FAITH OF THE HEBREWS
1. What is the first article of the Hebrew faith?
I believe firmly and truly that there is ONE G-d, who has created the heavens, the earth, and all creatures which are therein; I farther believe that the L-rd G-d preserves his creatures by his continual watchfulness, and that He governs all by his all-seeing care; that is to say, that nothing ever happens to them which He has not ordained or sent to them.
“Therefore, I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the L-rd G-d.”
Ezekiel 18:30.
“By the word of the L-rd were the heavens made, and all their host with the breath of his mouth. He gathereth together as a heap the waters of the sea, He layeth up the depths in storehouses.”
Psalms 33:6-7.
“All these wait upon thee, to give them their food in due season; they gather that which thou providest for them; Thou openest thy hand, and they are filled with good; Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled; Thou takest away their breath, they perish and return to their dust; Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: thus Thou renewest the face of the earth.”
Psalms 03:27-30 Psalms 104:27-30.
“He made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is therein; He keepeth truth for ever; He executeth judgment for the oppressed; He giveth bread to the hungry. The L-rd looseneth the prisoners; the L-rd openeth the eyes of the blind; the L-rd raiseth those who are bowed down; the L-rd loveth the righteous; the L-rd protecteth strangers; He relieveth the fatherless and the widow; but the way of the wicked He overthroweth.”
Ibid. cxlvi. 6-9 Psalms 145:6-21.
2. Are you convinced of the existence of G-d?
Yes; We are firmly convinced that there is a Creator. For everything which we find in every direction around us must have been made by someone more powerful than every such thing itself is; and this superior power, as we have said before, we call G-d the Creator, He who first caused every being to have existence, shape, and form.
“In the beginning G-d created the heavens and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1.
“Raise your eyes to heaven, and see who hath created these, that bringeth out their host by number, calleth them all by name.”
Isaiah 40:26
3. Could not Chance have produced the world; that is to say, could the world not have been made as we find it, without design by an intelligent Creator?
No; chance cannot have any order or regularity; but we find in every part of the universe that it is governed by fixed laws, and that the greatest regularity prevails in everything; and this could only have been made by a wise and intelligent Maker.
“Thus saith the L-rd who giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, who shaketh the sea that its waves roar, the L-rd of Hosts is his name.”
Jer_31:35.
“Praise Him, ye sun and moon; praise Him, all ye stars of light; praise Him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that are above the heavens; let them praise the name of the L-rd, for he commanded, and they were created. He also established them forever and ever; He gave a decree which shall not pass away.”
Psa_148:3-6.
4. Can we see G-d?
No; G-d is a spirit and cannot be seen by human eyes.
“And he said to him (Moses), Thou canst not see my face, for no man can see me and live.”
Exo_33:20.
“Take ye, therefore, good heed unto yourselves, for ye saw no manner of figure on the day that the L-rd spoke with you on Horeb, out of the midst of the fire.”
Deu_4:15.
5. You said “G-d is a Spirit;” what do you mean by “Spirit?”
A living, invisible being, which is nevertheless possessed of power, reason, and will.
6. How can such a being be known?
Through the spirit dwelling in man; that is to say, we can recognize or discover a spirit through the working of our soul or mind, which is likewise a spirit.
7. Is man then a Spirit?
Not as far as his body is concerned, which can be seen and felt; but the power through which this body moves, breathes, thinks, and lives, is a spirit, acting without being known, and is not seen by the eyes; or, in other words, we are composed of body and soul, of matter and spirit.
8. How do you now wish to be understood by saying that G-d is known to us?
We know Him through the knowledge which He has placed within our souls. He has given us intellect and thought more than to any other animated thing with which we are acquainted; and planted in us a spirit which is not like the outward world, in order that we might understand his ways and acknowledge Him as our Creator. I would call this briefly, G-d has revealed himself to our spirit.
“I thank Thee that I am so fearfully, wonderfully made; incomprehensibly wonderful are thy works, this my soul knoweth right well.”
Psa_139:14.
9. In what manner did G-d reveal himself to our spirit?
First, Through the CREATION: all nature proves that it had a Creator, that his power is without end or limit; and thus is G-d visible to our mind through his works.
“The heavens declare the glory of G-d, and the expanse tells of the work of his hands.”
Ibid. Psa_19:1.
Secondly, Through the HEBREW SCRIPTURES: G-d is known to us by his Holy Word.
“He made known his ways to Moses, his wonderful deeds unto the children of Israel.”
Psa_103:7.
10. What do we further learn from the works and the revelation of G-d?
That G-d is the most perfect Spirit.
11. What do you mean by “the most perfect Spirit?”
That in Him there exists power, wisdom, and will, in the highest degree. G-d is perfect in all his qualities; there is nothing defective in his power, for He is able to do whatever he desires; He is the Author of all wisdom, and his happiness is without any mixture of sorrow or suffering.
“Who is like unto Thee, O L-rd! among the mighty? who is like Thee, glorious in holiness, tremendous in praises, working miracles?”
Exo_15:11.
“There is none like Thee, O L-rd! Thou art great, and great is thy name in might. Who should not fear Thee, O King of the nations? for to Thee it doth appertain; for among the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like Thee.”
Jer_10:6-7.
“With Him is wisdom and might; His are counsel and understanding.”
Job_12:13.
12. How do we call these perfect qualities?
G-d’s attributes and ways.
“the way of G-d is perfect; the word of the L-rd is tried; He is a buckler to all those who trust in Him.”
2Sa_22:31.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, saith the L-rd; for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isa_55:8-9.
13. What do the Hebrew Scriptures teach us concerning the nature of G-d?
First. That the L-rd is ONE and the only G-d; there is no deity besides Him.
“Hear, O Israel, the L-rd our G-d, the L-rd is ONE.”
Deu_6:4.
“Know, therefore, this day, and reflect in thy heart, that the L-rd is G-d in heaven above, and on the earth beneath, there is none else.”
Ibid. Deu_4:39.
“I am the L-rd, and none else, there is no G-d beside me. — I form the light and create darkness; I make peace and create evil; I the L-rd do all these things.”
Isa_45:5-7.
Secondly. That G-d is an everlasting being; He has had no beginning, and cannot have an end; we cannot imagine a time when He was not, nor think of a period when He will be no more; He was, He is, and He ever will be.
“Thus speaketh the L-rd, Israel’s King and Redeemer, the L-rd of the universe (Zebaoth), I am the first and I am the last, and without me, there is no G-d.”
Isa_44:6.
“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world; even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art G-d.”
Psa_90:2.
Thirdly. G-d is a self-existent, unchangeable Being. He received not his existence and power from any other being, and He suffers no change with increase of years and change of circumstances. He is and lives through his own power, and is always the same.
“I, the L-rd, change not; and you, sons of Jacob, shall not cease to be.”
Mal_3:6.
“Of old hast Thou laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands. they will perish, but thou wilt subsist; yea, they will wax old as a garment, as a vesture Thou wilt change them, and they will be altered. But Thou art the same, and thy years have no end.”
Psa_102:25-27.
14. What would you derive from the latter doctrine, that G-d is unchangeable?
That the promises of G-d are likewise unchangeable, and that He promises nothing which will not ultimately be strictly fulfilled. For, as He is unchangeable himself, He cannot say anything which He would afterwards be unwilling or unable to execute, as this would prove an uncertainty of purpose, which is in fact a change, or an inability to do his will, which is a want of power.
“G-d is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that he should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and not fulfil it?”
Num_23:19.
“And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent; for He is not a man that He should repent.”
1Sa_15:29.
15. What do the Hebrew Scriptures teach concerning the attributes of G-d?
First. G-d is almighty; He can at all times do whatever He wills.
“Let all the earth fear the L-rd, let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. for He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it was established.”
Psa_33:8-9.
Secondly. G-d is the wisest of all beings, or, as it is called, He is all-wise, or the Supreme Wisdom. He, therefore, always uses the best means to attain the best results; that is, the means He employs to do any thing are the best possible for that purpose, and nothing that He attempts is otherwise than wise and beneficial.
“Dost thou not know? or hast thou not heard? the G-d of everlasting is the L-rd, He created the ends of the earth; He is not fatigues, and He is not weary; there is no searching of his understanding.”
Isa_40:28
“But wisdom, where is it found; and where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not its value, it is not found in the land of the living. It is hidden from the eyes of all living, and concealed from the fowl of heaven. G-d alone understandeth its way, and He knoweth its place.”
Job_28:12-13, Job_28:21-24.
16. Where do you find the proofs of this Supreme Wisdom?
The whole mass of created things forms but one chain of beings; that is to say, as in a chain one link is connected with and supports those next to it, so is one being depending upon and connected with the others, and forms thus one link, as it were, of the great chain of creatures which were produced by the will of the Great Supreme. There is no break anywhere to be found, all is in unison and harmony, and nothing is which has not its use and its object.
“The L-rd hath with wisdom founded the earth, ordained the heavens with understanding.”
Pro_3:19.
17. You say, There is nothing which has not its use and object; can we always discover them ourselves?
Not in every case; but of so many things do we readily find out for what they are useful and why they were so made, that we must reasonably conclude that the others, which we do not know so well, are equally useful, and the effects of wisdom and foresight.
18. What else do the Hebrew Scriptures teach concerning the attributes of G-d?
Thirdly. G-d is omnipresent; that is to say, He is present in every place in the whole universe; there is, consequently, no spot in heaven or earth where G-d is not, and where He does not live and act.
“Am I then but a G-d at hand, saith the L-rd, and not also a G-d afar off? Could a man so hide himself in a secret place that I could not see him? saith the L-rd; do I not fill the heavens to the earth? saith the L-rd.”
Jer_23:23-24.
“Whither shall I go from thy spirit? and whither shall I flee from thy face? If I ascend to heaven, Thou art there, and if I should lie down in the deep, I should find Thee. Should I fly on the wings of the morning-dawn, to dwell at the farthest end of the sea, even there thy hand would lead me, and thy right hand would seize me.”
Psa_139:7-10.
Fourthly. G-d is omniscient; that is to say, He knows everything which any man does or thinks. Nothing is so secret, concealed, or mysterious, but the L-rd knows it, and the cause thereof.
“I, the L-rd, search the heart, I try the reins, to give to every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”
Jer_17:10.
“O L-rd, Thou hast searched, and knowest me. Do I sit, do I rise, it is known to Thee: already afar thou probest my thoughts. My walk and my couch Thou hast measured for me, and prepared all my ways. Before yet a word was upon my tongue, Thou, O L-rd! didst know all.”
Psa_139:1-4.
Fifthly. G-d is all-just; that is to say, that nothing which is unjust is ever done by Him. He pays no attention to the person of anyone, He only looks upon the deed; He loves the good and hates the evil. If, therefore, a poor or foolish man does any good action, G-d will look upon it with equal favor as though a rich and wise man had done the same. If a wrong act is done by the greatest man, even though he be as great as Moses and wise as Solomon, G-d will send the punishment which the sin deserves. And though we may not always be able to understand the reason for G-d’s action upon earth, we must reflect that our wisdom is not equal to his wisdom; and that, therefore, the doings of the L-rd are without fault, though our mortal reason is not able to understand his motives and the causes of his actions.
“For the L-rd, your G-d, is the G-d of G-ds, and the L-rd of L-rds; the great, mighty, and terrible G-d, who hath no regard for persons, and receiveth no bribes; who executeth justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loveth the stranger to give him food and raiment.”
Deu_10:17-18.
“He is the rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are just: the G-d of truth, without iniquity; just and upright is He.”
Deu_32:4.
“For Thou art not a G-d delighting in wickedness; no evil shall dwell with Thee.”
Psa_5:4.
Sixthly. G-d is all-good, gracious, and merciful; He loves all his creatures, and provides for all their wants. More than we deserve we obtain from his bounty; and when we even transgress his commandments He readily forgives us, if we only repent of our errors. He repays us not the evil we do, but in his mercy overlooks our thoughtless sins, and visits with mild punishment our willful transgressions.
“The L-rd passed by before him (Moses) and proclaimed, The L-rd is the immutable, eternal Being, and omnipotent G-d, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in beneficence and truth; keeping mercy even unto the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin.”
Exo_34:6-7.
“The L-rd is gracious, and full of compassion, long-suffering, and of great mercy. The L-rd is good to all, and his mercies are over all his works. The eyes of all wait on Thee, and Thou givest them their food in due season. Thou openest thy hand, and satisfiest all beings with beneficence.”
Psa_145:8-9, Psa_145:15-16.
19. Has G-d any other perfections?
Yes; and no human thought can think them all, no human tongue can repeat them all. G-d is elevated above all our reflections; we see Him in his works, we recognize him by his goodness; but our understanding cannot reach a knowledge of all his ways, all his power, all his wisdom, all his goodness.
“Who can utter the mighty acts of the L-rd, tell all his praise?”
Psa_106:2.
20. What attribute do you call this great perfection?
G-d’s holiness: He is the holiest being; there is nothing imperfect in Him, but all is truth, goodness, greatness.
“Holy, holy, holy, is the L-rd of Hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory.”
Isa_6:3.
“To whom would ye compare me, that I should be like him? saith the Holy One.”
Isa_40:25.