Would God Not Search This Out?
This article is a continuation of the article The Hebrew Yehovah vs. the Roman Yahweh.
If we have forgotten the Name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god, would God not search this out? Because He knows the secrets of the heart. (Psa 44:20-21)
The context for a better understanding of the verses above is that we have been scattered among the nations (v.11) but our hearts have not been turned back, neither have our steps declined from His path (v. 18), then if we have forgotten the Name of YHVH or stretched out hand to a foreign idol, YHVH will search our hearts because He is the only one who knows the secret of the heart (vv.20-21).
The understanding of the present author is that the phrase stretched out our hands to a strange god is not an act of worshiping an idol but using a foreign name for worshiping YHVH the true Elohim.
With this being said, there are scholars who say (with a good intention) that while we pray to Him using a foreign name of a pagan deity, He would still accept our prayers because we do this out of lack of knowledge of His true Name.
While the present author completely agrees with this, we need to distinguish a few things hereafter.
Firstly, we need to know what the text does say and what it does not. The Psalm does not say that YHVH “still accepts our prayers.” We cannot interject our personal opinion and desire, let alone to add to His Word even with a good intention. What the text does say is that our Elohim will search our hearts because He knows the secrets of the heart. This is what the text says. And we need to grasp what this statement could really mean.
Secondly, while it is true that YHVH is merciful and patient with us in our journey in faith and forgives our sincere mistakes for His sake, the using of an idol’s name in our prayers is still wrong, because there is still a command to not mention names of pagan deities. We cannot use His mercy as excuse for our wrong doings.
Thirdly, YHVH hears our prayers and may or may not answer but that does not mean that He approves the use of idol’s name instead of His distinguished Name in them. Let us not confuse an acceptance of prayer with an acceptance of pagan name. Unfortunately, this is how some people understand the matter: “Since the Lord has answer my prayer, He has also accepted the name I have called on.”
Fourthly, there is a huge difference between mispronunciation of His Name and pronunciation of a name of pagan idol. The present author considers Yahuah, Yahueh, Yihveh, and others to be mispronunciations of His true Name. However, “Yahweh” is not a mispronunciation of His Name. “Yahweh” is a name of a pagan idol. And this is the present author’s best knowledge of the matter.
Many people seek sincerely the true Name of YHVH and may fall short because of lack of knowledge of complex Hebrew grammar and phonetic rules, but they seek. Their hearts YHVH searches and may find them worthy, because, if He judges us according to our knowledge, Yeshua the Messiah will reign alone in His kingdom. We all fall short in search for the truth.
However, there are others who either do not care or do not care that they do not know His Name. These are the lukewarm; the name of YHVH is not in their hearts. Their hearts YHVH also searches.
In conclusion of the matter, this is what Mosheh does say about searching of the secrets of the heart:
And you shall remember that Yehovah your Elohim led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you, prove you, to know what is in your heart, whether you guard His commands or not. (Deu 8:2)
Hence, we understand that YHVH searches our hearts in order to humble us, to test us, whether we are obedient to His commands or not.
And King David:
As for you, my son Shlomoh, know the Elohim of your father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a pleasing life, for Yehovah searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you do seek Him, He is found by you; but if you forsake Him, He rejects you forever. (1Ch 28:9)
And the apostles:
Repent therefore of this evil of yours and plead with Elohim to forgive you the intention of your heart. (Act 8:22)
For the Word of Elohim is living, and working, and sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting through even to the dividing of being and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Heb 4:12)
Not knowing, or not caring about the truth is a sin. Ignorance is no excuse for a teacher. When someone is placed in a position of responsibility, he is expected to do his utmost to discover the truth and teach the others.
Because Yeshua the Messiah says,
And no one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a hidden place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in shall see the light. Luk 11:33
Knowledge known to only a few will die out. If you feel blessed by these teachings of Time of Reckoning Ministry, help spread the word!
May we merit seeing the coming of our Mashiach speedily in our days!
This page contains sacred literature and the Name of the Creator. Please, do not deface, or discard, or use the Name in a casual manner.