Q & A #11

What does the word “betraying” mean?

When defining a word we must always consider the context in which it is used

For example: Note the use of the word “leaven” in , , and

Three different meanings for the same English word

Thus, we must go to the passages where our word is used to see if we can discover its meaning

38 times the word (or some form of the word) “betray” is used in the Bible

Only one time in the OT ()

The next time we see the word is in the NT and it is related with one, Judas Iscariot, an apostle of Jesus Christ ()

Jesus prophesied of His betrayal (, , )

Some background regarding the betrayal of Jesus Christ

The chief priests, scribes and elders of the people wanted Jesus dead ()

These men were concerned for their place and nation ()

They wanted to accomplish this secretly

Such is how Satan works ()

Judas Iscariot, though an apostle of Jesus, was a thief and covetous ()

He minded worldly riches more than godliness ()

This set the stage for the betrayal

Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests to begin the process ()

30 pieces of silver was the price equal to that of a slave gored by an ox (); about $900 today

Jesus identifies the betrayer ()

Judas Iscariot leaves quickly afterwards ()

Judas Iscariot returns with a mob and betrays Jesus with a kiss ()

From this examination of the Bible use of the word, we can conclude that “betray” means:

To take a friend and give them over to the enemy

There is treachery (violation of allegiance or of faith and confidence) involved here

betrayed (paradidomi) means to surrender or to give over

There is no more infamous name in history than that of Judas Iscariot

Truly it would have been good for him to never have been born ()

Why does God use the name “I AM THAT I AM” when he replied to Moses in first instead of Jehovah?

The Context

Children of Israel came into Egypt and multiplied greatly ()

A new king (Pharaoh) of Egypt came into power which did not know Joseph ()

This Pharoah feared the Hebrews and decided to enslave them ()

The more they were afflicted the greater they grew ()

Is there a lesson in there for us?

Fast forward a bit in time and we read of the birth of Moses and his initial attempt at being a deliverer ()

At the end of the people cried to God due to their bondage and God heard their cries ()

In , Moses is called by God via the burning bush ()

It is here that Moses begins to make excuses

The Text

Read

The Egyptians

God informs Abram that his seed would be “a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years” ()

Stephen also makes reference to this ()

This is a prophecy concerning the children of Israel in Egyptian bondage of which we read the fulfillment in Exodus

400 years is a long time to be in bondage

The US has been in existence for 243 years

The Egyptians

They were an idolatrous people

Ammon, Phthah, Ra, Mentu, Hor, Osiris, etc.

Each was assigned a name with a meaning

Interesting to note that none of these Egyptian gods are mentioned in the Bible and it does not appear that the Hebrews were greatly affected by them

Of interest, the 10 plagues that would come to effect deliverance of God’s people were a display of God’s power over the impotent manmade gods of the Egyptians ()

The Nile river was worshipped as Hapi ()

Amon-Re / Aton was the sun god ()

The Answer

With this backdrop, perhaps Moses was interested in having a “proper” name for God

Up to this point God had been known as:

Elohim ()

The Most High ()

The High / Elyon ()

Shaddai / Almighty ()

The Strong ()

Jehovah ()

These names were

Was Moses thinking that the people were affected by idolatry such that God needed a “proper name”?

None of these Egyptian gods are mentioned in the Bible and it does not appear that the Hebrews were greatly affected by them

He already had “proper” names!

This does not seem like the reason God answered Moses the way that He did or why Moses asked the question

When making excuses, questions can be

We must remember that Moses is in the process of making excuses for why he cannot be the deliverer of God’s people

“Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” ()

“They will not believe me” ()

“I am not eloquent” ()

“Send someone else” ()

Moses needed to understand, just like we do, who God really is and that God was going to be with Him; the name God tells Moses will be a reminder of this

“I AM THAT I AM” is God’s name that sets forth His eternal nature

God has no beginning and no end ()

The LXX translates as:

“And God spoke to Moses, saying, I am THE BEING; and he said, Thus shall ye say to the children of Israel, THE BEING has sent me to you.”

Notice it is a continuous process of being

It is active, manifested existence

This is in stark contrast to any idol that man invents

“I AM THAT I AM” is God’s name that shows that He is the Alone Existent

All life/existence comes from God (, , )

“in him we live, and move, and have our being” ()

No God beside God (; )

Jesus used the name “I AM” to express His Deity

“for if ye believe not that I am” ()

“then shall ye know that I am” ()

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am” ()

“ye may believe that I am” ()

A likely answer

It would be reassuring to Moses that the God of all existence was with Him for the task of delivering the people out of captivity

It would be reassuring to the people that the God of all existence was going to deliver them from captivity through Moses

Imagine how you would feel knowing I AM is going to deliver you?

It would certainly set God apart from any other god!

Sadly, Moses, the people and you and I lose sight of this from time to time

Our God is not a god He is THE GOD! Always was, always is and always will be (; )

Whom do you serve tonight?