ANOTHER LOOK AT THE DELIVERANCE OF YAHWEH

The core message of Scriptures is essentially about the salvation or deliverance of Yahweh. This message is portrayed in many different ways throughout Scriptures and summed up in a nutshell in a verse like Tehillim (Psalm) 3:8: "Salvation (or: deliverance) belongs to Yahweh; your blessing is on (or: belongs to) your people." Yahweh has taken it upon Himself to provide completely and sufficiently for the deliverance of his people and the result is that those people who receive this deliverance in the proper way, will experience his blessing in the fullest sense of the word.

There is no doubt that the testimony of both Pre-Messianic and Post Messianic Scriptures (Old and New Testament) concerning the deliverance of Yahweh is trustworthy and complete – it includes every single detail that we need to know in order to receive the deliverance that Yahweh has prepared for us. There is, however, a twofold problem with the way many people who claim to believe the Scriptures, perceive of the deliverance of Yahweh. The first problem is that thousands of so-called "saved ones" today have come to believe that the (first) coming of the Messiah has brought an end to the "era of the Old Testament" and introduced a "new era" in which the Pre Messianic Scriptures are no longer required as a foundation for teaching and instruction. This view is directly in contrast with the Messiah’s own teaching and also Sha’ul’s (Paul’s) view as put forth in 2 Timothy 3:16 ("All Scripture is breathed by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for setting straight and for instruction in righteousness"). But, more importantly, this view distorts and brings confusion concerning the all important concept of the deliverance of Yahweh. Why? Because Yahweh’s deliverance is pictured, symbolised, defined, anticipated and prophesied about in almost every chapter of the Pre-Messianic Scriptures. Our knowledge concerning the deliverance of Yahweh can simply not be complete if we ignore, or even just slightly minimise the importance of the Pre-Messianic Scriptures.

The second problem with regards to many people’s understanding of the deliverance of Yahweh, concerns the Name of the One whom the Father has sent to perform and embody the deliverance of Yahweh. This One’s Name was revealed to Yoseph by a messenger of Yahweh (see Matt 1:21-23) who explicitly connected the Name with two distinct Pre-Messianic prophesies: (1) the prophesy that Yahweh Himself will deliver his people from their sins, e.g. Tehillim (Psalm) 130:8, and (2) the prophesy that the Name of the coming deliverer will convey the meaning of "Immanuel" which means "Elohim is with us", e.g. YeshaYahu (Isaiah) 7:14. However, the exact Name revealed by the messenger of Yahweh, was lost and the only Name preserved by the Greek translation of this most important message brought by a messenger of Yahweh (a translation that originated more than 300 years later), is the "name" Iesous, or, as it is commonly presented in English and Afrikaans, the "name" Jesus.

It is more than clear (and accepted by the majority of those who have made a thorough study of the Post-Messianic Scriptures) that "Iesous" was not really the Name revealed by the messenger of Yahweh. There is no reason why the messenger would reveal a Greek name to the Hebrew parents of the One who was to be the Messiah promised to the Hebrew people. "Iesous" neither conveys the meaning of "the deliverance of Yahweh", nor anything remotely connected to the concept of "Elohim is with us". The word "Iesous" does not have any meaning at all – not in Hebrew and not even in Greek! By calling on the Messiah using the word "Iesous" or "Jesus", one is simply ignoring the fact that the Almighty regarded the correct Name of the Messiah as such an important issue that He had sent a messenger from heaven to reveal the Name to Yoseph and Miriam.

We have to go one step further. By calling on the Messiah using the word "Jesus" one is not acknowledging the fact that this One is truly the "Deliverance of Yahweh" promised, and repeatedly spoken of in the Pre-Messianic Scriptures. The Name, therefore, that is almost certainly the Name revealed by the messenger of Yahweh to Yoseph, the Name that corresponds to the Hebrew expression "the deliverance of Yahweh", the Name that reflects and includes the truth of "Elohim is with us", the Name given to the successor of Mosheh and a well known High Priest who were both portrayed as types of the coming Messiah, is the Name "Y'shua" or "Yahushua". By knowing and calling on the Messiah by this Name, recognition is given to the fact that He truly is the promised "Deliverance of Yahweh". More than 300 times in the Pre-Messianic Scriptures, specific reference is being made to the fact that Yahweh has delivered or will deliver ("yashah") his people. The basic meaning of this word is "to be open, to be wide, to be free". Contrary to what is proclaimed by the majority of christians today, freedom is not turning one’s back on the Pre-Messianic Scriptures. No, true freedom is knowing the One who came as the promised Deliverance of Yahweh and accepting the fact that this deliverance is being spoken of throughout Scriptures. Let’s look at some of the Psalms to learn more about this deliverance.

  1. The only thing that will truly cause our hearts to rejoice is the deliverance of Yahweh (Tehillim 13:5 But I trust in your loving kindness. My heart rejoices in your salvation.)

  2. The only key to receiving the blessings of Yahweh and eternal life is the deliverance of Yahweh (Tehillim 21:1-6 The king rejoices in your strength, Yahweh! How greatly he rejoices in your salvation! You have given him his heart's desire, And have not withheld the request of his lips. For you meet him with the blessings of goodness; You set a crown of fine gold on his head. He asked life of you, you gave it to him, Even length of days forever and ever. His esteem is great in your salvation. You lay honor and majesty on him. For you make him most blessed forever. You make him glad with joy in your presence.)

  3. The only remedy for a soul that is cast down is being reminded of the deliverance of Yahweh (Tehillim 42:3-5 My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually ask me, "Where is your Elohim?" These things I remember, and pour out my soul within me, How I used to go with the crowd, and led them to the house of Elohim, With the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping a set apart day. Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in Elohim! For I shall still praise him for the saving help of his presence.)

  4. The only way to victory over our enemies is the choice to draw our strength from the deliverance of Yahweh (Tehillim 44:4-7 You are my King, Elohim. Command victories for Ya’akov! Through you, will we push down our adversaries. Through your name, will we tread them under who rise up against us. For I will not trust in my bow, Neither shall my sword save me. But you have saved us from our adversaries, And have shamed those who hate us.)

  5. The only expectation that is truly worth waiting upon is the deliverance of Yahweh (Tehillim 62:1-3 My soul rests in Elohim alone. My salvation is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress -- I will never be greatly shaken.)

  6. The only kind of prayer that will be answered is a prayer based upon the belief that nothing is more certain than the deliverance of Yahweh (Tehillim 88:1-2 Yahweh, the Elohim of my salvation, I have cried day and night before you. Let my prayer enter into your presence. Turn your ear to my cry.)

  7. The only message that can make a real difference is the good news of the deliverance of Yahweh (Tehillim 96:1-3 Sing to Yahweh a new song! Sing to Yahweh, all the earth. Sing to Yahweh! Bless his name! Proclaim his salvation from day to day! Declare his esteem among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples.)