In the language of Israel the word “Hebrew” means “one who crossed over.” Among the Lord’s people of old the word had the highest of meanings in that it referred to the spiritual quality of those who bore the label. The Hebrews/Israelites were known far and wide as “The People of the Book” (Bible) who occupied a special place in the heart of God. As a symbol of this truth the Lord changed Jacob’s name to “Israel,” meaning “power with God.” At one time the Israelites (Hebrews) were the most successful and powerful nation on earth. Their reputation was unquestioned. Their godly blessings were obvious and available for all to see. People came from afar to see the splendor of the Israelite society and to pay homage to her God–Jehovah–the Almighty.

Sadly, over time the words “Hebrew” and “Israelite” have taken on a different meaning. Because God’s chosen people have chosen to reject His Words, being called a Hebrew or Israelite today merely identifies them as a distinct group having no special meaning. Instead of being a singular society of great importance, Israel has become merely one nation among many. Incredibly, among the world’s nations, she is today the most despised. Ironically, the two nations which claim to have the closest relationship with the Lord (Israel and the U.S.) are the two most hated nations on earth. The lesson here is that one does not reject God’s Word and walk away unscathed. Their punishment has only just begun.

Let us now study the origin of the word “Hebrew” in order to understand God’s commands for His modern day Hebrews–His “little flock” (Lk. 12:32), the church–the “Israel of God” (Gal. 6:16).

Abram, the first Hebrew, was a heathen polytheist who lived in Ur of the Chaldees, an area located east of the Euphrates River. Today the area is called Mugheir. Terah, Abram’s father, decided to move his family, including Abram and his wife, from Ur to Canaan, a land far to the west. However, he never entered Canaan. For reasons that remain unknown, while journeying from Ur to Canaan Terah stopped in Haran and decided to remain there, at least temporarily. Haran was a totally pagan city dedicated to the sun god whom the people called Sin. Terah died in Haran. In Genesis 12 we find God telling Terah’s son Abram to continue on to Canaan, the land he had promised to reserve for Abram’s  descendants. Having heard God’s voice, Abram departed Haran for the “Promised Land,” an unknown area populated by the descendants of Ham, the son of Noah.

In order for Abram to obey God he had to have “crossed over” the Euphrates River, thus earning the name “Hebrew.” Having received a change of name from Abram to Abraham, he later came to be known as “Abraham the Hebrew”–Abraham who crossed over (the river). Abraham crossed over the Euphrates in obedience to God’s command to leave everything and everyone he had ever known and head west into the great unknown. He is called the “father of the faithful” because he believed what God said (12:1-4) and acted on it. The depth of Abraham’s faith can be summed up in three words: “And Abraham departed.” Note that hearing God’s Word was not enough; faith (believing God’s word–Rom. 10:17) was necessary. But hearing the Truth and believing it were not enough; one more step was necessary–obedience. Without the work of obedience relative to the Lord’s Word, Abraham’s faith would have been dead (Jam. 2:17), which would have rendered him equally as dead in that he had to live by faith. No faith=death. Faith minus obedience=death. Note that Satan has great faith; he knows God’s Word is true. He lacks only one thing–obedience. To know the Truth and not obey the Truth places one on the same spiritual level as the devil–God’s enemy. L.J.