KEY #4: The Key of Knowing Him

By Brother Rabbi Dani’el Rendelman
Emet Ministries
ravemet@comcast.net

Do you know about Tiger Woods? Sure you do. He’s the tall, dark, and handsome master of golf that gets paid millions to chase around a little white ball. Tiger is the master of the Masters. Maybe you’ve watched him on television sink an unbelievable putt. Or maybe you’ve read a book about his life. Perhaps you’re his biggest fan and can quote his scoring statistics. You might even know from memory Tiger’s history of wins.

Fan or not, you probably know about Tiger Woods.

But do you know Tiger woods?

Have you ever met him? Do you refer to him on a first name basis? Does he know who you are?

My friend, there is a difference between knowing about someone and knowing someone. You might know a lot about Tiger Woods, or George W. Bush, or Rosie O’Donnell. But just because you know about them doesn’t mean you know them. I know about Tiger Woods. But, I don’t know him.

Many people are this same way with the Creator. They know about him but they don’t know Him intimately. There are countless Christians who can quote scripture but don’t know the One who wrote the scripture. There are many who attend worship services every week but don’t experience Who they’re worshipping. It seems many people are so close but so far away.

An Example

The book of Acts chapter 5 tells of Ananias and his wife Sapphira who knew about the Almighty but evidently didn’t know Him. This couple was a vital part of the early body of believers and planned to prove their allegiance by selling a possession and giving the proceeds to the apostles for ministry. Ananias and Sapphira sinned though by giving most of the profit to the leaders. They had vowed to give all of the proceeds to the apostles but didn’t. Because of this sin were struck dead.

Perhaps Ananias and Sapphira knew about the Creator, maybe they even knew about the principle of sowing and reaping. They were a part of the early community of believers it seems but how could two people be so close but yet so far away? How could two people who know how serious a vow to the Almighty is not fulfill their part? How could someone who claims to love the Most High not be faithful to him? Maybe they were too satisfied with their relationship with the Savior or maybe they really didn’t know the Him at all. Maybe they just knew of him.

Familiarity Breeds Contempt

You see, the more familiar you are with a person the more comfortable you are being around that person. I think back think back to when I first met my wife, April. I was on my best behavior because I desired to make a good impression. I was polite, courteous and maybe even a little charming. But as time wore on I traded my desire to impress her for a desire to be comfortable in her presence. I thought that because I knew her, I didn’t need to amaze her with my humor, good nice or rugged good looks. (LOL)

In the same way, when we become to familiar with the Most High, we are breeding a lackadaisical attitude that produces an awful way of thinking and acting. Many people trade their passion for comfort as Bible stories loose their dazzle and ministry leaders let them down.

Just because you know the Bible from cover to cover or pound the pulpit with authority, it doesn’t mean know the Redeemer. The abundant life is a matter of intimacy not familiarity. Many believers have become so familiar with their church’s ways that they are content with what they have always been taught and don’t care to search the scriptures themselves. “Don’t confuse me with the facts, I’m happy being ignorant,” is a statement that describes countless individuals who warm pews every week. Today the Father is calling His people to know Him intimately. We are to pursue Him and Him alone. This pursuit is accomplished through knowing Him, not just knowing about Him.

Name Above All Names

By the way, what’s the first thing you do when you meet someone? You ask them their name don’t you? When you desire to know someone you first learn their name. Well, do you know the Father’s name?

Have you ever been singing about the “name of the Lord” and wondered just what that name is? I have. Several times. You see, I’d find myself singing, “Blessed be the name of the Lord” and my mind would wonder if the Lord’s name is Bob, George, or even Jorge. Has this ever happened to you?

Or, have you read verses like Psalm 7:17, “I will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high” and questioned to yourself who you are supposed to be praising. Sure, you know it’s the Lord, but does he have a name. Does the Father have a name? Well, this question sent me searching until I happened upon a chapter in Exodus that changed my life.

In Exodus 3 Moses is attracted to the mountain by a bush that burns, yet is not consumed. Here he comes face to face with the creator of the universe. The Almighty wants Moses to deliver His people Israel from the bondage of Egypt’s Pharaoh. The only problem is Moses is a novice when it comes to leading people. It’s been many years since he left Egypt and he’s doubtful the people will even accept this worn out old man as a legitimate deliverer sent from above. For the people to accept him, Moses needs a miracle. He needs a higher authority to vouch for him. What Moses needs the Lord is.

This is Moses’ first encounter with the mighty one of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and it is certainly a memorable one. Here on Mt. Horeb the Lord passes before Moses and “the Lord said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.” Here in Exodus 3:15 the Lord reveals His eternal name as “Yahweh.” This is His memorial name forever.

Wow! The Lord does have a name and it’s not Billy or Bob - it’s Yahweh. From here on throughout the Bible, Yahweh is used over 6,000 times exclusively as the name of the Father. According to most scholars Yahweh is the personal name of the Lord!

New To You

Why haven’t you learned this before? Well this information is usually covered in the preface or introduction of most Bibles. In the King James Version whenever you see the words “Lord” or “GOD” in all capital letters the translators are alerting you that Yahweh is the Hebrew word behind the English. Whenever you find the English word “Lord” in capital letters the translators are letting you know that the sacred name of Yahweh is being used. The KJV sometimes even uses the poetic form of “Jah” to reference the mighty name of Yahweh (see Psalm 68:4). But, Yahweh says emphatically in Exodus 3 that Yahweh “is my name forever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.” This name was not intended to be hidden by scribes and translators; rather Yahweh Himself gave it to man as a sign of His existence and as a means of personal relationship. This is similar to how you introduce yourself on a first name basis when you want to get to know someone – Yahweh gave us His personal name so we could approach Him with intimacy.

Other titles such as Adonai and El Shaddai are just that – they are titles that describe His attributes and actions. These titles have reference to qualities and are derived from actions. But "Yahweh" indicates nothing but His existence. It is peculiar to HIM alone! Moses needed a miracle to give him favor before Pharaoh and the leaders of Israel. That miracle was found in the power of a name. Here Yahweh reveals Himself to Moses as the great I AM, the One who Was and who Is, and who Is to come. And from here on out His name is exalted, revered, praised, and hallowed as Yahweh.

The English word “god” that you find in your KJV is usually a poor translation for the Hebrew “Elohim” which according to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance means “mighty one, judge, or deity.” As you know, if you were to speak about your “god” to someone on the streets of New York City many people would wonder which “god” you are speaking of. That’s why it is important to use His Name – Yahweh. Yahweh never intended His people to call Him “god” or “lord.” He wants His people to call Him by His true name that was spoken in the holy Hebrew tongue. The name of Yahweh.

What’s In A Name

Now, to understand the importance of using His name think back to when you first met someone yet they couldn’t remember your name. Feelings of awkwardness and an attitude of rudeness can set in when people who claim to know you don’t remember your name. It’s almost like you have to reintroduce yourself to a person who has forgotten your name. Well, you’re going to find that as you use the name of Yahweh in Bible study, prayer, discussion, and worship that He will reintroduce Himself to you in a powerful way. You will begin to see Him as never before and your soul’s longing for fulfillment will catch a glimpse of what it really means to “know the Lord” and not just know about Him. The difference is in His name.

This is because someone’s name means so much more than just what they are called. In Biblical times a person’s name was given as a descriptive call that would bring forth meaning in their life. A person’s name explains their essence. Take for example a little baby who was drawn from the waters of the Nile and would later deliver the Israelites from the slavery of Egypt. He was named Moses or “Moshe” in Hebrew. Moshe means “drawn from the water.” His name was descriptive of His life. A person’s name carries with it that person’s character, power, authority, and reputation.

Just imagine that you’re busy at work and some no-named person calls, would you stop and answer the phone? Of course not. But imagine that the President of the United States calls to speak with you! You would probably drop whatever you are doing and rush to the phone. The power of the President’s name brings you to action. The power of Yahweh’s name should do the same.

Like Father like Son

So, if Yahweh is the name of the Father then what is the true name of the Son? Well, most people will tell you that the name of the “Son of God” is Jesus. But, that’s really not His name. Jesus is a English transliteration of a Greek substitute for the real name of the Savior. When the Messiah walked the face of the earth He was not called Jesus, He was called Yahshua.

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name “JESUS” for he shall save his people from their sins,” Matthew 1:21 (KJV). Here in Matthew chapter 1 the angel is giving to Mary the name of the Messiah. His name is defined for the reader as “he shall save his people from their sins.” The Hebrew speaking, King of the Jews was given a Hebrew name – Yahshua. His name “Yahshua” is the actual Hebrew word for “salvation” or “deliverance.” The Holman Bible Dictionary, a Baptist publication says “Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, meaning “Yahweh is salvation.”

A short study into how English Bibles were translated will lead you to understand that while scholars and scribes translated the texts of the Bible from the original Hebrew scrolls, they transliterated the names of Bible characters. A translation is a transference of direct information from one language to another. While a transliteration is a changing of the original word to “make it fit” another language. Because of this “Moshe” in Hebrew became “Moses” in English. “Yermiyahu” became “Jeremiah” and “Yahshua” became “Jesus.” The problem with this type of conversion is that Jeremiah may be easier to read in English than “Yermiyahu” BUT the true meaning, purpose, and identification with the original name is lost. Just think about this example: If I were to travel to Mexico, Russia, or China my name would still be Daniel. Though the people in these countries might speak “Daniel” with their accent they wouldn’t change my name to fit their language. Doing so would offend me. My name is Daniel no matter where I go and no matter what other people call me. And the Savior’s name is Yahshua regardless of what we have been taught in the past.

Changing Yahshua’s name also changes our perception of Him. Many people believe Jesus was a Caucasion, blonde-haired and blue eyed, girlish looking man, as depicted in historic paintings. The real Yahshua actually had fairly dark skin and probably looked very middle-eastern, not white. Yahshua was also a Rabbi, which is the Hebrew word for teacher.

What About the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost as we know Him in English is actually “Ruach HaKodesh” in Hebrew. This Hebrew term brings to mind more than just some mystical manifestation of the Almighty. “Ruach HaKodesh” is literally the “set apart breath.” This power is the direct presence of Yahweh. The Set Apart Spirit is eternal and can be found throughout the Bible.

Again, the importance of using the Hebrew name brings to mind the correct Biblical understanding of just who the Holy Spirit is. The term “Ruach HaKodesh” relates to us that the Holy Spirit is actually the “breath of the Holy One.” The Ruach HaKodesh is the divine presence manifest. It not just some ghost that flutters and flies doing anything it desires. The Ruach HaKodesh is a power, not a person. Nor is it the third person in the “trinity.”

John 4:24 teaches that Yahweh is a Spirit, which means He is a person. But Yahweh’s Spirit is power, “And the Spirit of Elohim moved upon the face of the waters,” Gen 1:2. “He breathed on them and said receive the Holy Spirit,” John 20:22. The Holy Spirit is part of Yahweh from Yahweh but is not necessarliy Yahweh. In Hebrew and Greek breath is “Pneuma.” Pneuma means breath. In each reference of the “Holy Spirit” or just “Spirit” in the Scriptures it is clear that it is a power and not a person. Take for example Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” Romans 15:13 also speaks to this, “Now may the Elohim of all hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Ruach HaKodesh.”

Many times in the Scriptures the Holy Spirit is referred to as the “Spirit of truth” but just because the Ruach HaKodesh has so many titles does not make the Ruach a person. The Ruach is also seen as fire, wind, rain, oil, and a dove (see Acts 2:2,3, John 7:37-39; Zechariah 10:1; Hebrew 1:9; Ephesians 1:13; Matthew 3:16).

Unfortunately it seems that many religious groups have lately encouraged people to “worship” the Spirit. This was never meant to be. The Spirit or Ruach has come to bring power not receive praise. The Ruach points to Yahshua who in turn points and gives all glory to Father Yahweh.

Truth not tools

Intimacy with the Creator does not come because you have all the right books, listen to the latest teachings on cassette, or attend two Bible studies a day. The determining factor of your intimacy with the Almighty will be your obedience to the truth. The knowledge of the truth is only the beginning.

Whether or not you seek to follow the truth of scripture proves if you really know the Almighty. Yahshua said, “If you love me, then obey my commandments.”

Folks, the jury is out. They are deliberating now and the evidence of your love will prove your guilt of truly knowing Him. It is time to get serious in our pusuit of Him. Today is the day to follow Him more closely and to love Him more deeply. Today is the day to trust in Him with self-abandonment and humbleness of heart. Today is the day. Will you commit to KNOW Him and not just know ABOUT Him. Are you ready to go on the most thrilling ride of your life? If so, begin by simply following the three steps mentioned below. But, if you still have doubts that there is a difference between knowing someone and knowing about someone, well, just re-read this article!

1) Pray this prayer. “Aveenu Melekanu, my Father and my King. I confess that I have settled for second best when You have always desired to give me Your best. I confess my lack of intimacy and pray for forgiveness. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation. Help me to know You and not just know about you. I trust Your truth not theology. I desire your deity not doctrine. I ask that you would open the Scriptures to me and speak to me clearly. Please fill me today with more of Your goodness. Father, show me your face. Blessed are you Yahweh my Elohim, who fills the hungry with righteousness. ”

2) Begin today. Don’t put off your time with Yahweh. Spend a few minutes right now reading and meditating on the word. Begin in Genesis. Your spiritual life is a marathon, not a sprint, so take your time and slowly digest the word. It was written with you in mind!

3) Find a friend. You don’t have to be alone in your desire to know Him. Pray to the Father that He will send someone across your path that you can relate to and then approach this person about joining you in this quest to know the truth. Keep each other accountable through discussion and prayer. Remember that “a three braided chord is not easily broken.”