God's Dictionary

This week, we begin a new cycle of Torah Portions with Bereshit בְּרֵאשִׁית (In the Beginning), based on Genesis 1:1-6:8. What I felt moved by the Spirit to talk about is the proper definition of words. For the Jewish community, Bereshit (Genesis) is the book of "beginnings" and where each Hebrew word is introduced and defined by Adonai. They pay close attention to each term introduced to His people in this book because it will serve as the main definition that should not be contradicted in future appearances of the same word. The Spirit has shown me over the past few years that the definitions of words have become subjective through culture and human intervention. I would go further to say that these changes have come by design through the evil influence of demonic hosts. This has been happening since the beginning, with the influence of the serpent on Eve in the garden.

"Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?" Genesis 3:1b

The enemy is constantly challenging Adonai's words, bringing doubt in our hearts as to what we should and shouldn't do. That is not any different today, and was prophesied in the book of Daniel to increase in the last days:

"He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times, and half a time." Daniel 7:25

This is a prophecy about the antichrist, the beast, and his prophet in the tribulation period at the end; however, the antichrist spirit has been here for quite some time:

"...but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world." 1 John 4:3

What is my point? My point is that the spirit of the antichrist has been on earth for quite some time and has infiltrated every system in the world to have us question and negate the commands of the Almighty. That is what the Spirit is urging me to examine more closely, and that is what I'm challenging you to do the same. Let's take advantage of this new beginning. This restart God is offering us to examine scriptures and allow them to define what is good and what is evil in His eyes. For instance, Chapter 3 defines what sin is, and sin is not eating a fruit from a forbidden tree. The real sin happened before she ate. It happened when Eve questioned God's goodness and when she decided to make a judgment on what is good in her own terms:

"When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it." Genesis 3:6

We sin when we decide that His Word says one thing, but we think it isn't a big deal, and that today things are different, so it is ok to do them. We see things clearly defined as good or bad, but based on our preferences, our biases, or our experiences, these things no longer apply. When God's Word clearly states one thing, but based on society's rules or what is popular today, they are now ok to do. This isn't something I say lightly, and it is something I often struggle with myself, but it is what He is urging me to do. I can't decide for you what you will do, but I can do it as an example and pray that you can see it as well. I wish you a wonderful week and a blessed life. Shalom Ve'Shavuah Tov.