The Hebrew for faith is emunah (alef, mem, nun). The Hebrew conveys a depth to this that English cannot communicate. This specific word is used in Habakkuk 2 (see verse 4):
1 I stand at my watch, and station myself on the watch-tower, and wait to see what He says to me, and what to answer when I am reproved. 2 And YHWH answered me and said, “Write the vision and inscribe it on tablets, so that he who reads it runs. 3 “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, and it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it lingers, wait for it, for it shall certainly come, it shall not delay. 4 “See, he whose being is not upright in him is puffed up. But the righteous one lives by his steadfastness. (Note: The English word steadfastness is used for the Hebrew emunah.)
A time of reproof is coming and it may be here already. How will we respond? Will we live in emunah as Abraham did?
Hebrews 11: 8 By belief, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he was about to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By belief, he sojourned in the land of promise as a stranger, dwelling in tents with Yitshaq and Yaaqov, the heirs with him of the same promise, 10 for he was looking for the city having foundations, whose builder and maker is Elohim. (emphasis added)
Destruction is all around look at the recent earthquake and typhoon in Asia and few years ago the tsunami. Countries like the USA who have been relatively immune from devastation of this magnitude and are now being hit again with flooding along the Mississippi River, while just 3 years ago the Mississippi River delta was ravaged by hurricane Katrina.
Abraham sojourned as a stranger in the land of promise. There was no permanency to his existence. He lived in tents. Today, I believe the people of Yisrael are being reproved for the kind of cities we have put our trust in. Abraham was content with his tent for the city he desired was one built by Elohim. The city built by Elohim will not crumble for it has foundations that will never perish nor fade away.
As our human institutions crumble could it be that Yisrael in the diaspora will have to humble themselves and enter the land of promise as a stranger living in tents like Abraham? I believe the first phase of this journey has begun as Yisrael is learning that it is only emunah that will save us. It is only emunah that will get us through these serious and hard times that are just around the corner. May we always remember that despite our circumstances the joy of YHWH is our strength every day!
Shavua tov,
Tzefanyah Pappas
Chazak Chazak v’nitchazek
Let us be strong, let us be strong and let us
strengthen (encourage) one another!
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