Click here for the PDF version

19^th of the 2^nd month 2022/2023.

Shalom,

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.”

These words highlight the echo of a joy-filled response of those whom יהוה has blessed, as they acknowledge that which He has done, by providing His called-out Bride the necessary garments of deliverance, that cause Her to adorn Herself and be ready for the Wedding Feast!

One translation says it like this:

“I will rejoice in יהוה with a display of gladness. My whole self will be exuberant in My Elohim, because He has arrayed me with the cloak of safety. He has dressed me in the right clothes for the occasion, as a bridegroom is decorated in his splendid adornment and as the bride puts on her accessories.”.

We have much to rejoice about, in our Master and Elohim, for He has clothed us with deliverance and righteousness!

Deliverance and righteousness, are symbolically pictured as the proper clothing that true believers wear and are garments that true worshippers guard to keep pure and set-apart, at all times!

Deliverance and righteousness are inseparably connected together, as one cannot go without the other.

By the Blood of יהושע Messiah, we have been given a deliverance that we could not work for ourselves and our immersion in Him, has caused us to put Him on, and has enabled us to work out our deliverance with fear and trembling, as we diligently guard to do all He has commanded us to – that is: to walk in, and be clothed in, righteousness!

Galatiyim/Galatians 3:27 “For as many of you as were immersed into Messiah have put on Messiah.”

Iyoḇ/Job 29:14 “I put on righteousness, and it robed me; right-ruling was my cloak and turban.”

Tehillah/Psalm 132:9 “Let Your priests put on righteousness, and Your lovingly-committed ones shout for joy.”

Romiyim/Romans 13:13-14 “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.”

These are just a few verses that highlight for us the clear need for us to ‘put on’ the Master and to put on righteousness!

To put on righteousness is to put on the Master and vice versa! .

Many people, who claim to have put on the Master יהושע Messiah, while they show no regard for walking in righteousness (which is to guard the commands of Elohim), are clearly deceived and are certainly not dressed as the set-apart priesthood and bride should be, but are simply lawless counterfeits who shall be cast out of the Master’s presence, when He comes for His ready Bride! .

In a message called, “DRESSED AND WORTHY OF THE CALL!” I would like us to be reminded of how we are to make sure that we have put off all darkness and in doing so, we have been correctly clothed in true righteousness, as we walk in the Master and be the faithful remnant Bride that waits with endurance for His imminent return!

To do this, I would like us to look at the parable that our Master gave us, on the wedding feast. .

Please read Mattithyahu/Matthew 22:1-14.

While this may be a very well-known parable to us all, what we can certainly acknowledge, is that while this may be well known by most, most refuse to heed the vital lessons that are contained herein!

This parable is very clear, in giving us the message of a call that had gone out and was ignored by most and after getting whoever would respond and come, the clear standards for a required dress code are enforced!.

The biggest question that should come before anyone who looks intently into the mirror of The Word, at the hearing of this parable, is that of whether the garments that they are currently wearing are worthy to be deemed as acceptable before the face of the Master!.

In the few verses that I quoted before reading this passage, we are able to see the clear thread that runs through them all, as being one of ‘the need to ‘put on’ righteousness and the Master יהושע Messiah’.

The Greek word for ‘put on’ is ἐνδύω enduō – Strong’s G1746 which means, ‘to clothe or be clothed with (in the sense of sinking into a garment)’, and is made up of two 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 – δύνω dunō a form of δύω duō – Strong’s G1416 which means, ‘to enter, sink into, setting’.

With the idea of ‘setting’, we can see how the 12 stones of the breastplate of the High Priest were set into the ephod.

This Greek word ἐνδύω enduō – Strong’s G1746 simply carries the understanding of putting on something or clothing oneself with something! .

In the LXX (Septuagint), this Greek word ἐνδύω enduō – Strong’s G1746 is mostly used to translate the Hebrew word לָבַשׁ laḇash – Strong’s H3847 which means, ‘wear, put on, be clothed, apparel, dress’. .

The Hebrew root word לָבַשׁ laḇash – Strong’s H3847 and its derivatives show three levels of usage in Scripture:

1) being clothed,

2) being clothed as a sign of rank, status, or character, and

3) as poetic figures likening abstract qualities to clothing..

In addition to putting on clothes, we also take note that the clothes that a person puts on, may reveal something about the wearer.

Our Master and Elohim has clothed us in righteousness and as we stay in Him, we are equipped to walk in the authority of His Word and guard righteousness as we do all He commands!.

A Hebrew word that is derived from the root verb לָבַשׁ laḇash – Strong’s H3847 which means, ‘wear, put on, be clothed, apparel, dress’, is the noun that is often translated as ‘dressed’, which is the word לְבוּשׁ leḇush – Strong’s H3830 which means, ‘garment, clothing, apparel, raiment, put on’..

In the ancient pictographic text this word לְבוּשׁ leḇush – Strong’s H3830 which means, ‘garment, clothing, apparel, raiment, put on’ looks like this:.

    .

Lamed – לְ:

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

Bet – 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..

Waw/Vav – וּ:

The ancient script has this letter pictured as , which is a ‘peg or tent peg’, which was used for securing or tying the tent or other items.

The possibility of it having a Y-shape is to show that it prevents the rope from slipping off. The root meaning of this letter is ‘to add, secure or hook’..

Shin – שׁ:

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..

As one looks at this pictographic rendering of this word לְבוּשׁ leḇush – Strong’s H3830, when speaking of the garments of righteousness that we have been clothed in through the Blood of the Lamb, we take note of the following meaning:.

THE AUTHORITY OF THE HOUSE

IS MADE SECURE IN THE WORD.

What this clearly shows us, is that to be properly clothed in Truth, we must guard the Word and submit to the authority of our Master and Elohim, for He has given us all we need to sustain us and be built up, in Him, as His House, which He has secured in His own Blood.

And this we can only do, when we have correctly responded to the call to awaken and rise up to be dressed in the splendour of set-apartness. This means our eyes need to be firmly fixed on the Truth, having thrown off all that once blinded us and put us under the delusion of lawlessness!

We must make sure that we do not defile the garments that The Lamb has provided us with, as we guard the rules of the House by guarding His Torah and commands!.

In addition to simply referring to clothes, as something to be put on, we recognise that clothes reveal something about the one wearing them.

In Scripture, we are able to see various garments that were worn by various people, in order to reveal their status or position.

The sovereign’s daughters wore long coats, like Tamar who was Dawiḏ’s daughter.

Kings and officials wore special garments with unique colours, and most importantly, we know that priests wore linen garments, which we know is a great lesson, in teaching us about our need to be dressed in righteousness, as we see in:

Ḥazon/Revelation 19:7-9 “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him praise, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife prepared herself.” 8 And to her it was given to be dressed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteousnesses of the set-apart ones. 9 And he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who have been called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true words of Elohim.”.

Blessed are those who have been called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!

יהושע Messiah tells us, in His parable, that many are called, but few are chosen, and the reason for this, is that the call has clearly gone out to all, yet few are actually dressed and worthy of the call, making it very clear to us, that while only few will be chosen many will be rejected and cast out!.

The Greek word that is translated as ‘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 – Greek translation of Tanak) for the Hebrew word that is translated as ‘proverbs’, which is: מִשְׁלֵי Mishlĕ, which comes from the root noun מָשָׁל mashal – Strong’s H4912 which 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 are able to understand the words of יהושע 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 would be 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 guard and do, are never able to fully understand the teachings of our Master!.

When we look at the pictograph of the Hebrew word for ‘proverbs’, מִשְׁלֵי Mishlĕ, we are able to clearly see the powerful work of redemption that our Master has brought us, through His Blood, as we see this word being depicted in the ancient script as follows:.

    .

Mem – מִ:

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. Knowing then, that this letter also represents ‘water’, we are able to see how this can render for us the meaning of ‘washing’ or ‘cleansing’..

Shin – שְׁ:

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.

Lamed – לֵ:

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

Yod – י:

The ancient script has this letter as 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!

And this letter also pictures for us the outstretched Arm and working Hand of Elohim, that is not too short to save!.

When we consider this pictograph for the word that means ‘parables’, we are able to recognise the following, being declared:

CLEANSED BY THE WASHING OF THE WORD

OF THE SHEPHERD’S WORK OF REDEMPTION.

Our Master and Good Shepherd, came to cleanse us, through the washing of His Word, by coming in the flesh and revealing to us the arm of יהוה. And His Word and the revelation thereof is given to us in order to know the secrets of the reign of Elohim, for the light is for those that are in The House!.

As we study and meditate on the Torah and are diligent in obeying the clear instructions of Elohim, and as we guard to keep His Appointed Times, we are enabled to understand the clear lessons that the Feasts of יהוה teach us, as the parables that are contained therein, are made plain to us who are in Messiah! .

In this parable of the wedding feast, what we can definitely recognise, is that the invitation to come has already gone out and has been extended to all.

Those who were invited would not come!

This is the problem that we still see happening today – many refusing to come, at the invitation call of the Master...

The Greek word that is translated here as ‘invited’ is καλέω kaleō Strong’s G2564 meaning ‘call, to call, called out, invited, summoned’, and from this word, we get the Greek word ἐκκλησία ekklēsia – Strong’s G1577 which means ‘assembly or congregation’, coming from the words:

1) ἐκ ek Strong’s G1537 which means ‘from, from out of, belonging’ and

2) καλέω kaleō Strong’s G2564. .

The True assembly, are the ones who have responded to the invitation to come out, or rather, they are the true called–out ones!

This word καλέω kaleō Strong’s G2564 is also used in:

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 were called out of darkness into His marvellous light, which clearly implies the responsibility that we have been given, to make sure that we have ‘put off’ darkness and have ‘put on’ the armour of light!

Romiyim/Romans 13:12 “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.”

Eph’siyim/Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the complete armour of Elohim, for you to have power to stand against the schemes of the devil.”

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 6:23 tells us that the command in a lamp and the Torah a light, showing us exactly what Sha’ul is teaching us, by telling us to put on the armour of Elohim, or armour of Light – that is: to put on the Torah!

Our garments reflect who we are and therefore, they should reveal that we are children of light, as we clothe ourselves in the Master, giving no room for the works of darkness, putting on the complete armour of His Torah!.

Eph’siyim/Ephesians 5:8 “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Master. Walk as children of light”

Just as one’s dress or garments reveal much about the identity of a person, we can also say that one’s walk can reveal what garments that they are dressed in! .

Are you dressed in light or darkness?

What does your walk reveal?.

The Greek word that is translated here, in this parable, for ‘wedding feast’, is the word γάμος gamos – Strong’s G1062 which simply means, ‘wedding, marriage, wedding feast’. .

It was an ancient custom to have a wedding feast for 7 days and often the guests would be supplied the appropriate garments that the kings required all to be dressed in, and herein we are able to recognise the parable of our Master, highlighting for us the need for us to be clothed in the righteous garments that He has given us, in Him, and be ready to rejoice and praise our Husband and King..

In this parable, we are told that servants were sent out to call those who were invited!

In this parable, the Greek word that is translated as ‘servant’ is δοῦλος doulos – Strong’s G1401 which means, ‘slave, servant, bondservant, bondslaves – both men and women’.

This Greek word δοῦλος doulos – Strong’s G1401 is used repeatedly throughout the Renewed Writings, and we take note of how Sha’ul, Ya’aqoḇ, Kěpha and Yehuḏah all called themselves a ‘servant’ (δοῦλος doulos – Strong’s G1401) of יהושע Messiah.

Romiyim/Romans 1:1 “Sha’ul, a servant of יהושע Messiah, a called emissary, separated to the Good News of Elohim”

Ya’aqoḇ/James 1:1 “Yaʽaqoḇ, a servant of Elohim and of the Master יהושע Messiah, to the twelve tribes who are in the dispersion: Greetings.”

Kěpha Bět/2 Peter 1:1 “Shimʽon Kěpha, a servant and emissary of יהושע Messiah, to those who have obtained a belief as precious as ours by the righteousness of our Elohim and Saviour יהושע Messiah”

Yehuḏah/Jude 1:1 “Yehuḏah, a servant of יהושע Messiah, and brother of Yaʽaqoḇ, to those who are called, set-apart by Elohim the Father, and preserved in יהושע Messiah”.

This is a picture of the many prophets that יהוה had sent, to call His people back to righteousness and get ready for His return, yet they would not listen!

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 7:25-28 “From the day that your fathers came out of the land of Mitsrayim until this day, I have even sent to you all My servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them. 26 “But they did not obey Me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck. They did evil, more than their fathers. 27 “And you shall speak all these words to them, though they do not listen to you. And you shall also call to them, though they do not answer you. 28 “But you shall say to them, ‘This is a nation that did not obey the voice of יהוה their Elohim, nor did they accept instruction. Truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth.”.

In the LXX (Septuagint – Greek translation of the Tanak) the word δοῦλος doulos – Strong’s G1401 is used here, in this above passage, and the Hebrew word that is used for ‘servants’ is עֶבֶד eḇeḏ – Strong’s H5650 which means, ‘servant, slave, bondservant’.

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 25:4 “Moreover, יהוה has sent to you all His servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, but you have not listened nor inclined your ear to hear”

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 29:19 “For they did not heed My words,’ declares יהוה, ‘which I sent to them by My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, yet you did not listen,’ declares יהוה.”

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 35:15 “And I sent to you all My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, ‘Turn, each one from his evil way, and make good your deeds, and do not go after other mighty ones to serve them, and you shall dwell in the land which I have given you and your fathers.’ But you have not inclined your ear, nor obeyed Me.”

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!”.

The reason for me highlighting these verses, is to simply show you the lesson that is being given to us, in this parable of the wedding feast, as we are able to see that despite The Word of Elohim being proclaimed by His servants, the vast majority have closed their ears to the call.

Another reason for me highlighting these verses, is to also emphasise the role that we, as taught ones and bondservants of Messiah, are to have, in calling others to get ready..

As a child of Yisra’ĕl, which we have become by the Blood of Messiah, we recognise that we are servants of יהוה:

Wayyiqra/Leviticus 25:55 “Because the children of Yisra’ĕl are servants to Me, they are My servants whom I brought out of the land of Mitsrayim. I am יהוה your Elohim.” .

The Hebrew word עֶבֶד eḇeḏ – Strong’s H5650 is used 800 times in the Tanak (O.T.) and it is used as a noun and comes from the primitive root verb עָבַד aḇaḏ – Strong’s H5647 which means, ‘to work, serve, observe, do the work, cultivate, worship’ and carries the understanding of ‘expending considerable energy and intensity in performing a task or function’ – in other words, it can carry the clear idea of:

GIVING IT YOUR ALL!.

The reason for highlighting this, is to show how important it is for us to be ‘giving it our all’ and being faithful and trustworthy servants, that are calling others to repentance and proclaiming the need to get dressed in the set-apart garments of righteousness!.

In the ancient pictographic script, the words עֶבֶד eḇeḏ – Strong’s H5650 and עָבַד aḇad – Strong’s H5647 are pictured as follows:

    .

Ayin – עֶ:

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

Beyt – בֶ:

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

Dalet – ד:

The ancient script has this letter as 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 in terms of understanding the door of the tent of appointment as the only means of access..

When we look at this word, in the ancient script for a servant, or one who serves, we can see that it speaks of:

ONE WHO WATCHES

AT THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE!.

This is what our Master calls us to do; 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 keep watch over the House/Body of Messiah!.

The Greek word that is translated as ‘sent out’, comes from the word ἀποστέλλω apostellō – Strong’s G649 which means, ‘to send forth, set-apart and send out (on a mission), ordered to go to a place appointed, send away’, and is a technical term for the sending of a messenger with a special task. .

The task was very clear and specific:

‘To call those who were invited’!.

The Greek word that is translated here as ‘call’ comes from the word καλέω kaleō Strong’s G2564 which means, ‘call, to call, called out, invited, summoned’, as already discussed..

From the beginning of this parable, we are able to learn two key elements in our walk:

1) the first, is that we are to be those who hear the call and invitation and respond correctly and

2) secondly, we are to be the faithful servants that are calling others to the wedding feast and proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom that is coming, urging others to hear and respond correctly!.

In verse 3 we are told that those who were invited ‘would not come’.

These 3 words clearly reflect a clear heart of rebellion, to the invitation and summons of the King!

WOULD NOT COME!

1) The Greek word translated as ‘would’ is θέλω thelō – Strong’s G2309 which means, ‘to will, have in mind, intend, willing, delights, desire, wanting’,

2) The Greek word translated as ‘not’ is οὐ ou – Strong’s G3756 which is an adverb that is used as an absolute negative that simply means ‘no’ or ‘not’,

3) The Greek word for ‘come’ is ἔρχομαι erchomai – Strong’s G2064 which means, ‘to come, go, arrive, brought’..

What is being made very clear here, in the Greek text, is that those who were invited had:

NO DESIRE TO COME!!!

They had no desire to respond to the Master’s voice and were not willing to do what it takes, in order to respond correctly...

To ‘come’ to the Master’s call and invitation to set-apartness, comes with a clear call to hear, guard and do, all that He commands us to, yet what we see, still today, is that the majority of people have absolutely no desire to do what is commanded, and this will render them as not being worthy to attend the Great Wedding Feast, nor will they enter into the reign of the Master!.

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 4:1 “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering into His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.”

The Greek word that is translated here as ‘entering’ is εἰσέρχομαι eiserchomai – Strong’s G1525 which means, ‘enter, go in, come, come in, arise’, which comes from the two words:

1) εἰς eis – Strong’s G1519 which is a primary preposition that means, ‘to or into (indicating the point reached or entered, of place and time, or figuratively meaning the purpose or result)’, and

2) ἔρχομαι erchomai – Strong’s G2064 which means, ‘to come, go, arrive, brought’, which is used in:

Ḥazon /Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And he who hears, let him say, “Come!” And he who thirsts, come! And he who desires it, take the water of life without paying!”

Here in this call to come, the Greek word that is translated here as ‘come’ 3 times, is the word ἔρχομαι erchomai – Strong’s G2064 which means, ‘to come, go, arrive, brought’, and clearly highlights for us the clear picture of those who are able to enter into the reign of the new heavens and earth, where no unrighteous will be allowed.

It is obedient belief/faith that gets one to be able to respond clearly to the call to ‘come in’ and dwell with the Master!.

“COME! … COME! … COME!”

This is the clear call that we see being loudly proclaimed at the end of Ḥazon/Revelation, and we take note that this is an urgent call that was being given, after Yoḥanan had been shown the vision of the fullness of the revelation of יהושע Messiah, and is a loud call that is still being given today! .

With the clear revelation of יהושע Messiah having been declared, the call to come is being given to those who have ears to hear and are thirsty for true righteousness! .

With this call to ‘come’ being given, there is also a severe warning that is given to anyone who adds or takes away from the prophecy of the revelation of Messiah, and we therefore take note that, with the revelation of who Messiah is, nothing can be added or taken away! .

The call to come is being rejected by so many, as pictured through the parable of the wedding feast!.

This call to come, that is given 3 times in Ḥazon/Revelation, echoes the same call that is given in Yeshayahu, where we see the call to come also being given 3 times:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 55:1 “Oh everyone who thirsts, come to the waters. And you who have no silver, come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without silver and without price.”.

The usage of the word ‘come’, being given three times, helps us consider how it is commanded that all men were to come up to Yerushalayim ‘3 times a year’, which would incorporate all 7 of the Feasts of יהוה, and by implication, guard and keep the weekly Sabbath too, which is set forth as a clear standard of how the Feasts are to be set-apart!

In other words, this call to ‘come’, is a call to obedience!

This is a call to obedience and more specifically, it is call to walk a ‘walk of obedience’, by getting dressed in the correct garments of righteousness and showing up as expected!.

The Hebrew word that is translated s ‘come’, in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 55:1, is לְכוּ leḵu, which comes from the Hebrew root word הָלַךְ halaḵ – Strong’s H1980 which carries the meaning, ‘to walk, to live, manner of life, cause to live’, and it literally and figurately speaks of how one lives. .

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

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

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

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

    .

Hey – הָ:

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

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

Lamed – לַ:

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

Kaph – ךְ:

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

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

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

BEHOLD THE STAFF IN THE PALM!.

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

Let us now look at the construct of this root word that is used, in the call to ‘come’, which is written as: לְכוּ leḵu.

In the ancient pictographic script, it looks like this:.

   .

You will notice that the ‘hey’ (הָ) has fallen away and the letter ‘waw/vav’ (וּ) is added to the end!.

Waw/Vav – וּ:

This is the Hebrew letter ‘waw’ or ‘vav’ which in the ancient script is pictured as , which is a peg or ‘tent peg’, which was used for securing or tying the tent or other items.

The possibility of it having a Y-shape is to show that it prevents the rope from slipping off.

The root meaning of this letter is ‘to add, secure or hook’ as well as ‘bind’..

Looking at these three pictographic letters in terms of the call to come, we take note that the following meaning can be rendered:.

THE STAFF IN THE PALM

IS SECURED!.

With the letter ‘hey’ (הָ) removed and the letter ‘waw’ (וּ) added to the end, we are able to see how it is by faith that we are to walk, and by the clear revelation of our Master and Elohim, who died in the flesh and was made alive in the Spirit, we are able to walk upright as we stay in Him and continue to drink of the Living Waters that He has secured for us! .

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

When considering this picture of the ‘rod in the hand’, enabling us to walk as we should and be nourished with the living waters of life, and never thirst again, I am reminded of the doubts that Mosheh had, in the people actually listening to him.

Shemoth/Exodus 4:2 “And יהוה said to him, “What is that in your hand?” And he said, “A rod.”

He had a rod in his hand!!!

This is a clear picture for us too, as we consider how our Master has secured for us our ability to walk by faith in Him, as He puts in our hands His Word, in order that we ‘DO’ His Word and not simply be hearers only!

As we hear, guard and do His Torah, we find that we are satisfied and have no lack and we will not be making any excuses to the invitation call that has gone out!.

In verse 4, we see that more messengers were sent out with the clear message that all had been prepared and while being told that all had been done and all they had to do was come, we see in verse 5, that they still disregarded the call to come! .

We know that the price of redemption has been paid by our Master and Elohim, by His own blood, yet so many people disregard His urgent invitation that has gone out through His faithful servants who proclaim His Word! .

The Greek word that is used here for ‘prepared’ is ἑτοιμάζω hetoimazō – Strong’s G2090 which is a verb that means, ‘to prepare, get ready, make arrangements’, and comes from the root word ἕτοιμος hetoimos – Strong’s G2092 which means, ‘prepare, ready, ready at hand, prepared, accomplished’. .

This parable is a clear call for us to make sure that we are ready and prepared, in garments of righteousness, lest we find ourselves being thrown out!

So many people are not ready, as they are being consumed by the worries of life and the deceitfulness of wealth, or are running after the lusts of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, rendering their hearts as being unprepared and far from Elohim! .

In verse 8 of this chapter – the message is clear – “The wedding feast is ready”, and the big question is:

ARE YOU READY???.

In a chapter where יהושע Messiah speaks clearly on the end times, He tells us in:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 24:44 “Because of this, be ready too, for the Son of Aḏam is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him.”

Once again, in referencing the wedding feast, we see the following, in:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 25:10 “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut.”

Those who were ready went in and the door was shut!

Those who were not ready would not get in – because the doors were shut!

While all has been prepared by our Master, we have a huge responsibility of ‘preparing the way’ for His soon return! .

It was a common custom in ancient times, for people to be sent on ahead of their king’s journey, so that they could level the roads and make them passable for their king, and we see this Greek word ἑτοιμάζω hetoimazō – Strong’s G2090 being used in:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 3:3 “For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Yeshayahu, saying, “A voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of יהוה, make His paths straight.’”

This is a quote from Yeshayahu/Isaiah 40:3, and the Hebrew word translated as ‘prepare’ is פָּנָה panah – Strong’s H6437 which means, ‘to turn, turn towards a direction’, and in order for us to ‘turn towards a direction’ we must ‘turn from’ another direction! .

We must learn to ‘turn our backs’ on many things that we picked up, in the enslavement of Mitsrayim and all its inherited lies and dogmas of man, especially after the hearing of the Torah, in recognition of where and what we are heading for!

A derivative of this word פָּנָה panah is פָּנֶה paneh or פָּנִים paniym – Strong’s H6440 meaning, ‘face, faces’..

What we see here, is the need to hear the clear invitation and call of our Master and literally ‘turn our faces toward יהוה’ and keep our eyes fixed on יהושע and walk in Him as we guard to do all He commands us! .

This Greek word ἑτοιμάζω hetoimazō – Strong’s G2090 for ‘prepared’ is also used in the verse that I quoted from earlier, in Ḥazon/Revelation 19:7, which tells us that The Bride has ‘prepared’ Herself, showing us that the True remnant Bride has indeed turned away from darkness, and turned her face to her great Redeemer, Husband and King!.

We must respond correctly to the call and prepare ourselves, for our King has prepared all for us. While He has prepared all, many people disregard the need to respond to the invitation and disregard the need to turn to Him!

Everything has been prepared, and once again the urgent call is given in verse 4:

“Come to the wedding feast”!.

The Greek word that is translated here as ‘come’ is δεῦτε deute – Strong’s G1205 which means, ‘come, come away, follow, come now’, which is the plural of the Greek word δεῦρο deuro – Strong’s G1204 which means, ‘come here!’, with the implication of urgency, as in, ‘come here now!’, or in a little older English, it can be understood as, ‘come hither!’, implying an urgent response to the call being required!

This is not a suggestion of ‘come when or if you feel like it’!

NO! It is a call to:

COME NOW!!!

This same word, δεῦτε deute – Strong’s G1205, is used in:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 4:19 “And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I shall make you fishers of men.”

Here, it is translated as ‘follow’ and when the Master said this, He certainly meant, ‘follow Me now!’, which implies leaving all that you are doing and following Him…immediately! .

While this urgent call to ‘come’, went out, implying that all were to stop what they were doing and come at once, many disregarded this clear call!

The Greek word that is translated as ‘disregarded’, in verse 5, is ἀμελέω ameleō – Strong’s G272 which means, ‘neglect, disregard, make light of, careless’, and is constructed from two words:

1) α alpha – Strong’s G1 which is used as a negative prefix, and

2) μέλω melō – Strong’s G3199 which means, ‘to be an object of care, care about, take care, to concern oneself, to of interest to’. .

What is very clear here, is that the invited did not care!

Today, we see how so many people simply just could not care what The Word says, and are careless in their assumed walk of faith!

We know that ‘coming to the wedding feast’, implies a proper preparation, and when we understand the Sabbaths and Feasts of Elohim, we know that Sukkoth represents for us the Great Wedding Feast, which we must respond to the invitation and call, to come, by keeping His Sabbaths and Feasts, so that we are made ready as a prepared Bride, yet, so many people are so careless in their need to embrace a proper Sabbath keeping, showing that they disregard the call to come and follow the Master and be dressed in His Torah!.

So many people, like those written of in this parable, disregard the call to obedience and could not care about the Sabbaths of our Master, as they go, each one, to his own field or trade, which is symbolic of putting work and family first, revealing that they are not dressed and worthy of the call!.

As we guard the commands of Elohim and guard to keep His Sabbaths and Feasts, we make ourselves ready, and in doing so we must always be ready to give an answer for the hope we have!

Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 3:15-16 “But set apart יהוה Elohim in your hearts, and always be ready to give an answer to everyone asking you a reason concerning the expectation that is in you, with meekness and fear, 16 having a good conscience, so that when they speak against you as doers of evil, those who falsely accuse your good behaviour in Messiah, shall be ashamed.”

If we are dressed correctly then we will always be ready!!!

How readily dressed are you?

Are you readily dressed at all times, or are you often ‘caught with your pants down’, so to speak?

By that I mean, have you found that you have let your guard down and put off the armour of light and found that your works have been careless and not in line with the clear standard of righteousness, that we ought to be clothed in as the set-apart, chosen and royal priesthood?

Have some of your actions, of late, revealed that your dress code is not in line with the Torah, due to a disregard for what His word clearly instructs, and have, as a result of disregarding the Torah, found that you have put family and work before the Master? .

We need to take heed of the danger of not been dressed in righteousness and the danger of being declared ‘not worthy’!!!

In verse 8 we see the sovereign declaring that those who disregarded the call were not worthy!

The Greek words that are translated as ‘not worthy’ are:

1) οὐ ou – Strong’s G3756, as already mentioned, which is an adverb that is used as an absolute negative meaning, ‘not’, and

2) ἄξιος axios – Strong’s G514 which means, ‘worthy, due reward, befitting, deserving’, and this can have both a positive and a negative meaning, as we know that each will get what they deserve and will be rewarded according to the works of their hands!.

In the message given to the assembly in Sardis, we take note that the Master said that there are a few names in Sardis who had not defiled their garments and that they would walk with the Master in white, because they are worthy!

These few were worthy to walk with the Master – a few who had forsaken all, to walk in life and not fall asleep!

Mattithyahu/Matthew 10:37-38 “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 “And he who does not take up his stake and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.”.

The parable of the wedding feast, continues on and tells us that because those who were invited were not worthy, that the servants were to go and call anyone off the streets and gather whoever could be found.

The banquet hall was filed with guests, both wicked and good!

When the Sovereign came in, he saw that there was a man who had not ‘put on’ a wedding garment and he was speechless when confronted by the king!

This man was not dressed in proper garments and therefore, he was not worthy and was thrown outside!

This man, who did not have the proper wedding garments on and was thrown out, is a clear lesson for us, on how those who are not dressed and worthy will not get in!

This man was not ‘ready’ to give any answer for the reason he had, as he was not dressed and worthy as a set-apart chosen one should be!.

Nobody will be able to ‘sneak in’, so to speak – remember that this is a parable, which is intended to teach us a very vital lesson!.

The Greek word for ‘garment’ is ἔνδυμα enduma – Strong’s G1742 and comes from the verb we have looked at earlier, which is the word for ‘put on’: ἐνδύω enduō – Strong’s G1746.

Why I mention this, is to simply highlight that the garments that we are to have on, are to be ‘put on’, which teaches us that we are required to do something.

Righteousness has been given to us, but unless we put on righteousness and allow our actions to line up with our proper dress code in the Master, we will be like the man who did not have on the proper wedding garment!.

Many are called but few are chosen!

While the call has gone out to all, so many refuse the call, and we see Shelomoh telling us, in:

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 1:24 “Because I called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one inclined”

The Hebrew word that is translated here as ‘refused’ comes from the root word מָאֵן maen – Strong’s H3985 which means, ‘to refuse, absolutely refuse’, and represents an intentional action as opposed to one of ignorance. .

So many people today, willingly refuse to hear the Truth that we, as ambassadors of the Coming Reign, are proclaiming together with His Spirit, calling people to come out and be separate!

Pharaoh refused to let Yisra’ĕl go; Eḏom refused to give Yisra’ĕl passage through its borders; Yisra’ĕl refused to listen to the voice of Shemuʼěl the prophet when they demanded to have a king!

Yisra’ĕl refused to repent and refused to receive instruction, and so, what we can clearly see from the use of this word, is that those who ‘refuse’ the call of Elohim, to come out and be separate, simply reveal a hardness of heart and that they are stiff-necked and unwilling to submit to the Master and King of all creation, showing that they are not worthy of the call!.

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 12:25-26 “Take heed not to refuse the One speaking. For if those did not escape who refused the warning on earth, much less we who turn away from Him from heaven, 26 whose voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.”

The Greek word that is translated here in Iḇ’rim/Hebrews for ‘refuse’, is παραιτέομαι paraiteomai – Strong’s G3868 which means, ‘to have nothing to do with, excuse, refuse, reject’, and this word is used in this Parable, recorded of in Luqas/Luke, which speaks of a certain man who gave a supper and invited many and sent his servant to those who had been invited to come, for the supper was now ready, and we see in some of the responses to the invite, this word παραιτέομαι paraiteomai – Strong’s G3868 being used 3 times in:

Luqas/Luke 14:18-19 “But one by one they all began making excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I need to go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ 19 “And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out. I ask you to have me excused.’”.

Excuses to be excused!!!

I find this a very powerful and sobering lesson being given here, in terms of what excuses actually represent – and that is: they actually represent an intentional refusal to submit to the call of Elohim.

So many people today, make a wide range of excuses, as to why they cannot do what is required in The Word, and will even justify these excuses in their own minds, as being a valid reason, when in fact, it is nothing more than a deliberate refusal to obey! .

Many people who claim to walk in the Torah, make numerous excuses as to why they cannot gather and assemble, as commanded, on the Sabbaths and Feast of Elohim, be it because they are tired or feel that they need space or whatever other vain excuses they give!

Any excuse to deviate from the pure plumb-line of The Word, is a deliberate and intentional refusal to submit and obey, and many people will even refuse to obey those leading them in The Word, refusing to submit to the appointed offices that Messiah has appointed and clearly given, in His body, for the perfecting of the set-apart ones, to the work of service to a building up of the body of the Messiah..

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 13:17 “Obey those leading you, and be subject to them, for they watch for your lives, as having to give account. Let them do so with joy and not groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”.

Those who refuse the instruction and guidance of those appointed by Elohim for the perfecting of His Bride, are refusing Elohim!

Those who refuse the call and make vain excuses, are not dressed and worthy of the call, for only the remnant few, who have not defiled their garments, will be chosen!.

The Greek word for ‘chosen’ is ἐκλεκτός eklektos – Strong’s G1588 which means, ‘chosen, elect, favourite, picked out’. .

The Greek word for ‘called’ is κλητός klētos – Strong’s G2822 which means, ‘called, invited (to a banquet)’, and so, we are able to see how the wedding invitation has gone out to many, yet as in the Parable of the Wedding Banquet, יהושע Messiah tells us how many are too busy with their own agendas, and were found not worthy..

In the parable, we are told that the servants were seized, insulted and killed.

From this parable, we are able to learn the clear truth that those who disregard the call to obedience, will hate and persecute those who are the faithful servants that are bringing the call.

Our Master forewarned us about being hated for righteousness’ sake:

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.”

Mattithyahu/Matthew 5:10-12 “Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness’ sake, because theirs is the reign of the heavens. 11 “Blessed are you when they reproach and persecute you, and falsely say every wicked word against you, for My sake. 12 “Rejoice and be glad, because your reward in the heavens is great. For in this way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

The very next words we see in Mattithyahu/Matthew 5, is where our Master reminds us that we are the salt of the earth and we are to make sure that we are not to becomes tasteless, lest we are thrown out and trodden upon!.

When we consider the parable of the wedding feast, we must take note of our responsibility, to both hear the call to come and respond correctly, along with the call to endure under pressures and be bold in calling others, as we proclaim the Good News of the Reign!

This takes a ‘being dressed properly in righteousness at all times’… after all…:

“IT IS ALL ABOUT THE DRESS CODE!”.

We need to take heed of the danger of not been dressed in righteousness and the danger of being declared ‘not worthy’!!!.

What we must continually glean from this parable, is our need to always be dressed and worthy of the call!

In making sure that we are indeed dressed and worthy of the call, we should therefore be able to respond as the blessed should!

Are you greatly rejoicing in יהוה and is your whole being exulting in our Master and Elohim?

If you are properly dressed, in that which He has prepared, then you should!

Tas’loniqim Aleph/1 Thessalonians 5:22-23 “Keep back from every form of wickedness. 23 And the Elohim of peace Himself set you completely apart, and your entire spirit, and being, and body – be preserved blameless at the coming of our Master יהושע Messiah!”.

DRESSED AND WORTHY OF THE CALL!.

This is the call:

TO BE DRESSED AND WORTHY!.

In speaking of a wife/bride of noble character, in Mishlĕ/Proverbs 31, we are told in verse 22 how she is dressed:

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 31:22 “She shall make tapestry for herself; she is dressed in fine linen and purple.”

The Hebrew word that is translated here as ‘dressed’ is לְבוּשׁ leḇush – Strong’s H3830 which we have already discussed and the Hebrew word used here for ‘fine linen’ is שֵׁשׁ shesh – Strong’s H8336 and the Greek word that is used in the LXX (Septuagint) for ‘fine linen’ is the noun βύσσος bussos – Strong’s G1040 and from this word, we get the adjective βύσσινος bussinos – Strong’s G1039 which is used in reference to the ‘fine linen’ that the Bride of the Lamb is given to be dressed in, as seen in:

Ḥazon/Revelation 19:8 “And to her it was given to be dressed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteousnesses of the set-apart ones.”

The Greek word that is translated as ‘dressed’, here in Ḥazon/Revelation 19:8 is περιβάλλω periballō – Strong’s G4016 which means, ‘put on, clothe, wrap around, throw around’.

This word περιβάλλω periballō – Strong’s G4016 is also translated as ‘dressed’ in the following verses:

Ḥazon/Revelation 3:5 “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.”

This was to the assembly in Sardis, who were told to ‘wake up and repent’..

Ḥazon/Revelation 4:4 “And around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones, I saw twenty-four elders sitting, dressed in white robes. And they had crowns of gold on their heads.”

Ḥazon/Revelation 7:9 “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”.

The reason for me highlighting the various Greek and Hebrew words, in terms of being dressed, is to make it abundantly clear, that Scripture teaches us what the correct dress code is, for anyone who truly hears the call and invitation to come!

Those who disregard and refuse the call and make vain excuses, are not dressed and worthy of the call, for only the remnant few, who has not defiled their garments, will be chosen!.

As we consider this urgent call, may we take heed of the clear dangers of carelessness and the many things that can cause one to be classified as not being worthy, be it even because of compromise for family or work or any other things that are put before the Master!.

How are you dressed?

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 6:25 “And it is righteousness for us when we guard to do all this command before יהוה our Elohim, as He has commanded us.”

This verse gives us a very straight forward definition of what righteousness is for us and in Ḥazon/Revelation 19 we are told that the ‘fine line’ (which we have already discussed) is the righteousnesses of the set-apart ones!

The Greek word that is used here for ‘righteousnesses’ is δικαίωμα dikaiōma – Strong’s G1345 which means, ‘righteousness, a righteous deed, regulations, requirements, sentence of acquittal’, and comes from the word δικαιόω dikaioō – Strong’s G1344 which means, ‘to show to be righteous, declare righteous, acquitted, vindicated or justified’, which we see being translated as ‘declared right’ in:

Romiyim/Romans 2:13 “For not the hearers of the Torah are righteous in the sight of Elohim, but the doers of the Torah shall be declared right.”.

What becomes very clear, is that true righteousness is to hear, guard and do the Torah, by being properly dressed in the fine linen of set-apartness.

As we ‘put on’ the ‘armour of Elohim’ and walk as a finely dressed, set-apart and royal priesthood we can be sure that we will be sufficiently and appropriately dressed for the Great Wedding Feast of our King!.

As we look at this parable of the wedding feast, as well as other scriptures giving reference to being clothed correctly in Messiah and what it all entails, the question remains – Are you dressed for the wedding banquet or not?

The man who didn’t have the right garments on (which were freely offered to him) implied that the man thought that his usual attire was good enough. He therefore represents one who, while professing to be for Messiah, thought his own assumed dress code would get him to be declared right!

These clothes that we are to wear, are freely given to us upon salvation and it is up to us to stay dressed in complete set-apartness, by being a doer of the Torah.

Clothing ourselves with Messiah entails a choice – that is: a choice to put off the old and put on the new.

There are many people today, who have heard the call and received the invite but yet still choose to ‘wear the world’, so to speak!

How are you dressed?

You have been called!

You have been invited!

Are you dressed for the occasion?.

As faithful servants of the Most–High, let us go out there and proclaim this invitation and call, for the harvest is full but the workers are few!

Being dressed and worthy of the call, as you walk in the Master, must cause you to call others out and show them what the garments of righteousness look like, as you diligently hear, guard and do all that our Master had commanded us, shining the light of His Torah, as a trustworthy witness and ambassador of our King and His coming reign, amidst a darkened world!

And… always be ready and make sure that you are:

DRESSED AND WORTHY OF THE CALL!.

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