Question: The Masoretic text of Deuteronomy 22:5 contains Yahweh's Name, did the SSBE remove Yahweh's Name from this verse? I would encourage you to do more research on Deut. 22:5 and women wearing pants. At
one time when our nation still had a more traditional moral foundation, this
was considered wrong. Michael.

Answer:  לֹא יִהְיֶה כְלִי גֶבֶר עַל אִשָּׁה וְלֹא יִלְבַּשׁ גֶּבֶר שִׂמְלַת אִשָּׁה | כִּי תוֹעֲבַת יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ כָּל עֹשֵׂה אֵלֶּה: Taken from the Masoretic Text.

 A woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment; for whosoever doeth these things is an abomination unto YHWH thy Elohim.. Deuteronomy 22:5

Tanach (Hebrew Scriptures)
Corrected JPS 1917 Translation
 

The equipment of a warrior shall not be found on a woman, nor shall a warrior wear the mantle of a woman, because your Elohim detests all doing this. SSBE (Sacred Scriptures Bethel Edition)

 

Hawke: Elder Meyer, should the name of Yahweh be included in this passage? And if it should be there, why does it not appear in your edition of the Bible?

 

Elder Meyer: After your initial contact, I looked up this passage in the Hebrew text. Yes! Yahweh's name does belong in this passage. Somehow it was dropped from the signatures. It will be in the next edition of the SSBE for sure!

 

Hawke: While I have you on the line, would you care to answer some other questions?

 

Elder Meyer: That depends on the questions, but go ahead and ask and I will answer accordingly.

 

Hawke: Elder Meyer we have received numerous questions after we concluded, the Assemblies of Yahweh was teaching the correct doctrines found in the Holy Word of Father Yahweh. What problems has the Assemblies of Yahweh faced, and could you give our readers some background on this?

 

Elder Meyer: Yes, I sincerely believe I am teaching the truth of Yahweh's word. Maybe I should bear my heart a little concerning some things that has occurred during my ministry.

 

Hawke: Elder Meyer I am not putting any pressure on you along these lines. You can say anything you like, or shall we say, anything that you don't mind seeing in print.

 

Elder Meyer: Okay! When I started this ministry, I believed I could prove the truth of the Bible to anyone willing to listen. I thought (perhaps a little naively) when this truth was presented correctly, people would believe it! I was in for a surprise. At first many people believed what I was teaching. I have never taught anything concerning the Bible falsely. Have I made mistakes? Yes, but I have corrected them immediately, or as soon as I found out! The inadvertent omission of Yahweh's name from Deut. 22:5 for instance! I will correct that error ASAP!

 

Hawke: In our research of various religious organizations Elder Meyer, we have found a lot of erroneous teachings. When the errors were pointed out to various individuals, groups, organizations, they didn't change! You seem different in this regard.

 

Elder Meyer: Paul said that he declared the whole counsel of Yahweh in Acts 20:27 and I want to do the same. Also, Yahshua said in Matthew 5:48 to be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect. This is what I am striving for!

 

Hawke: What has been the biggest adversary during your ministry? 

 

Elder Meyer: Let me list a few. The first is sin. I have seen so many people come and go through the Assemblies of Yahweh because of sin. In the beginning the people are repentant. After a period of time they want to return to their old sinful ways. However, they still want to remain members of this organization. They wanted me to weaken the laws of Yahweh so they would not feel guilty. I can't change the word of Yahweh, nobody on earth can.

 

 Second, the negativity I have encountered by so-called members has been very discouraging to me personally. The Bible is such a positive book! I once preached a series of sermons on negativity. The response that I received was quite the contrary of what I was expecting! I was shocked by the reactions I personally received to say the least! I showed the negative personality comes from Satan, while the positive personality comes from Yahweh! I even heard it said by some, that this series was the worst series I ever preached! While others said it was one of the best series I have ever spoken on! I wanted to show the parallels and the opposites, positive versus negative. Having a positive outlook is the best!

 

Third, the arrogance of several members over the course of forty plus years has been another problem of immense proportion. Several times during my ministry I have had to confront arrogance in my ministry. The Bible teaches humility. This arrogance problem has occurred on several occasions. Each time it has happened, I and my family have suffered. The individuals responsible tried to push me and my family out of the very organization we started! Can you believe that?

 

Hawke: This comes as somewhat of a shock Elder Meyer. You mean that these arrogant people thought they could remove you and take over the organization?

Elder Meyer: Yes!

 

Hawke: I'm sorry to hear that!

 

Elder Meyer: So am I.

 

Hawke: Can you give me some other problems you have faced or are facing?

 

Elder Meyer: I do not want to come off as complaining!

 

Hawke: Sometimes Elder Meyer, it does you good to talk about these things. Sort of "get it off your chest" talk!

 

Elder Meyer: Ok! Another problem that I have faced in my ministry, is some of the brethren going around and begging from other members. We have a system of tithing based on the Bible's instructions. This includes the third tithe which is designated to help the poor and those in need. Many times I have found brethren begging for things from other brethren and not wanting to work for them as is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:11. I even had to pay the bills of former members who left this area owing the local shopkeepers money. Because they were members here, the shopkeepers called me and asked me to make good their debts.

 

Hawke: You have got to be kidding?

 

Elder Meyer: No, I am not kidding on this! Another problem that has plagued me is policies. I have had to implement some policies during my ministry. I always try and base these on Biblical concepts. One is women's hair. I do not believe women should cut or add excessive braids to their hair. Men should cut their hair, but not their beards. When I started this ministry I was aware of the passage in Isaiah 1:26. This passage indicates a restoration of judges and counselors. I believed this passage. You must have someone making decisions concerning the Bible. Clothes came up, hair came up, make-up came up and many other issues needing decisions came up. I had to make policies concerning hair length. I had to make policies concerning dress length. I followed the Apostle Paul's example in 1 Corinthians 7:25, as one who is also trustworthy to make decisions and policies when necessary. I have tried to keep the policies few in number and only when absolutely necessary do I make a policy. I believe the Bible has the laws we need to live by. I have been accused of adding to the word by introducing policies in the Assemblies of Yahweh. This is not true of course!

 

Hawke: Amen Elder Meyer. I would like to go back to the original question if I may. In Deuteronomy 22:5 Michael has concerns about women wearing pants! Is this a problem and what does the Assemblies of Yahweh teach?

 

Elder Meyer: I wrote an article answering this question in April of 1981. I published it in the Questions to Bethel section. I gave a thorough explanation of this passage from the Hebrew text.

 

Hawke: Will you allow me to post this article?

 

Elder Meyer: Yes, but this article along with everything produced by the Assemblies of Yahweh is copyrighted.

 

Hawke: I respect copyrighted material and will give you and the Assemblies of Yahweh all credit.

 

DEUTERONOMY 22:5 ARTICLE (PDF Format)

Get Adobe Reader Here! www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/alternate.html

 

Elder Meyer: Thank you! I have also had to deal with people stealing our copyrighted material. One time an individual took an article I wrote, changed my name as the author to his and then he removed the name of Yahweh from the article. He then inserted the pagan name instead. I was not very happy about this.

Hawke: Elder Meyer, I know you must be a very busy man and I do not want to take up any more of your time. Thank you for this interview. Can I talk you you in the future?

Elder Meyer: Yes, that will be ok if I have the time.

 

Hawke: I'll call first and set up an appointment.

 

 Elder Meyer: If someone, anyone who is in need, (people of good will that is) comes to me and expresses this need, I will make sure they have either food, shelter, heat, or if necessary I will even help them pay their rent or house payments so they will not be thrown out of their dwellings. The Assemblies of Yahweh has helped a lot of needy people over the years!

 

Hawke: Yahweh Bless you Elder Meyer for considering the poor and needy!

 

Elder Meyer: Thank you!

 

Well, that was interesting and eye opening! Some names came up concerning the arrogant ones. We have critiqued many of these right here on Truth on the Net Dot Com. Go to Urim and Thummim for some of these organizations!

 

 

Yours in Messiah, Hawke