Post by Mark on Aug 26, 2008 5:12:25 GMT -8
Etz Chayim He
"It is a tree of life to those who take hold of it, and those who support it are praiseworthy. Its ways are ways of pleasantness and all its paths are peace. Bring us back, Adonai, to You, and we shall come, renew our days as of old."
It is surprising for many to learn that the Tree of Life described in Judaism is not really referring to a tree at all. It is a pattern or diagram which describes God according to His attributes and the courses that intersect them.
The Hebrew word "dehrekh" means "paths" and refers to the intersecting links between the attributes of God. Dehrekh is not simply a method of getting from point "A" to point "B". It is that which is familiar, well traveled and well known. Getting to know God is not simply an introduction and we don’t enter into familiarity with Him by looking at Him from a distance. Messiah brings us to the Loving Father through His sacrifice at Calvary; but tragically, so many people see that access to the Father as the end of the journey. They come to the gates of eternity and are welcomed by our Father and King; but spend their entire journey transfixed upon the door through which they passed to get there.
The tree of life defines the essence of creation, beginning with Light. It is, in a sense, an attempt to return to the purest communion that Adonai shared with the first man. Knowing our sinful condition, we know that in this lifetime it is impossible; but by gaining and growing in our understanding of the Etz Chayim, when we finally get there, it will not be unfamiliar to us. He will not be a stranger.
, the Holy Scriptures, are compared to the Etz Chayim because the is our roadmap or our tour-book that defines the details of our Father and King. It details the Creation and the paths to redemption. It shares with us, to the limits of our understanding, who is this Savior and Lord and King.
It is a tree of life to those who take hold of it. will lead you in many directions, as you learn and grow in your relationship with God; but all those paths are peace. We do not wander aimlessly according to the Scriptures. We are drawn to Him.
"It is a tree of life to those who take hold of it, and those who support it are praiseworthy. Its ways are ways of pleasantness and all its paths are peace. Bring us back, Adonai, to You, and we shall come, renew our days as of old."
It is surprising for many to learn that the Tree of Life described in Judaism is not really referring to a tree at all. It is a pattern or diagram which describes God according to His attributes and the courses that intersect them.
The Hebrew word "dehrekh" means "paths" and refers to the intersecting links between the attributes of God. Dehrekh is not simply a method of getting from point "A" to point "B". It is that which is familiar, well traveled and well known. Getting to know God is not simply an introduction and we don’t enter into familiarity with Him by looking at Him from a distance. Messiah brings us to the Loving Father through His sacrifice at Calvary; but tragically, so many people see that access to the Father as the end of the journey. They come to the gates of eternity and are welcomed by our Father and King; but spend their entire journey transfixed upon the door through which they passed to get there.
The tree of life defines the essence of creation, beginning with Light. It is, in a sense, an attempt to return to the purest communion that Adonai shared with the first man. Knowing our sinful condition, we know that in this lifetime it is impossible; but by gaining and growing in our understanding of the Etz Chayim, when we finally get there, it will not be unfamiliar to us. He will not be a stranger.
, the Holy Scriptures, are compared to the Etz Chayim because the is our roadmap or our tour-book that defines the details of our Father and King. It details the Creation and the paths to redemption. It shares with us, to the limits of our understanding, who is this Savior and Lord and King.It is a tree of life to those who take hold of it.
will lead you in many directions, as you learn and grow in your relationship with God; but all those paths are peace. We do not wander aimlessly according to the Scriptures. We are drawn to Him.
