HEBREW WORD STUDY – CRAFTY – ARAM ערם Ayin Resh Mem
Psalms 83:2: “For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. (3) They have taken crafty counsel against thy people and consulted against thy hidden ones. (4) They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from [being] a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. (5) For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:”
Numbers 10:35: “And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee.”
“For whoever hates the nation of Israel hates the One Who spoke and the world came into being.” Rashi
Clearly the teaching her is that to hate Israel and the Jewish people is the same as hating God. As I was reading Psalms 83 today for my daily meditation on the word of God my I Pad began ringing. It is a special tone sent from my Red Alert APP which signals every time a rocket is fired into Israel. I glanced at my I Pad and noticed that this particular attack consisted of 25 rockets sent from Gaza into Israel. As I write this the alert is again sounding on my I Pad. The idea is to pray for the safety of the Israelis every time the alert is sounded. I try but it just sounds so many times I can’t keep up.
I checked the news on me I Pad but there was very little being said about this literal war going on in the Middle East and what I read seems to suggest it is all Israel’s fault. Although most of what I see on the news are the aggressors spewing out hatred for Israel. For some reason, the news media just can’t find any Israeli spewing hatred toward the aggressors. Ah, yes listen to me call Israel’s enemies the aggressors, that sure shows where I stand. But don’t get me started.
As I read Psalms 83 it was like the proverbial reading today’s news. Rashi, the eleventh-century French rabbi noted the hatred of the Jews during his time. Throughout the last 2,000 years after the Jews lost their homeland, they scattered throughout the world but refused to assimilate into the culture of their adoptive homelands. They refused to convert to Christianity and as a result suffered tremendous persecution with entire communities being slaughtered and many in the name of Christianity.
Today, it seems the world hates the Jews. Even in the United States, there are many who cry “Anti Semitism” only to further their own agenda. I mean why else would they accuse a radio talk show host of Anti Semitism who himself is not only an orthodox Jew, a writer of commentaries on the Torah and a respected leader in the Jewish community. They accuse the President of being Anti Semitic and yet he brought the American embassy to Jerusalem, he is loved by the prime minister of Israel as well as many of people of Israel and his daughter and son-in-law who are personal advisors are Jewish. Yet, his critics insist he is Anti Semitic.
What people who make such accusation are doing is what Psalms 83 refers to as crafty counsel. The word crafty in Hebrew is ya’arimu from the root word ‘aram. It means to be shrewd, cunning but smooth. It is that used car salesmen who tell you it was owned by a little old lady who only drove it to church on Sunday. It is for someone who holds a credible position, speaks a lie so smoothly that no one would suspect a lie and yet they have a hidden agenda.
Genesis 12:3: “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” That promise hasn’t changed. Napoleon was not much of a believer in God, but he was smart. He noticed how all the nations persecuted the Jews. He also noticed how they had a real talent in governing their society. Napoleon was a warrior not a politician. He could not run a government. But the Jews could. So he went to the Jewish leaders, flattered them, told them that if they would run the government of the nations he conquered he would give them great freedom and protection and would even try to conquer Israel and return them to their land. Napoleon prospered and France continued to prosper until his sons took over and return to the persecuted treatment of the Jews and from that point France lost its greatness.
So why does the world hate the Jews so much? After almost 45 years of studying the works of Jewish sages and teachers as a Christian, I am convinced that they hold the secrets of God. They are the guardians of the true understanding of God’s loving, caring and nurturing nature and the enemy hates that. He hates it so much he has tried his best to remove them through many ‘aram ways.
I am very disturbed that I am now hearing Christians talk about the Jews and Israel as the oppressors and aggressors. To them, I will say something that is not politically correct but I believe is Biblical. If you hate the Jews and Israel, you also hate God.
I see many people these days having crafty speach life style without even realizing that those speeches loosing their true identity.
To me , being crafty like that – is a part of whichcraft. Most Jewish people know who they are and they don’t need to be crafty.
If you are born again – you know who you are, and you don’t find interest in craftiness.
And there’s a spiritual separation from this world. .. There is a battle.
I, also, thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated with deep respect and consternation your candid explanation. Thank you for your boldness. We need to hear more about this from our teachers and preachers. I wonder, too, if that word “crafty” in any form of the Hebrew is used to describe Lucifer as he spoke to Eve in the garden of Eden.
Thank You for your article. I also believe that the world is not addressing what is going on in Israel. My heart and prayers are always for the people and that we as Christian could realize the richness that the Jews have taught through out the ages. We are the ones grafted into the branch. I have had the pleasure to go to Israel twice, once in 1980 and then again in 2006 and each time I feel so at home and a closeness to Elohim. It is my delight to read your post and I’m learning so much. Please keep up this great work. And keep on your knees before Elohim that your humble spirit of teaching will continue to be a blessing to all.
Shalom my new friend.
Thank you Chaim for your candidness. I agree with you. Most people live to hear the news and trust it. They don’t think for themselves.
I often say how Israel doesn’t start it but they will finish it!
I am a jewish messianic and know many Christians who love and cherish Israel. Thank you God. But there are many Jews who have no idea that there are Christians who love the Jews.
It’s time both sides come to the bridge! Also there are so many Christians who have no idea their Messina was and is Jew! How amazing is it that they worship a Jewish Messiah!
I’m enjoying reading and learning the Hebrew alphabet from your books.
Shalom
I agree, we are grafted in by the grace of God. John 3:16
Strong words Chaim. But right on the button. Be bold, continue with what you do with unfettered enthusiasm and insightful revelation of what you see and understand then give it without mincing words. Don’t be “crafty”.:-))) Thanks heaps
I really enjoyed reading this commentary on ‘crafty.’ My one problem though is the fact that you say that Christians are the ones who are saying that the Jews and Israel are the aggressors. While I agree that there may be some who do that, I believe that there are thousands and thousands who do NOT believe that. I did not notice one mention of the Muslim population or other people (non-religious and religious) who really, really hate the Jews in your writing. So, while I love your commentaries, I must disagree on the Christians who are targeted in this writing.
Pamela, Christians who come against Israel was addressed (not targeted) in this article because as Believers how can we ignore what the Word says concerning Israel and come against those He loves. You might expect it from an unbeliever but when it’s from a believer I have to agree with Chaim in saying that it is quite disturbing. Can you imagine how God must feel watching and listening to this happen? Like a mother watching one brother throw the other under a bus.
I really do not want to condemn the Muslims as I am not a Muslim. I understand they hate the Jews, although not all of them. 17.7% of the population of Israel are Muslims. The Muslims I happen to know feel no ill towards Israel and are saddened that there is conflict. But as I said, I am not a Muslim and it is not my place to condemn them. But when a Christian brother and sister condemns Israel, stand back because I am going to overhaul their engine. I make no apology for condemning Christians who express hatred toward Israel and I will not mince words. I will call them toads and blast them out of the pond. You notice Jesus did not call Gentiles or sinners vipers and dogs. He showed only love toward them. But he minced no words for the corrupt religious leaders. Remember Jesus had not problem fellowshiping with republicans and sinners. That was autocorrect, that was autocorrect!
Thank you for your statement. I needed to hear it and absorb it.
Do you have a word study for the word ‘boil’ found in Ezekiel 47: 20, 24?
Amen brother!
Your words are true… 1st John 4:20
Who else could have preserved The Word for through the centuries? Blessings upon the people of His Book.