Many people seem to be concerned with finding the right translation. May people ask which translation is the most accurate. Through trial and error, we have learned to guard ourselves against thinking that any translation is without error including the Hebrew translation... for we understand that our Father Himself warned us that the pen of the scribes has lied (Jer 8:8).
Paul explains beautifully in 1 Cor 1 & 2 how יהוה's saints speak the wisdom in a mystery... through parables... wisdom that has been hidden. But it is יהוה who reveals the mystery. He reveals the mystery of the parables through His Spirit. The person without the Spirit of יהוה cannot understand the thoughts of יהוה. While we are thankful for the translations that have been preserved, we do not necessarily think that all of the scribes (translators) were filled with His Spirit. They likely did the best they could with their fleshly understanding.
We feel it is important to get to know our Father... and the things in which He delights... mercy, justice and righteousness. The more familiar a person becomes with His laws, decrees, statutes and ordinances the more that person becomes aware of what is righteous and just according to His perspective. And since He is the Almighty Magistrate who will judge the earth, His perspective is the only one that matters.
On a certain level, the entire Word of יהוה communicates a parable. In the beginning יהוה planted an orchard of delight (Eden-H5731, H5730). Remember that the focus was on the TREES. In the orchard, He placed the first Adam and assigned him the duty of guarding and tending the trees - a husbandman. A bride was given to Adam as a helpmate, and they cleaved together; they abided in one another. They were to be fruitful and multiply. In the midst of the orchard were two trees: a tree of life and a tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam and his bride were warned NOT to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil for if they did, then they would surely die. But the serpent deceived them with false premise of holiness, and they ate of its fruit. Thus they were cut off from the orchard.
In the middle of the book, it is prophesied that יהוה is planting "trees of righteousness" that He may be glorified (Isa 61:3). Note that יהוה says those who know righteousness have His law in their hearts (Isa 51:7). It is also prophesied that a Righteous Branch will raise up and reign as king and deal wisely and execute justice and righteousness in the land. (Jer 23:5-6, Jer 33:15-16, Isa 11:1-10, Zec 3:3-10, Zec 6:12-15)
Then in the gospel accounts, the parable unravels. It is explained that men are as trees... and they are known by their fruit. יהוה placed the last Adam - the Righteous Branch - in the field (orchard) to guard it and to tend the trees... referring to men. The Father gave to Him disciples which are referred to as branches... a type of “helpmate”. The branches were to cleave to the Righteous Branch. They were to abide in one another. They were to go and make more disciples, to “be fruitful and multiply”. He warned the branches NOT to eat from the trees that produced mixed fruit... the men who mixed the commands of יהוה with traditions and doctrines of men... for their mingled teachings portray a false sense of holiness and deceive His branches. The Righteous Branch told these "trees" who produced the fruit of mingled teachings that they were of their father the devil. He said that those who eat of their mingled fruit become twice as much a son of hell as they are. (Joh 8:34-47, Mat 23:15)
Just as in the beginning, the Righteous Branch - the Light of Life - was “planted” in the field of the world. There were also other “trees” in the field which produced the fruit of good and evil, mixing the Word of יהוה with traditions and doctrines of men. Which “tree” or “branch” were most of the people lured by: the “Branch” that brought forth Light of Life or the “branches” that brought forth the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil? For some reason, His people continue to be lured by the branches that bring forth the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. In fact, they cut down the Branch that brought forth the Light of Life and continued to sow their mingled seed which keeps people in darkness.
However, in the end the roles are reversed. The branches that produce the fruit of light, the trees of righteousness are raised up. In the end, the branches that produce the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil - mixing the Word of God with the traditions and doctrines of men - are uprooted and thrown into the fire and burned. In the end, only one tree remains in the midst of the orchard... the Branch of Life and His branches who abide in Him. A Righteous Branch that is planted by streams of water, yields its fruit in season and whose leaves never wither. Just how the story began. In the end, all that remains in the midst of the "orchard" are trees of righteousness... a planting of יהוה... those who know righteousness, who have His law in their hearts… those who abide in the Righteous Branch. And יהוה is glorified. HalleluYAH!
What is the tree? What is the Branch? What "seed" is at the "root" of the "tree"? What "tree" represents the Righteous Branch? What branch do we abide in? What "branch" produces the "fruit" of light? What "branch" was "dead" and "resurrected"? When do these "branches" awaken?
The more familiar we become with the shadow - the tabernacle in the wilderness, the holy things, the earthly priesthood order, the earthly judges and their duties - the more familiar we become with the answers to these questions.
In the shadow, the tabernacle in the wilderness is conveyed as an "orchard" in the wilderness. In the midst of the "orchard" stood a golden tree of light... budding and blossoming almond branches abiding in a center branch yielding the fruit of light. Within the "orchard" (tabernacle) were "trees of righteousness": the seed of Aaron and the seed of Levi. These watchmen were represented by a branch which budded blossomed and ripened almonds. From these "budding and blossoming almond branches" came forth light... the law of יהוה... the plumbline for righteousness and justice... the things in which יהוה delights.
Not only does the imagery throughout the Word serve as parables, the imagery also serves as a method of protection... against the lying pen. So it is important to pay attention to the imagery conveyed in the Word. And it is also important to apply His principles as we study the Scripture knowing that He changes not.
If we are aware that the earthly shadow of the heavenly Lamp is represented by budding and blossoming (abib) almond branches abiding in a center branch producing the fruit of light... then we will recognize the lying pen when it says His branches are olive branches or when the pen implies they are a grapevine.
If we understand the mystery of Aaron's branch that was "dead" but "resurrected" as a sign to the rebellious of who יהוה chose to serve Him, then we will understand the Firstfruit of the resurrection... the Righteous BRANCH. A BRANCH... not a blade of grass, And we will not be deceived by those who have exchanged the Righteous Branch for barley. We will also understand the season when His branches are to be watchful, when they are to awaken... the season of resurrection which is the same season when the dead bones of Joseph and the living bones of the children of Israel were brought out. The season of abib. In His mercy, יהוה left a hint in the holy place for this season. In fact, He left two witnesses: (1) budding and blossoming (abib) almond branches producing the fruit of light; and (2) a branch which budded and blossomed (abib) and ripened almonds.
If we understand that יהוה created the fruit tree yielding fruit after its kind whose seed is in itself... and if we understand who the earthly high priest represents... and if we understand the "seed" at the "root" of Aaron's rod (a branch which budded and blossomed and ripened almonds), then we will recognize the error of the pen that translated pomegranates dangling from the hem of the earthly high priest's garments instead of almonds.
If we are aware that the lampstand is conveyed as budding and blossoming almond branches... and if we know that NO ONE other than the seed of Aaron (represented by abib almond branches) is allowed in the holy place... and if we know that יהוה does not plant a field with mingled seed... and if we know that only the seed of Aaron (who are represented by abib almond branches) are anointed, then we will recognize the error in Zechariah 4 when the scribes describe the two anointed ones as "olive " trees instead of the anointed ones being represented by almond trees which is consistent with the shadow.
In summary, no single translation is without error. The Spirit of יהוה reveals the mysteries - the hidden things - to His saints... lest any man could boast.
Remember, it is the glory of יהוה to conceal a matter, and the glory of kings to search it out!
~ May His Spirit guide us into all truth.
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