[This was clicked quite often lately, from the SITEMAP page and ABOUT US. This was written when we first started this website, six years ago; our position has not changed in general, although our scriptural references have, since we’ve decided only the TORAH, the “T” in “TNK” –the acronym for the Hebrew Scriptures—is what we consider as repository of “the very words of YHWH”, the God we have decided is the One True God as revealed in the first book of the Hebrew Scriptures. We have written many articles elaborating on the ‘whys’ of recognizing only the Torah, these are listed in the SITEMAP, a few selections to click here:
- Q&A: Why do you call yourselves “Sinaites”?
- IN HIS NAME – Where in What Bible is His Word? – 3
- IN HIS NAME – Whose ‘Word’ is the Bible? – 2
- Revisit: How does one understand and obey the TORAH of YHWH in this day and age?
- “We have heard it said” – A Sinaite’s Apologetics -1
- Revisit: Taking the Sinai Revelation personally . . .
—Admin1]
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SINAI 6000 – Perspective on Man’s Search for GOD/TRUTH
To visualize this, draw 4 lines one on top of the other. Level 4 is the highest line
and level 1 is the bottom line.
Each line represents the level of man’s understanding of God,
–the lowest level being the most basic knowledge man can reach based on his experience, observation, philosophical musings;
–the highest level is what God has chosen to reveal to man.
Levels 2 and 3 represent how man
–handles
–or mishandles God’s revelation,
if and when he is exposed to it in the Hebrew Scriptures.
4. Y H W H – GOD’S DOMAIN
Level 4: The UNKNOWABLE Level
4.1 This highest level is GOD’s domain, HIS realm.
4.2 Man cannot ever know all that exist on this level, it is simply beyond man’s limited thinking, alien to man’s finiteness, beyond human comprehension.
4. 3 GOD is infinite, all superlatives apply to Him, man cannot even begin to imagine what GOD is truly like. [Isaiah 40:9-31]
4. 4 It is man’s folly to try to put GOD in a ‘religious box’—
- to confine HIM [Isaiah 46:5];
- try to define HIM according to man’s imagination of what He’s like;
- put boundaries that limit HIM such as bringing Him down to the level of man;
- and make conclusions that we have HIM figured out such as doctrines about His nature or character.
- “For My thoughts are not your thoughts and your ways are not My ways . . . As high as the heavens over the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.“ [Isaiah 55:8]
4.5 Unless GOD reveals to man what is on this level, man cannot ever know. [Job 38:1-2]
4.6 Thankfully, GOD does indeed care that mankind would know HIM—
- Who HE is [Ex. 20;2-7]
- What NAME HE should be known by [Ex. 3:13-15]
- What HE’s like [Exodus 34:6-7.14]
- What HE requires of the only creature HE made in HIS IMAGE [Micah 6:8]
- and endowed with free will and freedom of choice [Deuteronomy 30:15-16]
4.7 GOD condescends and makes HIMSELF known to man [Isaiah 48:17]
- but only to the extent that man can comprehend [Isaiah 28:9-10,13].
4.8 This “KNOW ME-Package” that GOD programmed for mankind’s education about HIMSELF is given in the Sinai Revelation.
3. DIVINE REVELATION on MT. SINAI
Level 3–The Hebrew Scriptures
3.1 This Divine Revelation is given on Mt. Sinai, to—-
- Moses [Psalm 103:7/Deuteronomy 34:10/Numbers 12:7-8]
- and the mixed multitude [Exodus 12:37-38] composed of
- Israelites
- and non-Israelites.
3.2 This original revelation was given—
- at a particular period in biblical history,
- in a specific site in the ‘Wilderness of Sinai’ [Exodus 19:1-2]
- outside of the Promised Land [Deuteronomy 11:11-12],
- on Mount Sinai “the mountain of GOD” [Exodus 18:5]
- where GOD descended “in the sight of the entire people” [Exodus 19:18]
- to “the children of Israel” [Exodus 19:17/Deuteronomy 14:2]
- whose history as a people formed by God Himself began with the Patriarchs–[Exodus 3:6]
- Abraham [gentile],
- Isaac [gentile]
- Jacob [Israel].
3.3 It is significant to note that gentiles have always been part of GOD’s plan; that in the giving of HIS REVELATION on Mount Sinai,
- gentiles were part of the multitudes who left Egypt
- and gathered with the encamped Israelites “opposite the mountain”
- who responded with the chosen people: “Everything that GOD has spoken we shall do!” [Exodus 19:8/24:7]
- who were included in the prayer of Solomon during the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem [I Kings 8:41]
- and in the declaration in Isaiah 56:1-8, among many other verses.
3.4 The revelation is COMPLETE only in the sense that in GOD’s accommodation and condescension to man’s limitations, it is ALL that man—
- needs to know about HOW he is to relate to GOD, that is according to God Himself [Deuteronomy 12:10-17]
- and WHAT man is to apply in community [Exodus/Leviticus/Numbers].
3.5 It is complete and NOT “progressive,” as though something has yet to be added to it, for there are warnings regarding later additions that do not conform with this original revelation. [Deuteronomy 4:2/13;1]
3.6 What IS progressive is man’s DISCOVERY and UNDERSTANDING of GOD’S revelation, NOT the unfolding of the revelation.
3.7 On Sinai, GOD reveals HIS NAME: [Exodus 3:13-15/6:2-3]
- YHWH, a NAME to be proclaimed to all mankind;
- it is interesting to note that there is no biblical admonition against declaring the Tetragrammaton YHWH for the whole world to know and proclaim [Deuteronomy 28:10];
- and that in fact, the reason the world today barely knows The Name is because the Jews consider it so sacred,
—so much so they refuse to say it or write it
—and instead, substitute circumlocutions like “HaShem” [The Name];
—the Jews are so careful, they do not wish to violate the 3rd commandment that warns against using GOD’s Name in vain [Exodus 20:7]
3.8 And yet YHWH declares “Wherever I permit My Name to be mentioned, I shall come to you and bless you.” [Exodus 20:21]
3.9 All other non-names referring to HIM have been mere titles;
- before Sinai, man knew HIM only as Creator,
- and to the patriarchs as El Shaddai “God Almighty” [Exodus 6:2-3]
- to Moses “The GOD of the Hebrews” [Exodus 7:16]
- and to Israel in many experiences they have had with HIM as
- Rock,
- Shepherd,
- Provider,
- Nurturer,
- Protector,
- Shield,
- King,
- Fortress, etc. [II Samuel 22:2-3]
- “Mighty God”, “Eternal Father”, “Wondrous Adviser”, “Master of Legions” [Isaiah 9:5-6]
3.10 Visually, manifestations or theophanies of GOD were–
- the burning bush [Exodus 3:2],
- Shekinah [Glory Cloud] and pillar of fire [Exodus 13:21];
- and a voice that thundered [Exodus 20:15-16/Deuteronomy 5:19-24]
- a “consuming fire, a jealous God” [Exodus 34:14/ Deuteronomy 4:24]
3.11 TORAH, the first five books attributed to Moses’ are —-
- GOD’s guidelines for living,
- HIS blueprint for life on planet earth;
- instruction and teaching, laws and precepts [Psalm 119]
- outlining GOD’s requirements for all mankind [Deuteronomy 29:13-14]
- but initially given to a specific people [Deuteronomy 4:5-8]
- formed and prepared for this very purpose [Deuteronomy 4:20/7:6-8]
- to model in community [Deuteronomy 4:6-8]
- this prescribed lifestyle for all nations [Isaiah 51:4-5/60:3]
- not just for Israel [Deuteronomy 26:16-19]
- the “righteous nation” and “keeper of the faith” [Isaiah 26:2]
- “a light to the nations, to open blind eyes” [Isaiah 42:6/49:6]
3.12 Torah commandments have been counted, categorized and numbered, totaling 613.
- Of these 613, 248 are positive commandments [“Thou shalt . . .”] and 365 are negative commandments [“Thou shalt not…”].
- Of these 613, not all are applicable to every individual, for there are specific laws confined to classes of people [Israelites, women, Levitical priests, the high priest, prophet, foreigner/stranger/sojourner, etc.]
- Some apply only to the Mishkan [Tabernacle in the wilderness]
- Some apply to the Temple in Jerusalem
- Some are applicable only when the chosen people are in the Promised Land.
- Some teach man how to relate to GOD,
- and others —-Israelite, parents, children, siblings, neighbor, enemy, “the stranger/sojourner/foreigner among you”
- Some pronounce blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience.
3.13 The Decalogue, the “Ten Words” or the “Ten Commandments” summarize the basics or weightier matters of the law, such as righteousness, justice, mercy, love, holiness.
3.14 These 10 are further condensed simply to—
- (1-4): “love God above all ” [Deuteronomy 6:5]
- (5-10): “You shall love your fellow as yourself” [Leviticus 19:18]
3.15 To the TORAH, is added NEVI’IM [The Prophets] which contain—
- the messages of YHWH to the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah,
- through the Prophets of Israel,
- pronouncing specific judgments upon nations
- and violators of Torah,
- as well as blessings for obedience,
- and prophecies concerning the chosen nation’s ordained destiny throughout her history until the “end of days.”
- these prophetic messages ALL relate to how the nation lives out or fails to live out the Torah.
3.16 KETUVIM [The Writings] concludes the Hebrew canon—these are divinely inspired literature —
- proverbs,
- prayers,
- books of wisdom,
- narrative history,
- stories,
- chronicles,
- which reinforce, elaborate, expand and further clarify what has already been revealed in Torah.
3.17 Together, Torah/Nevi’im/
2. Man dares to EDIT GOD’S WORD
[Red for caution]
Level 2: “Judeo-Christian” Heritage
Sorry, no spoon-feeding here for obvious reasons—-we don’t wish to offend sincere seekers who are just as zealous in worshipping and serving the God of their chosen religious affiliation. We believe that each person is on his/her own pilgrimage towards seeking God and learning about Him through His revelation; that they turn to religion to get closer to God is a sign that they are at least seeking a relationship with Him.
For seekers who veer off into their own independent study instead of depending on others to teach them what to believe, there are those who never stop studying and therefore, learning, till their dying day. They move closer to the truth with each new day than they were the previous day, for each one is a work in progress; nobody ever really arrives knowing ALL there is to know, for there is so much to learn, and a lifetime of study is not enough.
It is also not enough that one is seeking and searching and studying. Just as important is the SOURCE of truth: how reliable are the sources that we study? How do we know true from false? What if we have wasted almost a lifetime on the wrong sources?
Our gracious Creator knows and understands our limitations and just like a loving Father, He leads and arranges circumstances in our lives to show us the guideposts as well as warning signals. . . but are we alert to these? We were given brains to think logically and base our beliefs on the evidence before us. But how do we sift through the evidence? Are “changed lives” and “sincere and pious religious people” proofs that they are indeed worshipping the True God? Does it matter, as long as we believe there is a God?
For example: among the listings under “Resource Sharing”, you will find Jacques D. Doukhan’s book Israel and The Church: Two Voices for the Same God. There is a general perception that since the sacred scriptures of Israel were attached to the canon of the New Testament, the two parts of the Christian Bible, often linked together under “Judeo-Christian” heritage are about the same God.
This is the part where you, the reader, will have to think or do your research on the following questions:
1. Do Jews and Christians really worship the SAME GOD?
2. Name the God the Jews worship, and define His Nature according to His own declarations to Israel, as recorded in their Scriptures.
3. Name the God the Christians worship, and define His Nature, according to the declarations of the New Testament book authors.
4. What does the Old Testament God require of Israel and the gentile nations?
5. What does the New Testament God require of all peoples, Jew or gentile?
If you observe religious people who practice what is preached by their priest/pastor/guru, you will notice that all religions have good teachings regarding human behavior toward God and toward one another. Therefore, if there are devout and pious God-loving Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Moslems, Hindus, even atheists and agnostics who do good toward their fellowmen, what then constitutes the most basic issue that make them differ from each other?
We submit that it is the answer to one question: Who is your God?
Back that up with a more specific question: What is His Name?
And other questions then arise, such as:
- Do you know Him as He has revealed Himself?
- Does this now require an adjustment in your belief system and in the way you live your life from hereon?
Deuteronomy 4:2:
“You shall not add to the word I command you, nor shall you subtract from it, to observe the commandments of YHWH, your God, that I command you.”
Level 1: NATURAL REVELATION
1.1 On this level, man can go two ways:
1.2 One way is to deduce that man is the highest on the chain of beings,
- and that there is no one higher than man to whom he will be held accountable;
- the atheist, agnostic, skeptic, evolutionist—all decide that no one made this world, it simply exists, no further questions asked;
- this person therefore does not seek,
- is content with living his existence to the end of this life;
- lives his life according to what he thinks is best for him;
- because if this is all there is to his existence, then he is accountable to no one but himself—man,
- for there is no higher authority;
- he is on the top of the chain of beings,
- the only one with the brains!
1.3 The other way is just the opposite—SOMEONE ELSE other than man—a Creator, a higher authority—-is responsible for this world. The general term used is “God.”
1.4 Natural revelation is the extent of what man can mentally and experientially determine about the Maker/Creator of the visible world he lives in.
1.5 On this level, man can perceive that there is indeed a Maker/Creator.
- What this Being is like, man could only conclude from observable phenomena.
- Man could “guess-timate” that this Other Being creates with magnificence, grandeur, harmony, beauty, variety, balance, ingenuity, coordination, perfection, logic, purpose, creativity, immense power, with intricate designs from barest simplicity to utmost complexity.
1.6 The courses offered in schools are results of man’s study of this world and the vast universe; knowledge that is obvious, predictable, dependable; courses such the natural sciences, physical sciences, mathematical sciences, etc. are exact, quantifiable and provable.
- Other studies such as social sciences, humanities, psychology, behavioral sciences, are observable but inexact, unpredictable, and just not conclusive.
1.7 Man knows there is a Maker but he doesn’t know what to do about this Maker—how to relate to Him—because he has no idea what this Maker is like.
1.8 He is fearful of this UNKNOWN—–
- and therefore devises ways and means of dealing with this unknown Maker
- by devising RELIGION
- which we define as man’s recourse to reach/relate to an unknown being he acknowledges as superior to man.
1.14 An interesting passage is Malachi 1:11
“For from the rising of the sun to its setting, My Name is great among the nations, and in every place [where offerings] are presented to My Name, and also pure meal-offerings, My Name is great among the nations, says YHWH, Master of Legions.”
The context of this verse is post-Sinai in the biblical timeline. Through HIS mouthpiece Malachi, the last of Israel’s prophets, the LORD YHWH tells Israel that—-their imperfect sacrifices are not acceptable to HIM, because— they have beenTorah educated, forewarned, and knew better than to continue violating HIS commandments particularly with regards the Temple sacrificial system which, in the first place, is simply an accommodation to the Israelites’ exposure to the nations’ sacrificial systems.
Strangely enough, GOD then mentions worship and sacrifices being offered by the gentile nations— which were never reached by divine revelation, and thereby not illuminated by Torah guidelines, presumably these would be the rest of the inhabited world not within the vicinity of the Biblical nations, “those ‘who have not heard”. To GOD, those sacrifices are acceptable to HIM only because—-these were offered in ignorance, because these worshippers did not have the benefit of Divine Revelation. [Jonah was sent to Nineveh to teach them about True God]. In seeking to please the UNKNOWN GOD. these UN-enlightened worshippers were in effect worshipping the TRUE GOD, they just didn’t know HIM.
Psalm 53:3
“From heaven God gazed down upon mankind, to see if there exists a reflective person who seeks out God.”
Ezra 8:21-22
“. . . the hand of our God is benevolent to all who seek Him, and His might and anger befall all who forsake Him.”
1.15 Question: What about the nation-groups in Exodus which Israel’s GOD commanded the Israelites to annihilate, they too were ignorantly worshipping gods of their making, why were they so harshly judged?Answer: The nations during the time of the Sinai Revelation were well aware of what the GOD of Israel had done in Egypt—news travelled around by word of mouth in those days; what happened in Egypt reached the nations/peoples in the area.
Rahab in Jericho said to the men:
“I know that YHWH has given you the land, and that fear of you has fallen upon us and all the inhabitants of the land have melted because of you, for we have heard how YHWH dried up the waters of the sea of Reeds for you when you went forth from Egypt and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were across the Jordan –to Sihon and to Og –whom you utterly destroyed. We heard and our hearts melted — no spirit remained in any man because of you–for YHWH, your God, He is God in the heavens above and on the earth below.” [Joshua 2:10-11]
1.16 Many were in awe of that newly-revealed GOD; they knew HIS NAME, as announced to the Pharaoh. Those nations were judged according to whether or not they took Israel’s GOD seriously.
1.18 GOD cannot blame man for his ignorance at this level, if GOD has not taken the step to reveal HIMSELF to man.
1.19 But thank GOD, HE did not leave man ignorant —go back to Line 4 [highest line].