- there are 70 faces to 
Post by alon on Aug 4, 2015 19:54:29 GMT -8
One of the most common things I/we have often been asked about here is “Where is God’s mercy?” or “What about grace?” This is often a difficult question to answer, but I think in my readings I have found something that many will not like or want to accept, but which does answer these questions. Quite often the difficulty in seeing the heart of God, His mercy and His grace, lies in our Bible translations. In part this is probably due to the dependence of the Greek language and culture of the 1st through 3rd centuries CE for our translations. And the rise of Gnosticism and other heresies at the same time as Christianity, and indeed as part of the etiology of Christianity in the late 1st cen onward left their mark on our translations as well. Let’s consider one little word that, in Biblical Hebrew as it does today can and does make all the difference in the world: ”Please.”
Genesis 22:2 (ESV) He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
Almost all English translations here omit the tiny word “na,” or please. In the Hebrew this is written more like “ “Please take your son …” God said “please!” This one word changes the whole tenor of this “command”- it was a request! Read in English it is a heartless test- will you obey? But the Hebrew reads like three of the main points in our relationship with God: “Do you trust Me; do you love Me; and will you obey Me?” One small word said all that, “na.” And it softened this from a cruel command to the loving request of a true friend. This is why Avraham could say with confidence that God would provide the sacrifice- love, trust, and the request of a friend.
We are all familiar with the word Hosanna, but do you know what it means? Neither did the translators of the B’ith Chadshah or it probably wouldn’t be there. In the Hebrew, it is ho-sha-na; which means “save us, please.” It is a Jewish liturgical request of God for salvation. So all those Jews who were shouting “Hosanna” at the “Triumphal Entry” were knowingly acknowledging Yeshua as God, since only God can save. And we cannot demand salvation, as it is entirely dependent on His grace and mercy. We ask, “please.”
In the TNK this idea is often conveyed with words like “beseech” or “we pray,” as in Psalm 118:25 (ESV) “Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success!” or (KJV) “Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.” While these do get the idea across, the translators would have better served the text and the idea by using the true meaning, “Save us now, please, O Lord: O Lord, please, prosper our efforts.” [note: my own translation- and I make no claims to scholarship] Sounds much more dependent on His mercy and grace.
In many of the places in the TNK the word “na” appears, it is translated as “please.” However a word search of the “New Testament” reveals the only places the word “please” appears, it means to satisfy someone else’s desires or make them happy. This common courtesy or, more importantly this urgent plea for mercy is absent. Not once in the many times of direst distress does someone ask Yeshua “please” help me!
Can you imagine hanging on a Roman cross for your crimes, and turning to God Himself suffering there with you, and saying “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Luke 23:42 (ESV) Honestly, I think I’d have put a “please” in there! It’s no wonder we have such a distorted view of the grace and mercy of God. It is presented as so matter of fact, attaining it so much like a formula, its’ nature so cold and heartless.
Where is God’s grace; His mercy? It is in the simple word “na,” or “please.” “”Please” remember me”; “”please” take your son”; “”please” find My grace and My mercy in “our” relationship.”
Dan C
Genesis 22:2 (ESV) He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
Almost all English translations here omit the tiny word “na,” or please. In the Hebrew this is written more like “ “Please take your son …” God said “please!” This one word changes the whole tenor of this “command”- it was a request! Read in English it is a heartless test- will you obey? But the Hebrew reads like three of the main points in our relationship with God: “Do you trust Me; do you love Me; and will you obey Me?” One small word said all that, “na.” And it softened this from a cruel command to the loving request of a true friend. This is why Avraham could say with confidence that God would provide the sacrifice- love, trust, and the request of a friend.
We are all familiar with the word Hosanna, but do you know what it means? Neither did the translators of the B’ith Chadshah or it probably wouldn’t be there. In the Hebrew, it is ho-sha-na; which means “save us, please.” It is a Jewish liturgical request of God for salvation. So all those Jews who were shouting “Hosanna” at the “Triumphal Entry” were knowingly acknowledging Yeshua as God, since only God can save. And we cannot demand salvation, as it is entirely dependent on His grace and mercy. We ask, “please.”
In the TNK this idea is often conveyed with words like “beseech” or “we pray,” as in Psalm 118:25 (ESV) “Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success!” or (KJV) “Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.” While these do get the idea across, the translators would have better served the text and the idea by using the true meaning, “Save us now, please, O Lord: O Lord, please, prosper our efforts.” [note: my own translation- and I make no claims to scholarship] Sounds much more dependent on His mercy and grace.
In many of the places in the TNK the word “na” appears, it is translated as “please.” However a word search of the “New Testament” reveals the only places the word “please” appears, it means to satisfy someone else’s desires or make them happy. This common courtesy or, more importantly this urgent plea for mercy is absent. Not once in the many times of direst distress does someone ask Yeshua “please” help me!
Can you imagine hanging on a Roman cross for your crimes, and turning to God Himself suffering there with you, and saying “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Luke 23:42 (ESV) Honestly, I think I’d have put a “please” in there! It’s no wonder we have such a distorted view of the grace and mercy of God. It is presented as so matter of fact, attaining it so much like a formula, its’ nature so cold and heartless.
Where is God’s grace; His mercy? It is in the simple word “na,” or “please.” “”Please” remember me”; “”please” take your son”; “”please” find My grace and My mercy in “our” relationship.”
Dan C
