1S12-4: Another Key Hebrew Word Christianity Has Completely Misrepresented

Following on the heels of yesterday’s post, Samuel told the people if they had anything against him to speak out or forever hold their peace.

Turns out, there were no claims forthcoming.

So now the shoe is on the other foot.

Samuel is going to begin his legal judgment against the people and it ain’t gonna be pretty.

Samuel begins by casting himself in the same light as Moses and Aaron who also served as mediators between God and man.

He then goes on to relay how God in His grace had carried Israel ever since he rescued them from bondage in Egypt.

Now, there’s an important phrase introduced here we shouldn’t overlook.

It’s the two words “righteous acts” from the following verses:

 ^“Now, hold still; because I am going to enter into judgment with you before Adonai regarding all the righteous acts of Adonai that he did for you and your ancestors.”-1 Samuel 12:7

The original Hebrew is TZEDEKAH or צדקה.

It also refers to deeds of mercy, charity, and grace.

This is another one of those Hebrew words grossly misunderstood and misrepresented by Christianity.

See, a lot of theological terms carry dual meanings, and the word TZEDEKAH is no exception.

It can refer to a condition or status that God bestows upon man.

But it also refers to the actual righteous deeds or works that man performs.

The problem with Christianity is they only accept the former definition while trashing the latter.

Obviously, this is due to their ridiculous theology that Yeshua has done away with the Law. 

In fact, Judaism holds to the opposite and correct view.

Of course, they accept that God has imputed them with His righteousness.

But they also understand that because they have been made righteous by God’s grace, they are also obligated to do good works.

They’re not doing good works to be saved as the Christians wrongly accuse them.

They’re doing good works in response to the blessings and grace God has already shown them.

There’s a HUGE difference between the two.

Ya feel me?

And that’s your takeaway for today.

When God performs deeds of mercy, kindness, and charity for you, it’s 100% grace on His behalf.

It involved no merit on your part.

But what is the proper response to the TZEDEKAH or righteous deeds God has done for you?

It is to do deeds of mercy, forgiveness, and grace to others performed within the framework of the Law.

Done.

CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT

“What does it profit, my brethren,
if someone says he has faith
but does not have works?
Can faith save him?
If a brother or sister is naked
and destitute of daily food,
and one of you says to them,
‘Depart in peace, be warmed
and filled,’ but you do not give
them the things which are
needed for the body,
what does it profit?
Thus also faith by itself,
if it does not have works, is dead.
But someone will say,
‘You have faith,
and I have works.’
Show me your faith without
your works, and I will show
you my faith by my works.”
-James 2:14-18