View source for Template:Altars of stone

=== Altars of stone ===

* “And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of [[hewn]] stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it. Neither shalt thou go up by [[steps]] unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.” [[Exodus 20]]:25-26

The [[Hebrew]] word rigmah [המגר]<Ref name="rigmah">{{07277}}</Ref> is translated into ''council'' in [[Psalms 68]]<Ref>[[Psalms 68]]:27  "There [is] little Benjamin [with] their ruler, the princes of Judah [and] their council <07277>, the princes of Zebulun, [and] the princes of Naphtali."</Ref>, but actually means literally a “heap of stones”, or “gathering of stones”.<Ref name="rigmah">{{07277}}</Ref>  

It is from the Hebrew word Regem [םגר] which means ''friend''<Ref name="Regem">{{07276}}</Ref> and is the same three letters of ragam [םגר] defined ''stone''.<Ref name="ragam">{{07275}}</Ref> 

Both words have as a common origin [בגר] regeb which means a ''clod (of earth)''.<Ref name="clod">{{07263}}</Ref> 

Why would the same letters and word for ''stone'' also mean ''friend''? 

And why would a ''council'' of men be represented by the word for a ''gathering of stones''?

The idea that the term for stone might represent a man or that a gathering of stones might compose a ''living altar of men'' or a ''living stone temple'' should be a readily acceptable metaphor.

* “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” [[1 Peter 2]]:5 

Were the [[altars]] of [[clay and stone]] always meant as metaphors for men who gather for a particular purpose?

Of we read these words in context what are these altars really about and what purpose do they serve?

Was Abraham able to raise an army over night to defeat invaders because the people burned up sheep on altars?

How does that bind people together?

Have we been deceived through [[Sophistry]]?

There are several chapters in the book [[TKC|Thy Kingdom Comes]] that deal with the sacrifices on stone and earth [[altars]]. An altar of earth was simply a metaphor for each family being a living altar of earth. The word earth here is from adamah which is also translated “husbandman”. This ''adamah'' is the ''red earth'' from which Adam was made. The sons of Adam are to be the husbandmen of the earth and commanded to “dress it and keep it”. 

In our modern language we may express someone's character as rock solid, or ask what metal a man is made of. No one imagines that someone is actually made of stone or metal. These are simply metaphors.

In [[Hebrew]] the four letter word for [[naked]], ''aruwm''(םורע)<Ref name="aruwm1">{{06174}}</Ref> is also seen as ''aruwm''(םורע)<Ref name="aruwm2">{{06175}}</Ref> but translated ''prudent, crafty, subtle''. 

So what does the word ''aruwm'' mean, '''[[naked]]''' or prudent? 

It is from the word ‘aram [עָרַם‎]<Ref name="aram">{{06191}}</Ref> which is translated ''subtilty, crafty, prudent, beware, very, and craftiness'', but also is translated ''gathered together and heap''. 

How do we determine what these words mean if they may have so many different meanings? 

Is there a key to understanding the meaning of these words? 

Who can tell us? 

How can we know? 

Have we been left clues to assist us in unraveling the mysteries of language and words written thousands of years ago? 

Who will reveal the truth in the written text?

We know the [[Pharisees]] did not understand the scriptures correctly, though they were fluent in [[Hebrew]]. 

Who wrote their dictionaries and defined the terms of their text? 

The [[Hebrew]] language is full of symbols, metaphors and conceptual imagery. All languages are ways to represent ideas with symbols. 

Is there a clue in the symbols that form the words?

Unlike the languages of the West, [[Hebrew]] letters have meaning, and those meanings are used to produce the words themselves. This is not possible with any language based upon a phonetic alphabet. Most alphabets, unlike Hebrew, are designed to represent sounds not ideas.

If a ''clod of clay'' can be a ''man'' and a ''stone'' can be a ''friend'' and a ''gathering of stones'' can be a ''council of men'' then what does it mean to build an [[Altar]] of stones that are not [[hewn]]?

If the stones are men then how would you [[Hewn|hew]] those men?

Does this mean that you shall not ''regulate'' or ''[[exercise authority]]'' over these men who are the servants<Ref name="serveth">{{serveth}}</Ref> of the people providing the [[table]] of the LORD for your [[welfare]] through [[charity]] rather than what the [[Pharaoh]] had provided in Egypt which was a [[snare]]?

What Moses  was saying they should not do about ''[[steps]] and [[hewn]] stones'' is the same thing Christ said when he forbid<Ref name="exauth">{{exauth}}</Ref> his [[disciple]]s to be like that form of government. He told us not to make the ''[[Fathers]] of the earth'' our [[Benefactors]] nor eat their [[dainties]] served at their [[tables]] because Proverbs, Paul and David said they were a trap.

There is rank in the kingdom and even an [[hierarchy]] but not one of men ruling over men accept by [[consent]]. Christ is clear that your ''rank'' in the kingdom is dependent upon your service<Ref name="serveth">{{serveth}}</Ref> to others and not upon any authority of man over his fellow man.