BEN DAVEED
Prov. 25:2 "...the glory of GOD is to conceal a matter (word), but the glory of kings to search out a matter (word)".
Since I became addicted to studying Biblical Hebrew, one of the more constructive activities in my studies is to dissect Hebrew names, and study the root verb that gives the name its importance, or characteristics. It is from this form of study that I became convinced that Hebrew is the foundational language among men that all other 'languages' are off-shoots of. Many languages are little more than dialect differences, or accents that emphasize different syllables. And as I try to discern the impact of a name, many times what I learn from studying takes my understanding of Our FATHER and HIS Kingdom in a totally different direction, adding ideas and concepts that really challenge my stiff-necked religion. And that is always good. If an ass won't be redeemed, you must break his neck. And the 'neck' refers to 'will', so that if your 'will' won't be redeemed and re-made, then HIS Will is to break your will so that your will can conform to HIS Will. Simple, huh? Malcolm Smith is the wonderful Brother and Teacher that showed me that if I am going to grow to whatever maturity level FATHER will provide, I will have to go to the end of my 'creed' and erase the period there, and replace it with a comma. That truth impacts me almost daily. If I am not willing to change, I spend a lot of time having my 'neck' broken and re-mended.
It is from studying names, and having my 'will' changed, that I have come to my most recent and current understandings of "YHWH", "Yashua", "Noah", "Abram/Abraham", "Jacob/Israel", "Arab", etc. The importance of learning another facet of a name is the impact that new facet gives to all the other information I thought I already had properly categorized. So much for finally knowing it all. But the one name that has eluded me and confused me the most is the name 'David'. And to make the puzzle more difficult for me, I had to reconcile CHRIST as 'Son of David'.
Matt. 12:23. "And all the multitudes were amazed and said, 'Could this be the Son of David"?
As many of you may already know, if you look in Strong's Concordance, or any other Bible Dictionary, you will see that most of these list the name 'David'. And every reference that I have been able to use describes 'David' as "... loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse". Now, this description is accurate, as far as it goes. I don't dispute what is recorded. But Hebrew words, as you probably know by now, are primary root verbs. All Hebrew root words are three-letter verbs. All nouns, proper nouns and names, adjectives, adverbs, etc. are formed from the three-letter root verb that describes a particular activity or function. 'David' is no exception. The difficulty I have had in understanding this word to my satisfaction comes from the unusual spelling of the name, David, and the verb that it comes from. I will try to illustrate what I mean.
'David' is, in Hebrew, a word that has a peculiar spelling. It is a three-letter word, in most instances, and is almost identical to the way we spell the name in English. In Hebrew, however, there are no vowels. So 'David', without the 'a' and 'i', would be simply 'dvd'. This now becomes a wonderful mystery; to me, if to no one else. 'David', in Hebrew, is spelled 'daleth'(d), followed by 'wow', or 'vav' to some; followed by another 'daleth'. Daleth is the fourth of the Hebrew letters, and corresponds to the English 'd'. It even has the same phonetic voice. But the middle letter, the 'wow' or 'vav' as some pronounce it, is not quite so simple. The 'wow' is the sixth Hebrew letter, and may take a variety of sounds; both as a consonant and a vowel. I have said before, there are no vowels in Hebrew. You are the vowels. And I don't regress from that position. However, the 'wow', as the sixth letter, is not quite so simple. It is as unstable and changing as 'man', which it represents. 'Wow' is the sixth letter, corresponding to man as a 'sixth day' manifestation from OUR FATHER. YHWH ELOHIM introduced 'adam' on the 'sixth' day for a very divine pattern. And so the name, David, or "Dah-veed" as it is pronounced in Hebrew, is another complex pattern of OUR FATHER's Magnificent Workmanship.
I don't mean to bore you, or confuse you, with the above explanation of Hebrew letters. But what I want to try to convey about the title "Son of David" requires as much grammar background as I am able to communicate. Most of us know, or are learning, that "Son of David" is a title reserved for Messiah, or as in Greek, Christ. And since Jesus, or Yashua, alone qualified for that title, (on our behalf HE qualifies us) I am intrigued by the association between 'Dah-veed' and Yashua.
'David' is, in Strong's Concordance, referenced as #1732. And in most instances, Strong's Concordance makes reference to the root word that a particular word comes from. In the case of David, however, he makes no such reference. I am beginning to understand why. 'Dah-veed', or 'David', comes from a root that has a completely different pronunciation than 'Dah-veed'. 'Dah-veed' comes from a root word that Strong's Concordance has given as #1730. Strong's #1730 is spelled exactly as 'Dah-veed', daleth-wow-daleth, but is pronounced as 'dode', as we would say in English. I realize it may seem as if I am just rambling, but I really am trying to make sense of this.
The primary root word 'dode', Strong's #1730, is spelled identically to 'dah-veed'. But its pronunciation, 'dode', complicates the process. 'Dode', Strong's #1730, is defined by Strong's as follows: "..unused root meaning prop. to boil, i.e. (fig.) to love; by impl. a love-token, lover, friend; spec. an uncle; -(well-) beloved, father's brother, love, uncle".
End of definition.
And then in Strong's #1731, the very next reference, we find: 'Dude' (spelled identically, but pronounced slightly different); dood; from the same as 1730; a pot (for boiling); also, (by resemblance of shape) a basket: - basket, caldron, kettle, (seething) pot".
End of definition for 1731. Confused enought, yet?
Matt. 22:41-46; "While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, "What say you about CHRIST? Whose Son is He?" They said to Him, "of David". He said to them, "How then does David in Spirit call Him 'Lord', saying" 'The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My Right hand until I make Your enemies Your footstool" '? "If David then calls Him (Christ) 'Lord' (adonai), how is he his Son?" And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him further.
End of scripture.
And now, let me try to share what I think I see in this puzzle. Remember, CHRIST is called "...Son of David"; 'ben daveed'.
David was referred to as having a heart for GOD. We even quote, "David was a man after God's own heart". And there is nothing wrong with that. But sometimes it gives us the idea that David had a mature and complete love for the things of GOD. Not so. The word 'david', or 'dvd', is translated as "...to boil, to love; love token; lover; friend; a pot, for boiling; caldron; (seething) kettle". These are some of the ways this word is used. And as I try to see truth in this, I come to the understanding that 'david' is really an expression of immature 'puppy love'. Do you know that phrase? Have you ever said anyone was feeling 'puppy love'? It is more 'infatuation' than 'Love'. When you are excited about something, to the point of action or animation, you are influenced by the very thought of that 'something', or 'someone'. You are easily excited, or churned up, by the very thought of the 'someone' that effects you so. Does that give you the idea of a 'boiling pot', or 'caldron'? Can you see that 'david' is a place where your love of GOD would animate and activate you into action? It is the place where GOD chooses to activate HIS Principles of LIFE. 'David' (dvd) is a level of understanding GOD's purposes and plans for HIS Creation. 'David' is the beginnings, maybe, of Godly activity in a man. But in no way does 'dvd' illustrate to us the Mature Nature of CHRIST.
In 2Sam. chapter 7, David expresses a desire to 'build a house for God'. Please read the entire chapter carefully. In verse 6, GOD says through Nathan the prophet, "...for I have not dwelt in a house since the time that I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt,...; ...nor have I asked, 'Why have you not built Me a house of cedar"? And in verse 11, "...also, YHWH declares to you that HE will make you a house." And I believe, from my own study, that a better translation would say, " ...and YHWH says to you that HE will make a house of you for YHWH". Or, you will not build a house for YHWH, but "...YHWH will make you to be a house for YHWH". David, in his 'puppy love' infatuation for GOD because of all the blessings he had received from GOD, wanted to show how much he loved GOD by building for YHWH a house to dwell in permanently. But 'david' doesn't have the complete and mature understanding of GOD that is required to "...build You a house", or "...build My Church". Only CHRIST can know the Plan, and Cost, for building GOD's dwelling place.
Matt. 22:42; "...What say you of CHRIST? Whose Son is He?" They said to Him, "...of David".
Great blessing and peace and benefit come to me when I apply a correct understanding of the Hebrew word we translate 'son'. Historically, when we think of the word 'son', we tend to think in terms of 'descendant'; to be descended from. And it conjures up, in my mind at least, the notion that a 'son' is one who has 'descended', or come down from. But that is not the correct use of the Hebrew word for 'son'. The Hebrew word we translate as 'son' is the word 'ben'. And 'ben' comes from the Hebrew verb 'bah-nah'. And 'bah-nah' is an action verb. 'Bah-nah' is accurately translated "...to build; to build up". The idea is one of a project under construction. I see this word in terms of a high rise building or skyscraper. It is the concept of building one floor, or level, on top of the previously completed floor, or level. To 'bah-nah' is to build upon, layer upon layer, line upon line, precept upon precept. And the idea is that you don't build level three until level two is adequate to support level three. And level two cannot be built until level one is capable of supporting level two.
I hope this is starting to make sense. To those of us who have raised, or are in the process of rearing children, do we not naturally desire and plan that the generation that we have caused to follow us is better equipped and prepared to Live Life than we were? Is it not the most Godly of intentions that your sons/daughters (same idea in Hebrew) Live Life more fully and wholly than yourself. The next level/generation should be prepared to take what we call Life to a more complete and mature manifestation. And their generation will desire the same for their sons/daughters. And GOD is the Master Builder. HE would not build a house on sand, or on any inferior foundation. And so, if the SON of GOD is CHRIST, then CHRIST must be built upon the only foundation that can support or manifest CHRIST. NKJ 1 Corinthians 3:11" For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ". CHRIST, or Anointed One, is the foundation that must support and manifest Son of God. CHRIST is Son of God.
'David' is one level of the Son. David was, without question, anointed of GOD. Samuel was told to 'anoint', or 'christ', David to be king. But 'David' is not the finished product. He is only one manifestation, or level, of what the "Finished Product", or SON of GOD, will look like. 'David' is only one step in the project. In the Hebrew concept of 'son', the understanding is that the 'son' is a level of the building project that takes 'FATHER's' Life to the next level. The more accurate understanding is that 'son' takes the life of 'FATHER' to a level of maturity and manifestation not possible by the previous generation(s). We are, in our genetics, 'built up' of the gene pools that we have ascended from. Naturally speaking. You are, and I am, a manifestation of all of the natural genetics of our previous generations. But our Spiritual 'gene pool' is no different. We have been preceded by those in Our FATHER's Kingdom who carried their understanding of Our FATHER's Life as far as they were able, or allowed, with the understanding they were entrusted with. But the 'Son' is to take that quality of expressing FATHER's Life to a higher level of manifestation than those that have gone before us. And the only one in our history/ancestry that understood what Our FATHER's Life looked like in operation is Yashua. HE, and HE alone, patterned completely for us what Our FATHER's Life looked like when manifested in 'adam'. Consequently, David, in Spirit, called CHRIST 'Lord'. David was declaring as Lord a quality of Life that he, David, was neither able, nor appointed, to illustrate. I believe he 'saw' what that Life looked like, in bits and pieces. Just as Abraham and Joseph and Moses and many others 'saw' bits and pieces of what 'Life' truly is. But it wasn't David's assignment/opportunity to Live Life as only CHRIST can. 'Dvd' was one manifestation in the building process. He was not, however, the Finished Product.
When FATHER's Life was revealed to us accurately and completely, HIS Name was known as YASHUA. Yashua means 'Salvation'. And 'salvation', "yasha" in Hebrew, means literally to be totally and completely free. When GOD the SON was unveiled to us in completion and totality, we were told to call Him YASHUA (Salvation). YASHUA, and only YASHUA, can Image FATHER's Life without limitation. Only YASHUA can Image FATHER's Life to completion. Only YASHUA Images FATHER's Life in undiminished Deity. Only Salvation, in you and me, can give visible and tangible Image of Our Father's Life in His Creation. Remember, Salvation is not 'going to heaven when you die'. 'Salvation' is being made free so that we can Live God's Life as He has ordained it, here and now, in this physical dimension.
Before YASHUA, FATHER gave us many expressions of HIS Life. We saw Priests and Prophets and Kings. We saw Deliverers and Judges. We saw many fractional expressions of Our FATHER's Life in our Spiritual Lineage. But until we saw YASHUA as the Complete CHRIST, we only had divided glimpses of what GOD should look like. When David saw what CHRIST would look like, he called HIM 'Lord' (adonai, Sir). When we see what CHRIST looks like, we call HIM 'LORD' (YHWH).
And now, back to the 'mystery' of the name 'David', or 'DVD'. As I offered earlier, 'dvd' is made up of the Hebrew letters 'daleth', 'wow', (or vav if you prefer), and another 'daleth'. The 'daleth' is the fourth Hebrew consonant, and is symbolized by a 'door'. In the thought process of Hebrew, a 'door' is not necessarily a means of separating one room, or dimension, from another. It is more the idea of providing a 'way into' that other room, or dimension. You cannot enter into another room, or dimension, or Spiritual Realm until access to that Realm is made available to you. When you and I are offered access to that Room, via the 'Daleth', is not when that Room or Realm came into being. It has always been there. But we weren't ready, in FATHER's Timing and Purposes, to access that next Dimension; or Room, if you prefer. Yashua said to us: "In FATHER's House are many Rooms". 'DVD' now speaks to me of the opportunity to have access, via the 'daleths', into Rooms (Mansion) in Our FATHER's House. Two 'daleths' speak to me of two directions, or Realms: the Natural, and the Spiritual. And those two doorways that the 'daleths' in 'dvd' represent are 'hinged', or joined between them by way of the 'wow', which is the sixth consonant. This mystery now says to me that FATHER is unveiling to us the access HE has provided through the two 'daleths, or doorways', and they are accessed by way of the 'six'. I hope you can see that I am trying to say to you that access is provided to man into the Natural, and the Spiritual. In 'Dvd', it appears that we can access one Realm or the other Realm, joined in the 'midst' at the 'six'. But CHRIST is 'Son of Dvd', and as I now believe, accesses both Realms, and at the same time. Did not Yashua show is that HE was in the Natural Realm and the Spiritual Realm, and all at the same time? How else could HE show to us Moses and Elijah and HIMSELF; all at the same place together? HE didn't bring them out of thier realm; nor did HE take us in. HE showed us that the two are really One. 'DVD' says to us that there are two Dimensions, and 'DVD' has access to both. CHRIST shows us that HE has accessed the two, and made them One. "Come and make of both of us One New Man". Oh Gorious HalleluYAHs. The natural and the Spiritual once again united as One. No longer a division between soul and Spirit.
'DVD', as most of you know, is in today's technology, a relatively new means of communicating a message, or signal, to an audience. 'DVD' in electronics stands for 'Digital Virtual Device', and has proven to be a far superior means of 'communicating', or recording and transmitting, than previously used methods. Before 'digital' messages were discovered, 'analog' was the foundational means of reproducing and distributing a signal, or message. This technology preaches to me Spiritual significances that really excite me. And at the same time this really challenges me. In studying this 'mystery', I had to learn the difference between an 'analog' signal and a 'digital' signal. I had to learn that an analog signal can only deliver to the viewer a signal that is an analogy of the original message. An analog signal is only a copy of the real. An 'analog' signal can never deliver the fidelity of the true original message, for it is at best only an 'analogy' of the original signal. It is a 'copy' of the real. That is why it is referred to as an 'analog' signal. An 'analog' signal can be 'analogous' to Truth. But it can never be accepted as 'The Truth'.
A digital signal, however, can deliver a much higher quality of signal transmission than can 'analog'. A digital signal (dvd) has the capability to deliver to us a much higher fidelity representation and illustration of the original message. A digital message, or 'dvd', has the opportunity to deliver to us its version of the Gospel, or message, with less distortion to the original message than from previous messengers, which were only analogies of the True Message. DVD has the ability to deliver to us a better 'copy' of the Real, or True. DVD also has the ability to 'store' its message with a more durable quality. And because of the nature of digital signals, the ability of 'Dvd' to reproduce its message over and over and over again, and without any loss of its original quality, a digital signal becomes a far superior means of delivering a Message than an analog signal. DVD is a more desirable method of communicating Truth than previous 'analogous' messages. DVD can provide a higher quality resolution, and storage, of the Message than was previously available. But, we must never mistake a dvd copy for CHRIST.
I hope you can 'see' here that I am still talking about Christ, the 'son' of DaViD.
In DVD, two different messages are stored on a 'son'; I mean, a device. There is an audio signal, and also there is a video signal. In my analogy, an audio signal corresponds to the 'word' and a video signal corresponds to the 'walk'. In this analogy that I am sharing, you and I as Believers are actually the DVD playback devices. And the audio and video signals that we are conveying must be in complete and perfect harmony and synchronization for 'dvd' to deliver to the viewer a complete and receivable message. As with any DVD, if the 'sound' and the 'picture' are not in perfect synchronization, the viewer becomes irritated with the message, and will turn the 'dvd' off. If you have ever viewed a 'dvd' movie, and had the signal malfunction, you know what I am talking about. If the 'sound' and the 'picture' are not as one, then the 'viewer' will turn off the DVD, and will no longer listen to the Message, or the messenger.
As 'dvd' messages, we Believers have been guilty of delivering a divided and confusing signal to those to whom we wanted to communicate our message. CHRIST, however, is a perfect synchronization of the audio, which is the Word, and the video, which is the Walk. CHRIST is as far superior to 'dvd' as the light of the Sun is superior to that of the Moon. For as our kids say, "You gotta walk the walk and talk the talk". Right on, kids! That is good Gospel. Our Message to a confused and frustrated world can no longer afford the limitations inherent in 'dvd'.
Allow me to share this situation my wife and I recently read about in our local newspaper. A very respected Dr./Pastor/Preacher in our area just recently had to confess to his congregation (his congregation?), that he has been guilty of using sermons and messages that he had been taking from others of his profession without their knowledge or permission. This man, whose admitted responsibility is to bring in the finances of a massive budget, plus fill the auditorium of a several thousand seat theater, has experienced the pressure and burn-out that comes with having to be, day in and day out, that which you know you are failing to be. And when the pressure of failing to be all that his title and salary (these guys don't come cheap) demand of him, he broke down and confessed his infidelity to the congregation. As a malfunctioning 'dvd' player, he locked up. To me, this is an accurate example of what it means to be a 'dvd'. This poor brother, while trying to deliver an audio/video performance over and over and over again, experienced a 'glitch' in his 'playback'. As an 'analog' signal, he would not have been accepted by the people. Only Drs. of Theology and Divinity for this crowd. And as 'dvd' performer, there was eventually discovered a flaw in his ability to deliver a clear copy of the message, over and over again. His 'playback' glitched, and there is now a malfunction in his relationship with the 'viewers; the congregation that looks to him for continual harmonious and synchronized 'playback'.
Historically, Christianity has talked a 'good talk', but not been able to 'Walk' HIS Walk. That is changing as we speak. As we come to accept ourselves as the Body of The Resurrected CHRIST, the message we offer is much more viewable. As we accept Ourselves as the Body of CHRIST, the communication we provide is much clearer, and more believable. The True Body of the Resurrected CHRIST is more observable than any playback message, regardless of it's fidelity.
Dvd is a better picture of Our FATHER than previous 'analogous' messages. But Dvd is not CHRIST. And we, as GOD people, desire levels of Understanding that cannot be offered at 'dvd' levels of communication. I hope you are able to see what I am trying to convey. David was a man after GOD's Heart. David had a love for GOD that was unique in scripture. David went into the Holy Place and took Shewbread to eat. Hold up, David. Shewbread is to be eaten only by Priests.
David sent for the Ark to be brought to Jerusalem. 2Sam. 6:14; "Then David danced before YHWH with all might; and David wearing a linen ephod." A linen ephod? Wait a minute, David; that is to be worn only by the High Priest. Have you forgotten who you are? How arrogant! 2Sam. 6:17-18; "So they brought the ark of YHWH and set it in its place in the midst of the tabernacle that David had erected for it. Then David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before YHWH. And when David had finished offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of YHWH of Hosts". Hey, David! You're getting your job confused again. That is priest's work. What are you trying to prove? Do you think you are a King, and a Priest?! And to make all of this worse, David set the Ark of the Covenant in an open tabernacle so that all of the people could have access to it. David, what are you trying to do? Are you trying to show us that we are all welcome in the Presence of HIM? Hmmmmm!
I think David was trying to show us that there was a time coming when we would all be redeemed and accepted and encouraged to "...come boldly before the Throne of Grace". What David saw, he saw only in bits and pieces; types and shadows; examples and patterns. But this "SON" that David was told would come after him would take this Love and Understanding, that David was seeing in parts and pieces, to a level of Manifestation that David could not yet grasp. The "SON" that would make David into a dwelling place for YHWH would perform, on our behalf, a quality of Love that the mind of man cannot comprehend. The CHRIST is 'Son of David' by virtue of taking the Love of YHWH, that David yearned to display, to a level that "...was un-Lawful to talk about". Or in other words, it is not possible, in terms of 'law', to describe or communicate the quality of Love that 'David' falls Light Years short of. The 'Law' was not capable of defining or describing the quality of Love that CHRIST is. It was never meant to. The purpose of Torah ( the law), engraved in stone, is to show that you have 'missed the mark'. Torah, engraved in stone, was never intended to be the vehicle in which we completely exemplify Our FATHER's Name and Nature. That is reserved for CHRIST, which is HIS Anointing to us. "CHRIST in you, the Hope of Glory". HIS Anointing, in you, is HIS Presence in you. CHRIST is a Corporate Body. CHRIST, or HIS Anointed Ones, is HIS many-membered Manifestation of HIMSELF. The Body of CHRIST is the many-membered corporate Body of those who have had HIS Law written "...in our hearts" by HIS Holy Spirit in us. And now we, like Our LORD, have the opportunity to show to a broken and confused world what the Love of Our FATHER looks like in action. Or if I may say it this way; CHRIST is 'Son of David' by taking the Love of 'David' to a compassionate maturity that is willing to die for those who see HIM as enemy, that they may see HIM as HE truly IS. What an awesome GOD!
GOD designed a plan to unveil HIMSELF, in us, that we would be equipped to show to a confused and frustrated world what GOD, in Action, looks like. David had a desire to know and please GOD. David was a Type and Shadow of what CHRIST would be fulfillment of. The Desire and Love David had for YHWH was too immature to understand the responsible Requirements of the level of relationship with YHWH that David desired. The quality of relationship with GOD that David desired demands of us that we 'die' for our enemies. It requires of us that we release to HIM every bit of 'self' that wants recognition of 'self'. It compels us and constrains us to put the Salvation (to be made Free) of others as the only item on our agenda. And these are Compassions that only CHRIST can perform. And they are Mercies that only CHRIST can understand. Now you and I, My Beloved, have been Baptized into CHRIST. 1 Cor.12:13 "For by One Spirit we were all baptized into One Body, ...and have been made to drink of One Spirit". Heb. 13:8 "Jesus CHRIST, the same yesterday, today and forever."
If you and I can now 'see' who we truly are, the Body of the Resurrected CHRIST, then Our FATHER is fulfilling HIS Word in Hab. 2:14 "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Glory of YHWH,..." Col. 1:24-27: "I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of CHRIST, for the sake of HIS Body, which is the church", "...this mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to (unveiled in) HIS Saints. To them GOD willed to make known what are the riches of the Glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is CHRIST in You, the Hope of Glory."
'Saviors' (Yashuas) have ascended in Zion. And HE is now awakening us to our assignment of being Deliverers to those in need of deliverance. 'Dvd' can be king. Only CHRIST can be Deliverer. 'Dvd' may rule in Jerusalem. Only CHRIST can be Savior of the world. 'Dvd' can demand allegiance and performance. But only CHRIST can 'die' to self that HE may serve as Redeemer. For The Offended (GOD) has said to the offender (adam), "Come back; all is well". If you can hear that, then this word is for you. Our opportunity, as HIS Body of CHRIST, is to call all of creation back into HIS Presence. Not as 'analogs'. Not as 'dvds'. But as CHRIST, in HIS many membered Self. We will not fail Our appointed task.
Shalom and Shalom! Alan