The Meaning of Our Assembly Name

Elohim gave specific names to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (Gen. 17:5; 17:19; 35:10). I believe I have three names. There's my name from my parents. There is the name I call myself. Plus, there's the name that Yah has given me. I don't know for certain what Yah has named me, but I know it depicts my true character and reflects the essence of who I am (Isaiah 49:1).

Since names are important, what does the name of Bet Yeshurun Assembly mean? When our congregation met several years ago to discuss how the 1st century church of Elohim was organized, a question regarding our Assembly name was raised. This article shares some notes from that meeting regarding the discussion about our Assembly name.

Bet (H1004) means a house, which comes from the Hebrew word bana (H1129) that means to build, begin to build, builder, obtain children. This word describes where families live and notes that we are building a home and becoming children of Yah.

Yeshurun (H3484) means upright (a symbol of Israel), which comes from the Hebrew word yashar (H3474) meaning to be straight, to be right, prosperous, pleasant, esteem right, take the straight way, be upright. This word describes our Assembly's reputation. It notes what we are and who we aspire to always be.

Assembly, qahal (H6951), means a multitude, company, and congregation, which comes from a primitive Hebrew root word (H6950) that means to convoke, to assemble together, and gather selves. The Hebrew word sounds similar to the English word "call" as in YHVH "calls" out to His children. This word describes why our Assembly gathers. Our families come together in response to Elohim's call for His children to meet with Him. Hallelu Yah!

Bet Yeshurun Assembly is also Yah's name of endearment for the people of Israel. Yeshurun refers to Yah's "beloved" (Deut. 33:5; 33:26). This name reflects Abba's desire for His beloved children to obediently follow His commands and way of life. In doing so, His chosen ones become upright, i.e. righteous people. Indeed, Yah's Assembly becomes known as "the House of the Righteous" (Proverbs 12:7; 15:6) in thought, word, and deed.

"Assemble yourselves and come. You, who have escaped the nations, draw near together." (Isaiah 45:20) Bet Yeshurun Assembly gathers in response to this invitation of Yah. As we come together with other Israelites to praise, worship and seek Yahshuah's instruction, we say "Yes!" to becoming His faithful Bride. Although our ancestors may have been dispersed to the ends of the earth, our congregation is blessed with the opportunity to assemble. We do so gratefully because we know YHVH never forgot our name or lost sight of us. He has remained faithful to His covenant promise and continuously calls us to be members of His Body of Believers. Hallelu Yah!

"Yet now hear O Jacob, my servant and Israel, whom I have chosen. Thus says YHVH, "Who made you and formed you from the womb? Who will help you? Fear not, O Jacob, my servant and you, Yeshurun, whom I have chosen." (Isaiah 44:1-2) YHVH Elohim is the One who is calling Bet Yeshurun Assembly. "This is that Moses, who said to the children of Israel, "A prophet shall YHVH your Elohim raise up to you of your brethren, like to me. Him shall you hear." This is He who was in the ekklesia (Assembly) in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him in the Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, who received the lively oracles to give to us." (Acts 7:37-38)

Several families were recently invited to become members of Bet Yeshurun Assembly. Other families are on the path to joining as members of the Assembly. If you are interested in becoming a member, speak with Pastor ObadiYah. To those who have met Bet Yeshurun Assembly's standards of membership, I say "Kudos!" To those who still strive to meet those standards, I say, "Persevere!" And to all my fellow Israelite brothers and sisters, whoever you are, and wherever you may be I close this article with a blessing in the manner of Paul (Shaul).

"To the saints and faithful Believers in Messiah, grace and peace be with you from Elohim, our Father, Abba, and our Adonai, Yahshuah ha Messiach. I thank YHVH always in praying for you. I testify of your faith in Yahshuah, of the love you have for all His saints, of the reward He has prepared for us in heaven, and of the Word of Truth you hear in the Gospel. I desire that you be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you walk worthy of Yahshuah; that you are fruitful in every good work; and that you increase in the knowledge of Elohim. May YHVH's glorious power strengthen you with patience to be longsuffering and to be filled with His joy. I thank YHVH, who gives us an inheritance with His saints, who delivers us from the power of darkness, and who is transforming us into the Kingdom of His dearly beloved Son." (Colossians 1:1-13) Hallelu Yah and Shalom, Elder Curt

"Home is not where you live, but where they understand you." Christian Morgenstern

"How far you go in life depends on you being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Be cause some day you will have been all of these." George Washington Carver

"The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone. " Harriet Beecher Stowe

"Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live." Norman Cousins

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if your were to live forever." Mahatma Gandhi