3rd of the 7th month 2020/2021
Shalom all,
Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 11:31 “By belief, Raḥaḇ the whore did not perish with those who did not believe, having received the spies with peace.”
If you could change something about yourself, what would it be?
Would you want to be taller, shorter, thinner, lighter, heavier, leaner, have more hair, have less hair, less freckles etc.?
Did you know that יהוה does want to change certain things about you?
And it is not so much about what is on the outside; it is not the colour of your eyes, or the size of your feet, no! He wants to change what is on the inside.
He wants our lives to be transformed by the renewing of our minds in order that we may know His good, pleasing and perfect will, aměn!
He does not want us to be conformed to the pattern of the world – and what is, typically, that worldly pattern that we are not to be conformed to?
It is a pattern that teaches and promotes the sin of pride and selfishness that says, “It’s all about me”! That is not what יהוה our Elohim desires – because it is not all about ‘me’!
He wants His Word to transform us – to transform our selfishness into selflessness – He wants us to turn our habit of worrying into a routine of trusting!
How many of you need to learn to do that more often?
We need to learn how to trust יהוה.
In this message, I want to take a look at the kind of belief/faith that truly transforms. And see how a true working belief, in the true Living Elohim, can bring about a huge change.
In order to do this, I would like us to learn from the story of Raḥaḇ, for she certainly represents all of us, in many ways, for we have all sinned and fallen short of the esteem of Elohim; yet, through our steadfast and obedient belief, in Him, He causes all matters to work together for our good – for us who love Him and are called according to His purposes in Messiah, aměn! (Romiyim/Romans 3:23 & Romiyim/Romans 8:28)
In Yehoshua/Joshua 2 we can learn a great deal from the extraordinary belief of Raḥaḇ – the kind of belief that got her listed in Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 11, along with Aḇraham and other great men of faith.
She was, like Aḇraham, considered righteous for what she did, in exercising her faith in יהוה.
Please turn to Yehoshua/Joshua 2 and read before continuing with the message.
I love the book of Yehoshua, as it is such a great testimony of how true obedient belief, in יהוה, works!
It is always an encouraging book to read, as it can certainly stirs one’s faith.
Today, we certainly are living in perilous times, as we see that crime and lawlessness is reaching new levels and is increasing daily, at a rapidly alarming rate; so much so, that moral values have slumped to an all-time low – pretty much like the days of Noaḥ.
Our Master and Elohim, יהושע Messiah told us that the end days will be as terrible as the days of Noaḥ were. And I think we can all agree, that the days are evil, and people have certainly become lovers of themselves rather than lovers of יהוה.
So, what does this have to do with the story of Raḥaḇ?
Raḥaḇ is a great example for us today, on what true saving belief/faith brings about, no matter what we face or the trials that may lie ahead.
Yehoshua/Joshua is a great book for us to learn from, as to how we are to live by true belief in יהוה, even seen in the example of the life of Yehoshua, where יהוה used the pressures of slavery in Mitsrayim, the humility of serving under Mosheh and the exposure to יהוה personally, in order to mould and shape him into the man that would lead Yisra’ĕl out of the Wilderness into the Promised Land.
יהוה does the same with each one of us today:
When we go through difficulties and face trials that don’t seem to make sense, we must realise that this is the very time that יהוה may be doing some of His deepest work in us and we must be reminded of the words that Ya’aqoḇ tells us, which is that we ought to “count it all joy when we fall into various trials” (Ya’aqob/James 1:2)!
When it seems like the bottom of your world is falling apart – have reason to consider it a joy, as יהוה is at work – if you are walking in obedience to Him, that is!
Suffering and enduring a beating when you sin, cannot be credited as something to be considered as “joyful”, for that is simply the result of the effects of disobedience!
However, when we are walking steadfast in the Master, then the trials that we face will most certainly drive us to our knees in prayer, as we are reminded continually in Scripture, of our absolute dependency upon יהוה.
No matter what we go through – He can, and will, work it out for our benefit, even though it may be hard to see it at the time.
Just think about Yehoshua – when he was a slave in Mitsrayim, do you think he thought about how יהוה would use this experience in the future?
There is much to take from this chapter, which forms part of our readings for this week’s Sabbath, along with the Torah portion from Bemiḏbar/Numbers 13-15 called Shelaḥ leḵa – “You send”.
Many years before, Mosheh had sent out 12 spies to search out the land and bring back a report of what they saw.
As we know, they all brought back the report of how fruitful the land was, but only 2 of the 12 believed that יהוה would give them the Land as promised, while the other 10 were negative and gave a frightening report of how big the enemy was.
This caused the entire nation to be afraid and not believe the promises of Elohim, which caused יהוה to be wroth with that generation and sentenced them to perish in the Wilderness, as they would not enter in because of unbelief, as they did not obey.
38 years later, we now come to time where all of that unbelieving generation had now died, except for the faithful and believing 2 – Yehoshua and Kalěḇ.
Yehoshua had now taken up the role of leading this nation into the Promised Land, and here he sent out two spies, secretly!
The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘sent’ comes from the root word שָׁלַח shalaḥ – Strong’s H7971 which means, ‘to send, dispatch’, and in the LXX (Septuagint), which is the Greek translation of the Tanak (O.T.), the Greek word that is used for ‘sent’ is 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 that is used for the sending of a messenger with a special task.
The fact that Yehoshua had secretly sent 2 men to spy out the land, and not publicly, was not so that the enemies would be alert to their approach, but rather, it was possibly for the main reason of not getting any form of unbelief creeping into the camp, as it did all those years ago; and he did not want fear to set in to the camp, because they would have thought that Yehoshua needed some extra reassurance about the land.
His faith was not in question at all, as he sent these two men, secretly, to simply confirm what would be the best way to enter in and defeat the city.
These spies were not sent to decide if they should go or not – for they were going, and these were Yehoshua’s trusted men, men who would not come back with a frightening report that would affect the entire nation!
He sent these two men from שִׁטִּים Shittim – Strong’s H7851 which means, ‘place of acacias’.
You may remember that this was the place where Yisra’ĕl had previously corrupted themselves and began to whore with the Mo’aḇite women, and engaged in following their abominable worship practices, joining themselves to Ba’al Peʽor, and the displeasure of יהוה burned against Yisra’ĕl!
The leaders were hanged before יהוה, and the judges were called to go and slay those who had joined themselves to Ba’al Peʽor!
This was the place where Pineḥas stood up and thrust the spear through the man of Yisra’ĕl and the Mo’aḇite woman, in order to stop the plague in the camp (Bemiḏbar/Numbers 25).
Why I am mentioning this place, is because we can learn a vital lesson here, especially as we see this being the place where Yehoshua secretly sent his two spies out from!
The Hebrew word שִׁטִּים Shittim – Strong’s H7851 is the plural for the word שִׁטָּה shittah – Strong’s H7848 which means, ‘acacia wood’, and we know that this was a very significant wood in Scripture.
The acacia wood is hard, very heavy, indestructible by insects, and has a fine, beautiful grain, and sometimes, these trees grew to a height of twenty feet.
This pictures for us the indestructability of Messiah and His incorruptibility in the flesh.
The Hebrew word שִׁטָּה shittah – Strong’s H7848 can also have the meaning of “sticks, sticks of wood” or “piercers“, because its thorny branches do indeed look like a hodgepodge of twigs.
Very few of the branches are thick enough to make boards out of, so articles were made from them by connecting the sticks together in order to make beams that could support great weight.
This ties in wonderfully to the concept of the “two sticks” of Ephrayim and Yehuḏah being made into “one tree” (Yeḥezqěl/Ezekiel 37:17), and to Sha‘ul’s explanation of Berěshith/Genesis 18:18 in Romiyim/Romans 11 about branches from other trees being grafted into Aḇraham’s root.
This שִׁטָּה shittah – Strong’s H7848 wood would not rot or be affected by any insects, and this pictures for us the purity of Messiah, and being properly grafted into Him we will never see decay or rot!
The acacia wood was used in the construction of the Slaughter Place, Bronze Laver, the Showbread Table, the Slaughter Place of Incense and the Ark of the Covenant, as well as the boards of the Dwelling Place.
All of these were made according to the perfect pattern that was shown to Mosheh, all with the complete purpose of the fully functional Dwelling Place/Tabernacle being set up so that יהוה would dwell amongst His people!
This שִׁטָּה shittah – Strong’s H7848 wood can, in many ways, picture for us a unity, when the pieces are in fact placed in order!
All of the various pieces of the Tabernacle would be ineffective on their own, but when put in its proper order, they formed the perfect functional design of יהוה.
This teaches us that we too need to be in unity in order to be formed and shaped into being a perfectly functional Tabernacle of Elohim, which we are.
The last time Yisra’ĕl was at this place שִׁטִּים Shittim – Strong’s H7851, many chose to act as individuals and do as they pleased; yet here, we see a new generation of people that were ready to enter in, under the leadership of Yehoshua; and Yehoshua could send out his 2 spies secretly, knowing that their report would not bring division or individuality.
We too have been ‘sent’, so to speak, which we will look at in a little more detail, when going through the Torah portion in Bemiḏbar/Numbers 13-15.
In this message, however, I want to look a little more closely at Raḥaḇ
As we look at the story of Raḥaḇ, we see a woman who, despite knowing what was about to take place, acted completely different than all the others in Yeriḥo, for she believed in the Living Elohim!
She didn’t know much about יהוה and she certainly would not have known the Torah!
This is another example that the Torah alone does not save you, but it is salvation by favour through belief in the Living Elohim!
She would have heard stories of what יהוה had done and that was enough to put her trust in Him!
We too should learn from this!!! To fear Him is where it all begins!
Her fear and knowledge (although limited at the time) of יהוה, caused her to trust in יהוה, and not run from Him!
Mishlĕ/Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of יהוה is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Set-apart One is understanding.”
She may not have understood all about יהוה, yet she trusted Him enough to submit to Him and do whatever she would be instructed to do:
Mishlĕ/Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in יהוה with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 Know Him in all your ways, and He makes all your paths straight.”
All too often, we see that many only want to trust in יהוה as long as they think that they understand the reason why they need to do what is required!
When people don’t understand, what we often find, is that they so easily distrust and it should not be like that! Raḥaḇ shows us that – that even with limited understanding of יהוה and a little knowledge of the Set-Apart One can bring us to a place of total trust in Him.
Praise יהוה that He has given us His Word that tells us all about Him; and that by the hearing, guarding and doing of His very Word, we will see the product of an active and obedient belief in Him, which is a belief that obeys the Torah of Elohim and fully submits to walking in the commands of our Mighty Redeemer!
Let us look at Raḥaḇ’s belief, perhaps better broken down for us into four categories, or descriptions, if you will, of her extremely bold and courageous belief:
1 – COURAGEOUS BELIEF
Ya’aqoḇ/James 2:25 “In the same way, was not Raḥaḇ the whore also declared right by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?”
This verse from the Renewed Writings tell us that Raḥaḇ put her faith in יהוה, when she welcomed the spies.
She demonstrated belief that was very similar, in essence, to the people in Thessalonica, that Sha’ul described in Tas’loniqim Aleph/1 Thessalonians 1:9, as being those who had turned from serving their own idols, to serve the True Living Elohim, and they were not like the people of Samaria who, centuries earlier, “were fearing יהוה, and they were serving their own mighty ones (Melaḵim Bět/2 Kings 17:33).
Mixed worship or mixing the true with the false is called compromise!
Many today are compromising their worship, for they say they fear יהוה, yet they are still serving their own desires and whims, and they want to worship יהוה their own way and not His!!!
Raḥaḇ was not compromised in here belief, as she certainly displayed courageous faith.
It takes great courage today to worship יהוה in Spirit and in Truth.
The English word “courage”, according to Merriam Webster’s dictionary, is defined as:
“the mean, mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger or hardship”.
It implies: “firmness of mind and will, in the face of danger or extreme difficulty”.
Faith/Belief, as we know from the Scripture, being described in Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 11:1, is “the substance of what is expected, the proof of what is not seen”.
So then ‘courageous belief’ could therefore be described as follows:
“Having the mental and moral strength to resist opposition, and having firmness of mind and will, in the face of extreme difficulties, by being sure of the hope that we have in Messiah; and the certainty that, although we do not see Him, He fights for us and has already won the battle for us, with the full assurance that the victory that is ours to walk in.”
It is this kind of belief that we need in today’s battles.
Raḥaḇ displayed courageous belief, as the spies landed up at her door, by letting them in and hiding them.
She risked her life and demonstrated her belief in יהוה – her actions were proof that she believed in יהוה!
This story is also a remarkable one, in which we can clearly see how יהוה, in His great favour and loving-kindness, can and will use people that we may not necessarily think that He would.
Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 1:27-29 “But Elohim chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; Elohim chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.”
יהוה will use you when you live out your belief courageously for Him, in complete loving obedience to His commands. And doing so despite your past, despite your position, despite your nationality or status, and despite your limited knowledge (that will most certainly grow as you walk in Him and put your trust in His sure Word, by meditating on His Torah day and night, and guarding to do all He has commanded us to)!
He is constantly looking to, and for, hearts that will be courageous in the Belief in Him.
Will you risk your life, in living out a courageous belief that does not mix worship which only compromises your belief?
As we consider the image of a courageous belief, I am reminded how Yehoshua was clearly told, a number of times, that he was to be strong and of courageous, and all Yisra’ěl were also commanded to be strong and courageous!
Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous, do not fear nor be afraid of them. For it is יהוה your Elohim who is going with you. He does not fail you nor forsake you.”
These were the words that Mosheh spoke to all the children of Yisra’ěl, after which he also gave the same instruction of being strong and courageous to Yehoshua.
Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 31:7 “And Mosheh called Yehoshua and said to him before the eyes of all Yisra’ěl, “Be strong and courageous, for you are going with this people to the land which יהוה has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you are to let them inherit it.”
The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘courageous’, in the above two verses, comes from the root word אָמֵץ amats Strong’s H553 which means, ‘to be alert both physically and mentally, be fully alert – awake and not asleep, be steadfast’.
The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘be strong’ comes from the root word חָזַק ḥazaq – Strong’s H2388 and carries the meaning, ‘to grow firm, fasten upon, strengthen, take hold of’ and can have the concept of ‘grasp between your ears’.
When we grasp between our ears what we ought to, then יהוה will strengthen us to be ‘courageous’, which is the root word – אָמֵץ amats H553 – means ‘to be alert both physically and mentally, be fully alert – awake and not asleep, be steadfast’.
In Hebrew, modern soldiers are often told the following phrase:
חֲזַק וֶאֱמָץ – ḥazaq veematz
This phrase simply means, ‘be strong and courageous’, and is a phrase that we see being used a number of times in Scripture.
What we can learn from this, is that for us to be ‘strong and courageous’ in Messiah, we need to ‘grow firm’ in the Torah and have the commands of Elohim fastened upon our hearts, as we stand up on our feet and take hold of the Truth and walk in it with boldness, being fully alert and steadfast in walking in the Truth.
And it is through the ‘command/s’ of the Torah (Mosheh) that we are commissioned, appointed and strengthened ‘in’ Messiah!
We must remember to put on the armour of Elohim and fight the good fight of belief; and therefore, as soldiers of Messiah, we too need the encouragement ‘to be strong and courageous’ and we are also to be reminded that we are equally responsible in encouraging each other in this regard too.
As the faithful remnant Bride of Messiah, we must be strengthened in His Word and stand courageously firm in the belief, as we remain steadfast in the prescribed set-apartness that we are called to walk in!
Have the courageous belief that is called for and, like Rahab, have the courage to put complete trust and belief in יהוה, no matter the resistance or opposition you may face for doing so!
In Mishlĕ/Proverbs 31 Shelomoh gives us a clear description of a capable wife that strengthens herself:
Mishlĕ/Proverbs 31:17 “She shall gird herself with strength, and strengthen her arms.”
The capable wife is dressed and ready for action!!!
This is a parable that highlights how we, as the Bride of Messiah, are to be a capable wife that is girded with strength by walking in and staying in the Truth!
2 – CONFIDENT BELIEF
Belief is only as good as its object.
Some people have faith in faith itself, thinking that just by believing hard enough, they can make things happen.
Others put their belief in lies and false traditions, which is simply called superstition.
In Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 16:19 we see how he cries out and says that in the day of distress, speaking of the time of the end, people from all nations will come and say that our fathers have inherited lies.
Many are putting their belief in the centuries of lies that have been inherited by our fathers of the past, and we need to repent and return to the true Living Word and put our belief and trust in יהוה and His Word, instead of the traditions of men that have twisted the truth of pure worship unto יהוה.
True saving belief involves the ‘whole personality’ or ‘being’ of a person:
That is to say that:
(1) the mind is instructed;
(2) the emotions are stirred and
(3) the will then acts in obedience to the Torah of יהוה.
Keeping His instructions doesn’t save you – it is because we have been redeemed, that our confident belief causes us to live in total obedience, yes… total obedience… for, no half-hearted measures can be classified as true courageous and confident belief!
In Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 11:7 it says that “By belief, Noaḥ, having been warned of what was yet unseen (his intellect/mind), having feared (his emotions) prepared an ark to save his house (his will/actions) ….
Raḥaḇ displayed this kind of faith too: She knew that יהוה was the True Living Elohim (mind); she feared for herself and her family, when she heard about the great wonders יהוה had performed (emotions); and she received the spies and pleaded for the salvation of her family (will).
What we must understand, is that unless the whole personality or being of a person is involved, it is not a saving belief as Scripture describes!
Many may engage the mind and emotions, yet lack the will to ‘act in obedience’, proving their belief to simply be dead, as it is without the works of loving obedience to the commands!
We must also realise, that the mind does not have to be fully instructed in every aspect of Scriptural Truth, before a sinner can be redeemed.
Raḥaḇ’s knowledge of יהוה was not much; and she would have grown in knowledge as she heard the stories of all who had come and stayed at her inn.
She acted on what she knew and יהוה saved her, as she called out to the Living Elohim.
Raḥaḇ showed more belief than the ten spies who, 40 years before, had brought back a negative report to Mosheh, when she said, “I know that יהוה has given you the land.”
Her belief was based on facts and not just on feelings; as she had heard of the miracles that יהוה had performed, starting with the parting of the Sea of Reeds.
Romiyim/Romans 10:17 tells us that “belief comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Elohim”!
Raḥaḇ had heard the Word of Elohim and she believed and obeyed what she was told to do!
She was confident in her belief in יהוה, the Living Elohim.
The report of יהוה had travelled to Kenaʽan and the people were afraid; and this is exactly what Yisra’ĕl expected to happen, as יהוה always keeps His Word.
He said, in Shemoth/Exodus 15:14-16, that the nations would hear and tremble, and that Kenaʽan would melt away, and terror and dread would fall upon them.
יהוה is faithful to His Word!
He told Yisra’ĕl, in Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 2:25, that from that day He would put the dread and fear of them upon the peoples under all the heavens, who, when they hear the report of them, would tremble and shake because of them.
Yeriḥo was certainly trembling.
Raḥaḇ confirmed this, in verse 11, and boldly declared, by belief, that יהוה, the Elohim of the Hebrews, is Elohim in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.
This was a great confession, done by a woman whose life had been imprisoned by pagan idolatry. She believed in the One Elohim and not in the multitudes of false ‘mighty ones’ that was being worshipped.
She declared, by belief, that יהוה alone is Elohim, and there is no other!
She believed that יהוה was a personal Elohim, when she said to the spies, “your Elohim”, and she understood that יהוה, a personal Elohim, would work on behalf of those who trusted in Him.
And so now, she too put her trust and faith in the One True Living Elohim – יהוה the Elohim of the heavens and earth.
The confidence that we have, as children of the Most-High, comes from the witness of the Word before us and the witness of His Spirit within us.
However, deliverance is not simply based on what we know from Scriptures, or how we feel in our hearts, but is also based on how we live, for if there is no change in one’s behaviour, then they may not be true children and servants of the Most-High, for their lack of belief is revealed in their inability to obey as a true believer should!
Even the demons believe that He exists and that He is One, and they tremble and fear!
We are to allow the Word to change our lives, and to transform our thinking, and we are to live to please יהוה.
Without belief, which is an active and obedient belief, we cannot please Him, and anything done without belief is sin!
Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 5:17 it says that all unrighteousness is sin.
Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 6:25 tells us that if we are careful to obey His commands before Him, as He has commanded us to, that will be our righteousness.
Therefore, to disobey and wilfully refuse to walk in His Torah and commands, is unrighteousness or lawlessness, which is sin!
Praise יהושע that we have become the righteousness of Elohim through Messiah, and now, as we walk in Him, we too walk in righteousness by belief, obeying all that He commands us to, not to be redeemed, but because He has redeemed us, and now, we work out our deliverance and redemption with fear and trembling, aměn!
Ya’aqoḇ/James 2:14-16 “My brothers, what use is it for anyone to say he has belief but does not have works? This belief is unable to save him. 15 And if a brother or sister is naked and in need of daily food, 16 but one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” but you do not give them the bodily needs, what use is it?”
We must possess a belief that “works”!
It is not enough to simply say, “Master, Master” – we must obey what He tells us to do!
Many will come and call out to יהושע by a title, having done all sorts of wonderful things – casting out demons, performing miracles, prophesying etc., and He will tell them He does not know them and those who work lawlessness must depart from Him.
Our belief must be an obedient belief, obedient to His very Word that stays the same forever!
Raḥaḇ’s obedience was evident of a changed life, as she once was like the rest of Yeriḥo, who were destined to die, because Yisra’ĕl was about to destroy them.
Raḥaḇ was a gentile (a foreigner and stranger), one who was outside of the covenant that was shown and given to Yisra’ĕl; and here, by favour through belief, she was grafted in and was brought near to the Covenants of Promise.
She didn’t deserve to be saved, but יהוה had mercy on her.
This is a wonderful example to us, of the awesome favour and mercy of יהוה toward all who put their faith and trust in Him:
Eph’siyim/Ephesians 2:11-13 “Therefore remember that you, once gentiles in the flesh, who are called ‘the uncircumcision’ by what is called ‘the circumcision’ made in the flesh by hands, 12 that at that time you were without Messiah, excluded from the citizenship of Yisra’ĕl and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no expectation and without Elohim in the world. 13 But now in Messiah יהושע you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah.”
Raḥaḇ truly experienced what Sha’ul writes about in Eph’siyim /Ephesians 2, by being made alive in Messiah and becoming One, being grafted in to the covenants (plural)of promise.
Praise יהוה that we may possess and approach Him with confident belief, through the blood of Messiah.
Sha’ul expressed his confidence (confident belief) in Elohim, as he makes it clear in his letter to the set-apart ones in Philippi that he was confident/fully persuaded that Elohim shall complete a perfect work in the true set-apart ones!
Pilipiyim/Philippians 1:4-6 “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the Good News from the first day until now, 6 being persuaded of this, that He who has begun a good work in you shall perfect it until the day of יהושע Messiah.”
The KJV translates this verse 6 as, ‘being confident of this …’ and the Greek word that is used here for ‘being persuaded, being confident’ comes from the primary root verb πείθω peithō – Strong’s G3982 which means, ‘to persuade, to put confidence in, to follow, have confidence and rely upon’.
How confident/fully persuaded are you, in the work that Master has begun in you?
Are you confident in the Truth of His Word that equips and trains you in righteousness or, do you find yourself doubting this, at times, and end up resorting to do things your own way, in arrogance, rather than walking humbly before Elohim and being confident in His Word?
It is from this root verb πείθω peithō – Strong’s G3982 that we get the Greek word πίστις pistis – Strong’s G4102 which means, ‘faith, faithfulness, pledge, conviction of the Truth’!
How confident is your belief in the Master?
Qorintiyim Bět/2 Corinthians 5:6-9 “Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Master – 7 for we walk by belief, not by sight – 8 we are of good courage, and are well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Master. 9 So we also make it our aim to be well-pleasing to Him, whether being at home, or being away from home.”
The words ‘good courage’ is translated as ‘confident’ in the KJV and the Greek word that is translated as ‘good courage/confident’ is θαρρέω tharreō – Strong’s G2292 which means, ‘to be of good courage, be bold, have confidence’ which comes from the the verb θαρσέω tharseō – Strong’s G2293 which means, ‘be of good courage, be of good comfort, be of good cheer’; and this verb is translated as ‘take courage’ in:
Yoḥanan/John 16:33 “These words I have spoken to you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you have pressure, but take courage, I have overcome the world.”
The encouragement that our Master gave His taught ones here, was that they were to take courage amidst the pressure they would have in the world, for, in Him, they would have peace, for He has overcome the world.
These words are still very much alive and very much applicable to us today, just as it was for the taught ones back then!
It is written in the ‘imperative mood’, which could also be expressed as ‘take heart’ or ‘cheer up’ and is a word that is spoken by way of encouragement!
When facing intense pressures, we need to be reminded to be of good courage and cheer up and not let pressures get us down!
Being confident in the Master does not allow circumstances to affect our boldness and courageous stand of belief, yet arrogance will rob one of confidence and cause one to resort to selfish ways of the flesh that lead to destruction, despite their short-lived appearance of relief!
Our confidence must not be in self… for then that is simply arrogance!
Our confidence must be in the Master!
Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 13:5-6 “Let your way of life be without the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have. For He Himself has said, “I shall never leave you nor forsake you,” 6 so that we boldly say, “ יהוה is my helper, I shall not fear what man shall do to me.”
The Greek word that is translated here as ‘boldly’ is θαρρέω tharreō – Strong’s G2292!
We are to be confident in our declaration of who our Helper is and never be afraid of the arrogance of others who try to put down rather than build up!
Raḥaḇ displayed a confident belief, in declaring that יהוה is Elohim alone and confidently believed that He was her helper!
How about you?
How confident is your belief?
Will you be confident in the Master, trust in Him and take a bold stand, confidently armed in His Truth and always ready to give an answer for the hope that you have and be fervent in meditating daily on His Torah?
As a part of the True Remnant Bride you will!!!
May these words build your confidence and courage to stand firm in the belief of our Master!
3 – CONCERNED BELIEF
Raḥaḇ wasn’t just looking out for self; and she was not only interested in her own welfare; because once she had personally experienced the favour and mercy of יהוה, she was burdened with the need to rescue her family from what was coming!
When you experience יהוה’s favour and mercy, you cannot but help reaching out for others to experience it too.
When Andri met יהושע, he immediately went and called his brother, Shim’on Kěpha, to come and meet יהושע (Yoḥanan/John 1:35-42).
Shelomoh teaches us the following parable, in:
Mishlĕ/Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is winning lives is wise”
The Hebrew root word for fruit is פְּרִי peri – Strong’s H6529 which means, ‘fruit, produce’ and comes from the word פָּרָה parah – Strong’s H6509 which means, ‘to bear fruit, be fruitful, flourish’.
This word certainly speaks of the physical fruit of trees and shrubs that bear fruit in which there is a seed according to its kind, i.e., fruit with kernels, hence the fruit produces more fruit.
This word also is used figuratively of children, as being the fruit of the womb; yet what we also find as a repeated theme throughout Scripture, is that this term for fruit many times refers to the meaning of, “the result of an action”; or better understood as, “works”.
Our lives, as set-apart children of Elohim, ought to be bearing the fruit of repentance – which is a clear resulting action of turning away from all falsehood and wickedness, and turning to righteousness:
Mattithyahu/Matthew 3:8 “Bear, therefore, fruits worthy of repentance”
Understanding that fruits are the result of an action, we must also take heed that we do not bear bad fruit, which may be brought forth as a result of wrong actions, such as disobedience or compromise or lawlessness and unrighteousness!
When we walk according to the Spirit, we will bear the fruit of the Spirit and not be given over to the desires of the flesh and have the fruit of fleshly living present!
Fruit does not just pop into one’s life, it is a result of an action, and we are to be bearing good fruit, hence the clear understanding that we are to be ‘doing’ the good works of obedience that have been prepared beforehand for us to do – and that is to walk in the clear commands of Elohim, guarding to do all He has commanded us!
As we are bringing the Word of Truth to the nations, by walking in the pure wisdom of Elohim and bearing the fruit of righteousness, we recognise that the goal of our faith is the deliverance of lives, for the one winning lives is wise!
Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 1:9 “obtaining the goal of your belief: a deliverance of lives.”
Do you have a concerned belief – that is: a belief that is concerned about others coming to the knowledge of our Saviour Messiah יהושע?
Raḥaḇ wanted assurance that when the city was taken, that she would be safe, and the two spies gave her the assurance that she would be safe, by pledging their lives for hers – they became surety for Raḥaḇ.
What a wonderful picture we have here, showing us how יהושע has become our surety – the guarantee of a better covenant.
He died for us, in order to take away the punishment for our sins, and He now lives, that we may live forever, for we have eternal surety in Messiah, who is able to save all who come to יהוה through Him, for יהושע always lives to intercede for us!
Raḥaḇ was not permitted to speak to anyone other than her relatives, otherwise the agreement would be cancelled.
Today, we as believers, are to make known to everybody, the price that יהושע has paid – the redemption price – paid with His very own Blood, so that: all who call on His Name shall be saved.
In contrast, if Raḥaḇ talked too much, her life was in danger, whereas today, if we do not talk enough, the lives of many around us are in danger of destruction and death!
I want to ask you – do you possess a concerned belief that is genuinely concerned about others? Or are you happy to save you own butt, so to speak?
We need to proclaim the Besorah/Good News, and tell as many as we come in to contact with.
The days are coming when the wrath of Elohim will be poured out and we must tell others to come into the ‘house of יהוה’ – the house/family/people that is covered by the Blood Covenant of Messiah יהושע!
We need to be concerned for each other and having a concerned belief, we are to make sure that we are building each other up and encouraging each other!
Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 10:23-25 “Let us hold fast the confession of our expectation without yielding, for He who promised is trustworthy. 24 And let us be concerned for one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging, and so much more as you see the day coming near.”
The Greek word used here in Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 10:23 for ‘hold fast’ is κατέχω katechō – Strong’s G2722 which means, ‘hold fast, hold firmly, possess, keep secure’, and is also used in the following verse, where it is translated as ‘retain’:
Luqas/Luke 8:15 “And that on the good soil are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, retain it, and bear fruit with endurance.”
We must make sure that we retain the Good Word, which we do by hearing, guarding and doing the Word, so that we bear much fruit of righteousness!
Hold fast the confession and retain the Truth, without yielding or bending to the compromised ways of the world!
The Greek word that is used for ‘without yielding’ is ἀκλινής aklinēs – Strong’s G186 which means, ‘unbending, without wavering’!
Why I am giving you all these root words, is to clearly highlight the obvious lessons that are repeatedly contained in the Scriptures, in regards to our need to keep our hearts free from the weeds of deception and compromise, so that we make sure that we are no longer those who doubt and are being tossed and borne about by every wind of teaching, through the corrupt trickery of men that leads many astray, but rather, we are those who hold fast, and retain, the Truth!
Having said that, we take note of what follows, in Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 10:24:
BE CONCERNED for one another!
The Greek word that is translated as ‘be concerned’ comes from the root word κατανοέω katanoeō – Strong’s G2657 which means, ‘to take note of, consider, look more closely, observe, contemplate’ and comes from the two root words:
1) κατά kata – Strong’s G2596 which is a preposition which carries the meaning, ‘down, against, according to’ and
2) νοέω noeō – Strong’s G3539 which means, ‘to perceive, think, consider, understand’ which comes from the word νοῦς nous – Strong’s G3563 and means, ‘mind, understanding, reason, intellect’, and speaks of the faculties of the mind that perceives and comprehends.
What I am presenting here, is the clear call for us to have a concerned belief, which means that we cannot be like so many, who are always just thinking about themselves!
We must not be selfish but rather, we are to be concerned about each other, in order to stir up love and good works!
We need each other to ‘fan into flame’ the good deposit of the Truth that our Master has given us by His Spirit and we are to encourage one another daily, as we see His Day drawing near.
Having a concerned belief, will be marked by committed fellowship and will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together on the Sabbaths and Feasts of יהוה…. As is the habit of some!!!
It is extremely sad to see how many today have grown accustomed to the bad habit of forsaking the assembling of the Body of Messiah; which simply highlights that they are not concerned about others and do not think about, or consider others, but are rather, being self-consumed in their own lives and, as a result, they fail to see the importance of assembly and fellowship, which is designed to encourage and strengthen one another in the belief!
We need to be considerate of each other and know that we all have the responsibility to have a concerned belief that seeks to encourage and build others up in the Most Set-Apart Belief!
Do you have a concerned belief?
With technology today, there is absolutely no excuse to not have a concerned belief, as we recognise that we are able to connect with each other and encourage each other and assemble together, despite being physically out of reach!
And the last few months of a worldwide lockdown has certainly shown us this!
How concerned are you about the rest of the Body and those that you fellowship with?
How considerate are you being?
Are you encouraging and building others up or are you only concerned about yourself?
4 – COVENANT BELIEF
A covenant is an agreement, or contract, between two or more parties, with conditions laid down for all parties to obey.
The Covenants, in Scripture, were given as a sign, or token, in order to remind the people of what had been promised.
The Covenant with Noaḥ was marked by a rainbow; and the Covenant of deliverance, by favour with Aḇraham, was sealed in circumcision, which today is a circumcision of the heart, through immersion/baptism into water, in the name of יהושע.
At Mount Sinai, the Book of the Covenant and the people were sprinkled with blood, and יהושע, at the Passover Meal, took the Bread and broke it and He also took the Cup, as tokens of the Renewed Covenant, declaring that through His Blood, we have now been brought near to the covenants (plural) of the promise.
Raḥaḇ was instructed to hang a scarlet thread or cord/rope in the window, identifying the ‘house of safety’, when the army of Yisra’ĕl would come and attack.
Scarlet reminds us of Blood, like the blood on the doorposts of the houses in Mitsrayim, that the Messenger of death would pass over; and here, the scarlet cord marked the house that would be protected from destruction, and would be ‘passed over’!
Raḥaḇ let the men down by that scarlet cord and left it in her window, as the sign/token of the covenant she had asked for, by belief.
The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘token’ in Yehoshua/Joshua 2:12 is אוֹת oth – Strong’s H226 which means, ‘a sign, banner, pledge, witness, token, proof’ and comes from the primitive root אָוָה avah – Strong’s H184 which means, ‘to sign, mark, describe with a mark’.
The ancient pictographic rendering of the Hebrew word אוֹת oth – Strong’s H226 which means, ‘a sign, banner, pledge, witness, token, proof’, looks like this:
Aleph – א:
The ancient script has this letter as 
and is pictured as ‘the head of an ox’, and represents ‘strength’, meaning ‘muscle’ as the ox is the strongest of the livestock animals. This also carries the meaning of ‘yoke’, as an ox is placed in a yoke in order to plough or pull a heavy load in the right direction. This can also picture for us the ‘red heifer’ sacrifice that יהושע Messiah fulfilled!
Waw/vav – וֹ:
The Ancient picture for this letter is 
, is pictured as 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’.
Taw – ת:
The ancient for of this letter is 
– meaning ‘two crossed sticks’. It was a type of a mark as being displayed by two crossed sticks and has the meaning of mark, sign or signature or identification, used as a marker to identify people, places or things. It can also carry the meaning of ‘seal’ or ‘covenant’.
As we consider these three pictographic letters, for the root word for ‘sign’, we take note that it is the Aleph – א and the Taw – ת (The Beginning and the End) that secures for us His Covenant, showing us the clear sign of His sealing of the Covenant, through His life, death and resurrection, for He took the nails in His hands and feet; and secured His Covenant for us, in His Own Blood, setting His seal upon those who guard to keep His Appointed Times.
He is the Beginning of our Strength and He secures for us His Covenant, having set His seal upon us, by His Spirit, as we observe His Appointed Times.
Elohim’s sign, the Sabbath, represents His mighty power to rule as Creator and Saviour, and it is a sign forever between us as children of Yisra’ĕl and Elohim!!!
Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 4:9 “So there remains a Sabbath-keeping for the people of Elohim.”
You cannot get any clearer than this verse, although it has sadly been twisted into teaching that this Sabbath rest being spoken of only refers to the millennial reign.
The Greek word that is used here for ‘Sabbath-keeping’ is σαββατισμός sabbatismos – Strong’s G4520 which literally means ‘a Sabbath keeping’ or ‘Sabbath observance’ and is very clear in its instruction for us today, that to keep Sabbath is still of vital importance – after all it is an everlasting sign for us – a sign that will prove to be a critical dividing factor in showing who truly worships Elohim and who does not!
Why the Sabbath is of utmost importance to us, and what we are to quickly realise is that our sign or mark of our worship unto יהוה our Elohim is in fact our remembering to ‘keep’ His Sabbath. Sabbath observance is key to worship, in fact it is our definitive sign that sets us apart from others.
Yeḥezqěl/Ezekiel 20:12 “And I gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between Me and them, to know that I AM יהוה who sets them apart!”
Shemoth/Exodus 31:16-17 “And the children of Yisra’ĕl shall guard the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as an everlasting covenant. 17 ‘Between Me and the children of Yisra’ĕl it is a sign forever. For in six days יהוה made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.”
We as his children are to ‘guard’ and ‘observe’ the Sabbath for all time!
יהוה makes it very clear in the above two passages that the Sabbath is in fact the sign that we are His!!!
How awesome is that! His Sabbath is a sign of His power to create and His power to redeem.
In the Scriptures, the words seal, sign, mark, and token are used interchangeably.
As we guard to keep the clear calendar of our Master and ensure that we do not miss His Appointed Times, we have the firm assurance that He has set His seal on us, as we have the proper observance of His Sabbaths and Feasts (Appointed Times) as a sign on our hands and foreheads!
Messiah made it clear that the only sign that would be shown to a wicked and adulterous generation that He was the Messiah, was the sign of Yonah; and so, in the life, death and resurrection of Messiah, we have the sign of the Covenant promise revealed and secured in His Own Blood!
Raḥaḇ was instructed to bind the scarlet cord in the window that she had let the spies down through!
The Hebrew word for ‘scarlet’ is שָׁנִי ‘shani’ – Strong’s H8144 which means, ‘scarlet/crimson’.
This scarlet (red) colour is believed by many, to have come from the crushed body of an insect (worm) that attached itself to a tree, laid eggs on it, puts a sack of red juice around the eggs to protect them, then died, having emptied itself out for them!
This picture, in nature, is a wonderful picture of יהושע.
The insect ‘coccus ilicis’ is related to the cochineal insect and found on the twigs and branches of evergreen oaks in Southern Europe and North Africa.
They belong to the family of insects known as Coccidae or Scale-insects.
When the female of the species is ready to lay eggs, she attaches her body firmly to the tree.
The eggs are laid beneath her body and following the egg laying the insect dies.
Thus, the eggs are protected by the insect’s body until the larvae are hatched.
It was from the dead bodies of these insects that the scarlet dyes used in ancient times were extracted.
Scarlet material speaks of sacrifice and typifies Messiah in His sufferings and His giving of Himself to be crushed for our iniquities:
Eph’siyim/Ephesians 5:2 “And walk in love, as Messiah also has loved us, and gave Himself for us, a gift and an offering to Elohim for a sweet-smelling fragrance.”
Raḥaḇ and her covenant belief would be marked by the scarlet cord that she had bound in the window, and as we consider the belief of Raḥaḇ and her obedience to the instructions given, we can learn a very powerful lesson, on our need to be obedient to the Covenants of Promise that we have been grafted in to, by the Blood of Messiah!
And the proper keeping of His Sabbaths ensures our ability of keeping the sure sign that we are His, secure!
What is worth taking note of, is that we are able to see from the instructions given to the Tabernacles and its furnishings, when being packed up and moved, that the showbread table was to be covered in blue, which we know represent our Master’s commands!
The utensils and the actual showbread, which represents the 12 tribes (whole body of Messiah), were then to be placed on top of the blue wrapper, picturing for us the need to have His commands – His Torah – His Word, as our foundation.
These were then wrapped in a scarlet material, which speaks of the Blood of Messiah that covers us and highlights a very powerful shadow picture of the Pěsaḥ Meal that we partake in, as a remembrance of His work of grafting us in to His Covenants of Promise, that we were once strangers to and far off from.
Then the leather covering would be placed over these and was a protective layer against the elements and pictures for us the Covenant Protection that we have in our Master, as we stay in Him who has sealed us and given His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge and a Helper!
Raḥaḇ and her family were saved by belief in יהוה, and the fact that she hung the scarlet cord out of her window, proved her belief in יהוה, as she simply obeyed what she was instructed to do!
She was a woman of courage, who had to tell all her relatives about the coming judgement and the promise of salvation, for all who accept it.
This was a dangerous thing to do, and she certainly put her life on the line for the sake of others.
This should encourage us today, to not be ashamed of the Good News, but be confident and courageous in our need to speak the Truth in Love, without any fear of rejection.
Some may listen, while others may not, but just as יהוה told Yeḥezqěl to go and speak to Yisra’ĕl, whether they would hear or whether they would refuse to hear, so too must we speak up, and be bold and courageous in doing so, aměn!
We have a secure covenant with יהוה, in the precious Blood of our Master and Elohim, יהושע Messiah; and we have the responsibility to plant and water – that is: to go and to share the Good News.
Raḥaḇ was listed in Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 11, in what you could call the ‘Faith hall of fame’.
יהוה could use Raḥaḇ to great effect.
Her life changed – from being a prostitute destined for destruction, she, by belief, believed in the true living Elohim, who had heard her cry, and she was grafted in to Yisra’ĕl, and was married to Salmon who was from the tribe of Yehuḏah and so, she became one who was named in the lineage of the Messiah!
The lessons we can learn from Raḥaḇ, is that she believed the news of יהוה’s wrath!
Do you really believe that a time of trouble and tribulation is soon to be coming upon the world? Raḥaḇ did and she acted in total belief and submission to Elohim.
Raḥaḇ realised that יהוה was the only One true and great Elohim – there was no other, and knowledge of her sin, in the face of the truth, caused her to repent and be saved by belief, and in so doing, she interceded for her family.
A true believer intercedes and petitions יהוה for others.
Raḥaḇ obeyed the instructions she had received, which marked her belief.
We too must obey the very instructions (Torah) of Elohim given to us in His Word, written by His Spirit on the hearts of those who believe.
You see, His Word is no longer on stone, but is now written upon the hearts of all who receive Him as Saviour, having the Spirit come and write on their hearts, His Word.
Raḥaḇ then trusted in the promise given, and so, she was given the assurance of her belief!
She received deliverance from destruction and death; she received a place among the people of Elohim and the honour of being included in the lineage of Messiah.
We live in perilous times and yes, there lies ahead days that will be similar to the days of Noaḥ. The question is, will we be a people that just carries on as normal and ignore living true to the Word, or will we be like Noaḥ, who faithfully proclaimed righteousness, which is living in obedience to יהוה by belief, equipped by His favour/grace?
Will we be like Raḥaḇ, who, despite our past, accept by belief, the joy and freedom of walking in obedience to His Torah and commands, and in doing so, tell others that they too may come into the House of Yisra’ĕl, covered by the Blood of יהושע Messiah; and so, escape the destruction that is coming to those who do not believe and obey.
Raḥaḇ reminds us that it is what we do that demonstrates the reality of our belief.
What are you doing, as you daily live to demonstrate your belief in יהוה?
Is your life ‘marked by scarlet’ so to speak?
And by that, I mean: have you responded to the Truth and been washed/immersed in Messiah, who by His Blood washes you from your sin?
This image of scarlet also reminds me of the words of Elohim, as seen in:
Yeshayahu/Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” says יהוה. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
The Hebrew word that is translated here as ‘let us reason together’ is וְנִוָּכְחָה venivaḵeḥah and comes from the root word יָכַח yaḵaḥ – Strong’s H3198 which means ‘to decide, prove, judge or correct’!
What we take note of is that, in effect, what יהוה was saying here, to a sinful nation, was the following:
“Come let Me prove to you… so that you will be cleaned up… if you submit and obey then…”
Here יהוה was using court like language, that was been addressing the guilty and appealing to them to seek judgement and right-ruling, and was submitting His case here, as if they were on trial and then He proceeds to show them, on what principles they may be pardoned!
So many may love to use this verse on its own, without proceeding to the next couple of verses, that clearly highlights the clear conditional clauses for obedience or disobedience and, in the process, many do not understand the seriousness of the stain of sin and lawlessness!
Scarlet, as mentioned, speaks of sacrifice and typifies Messiah in His sufferings and His giving of Himself to be crushed for our iniquities.
But what is also important to take note of, is that it is impossible to get the stain of this scarlet out of linen – impossible for man, that is – for no amount of scrubbing and washing or bleaching can actually take this red worm substance dye out of clothing and materials!
Dawiḏ understood just how much He could do nothing on his own and realised that our salvation and redemption and deliverance is in יהוה alone.
We see this by his words of confession and repentance, In:
Tehillah/Psalm 51:1-7 “Show me favour, O Elohim, according to Your kindness; according to the greatness of Your compassion, blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me completely from my guilt, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against You, You alone, have I sinned, and done evil in Your eyes; that You might be proven right in Your words; be clear when You judge. 5 See, I was brought forth in crookedness, and in sin my mother conceived me. 6 See, You have desired truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You make me know wisdom. 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I am clean; wash me, and I am whiter than snow.”
These were the words of a man who understood that He needed cleansing from the stain of sin, which he alone could not remove; but knew that יהוה, according to His great kindness and loving compassion could.
Only יהוה can remove the stain of blood guilt that has been shed, because of the evil done before Him. And Dawiḏ understood that walking outside of the Torah is sin, as the Torah is to be upon our hearts and in our mouths, in order to do it.
In Yeshayahu/Isaiah 1, יהוה was telling Yehuḏah that they were so stained, yet they would be made white, if they returned to obedience and obeyed – what a wonderful promise.
Looking at Yeshayahu/Isaiah 1:15, we see that they were so stained, as their hands were full of blood – and their worship had become unacceptable, because of their blood guiltiness on their hands – which highlights that their works were not pure!
The command to be cleansed and cease from evil, comes with this invitation to be made clean, as He proved to them their bloodguilt, and as impossible as it may be to get the stain of blood out – יהוה would make their garments pure and shining white through His own Blood!!!
Ḥazon/Revelation 7:14 “And I said to him, “Master, you know.” And he said to me, “These are those coming out of the great distress, having washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
Our sin is guilty of His bloodshed – and the works of our hands are stained with the blood guilt of His sacrifice – and it is only He, who through His Blood removes the stain from us.
What is interesting and worth taking note of, is that this word, שָׁנִי ‘shani’ – Strong’s H8144 (scarlet), is used 42 times in the Scriptures; which is a very significant number for us indeed!
As you will remember: there were 42 stops/starting points in the Wilderness journey, from leaving Mitsrayim to entering in to the Promised Land!
And so, we also see that by His Blood that was poured out at Pěsaḥ, as the Lamb that was slain, has our ‘wilderness journey’ covered, so that we who were stained through sin, may be made white and ready to enter in to His Promises, as a Bride prepared!
In the genealogy of Messiah, given in Mattithyahu/Matthew 1, there are 42 generations from Aḇraham to Messiah, and highlights a clear covenant of promise, which proclaims life in the Blood of Messiah, who is the Seed of the Promise!
And it is in this wilderness journey, where we learn to hear His voice with great care and attention and guard to do all He has commanded us!
Raḥaḇ was once a whore and now, having the scarlet cord bound in her window, she had the sure promise of deliverance and would be grafted in to the Covenant people of יהוה.
This is an extremely powerful picture for us and ought to remind us, how we are to guard the commands and stay in the covering favour of our Master and Elohim, guarding His Covenant, which He has now written upon our hearts, as displayed in a clear covenant belief that is marked by works of obedience – having the ‘scarlet token’ of our Master being clearly evidenced in our lives – being marked by scarlet, as ones that have been grafted in to His covenant and genealogy, by His Blood!!!
Is your belief courageous, confident, and concerned for others, and firmly established in His everlasting Covenant in which you know live and walk?
Is your belief a courageous, confident, concerned and covenant belief?
It is never enough to just believe that יהוה exists.
That knowledge can terrorize as well as transform.
The issue is, what will we do with our knowledge of יהוה our Elohim?
Raḥaḇ made the right choice: she would turn to Him and trust Him.
We need to help others who say “I believe” and help them see that “believing” is not belief, until it becomes a personal commitment to walking in loving obedience to the commands of Elohim.
Be encouraged by the account of Raḥaḇ and don’t look back to your past but rather step in, by belief, into the promises of יהוה, and start proclaiming His Kingdom rule right here right now. Be challenged to bring others into the fullness of the knowledge of יהוה as you hear the Truth, learn the Truth and live the Truth, aměn!
Raḥaḇ’s faith was marked by scarlet – what about yours?
Do people see the testimony of the Blood of יהושע in your life?
Are you marked as one who is guarding the commands of Elohim and possessing the witness of יהושע Messiah?
I charge you all today, in the Name of our Master and Elohim, to live obediently unto יהוה:
for this is love for Him; that we obey His commands and they are not burdensome.
Let us be guided by the yoke of יהושע, that is His very Word and let us all be marked by Him, in the way that we live, the way we love and the way we laugh, as we confidently and courageously declare praise to His Name and shine His light in this dark world.
I asked at the beginning of this message, that if you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?
May the account of Raḥaḇ cause your heart to faithfully be devoted to the Word of יהוה; with His Word being that which changes you, as you are being transformed daily into His image, through the proper renewing of your mind, as you meditate on His Word day and night, by looking intently into His Word and not forgetting what you look like. And in doing so, letting your belief be clearly marked as one who has been washed in the Blood of Messiah and confidently and courageously shining as a true light in this dark world.
Raḥaḇ’s belief was marked by scarlet – is yours?
For the rest, my Covenant Family, be strong in the Master and in the mightiness of His strength, be bold, be courageous, be confident and be concerned. Be marked by Him!
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!