ELTBefore Hei ה
The *ה* (He) represents a state of not understanding, symbolized by a *ד* (Dalet) with a small *ו* (Vav) returning but not reaching the top, indicating partial understanding or spiritual blindness. Jesus often alluded to humanity’s deception and spiritual blindness, drawing comparisons to the deception experienced by Eve in the Garden of Eden. This blindness prevents people from fully grasping the truth of God’s Word and leads them to be led astray.
Here are some verses that reflect Jesus' teachings about humanity's spiritual blindness and deception:
**Humanity’s Spiritual Blindness and Deception**
1. ▸ ± Matthew 13:14-15
*"In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.'"* - Jesus quotes Isaiah to explain the spiritual blindness of the people. Their inability to understand and perceive spiritual truths is a consequence of their hardened hearts.
2. ▸ ± Matthew 15:14
*"Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit."* - Jesus speaks of spiritual blindness in this verse, referring to the religious leaders as blind guides. This highlights the deception and lack of understanding in those who fail to see the truth.
*"Jesus said, 'For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.'"* - Jesus acknowledges that He came to bring sight to the spiritually blind. Those who think they see will be shown their blindness, while those who are humble enough to recognize their blindness will receive spiritual sight.
*"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"* - Jesus claims to be the light of the world, offering understanding and truth to those who follow Him, contrasting spiritual blindness with the illumination He provides.
5. ▸ ± Luke 24:45
*"Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures."* - After His resurrection, Jesus opens the minds of His disciples to understand the Scriptures, illustrating that understanding is a gift from God and that spiritual blindness can only be overcome by divine intervention.
6. ▸ ± 2 Corinthians 4:4
*"The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."* - Paul explains that Satan has blinded the minds of unbelievers, preventing them from understanding the truth of the gospel and the glory of Christ.
7. ▸ ± Ephesians 4:18
*"They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts."* - Paul describes the spiritual blindness of those who do not know God, noting that their inability to understand is due to the hardness of their hearts.
Jesus alluded to humanity's deception and spiritual blindness, often comparing it to the deception experienced by Eve in the Garden of Eden. Here are some verses that suggest humanity is deceived by the flesh and influenced by the same kind of lie:
8. ▸ ± 2 Corinthians 11:3
* "But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ." - Paul explicitly connects Eve’s deception to the broader reality of spiritual deception, emphasizing the vulnerability of humanity to lies that appeal to the flesh.
* "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
- Jesus identifies Satan as the source of lies and deception, which echoes the serpent's deception of Eve and humanity's susceptibility to it.
10. ▸ ± Mark 14:38
* "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." - Jesus points out the weakness of the flesh, which is easily tempted and deceived, much like Eve was in the Garden.
* "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life." - Jesus contrasts the life-giving Spirit with the flesh, which leads to deception and death.
Broader Biblical Context on Deception by the Flesh
12. ▸ ± Genesis 3:6
* "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it." - Eve was deceived by her senses—what was pleasing to the flesh (sight, taste, and desire)—which reflects the ongoing human tendency to fall for similar temptations.
13. ▸ ± Romans 7:18
* "For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." - Paul acknowledges the ongoing struggle of the flesh, which is prone to sin and deception.
14. ▸ ± 1 John 2:16
* "For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world." - This verse mirrors the deception of Eve, who was tempted through her fleshly desires and pride.
Jesus’ Call to Overcome Deception
15. ▸ ± Matthew 24:4-5
* "Jesus answered: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, “I am the Messiah,” and will deceive many.’" - Jesus warns against deception, particularly through false promises and appeals to human desires.
* "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." - Jesus explains the distinction between flesh and Spirit, highlighting that only the Spirit leads to truth and life, while the flesh is prone to deception.
* "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." - This is a call to escape the deception of the flesh and sin by embracing God’s truth.
These verses together underscore the theme of humanity's vulnerability to deception, particularly through the flesh, and the way Jesus and the apostles call believers to rely on the Spirit and truth to overcome it.
**Conclusion**
The *ה* (He) represents a lack of understanding, symbolizing humanity’s spiritual blindness and deception. Jesus spoke often about the spiritual blindness of those who were deceived, drawing parallels to the deception of Eve in the Garden of Eden. True understanding comes through Jesus, the light of the world, who opens the eyes of the spiritually blind.
