upon him and he died.  So, what did his sons do?  Did they return to the Holy land and bring their mother home? Did they choose obedience to marry only  their own kind?  We know the answer to that.  They married Moabite women, which they knew was a sin against GOD.  So, GOD's judgment fell upon them, also.  Not only were they not allowed sons of their own in the ten years they were married, but they were taken out by GOD Himself, and rightly so.  

    Naomi, the nobody in a foreign land, who was not allowed to do her own thing in a man's world back then, did what she knew to be correct after the judgment of GOD fell upon her husband and sons.  She returned to the land which GOD told them to dwell, and she took her daughters-in-law with her, because when a daughter joins a family in marriage, they become part of that family for life.  One foolishly returned to her own land and family, but one wisely chose the better route.  Maybe she did because her mother-in-law taught her of this Wonderful GOD she worshiped and obeyed.  The nobody named Naomi submitted to the male authority in her life, her husband, because that was what was expected of her, but when GOD took away that authority, she did the next best thing, gave herself back to her Creator.  He, in turn, did not let her down, although, from her perspective, she saw it differently.  

     She saw herself cursed of GOD, but her perspective did not matter to her God, because YHVH GOD had a better plan, a better redemption that was awaiting her when she obeyed.  She was an old woman, too old to be married again in order to reproduce, but not too old to be redeemed.  The book of Ruth is the name for the book, but it is not the main theme of the book.  The book's main character and theme is really about Naomi's redemption,  and the ancient Hebrews would have known this.  Most Christians have adopted this book as a book about a gentile woman grafted in to the Israelite branch, just as they are grafted in by Yeshua into the Vine.  Sadly, some Christian denominations think they have replaced the Vine and have become the vine themselves, hence replacement theology.  Isn't it ironic that some gentile Christian churches  have replaced the true theme of a Hebrew book with a gentile main character, when the true meaning of the book is about a faithful Hebrew woman, discarded by men, but protected by YHVH GOD.  Naomi, a nobody widow who was somebody to GOD,  somebody enough for Him to rescue from a foreign land who practice pagan god worship, and brought her back to redemption through His Patriarchal Laws for the provision for women. 

    It is call the Levirate Marriage Law, and it is to protect women, because GOD honors women more than man likes to admit or obey.  I learned for over two decades that the theme of the book of Ruth is about a kinsman redeemer, a Hebrew named Boaz, for a gentile named Ruth.  Boaz  is a predecessor for a gentile's Kinsmen Redeemer who is the true Israelite Messiah for the Hebrews and also the gentiles.  Yeshua is the  Kinsman Redeemer for a people grafted into the Israelite Vine.  Gentiles are the branches grafted in, not the vine themselves.  Note, Ruth did not take Boaz home to Moab, instead, she was grafted into the Israelite religion and custom and under the Laws of Moses.  So, again, this post is about two nobodies who were rescued and redeemed by The Most High, one a true Hebrew, and one a gentile. Yet, these two nobodies, back then,  now live in infamy because of their obedience.   Ruth was just a recipient and benefactor of Naomi's obedience. We too can benefit from that spirit of obedience and humility as nobodies to men but somebodies to YHVH GOD.  Our obedience does not only benefit us, but those watching us, also.