01.01. Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth

Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth! by Clint Branham clint@AwakenedChurch.com http://AwakenedChurch.com

2 Timothy 2:15-16 KJV Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

We have all heard this verse for many, many times. What does it really mean? The phrase “rightly dividing” is from the Strong’s number G3718

G3718 ὀρθοτομέω orthotomeō or-thot-om-eh’-o From a compound of G3717 and the base of G5114; to make a straight cut, that is, (figuratively) to dissect (expound) correctly (the divine message): - rightly divide. The Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary of American English defines Dividing as:

Dividing DIVIDING, ppr.

1. Parting; separating; distributing; disuniting; apportioning to each his share. 2. a. That indicates separation or difference; as a dividing line.

DIVIDING, n. Separation So when we divide scripture we dissect it to expound the correct meaning; we are to “shun profane and vain babblings”. Let’s look at the Strong’s and Webster’s definitions of:

1. Shun G4026 2. Profane G952 3. Vain Babblings G2757.

Webster’s Shun SHUN, v.t.

1. To avoid; to keep clear of; not to fall on or come in contact with; as, to shun rocks and shoals in navigation.

Strong’s G4026 περιΐ́στημι periistēmi per-ee-is’-tay-mee From G4012 and G2476; to stand all around, that is, (near) to be a bystander, or (aloof) to keep away from: - avoid, shun, stand by (round about).

Webster’s Profane PROFA’NE, a. [L. profanus; pro and fanum, a temple.]

4. Polluted; not pure. Obscene; heathenish; tending to bring reproach on religion; as profane fables. To put to a wrong use.

Strong’s Profane G952 βέβηλος bebēlos beb’-ay-los From the base of G939 and βηλός bēlos (a threshold); accessible (as by crossing the door way), that is, (by implication of Jewish notions) heathenish, wicked: - profane (person).

Webster’s Vain VAIN, a. [L. vanus; Eng. wan, wane, want.] 1. Empty; worthless; having no substance, value or importance. 1 Peter 1:18.

Babbling BAB’BLING, ppr.

1.     Talking idly; telling secrets.

Strong’s Vain Babblings G2757 κενοφωνία kenophōnia ken-of-o-nee’-ah From a presumed compound of G2756 and G5456; empty sounding, that is, fruitless discussion: - vain.

Let’s look at some foundational concepts about the Messiah.

One of the first prophecies of the Messiah is found in Deuteronomy:

Deuteronomy 18:14-20 KJV For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do. The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not. And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. This is Moses talking: Deuteronomy 18:15 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

Jesus is the “Prophet Like Unto Moses”
In light of these passages of Scripture, here are thirty (30) ways in which the Lord Jesus resembled Moses:

1.    Just as there were 400 years of silence before God sent Moses to deliver Israel from her bondage to Pharaoh, so there were 400 of years of silence before God sent His own Son, Jesus the Messiah, to utterly deliver Israel from her ultimate bondage to sin and death.

2.    Both Moses and Jesus were sent from God (Exodus 3:1-10; John 8:42).

3.    Both Moses and Jesus were Hebrew(Exodus 2:1-2; Matthew 1:1-16; Luke 1:1-2; Hebrews 7:14). (Note: This is no small thing, since Muslims claim that Muhammad is the prophet Moses referred to here; which is obviously incorrect, since the Mashiach must be a Jew - see John 4:24).

4.    Both had faithful Hebrew parents (Exodus 2:2; Hebrews 11:23; Matthew 2:13-14).

5.    Both were born under foreign rule (Exodus 1:8-14; Luke 2:1).

6.    Both were threatened by wicked kings (Exodus 1:15-16; Matthew 2:16).

7.    Both Moses and Jesus spent their early years in Egypt, miraculously protected from those who sought their lives (Exodus 2:10; Matthew 2:14-15).

8.    Both rejected the possibility to become rulers in this age. Moses was raised as a son in the royal family and could have enjoyed a lavish lifestyle as a powerful ruler, but he chose differently (Hebrews 11:24); Satan offered Jesus the rule over the kingdoms of this world (Matthew 4:8-9), but rejected that offer and chose to suffer and die for the sake of the people of Israel.

9.    Both Moses and Jesus were "sent from a mountain of God" to free Israel. Moses was sent from (physical) Mount Sinai in Midian, Arabia; Jesus was sent from a spiritual "Mount Zion" in Heaven (Hebrews 12:22).

10.    Both were initially rejected by the Hebrews (Exodus 32:1; Isaiah 3:1; Matthew 27:21-2;
Romans 11:25).

11.    Both were accepted by Gentiles (Moses by the Midianites (Exodus 2:14-22); Jesus by the world (Acts 10:45; 1 Timothy 3:16)).

12.    Both were criticized by their families (Numbers 12:1; Mark 3:20-35).

13.    Both knew God panim l’panim (face to face). God spoke directly to both Moses and Jesus (Exodus 3:1-10; Deuteronomy 34:10; Luke 9:34-36). All other prophets received their revelation by visions or dreams (Deuteronomy 34:10; John 1:18). Both were authoritative spokesmen for God (Matthew 17:5; John 3:34).

14.    Both were teachers (Deuteronomy 4:1-5; Matthew 22:16; John 3:2).

15.    Both revealed God’s Name (Exodus 3:13-14; John 17:6, John 17:11-12).

16.    Both were faithful to God (Numbers 12:5-7; Hebrews 3:1-2).

17.    Both gave the people bread from Heaven (Exodus 16:14-15; Matthew 14:19-20) and performed various miracles (Exodus 4:21-8; Deuteronomy 34:10-12; John 5:36; John 12:37-38).

18.    Both were appointed as saviors of Israel (Moses as Israel’s deliverer from the bondage to Pharaoh; Jesus as Israel’s deliverer from the bondage to Satan).

19.    Both were shepherds of Israel (Moses led the Israelites through the wilderness (Exodus 3:1; Numbers), Jesus led His followers as the Good Shepherd (John 10:10-11; Matthew 9:36)).

20.    Both were humble servants of the LORD (Numbers 12:3; Luke 2:46-47; Php 2:8-9).

21.    Both fasted for forty days in the wilderness (Exodus 34:28; Matthew 4:2).

22.    Both were Mediators of a covenant of blood: Moses of the older covenant (Exodus 24:7-8) and Jesus of the new covenant (Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20; Hebrews 9:11-15; 1 Corinthians 11:25; 2 Corinthians 3:6).

23.    Both offered to die on behalf of the people’s sins (Exodus 32:30-33; John 17).

24.    Just as Moses instituted the LORD’s Passover on Nisan 14 as the means by which the Angel of death would pass over those Israelites who trusted in God’s promise regarding the blood of the lamb (Exodus 12:11-12), so Jesus offered Himself as the sacrificial Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29).

25.    Just as Moses brought about the “resurrection” of the children of Israel as they passed through the Red Sea; so Jesus became the Firstfruits of resurrection as He rose from the dead.

26.    Just as the Law was given to Israel fifty days after the Exodus from Egypt (on Pentecost or Shavu’ot), so Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to form the Church fifty days after His resurrection.

27.    Both of their faces shone with the glory of heaven - Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:34-5) and Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:2).

28.    As Moses lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness to heal his people
(Numbers 21:8-9); so Jesus was lifted up on the cross to heal all believers from their sin (John 12:32).

29.    As Moses conquered the great enemy of Israel, the Amalekites with his upraised arms (Exodus 17:11), so Jesus conquered our ultimate enemy of sin and death by His upraised arms on the cross (John 19:18).

30.    As Moses sent twelve spies to explore Canaan (Numbers 13:1-33), so Jesus sent twelve apostles to reach the world (Matthew 10:1); and as Moses appointed seventy rulers over Israel (Numbers 11:16-7), so Jesus anointed seventy disciples to teach the nations (Luke 10:1).

How was Jesus a Prophet like Moses? Like Moses, He was a Hebrew, a Leader, a Prophet, a Lawgiver, a Savior, a Teacher, a Priest, an Anointed One, a Mediator between God and man -- speaking the words of God -- and like Moses, He offered himself to die for the sins of the people.

*Adapted from Hebrew for Christians Copyright © John J. ParsonsAll rights reserved.www.hebrew4christians.com Now, how can we know what is the Truth? I will offer some concepts that we all should be able to agree on.

Foundational statements for “Rightly Dividing”

1.    God never changes! The same yesterday, today, and forever.

2.    God’s Word is true!

3.    God’s Word NEVER contradicts itself! If WE think it does, WE do not understand it in the correct light!

4.    God Cannot Lie!

5.    Satan is a liar and the father of all lies.

6.    Satan’s ultimate goal is to pervert God’s Will and turn his people from Him.

We all agree on these fundamental and foundational statements.

Now let’s look at the teachings of Jesus concerning the law.

Jesus says: Matthew 5:17-19 KJV Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

God never changes.

Jesus affirms the law, torah, of the Old Testament!

God’s Word is true! This does not go against the only scripture available, the Old Testament God’s Word NEVER contradicts itself!

If Jesus taught against the law it would go against Deuteronomy 18:14-20. If it was understood that Jesus was saying that we don’t have to follow the law, then those that heard it were commanded to kill him.

Deuteronomy 18:20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

God Cannot Lie!

If Jesus taught against the law it would either make “the Law” a lie, or Jesus a liar.

Satan is a liar and the father of all lies. To use the word “fulfill” to say that we are not to follow the law because Jesus fulfilled it. Not only is this a lie, it doesn’t even make sense. Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Satan’s ultimate goal is to pervert God’s Will and turn his people from Him.

If Jesus had done away with “the Law” and contradicted Deuteronomy 18:14-20, Satan would have the Ultimate perversion of the will of God!

Let’s look at what Paul says in: Romans 10:1-5 KJV Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

God never changes. This appears that Paul says that Christ does away with the law.

God’s Word is true!

How can this be true when Matthew 5:17-19 appears to say the opposite?

God’s Word NEVER contradicts itself! This appears to contradict the teachings of Jesus himself, in Matthew 5:17-19

God Cannot Lie!

If all scripture if inspired of God it appears that someone is lying.

What will help us to resolve these seemingly insurmountable roadblocks?

Context Let’s look earlier in Paul’s letter to the Romans:

Romans 2:13 KJV For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

Romans 3:20 KJV Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Romans 3:31 KJV Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Romans 7:7 KJV What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

Lets also look at Paul’s background:

Acts 22:3 KJV I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

Acts 23:6 KJV But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

Gamaliel bears the title "Rabban", a rabbinic title given to the Nasi (head) of the Sanhedrin.

Many believe that under Gamaliel’s teaching that Paul was being groomed to be the next head of the Sanhedrin. Gamaliel’s students would know the Law (the first five books of the Old Testament) frontwards and backwards and have the entire Old Testament memorized.

So, Paul had the best teacher, the best upbringing, and was extremely knowledgeable regarding matters of the law and anything in the entire Old Testament.

Now let’s look at the textural contest. Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. The word that is the hinge point of this verse is “end”

Strong’s - end G5056 τέλος telos tel’-os From a primary word τέλλω tellō (to set out for a definite point or goal); properly the point aimed at as a limit, that is, (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination [literally, figuratively or indefinitely], result [immediate, ultimate or prophetic], purpose); specifically an impost or levy (as paid): - + continual, custom, end (-ing), finally, uttermost. Compare G5411.

Let’s also look at one way that the word τέλος was translated from Hebrew in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament by 70 Hebrew scholars approximately 300 BC.)

H8548 תּמיד tâmîyd taw-meed’ From an unused root meaning to stretch; properly continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially constantly); elliptically the regular (daily) sacrifice: - alway (-s), continual (employment, -ly), daily, ([n-]) ever (-more), perpetual.

We are faced with two diametrically opposed definitions of the word “τέλος”. One is: to limit, conclusion, and termination, the other is: to stretch, continuance, and constant. When we are “rightly dividing the word of truth” from this passage which definition agrees with our foundational statements?

God never changes. To limit, conclusion, and termination. This must be rejected because it makes the law of no effect To stretch, continuance, and constant. This is consistent with the Old Testament teaching on the law God’s Word is true! To limit, conclusion, and termination. . This would make the Old Testament be a lie To stretch, continuance, and constant. This is consistent with the Old Testament teaching on the law and it makes the passage make better sense given the context God’s Word NEVER contradicts itself! To limit, conclusion, and termination. This contradicts the earlier passages written by Paul in Romans and the entire Old Testament teaching on the Law To stretch, continuance, and constant. No contradiction at all.

God Cannot Lie! To limit, conclusion, and termination. Jesus, Paul, and all the other inspired writers of scriptures would have lied for this use to be true. To stretch, continuance, and constant. completely consistent with other teachings given the full context.

Satan is a liar and the father of all lies. To limit, conclusion, and termination. This plants the seed that we don’t need to follow the instructions of God To stretch, continuance, and constant. This is the definition that Satan DOES NOT want to be recognized Satan’s ultimate goal is to pervert God’s Will and turn his people from Him. To limit, conclusion, and termination. This definition that has led to blasphemous doctrine that has robbed God’s people from his blessings. To stretch, continuance, and constant. What better way for Satan to pervert the scriptures to mean the opposite of what was intended.

I hope that you have seen that Satan has had a hand in keeping God’s people from knowing his truth. But you will say that this goes against everything that we have always been taught. Let me leave you with two quotes:

“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.”

Joseph Goebbels, leader of the Nazi Party’s propaganda unit.

Jeremiah 16:19 O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.