Throughout our lives, we encounter pivotal moments and crucial turning points that irrevocably alter our future. These defining experiences mark a clear divide between what was and what will be, ensuring that from then on, life is forever changed. Dr. Michael Heiser tells us about one of these pivotal moments in his own life. He says, “One such moment in my life came on a Sunday morning in church while I was in graduate school. I was chatting with a friend who, like me, was working on a PhD in Hebrew studies, killing a few minutes before the service started. I don’t recall much of the conversation, though I am sure it was about Old Testament theology. But I’ll never forget how it ended. My friend handed me his Hebrew Bible, open to Psalm 82. He said, ‘Here, read that…look at it closely.’ The first verse hit me like a bolt of lightning: ‘God [Elohim] stands in the divine assembly; he administers judgment in the midst of the gods [Elohim].’” I was struck by a particular Hebrew word that deeply moved me. The term "elohim" appeared twice in this brief verse. Aside from Yahweh, which signifies the covenant name, "elohim" is the most frequently used term for God in the Old Testament. The first occurrence of the word made perfect sense. However, the second mention needed to be understood as plural. There it was, clear as daylight: The God of the Old Testament was depicted as part of a divine council, a pantheon, of other deities.
Dr. Heiser was left deeply perplexed as the words of Psalm 82:1 jumped off the pages like the writing on the wall, particularly the words: “Elohim” and “elohim.” He vividly describes it as, “Needless to say, I didn’t hear a word of the sermon. My mind was reeling. How was it possible that I’d never seen that before? I’d read through the Bible seven or eight times. I’ve been to seminary. I’d studied Hebrew. I’d taught for five years at a Bible college.” – Dr. Heiser was experiencing a life-changing event through the Word of God…and the Old Testament at that.
This revelation left Dr. Heiser with questions like, “What did this do to my theology?” He shared that he had always taught his students the mention of any other “gods” in the Bible were just idols. But now, that explanation didn’t fit what he was reading. It just didn’t make any sense here in Psalm 82. Paraphrasing Dr. Heiser: The God of Israel wasn’t just another idol among many. Still, I struggled to imagine Him among other genuine gods. This was the Bible, not some Greek myth. Yet, the evidence was undeniable in the text, gripping me with a truth I couldn't escape.
Have you ever experienced anything like this? Has there been a time that God revealed something in his word that you had not previously recognized? Why does God keep things hidden in his word, and then, “BAM!” it feels like you are being knocked in the head with it? And you didn’t quite know how to process everything? It’s like being hit in the chest and having the breath knocked out of you. Did you sit with it? Meditate upon it? And allow God to water it? Or did you ignore it? As you ask yourself these questions now, what answers are you finding? Please take your time here. I am sure it was a shaking experience that tested everything you have ever been taught or believed. Did it bring about a change in you, or did you write it off and choose to continue down the path you were on, wrapped up in the old teachings you had learned, safely in your comfort zone?
In the upcoming post, we will delve deeper into Dr. Heiser’s experience while exploring our own experiences. These posts intend to help us grow into the men and women that God desires for us to be. Yes, we will be moved outside of our comfort zones because I have found that this is where growth begins.
Until next time…God Bless YOU!
Regina Sanders
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