22^nd of the 13^th month 2019/2020.

Shalom all,

Mattithyahu/Matthew 10:28 “And do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the being. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both being and body in GěHinnom.”

Today, we can all see the effects of the world, at large, being driven by fear and panic, which has certainly impacted mankind on a global scale.

As we see the progression of an increasing paranoia and despair gripping many, we begin to see a sobering reality of a misguided fear that is being embraced, which will cause them to be destroyed by the One that they are to truly fear, as their eyes and ears have wilfully turned away from properly hearing and seeing the Truth, having rejected the Good News and been led astray by a falsehood that walks contrary to the Torah and commands of our Master and Elohim.

Where has the fear of יהוה gone?

Despite the many warnings that are given in The Word of Elohim, most do not have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying, as the Spirit and the true remnant Bride are calling many to come out of the depravity of lawlessness that is being promoted by the whore.

As we consider the current state of mass panic that the world is embracing right now, we are able to see how some of the effects that are being seen today, are clearly warned about in Scripture. Warnings of what will come about due to the continued disobedience to the Truth of The Word of Elohim.

Herein lies the call to repentance, for certainly… the reign of the heavens draws near!

Yoḥanan the Immerser, who was likened to being Ěliyahu that must come first…. gave a clear warning call for all to repent, and this same warning call is being given today, as the spirit of Ěliyahu, which calls for a clear choice on who one will serve, is being declared.

And this warning is being made loud and clear – the reign of Elohim draws near, repent and believe the Good News, lest you share in the sins of the whore and are set aside for judgement!.

Mattithyahu/Matthew 18:8-9 “And if your hand or foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or crippled, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be thrown into the everlasting fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be thrown into the fire of GěHinnom.”.

Our hands, feet and eyes, metaphorically speak of our work, walk and sight, which are all to be in the clear sync of set-apartness, guarding against all forms of wickedness and the depravity of lawlessness and sin.

When one’s hands, feet and eyes are operating in the required standard of complete set-apartness, then a fear of that which can kill the body does not cripple one’s ability to be a trustworthy ambassador of the coming reign of our great Saviour and King.

The path in which you walk, what you put your hands to and what you set your eyes upon, will determine whether you are headed for destruction of for life..

In a clear call for repentance, I would like to take a closer look at a passage in Wayyiqra/Leviticus 26:14-46, in a message called, ‘WARNING AGAINST DISOBEDIENCE AND A CALL TO REPENTANCE!’..

As I was going through this passage this week, I was certainly gripped with the reality of seeing some of these warnings being poured out in the world at this time and hence, the urgency at which we are to examine ourselves and make sure that we are not being disobedient and at risk of being destroyed, but are rather, clinging to our Master, in complete set-apartness, walking even as He walked, with our eyes firmly fixed on Him, given us the much needed confidence and belief to possess our lives by endurance, during these darkened days, and not be held captive to the increasing panic and fear that the lawless are being gripped by, due to the clear effects of these warning that have begun to be poured out in a clear call for repentance!.

Please read Wayyiqra/Leviticus 26 before continuing with this message..

This chapter begins with a very clear command to not make any idols and warns against any form of falsified worship, along with the clear instruction and command to guard the Sabbaths of יהוה!

We do not need to look too far today, to see how many people, who profess to be believers, have discarded the need to guard the Sabbath and have fallen away to the misleading depravity of a lawless sun-day worship system of the whore.

With this in mind, we are able to recognise that clear validity of the warnings that we find within this chapter, being very evident in our day, as this is the result of the clear disobedience of so many, who claim to know Elohim, yet in their works of lawlessness, they deny Him!.

In verses 3-13 we are given the clear promise of complete provision, peace, victory in battle, fruitfulness and a constant renewal, when we walk in the Laws and commands of Elohim, by doing them! In other words, we have this assurance of complete shalom when we become doers of the Word and not just hearers only!

In verse 3 we are given a clear introduction to a very clear conditional clause that is being set forth.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘if’ is אִם im – Strong’s H518 which is a conditional participle or primary conjunction, which renders, ‘if, though, either, neither, when, whenever’.

The basic meaning is “if” and this meaning can be seen in most of its occurrences and usually occurs in conditional clauses, which we are able to see very clearly here!.

If you obey… then… you will have provision, protection, victory, fruitfulness, constant renewal!

Now that is certainly something to be grasped and understood, because if this conditional clause is set here for the resulting actions of obedience, then it is safe to say that there is also a clear conditional clause being set forth for the resulting actions of disobedience, which we see being set forth in verses 4-39. Then in verses 40-46 we are once again given a clear condition ‘if…then’ clause for responding correctly to the call to repent!.

It is the section from verse 14 to the end of this Chapter that I would like to expand a little upon, for the purposes of this message, in light of what we see happening in the world today.

In verse 14-39 we come to the section that outlines the reality of what will happen when His people do not obey Him!

Much of what I will be sharing in this message can also be found in our Torah commentary notes on this chapter, and this message is therefore done with the purpose of addressing the much needed call for repentance that must be proclaimed by the faithful remnant bride, to a lost and broken world that is being held enslaved by lawlessness and sin..

In verse 14, the opening words of this section of warnings, are ‘But if you will not obey Me’, which is written in the Hebrew text as follows: וְאִם־לֹא תִשְׁמְעוּ לִי – ve’im-lo tish’me’u li

The Hebrew word for ‘not’ is לאֹ lo – Strong’s H3808 which is used as a primitive adverb that means, ‘not, no, never, neither’.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘obey’ is תִשְׁמְעוּ – tish’me’u, which comes from the root word שָׁמַע shama – Strong’s H8085 which is often translated as ‘hear’, and does not just mean ‘hear, obey’, but rather it means, ‘to listen with attention, comprehend and discern, give heed to what is being spoken’.

This highlights that true obedience can only be done when one is properly paying attention the hearing of the Word and giving heed to what is being spoken, in order to do what is being commanded. In other words, this word implies having ears to hear.

The conditional clause, with its clear warnings against not hearing, is clearly set forth, teachings us that when we do not have ears to hear, guard and do the Word, as commanded, then we will pay the price for not obeying!

Belief comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of Elohim, and we take note that proper hearing involves the proper doing, because one has heard!

So many people today reject the need to guard the Sabbaths of Elohim and hear what the Torah teaches, as they prefer to have their ears tickled by a falsehood that promotes the delusion of lawlessness as being acceptable, under a banner of an assumed ‘grace’ that they claim has replaced ‘law’.

Here, in the opening of the section of the resulting actions of not having ears to hear, our Master and Elohim makes it abundantly clear that if we turn our ears away from the proper hearing of His Torah and commands, in order to do His Word, then we will find ourselves facing the effects of such disobedience!..

If we do not obey Him and do not do all these commands!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘do’ in this conditional clause of ‘do not do’ is תַעֲשׂוּ – ta’asu which comes from the root word עָשָׂה asah – Strong’s H6213 which means, ‘to do, work, make, produce, to act with effect, to observe, to bring about, institute’ and can also mean, ‘celebrate’, which I think is very fitting, as it is truly a great ‘joy’ TO DO the laws and right-rulings as prescribed!.

So many people today think that it is a huge burden to do what is commanded, yet that is so far from the truth! When we diligently observe, and guard to do, all He commands us to do, it is a great joy and a delight and not heavy at all!.

The perfect Torah of freedom is like a mirror for us – and in looking intently into it, we are able to see if we are, in fact, listening and doing or not:

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 ‘guard to do’ all He commands, in order that we may live and take possession of that which יהוה has planned for us, and have the assurance of walking in the perfect shalom of our Master, giving us complete provision, peace, protection, victory in battles and the ability to bear fruit that lasts, being constantly renewed by His Word that strengthens us to stand and fight the Good fight and not fear the threat of destruction, because of disobedience!.

In verse 15 we see some words that speak of outright disobedience, as the conditional warning is being set forth – let us therefore take a look at these:

REJECT

This verse starts of by saying that ‘if you reject my laws’ and the Hebrew word that is translated as ‘reject’ is תִּמְאָסוּ – tim’asu, which comes from the root word מָאַס mâ’as – Strong’s H3988 which means, ‘reject, completely abhor, despise, refuse, cast away’.

To reject His Laws takes a clear choice to despise and refuse to obey; and today so many people have cast away His Torah, as they render it null and void in their hearts and, as a result, they do not realise the consequences that this rejection of His laws will bring upon them, lest they repent..

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘my laws’ is בְּחֻקֹּתַי beḥuqqotai and renders the meaning, ‘in my laws’, and this word comes from the root word חֻקָּה ḥuqqah – Strong’s H2708 which carries the meaning of, ‘something prescribed, an enactment, a statute, fixed pattern, fixed order, appointed, ordinance’, and comes from the primitive root verb חָקַק ḥaqaq – Strong’s H2710 which means, ‘to engrave, cut in, inscribe, decree’.

To stay in the Master, we are to stay in His laws! If we do not stay in His laws, by guarding to do them, then we are not staying in Him and as a result, are rejecting His laws, which means that we are rejecting Him!

We are to ‘guard’ and ‘keep’ the regulations and decrees of יהוה, that has been perfectly inscribed or ‘cut in’ – That is – His ‘WRITTEN WORD’.

Shemoth/Exodus 24:4 “And Mosheh wrote down all the Words of יהוה, and rose up early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve standing columns for the twelve tribes of Yisra’ĕl.”

There was NO ORAL TORAH alongside that which Mosheh wrote down, and he wrote ALL the Words of יהוה, and so, we do not guard and keep man-made oral laws that have since thus been written down as a set of rules and regulations, in the form of catechisms from Christianity and the Talmud and Mishnah of Rabbinic Judaism; but rather, we guard to do all the Written Word of יהוה..

These ‘laws/rulings’ speak of those very statutes that have been prescribed and they are a fixed order that remains in effect permanently.

We see that we are to ‘walk’ in His ‘laws’; and if His Words, that He has prescribed, remain in effect permanently, which they do, then we are to walk in them permanently!.

Those who reject His laws, have no right to recite them!!

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?”

The Hebrew word that is used in this verse for ‘cast’ is שָׁלַךְ shalaḵ – Strong’s H7993 which means, ‘cast away, throw down, throw away, fling’.

A very true picture of many people today, who claim to take His Covenant in their mouth, so to speak, while they have clearly ‘cast away’ or ‘rejected His instruction and His Word, as seen by their refusal to do His Word!!!

The Hebrew root word for ‘reject’ – מָאַס mâ’as – Strong’s H3988 – is also found in the clear words that are given in Hoshěa/Hosea, which tells us how so many have rejected the Truth and are dying for lack of knowledge:

Hoshěa/Hosea 4:6 “My people have perished for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being priest for Me. Since you have forgotten the Torah of your Elohim, I also forget your children.”

Reject, refuse, despise or cast away any of the Words of Elohim and He will reject, refuse and cast you away from His presence, on the day when many will claim to have done great deeds in His Name, yet will be rejected for being lawless, by their clear rejecting of His commands and instructions to walk in His Torah!.

LOATHES

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘loathes’ is תִּגְעַל – tig’al which comes from the root word גָּעַל gâ‛al – Strong’s H1602 which means, ‘abhor, loathe, reject, defiled’.

To abhor something means to hate it and to hate His instructions, is totally against the clear command to walk in Him and love Him.

Love for Elohim is to guard His commands – if we are not guarding His commands and doing them, then we are in danger of not loving Him, but are then hating Him!!!

If our being loathes His commands…!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘being’ is נֶפֶשׁ nephesh – Strong’s H5315 which is ‘a soul, a living being, the inner being of a man’.

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 6:5 “And you shall love יהוה your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your being, and with all your might.”

I have highlighted the obvious here… we are to love יהוה with all our being, not let our being loath Him! Loathing His right-rulings is loathing Him, as we take not that love for Him is to obey His commands!

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 5:3-4 “For this is the love for Elohim, that we guard His commands, and His commands are not heavy, 4 because everyone having been born of Elohim overcomes the world. And this is the overcoming that has overcome the world: our belief.”.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘My right-rulings’ is מִשְׁפָּטַי – mishphatiy which comes from the root word מִשְׁפָּט mishpat – Strong’s H4941 which means, ‘judgement, ordinance, regulations’ and comes from the root word שָׁפַט shaphat – Strong’s H8199 which means, ‘to judge, govern, rule, pronounce judgement, give law’.

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 33:22 “for יהוה is our Judge, יהוה is our Lawgiver, יהוה is our Sovereign, He saves us”

There is only One who gives us the Law, by which we must live and by which we are governed and these judgements and right-rulings and regulations given by Him, we must love to DO and not loathe!!!

BREAK

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘break’ comes from the root word פָּרַר pârar – Strong’s H6565 and means, ‘to break, frustrate, annul, do away with, nullify, make void, cease’.

Wow, when we see the clear understanding of this word, then we see how so many people today have clearly broken His Covenant, when they make it void and nullify it with a false ‘grace’ message!

This root word פָּרַר pârar – Strong’s H6565, we see being used in:

Tehillah/Psalm 119:126 “It is time for יהוה to act! For they have broken Your Torah.”

In the Hebrew text, this verse is written as follows:

עֵת לַעֲשׂוֹת לַיהוה הֵפֵרוּ תּוֹרָתֶךָ

Eth la’asoth laYAHWEH hepheru torateḵa.

This verse is one of 8 that begin with the letter ‘עֵ’ (ayin) – verses 121-128, and with the ancient pictographic script having this letter depicted as an eye, we are able to recognise the clear warning against taking our eyes off of the Torah of Elohim, for to do so is to take our eyes off of Him!

We are to have our eyes fixed on His Torah so that we do not find our eyes causing us to stumble.

Mishlĕ/proverbs 7:1-3 “My son, guard my words, and treasure up my commands with you. 2 Guard my commands and live, and my Torah as the apple of your eye. 3 Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.”.

We are to guard His Torah as the apple of our eye!

The phrase, ‘as the apple of your eye’, in written in the Hebrew text as follows:

כְּאִישׁוֹן עֵינֶיךָ – ki’eyshon ayneyḵa

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘apple’ is אִישׁוֹן ishon – Strong’s H380 which means, ‘the pupil of the eye, middle’ and comes from the root word used for ‘man’ which is אִישׁ ish – Strong’s H376.

We see Ya’aqoḇ being described as being the apple of the eye of יהוה, in:

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 32:10 “He found him in a wilderness, and in a wasted, howling desert. He encompassed him, He made him understand, He watched over him as the apple of His eye.”

The phrase, ‘as the apple of His eye’, is a Hebraic expression, which portrays the intensity of one’s focus on one’s beloved!

This is a very powerful statement, which shows us how focused יהוה is on His called out, chosen ones. This could also be literally rendered as ‘the little man of the eye’, whereby we are able to, by the intensity of His focus upon us, see our reflection in the pupil of His eye – as an expression of an ability to look intently into the mirror of His Word and not forget how we look and how we ought to look, as we become doers of the Word and not just hearers only!.

This instruction to guard the Torah as the apple of our eye, is very clear – we are to be so intently focused on His Torah, and guard His commands, so that we may live, and we do this by ‘fixing our eyes’ on Messiah, our Princely Leader and Perfecter of our belief:

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 12:1-2 “We too, then, having so great a cloud of witnesses all around us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us, 2 looking to the Princely Leader and Perfecter of our belief, יהושע, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the stake, having despised the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of Elohim.”

We are told to be ‘looking’ to Messiah – and as we can see from verse 1, is that, in order to be able to properly ‘look’ at Messiah, we need to throw off and lay aside every weight and sin that easily entangles us, so as to be able to properly run with endurance..

We are to be looking intently at our King, as we run faithfully as servants of the Most-High Elohim!

Many are trying to run, yet they find themselves getting tired and unable to endure the hardships and persecutions that comes, as a result of set-apart living amidst a crooked generation!

The question that you need to ask yourself, as you take an eye test, so to speak, is:

“What are you looking at?”

Are you looking at Messiah?

If we are not looking to our Master, Saviour, Elohim and King then our eyes may be dangerously looking at that which cannot save us!

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 31:1 “Woe to those who go down to Mitsrayim for help, and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but who do not look to the Set-apart One of Yisra’ĕl, nor seek יהוה!”

This is a severe woe that is given to those who are not looking to יהוה, the Set-Apart One of Yisra’ĕl!.

In the section from Tehillah/Psalm 119: 121-128 we see an urgent cry from the psalmist, being given unto יהוה, for help, as he asks to be rescued from his enemies and affirms his love for the Torah and states that he has done right-ruling and righteousness and further seeks to be continually taught by Elohim in order to grow in his understanding of the witnesses of Elohim and in this verse he calls for יהוה to rise up and act against the wrong who have broken His Torah!.

Back to Wayyiqra/Leviticus 26:16-46

What is very clear from Scripture, is that when anyone, who claims to be of Messiah, casts away, rejects or nullifies the Torah and clear instructions of Elohim, then the following verses in Wayyiqra/Leviticus 26 will be rendered, as the result of such wilful ignorance!.

As we go through the verses, which present a clear description of the effects of not obeying, we can and must urgently realise the need for us to be a loving, obeying people!

Why would anyone want to reject, despise, defile or cast away that which leads us, guides our path, protects us and strengthens us, in Messiah???

In the verses that follow the ‘if’ you break, reject or loath His commands, we see 5 clear warnings being given, with the effects of what will happen if one continues to walk contrary to His Word..

Warning 1 – verse 16-17

Sudden alarm, wasting disease and inflammation, destroying the eyes and consuming the life!

This is very descriptive and it is meant to be, so that the true hearer of the Word will take heed of this warning and be on guard against disobedience and the rejection and loathing of the Torah and commands of Elohim

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘sudden alarm’ is בֶּֽהָלָה behalah – Strong’s H928 which means, ‘dismay, sudden terror, ruin, calamity’, and comes from the root word בָּהַל bahal – Strong’s H926 which means, ‘to disturb, terrify, tremble’ and is used in:

Tehillah/Psalm 90:7 “For we have been consumed by Your displeasure, and by Your wrath we are alarmed.”

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘wasting disease’ is שַׁחֶפֶת shaḥepheth – Strong’s H7829 which means, ‘consumption, wasting disease’, and is also understood as the ‘wasting disease of the lungs’, which, in a manner of speaking, speaks about that which consumes our breath and we recognise that without breath we shall waste away and die!

This word is what struck me again this week, especially as we consider the effects of the wasting disease that is being experienced all around the world.

A wasting disease that primarily attacks the respiratory system and, in a manner of speaking, is sucking the life of so many!

This word שַׁחֶפֶת shaḥepheth – Strong’s H7829 is only used twice in Scripture.

Here, in this section of Wayyiqra/Leviticus that we are looking at, as well as in:

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 28:22 “יהוה strikes you with wasting disease, and with inflammation, and with burning, and with extreme heat, and with the sword, and with blight, and with mildew. And they shall pursue you until you perish.”

This forms part of the curses for disobedience, that we see being given in a clear description of what will happen when one obeys and when one does not.

So, in terms of the wasting disease that we see being a part of a curse for disobedience, we are able to have the Torah giving us the 2 witnesses of this being a clear result for disobedience.

This, in many ways, should be able to answer many who are questioning that which we see happening in the world today!.

Think about it for a moment…. What we see happening, with the very clear and present danger of a wasting disease that is attacking the respiratory system, is that it is being seen along with a sudden alarm and panic, as many are in deep dismay and terror.

The clear resulting effects for disobedience, being poured out, is evident in our day!

This should certainly be a huge wake up call for many to repent.

The question is… will they have ears to hear or will they be consumed in their panic and suffer the effects of losing their breath as they refuse to turn back to יהוה?.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘inflammation’ is קַדַּחַת qaddaḥath – Strong’s H6920 which means, ‘fever’, and comes from the root קָדַח qadaḥ – Strong’s H6919 which means, ‘to be kindled, burn’, which we find in:

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 32:22 “For a fire was kindled in My wrath and burns to the bottom of She’ol, and consumes the earth and its increase, and sets on fire the foundations of mountains.”

The kindled fire, of the wrath of Elohim, is coming upon the sons of disobedience and when we consider these words, we need to be sober in our estimation of how we are to walk upright before our Master and Elohim, and we take careful note of the Master’s words, which I quoted at the beginning of this message and will repeat, for emphasis:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 10:28 “And do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the being. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both being and body in Gehenna.”

Mattithyahu/Matthew 18:9 “And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be thrown into the fire of Gehenna.”.

Mal’aḵi the prophet says the following:

Mal’aḵi/Malachi 4:1-2 “For look, the day shall come, burning like a furnace, and all the proud, and every wrongdoer shall be stubble. And the day that shall come shall burn them up,” said יהוה of hosts, “which leaves to them neither root nor branch. 2 “But to you who fear My Name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings. And you shall go out and leap for joy like calves from the stall.”

Here, in Wayyiqra/Leviticus 26, we are further instructed that any sowing that is done in disobedience to walking according to the Torah, will be done in vain and יהוה will set His face against you and those who hate you will rule over you and you will flee in fear when no one is pursuing you!

This is self-explanatory – not the kind of position any of us want to find ourselves in!

None of us want to be in a state of panic or distress or depression – yet, we see that these factors grip so many around the world today, as people are even terrified of things that do not exist!

All as a result of rejecting and despising the Torah!.

One of the effects of disobedience, is the fact that the eyes become darkened to see the Truth and so the sinner/lawless do not see their own disobedience, which in turn will cause so many to be groping around in the dark, so to speak, thinking that they are in the light and find that what they have sown will simply have been in vain.

It makes me think of the words that so many will cry out on ‘that day’:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 7:22-23 “Many shall say to Me in that day, ‘Master, Master, have we not prophesied in Your Name, and cast out demons in Your Name, and done many mighty works in Your Name?’ 23 “And then I shall declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from Me, you who work lawlessness!”.

You would think that one warning should be enough and not only that, but having already been warned with these 5 warnings, beforehand, you would think that after seeing the effects of the first warning being clearly evident, that repentance would surely be seen.

Sadly, this is not the case, as many are not turning to יהוה but are simply continuing in their depravity and lawlessness, trusting in the flesh!.

With this 1^st warning, we are able to see how our Master also warns us about seeing these things and how this is the beginning of birth pains.

Mattithyahu/Matthew 24:6-8 “And you shall begin to hear of fightings and reports of fightings. See that you are not troubled, for these have to take place, but the end is not yet. 7 “For nation shall rise against nation, and reign against reign. And there shall be scarcities of food, and deadly diseases, and earthquakes in places. 8 “And all these are the beginning of birth pains.”

Scarcities of food, deadly diseases and earthquakes in places! He goes on to warn us against many false prophets that will rise up in these days and lead many astray!.

Sha’ul warns us against the ear ticklers and smooth talkers and reminds us that the coming if the lawless one will be with many signs and wonder and working of miracles!

We should be on guard against being led astray by those who lead one away from obeying the Torah, for it is the Torah that we are to fix our eyes upon, all the more as we see the Day of יהוה drawing near!.

Timotiyos Bet/2 Timothy 4:2-4 “Proclaim the Word! Be urgent in season, out of season. Convict, warn, appeal, with all patience and teaching. 3 For there shall be a time when they shall not bear sound teaching, but according to their own desires, they shall heap up for themselves teachers tickling the ear, 4 and they shall indeed turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to myths.” .

As the true remnant bride of Messiah, we are to be on guard against falling away from steadfastness in Him and in standing firm in His Torah, having the assurance of His complete protection and shalom, we are to be bold in making these warnings known, as we convict, warn, appeal and teach the Truth!.

Our Master warned us in Mattithyahu/Matthew 24, that when we begin to see these things happening, the love of many will become cold, which highlights how many will not hear the call to repent and stand in the belief, but will follow the masses and turn their ears away from the Torah and therefore end up lacking in their belief as they fall prey to the sudden alarm and panic that grips the lawless!.

Luqas/Luke 21:9-11 “But when you hear of fightings and unrests, do not be alarmed, for these have to take place first, but the end is not immediately.” 10 Then He said to them, “Nation shall rise against nation, and reign against reign. 11 “And there shall be great earthquakes in various places, and scarcities of food and deadly diseases. And there shall be horrors, and great signs from heaven.”

In this Chapter of Luqas, we see our Master giving us clear instructions against falling prey to the way the world reacts to the clear signs of the effects of disobedience being poured out, but that we are to be bold in our witness of His Truth and not be afraid of what we should speak, as His Spirit will give us the wisdom that we are to speak, as a true witness, and in doing so, we are to possess our lives by endurance, even though we may be hated by most!.

When we stay in our Master, by being obedient, as already mentioned, we shall have the assurance that we shall be kept safe in Him!

Luqas/Luke 21:18-19 “But not a hair of your head shall be lost at all. 19 Possess your lives by your endurance!”

The encouragement that not a hair of our head shall be lost, is a clear picture of not being in a state of panic and fear and not worrying as the nations do, when we see all these birth pains beginning to take place!

The Greek word that is translated as ‘possess’ is κτάομαι ktaomai – Strong’s G2932 which means, ‘to possess, acquire, gain, obtain, purchase’.

The Greek word translated as ‘endurance’ is ὑπομονή hupomonē – Strong’s G5281 which means, ‘a patient enduring, steadfastness, perseverance, a remaining behind’, and this word comes from the Greek word ὑπομένω hupomenō – Strong’s G5278 which means, ‘to stay behind, to await, endure’, which comes from the two words:

1) ὑπό hupo – Strong’s G5259 which means ‘under, in subjection to’, and

2) μένω menō – Strong’s G3306 and means, ‘to stay, abide, remain, stand’ and this word is the word that is used in Yoḥanan/John 15, where we are told to ‘stay in, remain in’ Messiah!.

As faithful talmidim (disciples) of Messiah, we recognise that while He ascended to the Most Set-Apart Place, where He continually intercedes for us as our High Priest, we, who are here, and have ‘remained behind’, need to endure and be steadfast in staying in Him, as we walk in subjection to His clear Torah.

The Greek word that si translated as ‘lives’ is ψυχή psuchē – Strong’s G5590 which means, ‘breath, soul, heart, mind, life, being’, which is the Greek equivalent to the Hebrew word נֶפֶשׁ nephesh – Strong’s H5315 which is ‘a soul, a living being, the inner being of a man’, which we have already discussed..

A more literal rendering of this verse 19 from Luqas/Luke 21 could be expressed, in English as follows:

“In your patience/endurance you shall win your life/soul!”.

Tehillim/Psalm 27:14 “Wait on יהוה, be strong, and let Him strengthen your heart! Wait, I say, on יהוה!”

The Hebrew word translated here as ‘wait’ is קָוָה  qavah – Strong’s H6960 meaning, ‘to wait for, eagerly wait, expect, hopefully waiting’ and carries the intensity of being commanded to look eagerly for the soon return of our Light, Saviour and Refuge in who we continually trust and praise and are taught by; for when we wait on יהוה our strength is renewed – and waiting on יהוה requires our active response to who He is, with great intensity..

In the LXX (Septuagint – Greek Translation of Tanak) the Greek word that is used here for ‘wait’ is the word that we have already discussed – ὑπομένω hupomenō – Strong’s G5278 – which reflects an active endurance of running with fervency the race set before us, in complete obedience, to our soon coming King!

Tehillim/Psalm 37:7-9 “Rest in יהוה, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man doing wicked devices. 8 Abstain from displeasure, and forsake wrath; do not fret, also to do evil. 9 For evil-doers are cut off; but those who wait on יהוה, they shall inherit the earth.”

יהושע continues to teach His talmidim how wicked and corrupt the world will continue to become, telling them that these are birth pains of His return, and the nearness of His reign to come.

In making this very clear, He instructs us to take heed against falling for worldly matters!

To take heed, implies being watchful and awake, and guarding obedience, so as to not fall from one’s steadfast position in the truth!.

Many people fall from steadfastness because of compromise, as they do not take heed to themselves and watch their thoughts, words and actions, when distractions come at them from all angles!

In other words – they get distracted, and as a result, they lose sight of living completely set-apart lives unto our Master, all because of the effects of disobedience that they see in the flesh!.

We must be on guard that we do not, for even a fleeting moment, get distracted from our set-apartness!

Distractions occur when we allow our hearts to become weighed down by gluttony, and drunkenness, and worries of this life!

The warning against falling for these distractions are clear – the Day of יהוה will come suddenly upon those who did not take heed against such distractions!..

Warning 2 – verse 18-20

If the first effects of disobedience do not cause one to turn back, due to ‘blindness’, as a result of casting away His commands and they still choose to disobey the commands, then יהוה says that He will punish the rebellious 7 times more for their sins/lawlessness!.

The Hebrew word that is used here, in verse 18, for ‘punish’ comes from the root verb יָסַר yasar – Strong’s H3256 which means, ‘to discipline, admonish, correct, teach, chastise, reprove’..

Not only will the rebellious walk in a state of panic, distress and depression – but their stubbornness to humble themselves and submit, will grow and they will find themselves slaving away, in order to try to make ends meet, only to find that their toil and labour will be in vain!.

In verse 19, the use of bronze and iron are clear pictures that we see being used throughout Scripture, in terms of stubbornness and pride, which only results in a fruitless life of a stiff-necked person!

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 48:4 “Because I knew that you were hard, and your neck was an iron sinew, and your forehead bronze.”

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 6:28 “All of them are rebels of rebels, walking as slanderers. They are bronze and iron, all of them are corrupters.”

One of the effects of rebellious living is a stiff neck and a clear stubbornness to repent..

Warning 3 – verse 21-22

Things will just get worse; the more people refuse to obey.

Tehillah/Psalm 7:10-13 “My shield is upon Elohim, who saves the upright in heart. 11 Elohim is a righteous judge. and Ěl is enraged every day, 12 if one does not repent! He sharpens His sword, He bends His bow and makes it ready, 13 and He has prepared for Himself instruments of death, He makes His arrows hot for pursuers.”.

The Hebrew root word that is used here for ‘contrary’ in Wayyiqra/Leviticus 26:21 is קְרִי qeri – Strong’s H7147 which means, ‘in opposition, hostility, contrary, perversely, hostile encounter’.

The more one refuses to repent and obey, the more the hostility toward the Truth becomes greater and a decision to walk totally contrary to the Truth, becomes a stand point for so many..

Many people say today, “I will not walk in that way… you are trying to put me under law and I refuse!’.

This is a clear-cut choice that has resulted in disobedience leading to stubbornness and then a flat-out refusal to submit!

The result of this, is that Elohim will remove all that has competed with Him for our affection and commitment and priorities.

In Ḥazon/Revelation we are given the clear imagery of the stubbornness of people refusing to repent, even after many have been killed by plagues/wasting diseases!

Ḥazon/Revelation 9:20-21 “And the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship the demons, and idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood, which are neither able to see, nor to hear, nor to walk. 21 And they did not repent of their murders, nor of their drug sorceries, nor of their whoring, nor of their thefts.”

In the warning given to the assembly in Thyatira, we are told what will happen to those who do not repent:

Ḥazon/Revelation 2:21-22 “And I gave her time to repent of her whoring, and she did not repent. 22 See, I am throwing her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great affliction, unless they repent of their works.”

Those who continue to follow the whoring rebellious spirit of Izeḇel, which is a spirit of falsehood and lawlessness, will be thrown into great affliction, unless they repent!.

The reason for me highlighting these verses at this time, is to show the reality that the majority will refuse to repent, despite them seeing the plagues and diseases and distress being poured out on mankind!.

Warning 4 – verse 23-26

If one still refuses to turn back, then once again Elohim will strike the rebellious 7 times more for their sins.

It is at this stage, that I want to make it clear that each time we see the term ‘7 times’, we see that this is a just and righteous punishment, as it is ‘for your sins’.

יהוה is just – He does not punish for nothing!

Tehillah/Psalm 89:14 “Righteousness and right-ruling are the foundation of Your throne; loving-commitment and truth go before Your face.”

If one still walks contrary to His commands and still refuses to be instructed by Him, then He will walk contrary to you!.

So many people still refuse to accept that sun-day is not the Sabbath and wilfully refuse to be instructed by His Torah and, as a result, will find that Elohim shall walk contrary to them, and He will bring against them a sword – that is – His Word, that will execute vengeance and send forth that which has been written.

Our Master יהוה always rules rightly according to His written Word.

Notice, in verse 25, how He says that ‘you shall gather in your cities’.

The result of this continued disobedience will cause many to gather themselves together in an assumed place of safety; and this is where He will strike them with pestilence – there is no hiding from יהוה!

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 10:28-30 “Anyone who has disregarded the Torah of Mosheh dies without compassion on the witness of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment do you think shall he deserve who has trampled the Son of Elohim underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was set apart as common, and insulted the Spirit of favour? 30 For we know Him who has said, “Vengeance is Mine, I shall repay, says יהוה.” And again, “יהוה shall judge His people.”.

In verse 26 we see the effect of famine, when supply is cut off!

10 women will bake bread in 1 oven – there will be no need for many ovens, as there will be so little bread to bake.

This is also a picture of the sending of a famine for His word!

Amos 8:11 “See, days are coming,” declares the Master יהוה, “that I shall send a hunger in the land, not a hunger for bread, nor a thirst for water, but for hearing the Words of יהוה.”

The result of continued disobedience, will result in a hunger in the land, for a hearing of the True words of Elohim, as many will continue in their whoring and never be satisfied, as they build their own little kingdoms and empires, while the House of יהוה is in ruins!

Ḥaggai/Haggai 1:6-7 “You have sown much, but brought in little; eat, but do not have enough; drink, but you are not filled with drink; clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.” 7 Thus said יהוה of hosts, “Consider your ways!”

Miḵah/Micah 6:14 “You shall eat but not be satisfied, and your inside be empty. And you shall store up but not save, and what you save I shall give to the sword.”

Hoshěa/Hosea 4:10 “And they shall eat but not be satisfied, they shall whore but not increase, for they have stopped obeying יהוה.”.

This is certainly a time where people are being called to CONSIDER THEIR WAYS!!!

You would certainly think that after all of these warnings being brought about, that many would repent, yet we are able to see, once again, the picture of the stubbornness to repent, as seen in:

Ḥazon/Revelation 16:9-11 “And men were burned with great heat, and they blasphemed the Name of Elohim who possesses authority over these plagues. And they did not repent, to give Him esteem. 10 And the fifth messenger poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his reign became darkened. And they gnawed their tongues from pain. 11 And they blasphemed the Elohim of the heaven for their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their works.”.

Once thing that we need to recognise and acknowledge, is that Elohim is in total control and it is He who possesses authority over the plagues that are poured out as a result of disobedience! .

Warning 5 – verse 27-33

If after all these warnings and punishments, people still refuse to obey, then once again they will be punished justly for their sins – 7-fold – that is to say that they will receive a complete punishment, as before!

We see the effects of total disobedience and a casting away of His commands – verse 29 gives a gruesome picture of how they will eat each other’s flesh – the flesh of one’s own family!

All of these woes—even this one in verse 29 – took place when Yisra’ĕl’s cities were under siege by their enemies. יהוה was not exaggerating.

What we must understand, is that the devil did not do all of this to Yisra’ĕl; it was as a result of יהוה’s judgment, which is a very sober warning to us, as we re-enter His Renewed Covenant.

This is a picture of the completion of His wrath and this ought to awaken us to obedience!

Ěḵah/Lamentations 4:10-11 “The hands of the compassionate women have boiled their own children; they became food for them in the destruction of the daughter of my people. 11 יהוה has completed His wrath, He has poured out His burning displeasure. And He kindled a fire in Tsiyon, and it consumed her foundations.”

Yeḥezqěl/Ezekiel 5:10 “Therefore fathers are going to eat their sons in your midst, and sons eat their fathers. And I shall execute judgments among you and scatter all your remnant to all the winds.”

When we consider these horrific pictures, of the fullness of the wrath of Elohim being poured out, we can also begin to understand the woe that יהושע gave concerning ‘those days’ or the last days, so to speak, as the wrath of יהוה is poured out, in:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 24:19 “And woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing children in those days!”

Those nursing children – will we see a repeat of this severe punishment being poured out, when mothers will eat their young?.

When one considers all the effects of disobedience, then we can further understand Sha’ul’s appeal that is given to us, in:

Qolasim/Colossians 3:5-7 “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: whoring, uncleanness, passion, evil desire and greed of gain, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these the wrath of Elohim is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you also once walked when you lived in them.”.

The result of the continued disobedience and rebellion of Yisra’ĕl, resulted in the words given in verse 33 of Wayyiqra/Leviticus 26, for Yisra’ĕl was scattered among the nations.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘scatter’ comes from the root word זָרָה zarah – Strong’s H2219 which means, ‘scatter, fan or winnow’, which we also read about, and understand the effect of such, in the Book of Hoshěa, which shows us how this word, for scatter, also carries the meaning of sowing, and therefore, we see that while we, as a rebellious people, have been scattered abroad, we know that, because of this scattering, there will be a harvest of many, from the ends of the earth, who shall repent and return to the Covenants and Promise, as they are grafted in by the Blood of Messiah and walk in His Laws and Guard His Commands!.

This is happening today, as we speak!

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 31:10-11 “Hear the word of יהוה, O gentiles, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, ‘He who scattered Yisra’ĕl gathers him, and shall guard him as a shepherd his flock.’ 11 “For יהוה shall ransom Ya’aqoḇ, and redeem him from the hand of one stronger than he.”.

The effect of the scattering, is that the Promised Land receives the rest it should.

In verse 34-35 we see how יהוה clearly told Yisra’ĕl that they would be disobedient and that He would do all of these words that He has written, and while being warned of their disobedience beforehand, they still neglected to obey and guard His commands..

We must learn from this today, as we too have His Word set before us as a witness, and we must diligently hear, guard and do all His commands and not be found to be facing the damaging effects of the details that we see being written in this chapter, from verse 14-33; but rather, be a people who can live daily with the shalom, protection and favour of Elohim, as described in verses 3-13, amidst the clear signs of the curses being seen upon those who disobey and therefore, be strengthened to hold on with great perseverance and steadfastness, the courage and strength of Messiah, who lives in us by His Word and causes us, who stay in Him, to walk humbly before Elohim!.

In Wayyiqra/Leviticus 26:36 we see the effect of not being under the shadow of the Almighty; as we see the effect of those who do not call upon His Name and walk in His ways – for even a leaf will cause them to be flee, as they are consumed with faintness of heart!.

In Diḇre haYamim Aleph/1 Chronicles 14 we read of the account when Dawiḏ faced some very intense battles and had learnt from previous mistakes, and how he was to call upon and inquire of יהוה in all circumstances, which resulted in a great ability to trust in and rely upon יהוה of hosts.

And in verse 15 of that chapter, we see the instruction for Dawiḏ, to go out to battle, would be when he heard the sound of the stepping on the top of the mulberry trees, for Elohim would go before Him and destroy the Philistines!!!

This is a great lesson for us who walk in His laws and guard His commands – we shall not fear when we hear the sounding of a leaf, but rather, we shall continue to trust in and rely upon יהוה of Hosts, who fights for us!.

True repentance – verse 40-42

With יהוה there is always hope and those who confess their crookednesses will find favour with Him. One of the key aspects that I see being brought forth very clear, in these verses, is the fact that we need to recognise, not only our own crookedness and disobedience, but also that of our fathers!

Neḥemyah/Nehemiah Chapter 1 is a great illustration of obeying these instructions and receiving the clear promises contained herein. (please read Neḥemyah/Nehemiah 1)..

We need to acknowledge that we have inherited lies and that our fathers have walked in error too – this is critical, in bringing about a true restoration of being able to walk humbly before Elohim and guard ourselves from falling back to erroneous teachings, that has led so many generations astray!

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 16:19 “O יהוה, my strength and my stronghold and my refuge, in the day of distress the gentiles shall come to You from the ends of the earth and say, “Our fathers have inherited only falsehood, futility, and there is no value in them.”

This is exactly what is happening today, as many of us have truly discovered that we have, in fact, inherited lies and the ability to acknowledge this, is key to returning back into the joy of walking in the Covenants of Promise by the Blood of Messiah!.

We need to right the wrong, so to speak, by walking in the Torah, as opposed to continuing in the errors of our fathers and allow the effects of such to continue!

We need to acknowledge the uncircumcision of our hearts and recognize that which is due, because of our wickedness and sin.

When we do that we come to recognize and realise how great the Love of Elohim is toward us, in seeing that He would offer up His own life to pay for our sins/lawlessness.

We humbly accept the punishment for our crookedness – which is death and that by the Blood of Messiah, we are raised to new life as we are immersed in Him and our hearts are circumcised, with His Torah being penned on our hearts in order that we may walk in it, having it now in our hearts and mouths, to do it!.

Acknowledgement of the crookedness of our fathers, will bring a great release to so many, who for so long struggle with the concept of having been lied to!

When we recognize and confess the error of our fathers, we will be further strengthened to go back to the Covenants of Promise, given to our fathers who walked in the ways of Elohim!.

This verse highlights the clear call to repent and return to יהוה and confess the crookednesses that have caused many to walk contrary to יהוה!.

Hoshěa/Hosea 14:1-2 “O Yisra’ěl, return to יהוה your Elohim, for you have stumbled by your crookedness. 2 Take words with you, and return to יהוה . Say to Him, “Take away all crookedness, and accept what is good, and we render the bulls of our lips.”.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘stumbled’ comes from the root verb כָּשַׁל kashal – Strong’s H3782 meaning, ‘stumble, totter, stagger, bring down, failing, weakening’, and is used to describe the ‘weak knees’ in:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 35:3 “Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the weak knees.” .

In the parable of the sower, we take note of the seed that falls on rocky places:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 13:20-21 “And that sown on rocky places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but is short-lived, and when pressure or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.”

The Greek word that is translated here as ‘stumbles’ is σκανδαλίζω skandalizō – Strong’s G4624 which means, ‘to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way upon which another may trip and fall’, and metaphorically can mean, ‘to offend’.

It also carries the meaning, ‘fall away, led into sin, stumble, to cause another or be caused to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey’..

Some people stumble under pressure, due to hands that are weakened, by deceit, when persecution comes, and then quickly compromise.

Rocky hearts that have no ability to let the Word take root in their lives and quickly stumble when pressure and persecution, BECAUSE OF THE WORD, arises.

This Greek word σκανδαλίζω skandalizō – Strong’s G4624 comes from the root word σκάνδαλον skandalon – Strong’s G4625 which means, ‘a snare, stumbling block, offense’, and it is this word that is used in the LXX (Septuagint – Greek translation of the Tanak – O.T.) for ‘stumbling block’ in Tehillah/Psalm 119:165.

Tehillah/Psalm 119:165 “Great peace have those loving Your Torah, and for them there is no stumbling-block.”.

Isn’t it interesting to take note, of how so many today, who refuse to walk in the Torah, also have the stumbling block of not knowing the name of יהוה, or how those who refuse to let go of false titles and corrupted names, that are rooted in pagan worship, actually reject the need to guard the Torah! The stumbling block of crookedness, is a big stumbling block for so many and herein lies the awakening call, to return to יהוה..

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘crookedness’ comes from the root word עָוֹן avon – Strong’s H5771 meaning, ‘iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity, blame, perversity, depravity’, which comes from the root verb עָוָה avah – Strong’s H5753 which means, ‘to twist, bend, distort, make crooked, pervert’.

Yeḥezqěl/Ezekiel 18:30 “Therefore I judge you, O house of Yisra’ĕl, every one according to his ways,” declares the Master יהוה. “Repent, and turn back from all your transgressions, and let not crookedness be a stumbling-block to you.”

This was a call to repent and not let crookedness be a stumbling block, showing us that the clear call was to guard loving-commitment and truth in order that their crookedness could be pardoned!

It is a blessing when crookedness no longer becomes a stumbling block in one’s path!

By that I mean, that it is truly a blessing to walk in the Truth and not have the stumbling blocks of twisted and perverse teachings of man, that seek only to nullify the commands of Elohim!.

In another Tehillah we see the psalmist declaring the following:

Tehillah/Psalm 130:3-4 “O Yah, if You should watch crookednesses, O יהוה, who would stand? 4 But with You there is forgiveness, that You might be feared.”

It is a blessing to receive the forgiveness for our perverted crooked ways and therefore must recognise how important it is to guard righteousness and have no crookedness imputed/reckoned to us!

Tehillah/Psalm 103:1-5 “Bless יהוה, O my being, and all that is within me, bless His set-apart Name! 2 Bless יהוה, O my being, and do not forget all His dealings, 3 who forgives all your crookednesses, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with kindness and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desire with the good, your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘forgives’ is סָלַח salaḥ – Strong’s H5545 which means, ‘to forgive, pardon, spare’, which is the same root word used in Tehillah/Psalm 25:11 for ‘pardon’!

Tehillah/Psalm 25:11 “For Your Name’s sake, O יהוה, You shall pardon my crookedness, though it is great.”.

Sha’ul understood this blessing being declared here in this contemplative poem, as we see in:

Romiyim/Romans 4:7-8 “Blessed are those whose lawlessnesses are forgiven, and whose sins are covered, 8 blessed is the man to whom יהוה shall by no means reckon sin.”

Lawlessnesses forgiven, sins covered and no sin reckoned – what a blessing!!!.

Our Master redeemed us from lawlessness, as Sha’ul writes to Titos, in:

Titos/Titus 2:11-14 “For the saving Gift of Elohim has appeared to all men, 12 instructing us to renounce wickedness and worldly lusts, and to live sensibly, righteously, and reverently in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed expectation and esteemed appearance of the great Elohim and our Saviour יהושע Messiah, 14 who gave Himself for us, to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a people, His own possession, ardent for good works.”

We have been redeemed from ALL lawlessness and have been cleansed, so that we are now equipped and enabled to walk in the Torah, and not continue in lawlessness, lest we find that the warnings being given to us in Wayyiqra/Leviticus become a curse operating in our lives because of disobedience!!!.

When we truly recognise, and acknowledge, that we have stumbled in our crookednesses and have been led astray, through the twisted and corrupt teachings of lawlessness, we are then equipped to understand the mighty redeeming work of our Master and what He has done for us.

When we fully grasp the forgiveness that our Master extends to us then we should be urgent in our return to Him, as we turn completely away from every stumbling block of crookedness!.

Verse 42 tells us that when we do repent and confess our crookednesses and the crookednesses of our fathers, that יהוה will remember His Covenant with our ancestors!

And what is interesting here, is that the order is reversed: as we it being given as Ya’aqoḇ, Yitsḥaq, and Aḇraham, as opposed to what we normally see in Scripture, when referring to the Elohim of Aḇraham, Yitsḥaq and Ya’aqoḇ and so, what we see from this reading of the covenants, in a ‘backwards’ sense, we understand that we are moving back to our true roots and can pick up where our faithful ancestors left off..

Verse 43 – They loathed My laws!

Hoshěa/Hosea 8:12 “I have written for him numerous matters of My Torah – they were regarded as strange.”

Many today regard the Torah as ‘strange’ and as a result they ‘loathe’ the laws of Elohim, and this will simply result in being abandoned, if they do not repent!

The Hebrew root word that is translated here as ‘strange’ is זוּר zur – Strong’s H2114 which means ‘strange, stranger, adulterer, adulterous, enemy’, and is the word that is used to describe the ‘strange’ fire that the two sons of Aharon brought before Elohim, and were struck dead.

Aharon’s sons, who brought strange fire, represent for us those who worship in a strange way.

And by that, I mean that they are not worshipping in Spirit and Truth, but are doing whatever is right in their own eyes, while expecting to benefit from the blessings that are contained in Scripture. Blessings are the result of obedience, whereas disobedience brings about the curses, if one does not repent!.

Verse 44 reminds us that יהוה shall not reject us, nor loathe us and He will not break His Covenant! The very things He warns His called-out children to not do: Reject – Loathe – Break!

These things He does not do; and so therefore, let us be as He is and make sure that we do not: Reject – Loathe – Break His Laws or Commands!.

In a call to repentance, being made very loud and clear, in the face of the reality of the birth pains of the last days being made evident, through the sudden alarm and deadly diseases that are gripping the lawless, let us be on guard against any form of crookedness and be bold in our stand of set-apartness, declaring His coming reign and calling people to come out of the whoring and depravity of lawlessness, calling people to return to יהוה and find refuge and shelter in the Most-High!.

As one reads the book of Hoshěa/Hosea, we are able to see a very powerful reflection of the message of the Good News being proclaimed, as we can identify with the journey of a backslidden people, who have been called to return to a lovingly-committed Elohim and Saviour.

This last chapter in Hoshěa/Hosea, begins with the clear call being given to Yisra’ěl, to return to יהוה, showing us that they had departed from Him!

This is made clear, as we see that Yisra’ěl had stumbled in their crookedness and, as a result, had turned away from serving יהוה and had stumbled in crookedness and sin!.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘return’ is שׁ֚וּבָה shuḇa, which comes from the root word שׁוּב shuḇ – Strong’s H7725 which means, ‘to turn back, return, repent, recover’..

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

.

Shin – שׁ:

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 down of 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 recalling to mind, 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 WORD THAT SECURES THE HOUSE!.

When we acknowledge the call to return to the true House of Elohim, we can also then recognise from this pictographic lettering, in terms of this word rendering ‘a return’, the following:

THE SECURE DWELLING PLACE THAT IS TO BE RETURNED TO.

This word, in the ancient form, can also represents for us the following:

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 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!.

This call for Yisra’ěl to return to יהוה, highlights a clear call, back to covenant and when one understands their true identity in Messiah, then a true return to obedience can be lived out, in serving and worshipping our Master and Elohim, in Spirit and Truth..

As we consider the severe warnings that are given to us in Wayyiqra/Leviticus 26, for disobedience, along with the wonderful promises of provision, peace, victory in battles, abundance of fruit and a constant renewal in the Truth, let us be firm in our ability to keep shining the light of the Torah of Truth, amidst a dark, wicked and adulterous generation, knowing that we are safe in our Master’s Hand and need not fear that which is poured out on the disobedient ones who refuse to repent!.

Does your life represent one that has truly returned to יהוה?

If so, then great… make sure that you never turn away again!

Be a trustworthy servant, in calling others to return, by being a good example of one who has returned, being the fragrance of Messiah wherever you are, as you hear, guard and do His Word, with exceeding joy and complete shalom and not in fear of the chaos that has gripped the world at this time!.

Our Master is coming soon, and those who have not returned will be rejected as not being known by Him, due to their lawless behaviour! But those who have responded to the call, will be a part of the True Remnant Bride that will be lifted up and gathered to be with Him forever! A bride that can walk in the complete shalom, right here and now, amidst the panic and fear that grips the lawless ones.

Yoḥanan/John 16:33 “These words I have spoken to you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you have pressure, but take courage, I have overcome the world.”

After declaring very plainly to His taught ones, who He is, and what was about to happen, He encouraged them with these words. These words are to be continual encouraging words to us too…. Especially as we face many pressures and endure extreme hardships, for we know that our Master is coming soon and being strengthened and empowered by His Spirit, we can be steadfast, in our need to stay in Him, so that He stays in us and be more than overcomers through Him!

His equipping Word gives us peace and causes us to endure the pressures of this world, as long as we stay in Him and guard to do all He has commanded us!.

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 3:12-13 “Look out, brothers, lest there be in any of you a wicked heart of unbelief in falling away from the living Elohim, 13 but encourage one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened by the deceivableness of sin.”.

Wayyiqra/Leviticus 26 sets before us very clearly, the blessing for obedience and the curses for disobedience.

This is a warning against disobedience and a call to repentance, that is being made today!

He who has ears to hear what the Spirit is saying, let them give ear and guard to do all our Master commands, with much joy and strength in Him, not worrying as the nations do, but standing steadfast in Him and not being shaken!

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 10:30 “The righteous is never shaken, while the wrong shall not dwell in the earth.”.

As you see the beginning of the birth pains our Master spoke of, may you be encouraged in the comfort and strength we have to stay in our Master, and not be afraid of what we see happening nor be moved by the delusion of the lawless, as we are reminded of the sure promises we have in our Master!!!

Shemoth/Exodus 15:26 “And He said, “If you diligently obey the voice of יהוה your Elohim and do what is right in His eyes, and shall listen to His commands and shall guard all His laws, I shall bring on you none of the diseases I brought on the Mitsrites, for I am יהוה who heals you.” 

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 7:15 “And יהוה shall turn away from you all sickness and put on you none of the evil diseases of Mitsrayim which you have known, but He shall put them on all those who hate you.”

I will close with the words of Kěpha:

Kěpha Bet/2 Peter 3:17-18 “You, then, beloved ones, being forewarned, watch, lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the delusion of the lawless, 18 but grow in the favour and knowledge of our Master and Saviour יהושע Messiah. To Him be the esteem both now and to a day that abides. Aměn.”.

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!.

Shalom all,

In Bemiḏbar/Numbers 29:35 we are told that on the 8^th day of the Feast of Sukkoth, we are to have an assembly and in Wayyiqra/Leviticus 23:36 we are told that on the 8^th day we are to have a set-apart gathering, as a closing festival for this great rejoicing Feast of Sukkoth.

This 8^th day of the Feast of Sukkoth is known as the ‘shemini atsereth’, or more specifically put, ‘hashmini Atsereth’, as we see this phrase being written in Bemiḏbar/Numbers 29:35 as הַשְּׁמִינִי עֲצֶרֶת – hashemiyniy atsereth – which comes from the two root words:

1) שְׁמִינִי Shemiyniy – Strong’s H8066 which means, ‘eighth’ and

2) עֲצֶרֶת atsereth – Strong’s H6116 meaning, ‘a set-apart assembling together, solemn assembly’.

The number 8, in Scripture, is a number that carries great prophetic significance, in terms of a renewal and cleansing, especially as we take note of the unique shadow picture that this 8^th day of Sukkoth presents for us.

This last great day of the Feast of Sukkoth, is the last day of the yearly cycle of the Appointed Times of יהוה, apart from His continual Sabbath, that occurs each week.

When we take note of Kěpha’s instruction, to make sure that we do not let one matter be hidden from us – and that is that with יהוה 1000 years is as one day and a day is as 1000 years – then we are able to glean from the powerful prophetic shadow picture that Creation Week presents to us, in showing us that it was on the 7^th day that יהוה completed His work and rested; and this presents to us the sure promise of Him completing His work of deliverance, in the 7^th Millennium, when He comes to take up His ready Bride and destroy all evil, after which, the renewed heavens and earth will come forth and we shall be with our Maker forever.

The renewed heavens and earth are brought forth after the 1000-year reign of Messiah, which is the 7^th day (7^th millennium), giving us the clear picture of the renewal being brought forth on the ‘8^th day’, so to speak!

In Scripture, we also take note that with circumcision, being the sign of the covenant (until the Seed, which is Messiah), that it was on the 8^th day that a young baby boy was to be circumcised and this symbolised being turned over to the Covenant. A firstborn animal was to be taken from its mother on the 8^th day and given to יהוה, and a leper was cleansed on the 8^th day.

The Shemini Atzeret is a celebration of New Beginnings.

As we see from Scripture, the 8^th day is always symbolic of a renewal or new beginning or completion and readiness.

The priests did not start their service to יהוה until the 8^th day after 7 days of consecration.

Anyone who had an infectious skin disease or a bodily discharge was unclean for 7 days and would be separated from the camp and only re-enter on the 8^th day, after their status change through mikvah cleansing.

From the time of First fruits to Shaḇuoth/ Pentecost was 50 days – 7 weeks and one day – and so, in the “8^th week” the Ruaḥ (Spirit) was poured out upon those who were continuing, with one mind, in prayer and supplication where about 120 were gathered.

It is a picture of eternity rather than a return to the first day as we usually do after the Sabbath, and thus it illustrates the “new heaven and the new earth“, when all that is accomplished during the 7,000 years of building the Kingdom will be finished (for even during the Kingdom there will still be major adjustments to make), and we will finally BE the Kingdom.

Each week we typically have an ‘8^th day’ after the weekly Sabbath and while we know that this is the 1^st day of the week what we see symbolically being expressed here is that we are to go out from the 1^st day of the week and live according to that which we have been shown in the Torah (Mosheh) on the 7^th day!!!

As we therefore consider the significance of the 8^th day of Sukkoth, which reflects the sure promise of the renewed heavens and earth being brought forth as described in Ḥazon/Revelation, we can be strengthened in the wonderful knowledge of our Master and Elohim and be urgent in our need to be a people who are living set-apart lives, with much joy as we hold fast to the sure hope we have in our great Husband and King, יהושע Messiah!

It was on the 8^th day of Sukkot where יהושע spoke the following words:

Yoḥanan/John 7:37-38 “And on the last day, the great day of the festival, יהושע stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me, and let him who believes in Me drink. 38 “As the Scripture said, out of His innermost shall flow rivers of living water.”

How do we know that this was the last day (8^th) of Sukkot?

Well in Yoḥanan/John 7:2 we see the clear reference to the Feast of Booths that was near!

Yoḥanan/John 7:2 “And the festival of the Yehuḏim was near, the Festival of Sukkot.”

As we consider the words of our Master, on this last great day of the festival, we also need to understand a little about the context and setting, as there were some customs that had developed by the time Messiah came; and one of these customs was the water pouring ceremony, that the Yehuḏim had celebrated as a part of this Feast.

A ceremony that would remind them of יהוה’s great provision and also to rely upon His future provision and blessings.

At the time of יהושע, booths were still being constructed, as commanded, however, there were some additional ceremonies that were added and carried great prophetic significance.

The first of these was the Water Pouring Ceremony.

This ceremony involved the priests, accompanied by a procession of singing people, that would go down to the pool of ‘Silōam’ – Σιλωάμ – Strong’s G4611, a word that means ‘sent’.

The name of this pool is of Hebrew origin, and comes from the word שִׁלֹחַShiloaḥ – Strong’s H7975 which comes from the primitive root verb שָׁלַח shalaḥ – Strong’s H7971 which means ‘to send or to bring forth’ or ‘send forth’, and this was one of the principle sources of water supply to Yerushalayim that originated from the ‘Giḥon’ spring which emptied into this pool.

The Hebrew word גִּיחוֹן Giḥon – Strong’s H1521 means, ‘bursting forth’ and comes from the primitive root word גִּיחַ giaḥ – Strong’s H1518 which means, ‘to break forth, gush forth, labour to bring forth, draw up, take out’.

Scripture speaks of the river called Giḥon, that Ḥizqiyahu the king, channelled as a water supply for Yisra’ĕl, which enabled them to endure and withstand an Assyrian siege.

This in itself is a great picture for us of how we are able to draw, with joy, the pure water of the Word, from deep within our hearts, no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in, as long as we are drinking from the pure Living Waters of Messiah.

יהוה is the provider of water and rain and so this abundant source of water was understood as being sent by יהוה for His city.

At the time of Messiah, this custom of the water pouring ceremony that was developed, would see the priest fill a gold pitcher with water and march back to the Temple, where it would be mixed with wine and poured upon the slaughter-place, as the drink offering that was required and was symbolic of יהוה’s salvation as described in:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 12:3 “And you shall draw water with joy from the fountains of deliverance.”

This was prophetically speaking of the Messiah, and on this last great day of the feast of Sukkoth, after the drink offering was done, our Master stands up and proclaims, very clearly, that He is the source of Living Waters.

Here, יהושע was fulfilling this ceremony at the Feast, by declaring that He is the One who gives the water of life!

Now, see the fulfilment of this being prophesied as seen by Yoḥanan again in:

Ḥazon/Revelation 21:6 “And He said to me, “It is done! I am the ‘Aleph’ and the ‘Taw’, the Beginning and the End. To the one who thirsts I shall give of the fountain of the water of life without payment.”

Here, we see יהושע, at the fulfilment of this Feast, in a revelation that was given to Yoḥanan, declaring that He, the Aleph and Taw, will give a drink to whoever is thirsty, without cost, and in Ḥazon/Revelation 22 you can read about the River of the water of life that flows from the very throne of Elohim.

This concept of the pouring of the water, along with the prescribed drink offerings, and Messiah making it clear that He is the source of the very living waters that we are to draw from with joy, helps us further understand the power of His provision, through His sacrifice for our sins and the cost of Him being poured out for us, so that we may have access to life and be filled with His Spirit!

Prayers were offered up with the pouring of the water to thank יהוה for His provision in watering the land as well as asking יהוה for rain for the next season’s crops!

So, Sukkoth was also a time to ask for rain and, from Scriptures, we know that rain was יהוה’s provision for obedience to His decrees, and, in effect, they would, by asking for rain, be declaring their continued obedience to Him and ask Him to once again bless them with rain. This ceremony also carried with it a deeper spiritual meaning, as it signified the hope of the Messiah for Yisra’ĕl, throughout the ages and was also a symbolic picture of the outpouring of the Ruaḥ HaQoḏesh (Set-Apart Spirit).

In Scripture, we are clearly told that life is in the blood and we are also told that whoever drinks of the water, that the Master gives, will never thirst and shall become in him a fountain of living water, springing up into everlasting life. Therefore, we see from Scripture, the clear symbolic picture of both blood and water being that which pertains to life. Wine that was used, in the drink offerings, was also symbolic of the blood that was poured out, as a prophetic shadow picture of the blood of Messiah.

When the Master died, He was pierced in His side and both blood and water came out of His side:

Yoḥanan/John 19:34 “But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and instantly blood and water came out.”

This act carried a very significant fulfilment, that would allow the True Bride of Messiah to come forth and be washed clean of all defilement.

The Greek word that is used for ‘side’ is πλευρά pleura – Strong’s G4125 and is the same word used in the LXX (Septuagint) in Berěshith/Genesis 2:21 which is translated as ‘ribs’, when יהוה took one of the ribs of Aḏam from his side and made the woman.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘ribs’ comes from the word צֵלָע tsela – Strong’s H6763 and is translated as, ‘rib, side, corner, beam, board, side chamber’.

When Aḏam woke up and saw Ḥawwah he said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. This one is called ‘woman,’ because she was taken out of man.”

As a prophetic picture, we see how Messiah was put to sleep, so that the drink offering of His own life could be given, in order for His Bride to be brought forth and be made one with Him, having been poured out for our sins, so that we could be brought near to His Covenants of Promise and be cleansed through the washing of the Word!

What is worth taking note of, is that this root word צֵלָע tsela – Strong’s H6763 is used 18 times in 15 verses in Shemoth/Exodus, in the instructions regarding the building of the Tabernacle, altar and Ark!

It is also used 11 times in 7 verses in Yeḥezqěl/Ezekiel 41, in describing ‘chambers’ of the Hěḵal that Yeḥezqěl was shown and told to measure.

In Melaḵim Aleph/1 Kings 6 it is used 7 times in 6 verses, in reference to the chambers, boards or planks of the house which Shelomoh built for יהוה!

Why I am mentioning this, is that we see, in Scripture, that this word is used twice for a man’s side (Aḏam ’s) and once for the side of a hill, but elsewhere, it is used as an architectural term, in a clear reference to the Tabernacle, House and Hěḵal of יהוה!

When Messiah ‘fell asleep’, a soldier pierced His side:

Yoḥanan /John 19:32-34 “Therefore the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who was impaled with Him, 33 but when they came to יהושע and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and instantly blood and water came out.”

With the piercing of His side, we take note that by His Blood, which satisfies one time for all, His Temple could now be cleansed, set-apart and built up – that is to say, that His Bride could be brought forth; and by the water coming forth from His side, we are able to see that His Spirit could now dwell in us, and that we could now have full access to the Living Waters!

Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 3:16 “Do you not know that you are a Dwelling Place of Elohim and that the Spirit of Elohim dwells in you?”

This clear prophetic call given in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 12:3, was a call to repentance and a call to return to the True Living Waters!

When Aḏam sinned, he was ‘cut off’ from having access to the tree of life and, as a result of sin, it is appointed for all to die once!

Our access back to the tree of life, and being refreshed in the Living Waters, is only made possible by the life, death and resurrection of our Master, Saviour, Redeemer and Elohim, יהושע Messiah.

No amount of money can buy this for us, and with our Master, who humbled Himself and took on the form of a Servant in order to redeem sinful man back to Himself, we acknowledge the full price He has paid for our sins!

The prophetic significance of this last day of Sukkoth, reminds us that our Master has provided a complete work for us, in order for us to serve as a Bride that has been given the living waters, so that we shall never thirst, and be equipped to be making ourselves ready for His soon return, as we too pour out our lives as a daily living offering, rendering a pleasing worship before our Husband and King.

Drawing water with joy, was a practice that was done during Sukkoth, in recognition of the provision of Elohim and the promise of Messiah; and here at this Feast, on the last great day, the Yehuḏim were still blinded in seeing יהושע as the very Rock that the water comes from:

1 Corinthians 10:1-4 “For I do not wish you to be ignorant, brothers, that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were immersed into Mosheh in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed, and the Rock was Messiah.”

The Rock Mosheh struck, that brought forth water, was spiritually יהושע; and now, at this water pouring ceremony, the Rock, who was about to be struck, at the next Passover feast a few months away and bring forth the waters of life, was there with them!

The very One who would satisfy their needs and thirsts was right there and they did not recognise Him!

Without יהושע mankind will never find satisfaction, and the very One who satisfies one’s thirst was right with them in the flesh.

The 8^th Day was very dramatic, one of great celebration and it would be certainly carried out with great joy and thanksgiving, as well as expressing to יהוה their need for rain, and this Feast symbolises for us how we will rejoice when He comes to dwell with us – to make His booth with us.

Now, having said that – I am not sure how many of you have truly been rejoicing like you will when He comes again!!!

The Feast of Sukkoth is a Feast where we are commanded to rejoice and ‘only be rejoicing’!

How has that been going for you? When we recognise the wonderful work that our Master has done for us, then rejoicing should not be one that needs to be commanded, but rather should be a natural expression of our thankfulness for His great love and provision that satisfies our thirst!

It was at this point in the ceremony, when the priest had poured the water on the altar and was sharing with the joyous people, that יהושע stands up to speak!

Now, in order to understand the impact that our Master’s actions and words would have on this day, you must understand that the teachers, or religious leaders, would sit and teach, as they would sit in ‘the seat of Mosheh’ and teach the assembly.

So, for someone to stand up and speak, or teach, from the crowd was just not done!

And here יהושע stands up!!!

This is a great picture for us, of when the world just sits and shuts its mouth to lawlessness, or when the religious systems of the world are sitting oblivious to, or manipulating, the Truth – יהושע stands up for us and speaks, aměn!

He is our defender and as we walk in His Torah, He defends us.

יהושע stands up and makes Himself heard!

This would certainly have gotten the attention of all those who had assembled, for it was at this point that יהושע would ‘shout’ out His invitation to the thirsty.

Picture the scene for a moment – they had just done this whole ceremony, very ‘religiously’, and as they were praying and crying out to יהוה for rain, for the coming year, as well as the Living rain of Messiah – then – all of a sudden – the thunderous sound of יהושע’s voice, is raised over the crowds!

As they were crying out, in thirst for יהוה’s provision for the coming season – יהושע was basically saying, “Here I AM, I AM the very rain you are asking for!!!

We are told that instructions are likened to rain, when Mosheh/Moses spoke the words of this song in:

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 32:2 “Let my instruction fall as rain, My speech drop down as dew, as fine rain on the tender plants, and as showers on the grass.”

The Living Word – יהושע Messiah – had come down to bring the refreshing, nourishment, renewal and life, to a thirsty people, just as rain does to plants and grass. He was saying that He had come down teaching!

The instructions for life had come down and had invited all who were thirsty for life to drink of Him; for He is what they were praying for!!!

It is the very Word that washes us and refreshes us and restores our soul.

The Torah can be compared to pure spring water that is needed to refresh a covenant people – it originated at Mount Sinai and came down the mountain with Mosheh/Moses.

However, since then it has picked up all kinds of silt, debris and pollutants, and has sadly become diluted to the point that it is not safe to drink, as it is being provided at the supposed well points, or streams, that have been muddied by the false shepherds.

This has left many who are thirsty, and those who truly thirst for the pure unadulterated truth have to make their way upstream, back to the pure source.

Religions and doctrines of man are like streams that have been polluted and muddied by man’s laws and traditions and false teachings that tickle ears!

The Bride must return to Sinai, so to speak, in order to get to the source of pure water.

The source is יהושע – the Word of Elohim – the River of Life – the Living Torah!

Hoshěa/Hosea 6:3 tells us that יהוה comes to us like the latter rain, watering the earth, and so here we have יהושע who is the former and latter rain, calling to a thirsty people.

At Sukkoth, the very rain that is prayed for, is coming to dwell, to water and to fill us, with His abundant life, aměn!

The Ruaḥ being poured out, at Shaḇuoth, fulfilled the type of early rains and we can, with great rejoicing, look forward to the Ruaḥ being poured out on all Believers, in the fulfilment of the latter rains.

At this point, let me ask you, ‘are you thirsty for righteousness?’

How about this week, as we have had the opportunity to think on the days back in the Wilderness when יהוה poured forth His provision from the rock and also, as we look toward the future when He comes to dwell with us forever?

Have you allowed the Word to wash you this week?

Have you, with great joy, drawn water from the wells of deliverance?

Or have you simply just been going through your same old routine?

The world has a way of getting us to flow in its routines and follow its pagan feasts of Christmas etc., but what about this feast that we have just been going through – did you drink from the very Living Water?

I believe that just as they went through the motions on that day and יהושע cried out an invitation, so too, do we see the same invitation being made loud and clear for us today – He is crying out – to all who are thirsty.

All who are thirsty!

The Greek word that is translated here in Yoḥanan/John 7 as ‘thirsty’ is διψάω dipsaō – Strong’s G1372 which means, ‘to thirst, thirsty, thirsts’, and figuratively, it expresses the idea of those who are said to thirst who painfully feel their want of, and eagerly long for, those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, strengthened.

This word carries the idea of having an all-consuming craving and longing for the Truth

Then יהושע says that all who are thirsty are to come to Him – and this speaks of a complete surrender, as you cannot go to drink from the stream of life, carrying an all-consuming craving and thirst and simply just take a little sip, so to speak. When you come to Him, you must surrender your all and drink, which reflects a wholehearted reception of His Truth in you – for you will not drink anywhere else; just as יהושע told the Samaritan woman at the well, that whoever drinks from Him would never thirst again! For they would have found their source of strength and satisfaction to continually drink from!

Once you drink of the pure Living Water, you will never want to drink the muddied waters of the false traditions, lies and rules of men that have twisted and muddied the Truth, ever again!

Being thirsty and not satisfying that thirst, can be hazardous to your health.

Thirst not quenched can be one of the most painful things.

There are various kinds of thirst:

1 – Adipsia – this is an absence of thirst, even in the presence of dehydration! This type of thirst describes how one can be thirsty and they do not even know it!

2 – Hyperdipsia – this describes how when the normal thirst isn’t quenched and there is a temporary intense thirst! In other words, you just got to drink something right now or else…!

3 – Polydipsia – this is a sustained excessive thirst and compulsive water drinking, which can be described as wanting to drink anything yet nothing actually quenches.

Thirst affects every organ in the body and can result in spasms, diseases and even hallucinations.

We must ensure we satisfy our thirst physically as well as spiritually.

Many are walking around in a state of polydipsia – that is that they are having a sustained thirst and drinking every false teaching they can, yet they never get satisfied, as they run from one teaching to the next hoping to hear something nice and refreshing for a moment, in order to take away the continual thirst for filling the void in their lives.

Most are adipsia – they are thirsty and they do not even know it and therefore could not be bothered in drinking from the river of life and in the process, are killing themselves!

There is only one source that gives and sustains life – only One River – and that is יהושע.

The picture of this is repeated in Scripture for us and the River we are speaking of here is symbolic of the Ruaḥ HaQoḏesh (Set-Apart Spirit).

The first step in drinking from the Living Water, is simply that we are to thirst for יהושע alone and nothing else, for He alone can satisfy, aměn!

As we come to drink of Him, we must believe – Yoḥanan/John 6:35 tells us that whoever believes in Him shall not thirst! Your faith must be in Scripture alone!

Not in hearsay or opinions or vain traditions or religious systems – your faith must be in the Word alone – for faith comes by hearing the Word of Elohim – יהושע Messiah is the Word made flesh!

Your receiving is by grace – for He has paid the price and we can come and buy without cost – the very living water – without cost because He settled our debt, aměn!

Drinking from Him in faith must then be lived out – and that is done by doing His every Word, walking in Him – walking in the Torah, keeping His Appointed Feasts and being refreshed in His Word.

When we drink of Him, He promises that rivers of Living waters will flow out from our innermost parts!

The word flow speaks of a constant pouring out, a constant life!

What is amazing for me is the term ‘innermost parts’.

This word, ‘innermost’ is translated from the Greek word κοιλία koilia – Strong’s G2836 which means, ‘hollow, belly, appetite, innermost being’, and comes from the word ‘koilos’ which means hollow place or the inside of a man, or the belly where food is digested or the womb and uterus where reproduction takes place.

It also speaks of the heart and the desires.

So, what יהושע is saying here, is that out of the hollow places will flow rivers…!!!

We have to ask why is this place described as hollow – now, I know many of you like to fill your tummy at Shabbat and His feasts, but we are speaking here of the empty hollow inside of a man.

If there is a hollow place then it symbolises that something is missing or needs to be filled as it has been designed to be.

Well, we need to understand that when man sinned, יהוה left the garden of Eden – in fact, when you look at the map, Eden was possibly somewhere in the region of modern-day Iraq – dessert!

Symbolically, this shows us that, through sin, man was now empty!

Here at this feast יהושע calls out the promise to have the empty arid places of the inner man gushing forth with Living Waters – He will dwell in the hollow places and turn them into rivers of abundance!

This 8^th Day of the feast of Sukkoth, the Shemini Atsereth, is a prophetic shadow picture of a restoration and renewal.

In order to understand this, we see that in Berěshith/ Genesis 2 there is a river that is spoken of that goes forth from Eden and flowed into 4 rivers.

Each one carries significant meaning for us in understanding the fullness of what will be renewed:

Berěshith/Genesis 2:10-14 “And a river went out of Ěḏen to water the garden, and from there it divided and became four heads. 11 The name of the first is Pishon, it is the one surrounding the entire land of Ḥawilah, where there is gold. 12 And the gold of that land is good. Bdellium is there, and the shoham stone. 13 And the name of the second river is Giḥon, it is the one surrounding the entire land of Kush. 14 And the name of the third river is Ḥiddeqel, it is the one which goes toward the east of Ashshur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.”

In these verses we are told of a river from Ěḏen that divided and became 4 riverheads, and as we look at each riverhead we can learn some insights from their meanings as we understand the concept of this river or waters speak of the Word of Elohim:

1 – Pishon – פִּישׁוֹן – Strong’s H6376 which means, ‘increase’ and comes from the primitive root word פּוּשׁ push – Strong’s H6335 meaning, ‘to spring about, spread, grow up, be scattered’.

This river is symbolic of changing or doubling as in increase and overflow; and this river surrounded an area where there was gold and so we see the effect of the pure living waters of the Word which will cause us to be increased and be overflowing with the pure richness of His Word that is worth more than gold:

Tehillah/Psalm 19:7-10 “The Torah of יהוה is perfect, bringing back the being; the witness of יהוה is trustworthy, making wise the simple; 8 the orders of יהוה are straight, rejoicing the heart; the command of יהוה is clear, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of יהוה is clean, standing forever; the right-rulings of יהוה are true, they are righteous altogether, 10 more desirable than gold, than much fine gold; and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.”

This river surrounded the land where there was bdellium and the shoham stone.

The word bdellium in Hebrew is בְּדֹלַח beḏolaḥ – Strong’s H916 which is a white substance like a gum resin, and the only other time we see this word being used in Scripture is in the description of the manna in the wilderness:

Bemiḏbar/Numbers 11:7 “Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance like the appearance of bdellium.”

The shoham stone – שֹׁהַם shoham – Strong’s H7718 is a precious stone also translated as an onyx.

The shoham stone is the stone that represents Yosĕph on the breastplate of the High Priest and is also the two stones on the shoulder garment of the High Priest upon which all the tribes of Yisra’ĕl were inscribed upon

Yosĕph kept all the sons of Ya’aqoḇ alive during a famine through his diminishment to slavery and is a wonderful picture of יהושע who delivered us from slavery and in whom we are kept safe; and all the tribes names were written on the two shoham stones on the shoulder garment – showing us that the tribes are written in the Rock of their Salvation of which Yosĕph was a shadow picture of also the shoulder garment representing that the rule and reign is upon His shoulders:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 9:6 “For a Child shall be born unto us, a Son shall be given unto us, and the rule is on His shoulder. And His Name is called Wonder, Counsellor, Strong Ěl, Father of Continuity, Prince of Peace.”

2 – Giḥon – גִּיחוֹן – Strong’s H1521 which means, ‘bursting forth’ and comes from the primitive root word גִּיחַ giaḥ – Strong’s H1518 which means, ‘to break forth, gush forth, labour to bring forth, draw up, take out’ and this symbolic of the favour of Elohim from which we are able to draw from in Messiah and in Messiah we are able to overcome!

Scripture speaks of the river called Giḥon that Ḥizqiyahu the king channelled as a water supply for Yisra’ĕl which enabled them to endure and withstand an Assyrian siege.

This is a great picture for us of how we are able to again draw up and gain access to the pure water of the Word from deep within our hearts no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in, as long as we are drinking from the pure waters of Messiah:

Yoḥanan /John 7:38 ““As the Scripture said, out of His innermost shall flow rivers of living water.”

3 – Ḥiddeqel – חִדֶּקֶל – Strong’s H2313 and means, ‘rapid or sharp voice’, and is the Hebrew name of the Tigris river, although we must realise that the Tigris river today is most probably not this river, especially after the flood which may certainly have displaced many of the rivers that were before the flood!

Having said that, we can learn a great deal from these four riverheads!

This river head can be a reminder to us of the sharp voice of Elohim and we take note of the river that Dani’ěl heard the voice of Elohim in:

Dani’ěl/Daniel 10:4 “And on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, while I was by the side of the great river, that is Ḥiddeqel.”

This was after Dani’ěl; had been fasting and praying for 3 weeks and what is interesting to take note of is that the date mentioned here would have been after the feast of Pěsaḥ and Matzot which ends on the 21^st of the 1^st month. Dani’ěl had been fasting all through these feasts as a result of their captivity in Baḇelon, and he heard the sound of the words of Him who was sent to tell Dani’ěl of what would take place in the latter days!

So Ḥiddeqel can picture for us the ability of pressing through in prayer and intercession and know that in seeking Elohim we will hear His sharp and clear voice of His Word!

4 – Euphrates – פְּרָת Perath – Strong’s H6578 which means, ‘fruitfulness’ and reminds us that we are to be fruitful and multiply – the very mandate given to Aḏam and Ḥawwah in the Garden.

We are to bear fruit of righteousness and Messiah clearly tells us that a good tree cannot bear bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit!

As we are rooted and grounded in Messiah and stay in Him, we are able to bear much fruit – fruit that lasts!

These four rivers – “increase, bursting forth, rapid sharp voice and fruitfulness” express the fullness of the joy and cleansing that the washing of water by the Word brings to a bride who is loved by her husband – as Messiah our Husband has loved us and set us apart and washed us in His Living Word!

The River flowing from Ěḏen, is a picture and foreshadow of the River spoken of in Revelation, that flows from the throne of Elohim – it is the very presence of יהוה flowing forth and bringing great joy, enrichment and fulfilment in very way!

These four riverheads, speak of the effects of the River of Life, in a person’s life, where, through the very presence of the Living Water, it brings increase, grace, direction and fruitfulness.

These rivers led to jewels and gold, and describe the richness of the then known world, and is for us a picture of the New Yerushalayim, where יהוה will make the end like the beginning and restore purity.

Ḥazon/Revelation 22:1-2 “And he showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of Elohim and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”

This 8^th day celebration is a celebration of what is to come, where the River of the Water of Life will flow from the throne of Elohim, and the foreshadow of what Ěḏen was, will be restored to greater esteem, with the city filled with the great richness of His very presence.

We have much to look forward to as we celebrate this Day with great joy, and we have יהושע who has stood up and offered us His Living Water. The question remains – will you draw with great joy water from the well of deliverance?

Will you diligently respond to His call to the thirsty and drink up, so that you too can be an overflow to others, bringing His Living Water to other thirsty travellers?

How are you at drawing from the Waters of Life – does it just wash off you and your hard heart leaves no room to either be impacted or be used effectively in giving out, or are you like a sponge – soaking up the Water of His Word and giving it out, even under pressure, with great joy!

Do you want to be spiritually refreshed and soak in His Truth and Love, do you want to experience His healing rain?

Then respond to His invitation and drink, obey your thirst in Him.

Drink from the Living Waters of Life, for then rivers will flow out of your hollow place!

That is a sure promise of multiplication! Allow His River of Life to reproduce abundance in you so that you have much to give to others!

Don’t get caught in the routines of life that cause one to neglect to drink from that which has been freely offered; and just as יהושע stood up in the midst of the crowd, may we too ‘stand up and declare’ His great truth with gladness of heart, bringing His refreshing truth to a thirsty world, aměn!

This 8^th day of Sukkoth – the last great day – is a Day of rejoicing – now let us continue to drink from the True source of Life – יהושע Messiah, aměn!

On this last great day – the Shemini Atsereth – Messiah made the clear invitation to all who are thirsty, while the drink offering was been done on this day, making a clear and bold statement that He is our source of life and by His life being poured out for us, we can have all we need for life and reverence and therefore be fully equipped to pour out our lives as a daily living offering, and bring His Good News of His Kingdom to all we meet, doing so with great joy, no matter what hardships we may face!

In Sha’ul’s letter to Timotiyos he encouraged Timotiyos to be sober in all matters, suffer hardships and accomplish the service of set-apartness completely and then said to him:

Timotiyos Bět/2 Timothy 4:6-7 “For I am already being poured out, and the time of my departure has arrived. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have guarded the belief.”

Sha’ul had indeed set a great standard for Timotiyos to follow, as he set the standard of following the Master completely and was readily being poured out!

How many of us can honestly say that our lives are being poured out completely as a drink offering that is pleasing before יהוה?

Having just enjoyed a rejoicing feast of Sukkoth we need to be reminded of our need to hold firm the heart of gladness and joy, as we continually come to the Master and never thirst, allowing His Living Waters to flow from within us in order that we too may be poured out as a drink offering and living sacrifice that is pleasing to our Husband and King!

Are you drawing water with joy from the Living fountain of deliverance?

Have you made Elohim your trust and your deliverance, your strength and your song?

Or have you found yourself pouring out your life to selfish matters and the worries of this age that has caused your ability to trust and not be afraid to be hindered through compromise?

Will you be glad and rejoice, as Sha’ul did, even while in chains?

Are you being poured out before יהוה or not?

Are you doing that reasonable worship that pleases Him or have you, by wrong ways, been found to provoke Him?

It is time for the True worshippers to worship in Spirit and Truth and be the set-apart Bride that is being poured out before יהוה.

The love of Elohim has been poured out in our hearts, by the Set-Apart Spirit which has been given to us, as a pledge of our inheritance; therefore, there should be no excuse for us to not be being poured out, as a drink offering, before our Master and Elohim!

Now, having been renewed by the Living Waters of Life, go and be poured out in complete joy-filled service to our King!

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 peace!

11^th of the 7^th month 2019/2020

Shalom all,

In just a couple of days we will be ‘performing’ the Festival of Sukkot and, with that in mind, I want to once again highlight the joy of guarding the Appointed Times of our Master and Elohim, and remind us that we are to be strengthened in His joy and be bold in our rejoicing in His Truth.

Each year, I share on the importance of guarding to keep each of the Appointed Times of our Creator and therefore, I am, once again, sending out this brief overview of Sukkoth and the importance of us being ready, and excited, to perform this Feast with great joy!

As we see from the following passage, regarding the festival of Sukkoth, we are commanded to ‘perform’ this Festival! Are you ready to do just that?

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 16:13-15 “Perform the Festival of Sukkot for seven days after the ingathering from your threshing-floor and from your winepress, 14 and you shall rejoice in your festival, you and your son and your daughter, and your male servant and your female servant, and the Lĕwite, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates. 15 “For seven days you shall celebrate to יהוה your Elohim in the place which יהוה chooses, because יהוה your Elohim does bless you in all your increase and in all the work of your hands, and you shall be only rejoicing!”

As we consider this passage, there are a number of key words that I would like to expand upon, in order to help present a better overview of what Sukkoth is about and the importance of us guarding to do what is commanded for us to do.

Firstly, as mentioned, we are to PERFORM this Festival!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘perform’ comes from the primitive root verb עָשָׂה asah – Strong’s H6213 which means, ‘to do, work, make, produce, to act with effect, to observe, to bring about, institute’ and can also mean, ‘celebrate’, which I think is very fitting.

This word עָשָׂה asah – Strong’s H6213 is often translated as ‘works’ and is a clear reference to what one does, physically and practically.

It is truly a great joy TO DO the laws and right-rulings, as prescribed, and more specifically, in terms of the Feasts of יהוה, it is a joy for us to ‘perform’ them, as we are instructed to!

So many today think that it is a huge burden to do what is commanded, yet that is so far from the truth!

When we diligently observe and guard to do all that our Master and Elohim commands us to do, we quickly discover that it is indeed a great joy and a delight and is not heavy at all!

A derivative of this root word עָשָׂה asah – Strong’s H6213 is the word מַעֲשֶׂה ma’aseh – Strong’s H4639 which means ‘a deed, work or acts, accomplishments’.

The Book of Acts is known in the Hebrew as ‘Ma’asei’, which is a record of the ‘Acts of the Apostles/Emissaries’!

The “Acts” of the Apostles speaks of the deeds, or acts, of that which the Apostles did and records their ‘acts’ of obedience, from which we are able to learn many great and valuable lessons.

We shall be known by our fruits, based on our proper reverence and submission to our Master, which shall be evidenced in our “acts of obedience”, as we walk in righteousness, guarding to do all He has commanded us to do, all the time!!!

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

So many may study much, on the Appointed Times of Elohim, while lack the proper obedience to do what is instructed, and we learn very quickly, how a greater understanding of the Word comes in ‘the doing of the Word’, for without the proper doing, or performing, of the Word, we can be in danger of being easily deceived by falsehood, which highlights 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.

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.”

As we consider this root verb עָשָׂה asah in terms of our need to be doers of the Word, we recognise that we can only be proper doers if we are in fact looking intently into the Word, and when we see this word in the ancient pictographic script we gain further understanding of what it is to be a proper doer of the Word!

In the ancient pictographic script, the verb עָשָׂה asah – Strong’s H6213 looks like this:

Ayin – עָ:

The original pictograph for this letter is: and represents the idea of ‘seeing and watching’, as well as ‘knowledge’ as the eye is the window of knowledge.

Sin – שָׂ:

This is the letter ‘sin/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.

Hey – ה:

The ancient script has this letter as   and is pictured as a man standing with his arms raised up and out as if pointing to something, and in essence carries the meaning of ‘behold’ as in when looking at something very great. It can also have the meaning to ‘breath’ or ‘sigh’ as when looking at a great sight and having your breath taken away so to speak! It also has the meaning of ‘revelation’ or to reveal something by pointing it out, as well as ‘praise’ through the lifting up of our hands in complete awe and surrender.

When looking at this word עָשָׂה asah in the ancient pictographic form, we are able to further understand how critical it is for us to be doers of the Word and so perform and do that which is instructed for us to do. From this picture we can see the meaning of:

LOOKING AT THE WORD THAT HAS BEEN REVEALED!

This clearly teaches us that we are unable to DO or PERFORM the Word if we are not looking intently at the Word!

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us!

The clear revelation of the Word, יהושע Messiah, has been made known to us; and as we look to the Princely Leader and Perfecter of our belief we are able to lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and be enabled to run, with endurance, the race set before us, as we look at the Word and actually DO IT!!!

Now, in terms of the Feast of Sukkoth, we recognise that the clear instruction that is given to us, is to perform it!

The Greek word that is used in the LXX (Septuagint – Greek translation of the Tanak (O.T.)) for ‘perform’ is the root word ποιέω poieō – Strong’s G4160 which means, ‘to make, do, accomplish, keep, work, acts’, and it 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 the passage that I quoted above, from Ya’aqoḇ/James 1:22-25.

I certainly do hope you are already getting the clear picture of how important it is for us to be doers of the Word, which we can never be if we are not looking intently into the Word and meditating on it day and night!

When we become diligent doers of the Word, we learn that we must be meditating upon, studying and doing the Word day and night, so that it can be the proper light to our path and lamp to our feet!

With the Festival of Sukkoth, we are commanded to perform this Feasts for 7 days, after the ingathering from the threshing floor and winepress; and this highlights the clear timing that shadow pictures when our Master and Elohim, יהושע Messiah, will gather His Ready Bride, after having trampled the winepress in His wrath, when He comes out of the Most Set-Apart Place on Yom Kippur.

The Festival of Sukkoth celebrates the joy of a Bride being gathered to Her Returning Husband and Saviour, and that is certainly something to celebrate!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘ingathering’, comes from the root word אָסַף asaph – Strong’s H622 which means, ‘to be gathered, assemble, to be brought in or into (association with others)’.

The Festival of Sukkoth celebrates us being gathered together, as a unified Bride in Messiah and highlights the importance of gathering, and doing so with rejoicing!

As we look intently into the clear instructions given to us, in regards to performing the Feast of Sukkot, we take note that a key component of our performing this Feast, is one of rejoicing!

The Hebrew root word that is translated as ‘feast’ is the noun חַג ḥag – Strong’s H2282 which means, ‘a festival, feast, sacrifice, festival gathering, solemnity’, which comes from the root verb חָגַג ḥagag – Strong’s H2287 which means, ‘to make a pilgrimage, keep a pilgrimage, celebrate a feast, observe a feast, dance’.

This Hebrew word חַג ḥag – Strong’s H2282 which means, ‘a festival, feast, sacrifice, festival gathering, solemnity’, in the ancient pictographic text looks like this:

Ḥet – 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, and separated from’. As a tent wall we are also able to recognise the picture of stones being built up to make a complete wall, having been separated from the world and built up in the master!

Gimel – ג:

This is the letter ‘gimel’, which in the ancient script in pictured as – which is ‘a foot’ and carries the meaning to ‘walk, gather, carry’, as clearly referring to the functions of a foot; and it can also give the meaning of a gathering of people, and we know that ‘feet’, in Hebrew, often speaks of one’s walk and ability to keep the Feasts of יהוה, and represents one’s ‘walk, and therefore also pictures for us the idea of ‘gathering’.

This word in its ancient pictographic form can have the meaning of:

SEPARATED GATHERING

This teaches us the necessity of being gathered together as commanded, in order to properly guard and perform the Feasts of יהוה.

We take note from the text that we read from in Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 16:15 that we are to celebrate for 7 days to יהוה our Elohim, in the place which יהוה chooses!

We, as a growing fellowship, are so thankful to יהוה for choosing for us a wonderful place for us to perform and celebrate His Feast of Sukkot each year, and this also emphasises the importance of unity and fellowship, within the body, teaching us that we should not neglect the gathering of the set-apart ones, as some are in the habit of doing, and we therefore need to be obedient in gathering where יהוה has chosen!

We are extremely blessed, as a small fellowship, to have what יהוה has given us and chosen for us in terms of our ability to gather together every Sabbath and Feast; and to neglect the instruction to gather where He has chosen for each of us, is to neglect the instruction to perform as we should!

There are many around the world that do not have the opportunity to gather as we do, and therefore we should not overlook the joy it is, to have that which He has caused for us to have as a small ATFOTC family!

This past year we have seen how others across the world have been able to join in with us on the Sabbaths, via the internet streaming that we began to do… and so, we are able to celebrate the joy of having others who are unable to find a suitable gathering place, join us live on Shabbat for our separated gatherings, and it is our hope this year that we will be able to do some live streaming from our Sukkoth camp too!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘celebrate’ is חָגַג ḥagag – Strong’s H2287 which means, ‘to make a pilgrimage, keep a pilgrimage, celebrate a feast, observe a feast, dance’, which is the root verb of חַג ḥag – Strong’s H2282, and is also used in:

Shemoth/Exodus 23:13 “Three times in the year you are to observe a festival to Me:”

Keeping the Feasts of יהוה are to be done with exceeding joy – after all, they are His FEASTS – and a feast implies a joyous occasion with singing and dancing!

ARE YOU READY TO PERFORM THE FEAST OF SUKKOTH?

Wayyiqra/Leviticus 23:41-43 “And you shall celebrate it as a festival to יהוה for seven days in the year – a law forever in your generations. Celebrate it in the seventh new moon. 42 ‘Dwell in booths for seven days; all who are native born in Yisra’ěl dwell in booths, 43 so that your generations know that I made the children of Yisra’ěl dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Mitsrayim. I am יהוה your Elohim.’” 

The law forever in your generations, is that we are to celebrate Sukkoth as a festival to יהוה for 7 days, and dwell in booths for 7 days, while doing that!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘dwell’, comes from the root verb יָשַׁב yashaḇ – Strong’s H3427 which means, ‘sit, dwell, remain, abide, inhabit, sitting still’; and a derivative of this word which is also used for ‘sojourner’ is תּוֹשָׁב toshaḇ – Strong’s H8453 which means, ‘stranger, foreign resident, sojourner, tenant’.

A modern Hebrew word derived from this root word יָשַׁב yashaḇ – Strong’s H3427, which is translated as ‘school’, is ‘yeshiva’.

This is a very powerful lesson for us here as we understand the root from which the word for ‘sojourner’ comes from – we are ‘foreign residents’, if you will, and as we dwell here, we are to abide in the Most-High and make Him our dwelling as we ‘sit under the teaching of the Torah’ and live accordingly!

And so, ‘sitting’ in the Hebraic mind-set, is an idiom for learning; and therefore, we recognise that it is at the Master’s Feet that we come and sit and drink of His Pure and Clear Living Water and get great clarity and insight and strength to sojourn with joy!

The idea of sitting, in the Hebrew mind-set, is to learn, and not to simply sit and vegetate, but rather sit and pay attention to the instructions of their teacher.

This word יָשַׁב yashaḇ – Strong’s H3427 also highlights for us our need to dwell in Truth and, in being obedient to dwelling in booths for 7 days, it reminds us that we are to continually stay in the Master, as we sojourn here as strangers longing for His soon return.

So, for 7 days a year we get to dwell together in the Master’s presence, away from all the hustle and bustle that we face each day, so that we can focus on the pure joy it is to serve and worship the Most-High, while learning a great deal about Him, as we guard to perform His Feast with joy!

The Hebrew word יָשַׁב yashaḇ – Strong’s H3427, which means, ‘sit, dwell, remain, abide, inhabit, sitting still’, is pictured in the ancient pictographic text as follows:

Yod – יָ:

יָ – This is the letter ‘yad or yod’ which in the ancient script is pictured as  which is the picture of an arm and hand and carries the meaning of ‘work, make, throw’ from the primary functions of the arm and hand and also represents worship or giving thanks in the extending of hands as a gesture of this.

Shin – שַׁ:

שַׁ – This is the letter ‘shin’ which in the ancient script is pictured as  which is the picture of ‘two front teeth’ and carries the meaning of ‘sharp or press’ 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!

Beyt – ב:

ב – This is the letter ‘beyt’, which in the ancient script is pictured 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.

Looking at this word in the ancient script helps us understand further how we are to dwell as sojourners – for it is by the ‘outstretched arm and hand of יהוה’ that we are able to sit and listen, meditate on and guard to do His Word, giving thanks to Him, as we are built up in Messiah as the Dwelling Place of Elohim!

Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 2:11-12 “Beloved ones, I appeal to you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts which battle against the life, 12 having your behaviour among the nations good so that when they speak against you as evil-doers, let them, by observing your good works, esteem Elohim in a day of visitation.”

The Greek word that is used here for ‘sojourners’ is πάροικος paroikos – Strong’s G3941 which means, ‘dwelling near, foreign, alien’ and the word used for ‘pilgrims’ is παρεπίδημος parepidēmos – Strong’s G3927 meaning, ‘sojourning in a strange place, exiles, reside as aliens’.

What we can clearly see here, in the Greek too, is that we are not to get ‘pegged down’ by the world and its ways, but are to live as strangers and foreigners who do not make their ‘permanent dwelling’ here!

We may certainly be strangers and foreigners here in our sojourning, but we are not strangers and foreigners to the house of Elohim, to which we belong and are citizens of the Kingdom of the Most-High!

Eph’siyim/Ephesians 2:19 “So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the set-apart ones and members of the household of Elohim”

As members of the household of Elohim, we recognise the joy it s for us to be able to have the ability to celebrate the Festival of Sukkoth for 7 days, with the continued assurance of the firm expectation that we have of His soon return, where we will be able to dwell with Him forever!

Just one thing I need to clear up, in terms of keeping the Feast of Sukkoth!

Many often question whether they should stay in a tent/temporary booth for 7 days, as they claim that this command, given in Wayyiqra/Leviticus 23:42 is only for ‘native born’ and therefore they assume it does not apply to all.

Well, for those who think so, I am going to burst your bubble!

What is a native born or, better put, what makes one a native born?

Shemoth/Exodus 12:48 “And when a stranger sojourns with you and shall perform the Passover to יהוה, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and perform it, and he shall be as a native of the land. But let no uncircumcised eat of it.”

Do you see what this verse tells us?

First of all, what we must recognise, is that only those who were circumcised were able eat the Pěsaḥ Meal.

And today we uphold this, as we take note that our immersion in the Name of יהושע is our circumcision and therefore, those who have been immersed in Messiah, and we all need to be immersed as there is no slave nor free, Greek, male or female in Messiah, and eat this Meal, we become as a native of the land!!!

There you have it – By being immersed in Messiah, we become as a native born of Yisra’ěl, giving us access to eat of the Pěsaḥ Meal.

So, all who are grafted in to the Covenants of Promise, by the Blood of Messiah, become as a native born of Yisra’ěl and must keep this feast, by dwelling in ‘booths/temporary dwellings’ for 7 days.

And just another quick side note – a hotel is not regarded as a ‘booth’ – we dwell in tents for 7 days, not 5-star hotel rooms, as we see some doing these days!

The Hebrew word for ‘booths’ is סֻּכֹּת Sukkoth, which is the plural of the root word סֻכָּה sukkah – Strong’s H5521 which means, ‘a thicket, booth, shelter, hut, temporary shelter, canopy, tent’ which comes from the noun סֹךְ soḵ – Strong’s H5520 which means, ‘a thicket, lair, hiding place, booth, den’, which comes from the primitive root verb סָכַךְ saḵaḵ – Strong’s H5526 which means, ‘to overshadow, screen, cover, hedge or fence about or to entwine as a screen, weave together, knit together’, and this helps us understand a little more of just how important this performing of the Feast of Sukkoth is, for we are being knit together as a body of Messiah, under whose wings we find rest, shelter and safety!

Now that is something to rejoice about!

This root verb סָכַךְ saḵaḵ – Strong’s H5526 is translated as ‘shelter’ in:

Tehillah/Psalm 5:11 “But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever shout for joy, because You shelter them; and let those who love Your Name exult in You.”

Other translations have translated this word סָכַךְ saḵaḵ – Strong’s H5526, in this verse, as ‘defend’ or ‘protect’, which speaks not only of יהוה being our defender and protector, but also pictures for us how His ‘boothing’ or ‘dwelling’ with us, brings that protection in which we can freely rejoice.

The Hebrew noun סֹךְ soḵ – Strong’s H5520 which means, ‘a thicket, lair, hiding place, booth, den’, is written in the ancient pictographic script, as:

Samek – סֹ:

The ancient script has this letter pictured as , which is a thorn and has the meanings of ‘pierce and sharp’ and can also carry the meaning of ‘a shield, protection’, as thorn bushes were used by shepherds to build a wall to enclose their flock in the night against the attack of predators. Another meaning would be ‘to grab hold of’ as a thorn is a seed that clings to hair and clothing.

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. The picture of the palm of the hand also represents ‘covering’.

When we look at these two pictographic letters, we are able to see that the thorn that represents protection and the hand that represents covering, we get a combined meaning of:

PROTECTED COVERING!

Having said that, when we look further at the word סֻּכֹּת – ‘Sukkoth’, we take note of the additional letter – ת – ‘taw’ that is added and looks like this:

Taw – ת

The ancient script has this letter as which is pictured as two crossed sticks, and can represent for us ‘seal, covenant, mark or sign’; as this once again points to the complete work of Messiah in 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’ – the beginning and the end of all creation!

Can you see the clear significance of Sukkoth? With the additional of this letter ‘taw’ that has the meaning of covenant or seal we take note that the Word סֻּכֹּת – ‘Sukkoth’ in the ancient pictographic lettering can render for us the following:

PROTECTED COVERING OF THE COVENANT!

I do hope that by now you are enjoying these word pictures that help us gain a greater understanding of how vital it is for us to be ‘guarding to do’ this Feast of Sukkoth, with great rejoicing, especially when we understand how Sukkoth is the final festival/Appointed Time of the 7 Feasts/Appointed Times of יהוה and therefore, pictures for us the completed protection of His Covenant with us, as we are covered in Him, and with great joy, we look forward to His boothing with us!

I would like to therefore take a look at one more word in the ancient pictographic alphabet, and that is the word for ‘rejoice’, as we are told in Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 16:14 that we shall ‘rejoice’ in our festival!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘rejoice’ is שָׂמַח samaḥ – Strong’s H8055 and means, ‘to rejoice, be glad, be joyful, delight in and be elated’, and can also carry the meaning ‘to brighten up’, giving us the picture how we are to carry His joy as the light of the world and let praise and rejoicing abound!

In the ancient pictographic script this word שָׂמַח samaḥ looks like this:

Shin – שָׂ:

This is the letter ‘sin/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. This can give us the meaning of WORD or Words.

Mem – מַ:

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as ‘water’, and also carries the meaning of ‘chaos’ (from the storms of the sea) and can also picture that which is mighty or massive as well as the unknown. We are also able to understand this letter as representing the nations, for the nations are often likened to the seas in Scripture. This also carries for us the picture of washing, as we understand the function of water being that which cleanses us and sustains us, showing us how we are washed and sustained by the Living Waters of the Word! This letter also can represent any liquid, especially blood!

Ḥet – ח:

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, having been separated from the world and built up in the master!

When looking at this word in its pictographic form, in terms of our command to rejoice, we are able to see why we are able to rejoice as we recognise the following:

THE WORD THAT WASHES US, HAS SEPARATED US AND SECURED US!

This is a clear reason to rejoice, for as long as we allow the Word to wash us and keep us clean, we are able to confidently make our boast in Elohim, whom we praise and rejoice in, as we are built up as living stones in the Master; living stones that offer up lives as a daily living offering with rejoicing praise!

A derivative of the verb שָׂמַח samaḥ – Strong’s H8055 is the adjective שָׂמֵחַ sameaḥ – Strong’s H8056 and carries the meaning, ‘glad, joyful, merry, pleased, rejoicing’.

Both of the words are used in the command to rejoice, in Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 16:14 & 15, where שָׂמֵחַ sameaḥ – Strong’s H8056 is translated as ‘rejoicing’, in verse 15, when we are clearly told that we shall ONLY be REJOICING!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘only’ is the adverb אַךְ aḵ – Strong’s H389 which means, ‘surely, only, alone, nevertheless, verily’, and is often a word that is not translated, yet it is used to convey emphasis, and, in this instance, it is used as an affirmative emphasis that is translated as ‘only’ and in other translations it has been translated here as ‘surely’ or ‘altogether’, which makes it clear, in regards what is being instructed for us for the proper performing of Sukkoth, and that is that it can only be properly performed with rejoicing and gladness!

The Greek word used in the LXX (Septuagint – Greek translation of the Tanak – O.T.) in Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 16:14 & 15 for ‘rejoice’ and ‘rejoicing’ is εὐφραίνω euphrainō – Strong’s G2165 which means, ‘to cheer, celebrate, rejoice, make glad, joyous living’ and comes from two root words:

1) εὖ eu – Strong’s G2095 which is an adverb meaning, ‘good, well done’ and

2) φρήν phrēn – Strong’s G5424 which means, ‘midriff, heart, mind, thought, thinking’.

It can therefore be understood that this word εὐφραίνω euphrainō can have the meaning of, ‘to put in a good frame of mind’.

This word denotes the mood of joy and it involves an inner process that affects the outward physical well-being, especially in situations which give rise to a mood of common cheerfulness and joy!

This makes perfect sense as we recognise the joy of coming together for the purposes of rejoicing in our Master and Elohim – where the mood of cheerful joy is expressed by all due to the inner process of recognising the greatness of the occasion!

Another word, in the Greek, that is translated as ‘rejoice’, in giving reference to the rejoicing at harvest time, is χαίρω chairō G5463 which means ‘to be full of cheer, be delighted and be glad’ and is used in:

Yoḥanan/John 4:36 “He who is reaping receives a reward, and gathers fruit for everlasting life, so that both he who is sowing and he who is reaping rejoice together.”

This Feast is known as the Feast of Ingathering, as it is a picture of the harvest that is being brought in with great joy, after the threshing and winepress phases are completed and the true fruit is offered as accepting.

First Fruits was already offered, guaranteeing us the harvest to come, where we will rejoice with our Maker and Husband, aměn!

Will you obey the command to rejoice?

This will mean putting aside your worries and fears; as it is time to throw off all the excuses and simply worship יהוה as He has commanded us too, and embrace delighting in יהוה.

This Greek word χαίρω chairō G5463 is also used in:

Tas’loniqim Aleph/1 Thessalonians 5:16 “Rejoice always”

With the command to rejoice, while dwelling in tents for 7 days, helps us to be reminded how we are to be a people that are rejoicing always!

As you ready yourself for this rejoicing festival of Sukkoth, come before the Master with great joy and give Him your all – do not come empty handed, come before Him with a rejoicing heart and make this Feast truly a Feast of note!

After all, we don’t need pagan festivals of giving, we have יהוה’s – it is now time to rejoice – it is a command – will you obey?

As you look intently into the revealed Word of Elohim, take heed to the instruction to be separated for gathering together unto יהוה, with the full assurance and promise of His protected covering of His Word that washes, protects and secures us, in His Covenants of Promise, to which we have now been brought near to, by the blood of Messiah!

Wayyiqra/Leviticus 23:42-43 tells us that we are to dwell in booths for 7 days, so that we know that יהוה made Yisra’ĕl dwell in booths, when He brought them up out of Mitsrayim, and is also a joyous reminder how He has called us out of darkness into His marvellous light:

Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 2:9-10 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a set-apart nation, a people for a possession, that you should proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light, 10 who once were not a people, but now the people of Elohim; who had not obtained compassion, but now obtained compassion.”

The Greek word that is translated as ‘you should proclaim’ is ἐξαγγέλλω exaggellō – Strong’s G1804 which means, ‘tell out, proclaim, publish, declare, make known by praising or proclaiming’, and we see this word being used in the LXX (Septuagint) and translated as ‘we show forth’ in:

Tehillah/Psalm 79:13 “And we, Your people and the sheep of Your pasture, we give thanks to You forever; from generation to generation we show forth Your praise.”

The Greek word that is used in Kěpha’s letter for ‘praises’ is ἀρετή aretē – Strong’s G703 and it carries the meaning of ‘moral excellence, virtue, purity, praise etc.’

In essence, this can carry the understanding of being faithfully set-apart, as well as our ability to bring the proper rejoicing praise to Elohim, in declaring the excellence of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvellous light and are now the sheep of His pasture, who hear His voice and gather and rejoice at His command!

As you approach this coming Feast of Sukkoth, I trust that you are prepared to rejoice, and shall only be rejoicing; for this Feast is the Booths of Rejoicing.

As you consider the few pictographic words that we have looked at in this brief message, I hope that you will see the clear simplicity of the command to rejoice, and do just that, as we faithfully and boldly proclaim the praises of our Master and Elohim, יהושע Messiah, our soon coming King!

In Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 16:15 we are told that we are to celebrate for 7 days in the place where He chooses for, He does bless us in all our increase and the work of our hands!

Why would anyone not want to guard to keep Sukkoth, when we recognise His blessing that is upon us when we do keep it as instructed!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘bless’ comes from the root word בָּרַךְ baraḵ – Strong’s H1288 and means, ‘to abundantly bless’ and literally carries the meaning, ‘to kneel or bow down, to show respect, to bring a gift to another while kneeling out of respect’.

The ancient pictographic script has the Hebrew word for bless – בָּרַךְ baraḵ – Strong’s H1288 pictured as:

Beyt – בָּ:

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.

Resh – רַ:

The ancient pictographic script has this letter pictured as , which is ‘the head of a man’ and carries the meaning of ‘top, beginning, first, chief’, as in being the top of the body or the head of a tribe and the one who rules; and also speaks of possession or inheritance that is decided by the chief.

Kaph – ךְ:

The ancient pictographic script has this letter pictured as  which is a picture of an open palm of a hand and can symbolise that to which submission is given – ‘under the hand’

From the pictographic rendering of this word we are able to clearly see who it is who blesses us –

THE HOUSE/ASSEMBLY OF ELOHIM IS BLESSED AS THE HEAD/CHIEF, COMES DOWN AND EXTENDS HIS OPEN AND REVEALED HAND TO HIS OWN!

Our Mighty Master and Elohim came down to bless us and redeem us from all lawlessness!

That is more than enough reason for us to respond positively to the call to rejoice, shout for joy and exult in יהושע Messiah, our Master, Elohim, Saviour and King!

This Festival of Sukkoth celebrates the sure hope that we have of Him coming again in order to dell in our midst forever!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘increase’ in Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 16:15 is תְּבוּאָה teḇuah – Strong’s H8393 which means, ‘increase, revenue, produce, crops, fruit, yield’, and in essence, refers to what one earns or produces through work.

Keeping His Feasts as we should, comes with the sure promises of His blessed provision in our work!

When we simply obey His Word and guard to do all HE commands and joyfully celebrate His Feasts then we need not worry at all about what we are to eat, where we are to sleep or what we are to wear, as we have the full assurance of our complete provision, in Messiah, being made secure, as we stay in Him and be joyful doers of His Word

In Zeḵaryah/Zechariah 14 we are told that the Feast of Sukkoth will still be celebrated during the Millennial Reign, as those nations that do not come up to Yerushalayim will not receive rain.

In Scripture, rain is also symbolic for provision, as well as speaking about the two comings of Messiah, as the former and latter rains – the latter rains symbolising this time of year when our Provider comes and dwells with us – Forever!

Now, in also understanding rain, as pictured for provision, as we rehearse and perform this Feast each year, I too believe that it also prophetically carries for us the promise of His faithful provision in our lives.

And so, to neglect to keep this Feast would not be very wise, especially as we desire to grow in knowledge and be equipped with joy to properly keep His Feasts, expressing our love for Him through our diligent obedience.

The Feast of Sukkoth is an annual reminder of יהוה’s provision, protection, presence and promise during the 40 years in the Wilderness from Mitsrayim/Egypt to the Promised Land – the land of milk and honey!

For it was during these years that Yisra’ĕl lived in tents; and during this journey יהוה gave them water from the rock, manna from heaven in the morning and quail in the evening (all symbolic pictures themselves of the coming Messiah).

During that time יהוה went before them on their journey in a pillar of fire by night and pillar of cloud by day, and He was their rear guard.

Sukkoth is a festival of REJOICING!

And the reason for this is:

1 – It commemorates יהוה’s goodness and provision during the wilderness wanderings of Yisra’ĕl and reminds us that we too are sojourners here, as we await the Promise of dwelling in His Presence fully when He comes again.

2 – It commemorates יהוה’s present goodness and provision, with the completion of the harvest, and reminds us of His daily provision and that we are truly not to worry, but place our full trust in Him

3 – It looks forward to the future and the fullness of the harvest that is to come – He is coming again – יהושע has offered up a first fruit offering of the harvest that is to come, and so, as this is also called the feast of ingathering, as it was the culmination of the years harvesting of fruits, so too do we have the assurance that we will be gathered together, in order to dwell with Him forever!

Sukkoth, as we see in Scripture, was celebrated at the dedication of the Temple under King Shelomoh/Solomon, as well as at the time of the rededication of the Temple when Neḥemyah/Nehemiah brought Yisra’ĕl back and the fulfilment of this festival will take place when the New Yerushalayim comes down from Heaven and יהוה dwells permanently with His people!

And, as the voice declares from Heaven, as recoded in:

Ḥazon/Revelation 21:3 “See, the Booth of Elohim is with men, and He shall dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and Elohim Himself shall be with them and be their Elohim.”

This is certainly something to rejoice about!

The command to dwell in ‘booths’ or ‘tents’, is so that we are reminded how יהוה made Yisra’ĕl dwell in booths when He brought them out of Mitsrayim.

The frail sukkah, or temporary booth reminds us of the frailty of life, and so, surviving the winds and elements, reminds us of His great love and His favour for us, as we become living testimonies of the work of יהושע in our lives, as we too are living in a body that is temporary, which is the flesh that will one day be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and how we are now, as we go through the storms and winds of life, guarded by His great love!

The Sukkah is a testimony of our confidence, hope and faith in יהוה Yireh (our Provider) – who is the source of our strength and salvation, and reminds us once gain how we are to depend on יהוה for provision of food, water and shelter, just as He provided Yisra’ĕl in the Wilderness journeys! For יהושע is the Bread of Life, He is the One who satisfies the thirsty through giving of Living Waters and he is our refuge and shelter, aměn!

Sukkah’s/Booths were typically made very rough, signifying man’s weakness and they would be made out of branches that Yisra’ĕl had gathered on their journey that would symbolise the various aspects of their journey from Mitsrayim to the land flowing with milk and honey.

We take note of the command given in:

Wayyiqra/Leviticus 23:40 “And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of good trees, branches of palm trees, twigs of leafy trees, and willows of the stream, and shall rejoice before יהוה your Elohim for seven days.” 

1 – Fruit of good trees:

These came from the fertile hillsides – reminding them of יהוה’s provision and the Land that they were Promised would be fruitful, as well as the abundant fruit they were to produce, in righteous living, being offered up before Him with praise.

2 – Branches of palm trees:

These symbolised the oasis in the wilderness – that is, those places of refreshing and rest from the sun amidst the hot dessert – showing us a clear picture of provision in the hottest climate.

3 – Twigs of leafy trees:

These were in the mountains, which reminded them of the rough terrain and mountainous routes that were taken and how יהוה was with them through the rough and hilly times.

4 – Willows of the stream:

These are trees that are typically found at the places of streams, or wadis, in the desert – places that they could find refreshing and restoration. ‘En Geḏi’, where Dawiḏ found refreshing is a ‘wadi’ in the dessert – a place where there is a waterfall, lush trees and pools of running water, where one could find fresh living water and be strengthened for the road ahead and

All of these reminded them of the various terrains that had been travelled, in the wilderness.

So, we too, take various branches and trees and fruit, from our surrounding terrain, as a remembrance, and rejoice before our Mighty Master and Elohim!

We also take note of that which we read about, at the time of restoration under the leadership of Neḥemyah as governor and Ezra as scribe, when Yisra’ĕl did according to the commands regarding Sukkoth:

Neḥemyah/Nehemiah 8:14-18 “And they found written in the Torah, which יהוה had commanded by Mosheh, that the children of Yisra’ěl should dwell in booths in the festival of the seventh new moon, 15 and that they should announce and proclaim in all their cities and in Yerushalayim, saying, “Go out to the mountain, and bring olive branches, branches of oil trees, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.” 16 So the people went out and brought them and made themselves booths, each one on the roof of his house, and in their courtyards and in the courtyards of the House of Elohim, and in the open space of the Water Gate and in the open space of the Gate of Ephrayim. 17 And the entire assembly of those who had come back from the captivity made booths and sat under the booths, for since the days of Yěshua son of Nun until that day the children of Yisra’ěl had not done so. And there was very great rejoicing. 18 And day by day, from the first day until the last day, he read from the Book of the Torah of Elohim. And they performed the festival seven days. And on the eighth day there was an assembly, according to the right-ruling.”

As you will notice, in verse 17 of the above text from Neḥemyah/Nehemiah 8, there was a very great rejoicing!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘gladness’ is שִׂמְחָה simḥah – Strong’s H8057 which means, ‘joy, gladness, delight, festival, pleasure’, and comes from the root שָׂמַח samaḥ – Strong’s H8055 and means, ‘to rejoice, be glad, be joyful, delight in and be elated’, which we have already looked at, giving us the picture how we are to carry His joy as the light of the world and let praise and rejoicing abound!

In the ancient pictographic script this word שִׂמְחָה simḥah – Strong’s H8057 looks like this:

Shin – שָׂ:

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. This can give us the meaning of WORD or Words.

Mem – מַ:

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as ‘water’, and also carries the meaning of ‘chaos’ (from the storms of the sea) and can also picture that which is mighty or massive as well as the unknown. We are also able to understand this letter as representing the nations, for the nations are often likened to the seas in Scripture. This also carries for us the picture of washing, as we understand the function of water being that which cleanses us and sustains us, showing us how we are washed and sustained by the Living Waters of the Word! This letter also can represent any liquid, especially blood!

Ḥet – ח:

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, having been separated from the world and built up in the master!

Hey – ה:

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!

When looking at this word in its pictographic form, in terms of our command to rejoice, we are able to see why we are able to rejoice as we recognise the following:

BEHOLD, THE WORD THAT WASHES US HAS SEPARATED US AND SECURED US AND IS TO BE PRAISED!

This is a clear reason to serve with gladness, for as long as we allow the Word to wash us and keep us clean, we are able to confidently make our boast in Elohim, whom we give continual thanks and praise to with much gladness, as we are built up as living stones in the Master; living stones that offer up our lives as a daily living offering with rejoicing praise and obedient thanksgiving!

Once again, the commands that we see, regarding the keeping of this feast – and one thing that you will notice here in the passages that we have looked at – is that there is a clear command to rejoice!!!

We are to celebrate!

Now, people typically celebrate that which they are happy about – well, we celebrate the joy of יהוה and we celebrate the coming of our Redeemer and King – יהושע Messiah!

Let me ask you – “Is it a joy for you to celebrate Him?”

Again, let me ask you, “When you come to celebrate His Feasts – who are you appearing before, when you celebrate His feasts – are you just making sure that you are seen by others, so as to appease your conscience that you were there and can tick of a to do list, or are you truly coming to worship the maker of Heaven and Earth?”

What are you bringing to the Creator and King?

When it speaks here, of an offering made by fire – it speaks here of a worship with passion – wholehearted worship is an offering made by fire to יהוה.

It is an all or nothing deal – once again I ask:

“Is it a joy for you to worship and celebrate יהוה our Maker?”

The essence of Sukkot is joy – and being joyful in His provision – and joyful in our deliverance that He has brought to us.

I am tired of people who have no joy in coming to worship our King and sit under His Word.

I am tired of people with the wrong attitude, in their approach to worship.

יהוה’s Feasts are His Feasts that He has given us and commanded us to partake in.

I am tired of people who say things like, “Oh, I will see if I can do it!”

Who are they trying to impress?

It is about worship unto יהוה, coming before Him with great joy and expectancy – for His joy is our strength and so, as we prepare to celebrate this Feast, may our joy be complete as we come and rejoice before our Maker!

To rejoice is a command and we know that His commands are good!

Another thing that is worth taking note of, in the example given to us in Neḥemyah/Nehemiah 8:18, is that from the first day until the last day, he read from the Torah of Elohim, and performed the festival for 7 days.

This highlights for me the joy of being immersed in the presence of our Master and His Word.

So many today are against the hearing of the Torah, with a wicked assumption that it has been done away with, yet here, we are able to see a restoration of a proper keeping and performing of the Feast of Sukkoth, done with a reading from the Torah of Elohim.

This year, as a group, we will be reading the Torah each day, during the 9 days we will be camping for Sukkoth, with the goal of completing the reading from Berěshith/Genesis to Deḇarim/Deuteronomy. This we have done on a couple of our Sukkoth camps and it truly is a joy to have the Torah of our Elohim being read and heard during our boothing with Him, as it strengthens our unity in the belief, which comes from a hearing of the Word

The Torah of our Master is perfect, Sha’ul tells us – and we know that His Torah is good – it is for our good, as it keeps us within His provision, protection, presence and promises.

If we love Him, we will obey His commands! It is as simple as that!

This is a season to celebrate the very Word that was made flesh and ‘tabernacled’ with us.

It was at this time, when יהושע Messiah was born in a Sukkah – which certainly makes this a time to rejoice.

He brought us deliverance which will be fully revealed to us in the culmination of these 7^th month Feasts, causing us to enter in to the Wedding of all Weddings!

This is a Feast where we are mandated to rejoice – regardless of what your situation or current circumstances are like.

Just imagine this for a moment – your circumstances suck – you have no home, you are an orphan or a widow, it feels like you have no future, you have financial woes, health issues, relational issues and you are instructed to be joyful!!!

You see, this is a reminder to us that joy is not determined by circumstances – it is something that is yours because of יהושע Messiah, aměn!

They were told go and be joyful!

Listen up – the joy of יהוה is our strength, not good circumstances!

In those days, as well as today, we find that many people were/are without joy, and do you know what?

So many are looking for joy, whether they realise it or not, in the wrong places – be it bars, brothels, casinos, shopping malls, exotic holiday destinations etc; or they are simply losing themselves in their work – thinking that the harder they work and the more they achieve success the more joy they will have.

Many today, run from relationship to relationship or engulf themselves in a new hobby or false religion, seeking fulfilment and joy – and of course, these are all the wrong places.

We all need to fully come to the realisation that true and pure joy can only be found in Messiah!

At the time of יהושע, booths were still being constructed as commanded, however there were some additional ceremonies that were added and carried great prophetic significance.

The first of these was the Water Pouring Ceremony.

This ceremony involved the priests, accompanied by a procession of singing people, that would go down to the pool of ‘Silōam’ – Σιλωάμ – Strong’s G4611, a word that means ‘sent’.

The name of this pool is of Hebrew origin, and comes from the word שִׁלֹחַ Shiloaḥ – Strong’s H7975 which comes from the primitive root שָׁלַח shalaḥ – Strong’s H7971 which means ‘to send or to bring forth’ or ‘send forth’, and this was one of the principle sources of water supply to Yerushalayim that originated from the ‘Giḥon’ spring which emptied into this pool.

The Hebrew word גִּיחוֹן Giḥon – Strong’s H1521 means, ‘bursting forth’ and comes from the primitive root word גִּיחַ giaḥ – Strong’s H1518 which means, ‘to break forth, gush forth, labour to bring forth, draw up, take out’.

Scripture speaks of the river called Giḥon, that Ḥizqiyahu the king channelled as a water supply for Yisra’ĕl, which enabled them to endure and withstand an Assyrian siege.

This in itself is a great picture for us of how we are able to draw, with joy, the pure water of the Word, from deep within our hearts, no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in, as long as we are drinking from the pure Living Waters of Messiah.

יהוה is the provider of water and rain and so this abundant source of water was understood as being sent by יהוה for His city.

At the time of Messiah, this custom of the water pouring ceremony that was developed, would see the priest fill a gold pitcher with water and march back to the Temple where it would be mixed with wine and poured upon the slaughter-place as the drink offering that was required and was symbolic of יהוה’s salvation as described in:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 12:3 “And you shall draw water with joy from the fountains of deliverance.”

This was prophetically speaking of the Messiah, and on this last great day of the feast of Sukkoth, after the drink offering was done, our Master stands up and proclaims very clearly that He is the source of Living Waters.

Here יהושע was fulfilling this ceremony at the Feast, by declaring that He is the One who gives the water of life! Now, see the fulfilment of this being prophesied as seen by Yoḥanan again in:

Ḥazon/Revelation 21:6 “And He said to me, “It is done! I am the ‘Aleph’ and the ‘Taw’, the Beginning and the End. To the one who thirsts I shall give of the fountain of the water of life without payment.”

Here we see יהושע, at the fulfilment of this Feast in a revelation that was given to Yoḥanan, declaring that He, the Aleph and Taw, will give a drink to whoever is thirsty, without cost, and in Ḥazon/Revelation 22 you can read about the River of the water of life that flows from the very throne of Elohim.

This concept of the pouring of the water along with the prescribed drink offerings, and Messiah making it clear that He is the source of the very living waters that we are to draw from with joy, helps us further understand the power of His provision through His sacrifice for our sins and the cost of Him being poured out for us, so that we may have access to life and be filled with His Spirit!

Prayers were offered up with the pouring of the water to thank יהוה for His provision in watering the land as well as asking יהוה for rain for the next season’s crops!

So, Sukkoth was also a time to ask for rain and from Scriptures we know that rain was יהוה’s provision for obedience to His decrees, and in effect they would, by asking for rain, be declaring their continued obedience to Him and ask Him to once again bless them with rain.

This ceremony also carried with it a deeper spiritual meaning, as it signified the hope of the Messiah for the Yisra’ĕl throughout the ages and was also a symbolic picture of the outpouring of the Ruaḥ HaQoḏesh (Set-Apart Spirit).

Are you ready to PERFORM this Feast of Sukkoth? Are you ready to rejoice before יהוה?

And so, as we are commanded to REJOICE, I would like to briefly share with you some of the other Hebrew and Greek words that are used in speaking of our ability and responsibility to rejoice, in order that we are able to fully embrace the need for an obedient rejoicing at this Feast.

Other words that we find in Hebrew which we translate as ‘rejoice’ are:

1 – עָלַץ alats – Strong’s H5970 meaning ‘rejoice, exult, be in a state of joy which includes verbal expressions of joy and praise’ and in essence can carry the meaning ‘to shout or jump for joy’, used in:

Tehillah/Psalm 9:2 “I rejoice and exult in You; I sing praise to Your Name, O Most High.”

Both ‘samaḥ’ and ‘alats’ are used here

2 – גִּיל gil – Strong’s H1523 meaning ‘rejoice, be glad, tremble with exceeding fear’ and also can give us the picture to ‘spin around under the influence of an emotion’ and is used in;

Tehillah/Psalm 9:14 “So that I declare all Your praise in the gates of the daughter of Tsiyon. I rejoice in Your deliverance.”

3 – שׂוּשׂ sus – Strong’s H7797 meaning ‘to be bright, cheerful, exult, rejoice, display joy’ used in:

Tehillah/Psalm 40:16 “Let all those who seek You Rejoice and be glad in You; let those who love Your deliverance always say, “יהוה be exalted!”

Both ‘sus’ and ‘samaḥ’ is used here.

Tehillah/Psalm 68:3 “But the righteous are glad, they exult before Elohim. And they rejoice with gladness.”

In this verse you have ‘samaḥ’, ‘alats’ and ‘sus’.

4 – רָנַן ranan – Strong’s H7442 meaning ‘to overcome, cry out, shout for joy, give a ringing cry, sing aloud’, often also translated as praise, and is translated as ‘rejoice’ in:

Tehillah/Psalm 98:4 “Raise a shout to יהוה, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.”

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 61:10 “I greatly rejoice in יהוה, my being exults in my Elohim. For He has put garments of deliverance on me, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”

This wonderful declaration will be fulfilled at this Feast, and this verse uses both ‘sus’ and ‘gil’.

What a wonderful day this will be when we are together as a body dressed in the completed garments of deliverance!!!

Now, in the Greek, we too see the expression of this rejoicing being mentioned, giving us a much-needed understanding in our ability to rejoice – rejoice and rejoice as we are commanded to.

Kěpha describes how we are to allow this sure expectation that we have in Messiah and His return and our dwelling with Him to result in praise says:

Kěpha/Peter 1:3-8 “Blessed be the Elohim and Father of our Master יהושע Messiah, who according to His great compassion has caused us to be born again to a living expectation through the resurrection of יהושע Messiah from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and unfading, having been kept in the heavens for you, 5 who are protected by the power of Elohim through belief, for a deliverance ready to be revealed in the last time, 6 in which you exult, even though for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by manifold trials, 7 in order that the proving of your belief – much more precious than gold that perishes, and proven by fire – might be found to result in praise and respect and esteem at the revelation of יהושע Messiah, 8 whom having not seen, you love; in whom you exult with unspeakable and esteemed joy, yet not seeing, but believing, 9 obtaining the goal of your belief: a deliverance of lives.”

The Greek word that translated here in verses 6 & 8, as ‘exult’, and is often translated in other translations as ‘rejoice’, is ἀγαλλιάω ‘agalliaō’ G21 which means ‘to exult, leap for joy, to show one’s joy by leaping and skipping denoting excessive or ecstatic joy and delight, and it is often spoken of as rejoicing with song and dance’ and comes from the word that means to leap or jump as well as to gush forth like water!

Let me ask you:

“How often have you expressed true rejoicing by jumping and skipping with great joy and delight in song and dance?” If not, often or perhaps never – then now is the time to start expressing true rejoicing!!!

Just think for a moment, how ecstatic Dawiḏ was, when he brought the Ark of the Covenant back – he was dancing and skipping and enjoying a great time of rejoicing.

He even took off his outer garment, so as to have no hindrance, in expressing true and pure rejoicing of having the Ark, which represented the very presence of יהוה, back in their midst!

This, I believe, is a wonderful picture for us, in throwing off those things which so easily entangle us and quickly restricts our joy-filled worship!

True rejoicing is not a hidden matter – it should be something that is evident to all.

I encourage you, especially this coming week of Sukkoth, and the days leading up to it – to not get bogged down with trivial matters or things that so often easily tick you off and steal your joy – throw them off.

Even when colleagues or clients or even a member doesn’t like the joy you show and the ability to express pure rejoicing – do not stop.

Dawiḏ didn’t let his wife cause him to stop his rejoicing because she was all bitter inside!!! This week is especially the time to hold on to joy and rejoice – it is a command!

Another word that is used in the Greek, in giving reference to the rejoicing at harvest time, is χαίρω ‘chairō’ G5463 meaning ‘to be full of cheer, be delighted and be glad’ and is used in:

Yoḥanan/John 4:36 “He who is reaping receives a reward, and gathers fruit for everlasting life, so that both he who is sowing and he who is reaping rejoice together.”

As I have already mentioned, this Feast is known as the Feast of Ingathering, as it is a picture of the harvest being brought in with great joy, after the threshing and winepress phases are completed, and the true fruit is offered as accepting.

First Fruits have already been offered, guaranteeing us the harvest to come where we will rejoice with our Maker and Husband, aměn!

Will you obey the command to rejoice?

This will mean putting aside your worries and fears; as it is time to throw off all the excuses and simply worship יהוה as He has commanded us too, and embrace delighting in יהוה.

Come and give Him your all – do not come empty handed, come rejoicing and let us make this Feast truly a Feast of note – we don’t need pagan festivals of giving, we have יהוה’s – it is now time to rejoice – it is a command – will you obey?

With this being the 7^th Feast of יהוה, we are also reminded that a part of coming into His presence, done so with rejoicing, is to make sure that one does not come empty handed!

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 16:16-17 “Three times a year all your males appear before יהוה your Elohim in the place which He chooses: at the Festival of Matzot, and at the Festival of Shaḇuoth, and at the Festival of Sukkot. And none should appear before יהוה empty-handed, 17 but each one with the gift of his hand, according to the blessing of יהוה your Elohim which He has given you.”

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘times’ comes from the root word פַּעַם pa‘am Strong’s H6471 which means, ‘a beat, foot, step’ and can also be expressed as how one ‘conduct one’s life, formally – one’s walk, step or footstep, i.e., the patterns of behavior as a figurative extension of a stepping of a foot forward’.

We keep these cycles with joy as we press on forward and do not turn back but always moving forward in His cycle.

His Feasts are our rehearsals and we are to be diligent in rehearsing according to His set forth instructions, for in it lies His complete plan of redemption for which we continue to walk in faithfully.

His feasts are in a way a sure roadmap that ensures the Bride’s complete preparation and are eternal appointments for every generation that are prophetic in nature helping the Bride be led in Truth to her wedding with the Master!

Coming into these celebrations, with Mosheh’s’ writings and the Sabbath, as our guides, leads the Bride to her wedding, preparing her every step of the way to that special day.

These Feasts are also known as paths of right ways or paths of righteousness.

When the Feasts are not celebrated or honoured, the Bride can be unprepared and may even miss her own wedding day! One of the key factors of these Feasts is the clear instruction to not come empty handed before יהוה!

One’s thanksgiving are not complete until you put our hand to the task and do something to demonstrate your gratefulness. And a thanksgiving offering is above and beyond the required offerings.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘empty-handed’ is רֵיקָם reyqam – Strong’s H7387 which means, ‘empty, vainly, without effect, empty-handed’ and comes from the root verb רֵק req – Strong’s H7386 which means, ‘empty, vain, foolish, worthless’.

Each one is to appear before יהוה with the gift of his hand, according to the blessing of יהוה, which He has given you.

This is a time to declare thanks to יהוה for His blessing upon your life, showing it with the gift of one’s hand, which one is able to do as one carefully considers how much יהוה has blessed them.

It is a way to ‘give’ as an expression of thanks for what one has received! And when one has come to Sukkoth, there is certainly an abundance of blessing that can be reflected upon, given the opportunity to express these thanks with the gift of one’s hand!

The phrase ‘with the gift of his hand’ is translated from the Hebrew words כְּמַתְּנַת יָדוֹ – kemattenath yaḏo, which comes from the root words:

1) מַתָּנָה Mattanah – Strong’s H4979 which means, ‘gift, as he is able, reward’

2) יָד yaḏ – Strong’s H3027 and is a primitive root which is translated as, ‘hand, command, authority, power, tenon, side’, and the primary meaning of this noun is “the terminal part of the arm used to perform functions of man’s will.” This term is employed literally of man’s hand which does normal work functions, good or bad; and what we see here in this account is the hands being employed to do what is required in the service of the set-apart priesthood before יהוה.

3) הוּא – huw – Strong’s H1931 this is a pronoun that means, ‘he, she, it’

Some translations render these Hebrew words as, ‘as he is able’, and what we are can clearly see being prescribed for us, is that each one is to bring a gift of their hand, as they are able to, according to the work of their hands, by which יהוה has caused them to be blessed in doing. When one comes to the Feasts of יהוה, they are given the privilege of bringing a gift before the face of יהוה, in a declaration of thanks for that which יהוה has blessed their hands with, in being able to work and be equipped with the gifts and talents that יהוה has given.

While tithes and offerings are done on a regular basis, we take note that these ‘gift of the hand’ offerings, are done as an expression of extreme gratitude, over and above the required tithes and any other spontaneous offerings.

There is no specified amount that is to be brought, but rather, it is a gift that is based as an expression of thanks, measured according to the way in which יהוה has blessed you.

The question one should ask, when asking how much should they bring, is ‘How much has יהוה blessed you?’

When you can stop and consider this, then that gift which your hand brings, will reflect the basis upon which you deem to be your thanks for His blessing upon your life.

Sha’ul reminds us of this, in:

Qorintiyim Bet/2 Corinthians 9:6-8 “And this: He who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly, and he who sows on blessing shall also reap on blessing. 7 Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not of grief or of necessity, for Elohim loves a joyous giver. 8 And Elohim is able to make all favour overflow toward you, that you, always having all you need in every way, have plenty for every good work.”

Coming before יהוה to give the gift of one’s hand, must be done in a response to His goodness and not under compulsion. One must not come with impure motives and then do something in order to put on a show before others, as we can be reminded of the lesson we can learn, from the example of Ḥananyah and Shappirah, who lied to the Spirit about the price of their field and as a result were struck down and killed by the Spirit.

יהוה loves a joyous giver, and that is one that has not been devious in any way, but expresses an overflowing thankfulness, with much joy.

Therefore, we are able to see another clear instruction on making sure that Sukkoth is celebrated with much rejoicing, having hands that are lifted in complete set-apartness, with thanksgiving, before the face of our Master and Elohim.

It’s Sukkoth that we are talking about – where we are to Rejoice, Rejoice and again I say Rejoice!

Will you obey this wonderful command?

Then come this Sukkoth and let us rejoice, dance and leap before our King, with hearts and hands that are overflowing with much thanks for His goodness and blessing upon our lives!

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!

Shalom,

Mattithyahu/Matthew 13:44-46 “Again, the reign of the heavens is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man having found it, hid, and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 “Again, the reign of the heavens is like a man, a merchant, seeking fine pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

יהושע Messiah was speaking in powerful parables, as He was teaching many great lessons on the reign of the heavens.

The Greek word for ‘parable’ is παραβολή parabolē – Strong’s G3850 which means, ‘a placing beside, comparison, parable, proverb, symbol, type’.

This Greek word is used in the LXX (Septuagint – The Greek translation of Tanak) for the Hebrew word for ‘proverbs’ –which is the word מִשְׁלֵי – Mishlĕ, which comes from the root noun מָשָׁל mashal – Strong’s H4912 and means, ‘a proverb, parable, a byword’, which, in its primitive root form, means, ‘to compare, to represent, be like’, and comes from the root verb מָשַׁל mashal – Strong’s H4911 which means, ‘to use a proverb, speak in parables or sentences of poetry’.

That is why we understand the words of Messiah when He spoke in parables by using terms such as,

“The reign of the heavens is like…”, or, “The reign of the heavens shall be compared to…”.

A ‘parable’ actually presents the truth very clearly, by putting a fresh light on the matter, as it is often presented in a ‘story’ format that represents the message being given, using imagery that is known to the hearer, in order to illustrate and shed light on the result of past, current and even future events, as determined by choices that are made.

Parables can only be understood by the attentive hearer and doer of the Word, while those who do not hear, in order to do, are never able to fully understand the teachings of or Master!

Here in these two very short parables we are able to learn a great deal about finding the true treasure of the reign of the heavens, as well as counting the cost of a provided entrance into that reign that is coming.

The Greek word that is translated as ‘found’ is εὑρίσκω heuriskō – Strong’s G2147 which means, ‘to find, get, obtain, learn, discover, understand’, and we see this word used in:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you. 8 “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened.”

So many ‘wannabe-believers’ are not willing to ‘seek and find’ the great pearls of wisdom in the Word of Elohim, and when wisdom is brought forth by another, the lazy and ignorant usually pass off the one bringing the message of great Truth as being puffed up with too much knowledge.

יהוה tells us that His people are perishing for lack of knowledge, and that is because they are not seeking His knowledge, and will therefore never find it, although they erroneously claim to have found the truth, as they hold fast to ear tickling teachings of man that are taught, as commands, while they do not even know what the word of Elohim actually says!

To those who find His words because they are earnestly seeking Him, they will be life and healing to them!

What we take note of here, is that this parable of the reign of the heavens being described as one pearl of great price being found, speaks of the actual “finding of the entrance to the Reign”, as we take careful note of the description of the New Yerushalayim as described in Ḥazon/Revelation, where we are told that it has 12 gates and each gate is a giant single pearl, upon which the names of the 12 tribes of Yisra’ĕl are written!

The pearl of great price – is a clear parable lesson about seeking the Truth and finding it, which causes the true and earnest seeker to sell all he has in order to secure the pearl, and in so doing they are securing entrance into the set-apart place of the Most-High, as they that is translated as ‘great price’, in Mattithyahu/Matthew 13:46 is πολύτιμος polutimos – Strong’s G4186 which means, ‘great price, very costly, very precious’, and is constructed form two words:

1) – πολύς polus – Strong’s G4183 meaning, ‘much, many’ and

2) τιμή time – Strong’s G5092 which means, ‘(to value, honour), a valuing, price, honour, honourable use, mark of respect’.

This Greek word πολύτιμος polutimos is only used in one other place in the Renewed Writings (N.T.) and it is used in describing the costly perfume that Miryam took and anointed the feet of our Master with:

Yoḥanan/John 12:3 “Then Miryam took a pound of costly perfume of nard, anointed the feet of יהושע, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”

The Greek word τιμή time – Strong’s G5092 is used in:

Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 6:20 “For you were bought with a price, therefore esteem Elohim in your body and in your spirit, which are of Elohim.”

Bought with a price! Now hear the call for pure set-apart worship – and that is to give your all unto Elohim, which is what Miryam did!

As we worship with our all and live our lives in the complete set-apartness that is called for then we are the fragrance of Messiah:

Qorintiyim Bět/2 Corinthians 2:15-16 “Because we are to Elohim the fragrance of Messiah among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the smell of death to death, and to the other the fragrance of life to life. And who is competent for these?”

This is a lesson on counting the cost and knowing that the gift of life, that is the right of entrance into His eternal presence, will cost you your all, and because He gave His all, He has freely given us access to His gates; and as Ḥazon tells us – it is not all who shall have access but rather:

Ḥazon/Revelation 22:14 “Blessed are those doing His commands, so that the authority shall be theirs unto the tree of life, and to enter through the gates into the city.”

Those doing His commands are given access through the ‘pearl’ gates of the set-apart city, while outside are the idolaters, whores, murders and those who love falsehood! Our right of entrance has been purchased by the Blood of Messiah, and therefore the gift of entrance is available to all who are cleansed in His Blood and stay in Him, by walking in and guarding to do all His commands!

In many of His parables, Messiah made it clear that the ‘field’ is the world, and through His blood, He has purchased that field, so that when He returns, all who are in Him shall enter in to their promised inheritance!

In a message called, ‘FIELD PURCHASED – INHERITANCE SECURED!’, I want us to recognise the precious gift of inheritance that the Blood of Messiah has bought for us, as well as our need to count the cost of that purchase and give our all, as we hold firm to the promise of our inheritance with great love and obedience, ensuring that there is nothing that hinders our walk and possession of His sure promises, so that we can be the fragrance of Messiah, no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in.

In this message, I want us to look at the instructions that were given to Yirmeyahu and the obedience of his actions to the clear instructions that were given to Him by Elohim, which both shadow picture the redemptive work and sure promise of Messiah, as well as our need to hold firm the sure calling we have in our Master and Kinsman Redeemer!

Please turn with me to Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 32:6-27 (Read).

In this chapter, we see a very powerful event taking place, at a time that these events may not have made much sense to many, yet, in this, we see the very powerful shadow picture of the redeeming work of Messiah being actively lived out through a living parable!

We must consider the timing of these events, in order to gain a fuller understanding as to what was being asked and what was being promised through the complete action of obedience!

This was in the 10^th year of Tsiḏqiyahu and the 18^th year of Neḇuḵaḏretstsar!

The armies of the sovereign of Baḇel had surrounded Yerushalayim and Yirmeyahu had been shut up in the court of the guard, for prophesying that Yerushalayim was going to be given into the hand of Neḇuḵaḏretstsar.

Nobody liked his ‘message of judgement’ and they preferred to have ear tickling messages that provided a false hope. They did not want to hear that they were going into captivity because of their disobedience.

This was a year before this would happen! All did not look too good for Yehuḏah and the inhabitants of Yerushalayim. Under the severe and real threat of being taken, Yirmeyahu is asked to do something that may not have seemed appropriate or feasible, given the clear prophesy that he had given!

And here, in verse 6 we see that Yirmeyahu makes it clear that the Word of יהוה had come to him and told him that his cousin was going to come to him and tell him to buy the field which is in Anathoth!

יהוה told him that Ḥaname’ěl the son of Shallum his uncle was coming to him to tell him to redeem the field in Anathoth!

The Hebrew name חֲנַמְאֵל Ḥaname’ěl – Strong’s H2601 means, ‘El is gracious, El favours, El has favoured’, and the name שַׁלּוּם Shallum – Strong’s H7967 means, ‘retribution, recompense’.

The place עֲנָתוֹת Anathoth –Strong’s H6068 means, ‘answers to prayer’.

With the meaning of these names, and this location of this field, we are able to see a very powerful message that comes through the Word of יהוה, and that is that with Elohim, who favours, there is retribution and recompense in a clear answer to prayer.

Retribution can have the meaning of ‘the dispensing or receiving of reward or punishment’, and we see that the gracious Elohim who hears our prayers, answers our prayers and shall dispense both the reward for obedience as well as the punishment for disobedience!

The House of Yehuḏah was about to go into 70 years of captivity for being disobedient and for not letting the land have its Sabbath rests. And in the midst of this very trying time, there is a sure promise and hope that is given to the prayers for the righteous ones, as this promise is expressed practically through the actions of Yirmeyahu.

Yirmeyahu would be told to ‘buy’ the field, and the Hebrew root word that is translated as ‘buy’ is קְנָא qena – Strong’s H7066 which means, ‘to acquire, buy, purchase’, and corresponds to the word קָנָה qanah – Strong’s H7069 which means, ‘to acquire, buy, purchase, get, recover’.

We see this word being used in:

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 23:23 “Buy the truth and do not sell it – Wisdom and discipline and understanding.”

The instruction is clear – get wisdom!

And what we must recognise here is that it will cost you!

Messiah has paid the cost for our deliverance, yet we must count the cost of following hard after Him and seeking Him with all our heart!

This was indeed a clear picture of ‘belief/faith in action’!!!

It was not enough for Yirmeyahu to simply be teaching and proclaiming the Truth – he had to live it out and let his faith/belief be clearly seen in his actions.

Picture the scene for a moment: here you have Yirmeyahu, who was clearly being a faithful prophet of Elohim and while he continually warned the people of the wrath of Elohim, they rejected his words and locked him up.

Now, this same prophet who was proclaiming a captivity, that was about to happen, went and bought a field!

For many this would have seemed very strange, as he was telling everyone that they were about to be exiled for 70 years and here, Yirmeyahu was buying a field, as his right for redemption to do so was validated by his cousin.

Think about it for a moment – would Yirmeyahu live another 70 years?

What good would the field be to him?

Yet with this clear action of obedience to the Word of Elohim, we see a practical parable being displayed in action!

His actions certainly got the attention of the people, and, in a manner of speaking, he ‘put his money where his mouth was’!!!

יהוה spoke and He confirmed His Word through Ḥaname’ěl!

His Word is confirmed to us by His favour, or better put – His favour is confirmed to us by His Living Word!!!

Dawiḏ says in:

Tehillah/Psalm 119:58 “I have sought Your face with all my heart; show me favour according to Your word.”

In verse 8 Yirmeyahu says, ‘… And I knew that this was the Word of יהוה’.

Once again, picture the scene: this courageous prophet, who had been locked up, may have had some doubts about hearing from יהוה, especially as it wouldn’t have made any sense at all, to buy a field in a land that was about to be taken away by foreigners.

By birthright Yirmeyahu was eligible to perform the duty of kinsman redeemer, and so, he does what he is asked, having been assured and confident that this was indeed the Word of יהוה.

Yirmeyahu was strengthened by the Word of יהוה and proceeded with great confidence, even when it may have looked like a hopeless situation!

The actions here of Yirmeyahu, can speak many valuable lessons to us indeed, especially as we consider that we too must act in obedient faith to His Word, even in what may seem to be the most hopeless of situations!

Never let circumstances deter you from doing what the Word so clearly instructs, and is confirmed, in the hearing of the Truth that brings faith/belief!

The Hebrew word that is translated as the phrase ‘and I knew’ is וָאֵדַע – va’eḏa which comes from the root word יָדַע yaḏa – Strong’s H3045 which means, ‘to know, to acknowledge, clearly understand, to perceive, distinguish and discern’, and this verb can also render the ability to ‘know by experience’.

To ‘know’ יהוה implies the clear ability to ‘hear’ His voice and guard to do what He commands, for then He shall know His own!!!

Yoḥanan/John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

Despite Yisra’ĕl’s claim to ‘know’ יהוה, while they were clearly walking in rebellion to His commands, יהוה made it clear that despite their lip service, their actions proved that they did not ‘know’ Him!

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 1:3-4 “An ox knows its owner and a donkey its master’s crib – Yisra’ĕl does not know, My people have not understood.” 4 Alas, sinning nation, a people loaded with crookedness, a seed of evil-doers, sons acting corruptly! They have forsaken יהוה, they have provoked the Set-apart One of Yisra’ĕl, they went backward.”

In this rebuke given to a rebellious and apostate people, it is made clear that even an ox ‘knows’ its owner and a donkey knows its master’s crib, yet Yisra’ĕl do not know יהוה.

Here the word that is translated as ‘know’ is also from the Hebrew word יָדַע yaḏa – Strong’s H3045 and implies the ability to respond to and recognise the Master’s voice.

The Word of יהוה was confirmed to Yirmeyahu, by his uncle’s son coming to him, according to the Word of יהוה that came to him and he immediately knew that this was the Word of יהוה!

I think that this, in itself, is a valuable lesson for us today, as we take note how so many people may claim to ‘know’ the Word of יהוה, yet their actions prove otherwise, as they continue in their compromised lawless lifestyle, showing that they actually do not know the Word of Elohim, nor are they able to recognise the Truth of the Word of Elohim, when someone comes to speak the Truth to them.

Yirmeyahu knew the Word of יהוה and could therefore recognise the validity of the Word, being able to clearly discern the Word!

What we are also able to recognise here, is a classic shadow picture of our Kinsman Redeemer, יהושע Messiah, who came in the flesh, in order to become our legitimate Kinsman Redeemer, who legally has the right to redeem the field – that is the world!

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, through Him who is the likeness of the invisible Elohim, the first-born of all creation and legal Redeemer!

Yirmeyahu bought the field for 17 sheqels of silver, signed the deed and sealed it!

This purchase of the field, as the right of redemption in the face of exile and destruction, teaches us the power of the great work of redemption that our Master came and brought, us when He came in the flesh, in order to redeem us from the corruption and wickedness of sin, with the sure promise that our inheritance waits for us and has been sealed by His Blood!

In verse 7 the Hebrew word for redemption is גְּאֻלָּה geullah – Strong’s H1353 and simply means, ‘redemption, right of redemption, redemption rights’ and is the passive participle of the primitive root word גָּאַל ga’al – Strong’s H1350 meaning, ‘to redeem, act as kinsman, avenge, buy back, claim, redeemer, avenger of blood, rescue’.

This word is also used to refer to our Redeemer in the form גֹּאֲלִי ga’ali meaning, ‘my Redeemer’ as in:

Iyoḇ/Job 19:25 “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and as the Last shall rise over the dust”

In Tehillah/Psalm 103 Dawiḏ reminds us not to forget the dealings of יהוה – as He has Redeemed our life from destruction!

The deed was signed and sealed!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘signed’ comes from the primitive root verb כָּתַב kathaḇ – Strong’s H3789 which means, ‘to write, decree, inscribe, record, write down’.

The Hebrew word that is translated here as ‘sealed’ comes from the primitive root verb חָתַם ḥatham – Strong’s H2856 which means, ‘to seal, affix a seal, seal up’, and it is from this root that we get the Hebrew noun for ‘seal’, which is the word חֹתָם ḥotham – Strong’s H2368 which means, ‘a seal, signet ring’.

Why I mention this, is that we can be reminded that the names of the 12 tribes of Yisra’ĕl were to be engraved on the shoham stones of the High Priest’s garments, like the engraving of a signet – חֹתָם ḥotham – Strong’s H2368!

The Greek word that is used here in the LXX (Septuagint – Greek translation of the Tanak – O.T.) of this verse in Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 32:10 for ‘sealed’ is σφραγίζω sphragizō – Strong’s G4972 which means, ‘to seal, put a seal on, set’, and we gain a better understanding of what these actions of Yirmeyahu shadow picture for us, when recognising the work of redemption that our Master has done for us and the price His blood has paid for us to have the seal of our inheritance secured in Him!

Here are a couple of verses where we can find this word σφραγίζω sphragizō – Strong’s G4972 being used, so that we are able to get a better picture, in terms of what we are reading here in Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 32:

Eph’siyim/Ephesians 1:13-14 “in whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your deliverance, in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Set-apart Spirit of promise, 14 who is the pledge of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His esteem.”

In Sha’ul’s introduction to the believers in Ephesos, he was making it clear that we not only have, through יהושע Messiah, redemption and forgiveness, but that we have also been sealed with the Set-Apart Spirit of promise, who is the pledge of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession is fulfilled at His second coming!!!

Eph’siyim/Ephesians 4:30 “And do not grieve the Set-apart Spirit of Elohim, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

Yirmeyahu, after having signed and sealed the deed of purchase for the field, went and gave it to Baruḵ son of Neriyyah, son of Maḥsĕyah, in the presence of his cousin and many witnesses who too had signed the deed of purchase before all the officials who sat in the court of the guard where Yirmeyahu was being held prisoner!

The name Baruḵ – בָּרוּךְStrong’s H1263 means, ‘blessed’, and he was the son of נֵרִיָּה Neriyyah – Strong’s H5374 which means, ‘lamp of Yah’, which was the son of מַחְסֵיָה Maḥsĕyah – Strong’s H4271 which means, ‘Yah is a refuge, Yah is a shelter’.

These names carry a very powerful message for us too, as we consider how Baruḵ was a faithful scribe to Yirmeyahu, as we see by their names the clear message that:

BLESSED IS THE LAMP OF YAH, FOR YAH IS A REFUGE

We are clearly told in Scripture that the Name of יהוה is a strong tower and the righteous run into it and are safe (Mishlĕ/Proverbs 18:10).

In Ḥazon/Revelation we are clearly told that the Lamb, which is יהושע Messiah, is the Lamp, and it is in Him that we are sealed and find our shelter and refuge in times of distress, having the full assurance that our redemption draws near!

Yirmeyahu commanded Baruḵ, according to the Word of יהוה of Hosts, to take both deeds – the sealed one and the open one – and put them in an earthen vessel, so that they remain many days!!!

Many days indeed – at least another 71 years, as this was 1 year before the exile would take place!

In this clear instruction, we are once again given some very powerful pictures indeed!

With the two copies of the deed being placed in an earthen vessel, we are able to see a picture of the two tablets of stone that were placed in the Ark of the Covenant, which, in turn, clearly pictures for us the clear words of His Covenant being placed upon our hearts and sealed with His Spirit!

One sealed and one open, also teaches us that while His word is sealed and is secured in the Master, it is not hidden from us, but it is on our hearts and in our mouths to do it, for He has revealed His Word to us through the life, death and resurrection of Messiah, our Kinsman Redeemer!

We are the earthen vessels upon which He has set His seal and entrusted us with His Word, for many days!

Days that we are to endure and hold firm our calling and inheritance in the Master!

Qorintiyim Bět/2 Corinthians 4:6-10 “For Elohim, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts for the enlightening of the knowledge of the esteem of Elohim in the face of יהושע Messiah. 7 And we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the excellence of the power might be of Elohim, and not of us – 8 being hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; being perplexed, but not in despair; 9 being persecuted, but not forsaken; being thrown down, but not destroyed; 10 always bearing about in the body the dying of the Master יהושע, that the life of יהושע might also be manifested in our body.”

This treasure is our title deed to our inheritance in His land – that is the earth and everything in it, for it belongs to Him and He has redeemed it by His Blood, and the assurance we have in Him is that the meek shall inherit the earth – an inheritance that awaits the faithful set-apart ones who endure until the end!

We are the very earthen vessels in which He has placed His Words, which must remain for many days and be preserved in righteousness!

Under the right conditions, documents can be kept in earthen vessels for a very long time, as the Dead Sea scrolls that were found are a testimony of this fact, teaching us that we too have this treasure of His promises in earthen vessels!

What I found to be very interesting, is that the Greek word that is translated here in Qorintiyim Bět/2 Corinthians 4:7 as ‘treasure’ is θησαυρός thēsauros – Strong’s G2344 which means, ‘treasure, storehouse, magazine, repository’, and refers to, ‘the place in which good and precious things are collected and laid up’.

The English word ‘thesaurus’, in general use, is a reference work that lists words grouped together, according to similarity of meaning (containing synonyms and sometimes antonyms).

The main purpose of such reference works is to help the user “to find the word, or words, by which [an] idea may be most fitly and aptly expressed”.

Do you see what treasure we have been given – it is not just some random words, but the very living Words of our Master that He has put in us, in helping us to ‘find’ the proper words and actions that can be most fitly applied to every situation!

He has put His thesaurus in us, so to speak!!!

His Word is so powerful that it enables us to rightly divide and discern the Truth so that we can behave and live as true set-apart ones in complete righteousness, even whilst we are in exile and are faithfully enduring, looking for the blessed expectation and esteemed appearance of the great Elohim and our Saviour יהושע Messiah!

יהוה made it very clear to Yirmeyahu that houses and fields would once again be bought in this land, and this was the sure sign that He was giving to them, through the obedient actions of this courageous prophet who was imprisoned in the court guard and facing exile!

After having signed, sealed and delivered the documents to Baruḵ, Yirmeyahu prayed to יהוה, and began his prayer by focusing on the incomparable greatness and excellency of יהוה, declaring that nothing is too hard for יהוה!

He proclaims great and mighty are the works of יהוה of Hosts, who by His great power and outstretched arm He made the heavens and earth and shows loving-commitment to thousands and repays the crookednesses of fathers into the bosoms of their children after them.

He praised Elohim for His might and power, for with a strong Hand and Outstretched Arm He brought Yisra’ĕl out of Mitsrayim and gave them the land promised to Aḇraham!

He then acknowledges the fact that Yisra’ĕl had sinned and did not obey the voice of Elohim nor walk in His Torah and did not do what was commanded.

This was the reason they were in the position they were in, with exile facing them in the face and the wrath of Elohim being ready to be poured out through the sword, famine and plague about which they had been warned!

Yet despite all of this that was happening and about to happen, Yirmeyahu confirms his faith in Elohim by saying that he did what he was commanded and bought a field in the city that was being taken captive!

יהוה then confirms the words, of this powerful prayer of praise, to Yirmeyahu, by asking Him a clear rhetorical question: “Is there any matter too hard for me?”

In the Hebrew text, this phrase is written as follows:

הֲמִמֶּנִּי יִפָּלֵא כָּל־דָּבָר – hamimmenniy yippaleya kol-daḇar

This phrase could be expressed as: ‘is there anything too wondrous for My Word?’

We can put full assurance in the Word of יהוה, knowing that His Word is sufficient and there is nothing too hard or wondrous for His Word, for it is by His Word that we can do all things!

The word יִפָּלֵא – yippaleya comes from the root word פָּלָא pala – Strong’s H6381 which means, ‘to be surpassing or extraordinary, make marvellous, make special, wondrous work or deed, fulfil a special vow’, and it is written in the niphal passive tense, which can render the meaning of, ‘to be beyond one’s power, be difficult to do, to be difficult to understand, to be wonderful, be extraordinary’

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘matter’ is דָּבָר daḇar – Strong’s H1697 which means, ‘speech, word, matter, acts’.

The Word of יהוה is living and active and His Word does not return empty:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 55:11 “so is My Word that goes forth from My mouth – it does not return to Me empty, but shall do what I please, and shall certainly accomplish what I sent it for.”

Iyoḇ/Job 42:1-2 “And Iyoḇ̱ answered יהוה and said, 2 “You know that You are able to do all, and that no purpose is withheld from You.”

In essence, we are seeing that this rhetorical question basically asks the following:

“Is it beyond the power and the extraordinary and wonderful Word of יהוה?”

We have the full assurance of our Master that His Word is sufficient, and we must not waver in unbelief and doubt the Word of יהוה.

While the use of the word דָּבָר daḇar – Strong’s H1697 which means, ‘speech, word, matter, acts’ is most certainly understood here as being ‘matter’ or ‘anything’ or even ‘act’, we recognise that the ‘actions’ of Elohim are based on His sure Word!

What is being asked here is whether or not that which He says He will do is impossible or too hard for Him to do, and the answer is most certainly ‘NO’!

This is a sobering wake up call for all of us, especially in times where we consider that certain circumstances seem to crowd out the possibility of the extraordinary and wonderful work of Elohim to be made manifest.

What is being made very clear here is that there is absolutely nothing that is too hard for יהוה!

He can do anything and we should never doubt, nor underestimate what He says He can and will do, through His Word!

Yirmeyahu, while certainly declaring this truth in his prayer (verse 17), would have certainly been strengthened and encouraged by these words of יהוה, for I am sure that he would have been reminded of the first time that we see יהוה saying these words, when He said them in:

Berěshith/Genesis 18:14 “Is any matter too hard for יהוה? At the appointed time I am going to return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah is to have a son.”

These were the words that יהוה spoke to Aḇraham after Sarah had laughed when hearing that she would have a child!

יהוה made it clear that she would have a child at the appointed time spoken by Him, and this too would have been an urgent reminder to Yirmeyahu, as he heard these same words that would give him the full assurance that the Word of יהוה never fails, as His loving-commitment endures forever!

He then continues on and confirms to Yirmeyahu what was going to take place, yet promised that He would gather His people back to this land and put His fear in their hearts and that fields and houses would indeed be bought in this land again.

Therefore, the deed of purchase that Yirmeyahu signed, sealed and delivered to be kept in an earthen vessel for many days, was a sure sign and proof of this clear promise!

These people had the prophetic word made certain, through the clear actions of Yirmeyahu and this called for an endurance of many days!

We too have this full assurance of the prophetic words of our inheritance in our Master made certain and would do well to endure and keep shining the light of this Truth amidst a dark and depraved world!

Kěpha made this clear to us, in his second letter:

Kěpha Bět/ 2 Peter 1:19-21 “And we have the prophetic word made more certain, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture came to be of one’s own interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the desire of man, but men of Elohim spoke, being moved by the Set-apart Spirit.”

As we consider the event that took place here, in Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 32, we are able to grasp, more clearly, the full assurance that we have in our Great Kinsman Redeemer, who has put His treasure in our hearts and set His seal upon us, so that we can continue shining the light of this truth, knowing that no matter is too hard for our Mighty Master and Elohim, יהוה of Hosts!

Our Master and Elohim, Redeemer and King, יהושע Messiah has purchased the field and in His Blood our inheritance is secured! How are you living?

Have you counted the cost and ‘sold all you have’ in order to ‘buy that field’?

Have you found the pearl of great price – that entrance into the reign, and have forsaken all to follow the One who has paid the price of the field? Or have the current circumstances that you have found yourself in caused you to remain chained in bondage to the things of the flesh and have been unable to see the truth that nothing is too hard for Elohim?

I hope that this message stirs in you the belief/faith that Yirmeyahu displayed, by being a doer of the Word and not just a hearer only!

He was not just a proclaimer, but he properly showed his belief, in works of obedience to the Word, despite the impending exile and his captive state of being held prisoner by those who hated to hear the truth!

Yirmeyahu could faithfully depend upon the Word of יהוה, even if he did not know or fully understand how it would be physically accomplished!

Yerushalayim was going to be burned because of the idolatry of יהוה’s called out one’s, yet Yirmeyahu could put full confidence in the Word of יהוה, and this we can learn a great deal from, as we have the Word made sure for us in the life, death and resurrection of our Master, giving us the sure promise and seal of our inheritance, in His Blood, by which we are grafted into His Covenants of Promise!

The field has been purchased and our inheritance has been secured – how are you living?

Is your faith clearly seen in your daily actions of obedience or have you allowed an enslaved mind-set to cause you to doubt the sure promises of Elohim, promises that are yes and aměn in Messiah?

I trust and pray that by this very real and practical parable, as portrayed through the actions of Yirmeyahu, it will stir in you the clear confidence, hope and courage to endure many days, as you have this treasure of His Truth in your earthen vessel!

You are the salt and light of the world. The Lamp of Yah is in you and may you therefore not hide that lamp ,but be as Giḏ’on’s men, who had a clay vessel with a light in it in one hand and a shofar in the other, and at the command of Giḏ’on they broke their vessels and let the light shine, while blowing the shofar, and brought about a complete destruction of the enemy, by the Hand of Elohim, which you can read about in Shophetim/Judges 7!

The pictures of the shofars, the jars and the torches can give us a great lesson of how we are to be overcomers in יהושע Messiah, as we read in:

Timotiyos Bět/2 Timothy 2:19-22 “However, the solid foundation of Elohim stands firm, having this seal, “יהוה knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the Name of Messiah turn away from unrighteous-ness.” 20 But in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some unto value and some unto no value. 21 If, then, anyone cleanses himself from these matters, he shall be a vessel unto value, having been set apart, of good use to the Master, having been prepared for every good work. 22 And flee from the lusts of youth, but pursue righteousness, belief, love, peace with those calling on the Master out of a clean heart.”

We who have cleansed ourselves from all unrighteousness shall be a vessel unto value, having been set-apart and of good use to our Master!

Our Master and Elohim, יהושע Messiah, came in the flesh and defeated sin, and He calls us to walk as He walked, and this will take the clear responsibility of a true remnant to break off the things of the flesh, and surrender totally into the hands of our King, becoming a vessel unto value that holds firm the true witness of Messiah and guards the commands of Elohim.

May we all learn from the committed and faithful actions of obedience displayed by Yirmeyahu!

There was still much pressure and hardship that he would face and have to endure, yet what would have certainly been a strengthening assurance to him was the sure Word of יהוה, and the promise of His Word made certain, through the clear promise of this sealed deed of purchase, that was to be kept in an earthen vessel many days!

While we too will face many pressures and persecutions, let us hold fast the wonderful seal of our inheritance, as we guard His treasure that is in us with great joy and an expectation that will not fail!

FIELD PURCHASED – INHERITANCE SECURED!

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.

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!

Shalom all,

Today being Day 45 of our counting to SHAḆUOTH, means that in another 5 days’ time, we shall be celebrating the Feast of SHAḆUOTH – also commonly known as the Bread Feast! As we continue to count, we are further equipped to recognise, rejoice and celebrate this season of counting, being reminded how this day that we count to, pictures for us a ‘receiving’ of our Master’s Word into our hearts!

And so, it is with great joy and expectation, that we come together as a unified body, with a continued expectation for His infilling of His magnificent presence, to be made manifest in all of our lives, as His Spirit equips us to walk in unity, as we allow His Word to mature us, in Him!

In this season that we find ourselves in, as we count to 50, we are reminded of how we are to be a “hearing, guarding and doing, of the Torah, people”, as we diligently allow His word to be worked in and through us, maturing us to become an acceptable wave offering unto Elohim, in the hands of our Mighty High Priest and King, יהושע Messiah.

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 23:18 “For who has stood in the counsel of יהוה, and has seen and heard His word? Who has listened to His word and obeyed it?”

יהושע Messiah came to open the eyes of the blind and open the ears of the deaf! And, in Him, we are able to ‘hear’ and ‘see’, the wonder of His truth and walk faithfully in it.

Yirmeyahu asked an extremely valid and very relevant question that is still as relevant today as it was back then, when he asked the following, “who has listened to His Word and obeyed it?”

What is such a sad picture for us today, is how so many have NOT listened and therefore, they are unable to properly obey! Many may have tried to listen, yet do not do, showing that they are simply hearers of the Word only, and are as Yeshayahu prophesied, saying that they are hearing but note hearing, seeing but not perceiving!

Ya’aqoḇ tells us to become doers of the Word and not just hearers only, lest we deceive ourselves!!!

Ya’aqoḇ/James 1:21-25 “Therefore put away all filthiness and overflow of evil, and receive with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your lives. 22 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..”

As we think about the Feast of Shaḇuoth, we are reminded to celebrate the implanted Word that we have received from our Master, and as humble servants of the Most-High, we guard that good deposit by becoming doers of the Word and not only hearers!

The Greek word that is used here for ‘implanted’ is ἔμφυτος emphutos – Strong’s G1721 which means, ‘engrafted, implanted by nature, implanted by another’s instruction’, which is constructed from two Greek words:

1) ἐν en – Strong’s G1722 which is a primary preposition denoting a fixed position (in place, time or state) meaning, ‘in or on, with, by’; and

2) φύω phuō – Strong’s G5453 which is a verb meaning, ‘to bring forth, produce, spring up, to be born’.

What we are able to clearly recognise is that our Teacher of Righteousness has come and caused His word to be engrafted upon our hearts and by His Spirit He has implanted the Good Deposit that must spring up and produce the fruit of righteousness!

As we continue to seek first the reign of Elohim and His righteousness, we must make sure that we do not sow His good seed among thorns that choke out the Word, but keep our hearts pure, clean and undefiled as we put away all filthiness and overflow of evil! This we can only do when we become doers of the Word and not hearers only!!!

Sadly, so many are deceived into not doing what they should be hearing, and this further shows us that they actually have not listened as they should, nor are they interested in listening to the Word of יהוה.

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”

The Greek word translated as ‘does’ here is ποιέω poieō – Strong’s G4160 which means, ‘to make, do, accomplish, keep, work, acts’. A derivative of this word is ποιητής poiētēs – Strong’s G4163 which means, ‘a doer, a maker’, and is used in the passage I have just quoted from, in Ya’aqoḇ/James 1:21-25.

The Greek word that is translated as ‘doing’ (of the Torah), in Ya’aqoḇ/James 1:25 is also a derivative of ποιέω poieō – Strong’s G4160, and is the word ποίησις poiēsis – Strong’s G4162 which means, ‘deed, making, doing, performing, in his doing (in the obedience he renders the law)’.

These verses are very clear, in telling us that the true hearer of the word, guards it and performs it, as his obedience renders the law under which he submits!

There are many people who claim to be ‘doing’ what the Word says, yet they are simply living lawless lives as their actions reveal their clear disregard for the Torah and are merely ‘doing’ lawlessness, which is to be operating or performing acts without clear instructions:

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 3:4 “Everyone doing sin also does lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.”

The Greek word here, as we know, for sin is ἁμαρτία hamartia – Strong’s G266 which means, ‘sin, failure, miss the mark, to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honour, to do or go wrong’, and also carries the meaning of, ‘wandering from the law of Elohim, violate the law of Elohim’. We also know, yet I will once again remind you, that the Greek word used for ‘lawlessness’ is ἀνομία anomia – Strong’s G458 meaning, ‘lawlessness or lawless deeds, unrighteousness’ and comes from the word ἄνομος anomos – Strong’s G459 meaning, ‘lawless or without law, transgressors’.

This verse spells it out very plainly, for those who seem to miss the fact that to not walk in the Torah is sin!

It is as though Yoḥanan was spelling out this fact very bluntly and was being straightforward, for those who struggle with a Greek mind-set and see no need to walk in the Torah! Well, right here, in the Greek text, it is clear – If you are lawless (that is to walk contrary to the Torah) then you are indeed sinning!

Those who are hearers only, and are not doers of the Torah, are sinners!!!

Shaḇuoth, and the proper observance thereof, reminds us that we are a redeemed Bride of Messiah, that continues to walk in His Torah and uphold His Kingdom rules, being reminded that we have ears to hear what the Spirit says to His Bride, and by having ears to hear, we know that it implies the necessary doing of what we hear! Our belief comes by the hearing of the Word and with ears that hear, the proper obedient doing thereof!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘listened’, in Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 23:18, is קָשַׁב qashaḇ – Strong’s H7181 and means, ‘to incline (ears), to attend to, pay or give attention to, listen, heed, mark, marked well’.

Repeatedly, throughout the Scriptures, we see the call to ‘listen’, as well as the clear rebuke for a nation who would not listen, nor give heed to the words of the prophets, who continually called a backsliding people back to the Torah.

Some translations have this word translated as ‘paid attention’!

We know that if people actually paid attention to the Word and did what it actually says, they would not find themselves in the terrible confused mess that they are being consumed in.

Most will rather listen, and pay attention, to what their twisted traditions say – traditions that have been born out of falsified interpretations that are simply designed to satisfy the selfishness of the flesh, rather than to submit to, and obey, the truth of walking according to the Spirit.

The KJV translates this word קָשַׁב qashaḇ – Strong’s H7181 as ‘marked’ – and, in many ways, I kind of like that idea of asking the question of who has marked the Word of Elohim, for it says, “… who has ‘marked’ His Word and heard it?”

Those who have ‘marked’ His Word, and continue to do so, can be a picture for us of those who have an identifying ‘mark’ that distinguishes them from others! Having the distinctive, or emphasised, character of Messiah, clearly seen in their daily living conduct, as they reveal a loving obedience to the Word, as they walk in The Torah, showing that they ‘hear, guard and do’ the Torah of Elohim!

This root word קָשַׁב qashaḇ – Strong’s H7181, emphasises the idea of being marked as true hearers of the Word, and here is why I say that: when we see this word in the ancient pictographic script, we can see this meaning being clearly presented.

In the ancient pictographic script, the root word קָשַׁב qashaḇ – Strong’s H7181 which means, ‘to incline (ears), to attend to, pay or give attention to, listen, heed, mark, marked well’, is pictured as follows:

Quph – קֹ:

This is the letter ‘quph’, which is pictured as , and is a ‘horizon’ and depicts the elements of ‘time’, as it pictures the sun in its rising and setting. It therefore carries the meaning of ‘circle’ or ‘to go around’, representing for us both, appointed cycles or times as well as eternity and speaks of continual adherence to the Appointed Times.

Shin – שׁ:

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.

Beyt – בָּ:

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.

In terms of understanding the meaning of this root word that is translated as ‘marked, listened’, we can see from these pictographs, a wonderful understanding of what true hearers are marked by, as it can render for us the following:

CONTINUALLY MEDITATING ON THE WORD OF THE HOUSE!

We are the Dwelling Place/House of Elohim, being built up as living stones in Messiah, and as faithful hearers and doers of the Word, we meditate day and night on His Torah, for then we shall be blessed and be guarded to walk in, and stay in, paths of righteousness!

While we know that the Sabbath shall be a sign between יהוה and us forever, and guarding it, by all means, marks us, in Him, we also recognise that we are marked, in Him, by walking according to ALL His commands, which we are able to do, when we are true hearers that have properly listened, and continue, to pay close attentions to doing what His Word commands!

In this message, which I have called, “MARKED BY FIVES!”, I want us to take a closer look at a passage of Scripture that carries great prophetic shadow pictures of Messiah! A passage that highlights a great king, who was, in one sense, marked by 5’s!

Please turn with me to Shemuʼěl Aleph/1 Samuel 21:1-6 (Read).

This passage struck me again this week, as I looked a little deeper into what this event, of Dawiḏ and the eating of the set-apart bread, actually pictures for us, in proclaiming our Beloved High Priest and King, יהושע Messiah.

One of the many ridiculous reasons, that many try to use as an excuse to not keep Sabbath, is that they say that Dawiḏ broke the Sabbath and was blameless!

In Mattithyahu/Matthew 12 we are given the account where יהושע went through the grain fields, on the Sabbath, and some of His taught ones were hungry and so, they plucked some of the grain and ate it.

This angered the Pharisees, who had accused them of breaking the Sabbath, according to their own traditions; to which יהושע responded, by referring to this event that we have read in Shemuʼěl Aleph/1 Samuel 21:1-6, and He asks them if they had not read of this account – where Dawiḏ ate bread that only priests were permitted to eat!

Messiah was actually presenting a clear message of who He was, by pointing them back to Dawiḏ and this specific event – yet they were unable to see the Truth contained herein!

We see this interaction, between Messiah and the Pharisees, also being recorded in Luqas/Luke 6 and Marqos/Mark 2 – and in each account, we see Messiah proclaiming that “The Son of Aḏam is Master of the Sabbath”.

This was a powerful moment, in Messiah declaring who He is, yet, under the ridiculous veil of vain traditions, the Pharisees could not see this Beloved King, and Master of the Sabbath, who was right before their eyes.

The vain traditions of man continue to put a veil over so many today, who are being blinded by deceptive teachings, and sadly, they cannot see the simplicity of what the Word is revealing to us, through the Life, Death and Resurrection of Messiah.

In this message, I want to briefly highlight some very powerful insights from this text in Shemuʼěl Aleph/1 Samuel 21:1-6, as we look at a man who was, in many ways, ‘MARKED BY FIVES!’.

Ok, at this point you may be asking yourself, what do I mean by ‘marked by fives’?

I ask that you please bear with me, for as we go through this text and look at some very powerful revelations, you will understand what I mean!

The name of דָּוִד Dawiḏ – Strong’s H1732, as I am sure you know, means, ‘beloved’.

Now, what many might not know, is that the Name Dawiḏ, as spelt with the three letters: דָּוִד ‘dalet’ ‘vav’ ‘dalet’, is pictured in the ancient pictographic script, as follows:

Dalet – דֶ:

This is the letter ‘dalet’ which is pictured as , which is a ‘tent door’. It can also have the meaning of a back and forth movement, as one goes back and forth through a tent door and so speaks of an access point.

It can also carry the meaning of ‘dangle’ or hanging as the tent door would hang from the roof pole of the tent.

It speaks a great deal in terms of understanding the door of the tent of appointment as the only means of access. And we also know that Messiah is ‘The Door’, for we only are able to have access into the Kingdom through Him!

The commands are also to be written on the doorposts teaching us to remember to guard the commands of Elohim as we go out and come in, so that our going out and coming is in peace!

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 down of 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’.

Dawiḏ was a faithful servant of the Most-High and the Hebrew word for a servant is עֶבֶד eḇeḏ, which we have looked at before, in the ancient pictographic script, and recognise that it speaks of “One who watches at the door of the house” – and as we know – this is what our Master calls us to do – to keep watch at the door; and when we consider that יהושע Messiah is The Door, then we further see our need to continually be looking at Him, guarding to do all His commands – and this is how we too, keep watch over the House/Body of Messiah!

With the name of Dawiḏ being spelt with the letters ‘dalet–vav–dalet’, we see, in the ancient pictogrpahic script, ‘a tent door – a tent peg – a tent door’ – all representing that which gives access to, and secures our access into, the Dwelling Place of the Most High!

In the design of the Tabernacle, there are two doors!

There is the ‘gate’ of the courtyard, as described in Shemoth/Exodus 27:16-17 is translated from the Hebrew root word שַׁעַר sha’ar – Strong’s H8179 which means, ‘gate, door’, which covering was made with blue, purple and scarlet material, and fine woven linen, and had four columns and four sockets.

The 4 columns had bands of silver and the hooks were of silver and the sockets were of bronze.

The silver represents the redemption price that has been paid for our lives.

Then there is the ‘door’ of the Dwelling Place, as described in Shemoth/Exodus 26:36-37, which is tranlsated from the Hebrew root word פֶּתַח pethaḥ – Strong’s H6607 which means, ‘opening, doorway, entrance’, which covering was also made with blue, purple and scarlet material, and fine woven linen, yet this door had five columns and five sockets – with the columns being overlayed with gold and the hooks of gold, and the sockets were also of bronze.

The main difference between the two doors, is that the courtyard gate had bands of silver, while the door to the Dwelling Place was overlayed with gold and collectively, they speak of the fullness of the redeeming work of our King:

Zeḵaryah/Zechariah 13:9 “And I shall bring the third into fire, and refine them as silver is refined, and try them as gold is tried. They shall call on My Name, and I shall answer them. I shall say, ‘This is My people,’ while they say, ‘יהוה is my Elohim.’ ”

Why am I sharing this with you?

Well, here in the name of Dawiḏ, we see the shadow picture of the great redemptive work of our Beloved Redeemer and King, יהושע Messiah, who is the Door, and as we consider the design of the Tabernacle, we are able to see how we, metaphorically, come to Him, The Door, and confess our sins, repent and are immersed in Him, through water!

And we come in through the courtyard Door and accept His sacrifice, as pictured through the Slaughter-Place that is between the 2 doors in the Tabernacle. As we consider the bronze slaughter-place, and how our Master took the nails for our sins, we eat the Pěsaḥ Meal, and present our bodies as a daily living sacrifice, and are continually cleansed through the washing of His Word, which the bronze laver represents for us.

Having been cleansed and set-apart through His sacrifice, and the washing of the Word, we have further access, to come in through the Door of the Dwelling Place, as we serve as a royal priesthood! And in His Blood, the veil has been torn (that is His flesh), so that we not only come through the second Door, but in doing so, we are able to boldly come into the Most Set-Apart place, to the throne of favour, in which we now stand, in Messiah, who intercedes for us, as our beloved High Priest!

The reason for me highlighting this, through us looking at the name of king Dawiḏ, is so that we can further understand more insight into this event of Dawiḏ and the eating of the showbread.

Dawiḏ was being hunted by king Sha’ul, and here in this chapter, we see him coming to Noḇ, which was a priestly city, which can also carry the meaning of ‘fruitful, flourish, bear fruit’, and he came to the priest אֲחִימֶלֶךְ Aḥimeleḵ – Strong’s H288 which means, ‘my brother is king’.

Aḥimeleḵ asks Dawiḏ what he was doing there and Dawiḏ, in a sense, tells him that he is on a confidential mission; and in one sense, it may have been an act of caution on his part, for he may have assumed that all the priests were loyal to Sha’ul. However, I see a greater shadow picture here, in that here we have this king, who already having been anointed by Shemuʼěl as king, had not yet taken up His Kingly role, for Sha’ul was still on the throne.

What would unfold here, is a clear shadow picture of the first coming of Messiah, who would come to proclaim the Kingdom, yet not come in the capacity as King, but rather as provider, and the Door to the Kingdom.

Dawiḏ tells Aḥimeleḵ, the priest, that he had directed his men to such and such a place – which kind of sounds very odd, when translated into English as ‘such and such a place’ – which, in the Hebrew, is written as follows:

מְקוֹם פְּלֹנִי אַלְמוֹנִי – ‘meqom peloniy alemoniy’

The Hebrew root words that are used are as follows: מָקוֹם maqom – Strong’s H489 which means, ‘standing place, home’ and פְּלֹנִי peloni – Strong’s H6423 which means, ‘a certain one’ and comes from the root verb פָּלָה palah – Strong’s H6395 which means, ‘to be separated or distinct, distinguished, set-apart’ and the third word is אַלְמֹנִי almoni – Strong’s H492 which means, ‘someone, a certain one’ and comes from the noun אַלְמֹן almon – Strong’s H489 meaning, ‘widowhood’ which comes from the word אָלַם alam – Strong’s H481 meaning, ‘put to silence’.

Now, when we see that he sent his men to ‘such and such a place’, what may, at first, seem very insignificant, I believe holds a powerful message of redemption and the call to repentance, to a forsaken bride, who by her sin, had been put to silence, and Her redeemer had now come to call her home!!!

This sending his young men with a message, of redemption, is symbolic of the message of the prophets that have been sent to call a called-out nation back to the Torah!

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 44:4 “And I sent to you all My servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, “Please do not do this abominable matter that I hate!”

Mattithyahu/Matthew 23:34 “Because of this, see, I send you prophets, and wise men, and scholars of Scripture. Some of them you shall kill and impale, and some of them you shall flog in your congregations and persecute from city to city”

These words Messiah said to the hypocritical Pharisees and Sadducees, after severely rebuking them!

What is clear, is that many have been sent with the Kingdom message, and the majority have not listened, nor paid attention!

Dawiḏ then asks Aḥimeleḵ, the priest, what he had on hand and tells Aḥimeleḵ to give him five loaves of bread into his hand, or whatever is found. Aḥimeleḵ then responds and tells him that there was no ‘ordinary bread’ on hand, but only the set-apart bread which was from the showbread table.

Herein lies a very powerful shadow picture of the work of Messiah, being unfolded right here, amidst a time of wickedness, under the reign of Sha’ul.

The Bread that was given to Dawiḏ and his men, was from the showbread table that was replaced each Shabbat, and it was only permissible for priests to eat!

So then what is Dawiḏ picturing for us here, by this amazing event, especially as we consider that the showbread was for the priesthood?

Wayyiqra/Leviticus 24:8-9 “On every Sabbath he is to arrange it before יהוה continually, from the children of Yisra’ĕl – an everlasting covenant. 9 “And it shall be for Aharon and his sons, and they shall eat it in the set-apart place, because it is most set-apart to him from the offerings of יהוה made by fire – an everlasting law.”

Dawiḏ, by asking the priest what he had on hand and told him to put five loaves into his hand, we see a very powerful shadow picture of the change of the priesthood that would take place by Messiah!

A change from the Lĕwitical priesthood to the order of Malkitseḏeq – The Righteous King!

Aḥimeleḵ, the priest, tells him that only the set-apart bread was available – this was the bread that had been replaced by new fresh bread!

The bread on the showbread table was 12 loaves!!! I hope that you can see the link here!

Dawiḏ asks for 5 loaves, or whatever there was, and he got the showbread and while we may not know if he got all 12, as the priests had to eat of it too, we certainly see how he, symbolically, was given 12 into his hand.

I am sure that you can all remember the miracle of the feeding of the 5000 – where Messiah took 5 loaves and 2 fish and fed the 5000, after which, 12 full baskets of leftovers was gathered up.

This miracle of the feeding the 5000, and the gathering of the 12 baskets, spoke about Messiah, the Bread of Life, who came to fully meet, and proclaim, the Torah and restore the Covenant with all the 12 tribes of Yisra’ĕl.

In this feeding, He would have also been pointing back to this event where Dawiḏ ate and supplied food for his men, thus declaring to the crowds that He was, in fact, the Rod that came forth from the stump of Yishai (Yeshayahu/Isaiah 11:1)!

This set-apart bread that was brought out from the set-apart place, also represents for us Messiah, The Bread of life which came from heaven – and unless we eat of Him, we have no part in Him!!!

Another interesting picture that we are able to see from the life of Dawiḏ, is that, in being a man who, I like to say, was ‘marked by fives’, is how we can also remember that when he went against Golyath, he picked up five smooth stones!!!

The Hebrew word for ‘five’ is חָמֵשׁ ḥamesh – Strong’s H2568 and is related to the root word חֲמֻשִׁים ‘ḥamushiym – Strong’s H2571 which means, ‘in battle array or military formation’, as used in:

Shemoth/Exodus 13:18 “So Elohim led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Sea of Reeds. And the children of Yisra’ĕl went up armed from the land of Mitsrayim.”

This being ‘armed’, signifies being equipped for battle and its relation to the word ‘five/fives’, pictures for us how the full armour that equips us to stand in Messiah, is the Torah.

Yisra’ěl came out of Mitsrayim, in an orderly manner, very disciplined and each one in his position, guided under the authority of the instructions of Elohim, as given through Mosheh!

There was no chaos! I want to make it clear that there is order in walking according to the Torah of יהוה and we cannot have everyone doing whatever he sees fit to do in his own eyes! There is order, especially as we ‘come out’ of slavery! Just because we have been released from slavery, and from man’s institutionalised religion, it does not give us licence to be lawless!!!

On the contrary, we have a clearly defined set of laws/instructions, as given by our very own Elohim and King!

Coming out in ‘fives’ not only signifies order, but can also point to the 5 books of Mosheh – the Torah – which gives us clear direction and is a light to our path! And it can also fit well, in describing the redemption price of the firstborn, as five sheqels of silver! Yisra’ĕl had been redeemed and bought at a price!

Dawiḏ was a man of order – ‘marked by fives’ – a man who loved the Torah of Elohim!

What is interesting to take note of, through the life of Dawiḏ, is the action of taking the 5 stones that he picked up and the 5 loaves that he asked for! A clear picture of showing us the analogy of stones to bread – that is a picture of the commands no longer on stone, but on fleshly tablets of our hearts – as we eat of the Bread of life. And this is what we celebrate and remember with the feast of Shaḇuoth!

After 40 days of being in the wilderness, Messiah was tempted by Satan and as you will recall, from:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 4:3-4 “And the trier came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of Elohim, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answering, said, “It has been written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of יהוה.’ ”

We must recognize that Satan knows the Scriptures (at least the letter of the Scriptures) and He was tempting Messiah to prove that He was, in fact, the expected King from the line of Dawiḏ!

Messiah did not fall for this temptation and made it clear that we live by the Word of Elohim and not by bread alone – our life comes from every word that comes from the mouth of יהוה and to disregard the need to live by the Living Words of יהוה, is to disregard life, that יהושע Messiah, The Bread/Manna from Heaven, came to give us!

The link between bread and stones, is a common theme in Scripture, as we also see in the words of Messiah, in:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 7:8-9 “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened. 9 “Or is there a man among you who, if his son asks for bread, shall give him a stone?”

Our earnest seeking of our Master’s Kingdom and His righteousness, will not be met with letters that kill, but rather with the life-giving Bread that builds the Dwelling Place of the Most-High!

And so, by these parallel pictures that we see between stone and bread and how, in Messiah, we can overcome the tests and temptations that we face every day, being armed in His Torah, we can slay the giants that we face! For the weapons we fight with are not fleshly, but mighty in Elohim for overthrowing strongholds, overthrowing reasonings and every high matter that exalts itself against the knowledge of Elohim, taking captive every thought to make it obedient to the Messiah, and being ready to punish all disobedience, when our obedience is complete. (Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 10:4-6)

As ‘Living Stones’, we do not live according to the decaying traditions of man and the lusts of the flesh, but we live by the very Living Word, as we eat our daily Bread and share in Messiah’s sufferings, and we can count it all joy when we fall into various trials and rejoice, in order that we might rejoice exultingly at the revelation of His esteem.

Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 4:12-13 “Beloved ones, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that is coming upon you, to try you, as though some unusual matter has befallen you, 13 but as you share Messiah’s sufferings, rejoice, in order that you might rejoice exultingly at the revelation of His esteem.”

As Dawiḏ – may our lives be ‘marked by fives’ – and by that, I mean – may we take up the armour of Elohim (His Torah) and walk orderly in Messiah, as we proclaim His Good News to the nations.

Dawiḏ’s life portrayed some great prophetic insights for us, giving us the much-needed hope, we have in Messiah, our Anointed High Priest and soon coming King – and we have the joyful responsibility to be ‘marked by fives’ in our obedient worship unto our Might Master and King, amidst a wicked and crooked generation.

The kingship of Sha’ul was a wicked one and with Dawiḏ coming and asking for 5 loaves from the priest, and receiving the showbread that was permitted for priests alone, we are able to clearly see a distinctive prophetic marker, in these recorded events of Scripture, where Dawiḏ’s authority to receive the showbread and give it to his men, shadow pictures our Messiah, who is our King, who came as a servant and by His taught ones being falsely accused for breaking the law, by eating the heads of grain on the Sabbath, יהושע refers back to the events of Dawiḏ taking the showbread, which prophetically marked him as a shadow picture of Messiah, our King and High Priest in the order of Malkitseḏeq.

With Messiah, declaring that the Son of Aḏam is Master of the Sabbath, he used the events of Dawiḏ and the eating of the showbread, as a witness that He is the prophesied Son of Aḏam that has complete Authority to distribute His Bread of Life to His taught ones, so that they do not grow weary by the leaven of the Pharisees, but have life in His True Set-Apart Bread! The actions of Dawiḏ, and his authority of being able to take of the showbread and distribute to his men, was a prophetic shadow picture of the authority of the prophesied Messiah, that would come from his line, as the Son of Aḏam!

As we consider these events and the words of our Master, Elohim, High Priest and King, may we be encouraged by the imagery of being a people who are marked by fives, so to speak, as we give ear to the hearing of the Word and guard to do all that our Master commands, knowing that He sustains us with His Bread, that is His Word, that comes from above and sets us apart!!!

Are you marked by fives?

Are you serving as the royal priesthood you have been chosen and set-apart to be, as a treasured possession in the Hand of our Beloved King? What do people see when they see your life?

Can they see that you are one who has listened to the Word and continues to have attentive ears to hearing His Word, evidenced by your continual doing of the Word?

Are you are MARKED BY FIVES – that is to say that you can take up the Torah and walk according to the Spirit that gives life and not according to the letter that kills, for you have been redeemed in Messiah, the first-born from among the dead!

Messiah, our Beloved King, has given us access into the Most Set-apart Place and we are able to eat of the Set-Apart Bread forever!!! Are you eating His Torah and meditating day and night on it?

Because if you are – You will be MARKED BY FIVES!

I praise our Mighty Beloved King for giving us these wonderful insights in His Word, as He reveals His secrets, for it has been given to us to know the secrets of reign of the heavens! Let us be marked by His Kingdom rules – be MARKED BY FIVES – by being those who have listened to His Word and obeyed it – and continue to do so, without fail!!!

He who has ears to hear – hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies!!!

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!

Shalom all,

In the midst of the 6^th week of our commanded count of 7 weeks to Shaḇuoth, I certainly do hope that you are diligently counting as you should. This season of counting, carries great insight for us, as we continue to grow in the knowledge of our Master and Elohim, and it is of utmost importance that we, as a Bride that is continually being set-apart, in the perfection and truth of the Word, are making sure that we do not neglect our need to be counting!

While I was meditating upon various passages that express the vivid imagery of counting, I decided to dig a little deeper into the Word and take a closer look at the various Hebrew and Greek words that are, at times, translated into English as ‘count’.

The ISR Scriptures 2009 edition has the English word ‘count’ being used 34 times, the word ‘counted’ being used 29 times, the word ‘counts’ being used 4 times and the word ‘counting’ used twice.

From these accounts, we take note of 8 Hebrew and 8 Greek words that these words are translated from and therefore I would like us to take a look at these Hebrew and Greek words, in order for us to expand out understanding of the importance of being able to be diligent in counting the cost of following our Master and do our utmost to make sure that we are counted worthy of His reign.

As we go through these various words, I want to make it clear that the order in which I am presenting them, is not done in any specific preferential order, but simply just going chronologically through the Word, where we find these English words and looking at the relevant Hebrew and Greek words that they are translated from.

Let us therefore take a look at the 8 Hebrew words that we see being used to translate as ‘count, counted, counts and counting’:

1 – מָנָה manah

The first root word that I would like us to take a look at is the Hebrew root word מָנָה manah – Strong’s H4487 – meaning, ‘weigh out, allot, enrol, appoint, number, prepare, set, tell’.

This word is used 28 times and is also translated as number, appointed, prepare. It is first used in the promise given to Aḇram in:

Berěshith/Genesis 13:16 “And I shall make your seed as the dust of the earth, so that, if a man could count the dust of the earth, then your seed also could be counted.” 

We also see this root word being used in a Psalm that is titles as a prayer of Mosheh, which is Tehillah/Psalm 90, and in this beautiful prayer of Mosheh, we see this root word מָנָה manah – Strong’s H4487 being used, and is translated as ‘number’:

Tehillah/Psalm 90:12 “Teach us to number our days, and let us bring the heart to wisdom.”

. Our need to prepare and count as a faithful Bride is critical, and in giving a great wake up call to those who are sleep, Sha’ul says in:

Eph’siyim/Ephesians 5:15-16 “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.”

Only true ‘counters’ or those who are being taught to number their days, by the pure wisdom of Elohim, will understand what His desire is, and this counting to 50 confirms this for us, as we who walk in His wisdom by guarding His Sabbaths, Feasts and all His commands understand His desire – which is our set-apartness!

Those who cannot count are like the foolish maidens who lack pure oil and will be rejected as not being known by Elohim! Those who disregard the Sabbaths and Feast of יהוה clearly reveal that they cannot count, as they cannot count to 3, 7 or 50, and if they continue to refuse to be taught how to number their days, they will not be counted worthy to enter the reign of our Master and Elohim!

2 –סָפַר saphar

The second Hebrew root word that we also see being translated as ‘count’ is a word that we should all be familiar with, especially in terms of the numerous accounts that we have looked at the command to count to Shaḇuoth! This is the word that is used in our instruction to count to 50, which is the root word סָפַר saphar – Strong’s H5608 which means, ‘to score, mark as a tally, record, inscribe, recount, celebrate, commune’.

It is used 161 times, also being translated into English as, ‘tell, told, number, tell me, declared, numbering’.

The first time that this word is used, is in the promise given to Aḇraham, in:

Berěshith/Genesis 15:5 “And He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward the heavens, and count the stars if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So are your seed.””

While Aḇram was being told to physically look up and see if he was able to count the stars, we are able to see another powerful lesson, of how our eyes need to be lifted up and fixed upon the Prince and Perfecter of our belief, and be diligent in being able to ‘count the cost’ of following Him, in belief, as we guard His Word and keep his appointed Times, which the lights in the heavens were appointed for!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘look now toward’ is הַבֶּט־נָ֣א – habbeyth-na, which comes from the two root words:

1) נָבַט naḇat – Strong’s H5027 which is the primitive root verb that means, ‘to look, behold, gaze, observe, pay attention’ and it is written here in the ‘hifil’ verb tense which is the ‘causative’ tense, highlighting very clearly to us that יהוה is the One who ‘causes us to be’ and it is He who ‘causes us to see’ wonders from His Torah when we turn to Him and seek Him with our all by turning away from all that displeases Him!

2) נָא na – Strong’s H4994 which is a primitive particle of incitement and entreaty, and help us understand the clear instruction that Aḇram was given, being told to ‘look NOW’

This root word נָבַט naḇat – Strong’s H5027 is used in:

Tehillah/Psalm 119:18 “Open my eyes, that I might see Wonders from Your Torah.”

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘open’ comes from the primitive root verb גָּלָה galah – Strong’s H1540 which means, ‘uncover, remove, to be uncovered, disclosed, exposed’ and the Hebrew word that is translated as ‘that I might see’ is וְאַבִּיטָה – veabbiytah which comes from the primitive root verb נָבַט naḇat – Strong’s H5027 which means, ‘to look, behold, gaze, observe, pay attention’ and it is also written here in the ‘hifil’ verb tense which is the ‘causative’ tense and highlights for us the clear cry of the psalmist here, as he earnestly seeks יהוה to open his eyes so that he may be caused to see the wonders that are contained in the Torah of יהוה.

Our ability to be caused to look up and see, happens when we turn to our Master, for then the veil is removed and the understanding of the revelation of who our Master is, helps us to be a people that are able to count and be counted worthy of serving Him in Spirit and Truth, as long as we stay in Him and keep our eyes lifted and fixed upon Him!

This root word סָפַר saphar is the denominative root verb of the word סֵפֶר sepher – Strong’s H5612 which means, ‘a missive, document, writing, book, scroll, letters’, and is used to describe the Book of the Torah!

As we consider the clear importance of this commanded ‘counting period to 50’ we recognise how this is a great season that teaches us to continually be a ‘counting people’ who daily ‘count the cost’ of following our Master and Redeemer, יהושע Messiah.

And to be faithful in being a ‘counting people’, we need to realise that we cannot do this without the Word of Elohim – as we are to meditate on His Torah day and night and allow this סֵפֶר sepher or Book of the Torah to lead us each and every day:

Yehoshua/Joshua 1:8 “Do not let this Book of the Torah depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you guard to do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and act wisely.”

If we do not count, we cannot be cleansed! To count means to reflect on where we are and repent of our sin.

The root word סָפַר saphar – Strong’s H5608 is spelt, from right to left, with a סָ – samek, פַ – pey, and a ר – resh.

Now, when we see these symbols, as written in the ancient script, we get a wonderful picture of what true cleansing entails, when we ‘count’:

THE ANCIENT FORM OF WRITING THE WORD “COUNT” – SAPHAR:

Samek – סָ:

The ancient script has this letter pictured as , which is a thorn and has the meanings of ‘pierce and sharp’ and can also carry the meaning of ‘a shield’, as thorn bushes were used by shepherds to build a wall to enclose their flock in the night against the attack of predators. Another meaning would be ‘to grab hold of’ as a thorn is a seed that clings to hair and clothing.

The Word of Elohim is sharper than a doubled edged sword and when we find that we do not grab hold of His Word and allow His Word to be our shield of faith, we may find ourselves being pierced through with sin and compromise! Our praise we have for our Master is that in Him we are upheld forever, for He is the shield of our Help, as He Himself took the crown of thorns upon His head, bearing our sin and shame that we may be found to be shielded in Him! It can also give a meaning of ‘turning’, for it is the thorn that turns us away from danger and to that which is secure.

Pey – פָּ:

This is the letter ‘pey’, which is pictured as , which is an ‘open mouth’ and carries the meaning of ‘speak and blow’, from the functions of the mouth, and can have the meaning of ‘scatter’ by blowing. It can also mean sword or beard as in things with edges, as well as a region in depicting a place with edges or boundaries. It also can represent that which has been spoken forth from the words of one’s mouth, as being established!

Resh – ר:

The ancient script has this letter pictured as , which is ‘the head of a man’ and carries the meaning of ‘top, beginning, first, chief’, as in being the top of the body or the head of a tribe and the one who rules; and also speaks of possession or inheritance that is decided by the chief. Our true life of praise unto יהוה, our Head, begins when we fear Him, for He is the beginning of our strength, and true separated praise entails a true fear of the One who is Chief over us!

When seeing the construct of this word for count in its ancient form we have a clear picture of how cleansing entails true repentance through being able to correctly count! This ancient grouping of letters can carry various meanings for us, and in terms of being a people who count, we realise that this can only be done when we:

GRAB HOLD OF THE WORD OF THE HEAD!

This picture, in terms of counting, teaches us that our shield and refuge is in our Head and Master, who teaches us through His Word to number our days and we recognise that When we bring our sins (pictured by the thorn) and confess them (open mouth) to יהושע our Messiah (head of a man); then He is the one who cleanses us!

Guys, this is a season and time to prepare – let us prepare as we celebrate and recognise the very work our Saviour has done, in becoming our Passover Lamb, our First Fruit and the very Living Bread, of which we are His body, and in Him we are one, able to be presented to Elohim as a pleasing offering!

3 – כָּסַס kasas

The third root word that I want to make mention of, is the root word כָּסַס kasas – Strong’s H3699 which means, ‘estimate, compute, divide, make your count’; and it is only used once in Scripture, being translated as ‘count’, in the following verse:

Shemoth/Exodus 12:4 “And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next to his house take it according to the number of the beings, according to each man’s need you make your count for the lamb.”

This verse forms part of the instructions that were given for the preparations for the Pěsaḥ Meal and helps us identify the clear shadow picture of these instructions, which cause us to look to our Master and Elohim and make a proper count of our lives, before His face, as we ready ourselves as a counted and set-apart wife of the Lamb!

4 – פָּקַד paqaḏ

The next Hebrew root word that we are able to see being translated as ‘counted’, is the root word פָּקַד paqaḏ – Strong’s H6485 which carries the meaning, ‘to attend to, call up, muster, appoint, number, call to account, charge’ and is used in:

Shemoth/Exodus 38:25-26 “And the silver from the ones counted of the congregation was one hundred talents and one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five sheqels, according to the sheqel of the set-apart place: 26 a beqa, half a sheqel for a head, according to the sheqel of the set-apart place, for everyone passing over to those counted, from twenty years old and above, for six hundred and three thousand, five hundred and fifty men.”

The ½ sheqel was given by all the men above 20 years of age who were numbered or registered, as per the instructions given to Mosheh by יהוה in Shemoth/Exodus 30:11-16.

This was a contribution required to be given as atonement for their lives so that no plague would come into the camp. So, this was a ‘tax’ and not of the freewill giving like the gold and bronze, and this as we know represents for us the price of redemption for all who cross over. The term ‘everyone passing over’ speaks of those who have ‘crossed over’.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘passing over’ is הָעֹבֵ֜ר – haoḇer which comes from the root verb עָבַר aḇar – Strong’s H5674 which means, ‘to pass over, pass through, cross over’.

It is from this root verb, that we get the term עִבְרִי Iḇri – Strong’s H5680 which means, ‘the one from beyond, the one who crossed over’ and is understood and translated into English as ‘Hebrew’. From this word we get the plural word ‘Iḇ’rim’ or Hebrews and this speaks of those who have passed over. Aḇraham was the first recorded ‘Hebrew’ in Berěshith/Genesis 14:13 as he passed over the Euphrates River into The Promised Land.

Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a set-apart nation, a people for a possession, that you should proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light”

We have ‘passed over’ as by the Blood of the Passover Lamb we have been redeemed at a price and we now belong to our Saviour as we are no longer our own and so we give joyfully of our lives in service to our King as we are together built up in Him.

Anyone can become a ‘Hebrew’, or one who ‘crosses-over’ – if they will but repent and forsake their worldly ways and walk in His Torah, being immersed in יהושע Messiah, having ‘crossed over’ from death to life in Him and redeemed by His Blood, for He has paid the atonement price for our sins!

We too, who have ‘crossed over’, so to speak, have become ‘Hebrews’, as we have responded to the clear call of Elohim who called us out of darkness into His marvellous light; and by the Blood of Messiah we are grafted in to the Covenants of Promise with Yisra’ĕl, and therefore being ‘Yisra’ĕl’ by definition, we are in fact also called ‘Hebrews’, as our father Aḇraham was, and are a people now belonging to Messiah!

The total sheqels of silver was 301,775 as each one who was counted from 20 years and up was 603,550 and they would each give a ½ sheqel also known as a beqa. 1 sheqel or 2 beqas is approximately 11.4g or 0.4oz and would therefore make the weight of silver given at approximately 3440.23kg and based on today’s silver price per kg the value of silver that was contributed according to the command was just over R28 million (South African Rand) or just under $2 million (US Dollar)!!!

When we consider the price that our Master paid for our redemption, we would do well to make sure that we are counted worthy to enter His reign, by holding fast to His commands!

A derivative of this root word פָּקַד paqaḏ – Strong’s H6485, is the term פִּקּוּד piqqud – Strong’s H6490 which means, ‘precepts, commandments, statutes, regulations’, and another word that is derived from this root is the term פְקוּדֵי ‘pekuḏei’ and can carry the meaning of ‘appointments, musterings, expenses – that is the numbering of things, records, assignments’.

This word – פְקוּדֵי ‘pekuḏei’ is also used in Scripture with the meaning of ‘paying attention, observe with care and show a practical interest’.

And what we see from this is that it is of great importance that we pay attention to the Word and observe, with great care, and recognise, that ALL Scripture carries great and vital importance for us. This word, in relating to taking an inventory, also helps us realise that we all too must give an account to יהוה for all that He has entrusted to us.

Romiyim/Romans 14:12 “Each one of us, therefore, shall give account of himself to Elohim.”

The Parable of the talents from Mattithyahu/Matthew 25:13-30 is also a reminder to us of this fact.

5 – חָשַׁב ḥashaḇ

The next Hebrew root word I want us to look at, is חָשַׁב ḥashaḇ – Strong’s H2803 which means, ‘to plait, weave, plot, think, regard, value, compute’.

It is used 124 times in Scriptures and is also translated into English as, ‘intended, thought, the designer’.

This root word חָשַׁב ḥashaḇ – Strong’s H2803 is translated as ‘count’ in:

Wayyiqra/Leviticus 25:26-27 “And when the man has no one to redeem it, but he himself becomes able to redeem it, 27 then let him count the years since its sale, and return the remainder to the man to whom he sold it, that he shall return to his possession.”

In verse 27 we see the instruction for the one who has no one to redeem his possessions! He is able to redeem it himself and must calculate the years since its sale of his property and return the remainder to the man to whom he sold it in order to be able to return to his possession. Now while we have a redeemer who has bought us back and paid the full price, what we can learn from this practical instruction, that would have been literally carried out in the Land every Yoḇel, is that we see a wonderful picture of how we too have a responsibility, in our return, that has been ‘paid’ for by the Blood of Messiah.

That responsibility is simply this – we, as Yisra’ĕlites, have the obligation to fill our proper position in coming home; and in order to do that we must get rid of all the baggage that kept us away from home in the first place, so that we can rightfully reclaim what we have lost!

This is a wonderful picture of letting go to the things that we have been holding on to for so long in order to get back to the true roots of our faith in Messiah. The rich man who could not let go of his possessions is an example of how so many are unwilling to let go of the things that they think gives their life meaning and purpose and as a result are unable to ‘let go’ of worldly baggage, in order to follow our Kinsman Redeemer home!

6 – נָשָׂא nasa

The next Hebrew root word that we see being translated as ‘count up’, is the root verb נָשָׂא nasa – Strong’s H5375 which means ‘lift up, carry, take up, exalt, and accept’, and is used in:

Bemiḏbar/Numbers 31:25-26 “And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, 26 “Count up the plunder that was taken, of man and of beast, you and El‛azar the priest and the heads of the fathers of the congregation.””

While this root word, which is used 653 times in Scripture, is not typically one that is translated as ‘count’, but rather is typically understood as that which is ‘lifted up and carried or taken up’, we are able to identify a valuable lesson from this root word, in terms of our need to be a counting people, as we take up the proper responsibility of walking in set-apartness!

Tehillah/Psalm 121:1 “I lift up my eyes to the hills; where does my help come from?”

Tehillah/Psalm 123:1 “I shall lift up my eyes unto You who dwell in the heavens.”

In both of these Psalms we see the psalmist making it abundantly clear where and who His eyes were being fixed upon, and take note that the root word נָשָׂא nasa – Strong’s H5375 is translated as ‘lift up’!

This verb נָשָׂא nasa – Strong’s H5375, we also see being used, in describing Dawiḏ’s ability of lifting up his being to יהוה:

Tehillah/Psalm 25:1 “A psalm of Dawiḏ. To You, O יהוה, I lift up my being.”

The Hebrew word translated as ‘being’ is נֶפֶשׁ nephesh – Strong’s H5315 which is ‘a soul, a living being, the inner being of a man’.

The clear image we are given here is that Dawiḏ lifted up his whole being unto Elohim, revealing that he was intentionally turning his thoughts, emotions, desires, cares, anxieties, doubts and fears over to יהוה, by ‘looking up’ and fixing his eyes on יהוה and the Truth of His Word!

Despite the torrid threats and the intense dangers that Dawiḏ faced, he focused his attention on seeking and praising the Most-High, יהוה of Hosts!

When you are going through some rough times, do you find yourself intentionally seeking יהוה and earnestly give Him the due praise, or do you find that your eyes are so fixed on the distress and difficult circumstances you might be going through, that you become so blinded by pressures that you fail to see the Truth and stand firm in our Mighty Elohim and Saviour?

When you look around at the depravity and corruption of the world, which we are to be faithful sojourners in, are you looking up and fixing your eyes upon our Master and Elohim or are you falling prey to the panic of increasing conspiracies and threats that are crippling the belief of many?

Part of our need to count, is seen in our ability to lift up our eyes and fix them on the Prince and Perfecter of our belief! So, with proper counting, comes the responsibility of lifting up our eyes and not allowing the burdens of this words weigh us down, but walk as victorious overcomers in Messiah, with eyes lifted high!

7 – ראֹשׁ rosh

The next Hebrew root word that we see being translated as ‘count’ is ראֹשׁ rosh – Strong’s H7218 which means, ‘head, beginning, top, chief’.

Once again, we see a word that, while being used 598 times in Scripture, is not typically translated as ‘count’, yet can identify with the reason for it being translated as ‘count’ in:

Bemiḏbar/Numbers 31:48-49 “And the officers who were over thousands of the campaign, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, came near to Mosheh, 49 and they said to Mosheh, “Your servants have taken a count of the fighting men under our command, and not a man of us is missing.”

After taking vengeance on the Miḏyanites, the officers and commanders came and reported to Mosheh, the good news of how not one of the fighting men was missing! There were no casualties of war! When they went to ‘count’ the ‘heads’ there was none missing, and this was a great celebration that resulted in a huge freewill offering being brought from the spoils of war!

As I have said, this root word ראֹשׁ rosh – Strong’s H7218 is not typically translated as ‘count’, yet here, in this account, we take note of the ‘heads’ that were counted! In other words, a head count was done and everyone was accounted for! As we trust in our Master, we too have the assurance that He promises that not one will be lost!

When they came to arrest Messiah, He spoke these words to the soldiers who came to arrest Him:

Yoḥanan/John 18:8-9 “יהושע answered, “I said to you that I am. If, then, you seek Me, allow these to go,” 9 in order that the word might be filled which He spoke, “Of those whom You have given Me, I have lost none.”

Messiah is our Head, and as we stay in Him, we have the firm assurance that our deliverance will be made complete, teaching us that our ‘count’ in our ‘Head’, that is Messiah, is extremely vital, as we trust in Him, stay in Him and guard to do all He has commanded us, for then we shall not be lost!!!

The only Head that we need to be counted in, is in our Master and Redeemer, יהושע Messiah

8 – מִסְפָּר mispar

The last Hebrew root word that I want to highlight, as being one that is also seen as being translated as ‘count’, is מִסְפָּר mispar – Strong’s H4557 which means, ‘number, tally, account, counted’ and is used 132 times in Scripture!

And guess what? This word comes from the root word סָפַר saphar – Strong’s H5608, which is the second root word that we looked at, in this list of 8 Hebrew words for ‘count’!

We see this word being translated as ‘count’ in:

Diḇre haYamim Aleph/1 Chronicles 9:28 “And some of them were over the vessels of service, for they brought them in and took them out by count.”

This is part of the record of those who were gatekeepers and had the responsibility over the vessels of service that had to be brought in and out, by count!

As we consider this, we can learn the vital lesson of how we are to be good stewards, as trustworthy servants of the Most-High, and inn our continued ability to properly count, we are equipped to cleanse ourselves from all defilement. So that we become vessels unto value, in the House of Elohim!

It is also used in the blessing of Mosheh, over the tribes, as seen in the following verse, where it is translated as ‘numbered’:

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 33:6 “Let Re’uḇĕn live, and not die, and let his men be numbered.”

What Mosheh was speaking, over the sons of Re’uḇĕn, is that their names would not be blotted out from the book of life but rather be numbered, or counted, among the rest of Yisra’ĕl and be a living part of the body of Messiah!

This teaches us a vital lesson on how important the ‘words of Mosheh’ are. And by that, I mean that the Torah of Mosheh, we are to hear, guard and do, in order for us to learn how to count and be numbered in our Master!

There are certainly many more passages that I could highlight, where we see these various Hebrew root words being used, yet for the purposes of simply sharing a brief overview of the use of these words, in terms of being translated as ‘count’, we can glean great insights into the extreme importance of us being obedient in being a counting people of Elohim!

Now let us take a closer look at 8 Greek root words that are also translated as ‘count, counted’ in the ISR Scriptures 2009 edition:

1 – ψηφίζω psēphizō

The first Greek word that I would like to look at is the word ψηφίζω psēphizō – Strong’s G5585 which means, ‘to count or calculate, to compute’ and this root word is used only 2 times in the Renewed Writings and helps understand our need to be able to count with understanding.

On the topic of counting, and taking up and bearing our stake as we should, יהושע uses the following imagery in the following parable:

Luqas/Luke 14:28-30 “For who of you, wishing to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid the foundation, and is unable to finish it, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was unable to finish.’”

When we become followers of יהושע we may even ask, “Do I have what it takes to finish?”

And typically, the answer is always no! But it is not our resources that are necessary, for Elohim provides all we need for life and reverence. What יהושע is talking about here is total commitment – an enduring persevering heart – not giving up when the times get bad and the going gets rough.

Do not be one who gives up on following wholeheartedly after יהושע; for if you do others will then look on and say that you began but couldn’t finish it or follow through. Let me tell you that a true follower of יהושע does not shrink back and get destroyed, even when setbacks come, but a true follower is one who believes and is saved, one who lives by faith with works (Torah observance), even when it is rough and the chips are down!

Often people are committed, but only for a while then, through various reasons, they drift away and walk away from following the Truth and walk away from יהוה. Do not be one of those. Are you willing to pay the price for true discipleship?

The other times we see this word ψηφίζω psēphizō – Strong’s G5585 being used is in:

Ḥazon/Revelation 13:18 “Here is the wisdom! He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.”

This is pretty awesome stuff!!! Our need to count properly requires us to have wisdom and understanding, and as we know, we are instructed to get wisdom and understanding:

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 4:5 “Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.”

We now begin to grasp a little more of our need to be able to ‘count’ and ‘count’ correctly, so as to gain a proper and clear understanding of the Word, so that we are able to calculate and discern what is the number and mark of the beast, who has attempted to change the Appointed Times (Feasts of יהוה) and Laws (which would amount to lawlessness), and caused so many to be drunk and unable to count correctly, causing them to not be properly grafted in to the True Body of Messiah! If we do not properly count the cost of following our Master then we may end up being unable to finish what we so eagerly started! And this is why this season of counting to 50 is extremely important in teaching us to number our days and walk in the wisdom of Elohim!

2 – ἔχω echo

The second Greek word that I want to show you is ἔχω echo – Strong’s G2192 which means, ‘to have, hold, consider, obtain, possess’ and expresses an active verb which can render the meaning, ‘to have (hold) in the hand, in the sense of wearing, to have (hold) possession of the mind (refers to alarm, agitating emotions, etc.), to hold fast keep’.

It is translated as ‘count’ in:

Ma’asei/Acts 20:24 “But I do not count my life of any value to me, so that I might accomplish my mission with joy, and the service which I received from the Master יהושע, to bear witness to the Good News of the favour of Elohim.”

These were some of the words that Sha’ul spoke to the elders of Ephesos, that he had called to meet him at Miletos, on his way back to Yerushalayim. And in his farewell speech to them, he made it clear that his life was all about his service unto the Master and no matter what he would face, he would bear the witness of the Good News, despite knowing that chains and pressures awaited him!

These are words of an overcomer and words of one who had counted the cost of following the Master and did not let the fleshliness of selfishness hinder his goal and purpose of bearing the witness of Messiah!

Proper counting causes one to be an overcomer in Messiah!

Ḥazon/Revelation 12:11 “And they overcame him because of the Blood of the Lamb, and because of the Word of their witness, and they did not love their lives to the death.”

Dying to self and living unto the Master is what true counting results in!

This word ἔχω echo – Strong’s G2192 is also used of those joined to any one by the bonds of natural blood or marriage or friendship or duty or law etc. and can express the intensity of holding fast to or ‘clinging’ to something, and is translated as ‘possess’, in:

Yoḥanan/John 14:21 “He who possesses My commands and guards them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I shall love him and manifest Myself to him.”

Well, when we understand this, it makes perfect sense what יהושע is clearly saying, which is that to ‘possess’ His commands mean that we are to hold them fast; that is, that we are to guard them!

One cannot be ‘guarding’ the commands if one is not doing them!

3 – ἐγκρίνω egkrinō

The next Greek word that we see being translated as ‘count’ is ἐγκρίνω egkrinō – Strong’s G1469 which means, ‘to judge in, to reckon among, count’ and in constructed from the following two words:

1) – ἐν en – Strong’s G1722 which is a primary preposition denoting position, and is translated as, ‘in, on, at, by, with’, and

2) κρίνω krinō – Strong’s G2919 which means, ‘to judge, decide, conclude, determine’.

The Greek word ἐγκρίνω egkrinō – Strong’s G1469 is translated as ‘count’ in:

Qorintiyim Bět/2 Corinthians 10:12 “For we do not presume to count ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”

In one’s proper ability to ‘count the cost’ of following Messiah, as we should, we allow the Word to be the clear standard that judges our lives and not allow ourselves to be compared to or measured by the various compromising standards of others! We do not count ourselves with those who don’t count themselves in Messiah!

The clear standards of set-apartness have not changed and when one begins to ‘count’ their lives according to anything other than the Word of Elohim, then they become foolish in their vain attempts at service in Spirit and Truth!

4 – ἡγέομαι hēgeomai

The next Greek word that we see the word ‘count’ being translated from, is ἡγέομαι hēgeomai – Strong’s G2233 meaning, ‘to lead, command, consider, account, suppose, think carefully upon, count’.

This is used 30 times and is also translated as governor, think, thought, esteem.

It is the word that is used in a verse that we all have heard many times, especially when facing tough times:

Ya’aqoḇ/James 1:2 “My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.”

Ya’aqoḇ did not waste time in his letter to make it clear we are to be a counting people; and when we link the concept of counting to Shaḇuoth – a joyful harvest feast of the wheat being brought in and the joy of the bread being made as a pleasing wave offering unto Elohim, we see how Ya’aqoḇ encourages us to count it joy – the end result is worth it and we ought to go through the counting period, until our Messiah comes again, with great joy and perseverance!

When we look more closely at our Master’s commands, to count the cost of following Him, we recognize that it does come with some real heavy decisions to consider – in fact, He tells us that if any one of us comes to Him and does not hate father and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, and his own life too, is unable to be His taught one; and whoever does not bear his stake and follow after Him is unable to be His taught one.

Hard words they may be, but what He is saying in effect is that we are to put our total trust in Him and not in others and to do that may cost us some things that we will find hard to count as lost!

When we count the cost of walking in Him, we will be hated!

Mattithyahu/Matthew 10:22 “And you shall be hated by all for My Name’s sake. But he who shall have endured to the end shall be saved.”

As much as none of us like to or want to be hated – we must consider the cost of being made into the Bread/Body of Messiah, which is presented before Elohim; and Shaḇuoth is a picture of the Yoḇel release that will be fulfilled at The Second Coming of Messiah on Yom Kippur, where He will take up His ready Bride, and we have this very assurance by the fact that the sheaf of the first fruit offering has already been given as a guarantee of the full harvest that will be brought in

This word ἡγέομαι hēgeomai – Strong’s G2233 is also translated as ‘count’ in:

Pilipiyim/Philippians 3:8 “What is more, I even count all to be loss because of the excellence of the knowledge of Messiah יהושע my Master, for whom I have suffered the loss of all, and count them as refuse, in order to gain Messiah”

As a part of our ‘counting’ process of counting the cost of following our Master, we recognise that we are to count all that we may have thought that we did great, as nothing, and humble ourselves in walking each day in humility of service before the Master and not be found boasting in the actions, or assumed accolades, of our past!

When we count as we should, we do not cry and moan about things that we think we have lost or are ‘missing out on’, but rather consider them as refuse and having no more need in our lives, in order to properly gain the fullness of Messiah, in pursuit of His righteousness and His Reign!

5 – λογίζομαι logizomai

The next Greek word that is also translated at times as ‘count’, is the root word λογίζομαι logizomai – Strong’s G3049 which means, ‘an account or reckoning, to consider, take count, think, occupy oneself with calculations, take an inventory, estimate’.

It is used 41 times in the Renewed Writings (N.T.) and is translated as ‘count’ in the following verse:

Pilipiyim/Philippians 3:13-14 “Brothers, I do not count myself to have laid hold of it yet, but only this: forgetting what is behind and reaching out for what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of Elohim in Messiah יהושע.”

None of us has ‘arrived’, so to speak! We are all still to be running with endurance and not reckon that we have already attained the prize of our calling in Messiah! We are to work out our deliverance with fear and trembling, and when one does not continue to count the cost, due to erroneously reckoning that they have arrived, they risk losing all that they had originally set out to pursue!

This word λογίζομαι logizomai – Strong’s G3049 is translated as ‘reckons’ in Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 13:5, where we see Sha’ul, in teaching us what love is, tells us that ‘love reckons not the evil’.

The Greek word that is translated as ‘evil’ comes from the root word κακός kakos – Strong’s G2556 which means, ‘evil, wicked, bad things, loathsome, wrong’.

We are not to sit and recount in our mind all the bad and wicked thing that are going on, or have been done to us, for this will only stir up bitterness, fear and resentment and render one unable to bear the true fruit of righteousness expressed in loving-commitment toward Elohim!

What things do you consider and recount in your mind – the good and functional way of Elohim, as given through the Torah, or on the wicked and destructive patterns of a lawless world!

This also teaches us that when we walk in true love, we do not sit and recount everyone’s wicked past and occupy ourselves with past failings! Often people relate their past wickedness and laugh and joke at the things they did, when we ought to be ashamed of our past sins, reckoning our lives as having been plucked from the fire, giving esteem and thanks to our Redeemer and King, יהושע Messiah! Our thoughts and speech must not be riddled with the past reckoning and gloating of a lawless life, but rather be esteeming the good way and walking in it, with joy!

6 – ἀξιόω axioō

The next Greek word that we have as being one that the word ‘count’ is also translated from, is the word ἀξιόω axioō – Strong’s G515 which means, ‘to deem worthy, consider, deserve, desire’ and this comes from the root word ἄξιος axios – Strong’s G514 which means, ‘worthy, due reward, befitting, deserving’

It is used 7 times in the Renewed writings and is translated as ‘count you worthy’ in the following verse:

Tas’loniqim Bět /2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 “To this end we always pray for you that our Elohim would count you worthy of this calling, and complete all the good pleasure of goodness, and the work of belief with power, 12 so that the Name of our Master יהושע Messiah is esteemed in you, and you in Him, according to the favour of our Elohim and the Master יהושע Messiah.”

The root word ἄξιος axios – Strong’s G514 which means, ‘worthy, due reward, befitting, deserving’ is translated as ‘worthy’ in:

Ḥazon/Revelation 3:4-6 “Nevertheless, you have a few names in Sardis who have not defiled their garments. And they shall walk with Me in white, because they are worthy. 5 “He who overcomes shall be dressed in white robes, and I shall by no means blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I shall confess his name before My Father and before His messengers. 6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.”

The reason that I have quoted this passage from Ḥazon/Revelation, regarding those in Sardis that are deemed as being worthy by our Master, is that we take note of the wording He uses here in this regard, as He declares that He shall confess the Names of the worthy who have not denied Him, nor defiled their garments!

This fits perfectly in lines with the words He spoke to His taught ones in Mattithyahu/Matthew 10, when commissioning them to go out and be bold ambassadors of the reign, making sure that they keep clean and endure, so as to be counted worthy to enter His reign!

The Greek word that is translated as ‘defiled’ in Ḥazon/Revelation 3:4 is comes from the word μολύνω molunō – Strong’s G3435 meaning, ‘to stain, defile, soiled’.

It is from this root word that we get the noun μολυσμός molusmos – Strong’s G3436 which means, ‘defilement, filthiness, an action by which anything is defiled and rendered unclean and unfit’, and is translated as ‘defilement’, in:

Qorintiyim Bět/2 Corinthians 7:1 “Having, 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 way we perfect set-apartness in the fear of Elohim is to makes sure that we cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit! This is absolutely necessary…not just defilement of the flesh, but also of the spirit! Yes, we need to cleanse ourselves from all defilement of spiritual matters that have nullified the Torah of Elohim and have denied that our Master and Elohim, יהושע Messiah, is יהוה.

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 and spirit 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!

In the process of counting we also see the need for us to be an alert, and active people in our counting.

7 – ἀριθμέω arithmeō

The next Greek word that we find the word ‘count’ being translated from, is the word ἀριθμέω arithmeō – Strong’s G705 which means, ‘enumerate, count, number’ and is used 3 times in the Renewed writings, and is translated as ‘count’ in:

Ḥazon/Revelation 7:9-10 “After this I looked and saw a great crowd which no one was able to count, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, and palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Deliverance belongs to our Elohim who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 

The innumerable number of those who declare the deliverance of Elohim are those who have been counted worthy to enter His reign!!! The vision that Yoḥanan was given here, highlights the assurance of the fulfilment of the promise given to Aḇraham, where his seed would be an innumerable number of those who are counted as one in Messiah!

8 – καταξιόω kataxioō

The next Greek word that I would like to look at, is the word καταξιόω kataxioō – Strong’s G2661 which means, ‘to deem worthy, consider worthy, count worthy, judge worthy’ and comes from the tow root words:

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

2) ἀξιόω axioō – Strong’s G515 which means, ‘to deem worthy, consider, deserve, desire’, which we have already discussed.

The word καταξιόω kataxioō – Strong’s G2661 is translated as ‘counted worthy’ in Messiah’s answer to the Sadducees, who questioned our Master about the resurrection:

Luqas/Luke 20:34-36 “And יהושע answering, said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, 35 but those who are counted worthy of attaining that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are they given in marriage, 36 for neither is it possible for them to die any more, because they are like messengers and are sons of Elohim, being sons of the resurrection.” 

We see this word καταξιόω kataxioō – Strong’s G2661 being used again, when our Master tells us in:

Luqas/Luke 21:36 “Watch then at all times, and pray that you be counted worthy to escape all this about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Aḏam.”

We again see this word καταξιόω kataxioō – Strong’s G2661 being used in reference to the emissaries that were beaten for the sake of Messiah:

Ma’asei/Acts 5:41 “Then indeed they went rejoicing from the presence of the council, because they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name.” 

We are to be watching at all times, praying that we be counted worthy to escape the coming wrath of Elohim that is coming upon the sons of disobedience.

Our Master tells us that we are to bear fruit ‘worthy’ of repentance (Mattithyahu/Matthew 3:8)!

This further emphasises our need to be a people that are counting correctly, so that we make sure that we are not marked as being ‘not worthy’, but are ‘counted worthy’, to escape all that is about to take place and joyfully enter the reign of our Mighty King!

Watching, counting and bearing fruit worthy of repentance! This is what is required of a productive taught one of the Master and it takes steadfast endurance and belief in all matters to do so!

As we consider all of the Hebrew and Greek words that we have looked at, in seeking out a better understanding of what it means to ‘count’, we are able to recognise how extremely important it is for us to be diligent in guarding the call to count!

While there are many more words that we could look at, I think that with these 8 Hebrew and 8 Greek words that we have looked at, we ought to be able to grasp the clear concept of what it means to be counting as we should!

Count as you should and you shall be counted worthy!

This is a season where we are to reflect on our much-needed response of obedience in being a people that count as commanded, in order that we can have the firm assurance of being counted worthy to enter the reign of our Master and be a people that are bold in their declaration of the Good News: יהושע Messiah!

COUNT!

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!

Shabbat Shalom all,

Luqas/Luke 21:28 “And when these matters begin to take place, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

These were some of the words that our Master spoke to His taught ones, when He shared with them what would take place, before all shall see Him coming in a cloud with power and much esteem.

As one reads through Luqas/Luke 21, Mattithyahu/Matthew 24 and Marqos/Mark 13 in regards to what will take place before our Master returns, we can certainly see how much of what our Master describes in these chapters is already clearly evident in these last days, and He tells us that when we see these things, that we are to see to it that we are not troubled by these things that have to take place and that we must possess our lives by endurance.

Here in the account of Luqas/Luke, we take note that our Master tells us that when these matters begin to take place, that we are to ‘look up’ and lift up our heads!

In a message called, ‘LOOK UP, LOOK IN… and LOOKOUT!’ I want us to be encouraged to be keeping our eyes fixed on the Prince and Perfector of our belief as we faithfully possess our lives by endurance.

In this message, we will take a closer look at Yeshayahu/Isaiah 6 in order to glean some powerful insight and illustration of our need to look up, in and out, as I find it a very fitting passage in terms of our Master’s call to look up amidst a time where depravity and lawlessness is increasing at a rapid rate on a daily basis.

Before we look at Yeshayahu/Isaiah 6, I first want us to take a look at the Greek word that is used here in Luqas/Luke 21:28 and translated as ‘look up’, which is the root word ἀνακύπτω anakuptō – Strong’s G352 which means, ‘straighten up, stand upright, lift oneself up, look up (as a person in hope)’.

The call of our Master here is clear – straighten up and hold fast to the hope we have in Him and stand upright and firm in the belief!

This is also a kind of a military type instruction that is given by our Commander to us, His troops, with the call to lift ourselves up from any despair and stand upright, being ready and armed in His Truth.

We can only do this if our eyes are fixed on Him!

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 12:1-2 “We too, then, having so great a cloud of witnesses all around us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us, 2 looking to the Princely Leader and Perfecter of our belief, יהושע, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the stake, having despised the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of Elohim.”

The Greek word that is translated here as ‘looking’ is ἀφοράω – aphorao – Strong’s G872 which means ‘to look/ to turn eyes away from all other things and fix them on something’.

Metaphorically speaking, it means ‘to fix the mind upon/ give full attention/ looking intently upon/ to take heed’, and it can also carry the meaning, ‘to consider carefully, attentively look at’.

This word comes from the two Greek words:

1) ἀπό  apo – Strong’s G575 which is a preposition and participle that means, ‘from, away from, at, in, to’ and

2) the word ὁράω  horaō – Strong’s G3708 which means, ‘to see, perceive, attend to, take heed, see with the mind, beware, to see – as in becoming acquainted with by experience’.

The two words that are used here for our Messiah, are the following:

1) PRINCE – this is from the Greek word ἀρχηγός – archēgos – Strong’s G747 which means, ‘prince, captain, chief leader and author’ and describes ‘one that takes the lead in anything and thus affords an example, a predecessor in a matter, pioneer’.

2) PERFECTER – this is from the Greek word τελειωτής – teleiōtēs – Strong’s G5051 – this is the only place in Scripture that this Greek word is found and denotes a ‘finisher, completer, perfecter’ and describes ‘one who has in his own person raised faith to its perfection and so set before us the highest example of faith’.

This is a description given only to יהושע Messiah who has become the supreme model for us to follow.

We are told to be ‘looking’ to Messiah – and what we can see from the verse before this one, is that in order to be able to properly ‘look’ at Messiah, we need to throw off, and lay aside, every weight and sin that easily entangles us and run with endurance, by looking intently at our King, as we run faithfully as servants of the Most High Elohim!

Many are trying to run, yet find themselves getting tired and unable to endure the hardships and persecutions that come as a result of trying to be set-apart amidst a crooked generation! The question that you need to ask yourself, as you take an eye test, so to speak is, “What are you looking at?” Are you looking at Messiah?

We are to look to Messiah and careful consider our ways; and we are, at the same time, to make sure that our eyes are not looking elsewhere, as we ‘take heed’ of the dangers of the corrupt teachings of man-made dogmas and traditions that lead people astray.

If we are not looking to our Master, Saviour, Elohim and King then our eyes may be dangerously looking at that which cannot save us!

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 31:1 “Woe to those who go down to Mitsrayim for help, and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but who do not look to the Set-apart One of Yisra’ĕl, nor seek יהוה!”

This is a severe woe that is given to those who are not looking to יהוה, the Set-Apart One of Yisra’ĕl!

The prophet Miḵah prophesied about 20 years prior to the House of Yisra’ĕl’s divorce and he prophesied from the southern kingdom of Yehuḏah, in the face of the northern kingdom’s impending dispersion.

Despite the clear depravity and corrupt worship practices that were taking place this prophet made it clear who he looked to:

Miḵah/Micah 7:7 “As for me, I look to יהוה, I wait for the Elohim of my deliverance, my Elohim does hear me.”

The Hebrew word that is translated here as ‘look’ is the primitive root verb צָפָה tsaphah – Strong’s H6822 which means, ‘to look out, watchman, keep watch’.

This prophet made it clear where His eyes were looking and in doing so recognises his need to be a true watchman of יהוה, hence his urgency in speaking the Truth!

Yehuḏah/Jude 1:20-21 “But you, beloved ones, building yourselves up on your most set-apart belief, praying in the Set-apart Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of Elohim, looking for the compassion of our Master יהושע Messiah unto everlasting life.”

The Greek word that is translated here as ‘looking’ is προσδέχομαι prosdechomai – Strong’s G4327 which means, ‘look for, wait for, expect: the fulfilment of promises’ and is constructed from two words:

1) – πρός pros – Strong’s G4314 which is a primary preposition meaning, ‘advantageous for, at (denotes local proximity), toward (denotes motion toward a place)’, and

2) – δέχομαι dechomai – Strong’s G1209 which means, ‘to receive, accept, welcomed’.

This word προσδέχομαι prosdechomai can be understood as ‘going toward that which is to be received and welcomed’, and is used in:

Titos/Titus 2:11-14 “For the saving Gift of Elohim has appeared to all men, 12 instructing us to renounce wickedness and worldly lusts, and to live sensibly, righteously, and reverently in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed expectation and esteemed appearance of the great Elohim and our Saviour יהושע Messiah, 14 who gave Himself for us, to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a people, His own possession, ardent for good works.”

How do we ‘wait expectantly’?

By renouncing wickedness and worldly lusts and live set-apart lives in complete reverence of Elohim, for we recognise that Messiah has redeemed us from all lawlessness!

We wait expectantly by guarding His laws!!!

As we consider our need to be looking to our Master’s esteemed appearance and His compassion, we must recognise the urgency in our need to be diligent in keeping our eyes on Him and not be led astray by things that can cause us to lose sight or focus of walking in and staying in Him and living set-apart lives in complete reverence before our Mighty Elohim and King!

With that in mind I would like us to look at the experience that Yeshayahu had when he ‘looked up’ and saw the Master’s esteem!

Turn with me to Yeshayahu/Isaiah 6 (Read)

In the first verse, we take note that Yeshayahu looked up and saw the esteem of יהוה, in the year that the Uzziyahu, the king of Yehuḏah, had died.

I find the introduction of these events that took place, very fitting, in teaching us a great lesson on how we are to look up to our Master, who is seated in the heavens!

The Hebrew name עֻזִּיָּהוּ Uzziyahu –Strong’s H5818 means ‘my strength is Yah’ or ‘Yah is my strength’.

Uzziyahu was certainly one of the most successful, and powerful, kings in Yehuḏah’s history and his reign lasted 52 years and had started out very well as he humbly recognised that he could do nothing without יהוה.

Sadly, we take note that once he had experienced success, he forgot that it was יהוה who had helped him and strengthened him and he then became very proud and ignored the instructions of יהוה and even went into the Hěḵal of יהוה to burn incense, which he was not allowed to do, because he was not a priest.

He was chased out by Azaryahu and 80 other priests, which made Uzziyahu mad and he immediately became leprous and remained a leper until he died.

What we can see from the first 5 chapters of Yeshayahu/Isaiah, is that Yisra’ĕl and Yehuḏah had become extremely leprous, so to speak, as the apostasy and depravity of the people was clearly evident and Yeshayahu was called to speak up against the rebellion and lawlessness that was happening.

With this account in Chapter 6, happening in the year that Uzziyahu had died, we take note that, in many ways, the strength of the people had died too, or rather, that the people were not being strengthened by יהוה, as worship had become so corrupt that it did not bring esteem to יהוה at all.

Yeshayahu certainly felt the frustrations, of people not listening to the call to repent and get cleaned up, and at a time when there may have seemed to be no strength left in Yisra’ĕl and Yehuḏah, this prophet is given a clear opening of his sight, to see יהוה enthroned in His Hěḵal!

A once great king may have died and had left his throne on earth, yet Yeshayahu looked up and saw the King of kings, seated on His throne in the Heavenly Temple!

What a magnificent sight this must have been for this courageous prophet, who was called to speak to an apostate Bride.

When he looked up, who did he see?

He saw יהוה seated on His throne!!!

Yoḥanan/John 12:41 “Yeshayahu said this when he saw His esteem and spoke of Him.”

What did Yeshayahu say, when he saw the esteem of יהוה?

In Yoḥanan/John 12 our Master tells us, in verse 38, that Yeshayahu said,

“יהוה, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of יהוה been revealed?”

and then again in verse 40, our Master tells us that Yeshayahu said:

“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they should not see with their eyes and understand with their heart, and turn, and I should heal them.”

The people to whom the arm of יהוה had not been revealed, due to apostasy, remained veiled and hardened, and were unable to see, and understand, who יהוה is!

Yeshayahu saw the arm of יהוה!

He saw the esteem of יהוה!

He saw יהושע Messiah seated on the throne!