What is iniquity nwwo? Is it a synonym for “sin," in the darker sense of that word’s Hebrew connotations? Or if its meaning isn’t so arresting as “intentional disobedience,” does it convey the less guilt-ridden understanding of sin as “error, transgression?” It’s a question of no small importance because, without exception, the soul that sins shall die.
As a generalization, the connotations of sin cover a broad range of errors, from simple mistakes to instances of gross malfeasance. The Hebrew word afj has greater clarity in common usage than does the Hebrew word for “iniquity,” which invokes similar anxieties to “sin” in common usage because it touches upon the mystery of Lucifer. Most will admit to the negative cast of “iniquity nwo,” but a clear concept of what the word actually means is illusive. Even though mention of “iniquity” can send chills along spines when it’s raised in conversation, not many who are bothered by shudders bother to resolve their concerns about the term’s implications.
The opening illustration presents definitions of the Hebrew word for sin as it appears in Torah’s original language. The meme is suggestive of the rich subtexts that open when readers, without denial of a word’s etymology, explore a text as it is written in Sinaitic Hebrew, the alphabet known as the “Moses Script.” Torah’s original emblems, which are precursors to all Western alphabets, served as the common language in Egypt at the time of the Exodus; and they remained the written language of Y'SharAL through the reign of King David and beyond. Not wholly forgotten, they are still used in Yemen.
At his death, David was gathered to his fathers, and the spiritual kingdom he led awaits a time of restoration. HaShem is calling upon a new generation to rebuild David’s Tabernacle: not his buildings, but the ambiance of his world view. Whether or not we are to share in that work, we ought to have interest in how David saw the world and, also, in how he approached the scriptures upon which his world was founded. He read the Lively Oracles of HaShem written in the pattern required of Moshe on Sinai, and its subtleties shaped his understanding of the spirit that called him from the sheep cote and prepared a seat for him in the room of King Saul.
We wrestle with bondage, a reward of sin. The precursor to error is iniquity; and because it’s not an overt act but a state of being, iniquity’s inroads are subtle, patient, ubiquitous, persistent. Iniquity is a miasma that crowds upon productive thought as doubt, which debilitates and immobilizes with disheartening depression. The soul whose focus is centered in messiah, however, is able to countermand its pitfalls by bringing the spiritual eye to bear on issues that underlie circumstance.
The remedy is certain, but it isn’t simple; for the ditches exposed by iniquity are plowed by personal bias; for, having commandeered an individual’s intention to better himself, iniquity takes root in his concerns about election and piety, crucial concepts that pit self against others. Adding ambivalence to doubt, therefore, the pious soul elevates focus on his own, personal standing above his focus on God; and every seeming step forward becomes a stumbled step backwards, as inner debate becomes driven by zeal, which is mistaken for guidance by the holy spirit.
Armed with doctrines that defy common sense, Goliaths of pulpits, synagogues, and mosques impose themselves upon spiritual freedom born of direct experience. Whether they pound from their platforms or plead from their knees, they harp on thoughts that cloud the mind; and we can surrender leadership to their posturing no longer.
Tall King Shaul killed his thousands and found no peace at the head of his armies, nor even in his own house. For us to do better, we will do well if we emulate David and address questions that stir the golden dust clouds of Ophir rpo: thoughts o that summons p an authoritative view r by tightening o debate p about things we think we know r. Our opinions will not fill our slings against Goliath. We need the direct experience gained in pastures we know.
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