Introduction
   It’s easy for those who have been called out, to see things are not right in the world. We are, in fact, like Abram who was called out so many years ago from a city in northern Mesopotamia called Haran – a name thought derived from the Akkadian word harranu, meaning a path or road.
  We ourselves are on a path, a road that leads into a promised land of eternal life through our Savior and Master, Yahshua the Messiah. We are sojourners and are occupying until He returns. And, speaking of returning, we are like sheep who went astray, but have now returned to Yahweh (Isa. 53:6; Hos. 14:1; Zech. 1:3) through our Savior.
  We understand why the world is in trouble, but the majority of people don’t since they reject the authority of Yahweh’s Word. Scriptural history is considered by some theologians as allegorical and fanciful, just stories passed down. But we know there are consequences for people’s unbelief and rejection of His Word.
  For the wrath of Elohim is revealed from heaven against all wickedness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about Elohim is evident within them; for Elohim made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew Elohim, they did not honor Him as Elohim or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools! Romans 1:18–22. (The New American Standard Bible is used throughout unless otherwise noted.)

From the Beginning
   In the beginning, in the Garden of Eden, we read of Satan deceiving.
  Here, for those who are new to the faith, we start our history lesson, that they might know the reason for what is occurring in the world – sin, blamed for all sorrow:
  Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which Yahweh Elohim had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has Elohim said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, Elohim has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die,’ ” Genesis 3:1–3.
  The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For Elohim knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like Elohim, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings, Genesis 3:4–7.
  Because of this, we find thorns and thistles, pain and death in the world. It’s important to know that Satan is the god of this world, and his spirit is still active today.
  And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him, Revelation 12:9.
  He deceives the whole world. The Apostle Paul explains we were in that deception ourselves:
  And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience, Ephesians 2:1–2.

Noah’s Flood
   From the time of Adam and Eve (Gen. 3), Cain and Abel (Gen. 4) the people of the world corrupted themselves by submitting to the influence of Satan and their own flesh, but one stood out from the rest. A man named Noah.   Then Yahweh saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Yahweh was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. Yahweh said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of Yahweh, Genesis 6:5–8.   The Hebrew word for favor in H.2580 hen, is the same word for grace. So, here we have grace expressed by Yahweh on an individual in the Old Testament. But, why?
  Proceeding to verse 9, we read, These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with Elohim, Genesis 6:9.
  Walking with Elohim, is being righteous and blameless. It is being obedient to what Yahweh tells us to do. When we do this, Yahweh provides mercy.   Thus Noah did; according to all that Elohim had commanded him, so he did, Genesis 6:22 (See also Gen. 7:5).
  Our Savior likewise tells us to do all that is commanded.
  For his obedience, Noah and his family together with species of all Yahweh’s creation were spared from the worldwide deluge by the ark Noah was directed to build. And a rainbow was given afterward as a sign of Yahweh’s promise He would never flood the earth to that extent again.

Table of Nations
   Next, we come to Genesis, chapter 10, and the table of seventy nations that proceeded from the sons of Noah: 26 from Shem; 30 from Ham; and 14 from Japheth. Over time, most of their descendants also fell to Satan’s influence, rejecting Yahweh, a fall not without consequences.
  In the next chapter, we see that the people wanted to make a name for themselves rather than lift up Yahweh’s Name.
  Now the whole earth used the same language and the same words. It came about as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. They said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and burn them thoroughly.” And they used brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar. They said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth,” Genesis 11:1–4.
  That didn’t please Yahweh and so their one language – most likely the Hebrew language – morphed into many languages in an instant among the people who were gathered together. As quick as it was to confuse the language, it will be just as quick to undo in the future. And, it will be for a purpose.
  For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon The Name of Yahweh and serve Him with one accord. Zephaniah 3:9, ESV.
  This is unity that Yahweh desires and will bring about for mankind. For us, it has already begun as we call upon His Name and walk with Him according to His Word.
  It may be that we are able to do this because of the Semitic language surviving through the most conservative part of Shem’s line who didn’t gather in rebellion at the Tower of Babel – the construction of which was purposed to reach up into heaven – and where the language was confused, resulting in the dispersion of the people in fulfillment of Yahweh’s will (see Genesis 1:28; Isa. 45:18).
  A man named Eber is one of Shem’s descendants. It has been suggested the word Hebrew is derived from his name. Similarly, the word Semitic is derived from Shem.
  It took ten generations from Shem, and seven from Eber to produce Abram. This is determined from assimilating both the genealogies found in Genesis, chapter 11, and Luke, chapter 3, which provide the ancestry of Yahshua the Messiah.

The Call of Abram
   In Genesis 12, Yahweh calls out Abram for His purpose.
  Now Yahweh said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; and I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” So Abram went forth as Yahweh had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran, Genesis 12:1–4.
  Can you imagine being 75 years old and being told, “I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed?”
  Twenty-four years later, at 99 years of age, he was told he would father a son, named Isaac.
  Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, Yahweh appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am El Almighty; walk before Me, and be blameless. “I will establish My covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you exceedingly.” Abram fell on his face, and Elohim talked with him, saying, “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you will be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I will make you the father of a multitude of nations,” Genesis 17:1–5.
  Now, some make a big deal that there was a Canaanite deity (idol) named “El” and because of that, we shouldn’t use terms like El, Elohim or Eloah, etc., to describe Yahweh. Abram lived there in Canaan for ten years by this time (Gen. 16:3), so when Yahweh’s first words to Abram were, “I am El Shaddai” after those ten years, do you think Abram understood?
  In the Semitic language, El means Mighty One. Yahweh is saying, He is the Mighty One. It is His title.
  Genesis 17:15–21 Then Elohim said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. “I will bless her, and indeed I will give you a son by her. Then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.” Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Will a child be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” And Abraham said to Elohim, “Oh that Ishmael might live before You!” But Elohim said, “No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him, and will make him fruitful and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this season next year.”

Descendants and Conflicts
   Ishmael was born through the Egyptian servant Hagar, because they were trying to make Yahweh’s promises come about by their own reasoning. They reasoned that Sarah would not have been able to have given birth at her age. And, that typically would be true, but with Yahweh all things are possible. Therefore, Sarah produced a male child to Abraham and they named him Isaac.
  This is the first of two major family feuds that extend to our day. The other one is with Jacob and Esau, brothers born together through the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah, but with Esau coming out first and Jacob grabbing onto his heel from the womb. Jacob took the birthright from Esau, and Esau wanted to kill him because of it. Esau (also known as Edom) eventually intermarried with the descendants of Ishmael and others, most notably with the daughters of Canaan (Gen. 36:2).
  Jacob, on the other hand, ended up working for Laban, Rebekah’s brother (Gen. 24:29) who had two daughters named Rachel and Leah. Jacob, as we recall, loved Rachel, but Laban manipulated the situation so that Leah was given to Jacob first, and afterwards Rachel was given to him in marriage, all of which cost Jacob 14-years of labor to Laban.
  Jacob found himself wrestling one night with the Angel of Yahweh, Whom we understand is actually Yahshua in His pre-existent form as a representative for Yahweh.
  Then Jacob was left alone, and a Man wrestled with him until daybreak. When he saw that he had not prevailed against Him, he touched the socket of his thigh; so the socket of Jacob’s thigh was dislocated while he wrestled with Him. Then He said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.” But He said, “I will not let you go unless You bless me.” So he said to him, “What is your name?” And He said, “Jacob.” He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with Elohim and with men and have prevailed,” Genesis 32:24–28.
  In all of this, we find that through the historical accounts given in Scripture that Jacob through Rachel, Leah, and their handmaidens, Bilhah and Zilpah, produced for Jacob 12 sons, who became the 12 tribes of Israel. By birth order, there is Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph and Benjamin. Dinah was also their sister, Jacob’s only daughter, born through Leah.
  Israel was given the land today called Israel, but it is just a sliver of what was originally promised, and what will ultimately be in the coming Kingdom. Currently, the land of Israel is surrounded by descendants of both Ishmael and Esau.
  From the family feuds going back between Isaac and Ishmael, and between Jacob and Esau, we see conflicts of religion and race today. There truly is a dividing line between the families. But this is just part of why the world is seeing trouble today.

Joseph’s Dream
   Jacob was in the land of Egypt (specifically, Goshen) for a time with his twelve sons, saved from a worldwide famine. As we know, Joseph, was sold to the Midianites and finally to a Egyptian master after sharing his dream with his family of them bowing down to him, not exactly the thing you want to tell your family. His brothers had planned to kill him, but Yahweh had other plans.
  Joseph spent some time imprisoned, after being falsely accused by the Egyptian master’s wife of assaulting her. He was released from prison at the age of 30, summoned by Pharaoh to relate the interpretation of his dreams, that there should be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of severe famine. Pharoah was so impressed, that he made Joseph viceroy over all of Egypt.
  In all of this Joseph’s character was blameless. He, first and foremost, was not willing to sin against Yahweh, even giving Him honor before Pharoah. Joseph said that Elohim is the One who has told Pharoah what is to take place. In addition, Joseph was unwilling to seek revenge against his brothers, but rather helped them to settle in the best of the land (Goshen).

Israel in Slavery
   After a number of years, a new Pharoah came into power and saw the Israelites as a threat as they were multiplying in the land. He put them into slavery, but Yahweh raised up Moses to free them. Eventually, they came out by the Mighty Hand of Yahweh through ten miraculous plagues which took place in Egypt. Afterward, Yahweh delivered Israel along with a mixed multitude of strangers, guiding their way by way of a cloud by day and fire by night. The people crossed upon the dry bed of the Sea of Reeds (often written as the Red Sea) in advance of the pursuing armies of Pharaoh which were swallowed up by the retiring walls of water.
  Yahweh’s Laws, first orally committed to Adam, Noah, Abraham, Melchizedek, and the patriarchs which succeeded them, were later codified and written down by Moses.

People Have Forgotten
   So, we return to the question: Why is the world in trouble? Because most people today have forgotten even that which is written down for our understanding and right way of living.
  You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Sacred Writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Messiah Yahshua. All Scripture is inspired by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of Elohim may be adequate, equipped for every good work, 2 Timothy 3:14–17.
  Timothy was instructed by Paul that the instruct-ions of Yahweh are tied to the Messiah and reliance on His sacrifice to save us and that through purification (baptism) and a right way of living, we may produce good works.
  Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work, 2 Timothy 2:20–21.
   Paul proclaimed the same to others, commending them to faith in the Master as that means of returning to Yahweh.
  From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the assembly. And when they had come to him, he said to them, “You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, serving the Master with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward Elohim and faith in our Master Yahshua Messiah,” Acts 20:17–21

Lessons Not To Repeat
   We shouldn’t repeat mistakes of the past. For example, Adam and Eve rejected what Yahweh said and instead listened to one who created doubt, about outright lying that death would not be the consequence of their sin.
  When Israel sinned with the golden calf that Aaron had made, what was the consequence? Death.
  What happened to those who were of the age of accountability who tested Yahweh ten times in the wilderness with their rebellion and sin? Death.
  When Moses sinned against Yahweh in front of all of Israel by striking the rock, instead of speaking to it, what was the consequence? He was forbidden to go into the promised land, but could only view it from afar. And, of course, he died a first death.

Instructions and Reminders
   The people who were left went into the promised land, but not without first being instructed and reminded to honor Yahweh by doing what He said – living according to His laws, statutes, ordinances and judgments. To that end, the people read the book of Deuteronomy (a type of constitution) every seven years during a Sabbatical at the Feast of Tabernacles (Deut. 31:11). Even their kings were required to write out the laws in the presence of priests (Deut. 17:18-20) and read them daily, so they would live by them and teach the same.
  The lesson is clear. We are not to repeat failures of the past. We pay attention to Yahweh’s Word, by living It and not being resistant or rebellious, saying, “We will not walk in it” (Jer. 6:16-19).
  For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief, Hebrews 3:16–19.
  So, why is the world in trouble? It’s because the world’s pride is set opposed to the Creator of the universe, refusing to call upon His Name and dishonoring Him by not doing His will.
  Instead, many who claim to know Him have nailed the handwriting of His Ordinances to a tree, protesting Them contrary to, and blotted out by Yahshua’s sacrifice. Because of this and the rejection of Yahweh’s ways from Adam and Eve, the world has been in a downward spiral. But, Yahweh has made a way back to Himself and offers the solution for the world’s ills that we currently see.
  As already seen, repentance (a turning back to Yahweh, and doing His will) and accepting of His Son, as a perfect Sacrifice for us, is key.

A Right Attitude
   The instructions the Father gives, is for the children’s own good.
   “Go near and hear all that Yahweh our Elohim says; then speak to us all that Yahweh our Elohim speaks to you, and we will hear and do it.” Yahweh heard the voice of your words when you spoke to me, and Yahweh said to me, “I have heard the voice of the words of this people which they have spoken to you. They have done well in all that they have spoken. Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever!” Deuteronomy 5:27–29.
  This is the right attitude of the people toward Yahweh. It is not rebellious, nor callous toward Him. It is the attitude He is currently looking for today, seeking those who will worship Him in spirit and truth. He tests and tries those whom He calls, even today, as He did anciently.
  All the commandments that I am commanding you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land which Yahweh swore to give to your forefathers. You shall remember all the way which Yahweh our Elohim has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of Yahweh. Your clothing did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years. Thus you are to know in your heart that Yahweh our Elohim was disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son. Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of Yahweh our Elohim, to walk in His ways and to fear Him, Deuteronomy 8:1–6.
  Yahshua quoted Deuteronomy 8:3, in Matthew 4:4 and Luke 4:4 saying, Man is to not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of Yahweh. Yahshua didn’t need to quote all the passage from Deuteronomy 8, as verse 3 makes it clear that the rest is just as valid for mankind. The following verse is just as clear.
  You shall therefore love Yahweh your Elohim, and always keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments, Deuteronomy 11:1.
  Another clear one from Deuteronomy:
  You shall love Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up, Deuteronomy 6:5–7.
  Does this sound like something else our Savior said? What was His response to the question of what shall one do to inherit eternal life? He went directly to Yahweh’s Word.
  “… Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” And he answered, “YOU SHALL LOVE YAHWEH YOUR ELOHIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE,” Luke 10:25–28.
  None of this would indicate that the Son came to do away with His Father’s instructions. In fact, it confirms, what’s needed for life, and that more abundantly, and is not out of reach for one to obtain (Deut. 30:8, 11-16, 19). Yahweh Himself says to choose life, having set before mankind life and death, blessings and curses.

Warning Against False Worship
   The warning against false worship is the same today as it was yesterday, and will be tomorrow.
  When Yahweh your Elohim cuts off before you the nations which you are going in to dispossess, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land, beware that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, “How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?” You shall not behave thus toward Yahweh your Elohim, for every abominable act which Yahweh hates they have done for their gods; for they even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it, Deuteronomy 12:29–32.
  The call for mankind, or to be more specific, anyone claiming they serve the Heavenly Father, is to do what He says. Such a person would be considered blameless, like Noah or Joseph – even Job comes to mind – and certainly Yahshua, Who never sinned. We can’t say we are without sin, but we can be above reproach and blameless (Acts 23:14-16, 25:8) as we overcome this world.
  You shall be blameless before Yahweh your Elohim, Deuteronomy 18:13.
  Yahweh is not telling us to do something we can’t accomplish, but we must combine it with faith. Faith in His Son and faith in Him.
  And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to Elohim must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him, Hebrews 11:6

Stop Sinning
   To seek Him means to stop sinning. We read of the main definition of sin here, in 1 John 3:4, which says, Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.
  James 4:17 says, Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.
  And Romans 14:23b says, “whatever is not from faith is sin.”
  The definitions of sin are directly tied to the idea that we are not to disobey our Father’s will for us. In context, if we do anything out of our own will, which would be contrary to the faith in Yahweh’s will for us, then it is sin for us. This is how faith in Yahshua can actually be defined conceptually as obedience to the Father, as He Himself taught repentance toward Yahweh immediately after He was baptized.

In Conclusion
   From that time Yahshua began to preach and say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand,” Matthew 4:17. Sin, in one word, is why the world is in trouble. The solution is to stop sinning.
  If my people who are called by My Name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land, 2 Chronicles 7:14, ESV.