Psalm 78 and The Pre-Existence

By Voy Wilks

02/01/99

Some of our beloved brethren hold to some, or all, of the following views:

• Two Yahweh's exist, <<even though Scriptures reveal that only ONE Yahweh exists; and only one true El (Deut. 4:35 - 39; 6:4; Neh. 9:6, 7; John 17:3; Eph. 4:4-6; James 2:19)>>.

• Yahweh Most High (the Highest Yahweh) has never communicated with mankind.

• A Second Yahweh (Yahweh Number Two) is the Yahweh who has through the ages communicated with mankind. It is even said this second Yahweh was the Creator. This Yahweh is a great Yahweh but, even so, he is Yahweh #2, NOT the Most High Yahweh.

• Yahweh #2 was Yahshua in a pre-existent state.

• Yahweh #2 (Yahshua) was the Yahweh who led Israel from Egypt, performed great deeds in the desert, and later spoke to the ancient prophets of Israel.

Now, let us review Psalm 78. In doing so, we will learn that not one of the statements above is true. All are false. All are only assumptions.

Psalm #78

Psalm #78 tells the story of Israel's deliverance from Egypt, the trek through the desert, and finally, life in the promised land. For a moment, let us assume there are two Yahweh's. If so, which of these two delivered Israel: The Most High Yahweh (Yahweh # one), or a Lesser Yahweh (Yahweh # Two)? Let the Scriptures answer.

"...but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of Yahweh, and his might, and the wonders which he wrought" (Ps. 78:4 RSV).

From this verse we learn two significant things relevant to this study:

1. It was indeed a Yahweh who did these wondrous deeds.

2. This Yahweh is referred to as HE, indicating this Yahweh was truly one person (one being), not tow or three. No Trinity or Twinity here.

It is interesting to note:

• More than 90 times singular pronouns (he, him, and his), all referring to the El, Yahweh, appear in Ps. 78 alone. No Trinity or Duality here.

• Nine times in Ps. 78 the title El appears in reference to the Yahweh who led Israel in the wilderness. This reveals El and Elohim are often used interchangeable, when referring to Yahweh.

"Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert. They tested El in their hearts ..." (Ps. 78:17, 18).

This reveals that Yahweh, the El who was involved with Israel in the desert, was Most High. If Israel's Yahweh was "Most High," can there be another who is higher?

"They remembered that Elohim was their rock, the Most High El their redeemer" (Ps. 78:35).

This verse reveals the following valuable information:

1. The titles El and Elohim (when used of the Most High) are interchangeable terms for one and the same person.

2. The El who dealt with Israel was the Most High El. No other El was higher (greater) than Israel's El. If true, it becomes evident that Yahweh #2 (Yahshua) is not referred to here. It must have been Yahweh # One; the Highest El who exists.

"Yet they tested and rebelled against the Most High Elohim, and did not observe his testimonies, ..." (Ps. 78:56).

Once again, this graphically illustrates that no other El exists who is higher than the El who dealt with Israel. This El, the Most High El, is Yahweh Most High (Ps. 78:4, 17, 18, 35, 56). Other Scriptures agree:

"Thou art Yahweh, thou alone; Thou hast made the heavens ... with all t heir hosts, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; ... Thou art Yahweh, the Elohim who didst choose ... Abraham ... [and] his descendants ..." (Neh. 9:6-8).

So there is only one Yahweh; the one who created the heavens and the earth and all things in them. The Yahweh who chose Abraham, the ancestor of Israel, and called Abraham his friend (2 Chr. 20:7; Ps. 41:8). And what did Yahweh say regarding Abraham?

"For w hen Yahweh made a promise to Abraham, since he had NO ONE GREATER, by whom to swear, he swore by himself; ... " (Heb 6:13; Gen. 22:16).

Friends, this destroys the view that a Yahweh # Two dealt with Abraham and Israel. The Most High El who called Israel was none other than the Most High Yahweh. He could swear by no greater. Therefore this Yahweh, the Most High, was Father Yahweh; not Yahshua the Messiah in a pre-existent state.

Summary

• Only one Yahweh exists, and only one true El (Deut. 4:35 - 39; 6:4; Neh. 9:6 - 8).

• The only Yahweh who exists has indeed communicated with mankind, especially with Abraham and Israel (Heb. 6:13 - 16).

• Since there is only one Yahweh in existence, this means there is no "Second" Yahweh (John 17:3; James 2:19).

• Therefore, Yahshua did not pre-exist as a "Second" Yahweh (Eph. 4:4-6).

• Since there is only one Yahweh, then no "Second" Yahweh was available to lead Israel to the Promised Land. The one who led Israel was Yahweh himself, the Most High El (Ps. 78:4, 17, 35, 56).

Conclusion

"And there is no other Elohim besides me, a righteous El and a Savior; there is none besides me" (Isa. 46.21).

"For who is Eloah but Yahweh? And who is a rock except our Elohim?" (Ps. 18:31).

"... I am El and there is no other; I am Elohim, and there is none like me" (Isa. 46:9).

Yahshua prayed to Father Yahweh:

"And this is eternal life, that they know thee, the only true El, and Yahshua Messiah whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3).