15th of the 8th month 2016/2017

Shalom all,

Tehillah/Psalm 56:10-13 “In Elohim, whose Word I praise, in יהוה, whose Word I praise, 11 in Elohim I have trusted; I do not fear; what could man do to me? 12 On me, O Elohim, are Your vows; I render praises to You, 13 for You have delivered my life from death, my feet from stumbling, that I might walk before Elohim, in the light of the living!

These are the closing verses of a very powerful psalm of Dawiḏ and here in this song he echoes a very clear declaration of the strong trust he has in יהוה and His Word. The title of this Tehillah/Psalm 56 is written in Hebrew as follows:

לַמְנַצֵּחַ עַל־יוֹנַת אֵלֶם רְחֹקִים לְדָוִד מִכְתָּם בֶּאֱחֹז אֹתוֹ פְלִשְׁתִּים בְּגַת

Transliterated it is rendered as follows:

Lamnatstseaḥ al-yonath elem reḥoqiym leDawiḏ miḵtam be’eḥoz otho phelishtiym begath

And translated it can be rendered as:

To the chief Musician upon Yonath elem reḥoqim of Dawiḏ a Miḵtam when the Philistines took him in Gath

A fairly long title for this reasonably short yet powerful psalm! The phrase, ‘יוֹנַת אֵלֶם רְחֹקִים Yonath elem reḥoqim – Strong’s H3128 means, the silent dove of far off places’, and while the meaning of this technical term is debated in terms of its meaning, we are able to identify with the picture of Dawiḏ’s complete trust in having the assurance of יהוה’s presence wherever he was, giving him the ability to praise יהוה, even when he was far from his home!

In order to grasp the power of the words contained in this psalm we must take note of the circumstances that Dawiḏ was in, as we take note that this was written when he was taken captive by the Philistines while being on the run from the wicked kings Sha’ul. Here we have a man of Elohim who was fleeing from the threats of the wicked king Sha’ul who was seeking to kill Dawiḏ and having been taken by the philistines in the process he was able to construct this very powerful psalm of complete trust in Elohim.

This psalm is a powerful prayer of a man who was being hunted and persecuted by his enemies as he turns to Elohim for protection and this is a psalm that is able to teach us a great lesson of putting complete trust and faith in our Mighty Master, Elohim and Saviour, as we rely on Him to deliver us from all wickedness that we may be steadfast in walking in the Light of His Truth, no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in.

This Psalm is titled as a מִכְתָּם Miḵtam – Strong’s H4387, as in לְדָוִד מִכְתָּםleDawiḏ miḵtam  – ‘of Dawiḏ a Miḵtam’ and the word מִכְתָּם Miḵtam – Strong’s H4387 is a technical term that used in 6 of the Tehillim/Psalms and are all linked with Dawiḏ (Tehillim/Psalm 16, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60). All 6 of these Tehillim/Psalms are psalms of lament, with 4 of them having headings with historical references to Dawiḏ’s troubles – Tehillah/Psalm 56 (when the Philistines took him) – Tehillah/Psalm 57 (when he fled from Sha’ul and hid in a cave) – Tehillah/Psalm 59 (when Sha’ul sent men to watch Dawiḏ’s house and kill him) – Tehillah/Psalm 60 (when he strove with the Arameans). 

This technical term that is only connected to these 6 Tehillim/Psalms of Dawiḏ, which meaning is uncertain, is thought to come from the ancient Akkadian word katāmu, which has the meaning, to cover, and could therefore render the meaning of each these Tehillim/Psalms as, a song of covering, or a song of atonement.

While there may be some dispute over the meaning of this technical term, what we can see is that this term is likened to poems of confidence, written by Dawiḏ whilst under immense danger and pressures from his enemies!

The reason for me highlighting this heading is to emphasise the power of these words that are written under the pressured circumstances that Dawiḏ was in, in order to help us learn the valuable lesson of our need to continually put our trust in יהוה our Elohim and His trustworthy Word that leads us, guides us and protects us as we walk in accordance to the clear instructions and commands contained therein!

In a message called, “DELIVERED FROM DEATH AND STUMBLING TO WALK IN THE LIGHT OF LIFE!” I want us to be reminded of the deliverance that our Master has brought us so that we may have life in Him and walk in the sure Truth of His Word and not fear what man can do to us! While I would like to focus on the last 4 verses, let us take a look at this Tehillah/Psalm in a little more detail. Please turn with me to Tehillah/Psalm 56 (read).

This מִכְתָּם Miḵtam (song of covering) of Dawiḏ is a song that includes the usual elements of a cry for help given unto Elohim (verse 1-2), along with an expression of confidence that he has in the power of Elohim to save him (verses 3–4), while expressing a clear description of his circumstances (verses 5–6), with an urgent request that Elohim punish his enemies (verse 7). He continues to describe his situation and expresses his complete trust in יהוה (verses 8–11), and closes this ‘song of covering’ with a vow of commitment to Elohim, in that he will render the due praise to יהוה, for the deliverance that He has given Dawiḏ in order to walk before the face of Elohim in the light of life (verses 12–13).

 

As we go through this powerful song of covering and confident trust in Elohim that is expressed we are able to learn some vital lessons on our need to be confident in putting our complete trust in our Mighty Master and Elohim!

In verse 1 Dawiḏ cries out unto יהוה and asks that יהוה show him favour. The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘show me favour’ is written as חָנֵּנִיḥanneyniy which is constructed from the two root words: 1) the primitive root חָנַן anan – Strong’s H2603 meaning, show favour, be gracious to, dealt graciously with, given to them voluntarily, shown favour and 2) אֲנִי aniy – Strong’s H589 which means, me, I, alone, myselfand is written in the first person singular, usually for emphasis.

The noun חֵן en – Strong’s H2580 meaning, grace, adornment, favour, gracious comes from the primitive root חָנַן anan – Strong’s H2603 and the reason for me making mention of this is to highlight that these two words, חֵן en and חָנַן anan, are collectively used 141 times in the Tanak (O.T.) and what we are able to clearly recognise in Scripture is that the favour of Elohim is only extended on the basis of His loving-commitment to His covenants of Promise and highlights the reality that the favour of Elohim is only extended to those who are in Covenant with Him and therefore highlights the reality that those who reject the Torah of Elohim and forsake the need to walk according to the Covenants of Promise, are unable to find His favour in time of need! Many today will loosely use the term ‘I am under grace’ while their lives are riddled with compromise and lawlessness as they totally disregard the need to be for walking in and guarding the Torah and commands of Elohim. Dawiḏ could cry out for the favour of Elohim, based on the loving-commitment of Elohim to His Covenants of promise and Dawiḏ understood the need to guard the commands of Elohim and therefore could confidently seek favour in his time of need, knowing that יהוה would hear his cry! Those who forsake the Torah are not heard y Elohim!

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 28:9 He who turns away his ear from hearing the Torah, even his prayer is an abomination.

One who turns away his ear from hearing the Torah is a clear reference to one who refuses to ‘hear, guard and do’ what the Torah instructs and here we are able to see that the prayers of those who turn a deaf ear to hearing and doing what the Torah teaches and commands are an abomination!

Shemoth/Exodus 19:5-6 “And now, if you diligently obey My voice, and shall guard My covenant, then you shall be My treasured possession above all the peoples – for all the earth is Mine – 6 ‘and you shall be to Me a reign of priests and a set-apart nation.’ Those are the words which you are to speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl.
These verses make it very clear – for us to truly be a treasured possession of the Most High, we are to make sure that we obey His voice and guard His Covenant – for then our prayers will not be an abomination and our cry for favour in time of need shall be heard by our Mighty Master and Elohim!

Dawiḏ cries out to יהוה for favour and makes his earnest plea made known as he expresses the pressures and battles that he is facing and how his life is in danger from his enemies that are seeking to destroy his life. In verse 3 he says that the day that he is afraid he trusts in יהוה. This is extremely important for us to take note of as we recognise that there are times when fear of the enemy may grip us and the fear of crushing circumstances may cause us to be in fear, yet that is not where we have to stay as we make to confident choice to trust in יהוה who is able to deliver us from all fears! In another psalm of Dawiḏ we take note of his words, in:

Tehillah/Psalm 34:4 “I sought יהוה, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.

In a confident song of deliverance we also take note of the words we find in:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 12:2 “See, Ěl is my deliverance, I trust and am not afraid. For Yah, יהוה, is my strength and my song; and He has become my deliverance.

Ěl is our deliverance! Dawiḏ knew who his deliverer was and knew who he could call upon in order to find favour and be delivered against being swallowed up by his enemies! He calls out to Elohim for favour and knew that without the favour of Elohim he would be swallowed up! The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘swallow me up’ comes from the primitive root verb שָׁאַף shaaph – Strong’s H7602 which means, pant, gasp, swallow, chase after, pursue, hound and can express the meaning of following a person with intensity, focus and haste, implying that to catch up with the object being pursued will result in a confrontation or fight, as a figurative extension of an animal pursuing and snapping at the object it is chasing. Dawiḏ was being hunted like an animal!

In a song of degrees of Dawiḏ we see the clear declaration that if it were not for יהוה who was on our side then we would have been swallowed up!

Tehillah/Psalm 124:2-3 “If it had not been יהוה who was on our side, when men rose up against us, 3 then they would have swallowed us alive, in their burning rage against us

In verse 3 Dawiḏ describes what would have happened if it were not for the help of יהוה. The Hebrew root word used here for ‘swallowed’ is בָּלַע bala – Strong’s H1104 which means, to swallow up, engulf, brought to confusion, ruined, consume, destroy. As we consider these words we too should be able to recognise and declare who our deliverer is and know who we can call on for favour, for if it were not for יהוה we would have certainly been swallowed up by the destructive confusion of the enemy!

For more on this please see the notes of the message called, ‘IF IT WERE NOT FOR יהוה!!!’ which can be found under the ‘sermons 2013/2014’ menu on our site (https://atfotc.com) or by clicking on the following link:

https://atfotc.com/~atfotc/index.php/our-sermons/sermons-2013-2014/519-if-it-were-not-for-psalm-124

What is made very clear here in Tehillah/Psalm 56 is that the enemies of Dawiḏ were not giving up in their pursuit to destroy and kill him and in the face of this terrifying danger he declares that when he is afraid he trusts in יהוה!

He makes it clear that it is in Elohim and his word that he trusted and praised and as a result he does not fear! This is a vital lesson for us as we can learn from these words from verse 3-4 how important it is for us to find our strength and refuge in Elohim and His Word, knowing that in the day that we find ourselves being afraid that we can find protection, shelter and shalom in Elohim and His Word and render the due praise to His Name, as we experience His perfect love driving out all fear of what man can do to us!

Trust in Elohim is a must for any true believer of Messiah! The Hebrew word that is translated here as ‘trust’ is from the primitive root verb בָּטַח bataḥ – Strong’s H982 which carries the meaning, to trust, be bold, confident, be secure, courageous. It is a true blessing to trust in יהוה:

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 17:7-8 “Blessed is the man who trusts in יהוה, and whose trust is יהוה. 8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and does not see when heat comes. And his leaf shall be green, and in the year of drought he is not anxious, nor does he cease from yielding fruit.

Blessed in the man who trusts in יהוה and whose trust is יהוה! We not only trust in יהוה…. But יהוה is our trust; and is saying that we are able to see that to trust in יהוה is not just something that we do as an active response to a particular circumstance, but rather it is who we are – we are ‘trusters’ – who are continually trusting יהוה in all things, aměn!

What then is true ‘trust’?

Trust is the assured reliance on the character, ability, strength or truth of someone or something. It is a dependence upon one, or one in which confidence is placed. It is the confidence, reliance and resting of the mind in the integrity/friendship of another person.

When you make the bold statement that you ‘trust in יהוה’, do you really mean it? Or do you allow doubts and fears to come and cause you to waver in your ability to fully trust – especially when things do not seem to go your way?

Pure trust in יהוה results in the blessing of being stable and unshaken by unfavourable circumstances that we may find ourselves in. As Yirmeyahu writes here – when יהוה is your trust you will not get affected by the heat or pressures of life – in other words when the heat is turned up and persecutions are on the rise or difficult circumstances and trials are hitting you from all sides – the true truster in יהוה stands unaffected!!! Are you a true truster in יהוה, or are you easily shaken?

We are to put our trust in our Maker, Husband and King and make Him our trust.

This word for ‘trust’ – בָּטַח bataḥ – Strong’s H982 – in the ancient pictographic script looks this this:

chettet beit

 

beit This is the letter ‘Beyt’, which is written as בָּ in the Modern Hebrew text of this word we are looking at. This pictographic letter is a picture of ‘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, and represents the Dwelling Place of the Most High, which we are, as we are ‘living stones’ that are being built up in Messiah.

 

tet This is the letter ‘Tet’, which is written as ט in the Modern Hebrew text of this word. The original pictograph for this letter is pictured as ‘a container made of wicker or clay’. Containers were a very important item among the nomadic Hebrews. They were used for storing grains and other items. Wicker baskets were used as nets for catching fish. The meaning of this letter is ‘basket, contain, store and clay’. It can also mean ‘surround’ as a basket is used to ‘surround’ something in order for it to be protected and secure.

 

chet This is the letter ‘et, which is written as חַ in the Modern Hebrew text of this word.  The ancient pictographic letter is pictured as a tent wall’, and carries a meaning of SEPARATION’, as a tent wall separates two halves of the tent. It can also reflect the outside walls that separate the people inside from that which is outside and can therefore also symbolise protection and security to those who are inside, while picturing ‘a cutting off’ of those who are outside. Hence this letter can mean ‘established, secure’ as well as ‘cut off, or separated from’.

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

When we look collectively at these pictographic letters that form this word we are able to glean some valuable insight into the encouraging message that is being given through this word, as the following meaning can be rendered from these pictures:

THE HOUSE OF THE BASKET IS SAFELY ESTABLISHED!

Our Master and Elohim has firmly established the end from the beginning and for this reason we are able to put our complete trust in Him and stay in Him as He is coming to gather us to himself and let His kingdom be firmly established forever, where He will rule and reign with His adorned, capable and beloved Bride!

The Hebrew word for ‘Word’ is דָּבָר daḇar – Strong’s H1697 meaning, speech, word, commandment, chronicles, message; and it is the ‘word of Elohim’ that Dawiḏ says that he praises. From the noun דָּבָר daḇar – Strong’s H1697 meaning, speech, word, commandment, chronicles, message, we get the plural word דְּבָרִים Deḇarim (Words).

The 5th book of the Torah (Deuteronomy), which is called “DEḆARIM” – דְּבָרִים is often understood as the ‘powerhouse’ that holds the vision and the mandate that we have in יהושע Messiah. We who choose to ‘walk and obey’ the ‘Words’ of יהוה, as we ‘hear, guard and do’ His Word, find that it becomes a place of anointing, righteousness and empowerment.

The Word of Elohim (includes the collection of all His instructions contained throughout the Scriptures) is that which washes us, teaches us, and trains us in righteousness – and by the life, death and resurrection has been poured out for us so that we may have abundant life in Him!

The Hebrew word דָּבָר daḇar – Strong’s H1697 looks like this is the ancient pictographic script:

reshbeitdalet

Dalet – דְּ:

The ancient script has this letter as dalet and is pictured as 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 of understanding the door of the tent of appointment as the only means of access, showing us the importance of the Appointed Times/Feasts of יהוה. Therefore our need to gather as we are commanded to, is the starting point for us to embrace, learn and understand what His Word teaches and instructs us to do.

 

Beyt בָ:

The ancient script has this letter as beit, 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. We also recognise that the House/Dwelling Place of Elohim is the body of Elohim that is built up as living stones in our Master, יהושע Messiah. A house/tent speaks of your family and to whom you belong and under whom you submit and adhere to, as the House of Elohim has clear instructions for those in the House! The Light (that is His Word) is for those in the House!

 

Reshרִ:

The ancient script has this letter as resh and is pictured as ‘the head of a man’ and has the meaning of the head of a man as well as ‘chief, top, begging or first’; top, as in the top or head of a body, and chief, as in a head of a tribe or people; as well as the one who rules the people. Every House has a head of the home, and all in the House submit to the instructions of the One who is head of the home, listening to and obeying the words that the Head speaks!

 

What these pictographic symbols or letters clearly show us here in reference to these collectively expressing ‘The Word’ is that THE WORD IS: THE DOOR TO THE HOUSE OF THE HEAD! יהושע Messiah is The Door and He is the Head and we are His dwelling Place, and our only means of access is through our Master and Elohim, who is the Door that has been revealed to us in the flesh in order that we can be grafted in and enter into the Covenants of promise that we were once far off from and without Elohim in the world!

 

Dawiḏ could trust in Elohim and give praise for His Word as he understood the powerful truth that is given through the Word of Elohim and when one guards the Word of Elohim there is the full assurance of complete protection and provision in Elohim!

As we consider these words we ought to be reminded how important it is for us to be delighting ourselves in the Word of Elohim, meditating on His Torah day and night in order to be able to properly trust in Elohim, ion whose Word we praise! Many people lack the ability to put complete trust in Elohim as they do not delight themselves in His Word!

As one meditates on the Word of Elohim it becomes a clear tool for equipping us in our much needed ability to fully trust in and rely upon Elohim, which is turn causes us to not fear what man can do to us!

We are able to praise the Word of יהוה for His word is Truth and while the heavens and the earth will pass away, the Word of Elohim remains forever!

Dawiḏ expresses how his enemies were constantly making trouble for him and how they were constantly twisting his words and stirring up strife against him and he calls for יהוה to destroy his enemies and confidently declares that he knows how his enemies turn back in the day that he calls upon יהוה because he knew that Elohim was for him and not against him!

The confident trust that we, as true believers in Messiah, ought to have in our Master and Elohim should cause us to recognise and know that Elohim is for us and not against us and as we meditate on His Word we can make our bold and confident praise in Him who has delivered us from the evil and destructive path of death, giving us full confident in our ability to walk in the light of life!

In the recognition of the confident trust that Dawiḏ has in יהוה and His Word he makes it clear that he is lovingly committed to walking in righteousness before the face of Elohim and recognises his responsibility in performing his vows to Elohim and the need to render proper thanksgiving!

The Hebrew word translated as ‘vow’ is נֶדֶר neḏer – Strong’s H5088 meaning, vow and ‘to make a vow’ is the word נָדַר naḏar – Strong’s H5087; and to naḏar a neḏer” is to swear to Elohim with an ‘oath’, and therefore bind oneself with what proceeds from one’s mouth. A ‘neḏer’ is something that is promised to Elohim verbally, and anyone who makes a vow is obliged to fulfil/do his promise! In Scripture a vow is always to Elohim and not to man. And the understanding behind a ‘vow’ carries the meaning, to bind or imprison, or to dedicate a specific object or creature to יהוה.

Tehillah/Psalm 61:8 “So I sing praise to Your Name forever, when I pay my vows day by day.

Tehillah/Psalm 116:14 “I pay my vows to יהוה now in the presence of all His people.

Yonah/Jonah 2:9 “But I offer to You with the voice of thanksgiving, I pay what I have vowed. Deliverance is of יהוה.

As we dedicate our lives to serving our Master, in whom we now have acceptance by His Blood, we recognise that giving a deformed or dwarfed service is NOT acceptable to Elohim – no half-hearted or lukewarm service – it is all or nothing!

Dawiḏ was making a clear vow of complete committed dedication here and is something we can learn a great deal from, especially as we see how he can make this bold statement of commitment to Elohim in the face of much danger, for he put his complete trust in the One who had delivered his life from death and who had kept his feet from stumbling!

We who have come to the Master, called upon His Name and been immersed in Him have been delivered from death and now walk in a deliverance that we are to work out with fear and trembling, with the full assurance that His Word will lead us and guide us; and as long as we stay in Him and walk in His Word then our feet will be kept from stumbling – in order that we may confidently walk in the light of life and not in the darkness of death!

These words at the end of this Tehillah/Psalm 56 is what gripped me this past week as I simply began to meditate on the joyous privilege that we have in our Master, who has delivered us from death and stumbling so that we can confidently walk in the abundant life that he has given us in him!

Dawiḏ could make a confident praise in Elohim because he had been delivered; and we see similarity of the words that Kěpha uses in his first letter:

Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 2:9-10But 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.

We are to proclaim the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light! And to do this faithfully we must guard righteousness and walk as our Master walked as we walk in the Light and stay very clear from the dark paths of destruction!

The Hebrew root word used here in Tehillah/Psalm 56:13 for ‘delivered’ is נָצַל natsal – Strong’s H5337 which means, to strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver, recover, escape. This is written in the causative ‘hiphil’ form which can render the meaning, to take away, snatch away, to rescue, recover, to deliver (from enemies or troubles or death), to deliver from sin and guilt. Messiah is the One who delivers/saves, and we who are ambassadors of His reign possess His witness and guard His commands!

Ḥazon/Revelation 14:12Here is the endurance of the set-apart ones, here are those guarding the commands of Elohim and the belief of יהושע.

Our Master has delivered us from ‘death’ in order to walk in the path of life!

The Hebrew word for ‘death’ is מָוֶת maveth – Strong’s H4194 which means, death, plague and comes from the root verb מוּת muth – Strong’s H4191 which means, to die, bring about my death, put to death.

In Mishlĕ/Proverbs 7:27 we are told that the house of the strange woman/adulterous whore is the way to the grave, going down to the rooms of death!

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 15:24The path of life is upward for the wise, to turn away from the grave below.

As we walk in the clear instructions (Torah) of Elohim we walk in life and are delivered from the clear punishment of death, for the punishment of sin, which is lawlessness, is death!

In Mishlĕ/Proverbs 10:2 Shelomoh makes it clear to us that righteousness delivers from death, and so we are able to clearly expand on that in recognising how it is righteousness for us to guard the commands of Elohim and walk in His Torah, for then we will turn away from the snares of death, for the second death has no power over those who have part in the first resurrection, for they guarded the commands of Elohim and the witness of Messiah!

The root word for ‘feet’ in Tehillah/Psalm 56:13 is רֶגֶל regel – Strong’s H7272 which means ‘a foot/feet or to walk, and in Scripture this often speaks of one’s obedience to walking according to the commands of יהוה and obeying His call to keep His feasts as commanded; as this same word is used in Wayyiqra/Leviticus 23 and is translated as ‘times’, in reference to the 3 times a year all males were to appear before Elohim at Yerushalayim which would collectively cover all 7 Feasts/Appointed Times of Elohim, marking out the clear need to walk according to His word and guard the Appointed Times or Feasts of יהוה!

The Word teaches us how to walk and guides us in paths of righteousness and helps us in recognising the need to guard and keep His Feasts, as opposed to man-made feasts that are rooted in pagan worship practices!

We have been delivered from stumbling paths of destruction and the Word of Elohim – is both a lamp to our feet and a light for our path

Tehillah/Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

What a privilege and joy it is to walk in the light of the Word by guarding righteousness and keeping in step with our Master as we guard to keep His Sabbaths and Feasts – His Appointed Times! By the Blood of Messiah we have been brought near to the Covenants of promise that we were once far off from in order for us to walk in the Light that leads to life and no longer be groping about in the darkness of sin and lawlessness that leads to death!

The Hebrew word that is used here in Tehillah/Psalm 56:13 for ‘walkcomes from the root verb הָלַךְ halaḵ – Strong’s H1980 which carries the meaning, ‘to walk, to live, manner of life, cause to live’, and literally speaks of how one lives. It is used as a verb indicating that it is an active expression of one’s life and also carries the meaning, to go, to walk, come, proceed, depart, move, go away, to die, live, manner of life (figuratively).

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

kaphlamedhey

 

Hey – הָ:

The ancient script has this letter pictured as hey, which is ‘a man standing with his arms raised out’. The meaning of the letter is behold, look, breath, sigh and reveal or revelation, from the idea of revealing a great sight by pointing it out. It also carries for us the meaning of surrender, as we lift up our hands and submit to יהוה as we lift our hands in praise, declaring His authority under which we humbly submit!

 

Lamed – לַ:

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

 

Kaph – ךְ:

The ancient form of this letter is kaph – meaning ‘the open palm of a hand’. The meaning behind this letter is ‘to bend and curve’ from the shape of a palm as well as ‘to tame or subdue’ as one has been bent to another’s will (under their hand), as an open hand symbolises submission. This also can picture for us a palm or palm branch from the curved palm shape. The hand also speaks of one’s work, or under whose hand you submit and obey!

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

Behold the staff in the palm!

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

As we consider our need to walk before Elohim as true children of light that have been delivered from death, we take careful note how important it is for us to walk according to the Word of Elohim and submit completely to His Word being the authority under which we walk!

How are you walking? In the light or do you find yourself stumbling in darkness?

The word used for ‘light’ here in Tehillah/Psalm 56:13 is אוֹר  ‘oor’ – Strong’s H216, which we know in Scripture, in being the opposite to darkness, carries with it the clear significance it has for us in speaking of knowledge and insight and understanding as opposed to ignorance and confusion.

Walking in the light is a clear picture of obedience and is something that we see being repeatedly given to us as a call and instruction, for it is a true blessing to do so!

Tehillah/Psalm 89:15 “Blessed are the people who know the sounding! They walk, O יהוה, in the light of Your face.

Walking in the light of the face of יהוה is a clear reference to obedience, as we also take note of Dawiḏ’s appeal to יהוה to not turn His face away in displeasure:

Tehillah/Psalm 27:9 “Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in displeasure; You have been my help; do not leave me nor forsake me, O Elohim of my deliverance.

In Yeshayahu we see the clear call to walk in the light of יהוה:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 2:5 “O house of Yaʽaqoḇ, come and let us walk in the light of יהוה.

When Yeshayahu was describing the coming reign of our King, he urged all to be urgent in their walking in the Truth and Light of the Torah of יהוה. The urgency of this command is clear in saying ‘come and let us walk’ and we see the repetition of the root word to walk in the intensive form literally commanding the following, ‘walk, let us walk!

This call identifies that there is no time to be sitting still and waiting for The Day to come – we are to be about walking in Him right now!

Delivered our lives from death and our feet from stumbling – that we may walk before Elohim ‘in the light of the living’. The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘the living’ is – הַחַיִּיםhaḥayyim and the Hebrew word for ‘living’חַיִּים ḥayyim – is the plural of the Hebrew word that is used for ‘life’ which is חַי ḥay – Strong’s H2416 and means, life, alive, living, flowing, fresh, running’.

In the ancient pictographic symbols of this word, we are given a greater insight in understanding how יהושע Messiah is THE LIFE! This word – חַי ḥay in the ancient script look like this:

yadchet

et חַ

The ancient script has this letter as chet 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.

Yod – י

The ancient script has this letter as yad which is ‘an arm and hand’ and carries the meaning of ‘work, make, throw’, from the primary functions of the arm and hand, and it also represents worship or giving thanks in the extending of hands as a gesture of this. The work of one’s hands is the basic meaning of this letter!

From this ancient pictographic lettering of the word for LIFE we are clearly able to see how by the work of Messiah – the outstretched arm and hand of Elohim, we as living stones, are built up in Him as the Dwelling Place of the Living Elohim!

What gives us our ability to be built up as living stones in the Master is our continued obedience to walking in that which is our life – His Torah!

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 32:45-47And when Mosheh ended speaking all these words to all Yisra’ĕl, 46 he said to them, “Set your heart on all the words with which I warn you today, so that you command your children to guard to do all the Words of this Torah. 47 “For it is not a worthless Word for you, because it is your life, and by this Word you prolong your days on the soil which you pass over the Yardĕn to possess.

As children of light our lives have been delivered from death and our feet from stumbling that we may walk in the light of the living, or rather walk in the light of life – the abundant life that we have been given in Messiah, who is The Way, The Truth and The Life. Our Master is the light of the world and we possess the light of life by following Him;

Yoḥanan/John 8:12Therefore יהושע spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall by no means walk in darkness, but possess the light of life.

We are to walk in the light of life as we walk in our Master and guard His Torah, which is not a worthless word, nor is it an empty word for it is our life and we are to be on guard against the deception of empty lawless ear tickling teachings that many have been gripped by:

Eph’siyim/Ephesians 5:6-11 “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these the wrath of Elohim comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partakers with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Master. Walk as children of light 9 for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth 10 proving what is well-pleasing to the Master. 11 And have no fellowship with the fruitless works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

The Greek word that is used here in Sha’ul’s letter to the believers in Ephesos for ‘darkness’ is σκότος skótos – Strong’s G4655 which means, physical darkness, darkened eyesight, blindness and is also used to metaphorically describe, spiritual darkness, implying error and ignorance, sin and misery and immorality.

Sha’ul makes it very clear to us that we are to walk as children of light and have nothing to do with the fruitless works of darkness and the Greek word used here for ‘walk’ is περιπατέω peripateō – Strong’s G4043 and carries the same meaning and that is, ‘to walk, behaviour, to conduct one’s self, to make one’s way, to tread with the feet, to make one’s life’.

We are children of the Most High Master and Elohim, and we are to walk as such, for those who overcome shall be called children:

Ḥazon/Revelation 21:7The one who overcomes shall inherit all this, and I shall be his Elohim and he shall be My son.

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 2:6The one who says he stays in Him ought himself also to walk, even as He walked.

In speaking of the Day of יהוה Sha’ul made it clear to the believers in Thessalonica that they were not to be ignorant of the times of our Master

Tas’loniqim Aleph/1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 “But you, brothers, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 For you are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.

As we guard the Word of Elohim and walk as children of light then we shall not be caught unawares at our Master’s coming but will be a prepared Bride that has made herself ready!

As we consider these various passages that I have quoted from we need to be diligent in walk as true children of light and recognise the trust we are to have in our Master and Elohim and guard to walk in righteousness as we walk in the light of His face, being equipped to stand armed in His Torah of Light so that we can withstand the fiery darts of the enemy and not fear what man can do to us!

Romiyim/Romans 13:12-14 “The night is far advanced, the day has come near. So let us put off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk becomingly, as in the day, not in wild parties and drunkenness, not in living together and indecencies, not in fighting and envy, 14 but put on the Master יהושע Messiah, and make no provision for the lusts of the flesh.

Put off darkness and put on the armour of light and walk as children of light! The Torah is a light (Mishlĕ/Proverbs 6:23)! Dawiḏ understood that he had been delivered from death and from stumbling feet in order to walk before Elohim in the light of life and in doing so he could confidently give praise unto Elohim and His Word and put His complete trust in Elohim when facing huge battles and frightening enemies! His trust in Elohim and His Word caused him not to fear what his enemies could do because he knew that Elohim was for him!

How about you?

Are you able to put your confident trust in Elohim and His Word and make your boast and praise in Him as you recognise what our Master and Elohim has brought you near to by His Blood? Or do you find yourself fretting at the threats of dangerous and pressing circumstances and unable to walk in the light because you find that you compromise set-apartness in fear of being struck down by those who oppose the Truth?

Our Master has delivered us from darkness and destruction in order that we may walk boldly in the light of His path of Truth and He has equipped us with His Word that strengthens our belief in Him so that we can stand and not be shaken or moved by any attacks or worries!

How are you walking? Are you walking as true children of light or have you found your feet slipping into darkness due to your inability to trust Elohim as a result of not delighting yourself in His Word?

May this message be an encouraging reminder for you to trust in Elohim and make Him your trust so that your do not allow the fear of man to cripple your ability to walk in the light in any way, but rather be bold in your ability to reprove the works of darkness through your diligent obedience in guarding righteousness and praising our Master and Elohim in all you do!

DELIVERED FROM DEATH AND STUMBLING TO WALK IN THE LIGHT OF LIFE!

Do not allow the worries of this age, and the deceit of riches, and the desires for other matters, to enter in and choke out the Word of Truth but rather be strengthened in the Word to stand firm in your Trust of the One who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light and walk before Elohim in the light of life as you render all praise unto Him!!!

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