What does it mean to be a Hebrew? Are you a Hebrew? Now the word "Hebrew" in fact has two definitions or meanings. The most obvious definition is it's a noun that defines a race of people who's lineage to back to Abraham of the Bible. But would you believe that this word has a second definition? Yes, the word Hebrew is also an adjective that means (In Hebrew) "to pass over," "passer over," and "transition."
Of course, Abraham is known as the "father" of the Hebrew people but we must remember that this race of people started with him. In fact, Abraham was originally an ancient Sumerian, who lived in the Sumerian city state of "Ur." Scripture not only tells us this fact, but it also goes to the length of telling us that His father worshiped false gods! (Joshua 24:2) In fact, according to Jewish tradition, Abraham's father was known to be a pagan priest and an idol maker!
Now what's interesting that the first time this word is used, is in Genesis 14:13. Oddly enough, the term is used to describe Abraham. One of the survivors who escaped the destruction that came against Sodom and Gomorrah, when these two cities were sacked by 4 Kings. (Genesis 14) It's interesting to know scripture says that this survivor "told Abraham the Hebrew" (Genesis 14:13) that his relative, who lived in the city of Sodom was taken captive!
Of course by the very context of this verse, we see that the second definition of the word "Hebrew" makes the MOST sense and was in fact, the original meaning of this word! In fact, the very root word of the adjective "Hebrew" is "Eber," which means, "region beyond." We know that Abraham was not from the area, and that he did in fact, "pass over" from the city of Ur to his present location. So here it is, a Hebrew is one who is called to "pass over" from one point to another! Abraham was the FIRST Hebrew, that God called to pass over from tradition, idolatry, culture, comfort, and everything he knew to "pass over" and be what God wanted him to be!
So here it is...once we let in this understanding of what a Hebrew is, only then can we apply it and understand who God's people are. This is why Paul tells us in Romans 9:6 that not all who say they are of Israel are of Israel. In fact, Jesus or God himself gives us more revelation on what a Hebrew is when he calls men who claim that their very lineage was of Abraham, when he tells them in John 8:44 that their father was "the devil!" Not only that Jesus tells us in John 6:63 that "the flesh counts for nothing." So here it is, what we are in our flesh, black, white, gentile, jew...whether we are related to Abraham by blood and "Hebrew"....none of this makes any difference! In fact it counts for nothing!
I'm tired of people telling me they are "Hebrew" like, ok do you want a medal? That matters just as much as the new pair of nike's I just bought! Are you called out by God to "pass over" from death to life? Are you transitioning as a foreigner, in search of your promised land, which is only in Jesus Christ. In fact, if you want to be of the SEED of Abraham, you must get INTO HIS SEED, which Galatians 3:16 tells us is Jesus Christ. It's his blood that matters, not our own! In fact, the ONLY way to get INTO Christ is by believing and obeying HIS word and putting him on in full water baptism, having his very name "Jesus" called over us! (NO OTHER NAME will do.) Jesus is the land and promise of the New Covenant. If you want the promises of God, then Jesus is the ONLY way to to! It's about HIM being in you and you in HIM!
So if our Abraham is really our father...we better "pass over" and be a Hebrew too! The ONLY way again to "pass over" is to put on the blood of the pass over lamb, who is Jesus! We do this when we are baptized in HIS name. Because without the word of God, the blood of God can't be applied because the only way we know about the blood of God is through the word! There is NO connection to the blood, without the word. If we put on the very name of God or word of God, then we are covered with the blood. Let God's word be true and all men in opposition to it be the liars they are. It's about being a Hebrew...I'm a Hebrew, are you?
Of course, Abraham is known as the "father" of the Hebrew people but we must remember that this race of people started with him. In fact, Abraham was originally an ancient Sumerian, who lived in the Sumerian city state of "Ur." Scripture not only tells us this fact, but it also goes to the length of telling us that His father worshiped false gods! (Joshua 24:2) In fact, according to Jewish tradition, Abraham's father was known to be a pagan priest and an idol maker!
Now what's interesting that the first time this word is used, is in Genesis 14:13. Oddly enough, the term is used to describe Abraham. One of the survivors who escaped the destruction that came against Sodom and Gomorrah, when these two cities were sacked by 4 Kings. (Genesis 14) It's interesting to know scripture says that this survivor "told Abraham the Hebrew" (Genesis 14:13) that his relative, who lived in the city of Sodom was taken captive!
Of course by the very context of this verse, we see that the second definition of the word "Hebrew" makes the MOST sense and was in fact, the original meaning of this word! In fact, the very root word of the adjective "Hebrew" is "Eber," which means, "region beyond." We know that Abraham was not from the area, and that he did in fact, "pass over" from the city of Ur to his present location. So here it is, a Hebrew is one who is called to "pass over" from one point to another! Abraham was the FIRST Hebrew, that God called to pass over from tradition, idolatry, culture, comfort, and everything he knew to "pass over" and be what God wanted him to be!
So here it is...once we let in this understanding of what a Hebrew is, only then can we apply it and understand who God's people are. This is why Paul tells us in Romans 9:6 that not all who say they are of Israel are of Israel. In fact, Jesus or God himself gives us more revelation on what a Hebrew is when he calls men who claim that their very lineage was of Abraham, when he tells them in John 8:44 that their father was "the devil!" Not only that Jesus tells us in John 6:63 that "the flesh counts for nothing." So here it is, what we are in our flesh, black, white, gentile, jew...whether we are related to Abraham by blood and "Hebrew"....none of this makes any difference! In fact it counts for nothing!
I'm tired of people telling me they are "Hebrew" like, ok do you want a medal? That matters just as much as the new pair of nike's I just bought! Are you called out by God to "pass over" from death to life? Are you transitioning as a foreigner, in search of your promised land, which is only in Jesus Christ. In fact, if you want to be of the SEED of Abraham, you must get INTO HIS SEED, which Galatians 3:16 tells us is Jesus Christ. It's his blood that matters, not our own! In fact, the ONLY way to get INTO Christ is by believing and obeying HIS word and putting him on in full water baptism, having his very name "Jesus" called over us! (NO OTHER NAME will do.) Jesus is the land and promise of the New Covenant. If you want the promises of God, then Jesus is the ONLY way to to! It's about HIM being in you and you in HIM!
So if our Abraham is really our father...we better "pass over" and be a Hebrew too! The ONLY way again to "pass over" is to put on the blood of the pass over lamb, who is Jesus! We do this when we are baptized in HIS name. Because without the word of God, the blood of God can't be applied because the only way we know about the blood of God is through the word! There is NO connection to the blood, without the word. If we put on the very name of God or word of God, then we are covered with the blood. Let God's word be true and all men in opposition to it be the liars they are. It's about being a Hebrew...I'm a Hebrew, are you?