As I have mentioned before, I enjoy Hebrew word studies. The lessons, from various sources, bring new insights to the English words used in Biblical translations. I'm not saying our Bible's are incorrect, but possibly incomplete without thoroughly looking at the original, more accurate Hebrew meaning of words. My devotion the other day is from Exodus 6:6-8:
“Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD.’ ”
After spending three hundred years in Egypt with the latter years as slaves to the Egyptian people, the children of Israel were afraid to leave Egypt for somewhere they had never seen, even though they were harshly persecuted. To provide assurance, God tolds Moses, “I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; I will give it to you for a possession.” (Exodus 6:8). Elohim is reminding Moses of His promise to Abraham that his descendants would one day inherit the land promised to him.
The word YHVH used for “possession” in the original Hebrew is text is mowrashah מורשה which is only used nine times throughout Scripture. The more common translation used to mean possession or inheritance is in from the root word yarash ירש which means “to inherit.” What makes mowrashah special is that in Hebrew the word describes the Promised Land. It is more than an ordinary item passed down, this is a special inheritance. Mowrashah requires the active participation of each generation, to preserve it for the next generation, unlike yerusha, which is an inheritance that can be easily wasted or discarded.
When a family member dies and leaves a special token of love to someone, this item can be sold or given away. This is the basic form of inheritance that you have, but you can give it away. Mowrashah provides the Promised Land to the Children of Israel as long as they are obedient to the Laws of Elohim. If a generation is rebellious, the inheritance will be removed until such a time as it is returned to the faithful followers of the Omnipotent God. Through out the Old Testament we see the Promised Land freely given, but when the people turn from true worship, the LORD allows them to be conquered, and at times removed. The promise is still available to the children of Abraham, but conditional. That is mowrashah.
Fear the LORD, you His holy people, for those who fear Him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth. Psalm 34:6-16 NIV
As I was studying mowrashah and yarash, I considered our heritage. Salvation is a free gift, the promise and actions by Christ through His death and resurrection has provided eternal life to those who believe, but this inheritance can only be passed down as each person accepts the gift and submits to the King of the Universe. This inheritance is not like a watch or chair that can be given by a grandparent, yarash. As parents we can teach our children God's Word, help them memorize scripture, encourage them to attend church, but at some point these children must become accountable for their own heritage, accept responsibility for their personal salvation, and walk in obedience, mowrashah. Our children don't acquire salvation because we study the Bible and go to church. Salvation is a personal gift. Although they may wander from God's requirements, seeking their own way, the inheritance is still there, but hey will not be able to enjoy the benefits of the milk and honey of God's Presence until they submit to His requirements, obedience to His will.
Holy, Abba Father. I dedicate my children to You for Your guidance and protection for their lives. Help me to trust you in all things, large and small, heal broken hearts and skinned knees, give each a passion to pursue You and Your righteousness. May each of Your children, love You and hunger for Your Word and boldly proclaim the mighty Name of the LORD Most High, HaShem. If Your salvation was yarash, I would give it, but Your redemption is mowrashah requiring their personal cooperation and obedience. My deepest desire is that each child would personally crave Your Presence in their life and surrender to You so they may inherit the Kingdom of Heaven through Your Son, our Savior and LORD, Jesus Christ and walk in Your Spirit, the Trinity, three in ONE. Amen