The Reason You Can Trust God (Even When It Seems Risky)

Summary

The video script explores the biblical concept of God's character, focusing on the Hebrew word 'emet,' which signifies both 'truth' and 'faithfulness.' It illustrates God's reliability through the stories of Moses, Abraham, and David, highlighting their trust in God's promises despite challenges. The script emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises, inviting viewers to trust in God's enduring faithfulness, as demonstrated throughout biblical narratives.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Bible describes God's character as 'Compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, overflowing with loyal love and faithfulness'.
• 🔍 The Hebrew word 'emet' is central to understanding God's nature, signifying both 'faithfulness' and 'truth'.
• 🌐 'Amen' is related to 'emet', expressing affirmation or agreement with a statement of truth.
• 💡 'Emet' in the context of people refers to reliability, stability, and trustworthiness.
• 🤝 Moses exemplifies 'emet' by appointing trustworthy leaders who would not distort justice or take bribes.
• 🗿 God is likened to a rock, symbolizing His faithfulness, justice, and uprightness.
• 👶 The story of Abraham and Sarah illustrates the concept of 'he'emin', or trusting in God's promises despite seemingly impossible circumstances.
• 🏛 Israel's journey from Egypt to the Promised Land tests their trust in God's 'emet', or faithfulness.
• 🤴 David is highlighted as a figure who consistently relied on God, demonstrating 'emet' in his actions.
• 👑 The promise of a faithful descendant of David, whose kingdom would endure, is fulfilled in Jesus, the Messiah.
• 🌟 The New Testament affirms God's faithfulness through Jesus, who is the eternal, trustworthy king inviting all nations to trust in God.

Q & A

What characteristic of God is described using the Hebrew word 'emet'?

The Hebrew word 'emet' describes God's characteristic of being faithful and trustworthy, which can also be translated as 'truth'.

How is the word 'amen' related to 'emet'?

The word 'amen' is an untranslated Hebrew expression meaning 'that's truth,' and it is related to 'emet' as both words pertain to the concept of truth and reliability.

What does the term 'emet' imply about a person's character when used in a human context?

When 'emet' is used in the context of a person, it implies that the individual has a reliable, stable character and is trustworthy.

How does the script relate the concept of 'emet' to the story of Moses and the Amalekites?

The script uses the story of Moses holding up his hands during the battle with the Amalekites as an example of 'emet', illustrating the need for stability and reliability.

According to the script, who is the first person in the Bible who considers God to be trustworthy?

The first person in the Bible who considers God to be trustworthy is Abraham.

What promise does God make to Abraham and Sarah, and how does Abraham respond to this promise?

God promises Abraham and Sarah that they will have a large family and that all nations will be blessed through them. Despite their old age and inability to have children, Abraham trusts in God's promise, showing his belief in God's faithfulness.

How does the script describe the relationship between God and Israel when they are led out of Egypt?

The script describes the relationship between God and Israel as one of trust and reliance, with Israel he'emins in God, meaning they trust and rely on Him.

What does the script suggest about the Israelites' trust in God when they reach the promised land filled with giants?

The script suggests that the Israelites' trust in God's 'emet' fails when they encounter the challenges of the promised land filled with giants.

Who is the Israelite mentioned in the script that trusts God in the face of giants, and how does he demonstrate this trust?

The Israelite mentioned is David, who demonstrates his trust in God by facing the giant Goliath with the name of the God of Israel, not relying on physical weapons.

What does the script say about the kingdom of the faithful descendant of David?

The script states that the kingdom of the faithful descendant of David, a reference to Jesus, will endure forever and serve as a source of trust and stability for others.

How does the New Testament respond to the Israelites' accusation of God abandoning His promises to Abraham and David?

The New Testament responds by presenting Jesus as the lineage of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David and Abraham, indicating that through Jesus, God fulfills His promises and demonstrates His faithfulness.

What invitation does the script extend to the audience in light of the biblical portrayal of God's faithfulness?

The script invites the audience to take the risk of trusting in God's overflowing faithfulness, as demonstrated through the stories of Abraham, David, and Jesus.

Outlines

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📜 Biblical Depiction of God's Faithfulness

The script explores the biblical portrayal of God's character, emphasizing the Hebrew word 'emet,' which signifies both 'faithfulness' and 'truth.' It discusses how 'emet' relates to stability and reliability, using the example of Moses' hands being supported to remain steady during battle. The concept extends to human character, describing people of 'emet' as trustworthy leaders who do not bend justice. God's faithfulness is further illustrated through the story of Abraham, who trusted God's promise despite his and Sarah's old age and infertility. The narrative shows how God's promises were fulfilled through Abraham's descendants, forming the nation of Israel, and later through the lineage of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who embodies God's enduring faithfulness and invites all nations to trust in God.

Keywords

💡God

God is the central figure in the video script, representing the ultimate source of truth, faithfulness, and love. The script describes God's character as 'compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, overflowing with loyal love and faithfulness,' which sets the tone for the entire video's theme of trust and reliability. The concept of God's faithfulness is explored through various biblical narratives, emphasizing the divine attribute of being trustworthy and consistent.

💡Emet

Emet is a Hebrew word that the script translates as 'faithfulness' or 'truth.' It is integral to the video's message, as it conveys the idea of stability, reliability, and trustworthiness. The script uses the term to describe God's character and the expectations placed on human leaders in the Bible. For example, when discussing Moses appointing leaders, the script states they should be people of 'emet,' meaning trustworthy and just.

💡Amen

Amen is an untranslated Hebrew expression that means 'that's truth.' It is related to 'emet,' and its inclusion in the script serves to reinforce the theme of truthfulness and reliability. The script mentions 'amen' to illustrate the connection between the affirmation of truth in everyday language and the biblical concept of God's unchanging nature.

💡Faithfulness

Faithfulness is a key concept in the script, closely tied to the Hebrew word 'emet.' It is used to describe God's enduring and reliable nature, as well as the behavior expected of those who follow God. The script emphasizes that God's faithfulness is not just about telling the truth but also about being dependable and loyal, as seen in the promise to Abraham and the establishment of the kingdom through David.

💡Truth

Truth is a fundamental concept in the script, associated with the Hebrew word 'emet.' It is presented as a core aspect of God's character and is explored in the context of God's reliability and consistency. The script discusses how 'emet' can refer to correct ideas or concepts, highlighting the importance of truth in understanding God's nature and actions.

💡Trust

Trust is a recurring theme in the script, particularly in relation to the Hebrew verb 'he'emin,' which means 'to believe' or 'to have faith.' The script uses trust to illustrate the relationship between God and humanity, emphasizing the risk and reward of placing one's faith in God. Examples from the script include Abraham's trust in God's promise despite their old age and childlessness, and Israel's reliance on God during their exodus from Egypt.

💡Abraham

Abraham is a significant figure in the script, known as the first person in the Bible who considers God trustworthy. His story is used to exemplify faith and trust in God's promises, despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The script mentions how Abraham 'he'emins God,' demonstrating his belief in God's faithfulness and leading to the fulfillment of God's promise of a large family and a nation.

💡Israel

Israel represents the descendants of Abraham and is a central nation in the biblical narrative. The script discusses how God invites Israel into a trusting and faithful relationship, and how their trust in God's 'emet' is tested when they encounter challenges in the promised land. Israel's trust and subsequent failures and victories serve to illustrate the importance of faith and God's enduring faithfulness.

💡David

David is portrayed in the script as a model of trust in God, even in the face of overwhelming odds, such as when he confronts the giant Goliath. His reliance on God and his demonstration of 'emet' through faithful actions are highlighted to show how individuals can embody God's characteristics of faithfulness and trustworthiness.

💡Jesus

Jesus is presented in the script as the fulfillment of God's promises, the Messiah, and the son of David. His role is pivotal in demonstrating God's faithfulness across generations. The script concludes with the assertion that through Jesus, God's promises are realized, reinforcing the theme of trust and reliability in God's character.

💡Risk

Risk is an underlying concept in the script, particularly in the context of trusting God. The video acknowledges the vulnerability and uncertainty inherent in placing one's faith in another, whether it be God or fellow humans. The script invites viewers to take the risk of trust, drawing parallels to the biblical figures who chose to trust in God despite challenges.

Highlights

Describing God's character as 'Compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, overflowing with loyal love and faithfulness.'

The Hebrew word 'emet' translates to 'faithfulness' or 'truth', emphasizing God's reliability and stability.

The connection between 'emet' and 'amen', highlighting the affirmation of truth in Hebrew.

Emet's application to people, signifying trustworthiness and a stable character.

Moses as an example of emet, being a trustworthy leader who does not distort justice.

God's faithfulness described through the metaphor of a rock, being consistent and upright.

The Hebrew verb 'he'emin' meaning 'to trust' or 'to believe', rooted in the concept of considering someone trustworthy.

Abraham's faith in God's promise despite his and Sarah's old age and inability to have children.

The fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and Sarah through the formation of the nation of Israel within four generations.

Israel's initial trust in God during the exodus from Egypt and their reliance on His guidance.

The challenge of Israel's trust in God when faced with the reality of the promised land filled with giant cities and giants.

David's unwavering trust in God, even when facing a giant, demonstrated by his reliance on God's name.

David's consistent walk in emet before God, showing his faithfulness and trustworthiness.

God's promise of a faithful descendant of David whose kingdom will last forever, symbolizing enduring faithfulness.

The question of God's faithfulness during the collapse of the kingdom and the Israelites' cry for His loyal love.

The New Testament's affirmation of God's faithfulness through the lineage of Jesus, the Messiah, fulfilling the promises to Abraham and David.

The portrayal of God as consistently faithful throughout biblical history, with His promises being fulfilled in Jesus.

The invitation to trust in God's overflowing faithfulness, as demonstrated by figures like Abraham, David, and the people of God.

Transcripts

- [Carissa] If you tried to describe what God is like,

it could be difficult or daunting.

But when the people who wrote the Bible

pondered the mystery of God,

they consistently described God's character in this way.

"Compassionate and gracious, slow to anger,

overflowing with loyal love and faithfulness."

We're going to look at this last characteristic of God.

It's the Hebrew word "emet," which can be translated

as "faithfulness" or even "truth."

It's related to another word you've probably heard before,

"amen," which is an untranslated Hebrew expression

meaning "that's truth."

So emet can mean truth,

and it can refer to correct ideas or concepts.

This is because emet has to do

with stability and reliability.

Like when Moses holds up his hands for hours

to defeat Israel's enemies, the Amalekites,

his friends put a rock under him and support his hands

so that his hands will remain emet or steady.

When emet is used of people, it describes reliable

and stable character or trustworthiness.

Like when Moses appoints leaders in Israel,

they're to be people of emet, people who are trustworthy,

who won't take bribes or distort justice.

So to say that God is full of emet doesn't just mean

that God tells the truth or stands for truth,

it means that God is faithful and trustworthy.

This is why Moses calls God a rock, saying

that he's faithful, just, and upright.

He's saying that he can trust God

to be consistent to his character.

And the Hebrew word for "trust" is actually the verb form

of the word "emet." It's "he'emin."

It can be translated as "to believe," or "to have faith,"

but most basically it means

"to consider someone trustworthy," or "to trust."

The first person we meet in the Bible

who considers God to be trustworthy is Abraham.

God makes a promise that Abraham and his wife Sarah

will have a huge family and that through them

all nations will experience God's blessing.

But Abraham and Sarah are really, really old,

and they've never been able to have any children.

And yet in the face of these challenges,

Abraham he'emins God; he considers God trustworthy

to open a way forward.

And God does show emet to Abraham and Sarah.

In just four generations

their descendants form a whole nation called Israel.

And God invites Israel

into a trusting and faithful relationship.

And when God leads them out of slavery in Egypt,

Israel he'emins in God, they trust and rely on him.

But when they come to the land God promised to Abraham

and they find out it's filled

with giant cities protected by giants,

their trust in God's emet fails.

But eventually we meet an Israelite

who does trust God in the face of giants. It's David.

He yells at the giant,

"You come with a sword and a spear,

but I come with the name of the God of Israel."

David consistently relies on God.

In fact, it's said that David walked in emet before God.

So David considers God to be faithful

and responds with faithfulness.

This is why God promises to raise up a faithful descendant

of David whose kingdom will endure forever,

or in Hebrew, have emet.

This faithful king will become the source

of trust and stability for others forever.

But when the kingdom later collapses,

the Israelites find themselves

without a home and without a king and they cry out,

"Oh God, where is your loyal love

that you swore to David in your emet?"

They're accusing God of abandoning his promises

to Abraham and to David.

Is God trustworthy?

Is he faithful after all?

The first line of the New Testament

is an answer to that question.

"This is the lineage of Jesus, the Messiah,

the son of David, the son of Abraham."

In other words, through Jesus, God fulfills his promises.

Or as Paul says, "Jesus came on behalf of God's faithfulness."

He is the faithful king whose kingdom will endure forever,

and who invites all nations to trust God.

Now, trusting anyone is risky.

It's hard to know if anyone is really full of emet.

But the biblical story portrays a God

who's been faithful all along

and whose promises were fulfilled in the story of Jesus.

And so as we look out at the obstacles facing us

and our world, we are invited to take that same risk

and join Abraham, David, and the people of God

in trusting that God is overflowing with faithfulness.

(serene music)