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25th of the 1st month 2022/2023.

Shalom all,

As I was reading through this week’s readings for Shabbat, I was once again gripped by a verse in Hoshěa/Hosea 11 and decided to once again send out this message, where I began to dissect this verse and explore these very striking words.

So, while this has been a message I have sent out before, it certainly is necessary for us to be continually reminded of the dangers of complacency and backsliding, and I have therefore updated this before sending out once again..

These are words that I believe are extremely important for us to hear, in order for us to be on our guard against any form of compromise, to walking in complete set-apartness before Elohim!

The verse I am referring to is:

Hoshěa/Hosea 11:7My people are bent towards backsliding from Me. Though they call to the One above, none of them exalt Him.

Another translation writes this verse as follows:

Moreover, My people are sticking to their turning away from Me. Though they call out to the Elohim on high, all of them alike fail to lift Him up..

In a time when there are many people that are claiming to call upon the MostHigh Elohim, what we find, is that most are actually failing to exalt Elohim, as He should be exalted, and this is due to a continual backsliding that they are clinging on so tightly to, as the grip of many false traditions has their hands firmly lockedin to inherited lies and assimilated worship practices, or they simply will not let go of fleshly compromises that they love so much. .

In a message called, “BACKSLIDING AND COMPLACENCY DESTROYS AND KILLS SIMPLE FOOLS!”, I want to expand on some of the words that we find in this verse and look at other places, in Scripture, where we find these same root words too, helping us to hear the clear call to be a sober and watchful bride, that earnestly seeks after the wisdom of Elohim and be reminded how we are to be like the wise maidens/virgins that have their lamps trimmed and filled with oil!.

What יהוה is making clear, here in Hoshěa/Hosea 11:7, is that His people are depending upon apostasy and while they call Him “MostHigh El”, He will not raise them up and will not hear their call!

The Hebrew root verb that is translated as ‘bentcomes from the root word תָּלָא tala – Strong’s H8511 which means, to hang, hang on to, bent towards, cling to, and also carries the meaning, as a part of speech, to suspend; figuratively (through hesitation) to be uncertain ; and by implication (of mental dependence) to habituate; that is – to be bent, hang (in doubt).

This means that they were holding fast to that which they had become so accustomed to doing, and, in the process, had suspended the required calledfor set-apartness unto Elohim. .

This process of hanging on to assimilated practices, that are falsely taught as teachings, is often due to the result of people not fully trusting in יהוה, but rather, are finding themselves putting their trust in man and, as a result, they hesitate in walking in total obedience, because of uncertainty and therefore, they clearly compromise the clear standards that are set forth in the Torah!

And while doing this, they firmly believe that they are not doing anything wrong!.

The Hebrew word that is used for ‘backsliding’ is מְשׁוּבָה meshuḇah – Strong’s H4878 which means, turning back, apostasy, faithless, faithlessness, waywardness, backsliding’, and comes from the root word שׁוּב shuḇ – Strong’s H7725 which means, to turn back, return, repent, recover.

And so, we see that while שׁוּב shuḇ – Strong’s H7725 speaks of a repentance and a turning back to Elohim, we see the opposite being expressed in the word מְשׁוּבָה meshuḇah – Strong’s H4878, which expresses a turning away from Elohim. .

The continual turning away, or waywardness, of the simple is what kills them, as they do not turn to The One who gives life!

The word מְשׁוּבָה meshuḇah – Strong’s H4878 can also be understood as, the state of rebellion against authority, and, as a result of this rebellion against authority, there is a break in a previous relationship bond, which is a figurative extension of turning aside, off of a correct path! .

Many people are rebellion against the clear order and authority of The Word of Elohim and refuse to submit to walking in complete obedience to His commands, while thinking that they are doing nothing wrong, as their backsliding is not being repented of, as long as they cling to doing whatever is right in their own eyes and not what is right in the eyes of יהוה..

We clearly see this in Yisra’ĕl’s backsliding, that caused יהוה to issue a certificate of divorce, as we read in:

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 3:8 “And I saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Yisra’ĕl had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Yehuḏah did not fear, but went and committed whoring too.

The House of Yisra’ĕl, also referred to in Scripture, metaphorically, as Ephrayim, had turned aside from the correct path of complete obedience and set-apartness, by adulterating herself with the nations – and this brought about a break in the marriage bond with יהוה. .

This word מְשׁוּבָה meshuḇah – Strong’s H4878 is used 12 times in Scripture.

Twice it is used in Hoshěa/Hosea – the verse that we have read and then again in chapter 14:4, which we will look at shortly.

It is used 9 times in the book of Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah, and once in Mishlĕ/Proverbs, which we will now look at in more detail:

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 1:32 For the turning away of the simple kills them, and the complacency of fools destroys them.

Here, the word מְשׁוּבָה meshuḇah – Strong’s H4878 is translated as ‘turning away.

The LXX (Septuagint – Greek translation of the Tanak) uses the word ἀδικέω adikeō – Strong’s G91 which means, do wrong, be an offender, to act unjustly or wickedly, to sin, to have violated the laws in some way, to hurt, damage or harm, which comes from the adjective, ἄδικος adikos – Strong’s G94 which means, unjust, unrighteous, wicked and is constructed from the two root words:

1) α alpha – Strong’s G1 – which is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, used as a negative participle and

2) δίκη dike – Strong’s G1349 which means, vengeance, judgement, punishment, penalty. .

We see this word ἀδικέω adikeō – Strong’s G91 being used in:

Ḥazon/Revelation 22:11-12He who does wrong, let him do more wrong; he who is filthy, let him be more filthy; he who is righteous, let him be more righteous; he who is set-apart, let him be more set-apart. 12 “And see, I am coming speedily, and My reward is with Me, to give to each according to his work.

The wrong are those who violate the laws of Elohim, bring harm or damage to others, with the assumption that they are above the law and are free from the judgement or penalty for their wrong deeds, and here the Master is saying to those who are violating His commands, thinking that they shall not be punished, to carry on… for verse 12 makes it clear – He is coming to give each according to his work!.

The Greek word that is translated as ‘do more’ comes from the word ἔτι eti – Strong’s G2089 which is a primary adverb that carries the meaning of, still, yet, besides, further, continue in, and implies a duration of that which is being done!

In other words – keep on doing what you’re doing!

This same word is used for the call for the filthy to be more filthy, and for the set-apart to be more set-apart..

The Greek word that is translated as the first word for ‘filthy’ is the adjective ῥυπαρός rhuparos – Strong’s G4508 which means, fail, filthy, morally impure, dirty, and metaphorically it means, to be defiled with iniquity. .

The Greek word that is translated as the second word for ‘filthy’ is the verb ῥυπόω rhupoō – Strong’s G4510 which means, make dirty, make filthy and both of these words come from the primitive word ῥύπος rhupos – Strong’s G4509 which means, filth, dirt..

When we recognise the clear association that is given here, we are able to see that the wrong are the filthy ones, whereas the righteous and set-apart are the clean ones.

Having the sure expectation of our Master’s return and the promise of His coming to dwell in our midst, we recognise that we are to prefect set-apartness and cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the filth of the flesh!.

Qorintiyim Bět/2 Corinthians 7:1Having, then, these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the flesh and spirit, perfecting set-apartness in the fear of Elohim.

The Greek word for “cleanse” is the word καθαρίζω katharizō – Strong’s G2511 from which we get “catharsis“–i.e., a cleaning-out.

The Greek word that is used here for ‘defilement’ is μολυσμός molusmos – Strong’s G3436 meaning, defilement, filthiness, an action by which anything is defiled and rendered unclean and unfit and comes from the word μολύνω molunō – Strong’s G3435 meaning, to stain, defile, soiled. .

We are to keep our garments from being stained or soiled by sin and compromise and cleanse ourselves in the Blood of Messiah and obey His Word!

Cleansing from defilement of the flesh entails a proper coming out of that which is not of us and separating ourselves from the things that can cause us to be filthy!.

He who is righteous, let him be more righteous!

The first Greek word that is translated as ‘righteous’ is the adjective δίκαιος dikaios – Strong’s G1342 which means, righteous, innocent, just, upright, keeping the commands of Elohim.

The second Greek word that is translated as ‘righteous’ is the noun δικαιοσύνη dikaiosunē – Strong’s G1343 which means, righteousness, justice and this is the word that is used in the LXX (Septuagint – Greek translation of the Tanak), to describe Aḇraham:

Berěshith/Genesis 15:6And he believed in יהוה, and He reckoned it to him for righteousness.

The Hebrew word used here for ‘righteousness’ is צְדָקָה tseaqah – Strong’s H6666 meaning, righteousness, righteous acts, merits, righteous deeds and is the feminine form of צֶדֶק tseeq – Strong’s H6664 which means, righteous, just, righteousness..

He who is righteous, let him be more righteous!

The Greek word that is translated here as ‘be more’ is not the word ἔτι eti – Strong’s G2089 that is translated as ‘be more’ for wrong, filthy and set-apart, but is the word ποιέω poieō – Strong’s G4160 which means, to make, do, accomplish, keep, work, acts, and is translated as ‘does’ in:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 7:24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does them, shall be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

A derivative of this word is ποιητής poiētēs – Strong’s G4163 which means, a doer, a maker, which is translated three times as ‘doer’ in:

Ya’aqoḇ/James 1:22-25 “And become doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 Because if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror, 24 for he looks at himself, and goes away, and immediately forgets what he was like. 25 But he that looked into the perfect Torah, that of freedom, and continues in it, not becoming a hearer that forgets, but a doer of work, this one shall be blessed in his doing of the Torah.

We are to become doers of the Word and not just hearers only! .

So many people may make an attempt to study much on the Appointed Times of Elohim, while they lack the proper obedience to do what is instructed, refusing to submit what is being taught; and we learn very quickly how greater the understanding of The Word comes in the proper doing of the Word, for without the proper doing, or performing, of The Word, we can easily be deceived by falsehood, which highlights for us the urgency that we are to have in being diligent, in having our ears attentive to the Torah of Elohim, so that we can delight in guarding to do all that He commands us and express a true and proper love for Elohim in complete obedience to His Word, in order to be on guard against backsliding and complacency..

To ‘be more’ righteous implies a continual obedience to the proper hearing, guarding and doing of His commands, and in doing so, being diligent in cleansing ourselves from all defilement of the flesh!

In our immersion in the Name of יהושע Messiah, we are cleansed and our conscience before Elohim is made clear and clean, which we are to keep clean through being more righteous!.

Do not be like those who are becoming more wrong and more filthy, but rather be one who is being more righteous and more set-apart!

And if you are asking how you can do this, then the answer is clear: dig into The Word, look intently into the mirror of The Word and meditate day and night on the Torah of Elohim, holding fast to the true and narrow way, clinging to Elohim with both hands, so that you become stronger and stronger, perfecting your set-apartness before the face of Elohim!.

In Sha’ul’s letter to the believers in Colossae, he told them to bear with one another, and to put on love and to let the Word dwell in them richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing with pleasure in their hearts to the Master, in psalms and songs of praise and spiritual songs, and whatever they do, in word or deed, they were to do all in the Name of the Master יהושע.

He then clearly instructed that proper submission and obedience should be observed by all – wives to their husbands, children to their parents and servants to their masters, and then, he writes the following, in:

Qolasim/Colossians 3:23-25 “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Master and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Master you shall receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Master, Messiah, you serve. 25 But he who does wrong shall be repaid for the wrong which he has done, and there is no partiality..

Why I am mentioning these verses, is simply to highlight the need for us to walk in love, as we guard to obey all the commands of Elohim and not turn away from doing what He has commanded us to. .

Those who hear, guard and do, will be rewarded by the Master, while the wrong will be repaid and as we know, there is no partiality with Elohim!

Justification for compromise will not get the wrong to escape the just reward for compromise and complacency! .

Rejecting any authority of Elohim, is a form of backsliding, and to refuse to submit to walking as a body together in unity, by each one doing whatever seems right in their own eyes, is also a form of backsliding!.

יהושע Messiah is our King, and His Kingdom has rules (His Torah) and His Kingdom has order, by which He has appointed some to teach and equip the body unto maturity, and any refusal to submit to the teaching and the admonishing of each other, through the wisdom of Elohim, will simply reveal one as being ‘simple’!.

For the turning away of the simple kills them:

The Hebrew root word for ‘simple’ is פֶּתִי pethi – Strong’s H6612 which means, open minded, foolish, simple, naïve, which comes from the primitive root verb פָּתָה pathah – Strong’s H6601 which means easily deceived, enticed, to be simple or to be in a state of holding a wrong view about a situation’. .

The message here is clear – do not be deceived or enticed into holding a wrong view about any situation.

In Hoshěa/Hosea 7 Ephrayim is referred to as that had become a simple dove:

Hoshěa/Hosea 7:11And Ephrayim has become a simple dove without heart, they have called on Mitsrayim, they have gone to Ashshur.

Here, Ephrayim is symbolically used in referencing the House of Yisra’ĕl’ that had gone astray and had been enticed by the nations!

Ephrayim was easily deceived and enticed into a mode of pagan influenced worship.

The Hebrew root word פֶּתִי pethi – Strong’s H6612 also means to be naïve – and boy, we can see how many people today are so naïve about the corrupted practice of Christianity, as an assumed means of pure worship, when it is nothing more than a man-made twisted blend of truth and pagan influence; which according to Torah, is clearly an abomination in the eyes of יהוה. .

Ephrayim, which represents a scattered lost sheep of Yisra’ěl, had become naïve and in their naïve state they called to Mitsrayim and went to Ashshur.

They had gone to the world for advice and learnt their ways, as they were without heart or rather, without “understanding” – the very thing that we are to seek from יהוה. .

Simple people lack heart – they lack understanding, as they neglect to do what is commanded, as we recognise that understanding comes in the doing of The Word, and when anyone compromises the pure standard of The Torah, they lack heart and will find themselves easily giving in to the pressures of the world around them and look to worldly ways and reasonings, as to how they can assimilate a form of worship that they deem acceptable to Elohim, when in fact, it does not measure up to the clear plumb line of His Truth!.

Backsliding kills the simple!

The Hebrew root word that is used for ‘kills’ is הָרַג harag – Strong’s H2026 which means, to kill, slay, destroy, ruin.

Being naïve, for not guarding The Word of Truth on a continual basis, and being gullible to worldly ways that run contrary to the Truth and seem right at the time of a crisis, without having been tested against the truth, will cause one to drift and backslide away from the narrow path of set-apartness, and, as a result, will lead one on a broad path of destruction.

One’s own backsliding destroys them:

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 8:36 But he who sins against me injures himself; all who hate me love death!.

The complacency of fools destroys them:

The Hebrew word for ‘complacency’ is שַׁלְוָה shalvah – Strong’s H7962 which means, quiet, at ease, complacency, time of tranquillity.

This is certainly a blessed character trait in anybody’s life, as we see in speaking of the rest that shall be in Yerushalayim:

Tehillah/Psalm 122:7 “Peace be within your walls, rest in your citadels.

What we must be careful of, is that unguarded quietness and rest can become an open door for disaster.

This ‘unconcerned ease was the problem with Seḏom:

Yeḥezqěl/Ezekiel 16:49 “See, this was the crookedness of your sister Seḏom: She and her daughter had pride, sufficiency of bread, and unconcerned ease. And she did not help the poor and needy.

The lack of concern in one’s peace, can result in carelessness, and it is the carelessness of fools in their unconcerned ease that destroys them as they are caught unaware when facing punishment for sin and lawlessness!.

As wise maidens that have oil in their trimmed lamps, we can be at rest in our Master, as we diligently guard His Word, yet ‘fools’ who are at ease in their foolishness, will be destroyed!.

The Hebrew word for ‘fool’ is כְּסִיל kesil – Strong’s H3684 which means, fool, stupid fellow, dullard (which is a stupid and unimaginative person), and comes from the root verb כָּסַל kasal – Strong’s H3688 which means, to be or become stupid, foolish. .

So, we can clearly see that while we are able to become ‘wise, if we pay attention to the proper hearing, guarding and doing of the Word of Elohim, we also realise that we can quickly become stupid, if we do not listen to and obey His Word, and can be a fool, if we refuse to accept the disciplining of His Word..

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 18:2A fool does not delight in understanding, but in uncovering his own heart.

Qoheleth/Ecclesiastes 5:4 “When you make a vow to Elohim, do not delay to pay it, for He takes no pleasure in fools. Pay that which you have vowed.

יהוה takes no pleasure in fools!

Tehillah/Psalm 147:11 “יהוה takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who wait for His loving-commitment..

The Hebrew root word for ‘destroys, in Mishlĕ/Proverbs 1:32 is אָבַד aḇaḏ – Strong’s H6 which means, to perish, destroy, lose, put to death, blot out, do away with, to give up as lost, vanish, be lost or strayed’.

We are commanded in Scripture to utterly destroy all forms of abominable and pagan worship, lest we are destroyed for not doing so!!!

The Torah makes it clear that we are to destroy the names and titles of false mighty ones out of our midst, which is something that so many are unwilling to do, as they are ‘bent on’ clinging to what they have known all their life!.

Yisra’ĕl were bent on backsliding, by holding fast to false worship practices, that they had learnt from the nations that they were supposed to have destroyed, and they held fast to the calling upon of false names and titles of false mighty ones, while at the same time, they were under the impression that they could call, and were, calling upon the MostHigh Elohim.

This is the same problem that we see happening in varying degrees today.

While we recognise that Christianity has totally got it wrong, there are still some who claim to be on the Torah path, that are unwilling to let go of false pagan rooted titles of false mighty ones, and here יהוה makes it very clear – He will not raise them up!.

Those who disregard the importance of studying and meditating upon and walking in the Torah of Elohim, and disregard the need to be calling upon, praising and making great the True Name of Elohim MostHigh, are not being heard by יהוה (YAHWEH)!

Tehillah/Psalm 50:14-17 “Slaughter thanksgiving to Elohim, and pay your vows to the MostHigh. 15 “And call upon Me in the day of distress – let Me rescue you, and you esteem Me.” 16 But to the wrong Elohim said, “What right have you to recite My laws, or take My covenant in your mouth, 17 “While you hated instruction and cast My Words behind you?.

Backsliding and complacency, even in the slightest manner, destroys and kills!!!

The Aramaic rendering of Hoshěa/Hosea 11:7 gives us the understanding of being bent towards backsliding, as being “undecided about returning to the Law; and with none being exalted, the Aramaic is understood as saying that those who are like this will “not walk erect or upright”!.

Anyone who is undecided about living a completely set-apart life, will never walk upright, and it is only the upright that shall see His face!

Tehillah/Psalm 11:6-7 “Upon the wrong He rains snares, fire and sulphur and a scorching wind are the portion of their cup. 7 For יהוה is righteous, He has loved righteousness; the upright shall see His face..

What we can clearly see from the words of Elohim, to a backsliding Yisra’ĕl, is that their walk did not reflect their talk!

They were people with vain lips, that assumed to be honouring Him, while their hearts were far from Him, for the Torah was clearly not in their hearts AND mouths to do it!

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 30:14 For the Word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart – to do it.

The verses that follow this, is where Mosheh makes it very clear that he has set before us: life and good, and death and evil, and commands us to love יהוה, walk in His Ways, guard His commands, laws and right-rulings, for then we will live; yet, if we turn away from doing this we will perish!.

Our choice is simple: be wise and choose life, or be a fool and choose death!

Which path are you on?

The broad path that leads to destruction or the narrow path that leads to life?

You cannot be on both!

You cannot have one foot on one path and the other foot on the other!

If both feet are not firmly grounded in the narrow path of life and complete set-apartness, due to some compromise or form of complacency and a slight backsliding, then you are on the broad path of destruction!

To exalt Elohim, as we should, we have to cease from all backsliding and complacency!.

Let me just run through the other verses that contain the Hebrew word for ‘backsliding’ – מְשׁוּבָה meshuḇah – Strong’s H4878:

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 2:19 “Your own evil instructs you, and your backslidings reprove you. Know therefore and see that it is evil and bitter that you have forsaken יהוה your Elohim, and that My fear is not in you,” declares the Master יהוה of hosts..

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 3:6 “And יהוה said to me in the days of Yoshiyahu the sovereign, “Have you seen what backsliding Yisra’ĕl has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there committed whoring..

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 3:11 “And יהוה said to me, “Backsliding Yisra’ĕl has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Yehuḏah..

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 3:12 “Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, ‘Return, O backsliding Yisra’ĕl,’ declares יהוה, ‘I shall not look on you in displeasure, for I am kind,’ declares יהוה, ‘and I do not bear a grudge forever..

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 3:22 “Return, O backsliding children, I shall make your backslidings cease.” “See, we have come to You, for You are יהוה our Elohim..

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 5:6 “Therefore a lion from the forest shall smite them, a wolf of the deserts ravage them. A leopard is watching over their cities, whoever comes out of them is torn in pieces. For their transgressions have been many, their backslidings have been numerous..

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 8:5 “Why then has this people, Yerushalayim, turned away in a continual backsliding? They cling to deceit, they refuse to turn back..

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 14:7 “O יהוה, though our crookednesses witness against us, act, for Your Name’s sake. For our backslidings have been many, we have sinned against You..

Hoshěa/Hosea 14:4I shall heal their backsliding, I shall love them spontaneously, for My displeasure has turned away from him..

As we read these verses together, in establishing the clear pattern of warning, against backsliding, we are able to see the promise of healing, from any such backsliding, and that is given to those who return to יהוה. .

The Hebrew word for ‘return, is the root word שׁוּב shuḇ – Strong’s H7725 which means, to turn back, return, repent, recover, which we have already mentioned as being the root from which מְשׁוּבָה meshuḇah – Strong’s H4878 comes from..

In the ancient pictographic letters, the root word שׁוּב shuḇ – Strong’s H7725 looks like this:.

    .

Shin – שׁ:

As already discussed, this is the letter ‘shin’ which in the ancient script is pictured as, , which is ‘two front teeth’ and carries the meaning of ‘sharp or press, chew or devour’; which is what the teeth do, and also speaks of the sharpened word that comes forth from the mouth as the teeth ‘chew’ or ‘meditate’ on the Truth, making what comes forth pure and sharp! It also carries the understanding of consuming or destroying – as teeth do to food..

Waw/Vav – וּ:

This is the Hebrew letter ‘waw’ or ‘vav’ which in the ancient script is pictured as , which is a peg or ‘tent peg’, which was used for securing or tying the tent or other items. The possibility of it having a Y-shape is to show that it prevents the rope from slipping off. The root meaning of this letter is ‘to add, secure or hook’..

Beyt ב:

The ancient script has this letter as , which pictures a tent floor plan and means, ‘house’ or ‘tent’. It represents family and the importance of those who are inside the tent as opposed to the tent structure itself..

When we understand the combination of these pictures, as rendering ‘a returning or repentance’, we are able to recognise that the teeth, which speaks of a ‘pressing’, and the picture of the peg that ‘secures’, and the house, which speaks of ‘dwelling’, we are able to understand this representing the following: .

THE SECURE DWELLING PLACE

THAT IS TO BE RETURNED TO..

This word, שׁוּב shuḇ – Strong’s H7725, in the ancient form, represents for us a:

RETURNING TO THE SECURE HOUSE

WHERE WE ARE FED,

AS WE MEDITATE ON THE WORD OF THE HOUSE.

True repentance can only be done when one returns to obeying the Word that secures us as His Set-Apart Dwelling Place.

So many people today, may claim to be a part of the House of Elohim, yet they continue in crookedness and simply reveal that they are being foolish and are building on sand and have not had their feet set upon the solid Rock of Deliverance, for they have not truly returned to Elohim!.

Returning to Elohim, involves an acknowledgment that one has been wrong, and this is sadly where so many people continue to stumble in crookedness, so to speak, as they refuse to accept that the falsehood and futility of the traditions, that they have been religiously following, are indeed wrong and need to be repented of!.

In a clear and wise call to return, being given to a people who had backslidden and strayed from following יהוה, Shelomoh says in:

Diḇre haYamim Bět/2 Chronicles 30:9For if you turn back to יהוה, your brothers and your children shall be shown compassion by their captors, even to return to this land. For יהוה your Elohim shows favour and compassion, and does not turn His face from you if you turn back to Him..

As we carefully consider the words that we have read from Hoshěa/Hosea, Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah and Mishlĕ/Proverbs, in regards to the very real and present dangers of what backsliding and complacency does, let us be on guard to ensure that we are like 5 wise maidens/virgins, who have not only trimmed their lamps (which all 10 had done), but also have our lamps filled with oil and are walking in the Spirit, as we hear, guard and do His Torah, keeping our garments of righteousness clean, in living completely set-apart lives unto the Master, as we cling to Him and His Word.

Let us be on guard against any form of being foolish by hanging on to backsliding and the complacency of compromised traditions and lies, for:.

BACKSLIDING AND COMPLACENCY

DESTROYS AND KILLS SIMPLE FOOLS!.

How is your life at the moment?

Have you found yourself being riddled with complacency? A complacency that has been quickly justified away with vain excuses of how you have been through so many trying challenges and you often use the excuse of how much pressure you have been, or are, under and describe how drained out you are?

In the process, have you found that you have not been keeping your lamp of Truth trimmed and filled, due to a lack of a proper renewing of your mind, through proper meditating on the Torah, day and night?

Have you found that you have backslidden from your steadfast position in Messiah, who is our Rock and Refuge, due to a lack of trust?

Have you been seeking instant solutions from the world and from fleshly reasonings, to your pressing tests, trials and distress that you might be facing?

Has your own folly, in backsliding and complacency toward the Truth, caused you to make irrational choices, that have brought about some of your own destruction and you find yourself in a state of huge despair, calling upon the MostHigh only, to find that your prayers are hindered by your backsliding complacency and compromise toward the Truth?.

If these questions pierce deep into the heart and challenge your current position, or standpoint, in the Master, and reveal that a proper return is needed, then hear the call to return to יהוה and destroy all traces of backsliding and complacency, as we hear the sure promise of His blessing of healing, given to us in Hoshěa/Hosea 14:4, which is given to those who hear, guard and do His Word and have correctly responded to the call to return to יהוה and acknowledge that the worlds ways cannot save, nor can the work of your own hands deliver you from distress and trials! .

In returning and rest we are saved and in stillness and trust is our strength, says יהוה to Yisra’ĕl (Yeshayahu/Isaiah 30:15).

The Master יהוה continually called Yisra’ĕl to return, yet they continually turned a deaf ear and did their own thing and He made it very clear to Yisra’ĕl, in:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 30:15 “For thus said the Master יהוה, the Set-apart One of Yisra’ĕl, “In returning and rest you are saved, in stillness and trust is your strength.” But you would not,.

While Yisra’ĕl would not return, we certainly see the clear message that is given here:

IN RETURNING AND REST YOU ARE SAVED

AND IN STILLNESS AND TRUST IS YOUR STRENGTH!.

The Hebrew root word that is translated as ‘returning’ is שׁוּבָה shuḇah which means, retirement, withdrawal, repentance, returning and this comes from the root verb that we have already discussed, which is the word that is used for man’s repentance: שׁוּב shuḇ – Strong’s H7725 which means, to turn back, return, repent, recover. .

Many tears are not necessarily a clear and true sign of repentance!

Turning away from dead works, to serve the Living Elohim in sincerity and Truth, bearing fruit worthy of repentance, is what is required!

Many ‘return with tears’, yet fail to change their lifestyles, rejecting the need to walk in Covenant by guarding the commands and Elohim and think that their prayers are still going to be heard!

Tehillah/Psalm 50:16-17 “But to the wrong Elohim said, “What right have you to recite My laws, or take My covenant in your mouth, 17 while you hated instruction and cast My Words behind you?.

In order to properly work out one’s deliverance with fear and trembling, a true returning (repentance) must be evident through the fruit of set-apartness being brought forth, along with ‘rest’..

The Hebrew root word that is translated as ‘rest’ is נַחַת naḥath – Strong’s H5183 which means, quietness, restand this comes from the root verb נוּחַ nuaḥ – Strong’s H5117 which means, to rest, cause to rest, set down, leave, depart from. .

The Name of the man who found favour in יהוה’s eyes, is derived from this root: Noaḥנֹחַ – Strong’s H5146 whose name means, rest, comfort’, which comes from the root verb נוּחַ nuaḥ – Strong’s H5117.

In turning back to Elohim, in true repentance, and having turned away from wickedness and self, entering into His rest, as we walk in His clear instructions, we are saved.

This is how our salvation/deliverance is worked out, with fear and trembling! .

In the ancient pictographic script, the word נַחַת naḥath – Strong’s H5183 which means, quietness, rest, looks like this:.

.

Nun – נַ:

The ancient pictographic script has this letter pictured as , which pictures asprouting seedand gives the idea of ‘continuation’ or an offspring or an heir, speaking of that which sprouts forth to be the heir of the promise of continuation, and represents one’s life expectancy..

et חַ

The ancient script has this letter as which is a tent wall’, and carries a meaning of separation’, as a tent wall separates two halves of the tent; or it can also reflect the outside walls that separate the people inside from that which is outside and so can also symbolise protection and security to those inside, while picturing a cutting off of those who are outside.

Hence this letter can mean ‘established, secure’ as well as ‘cut off, separated from’.

As a tent wall, we are also able to recognise the picture of stones being built up to make a complete wall..

Taw/Tav ת:

The ancient script has this letter as which is pictured as two crossed sticks, and can represent for us the meaning of, seal, covenant, mark or sign; as this once again points to the complete work of Messiah by the renewal of the Covenant in His Blood that brings the two Houses of Yisra’ĕl and Yehuḏah together in Him, as One; for He is not only the ‘aleph’, but is also the ‘taw’ – that is – the beginning and the end of all creation!.

When we see the rendering of these pictographs, that represent the word for ‘rest’, we are truly able to see the wonderful work of our Master and the Life that He has secured for us, as we can see the following being rendered:..

THE LIFE THAT HAS BEEN

SEPARATED AND SECURED.

As we consider that the pictograph of the seed, representing a ‘continuance’ and the tent wall, representing a separation, or being built up, and the crossed sticks, representing ‘seal’ or ‘covenant’, we can identify the essence of true rest that we have in our Master, and the rest that causes us to be saved, as being described as:.

CONTINUALLY BUILT UP

IN THE COVENANT.

In true repentance and rest, we are saved!

This highlights a clear lesson that we, as the Dwelling Place of the Most-High, are to be meditating on His Word, day and night, as we are being built up, as living stones, by continuing to walk in the Covenants of Promise that we have been grafted into, sealed by His Set-Apart Spirit of Promise!.

Let us never be found to be a rebellious, backsliding and complacent bride, but one that has returned completely to our Master and Elohim, for:.

BACKSLIDING AND COMPLACENCY

DESTROYS AND KILLS SIMPLE FOOLS!

In the message given to the assembly in Laodikeia, the Master says:

Ḥazon/Revelation 3:19As many as I love, I reprove and discipline. So be ardent and repent.

As the wise returning remnant and set-apart Bride of Messiah, let us be on guard to stay in Him and He shall stay in us….!.

Let us encourage one another daily, and do our utmost to walk in unity together, as we make the Name of Elohim great together, leaving the path of destruction for the foolish, for bad company corrupts good character:

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 13:20He who walks with the wise, shall be wise, but the companion of fools suffers evil.

Be careful who you walk with!

The company you keep matters!

This parable teaches us the clear fact that the company we keep determines our walk, or rather that our walk should determine the company we keep!

Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 15:33 “Do not be led astray, “Evil company corrupts good habits.

Sha’ul was simply making it clear what Shelomoh is teaching us here, and that is that you must take care in regards to the company you keep!

Walk with the wise and you will be wise or rather you will grow in your wisdom, but keep the company of fools and you will be corrupted and suffer for it!.

The Hebrew word that is translated ashe who walks’ is הָלוֹךְ haloḵ which comes from the root verb הָלַךְ halaḵ – Strong’s H1980 which carries the meaning, ‘to walk, to live, manner of life, cause to live’, and literally speaks of how one lives.

It is used as a verb indicating that it is an active expression of one’s life.

This verb is written in the ‘qal active’ tense and therefore renders the meaning, to go, to walk, come, proceed, depart, move, go away, to die, live, manner of life (figuratively)..

When one looks at this root word and the word that is used here in the ancient pictographic script, we are able to get a clearer understanding of how we are able to walk in complete obedience!.

The root word for walk – הָלַךְ halaḵ – Strong’s H1980, in the ancient pictographic script, looks like this:.

    .

Hey – הָ:

The ancient script has this letter pictured as , which is ‘a man standing with his arms raised out’. The meaning of the letter is behold, look, breath, sigh and reveal or revelation, from the idea of revealing a great sight by pointing it out.

It also carries for us the meaning of surrender, as we lift up our hands and submit to יהוה as we lift our hands in praise, declaring His authority under which we humbly submit!.

Lamed – לַ:

The ancient script has this letter as , and is pictured as a shepherd’s staff, can give the meaning of to or toward and can represent that which pushes or pulls a flock in a direction, and can speak of authority or a yoke that is used to lead and guide, as well as the ability to bring back by Authority.

Kaph – ךְ:

The ancient form of this letter is – meaning ‘the open palm of a hand’.

The meaning behind this letter is ‘to bend and curve’ from the shape of a palm as well as ‘to tame or subdue’ as one has been bent to another’s will (under their hand), as an open hand symbolises submission.

This also can picture for us a palm or palm branch from the curved palm shape. The hand also speaks of one’s work, or under whose hand you submit and obey!.

When we look at the letters that spell out the root word that for ‘walk’ we are able to see a great declaration:.

BEHOLD THE STAFF IN THE PALM!.

With the picture of the shepherd’s staff and the open palm of the hand, we are able to see the concept of ‘staff in the palm’ and we take note that a nomad that travelled on foot would have a staff in his hand in order to provide proper support in walking, as well as having a weapon in his hand to defend against predators and thieves!.

When we look at this word in the construct that it is written in, in saying that ‘he who walks’, or ‘whoever walks’, we take note that it is written as הָלוֹךְ haloḵwhere this word has the extra letter וֹ – ‘waw/vav’ written here, which identifies an ‘infinite absolute’ in telling that whoever’ walks…, showing us that ‘anyone’ who walks with the wise shall be wise!.

In the ancient pictographic script, this would look like this:.

   .

Waw/Vav – וֹ:

This is the Hebrew letter ‘waw’ or ‘vav’ which in the ancient script is pictured as , which is a peg or ‘tent peg’, which was used for securing or tying the tent or other items. The possibility of it having a Y-shape is to show that it prevents the rope from slipping off. The root meaning of this letter is ‘to add, secure or hook’ as well as ‘bind’..

With these 4 pictographic pictures rendering for us the meaning of ‘he that walks’ or ‘whoever walks’ we are able to see the following meaning:

BEHOLD THE ROD

THAT IS SECURED IN THE HAND!.

With the picture of the rod in the hand being secured, we also recognise that our walk and proper response to the call to ‘walk with the wise’, can only be done as we walk in complete submission to the commands of The Good Shepherd and Elohim who has revealed His Hand to us and secured for us His everlasting Covenants of Promise, enabling us to cling to His Torah and be properly supported in our walk and stand armed against the enemy’s arrows!!!.

The result of walking with the wise, in the wisdom of the Torah of Elohim, is that we will become wise!

Tehillah/Psalm 1:1-2 “Blessed is the man who shall not walk in the counsel of the wrong, and shall not stand in the path of sinners, and shall not sit in the seat of scoffers, 2 but his delight is in the Torah of יהוה, and he meditates in His Torah, day and night.

Walking with the wise, calls for the diligent meditating upon the Torah of Elohim day and night and keeping far away from the companions of fools!.

The Hebrew root word that is used here, in Mishlĕ/Proverbs 13:20, and translated as ‘companion’ is the word רָעָה ra’ah – Strong’s H7462 which means, to associate with, cultivate, companion.

This word also means, shepherd, herdsman, and as a verb carries the meaning, to pasture, graze, consume, feed.

This highlights the clear fact that the company we keep is what ‘feeds’ our beings, and therefore, we see how important it is for us to be on guard against feeding our lives with foolish things!

More and more, we see how critical it is for the true body of Messiah, our Good Shepherd, to walk closely with each other and guard each other against wrong companionships!

Too many people who begin walking on the narrow path that leads to life, find themselves being distracted and led astray by the companionship of fools and foolish things, that take them away from set-apartness, resulting in folly being brought into the set-apart house of Elohim, which we are, and causing disruption, dissention and discord, as opposed to the building up of one another in the Most Set-Apart belief!!!.

The call that Shelomoh is giving us here, is very loud and clear – and that is: to come out and be separate in order that you do not suffer harm!

This call is clear in:

Ḥazon/Revelation 18:4And I heard another voice from the heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues...

Dawiḏ declares who he keeps company with, in:

Tehillah/Psalm 119:63 “I am a companion of all who fear You, and of those guarding Your orders..

It is of utmost importance that the true remnant Bride take seriously the companionship of the wise and not neglect this:

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 10:23-25Let us hold fast the confession of our expectation without yielding, for He who promised is trustworthy. 24 And let us be concerned for one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging, and so much more as you see the Day coming near..

The company we keep matters, and we know that friendship with the world is enmity toward Elohim!

Ya’aqoḇ/James 4:4Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with Elohim? Whoever therefore intends to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of Elohim.

The choice of who we walk with and who we keep company with, will have consequences in our life… good or bad, and we will either grow in wisdom or suffer the harm of folly!.

What has saddened me, in many ways, is to see how so many believers are being severely influenced in their walk, by the bad and foolish company of those who have no regard for the Torah of Elohim, and as a result, compromise sets in very subtly and true set-apartness becomes corrupted and they risk suffering harmful consequences by the wrong companionship choices they make!.

BE CONCERNED for one another!.

The Greek word that is translated as ‘be concerned, in Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 10:24, comes from the root word κατανοέω katanoeō – Strong’s G2657 which means, to take note of, consider, look more closely, observe, contemplateand comes from the two root words:

1) κατά kata – Strong’s G2596 which is a preposition which carries the meaning, down, against, according to and

2) νοέω noeō – Strong’s G3539 which means, to perceive, think, consider, understand which comes from the word νοῦς nous – Strong’s G3563 and means, mind, understanding, reason, intellect, and speaks of the faculties of the mind that perceives and comprehends..

What I am presenting here, is the clear call for us to have a concerned belief, which means that we cannot be like so many, who are always just thinking about themselves!

Be concerned about the company you keep… is it building you up in set-apartness or is it dragging you down in complacency!

We must not be selfish but rather, we are to be concerned about each other, in order to stir up love and good works!

We need each other to ‘fan into flame’ the good deposit of the Truth that our Master has given us by His Spirit and we are to encourage one another daily, as we see His Day drawing near. .

Having a concerned belief, will be marked by committed fellowship and will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together on the Sabbaths and Feasts of יהוה…. As is the habit of some!!! .

It is extremely sad to see how many today have grown accustomed to the bad habit of forsaking the assembling of the Body of Messiah; which simply highlights that they are not concerned about others and do not think about, or consider others, but are rather, being self-consumed in their own lives and, as a result, they fail to see the importance of assembly and fellowship, which is designed to encourage and strengthen one another in the belief!.

We need to be considerate of each other and know that we all have the responsibility to have a concerned belief that seeks to encourage and build others up in the Most Set-Apart Belief!

Do you have a concerned belief?

With technology today, there is absolutely no excuse to not have a concerned belief, as we recognise that we are able to connect with each other and encourage each other and assemble together, despite being physically out of reach!

And the last few months of a worldwide lockdown has certainly shown us this!.

How concerned are you about the rest of the Body and those that you fellowship with?

How considerate are you being?

Are you encouraging and building others up or are you only concerned about yourself?.

There is a clear call being given to the Bride of Messiah: to return to true set-apartness and the proper fellowship of the set-apart ones

Repentance and forgiveness are what we are to be proclaiming, in the Name of יהושע Messiah, as we see from the words of our Master, that He spoke to His taught ones when He appeared to them after His resurrection, in:.

Luqas/Luke 24:45-47 “Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it has been written, and so it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and to rise again from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His Name to all nations, beginning at Yerushalayim...

Kěpha Bět/2 Peter 3:9-12יהוה is not slow in regard to the promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward us, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of יהוה shall come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with intense heat, and the earth and the works that are in it shall be burned up. 11 Seeing all these are to be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be in set-apart behaviour and reverence, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of Elohim, through which the heavens shall be destroyed, being set on fire, and the elements melt with intense heat!.

BACKSLIDING AND COMPLACENCY

DESTROYS AND KILLS SIMPLE FOOLS!.

Eph’siyim/Ephesians 5:14-17 “That is why He says, “Wake up, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Messiah shall shine on you.” 15 See then that you walk exactly, not as unwise, but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are wicked. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the desire of יהוה is.

Sha’ul says we are to walk ‘exactly’ (as the wise) which is the word ἀκριβῶς akribōs – G199 and means ‘exactly, accurately, thoroughly, more carefully, diligently’ and implies a proper care and adequateness.

Some translations translate this word as ‘circumspectly’ which means to ‘carefully consider all circumstances and consequences’, and this leaves no place for backsliding and complacency that destroys and kills

Carefully consider your walk and stay clear of the folly of foolish ways!

So, let us therefore walk accurately in the truth, as we walk in the full assurance of abundant life, as wise maidens/virgins who have trimmed and filled their lamps!.

יהוה bless you and guard you; יהוה make His face shine upon you and show favour to you; יהוה lift up His face upon you and give you shalom!