A Monotheistic Religion is represented by ONE GOD. Surprisingly however, the ONE GOD of Judaism differs to the ONE GOD of Christianity. At first glance, this statement appears to represent a single individual. But, is this the case? Let us unravel this Mystery from the Creation Account.
CREATION ACCOUNT:
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth.
The Creation Process is fascinating. The approach taken by GOD is similar to that which takes place in manufacturing throughout the world.
THREE STEPS PERFORMED IN THE CREATION PROCESS. Here are the steps;
an instruction is given
an action is performed
the result is examined.
GOD SPEAKS | GOD CREATES | GOD EXAMINES |
GEN 1:3 Let there be LIGHT | GEN 1:4 GOD separated Light... | GEN 1:4 GOD saw the light was... |
GEN 1:9 Let there be SEAS | GEN 1:9 and it was so... | GEN 1:10 GOD saw it was good |
GEN 1:11 Let there be FLORA | GEN 1:11 and it was so... | GEN 1:12 GOD saw it was good |
GEN 1:14 Let there be STARS | GEN 1:15 and it was so... | GEN 1:18 GOD saw it was good |
GEN 1:20 Let there be FISH & BIRDS | GEN 1:21 so GOD created... | GEN 1:21 GOD saw it was good |
GEN 1:24 Let there be ANIMALS | GEN 1:25 GOD made the animals... | GEN 1:25 GOD saw it was good |
COMMUNICATION MYSTERY:
GOD SPEAKS:
Communication is the process of transferring information from one person to another.
When GOD SPOKE, who was He talking too?
Q. DID GOD SPEAK TO THE ELEMENTS ?
These did not exist until after GOD spoke them into existence. Therefore it is unlikely that the "elements" heard His command because, there was nothing to speak too.
Now, when something that does not exist is called forth, faith is required. And Faith is always directed towards the Divine (GOD). With the implication that the speaker (GOD) cannot be exercising faith towards Himself. So who was He speaking too? There would have to be another.
Q. DID GOD SPEAK TO THE ANGELS ?
The instructions given by GOD were Commands, which effectively removes angels from the equation, for as "created beings" they do not have the ability to create something out of nothing - otherwise they would be GOD. Note: when demons manifest items in the supernatural, these are modeled on existing particles, using materials like ectoplasm. Creation produces something from nothing!
The Scriptures also never speak of angels as being co-creators. An angel, who witnessed the creation of the "heavens and the earth" confirmed, that GOD was the Creator. She said; "He made the world" … and not "We made the world"
Proverbs 8:22-31 The LORD brought me forth as the first of His works, before His deeds of old; I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be. When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water; before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, before He made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth. I was there when He set the heavens in place, …
GOD Himself confirms, He made the world.
Isaiah 45:12 It is I who made the earth and created mankind on it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts.
Nehemiah 9:6 You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.
LISTENING, THEN CREATED:
Before GOD created, a "directive" was issued. Interestingly, all these "commands" were for things that had not previously existed. This Physical Creation being so new and unique, that when each part was created, a name had to be given to it.
Genesis 1:5 GOD called the light “day,” and the darkness He called “night.”
Genesis 1:8 GOD called the vault “sky.”
Genesis 1:10 GOD called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters He called “seas.
Genesis 2:20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.
WHO KNEW WHAT THE COMMANDS MEANT?
The "enigma of the commands", is that "no one" would have understood what was being called forth. The directive; "let there be … ", would have been baffling, for there was neither reference, or prototype of what was being "summoned", and as we read earlier, names were given after they were Created.
If angels did know, they certainly did not have the omniscience and omnipotence to Create for if they had, they would have created their own universe after the rebellion and fall Isaiah 14:12-17. Furthermore, the immensity of the task, the power, energy, knowledge and understanding required Jeremiah 10:12, is so great, that it is extremely unlikely that a created being would ever be permitted to yield such power.
GOD SPEAKS
Genesis 1:26 Then GOD said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
GOD CREATES
Genesis 2:7 Then the LORD GOD formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
SEAL OF APPROVAL:
After each step of Creation, a quality assurance check was performed. For what purpose? No living creature (including angels), has the intelligence to comprehend if one single item was good or not. If GOD was indeed a single individual, the verification step would have been totally unnecessary, as no one had the ability to verify otherwise.
The fact that a progressive "audit" was performed suggests third-party involvement, and that GOD was not alone.
COMMUNICATION SUMMARY:
We have a communication mystery. An astronomical amount of data, of galactic measure was communicated by GOD, but with whom? Third-party involvement appears a certainty, due to the faith implications and the verification checks. Scripture discounts the possibility of "angels", so this third-party involvement, had to involve someone who was omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent.
GOD THE CREATOR MYSTERY:
DIFFERENT NAMES FOR GOD THE CREATOR
Next, we examine all the Names for "GOD the Creator" to determine if all these names belong to a single individual with many names, or different individuals with the same name.
single individual with many names, or different individuals with the same name.
NAMES FROM CREATION ACCOUNT:
GOD the Creator = ELOHIM [אלהים]
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning GOD (ELOHIM) created the heavens and the earth.
GOD the Creator = YAHWEH [יהוה]
Nehemiah 9:6 You alone are the LORD (YAHWEH). You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it...
GOD the Creator = RUACH ELOHIM [רוח אלהים]
Genesis 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the SPIRIT (RUACH) of GOD (ELOHIM) was hovering over the waters.
GOD the Creator = RUACH EL [רוח־אל]
Job 33:4 The SPIRIT (RUACH) of GOD (EL) has made me, and the breath of the ALMIGHTY (SHADDAY) gives me life.
Psalm 33:6 By the word of the LORD (YAHWEH) the heavens were made, and all the stars by the breath (RUACH) of His mouth.
GOD the Creator = YAHWEH ELOHIM [יהוה אלהים]
Genesis 2:4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the LORD (YAHWEH) GOD (ELOHIM) made the earth and the heavens.
Genesis 2:7 Then the LORD (YAHWEH) GOD (ELOHIM) formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
GOD the Creator = SHADDAY [שדי]
Job 33:4 The SPIRIT (RUACH) of GOD (EL) has made me, and the breath of the ALMIGHTY (SHADDAY) gives me life.
Genesis 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD (YAHWEH) appeared to him and said, “I am God (EL) ALMIGHTY (SHADDAY).
ANALYSIS OF THE NAMES:
ELOHIM Genesis 1:1
YAHWEH Nehemiah 9:6
RUACH ELOHIM Genesis 1:2
RUACH EL Job 33:4
YAHWEH ELOHIM Genesis 2:4
SHADDAY Job 33:4, Genesis 17:1
YAHWEH [יהוה] The LORD
YAHWEH is the personal name of GOD. No one else in creation has this Name. This name is written LORD in Scripture. This same individual is also known as "The Almighty" (SHADDAY). Job 33:4 The Scripture confirms that "The Almighty" and "The LORD" are the one and the same Genesis 17:1.
YAHWEH ELOHIM, is also YAHWEH.
Genesis 2:7 Then the LORD (YAHWEH) GOD (ELOHIM) formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Zechariah 12:1 … Thus declares the LORD (YAHWEH), who stretches out the heavens and lays the foundation of the earth, who forms the spirit of man within him:
Isaiah 45:11-12 Thus says the LORD (YAHWEH), the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: “How dare you question Me about My sons, or instruct Me in the work of My hands? It is I who made the earth and created man upon it. It was My hands that stretched out the heavens, and I ordained all their host.
YAHWEH = YAHWEH ELOHIM = SHADDAY
The LORD = LORD GOD = The ALMIGHTY
RUACH (SPIRIT)
The SPIRIT of GOD is translated from the word RUACH EL. The same name expressed in the plural is RUACH ELOHIM. Both names represent the same individual.
THE SPIRIT of GOD is a person 1 Chronicles 28:19, He guides Psalms 139:10, He can change people 1 Samuel 10:6 He gives dreams Joel 2:28 He teaches Nehemiah 9:20 He has emotion Isaiah 63:10. He convicts, and judges Micah 3:8 The SPIRIT of GOD has attributes that only GOD has; He is Creator Job 33:4, knows the future Numbers 11:25 and is omnipresent Psalms 139:7.
RUACH ELOHIM = SPIRIT OF GOD
ELOHIM [ אלהים ]
ELOHIM is a generic name for God. The accepted meaning is; mighty or supreme one, or someone who is worshipped. This name can be used for GOD and also for false gods such as idols.
EL = God (single)
ELOAH = God (plural)
ELOHIM = God (plural)
The following verses, illustrate how "EL" and "ELOHIM" are applied. You will note that "EL" is used for a single GOD, and "ELOHIM" is used for many gods.
Psalm 95:3-6 For the LORD (YAHWEH) is a great God (EL), a great King above all gods (ELOHIM). In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD (YAHWEH) our Maker.
Joshua 22:22 “The LORD (YAHWEH), the Mighty One (EL), is God! (ELOHIM) The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! He knows, and may Israel also know.
HOW THE WORD ELOHIM IS APPLIED:
Elohim is plural, and represents "a group of individuals". When a name is placed before the word ELOHIM, it means the named individual, is part of the group ELOHIM.
Genesis 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the SPIRIT (RUACH) of GOD (ELOHIM) was hovering over the waters.
Genesis 2:4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the LORD (YAHWEH) GOD (ELOHIM) made the earth and the heavens.
Now let us look at how it is written in the Hebrew (Hebrew is read from right to left);
GENESIS 1:2 [ רוח אלהים ] GOD SPIRIT, meaning SPIRIT is of God.
GENESIS 2:4 [ יהוה אלהים ] GOD LORD, meaning The LORD is of God.
The SPIRIT and the LORD are two different individuals, yet both are of ELOHIM (GOD).
RUACH ELOHIM Genesis 1:2
YAHWEH ELOHIM Genesis 2:4
PRONOUN MYSTERY:
Pronouns are words that are used in place of a noun. Examples of pronouns are; he, you, ours, themselves, some, each... Examining the usage of a pronoun in a statement can reveal what the noun means. In the following example, we will explore the meaning of the noun ELOHIM (GOD).
Genesis 1:26 Then GOD (ELOHIM) said, “Let US make mankind in OUR image, in OUR likeness, so that they may rule over...
Genesis 1:27 So GOD (ELOHIM) created mankind in HIS OWN image, in the image of GOD He created them; male and female He created them...
THE 'PRONOUN' SUMMARY:
The word "us" is a personal pronoun, and "our" and "own" are possessive pronouns. These pronouns are plural. The implications of the plural pronouns suggest at least two individuals represented by the ONE GOD.
Q. CAN "Plural of Majesty" BE APPLIED HERE?
GOD was not using "plural majesty" to include the angels. Remember. the closest angels to GOD are the Cherubim that carry His Throne. If GOD was including the angels when He said; "Let us make man in our image", imagine the hoo-ha that will result, when man emerged from the dust. The Cherubim who have 4 faces, 4 wings, a wheel, and straight legs Ezekiel 1, would think GOD is a liar! Unquestionably, and without doubt, this "speech device" was not used. The possessive pronouns spoken by GOD; "HIS OWN image" in the following verse Genesis 1:27, expresses this clearly.
THE "ONE" MYSTERY:
The Hebrew word for "ONE" is ECHAD [אחד]
ONE is an adjective and is used in Scripture as;
A single entity, unit, object, or living being.
Characterized by unity; undivided, family, kindred.
Of the same kind, or quality.
ONE as a SINGLE of an entity, unit, object, or living being
Exodus 25:16 …make ONE cherub on the ONE end
Genesis 2:21 …and He took ONE of his ribs...
Numbers 7:27 … ONE young bull, ONE ram and ONE male lamb
ONE as PLURAL of family, harmony, alliance, kindred or unity
Genesis 2:24 … and they become ONE flesh.
Genesis 34:16 … and become ONE people with you.
Exodus 24:3 … they responded with ONE voice
ONE as SAMENESS of kind or quality
Genesis 41:25 …The dreams of Pharaoh are ONE and the same.
Exodus 10:19 … there remained not ONE locust in all the coasts of Egypt.
Genesis 1:9 … Let the water under the sky be gathered to ONE place
ONE can represent either a single entity, or a united group.
THE 'ONE' SUMMARY:
There are many Scriptural examples that demonstrate that the word ONE could mean a lot more than just a single digit, and its actual meaning can be derived by it's context. In Genesis 2, we have the account of a man leaving his parents, and obtaining a wife. His marriage is recognized by GOD as ONE flesh. Now we all know that marriage does not mean two individuals merge into ONE "composite being" having two heads, four arms and four legs. No, we remain separate individual persons and it is our relationship that is ONE.
Genesis 2:24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become ONE flesh.
Malachi 2:15 Has not the LORD made them ONE, having a portion of the Spirit? And why ONE? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.
SUPPORTING VERSES TO CONSIDER
CASE ONE:
GENESIS 19:24 Then the LORD (YAHWEH) rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD (YAHWEH) out of the heavens.
The Hebrew word for LORD = YAHWEH [יהוה] There is no other person that can be assigned the Name "YAHWEH" but only GOD. Angels are never called YAHWEH.
So which one is GOD? The one in heaven, or the one on earth?
CASE TWO:
These next verses are a clever riddle. There are TWO individuals speaking here, and BOTH identify themselves as GOD. The LORD (YAHWEH) is talking to the People of Israel, and the LORD OF HOSTS is sending a message of BLESSINGS to the Nations.
ZECHARIAH 2:10-11 “... I am coming to dwell among you,” declares the LORD. “On that day many nations will join themselves to the LORD and they will become My people. I will dwell among you, and you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent Me to you.
CASE THREE:
Same TWO individuals speaking. The LORD (YAHWEH) is talking to the People of Israel, and the LORD OF HOSTS is WARNING the Nations.
ZECHARIAH 2:8-9 For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “After His Glory has sent Me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye— I will surely wave My hand over them, so that they will become plunder for their own servants. Then you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent Me.”
CASE FOUR:
This example is concerning the "Mystery of the Messiah", this is discussed in detail in another blog. In summary, the Messiah is the one and same GOD of Israel.
JEREMIAH 23:5-6 Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD (YAHWEH), when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is His name by which He will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.
The "ANCIENT OF DAYS" gives Kingship to the one like a "son of man".
DANIEL 7:13-14 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, a coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
The one like a "son of man" = "MOST HIGH" = LORD.
DANIEL 7: 21-22 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days arrived and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for them to possess the kingdom.
Psalm 83:18 May they know that You alone, whose name is the LORD, are Most High over all the earth.
King of the whole earth = Most High = LORD
ZECHARIAH 14:5-9 Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with Him. On that day there will be neither sunlight nor cold, frosty darkness. It will be a unique day, a day known only to the LORD, with no distinction between day and night. When evening comes, there will be light. On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it east to the Dead Sea and half of it west to the Mediterranean Sea, in summer and in winter. The LORD will be King over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and His name the only Name.
ANCIENT OF DAYS = LORD OF HOSTS
MOST HIGH = LORD
Both "Ancient of Days" and the "Most High" are distinctive individuals that are GOD.
CASE FIVE:
ZECHARIAH 10:12 I will strengthen them in the LORD and in His name they will live securely,” declares the LORD.
The LORD (YAHWEH) is talking, and He says; "in His name, they will live securely"
Note: GOD did not say; "in MY name, they will live securely". There are two separate individuals here, and both are LORD (YAHWEH).
CASE SIX:
PSALM 110:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."
King David, the great King of Israel had a Lord (someone much higher than him). And that Lord was being spoken too by the LORD. The LORD promised King David's lord, that the lord will be given rulership from Zion. This was not talking about David's son Solomon, this child was never David's Lord. This person that King David knew was The LORD GOD of Israel. The other LORD is the Father Psalm 2:1-12
ONE GOD CONCLUSION:
There are THREE distinctive individuals that are the ONE GOD. Just as a family is united, and is recognized as ONE Flesh, GOD is also united as ONE Spirit.
QUESTION:
Q. WHAT ABOUT ALL THE OTHER VERSES THAT SAY GOD IS ONE?
When the surrounding passages of Scripture encompassing the verse in question is read, a primary theme can be extracted. These themes all emphasize the same thing; the GOD of Israel is the one and only TRUE GOD (Elohim) and all other gods (Elohim) are FALSE! These are a comparison, not a mathematical count of the number of gods mentioned in the verse.
comparison, not a mathematical count
MOSES - comparison between the true GOD and false god.
Deuteronomy 4:34 Or has any god tried to take as his own a nation out of another nation—by trials, signs, wonders, and war, by a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors—as the LORD your God did for you in Egypt, before your eyes?
Deuteronomy 4:35 You were shown these things so that you would know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides Him.
Deuteronomy 32:39 See now that I am He; there is no God besides Me. I bring death and I give life; I wound and I heal, and there is no one who can deliver from My hand.
Deuteronomy 32:16-19 They provoked His jealousy with foreign gods; they enraged Him with abominations. They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they had not known, to newly arrived gods, which your fathers did not fear. You ignored the Rock who brought you forth; you forgot the God who gave you birth. When the LORD saw this, He rejected them, provoked to anger by His sons and daughters.
KING DAVID - comparison between true GOD and false god.
Psalm 18:31 For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God ?
1 Chronicles 17:20 O LORD, there is none like You, and there is no God but You, according to everything we have heard with our own ears.
2 Samuel 7:22 How great You are, O Lord GOD! For there is none like You, and there is no God but You, according to everything we have heard with our own ears.
2 Samuel 7:23 And who is like Your people Israel—the one nation on earth whom God went out to redeem as a people for Himself and to make a name for Himself? You performed great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before Your people, whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt.
Psalm 86:10 For You are great and perform wonders; You alone are God.
Psalm 86:8 O Lord, there is none like You among the gods, nor any works like Yours.
GENERAL NAAMAN - comparison between true GOD and false god.
2 Kings 5:15 Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God, stood before him, and declared, “Now I know for sure that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel...
2 Kings 5:17 … “please let me, your servant, be given as much soil as a pair of mules can carry. For your servant will never again make a burnt offering or a sacrifice to any other god but the LORD.
KING HEZEKIAH - comparison between true GOD and false god.
2 Kings 19:15 And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD: “O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth.
2 Kings 19:18-19 They have cast their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods, but only wood and stone—the work of human hands. And now, O LORD our God, please save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.”
Isaiah 37:16 “O LORD of Hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth.
Isaiah 37:18-20 Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all these countries and their lands. They have cast their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods, but only wood and stone—the work of human hands. And now, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.
LORD GOD - comparison between True GOD who saves and a false god that cannot.
Isaiah 43:10-11 “You are My witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may consider and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me no god was formed, and after Me none will come. I, yes I, am the LORD, and there is no Savior but Me.
Isaiah 43:12-13 I alone decreed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. So you are My witnesses,” declares the LORD, “that I am God. Even from eternity I am He, and none can deliver out of My hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”
Isaiah 44:6-8 Thus says the LORD, the King and Redeemer of Israel, the LORD of Hosts: “I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God but Me. Who then is like Me? Let him say so! Let him declare his case before Me, since I established an ancient people. Let him foretell the things to come, and what is to take place. Do not tremble or fear. Have I not told you and declared it long ago? You are My witnesses! Is there any God but Me? There is no other Rock; I know not one.”
Isaiah 44:17 … From the rest he makes a god, his graven image. He bows down to it and worships; he prays to it and says, “Save me, for you are my god.”
Isaiah 45:20-22 Come, gather together, and draw near, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry idols of wood and pray to a god that cannot save. Speak up and present your case—yes, let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago? Who announced it from ancient times? Was it not I, the LORD? There is no other God but Me, a righteous God and Savior; there is none but Me. Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.
Isaiah 45:21 Speak up and present your case— yes, let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago? Who announced it from ancient times? Was it not I, the LORD? There is no other God but Me, a righteous God and Savior; there is none but Me.
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