SUPREMELY BLESSED! Mattithyahu/Matthew 5:3-12 – At the Foot of the Covenant Ministries

23^rd of the 3^rd month 2022/2023

Shalom all,

When we hear the term of phrase, ‘blessed are the…’ or ‘blessed are you when…’, we can often be reminded of what has been called by many scholars, as: ‘The beatitudes’, which we are given in Mattithyahu/Matthew 5:3-12..

The Greek word that is translated, in these phrases or statements of blessing, as ‘blessed’ is μακάριος Makarios – Strong’s G3107 which is an adjective that is used to describe a blessed one and this word denotes the state of being marked by the fullness of Elohim and indicates the state of a true set-apart believer in יהושע Messiah!

It is the prolonged form of the of the poetical word μάκαρ makar which means the same and can, in essence, carry the meaning of being ‘SUPREMELY BLESSED’..

To be μακάριος Makarios – Strong’s G3107, (blessed), is understood in the Greek as equivalent to having The Kingdom of Elohim within one’s heart, highlighting for us the understanding of the blessing of The Word of Elohim, which is to be in our hearts and in our mouths, to do it:

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

What is worth taking note of, is that this Greek adjective μακάριος Makarios – Strong’s G3107 is used 50 times in 49 verses, in the Renewed Writings.

We also take note that the number 50, in the Hebraic mind-set, is a number that brings to mind the significance of the Yoḇel or release, which shadow pictures the complete work of our Master, who came to proclaim the release… not from the Torah, but from sin and lawlessness, so that we may walk in the abundant blessing of obedience to His Torah!.

Having now identified the meaning of this word that describes the state of being blessed, I would like to take a closer look at its use in The Renewed Writings, by looking at the words of our Master, as given to us in Mattithyahu/Matthew 5, in what is known as the ‘Beatitudes’, in order to present a fuller understanding of being supremely blessed in our Mighty and Wondrous Master and His perfect Word, that is to be in our hearts and mouths!.

I will therefore be going through the phrases or sentences that are being declared to us, by our Master, in a message called:

SUPREMELY BLESSED!.

The first 9 uses of this word μακάριος Makarios – Strong’s G3107 is, as mentioned, seen in The Beatitudes’ in Mattithyahu/Matthew 5:3-11.

We will break each one down, in order to glean further understanding of these wonderful parables that our Master taught to the crowds..

1 – Mattithyahu/Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, because theirs is the reign of the heavens.”

The Greek word that is translated as ‘poor’ is πτωχός ptōchos – Strong’s G4434 which means, ‘to crouch or cower, one who crouches, poor, beggarly’.

This word is related to the Hebrew word עָנִי aniy – Strong’s H6041 which means, ‘poor, afflicted, humble, oppressed’, which comes from the root עָנָה anah – Strong’s H6031 which means, ‘to be bowed down or afflicted, distressed, violated’, as well as the Hebrew word דָּלַל dalal – Strong’s H1809 which means, ‘to hang, brought low, distress’..

Being poor in spirit denotes one who recognizes their spiritual helplessness, which is the opposite of being proud and lofty, for the one who is poor in spirit will humble themselves before the Master and submit to serving Him is Spirit and in in Truth!.

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 57:15 “For thus declares the high and exalted One who dwells forever, whose Name is set-apart, “I dwell in the high and set-apart place, with him who has a bruised and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of bruised ones.”

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘humble’ comes from the root word שָׁפָל shaphal – Strong’s H8217 which means, ‘low, abased, humble’, and comes from the root verb שָׁפֵל shaphel – Strong’s H8213 which means, ‘to be or become low, to be abased, brought low, laid down, humbled, set in a lower place’..

Shelomoh teaches us the following, in:

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 29:23 “The pride of man brings him low, but the humble in spirit obtains esteem.”

The parable highlights the clear difference between pride and humility.

The reign of the heavens belongs to the humble in spirit as they will receive entrance into the everlasting reign, as opposed to the proud and lofty ones who will not receive entrance in to the reign of the heavens as they never submit to the authority thereof!.

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 66:1-2 “Thus said יהוה, “The heavens are My throne, and the earth is My footstool. Where is this house that you build for Me? And where is this place of My rest? 2 “And all these My hand has made, and all these that exist,” declares יהוה. “Yet to such a one I look: on him who is poor and bruised of spirit, and who trembles at My Word.”

The poor in Spirit tremble at the Word of Elohim, highlighting a complete submission to the authority of The Word, as opposed to the proud and lofty who reject the authority of the Torah of Elohim..

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘tremble’ is the adjective חֲרֹד ḥaroḏ – Strong’s H2730 which means, ‘tremble, fearful, afraid’ and comes from the root verb חָרַד ḥaraḏ – Strong’s H2729 which means, ‘trembling, to be terrified, frightened, afraid’.

We are to tremble at His Word so that we pay close attention to hearing as we should and do what is commanded so that we do not bring that which is defiled!

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 66:5 “Hear the Word of יהוה, you who tremble at His Word, “Your brothers who hate you, who cast you out for My Name’s sake, said, ‘Let יהוה be esteemed, so that we see your joy.’ But they are put to shame.”

The true remnant hears and comes trembling at His Word and brings the proper esteem that is due to יהוה of Hosts, while those that do not tremble at His Word, and have no fear of Elohim, will be swayed by every wind of teachings and doctrine of falsehood that tickle and soothe their ears to their own destruction!.

The poor (humble) in Spirit are:

SUPREMELY BLESSED!.

2 – Mattithyahu/Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, because they shall be comforted.”

The Greek word that is translated as ‘mourn’ is πενθέω pentheō – Strong’s G3996 which means, ‘to mourn, lament’..

The Greek word that is used here for ‘comforted’ is παρακαλέω parakaleō – Strong’s G3870 which means, ‘call near, invite, invoke, be of good comfort, encourage’.

This word παρακαλέω parakaleō – Strong’s G3870 is used in a variety of forms, for example:

a) when summonsing someone to an action that is required;

b) to beseech others for an urgent response to help;

c) to ‘exhort’, as in the context used to encourage soldiers headed for battle; as well as

d) to ‘comfort and encourage’, especially in times of hardships and grief. .

This word comes from two words:

1) παρά para – Strong’s G3844 which is used as a primitive participle meaning, ‘from beside, by the side of, by, besides, near’, and

2) καλέω kaleō Strong’s G2564 meaning ‘call, to call, called out, invited, summoned’..

We take note that the word παρακαλέω parakaleō – Strong’s G3870 is also translated as ‘encourage’ in:

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

Through the empowering comfort of our Master, we can comfort and encourage each other, so as to guard each other against the dangers of the deceivableness of sin and truly experience the comfort of our Good Teacher, under whom we submit and are continually cleansed by, through the washing of His Word!.

The words of our Master highlight the clear promise given in prophecy, in regards to the comforting of mourners:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 61:1-3 “The Spirit of the Master יהוה is upon Me, because יהוה has anointed Me to bring good news to the meek. He has sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, 2 to proclaim the acceptable year of יהוה, and the day of vengeance of our Elohim, to comfort all who mourn, 3 to appoint unto those who mourn in Tsiyon: to give them embellishment for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. And they shall be called trees of righteousness, a planting of יהוה, to be adorned.”.

Mourners are comforted!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘mourning’ comes from the root word אֵבֶל eḇel – Strong’s H60 which means, ‘mourn, mourning’, and is also used in:

Estěr/Esther 9:22 “as the days on which the Yehuḏim had rest from their enemies, as the new moon which was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a good day, that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of sending portions to one another and gifts to the poor.” .

The oil of joy for mourning!

That is primarily what we are able to celebrate, in our Master, and it is this picture of celebration, of victory in Him, that we are able to identify with, through the accounts recorded for us, in the Book of Estěr/Ester, as we celebrate the joy of victory over sin and death, that our Master had brought for us through His Blood, having that which was written against us taken away, through His life, death and resurrection! .

It is when we truly mourn over our sin and lawlessness, that we are able to embrace the strengthening joy of the healing work of our Master, who summons us to return to obedience and be encouraged to abide in Him who comforts!

Many people today are not sorry over their sin and therefore they refuse to repent and are clearly unresponsive to the summonsing call of our Master! They can never truly be comforted.

Those who mourn over their depravity and lawlessness, can be comforted and strengthened in the joy of our Redeemer and King, being equipped to humbly submit to His Torah and be equipped to give a proper victorious praise unto Him who comforts us in our distress!.

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 66:1-0-13 “Rejoice with Yerushalayim, and be glad with her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn for her; 11 so that you feed, and shall be satisfied with the breast of her comforts, so that you drink deeply, and shall delight yourselves in her overflowing esteem.” 12 For thus said יהוה, “See, I am extending peace to her like a river, and the esteem of the nations like a flowing stream. And you shall feed; you shall be carried on the side, and be fondled on her knees. 13 As one whom his mother comforts, so I comfort you. And in Yerushalayim you are comforted.”

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘comforts, comfort and comforted’ comes from the root word נָחַם naḥam – Strong’s H5162 which means, ‘to comfort, console, to be comforted’ and can, in many ways, carry the understanding of receiving a recovery of breath!.

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 51:3 “For יהוה shall comfort Tsiyon, He shall comfort all her waste places. For He makes her wilderness like Ěḏen, and her desert like the garden of יהוה. Joy and gladness are found in it, thanksgiving and the voice of song.”

What is worth taking note of here, in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 51:3, is that with the promising comfort of Elohim, comes the restoration of joy, gladness, thanksgiving and praise!

This should be the resulting action of His comforting word over us, as we look to Him and His Covenants of Promise, constantly pursuing righteousness as we seek Him in all we do!.

True mourners are comforted and are:

SUPREMELY BLESSED!.

3 – Mattithyahu/Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, because they shall inherit the earth.”

The Greek word that is translated as ‘meek’ is the adjective πραΰς praus – Strong’s G4239 which means, ‘gentle, mildness of disposition’.

A noun that is derived form this root is πραότης praotēs – Strong’s G4236 which means, ‘gentleness, consideration, humility, meekness’..

The Hebrew word translated as ‘meekness’ is עֲנָוָה anavah – Strong’s H6038 and means, ‘humility, gentleness’ and comes from the root word עָנָה anah – Strong’s H6031 and means, ‘to be bowed down, afflicted, humbled’. This carries the understanding of being ‘grounded’ as well as the ability to ‘pay close attention’ and open one’s ears to hear!

It carries the concept of denying oneself and submitting to Elohim as you understand and are aware of one’s status before an Almighty Elohim! True meekness involves being occupied with the things of יהוה, having died to self and living unto יהושע Messiah!.

Walking in humility is expressed clearly as one fixes their eyes on the Truth and walks in it, not looking to one’s own ways, nor leaning on one’s own understanding!.

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 22:4 “The reward of humility is the fear of יהוה, riches, and esteem and life.”

From this parable of Shelomoh, we are able to see the resulting action of true humility – and that is a proper fear of יהוה, along with the assurance of life, and life in abundance, which is what Master and Elohim, יהושע Messiah, came to bring us!.

Ya’aqoḇ tells us clearly in:

Ya’aqoḇ/James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Master, and He shall lift you up.”

The one who is truly humble, subjects himself to Elohim and Ya’aqoḇ also tells us in Ya’aqoḇ/James 4:6 that Elohim resist the proud and gives favour to the humble! .

Holding on to humility is critical in our walk of belief and what we must clearly understand, is that humility is not a carrying of a low estimation of one’s self, nor is it the thinking that one is insignificant. .

In fact, truly humble people are often the most assertive people on the planet – you just have to look no further than Mosheh, who was very humble, more than all the men who were on the face of the earth (Bemiḏbar/Numbers 12:3) – and he was certainly no pushover!!!.

Humility refers to a knowledge, recognition and acceptance that we are lower than Elohim; and therefore, our humility is best expressed by a state of voluntarily submitting to His will.

In fact, humility will always be measured by our belief and submission to יהוה’s good and well-pleasing and perfect desire, which we can only do when we renew our minds daily through His Perfect Word and not be conformed to this world (Romiyim/Romans 12:2), and our clearest indicator of true humility is in our obedience to Elohim. .

The truly humble person, lovingly, willingly and honestly obeys יהוה; unlike the Pharisees, who make an outward show of seeming obedience yet clearly omit the importance of the Torah!

PRIDE says, “I’ll do it my way”, even if it means ‘staying away’ and sulking, because things have not gone your way, due to compromised worship!!!

Many people today, when going through some tough trials, may say things like, “I will deal with it on my own” or “that is how I deal with it” and then, they neglect to engage in living out the Torah, in a practical way, through community living and support and edification for one another.

This is simply another form of pride!

Pride will lead to bitterness and resentment toward others, while harbouring a critical spirit and become very sceptical – and this we are to guard against, by holding on to humility – that is to remain obedient and submissive to the Truth!.

HUMILITY says ‘I’ll submit to יהוה’s way’, no matter the cost and this results in trusting יהוה despite the circumstances we find ourselves in – whether good or bad, as pride is not a respecter of circumstances for which we must always be on our guard against!

Humility seeks to build and says ‘what can I bring/give’; whereas pride seeks to take and says ‘what can I get out of this’. .

Pride carries an attitude of independence that will not submit to or receive the instruction or advice of another; whereas humility reveals total dependency and reliance upon יהוה.

Our duty is to walk humbly before Elohim and to walk as He walked – doing the will of Elohim.

Let us be found to always be holding on to humility and destroy all pride and be strong and brave, like those priests who stood firm for the truth, so that when He comes for us, He shall find active, humble faith, aměn!

Gentleness/Meekness is not a weakness, but rather exhibits a great strength of character of the true humble servant of Elohim!.

Tehillah/Psalm 149:4 “For יהוה takes pleasure in His people; He embellishes the meek ones with deliverance.”.

The meek/humble are:

SUPREMELY BLESSED!.

4 – Mattithyahu/Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, because they shall be filled.”

The old saying – you are what you eat – sums it up!

The question you need to ask yourself is: what are you feeding yourself on?

What is filling you?

The Greek word that is translated as filled is χορτάζω chortazō – G5526 and means ‘to feed with herbs or grass or hay, to fill, to satisfy with food, to fully satisfy the desire of any’ and comes from the root word χόρτος chortos – G5528 which means ‘a feeding place, the place where grass grows and animals graze’ and I find this very fitting as our Good Shepherd makes us lie down in green pastures and we do not lack!!!

There are other Greek words that we translate as full or filled and I find it interesting as we look at them, at what we are to be filled with and what we are not to be full of!

I would like to run through a couple of Scriptures from the Second Writings (N.T.) that speak of being filled or full, both in the positive and negative:.

Positive:

Ma’asei/Acts 6:8 “And Stephanos, filled with belief and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.”

Ma’asei/Acts 7:55 “But he, being filled with the Set-apart Spirit, looked steadily into the heaven and saw the esteem of Elohim, and יהושע standing at the right hand of Elohim”

Ma’asei/Acts 13:52 “And the taught ones were filled with joy and the Set-apart Spirit.”

Eph’siyim/Ephesians 5:18 “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is loose behaviour, but be filled with the Spirit”

Pilipiyim/Philippians 1:11 “being filled with the fruit of righteousness, through יהושע Messiah, to the esteem and praise of Elohim.”

Qolasim/Colossians 1:9 “That is also why we, from the day we heard, have not ceased praying for you, and asking that you be filled with the knowledge of His desire in all wisdom and spiritual understanding”

Qolasim/Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of Elohim rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one Body, and be filled with thanks.”

Ya’aqoḇ/James 3:17 “But the wisdom from above is first clean, then peaceable, gentle, ready to obey, filled with compassion and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”.

Negative:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 23:25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are filled with plunder and unrighteousness.”

Mattithyahu/Matthew 23:28 “So you too outwardly indeed appear righteous to men, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.”

Romiyim/Romans 1:29 “having been filled with all unrighteousness, whoring, wickedness, greed, evil; filled with envy, murder, fighting, deceit, evil habits; whisperers”

Romiyim/Romans 3:14 “Whose mouth is filled with cursing and bitterness.”

Ma’asei/Acts 13:45 “But when the Yehuḏim saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. And contradicting and speaking evil, they opposed what Sha’ul was saying.”

Ma’asei/Acts 19:28 “And having heard this, they were filled with rage and cried out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!””.

These are just a few Scriptures that clearly highlight for us that we can be filled with the right stuff or the wrong. What are you filled with?

What evidences are there in your life that determines what you are filled with?

Why is it that often your life may seem to be so filled all the time yet you end up feeling so empty as the very things that are filling you are at the same time draining you without you even realising it?

Is it perhaps because you are filled with the wrong stuff?

Are you, or have you been, filled – yet somehow are still empty?

Or are you filled with, and full of, the very Word and presence of Our Saviour and King? What do you hunger for?

Let it be for righteousness, for then you will be filled and satisfied and strengthened..

Having a true hunger and thirst for righteousness will guard one against being filled with all the wrong stuff.

I have often said that one will only be filled according to one’s hunger!

If it is simply a quick snack that you are hungry for, then that s all you will get before feeling full, however, if you are hungry for a ‘5 course meal’ or ‘all you can eat buffet’, so to speak, then you will find your fill and be satisfied.

Sadly, what we find by most people today, is that they are hungry for a buffet of wrongness, while never truly hungering for righteousness, as they will only snack on a verse or two, whenever they want to appease their conscience and claim to be righteous, yet the fruit of their lives reveals otherwise..

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 1:19-20 “If you submit and obey, you shall eat the good of the land; 20 but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword, for the mouth of יהוה has spoken.”

Yeshayahu/Isaiah Chapter 1 speaks of the urgency and need to hear the Word of יהוה, and walk in the Torah (His instructions for righteous living).

When understanding the concept of being filled, satisfied and nourished, through the Word, Chapter 1:19 -20 makes it very clear:

“EAT OR BE EATEN”.

The Hebrew word used for ‘eat’ and ‘devoured’ comes from the same root word, which is אָכַל aḵal – H398 which means ‘eat, consume, devour or be devoured’. .

So, in essence what is being declared here, is simply this:

if you submit and obey you will eat and enjoy the good of the land – if you rebel and refuse to submit and obey you will be eaten by the sword – that is: His Word that will consume you up and devour you in judgement according to His righteous right ruling! .

We have a choice – eat His Word and walk in Him and be satisfied or eat all the junk that is on offer and neglect His Word and be eaten by the very Word that is rejected. It is not a difficult concept to grasp – the question remains – how is your diet, and more importantly – what is filling you?

Eat right and live or live wrong and be eaten:

Ḥazon/Revelation 19:15 “And out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations. And He shall shepherd them with a rod of iron. And He treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Ěl Shaddai.”

Ḥazon/Revelation 19:21 “And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.”.

As one looks at Yeshayahu/Isaiah Chapter 2, we are able to see that it begins with Yeshayahu being shown what is still to come – for he was shown the latter days and the coming reign of יהושע, where The Reign of Elohim will be firmly established and He Himself will teach us His ways and there will be a reign of peace.

Here, Yeshayahu is, in essence, shown the Millennial Reign of Messiah. .

What is very interesting to note, is that the very same words in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 2:2-4 are found in Miḵah/Micah 4:1-3 and reflects the dual witness of what is to come, with the heart of calling people to repentance and back to יהוה.

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 2:2-4 “And it shall be in the latter days that the mountain of the House of יהוה is established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills. And all nations shall flow to it. 3 And many peoples shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of יהוה, to the House of the Elohim of Ya‛aqoḇ, and let Him teach us His ways, and let us walk in His paths, for out of Tsiyon comes forth the Torah, and the Word of יהוה from Yerushalayim.” 4 And He shall judge between the nations, and shall reprove many peoples. And they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither teach battle any more.” .

When Yeshayahu was describing the coming reign of our King, he urged all to be urgent in their walking in the Truth and Light of the Torah of יהוה.

The urgency of this command is clear in saying ‘come and let us walk’, we see the repetition of the root word to walk in the intensive form, literally commanding:

‘walk, let us walk!’

There is no time to be sitting still and waiting for The Day to come!

We are to be about walking in Him right now!

This urgency to command an active walk was due to the current circumstances that had plagued Yehuḏah.

Yehuḏah had grown comfortable in their circumstances and, as a result, they were being filled with all the wrong stuff!

Yeshayahu was calling the people to walk in the light and as he looked around, he saw what could be described as ‘dark living’, by a people who claimed to follow יהוה!

The call to ‘walk in the light’, often reveals the true reality of just how ‘full’ people’s lives are, with what could only be described as ‘stuff’ and ‘stuff’ that is simply just taking up space that may just end up killing them!.

As he looked around – he gave a call to get rid of the stuff and empty oneself of the junk that is filling their lives now if they want to be a part of the joy of walking in the light and ultimately living in the fullness of the reign of Elohim that is to come and be established forever!.

In verses 6-8 Yeshayahu reveals the very things that were preventing Yehuḏah from walking fully in the light, as false worship had filled their lives!

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 2:6-8 “For You have forsaken Your people, the house of Ya‛aqoḇ, because they have been filled from the East, and practise magic like the Philistines, and they are pleased with the children of foreigners. 7 And their land is filled with silver and gold, and there is no end to their treasures. And their land is filled with horses, and there is no end to their chariots. 8 And their land is filled with idols; they bow themselves to the work of their own hands, to what their own fingers have made.”.

Let us look at the things that Yehuḏah and the house of Ya’aqoḇ were ‘filled’ with and see how relevant the message is still to us today:.

1 – Filled from the East and practised magic

In Hebrew, we know that the term ‘east’ also gives reference to ancient or past and so, what Yehuḏah had been doing here, was that they were observing false worship practices of ancient pagan ways.

They were going back to old ways of idolatry and witchcraft, which they were clearly instructed not to do.

They still went to the temple and observed the Feasts of יהוה, yet they were blending their worship with false ways of the east or the past and were practicing divination and magic, thereby syncretising the false with the truth – which is not worship unto יהוה at all, as it is an abomination in His eyes! .

The Hebrew word for ‘practicing magic’ comes from the root word עָנַן anan – H6049 which means, ‘fortune telling, soothsaying, practising witchcraft’ as well as ‘to make something appear or to cloud over and act covertly and observe times of witchcraft’.

They were filled with this kind of false worship, leaving no room for pure unadulterated worship and proper righteous living was severely compromised!

The same kind of falsified ‘filling’ is still happening today, as many people will syncretise many forms or means of false worship with the truth, in order to suite their own selfish needs, and so, cover up the reality of the Truth through rebellious living, which is witchcraft, and they are being filled with that which the word prohibits, following the ancient ways of sun-worship in its varying forms, observing times of witchcraft, by keeping pagan rooted dates and trying to use it as a means to worship יהוה, which He will not tolerate!

We cannot worship the Creator and Saviour through the filling of our lives in conforming to pagan traditions.

Another major problem that tends to fill many lives, is the seeming need to ‘look back’ to the past ways of rebellious living – let us not do that – look what happened to Lot’s wife when she looked back to Seḏom and Amorah!!!.

2 – Filled with silver and gold

This was a very prosperous time in the history of Yehuḏah and, in the process of living prosperously, they had quickly lost their focus and began to put their trust in their riches and wealth for security.

They had forgotten the One who had given them the ability to amass all of their wealth and began to worship their material possessions, and all this was quite subtle.

Little by little, riches and wealth have a way of consuming your life and demanding your full attention.

So many people are doing the same today, as they ‘slave away’ at doing their utmost to secure that next best deal that will ‘set them up for life’, so that they can retire and live comfortably – or so they think.

Being filled with silver and gold, has a tendency to make one think this way.

May I remind you that ‘retirement’ is not a Scriptural concept or teaching!!!.

One must never forget, as Yehuḏah and the house of Ya’aqoḇ did, the One who actually gives you the ability to make wealth.

The sad reality for them back then, as well as so many today, is that the quest to accumulate more and more consumed them to the point where יהוה became an afterthought and was greatly neglected. .

Today it is no different – how many people find themselves being so filled or consumed with finances or their jobs or careers, that the time to pray, read and study Scripture, have fellowship and even the ability to witness to others and give testimony, takes a back seat and is often eventually chucked out, or abandoned, altogether, so to speak!

Mattithyahu/Matthew 6:24 “No one is able to serve two masters, for either he shall hate the one and love the other, or else he shall cleave to the one and despise the other. You are not able to serve Elohim and mammon.”.

3 – Filled with horses and chariots and idols

The people had become obsessed with the false mighty-ones of their own making.

They still worshipped Elohim, or so they thought, yet sometimes it was just more convenient to substitute some hand-carved image rather than go all the way to the Temple or to make proper preparations for the feasts. .

So many today are filled with worshipping the work of their hands and they make idols out of that which is brought forth from their own doing!

Yehuḏah was obsessed with the work of their own hands.

The emphasis being made here, isn’t the images or the statues themselves.

It is the idea of bowing down to the works of one’s own hands.

It is taking יהוה and moulding Him into the kind of Elohim that people want Him to be, rather than the Elohim who has revealed Himself to us through His Word.

It is deciding that they know better than יהוה, what is good and proper for their lives.

It is anything that they do, to try to be the potter rather than the clay.

It is anything that they do to make a mighty-one of self rather than worshipping יהוה, as He really, is according to the way He has instructed us to..

Being filled with all these, is nothing more than rebellion!

Rebellion, in essence, by saying that they reserve the right to make the final decision!

Do not be like the rebels and end up being eaten by His Sword!!!.

What Yeshayahu saw back then, is still happening today, and yes it is still happening in the lives of those who claim to follow יהושע.

From verse 9 he gives us a clear message of how all this corruption and rebellion will be dealt with and verses 9-21 typically describe The Day of יהוה.

In essence, in that Day, man will be humbled and יהוה alone will be exalted!.

There are two Hebrew words that are used in this section, that gives the meaning to be humbled or made or brought low and both are similar in their root meaning and collectively, they are used 7 times in this section, in describing how יהוה will deal with man and his stubborn pride & giving significance to completion, shows us that pride of man will be completely dealt with! .

By the time this Day comes, it will be very clear that יהוה has given sufficient time for repentance and those who are stubborn and rebellious will be dealt with and be humbled before Him!

Every source of pride will be destroyed – fortresses of man’s attempts at establishing security, idolatry, false worship, the work of the hands of men, commerce and trade, false mighty-ones of diversity and materialism..

For many, this will not be a pleasant day and many will try to hide themselves, as their hearts are continually hardened by deceit and riches and refuse to repent!

Why? Because they did not receive a love for the Truth!

The imagery that is used here in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 2, is the same as spoken of in Ḥazon/Revelation:

Ḥazon/Revelation 6: 15-17 “And the sovereigns of the earth, and the great ones, and the rich ones, and the commanders, and the mighty, and every slave and every free one, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him sitting on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 because the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

This was after the opening of the 6^th seal

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

This was after the ‘sounding’ of the 6^th messenger!.

In that Day יהוה will completely destroy all idols:

Zeḵaryah/Zechariah 13:2 “And it shall be in that day,” declares יהוה of hosts, “that I cut off the names of the idols from the earth, and they shall be remembered no more, and I shall also remove the prophets and the unclean spirit from the earth.”.

For their will come a Day, when He will arise to shake the earth mightily and the call from Yeshayahu, to hear and walk the walk, is of utmost importance for us, right here and right now, being filled with His Word:

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 12:26 “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.”.

In that day, man shall throw away his idols that he made to worship, to the moles and bats. The moles are blind and underground animals and speak of darkness and bats are unclean birds and so, this shows that the idols will be discarded for what they are – darkness and unclean – unfit for human consumption!!!

They will throw these away, as they try to hide and all their darkness and uncleanness will be exposed, from which they cannot hide..

This chapter ends with a serious admonition, in verse 22, and that is simply this:

STOP REGARDING MAN!

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 22:2 “Cease from man, whose breath is in his nostrils, for in what is he to be reckoned upon?”.

What do I mean?

Well, this was at the heart of the problem of Yehuḏah back then, as well as for so many people today – they had become more concerned about other men, that they neglected יהוה. They were too busy trying to please other people and their false deities, that they had no time for יהוה, and so, the fear of man was greater than the fear of יהוה:

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

So many people today fear men and show disrespect to יהוה.

Just think about it for a moment, many people will never be late for a work appointment or meeting, yet will easily skip an appointment of יהוה and disrespect the keeping of one’s word, in regards to the gathering of the set-apart ones!

Please note that it is good to never be late to one’s appointments – what I am saying here, is that while many may show diligence in never being late for work or business appointments, they simply do not show that kind of discipline towards the appointed Times of יהוה!

Many people will worry more about what their bosses, colleagues or even family members might say about their belief and therefore, easily resort to compromising יהוה’s standards, so much so, that a compromised way of life very quickly becomes the norm for them, as they fill their lives with a notion that it is ok to compromise, while disregarding the diligence in walking in total obedience! .

The message of Yeshayahu is very simple: get filled with the right stuff and do not live in fear of what others mighty think or say, or in fear of the persecution that may come, which may I remind you is momentary and light in relation to eternity! .

This is a call to walk in the light:

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

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

Let me just remind you all, that fellowship is critical to the life of the body and this we must not neglect due to the filling of worldly stuff that tends to invade one’s life!

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 10:24-25 “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.”.

As His children, יהוה expects us to walk in His light and to be His light to many, as we are ‘filled’ with His Spirit!

Our lives are to be different from the world, our speech is to be different from the world and whatever we do, whether in word or deed, must be done in the Name of יהושע Messiah.

As we reflect on this, and as we see the Day approaching, let me ask you at this point:

What fills you or what is filling you?

Is it the old ways of evil influences, or the chasing of wealth, worries of life, materialism, idolatry or ‘living in darkness and sin’ which is lawlessness?

If these things are consuming you and filling your life, then you are in fact empty or rather: ‘filled – yet empty!’

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 24:3-4 “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; 4 and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”

Wisdom, in Scripture, often gives reference to the Torah and we know that יהושע Messiah, The Living Embodiment of The Torah, is the Master Builder and our fear of Him is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of Him is understanding.

Being built up together in Him through His Word, in Spirit and in Truth, will cause us (the living stones) to be built up secure in Him, being filled with all that is precious and pleasant, aměn!.

I ask again – what is filling your life?

Are you eating the Good Word and satisfied in Him and filled to the full measure of His love being equipped to be living in disciplined loving obedience to His Word or are you feeding on ‘junk’ and continually find yourself emptied of all strength and ability to do what is right?.

Hunger and thirst for righteousness, for then you will be filled!

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

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

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

In Deḇarim, we are given the clear Scriptural definition of what righteousness is for us:

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.”.

Hungering and thirsting for righteousness is a commitment to guarding to do all that our Master has commanded us to do, which entails a diligent hearing and guarding, in order to do! There is so much treasure of wisdom in The Word of Elohim, that our continual hunger and thirsting for will always be filled….! So do not waste time of filling your life with junk that only leaves you empty… hunger and thirst for righteousness!.

Tsephanyah/Zephaniah 2:3 “Seek יהוה, all you meek ones of the earth, who have done His right-ruling. Seek righteousness, seek meekness, if so be that you are hidden in the day of wrath of יהוה.”.

The Greek word that is translated as ‘thirsty’ in Mattithyahu/Matthew 5:6 is διψάω dipsaō – Strong’s G1372 which means, ‘to thirst, thirsty, thirsts’, and figuratively, it expresses the idea of those who are said to thirst who painfully feel their want of, and eagerly long for, those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, strengthened.

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

יהושע says that all who are thirsty are to come to Him!

And this speaks of a complete surrender, as you cannot go to drink from the stream of life, carrying an all-consuming craving and thirst and simply just take a little sip, so to speak.

When you come to Him, you must surrender your all and drink, which reflects a wholehearted reception of His Truth in you – for you will not drink anywhere else; just as יהושע told the Samaritan woman at the well, that whoever drinks from Him would never thirst again! .

The reason for this, is that they would have found their source of strength and satisfaction to continually drink from!

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

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

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

The Greek word that is translated as ‘hunger’ in Mattithyahu/Matthew 5:6 is πεινάω peinaō – Strong’s G3983 which means, ‘to hunger, be hungry’ and metaphorically has the meaning of ‘to crave ardently, to seek with eager desire’..

Those who are hunger and thirst for righteousness, have the promise of being filled and they are:

SUPREMELY BLESSED!.

5 – Mattithyahu/Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the compassionate, because they shall obtain compassion.”.

The Greek word that is translated as ‘compassionate’ is the adjective ἐλεήμων eleēmōn – Strong’s G1655 which means, ‘merciful, compassionate’, and comes from the verb ἐλεέω eleeō – Strong’s G1653 which means, ‘to have pity or mercy on, show compassion’, and comes from the root word ἔλεος eleos – Strong’s G1656 which means, ‘mercy, compassion, pity’. ..

This Greek word for ‘compassion’ – ἐλεέω eleeō – Strong’s G1653 is the word used in the LXX (Septuagint) as the Greek equivalent for the Hebrew word חָנַן ḥanan – Strong’s H2603 meaning, ‘show favour, be gracious to, dealt graciously with, given to them voluntarily, shown favour’, from which we get the Hebrew noun חֵן ḥen – Strong’s H2580 meaning, ‘grace, adornment, favour, gracious’.

The root ἔλεος eleos – Strong’s G1656 is used as the Greek equivalent to the Hebrew word translated as ‘loving commitment’, which is חֶסֶד ḥeseḏ – Strong’s H2617 and means, ‘goodness, loving-commitment, kindness, deeds of devotion, faithfulness’..

Tehillah/Psalm 18:25 “With the lovingly-committed You show Yourself lovingly-committed; with the perfect one You show Yourself perfect”.

Having compassion or showing mercy, embraces the characteristics of being generous, forgiving others, having compassion for the suffering, and providing healing of every kind.

Forgive and you will be forgiven! Our Master give sus a parable of a servant that was forgiven a large debt by the sovereign, after he pleaded for mercy. After being released form all debt, the one released went and found one who had owed him a small amount and laid hands on him and took him by the throat had him locked up until he could pay. The master was told about this and we see his response, in:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 18:32-35 “Then his master called him and said to him, ‘Wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt seeing you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, as I also had compassion on you?’ 34 “And his master was wroth, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 “So also My heavenly Father shall do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” .

If you are holding on to grudges and are unable to release those indebted to you, then you cannot expect to find compassion and forgiveness from our Master!

When we realise what our Master has done for us, and the compassion He has shown us, it becomes easy to show compassion towards others!.

Those who are compassionate, obtain compassion and are:

SUPREMELY BLESSED!.

6 – Mattithyahu/Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the clean in heart, because they shall see Elohim.”

The Greek word that is translated as ‘clean’ is καθαρός katharos – Strong’s G2513 which means, ‘clean, innocent, pure’ and is also the same word used in:

Yoḥanan/John 15:3 “You are already clean because of the Word which I have spoken to you.”

Having been redeemed by the pure and spotless blood of Messiah we were made clean, and are now expected to keep clean!

We take note how Messiah, our Husband, gave Himself for us in order to wash us and set us apart:

Eph’siyim/Ephesians 5:25-27 “Husbands, love your wives, as Messiah also did love the assembly and gave Himself for it, 26 in order to set it apart and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, 27 in order to present it to Himself a splendid assembly, not having spot or wrinkle or any of this sort, but that it might be set-apart and blameless.”

Being cleansed by the blood of the spotless Lamb, and called to set-apartness, we are to keep our reverent worship clean and undefiled, as we guard His commands without spot, and keep ourselves unstained from the world!.

Ya’aqoḇ teaches us how we are to remain unstained from the world!

He tells us in:

Ya’aqoḇ/James 1:21-22 “Therefore put away all filthiness and overflow of evil, and receive with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your lives. 22 And become doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

Simple isn’t it!

Put away all filthiness and overflow of evil and be doers of the Word! He then tells us how we can do this, in:

Ya’aqoḇ/James 4:7-8 “So then subject yourselves to Elohim. Resist the devil and he shall flee from you. 8 Draw near to Elohim and He shall draw near to you. Cleanse hands, sinners. And cleanse the hearts, you double-minded!”

Subject yourself to Elohim, which implies a proper submission to hearing, guarding and doing His Word.

This will enable you to put away all filthiness and resist the devil and his staining ways! Keep your hands clean and hearts focused as you renew your minds through the Word!.

As we see this thread of teaching in Ya’aqoḇ’s letter we are able to see that his message is no different to that which we see being given in Yeshayahu:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 1:16-18 “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Stop doing evil! 17 “Learn to do good! Seek right-ruling, reprove the oppressor, defend the fatherless, plead for the widow. 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.”.

I love being able to see the same message being given throughout the Word, as it clearly shows us that the Word of Elohim does not change!

His message is the same and the warnings against being stained by sin and lawlessness is the same!.

The Greek word for ‘heart’ is καρδία kardia – Strong’s G2588 and this word denotes the centre of all physical and spiritual life, and is understood as the centre and seat of the soul and mind; as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavours.

It refers to the innermost part of a man – that which drives and directs a man’s steps, thoughts and purpose! .

Mattithyahu/Matthew 5:8 tells us that blessed are the pure in heart or those with a clean heart for they will see Elohim.

Dawiḏ, in Tehillah/Psalm 24, asks who can ascend the mountain of יהוה and stand in His set-apart place – those with innocent hands and a clean heart.

To be pure in heart, means to be single minded in our devotion to יהוה and in our determination to love Him wholeheartedly..

It is a heart thing – and obedience flows from the heart, and in a Psalm, that is all about the praise of the Torah and commands of Elohim, we see Dawiḏ saying in:

Tehillah/Psalm 119:111-112 “Your witnesses are my inheritance forever, for they are the joy of my heart. 112 I have inclined my heart to do Your laws Forever, to the end.”

Romiyim/Romans 6:17 “But thanks to Elohim that you were servants of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of teaching to which you were entrusted.”.

The Hebrew word for ‘heart’ is לֵב leḇ – Strong’s H3820 which means, ‘inner man, mind, will thought’, or, as mentioned, is often written as לֵבָב leḇaḇ – Strong’s H3824 which means, ‘inner man, heart, mind, understanding’; and what is interesting to take note of here, is that these two letters for ‘heart’, in the ancient Hebrew pictographic Script, make it clear that the rule and authority of Elohim is to be upon our hearts!.

In the ancient Script the Hebrew word לֵב leḇ – Strong’s H3820 looks like this:.

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.

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..

In terms of these two pictures, representing the ‘heart’ or the inner man and the will and thoughts of man, we are able to see that a pure heart is one that submits to the authority of the Good Shepherd, having been grafted into His Body, that is the Tabernacle of Elohim, which in Messiah we now are. .

It can clearly be expressed as:

THE RULES OF THE HOUSE.

And in recognising this, we see that we, as legitimate sons and daughters of the Most-High, that have been grafted in by the Blood of Messiah, have upon our hearts His Torah, under which we submit to walking in – for His Torah are the rules of His House, WHICH He has written on the fleshly tablets of our hearts!.

Even with the word for heart being expressed as לֵבָב leḇaḇ, we are able to see in the ancient text a second ‘bet’ (house), showing us the clear picture of the True authority for both Houses of Yisra’ĕl and Yehuḏah, that collectively make up the entire body of Messiah, or Tabernacle of Elohim, which we now are! .

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 6:5-6 “And you shall love יהוה your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your being, and with all your might. 6 “And these Words which I am commanding you today shall be in your heart”

To love Elohim with all your heart implies that His commands are written upon your heart, for true love for Elohim is to guard His commands; and if one does not think upon or meditate upon His Torah in order to walk in it, then it shall be very clear that the Truth is not in them!.

יהוה knows what is in our hearts, while we may not; and He tests our hearts in order to see if we will obey Him or not:

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 8:2 “And you shall remember that יהוה your Elohim led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you, prove you, to know what is in your heart, whether you guard His commands or not.”.

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 10:12-13 “And now, Yisra’ĕl, what is יהוה your Elohim asking of you, but to fear יהוה your Elohim, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, and to serve יהוה your Elohim with all your heart and with all your being, 13 to guard the commands of יהוה and His laws which I command you today for your good?” .

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 11:18 “And you shall lay up these Words of Mine in your heart and in your being, and shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.”.

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

The reason I am quoting all these verses, is to show that ‘it is a heart thing’ and the Word must be in our hearts and mouths, and not just a vain rendering of a corrupted lips service that has no heart or follow through with obedience and submission to doing the commands with joy!

Guarding the good treasure and deposit of the Truth in our hearts will keep us from sinning and being lawless!

Tehillah/Psalm 119:11 “I have treasured up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”.

So, when we are told to be perfect (תָּמִים tamiym), we are told we are to be complete, and be mature in our thoughts and actions. We are to move on to maturity, which comes through the perseverance of trials in order to be complete and not lack anything.

It is those who are immature – those who stay on the milk of the Word – who cannot walk perfect before יהוה. .

Although many ought to be teachers by now, they have not moved on to maturity in the Word and stumble continually in the man-made traditions that have held people captive on milk.

The church today is, in large, feeding people milk, and not even pure milk at that – but rather a ‘formula’ – which is man-made as opposed to the pure milk of a mother and never allows people to be weaned off from their constructed milk and think for themselves!.

We know that Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah tells us in 17:9 that the heart is deceitful above all things – and perhaps that is why we can often so easily say everything is ok, when it is not!

Yet Shemuʼěl Aleph/1 Samuel 16:7 tells us that יהוה looks at the heart.

So as יהוה looks at your heart – what does He see?.

So then, how do we keep a perfect heart before יהוה?

It starts with being open before יהוה, allowing Him to deal with those imperfections that are in our heart:

Tehillah/Psalms 139: 23-24 “Search me, O Ěl, and know my heart; Try me, and know my thoughts; 24 and see if an idolatrous way is in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”.

Dawiḏ was willing for יהוה to search him and try his heart: a perfect heart is a searchable heart, which means we allow יהוה to penetrate and examine deeply into our thoughts and emotions. .

The false teachings today tell you that as long as your heart doesn’t condemn you then you are ok and the Blood of יהושע has cleansed you, yet they fail to neglect what it says prior to this:

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 1:6-7 “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and are not doing the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of יהושע Messiah His Son cleanses us from all sin.”.

His Blood cleanses us yes, but we are to be walking in the light as He is – we are to be walking in His instructions with a perfect heart inclining to walk in the perfect knowledge of His Loving Word!.

The idea of being seen by Elohim is one of acceptance and only those who are clean in heart shall be accepted!

Those whose hearts are riddled with wickedness and compromise, as they have cast the Torah aside, shall not see Elohim, but will be rejected and cast out into outer darkness where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth!.

Our Master creates a clean heart in us and renews our spirit, when we turn to Him and forsake all falsehood and allow His Word to cleanse us. We have a continual responsibility in keep our hearts clean, by guarding to do His Word that HE has written upon the fleshly tablets of our hearts!.

The clean in heart will see Elohim and they are:

SUPREMELY BLESSED!.

7 – Mattithyahu/Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, because they shall be called sons of Elohim.”

The Greek word for peacemakers is εἰρηνοποιός eirēnopoios – Strong’s G1518 which means, ‘peacemaker, loving peace’ and comes from the two root words:.

1) εἰρήνη eirēnē – Strong’s G1515 which means, ‘peace, welfare, undisturbed, rest and quietness’, and is also understood as having exemption from the rage and havoc of war, and speaks of security, safety, prosperity, and felicity which is the quality or state of being peaceful!.

2) ποιέω poieō – Strong’s G4160 which means, ‘to make, do, accomplish, keep, work, acts’, and is translated as ‘does’ in:

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

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

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

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

We are not to be troublemakers, but makers of peace!

For it is the peacemakers that shall be revealed as being the true children of Elohim!

We can be peacemakers, as we have peace with Elohim!

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

After declaring, very plainly, to His taught ones, who He is, and what was about to happen, He encouraged them with these words.

These words are to be continual encouraging words to us too…. Especially as we face many pressures and endure extreme hardships, for we know that our Master is coming soon and being strengthened and empowered by His Spirit, we can be steadfast, in our need to stay in Him, so that He stays in us and in staying in Him, we are reminded that we can, and shall, be more than overcomers through Him!

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

Having peace in our Master and Elohim, gives us the comforting assurance that we are perfectly equipped, in Him, to endure the raging storms that surround us, for we have access, by belief, to His perfect favour and shalom that causes us to stand:

Romiyim/Romans 5:1-2 “Therefore, having been declared right by belief, we have peace with Elohim through our Master יהושע Messiah, 2 through whom also we have access by belief into this favour in which we stand, and we exult in the expectation of the esteem of Elohim.” .

The blessing of obedience is the complete fullness of the shalom we have with our Master and with that shalom comes His strengthening joy that equips us to stand and fight the good fight of the belief and not be afraid of our enemies, as we remain faithful in standing firm in Him, He fights for us!

Shalom, victory and fruitfulness are truly the bountiful blessings that our Master promises us, as we guard His covenant that he has grafted us into!.

The Word of Elohim is what we have, to recognise the True peace that we have in our Messiah King; and while we certainly will have much pressure in the world, we are able to be strong and courageous, as we stand firm on the Rock of our Salvation and hold fast to the Living Word, aměn!.

Romiyim/Romans 8:14 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of Elohim, these are sons of Elohim.”

Galatiyim/Galatians 3:26 “For you are all sons of Elohim through belief in Messiah יהושע.”.

A part of THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT is peace and therefore, we can clearly see how our proper submission and obedience to The Torah of Elohim, which is Spiritual, marks us as sons of Elohim, that have peace and are able to be trustworthy peacemakers!.

What we must take note of here, is that the term ‘sons of Elohim’ is not limited to males only but rather, the term sons, in the Hebraic mindset, also carries the idea of children, which includes both male and female, for when one addresses a crowd of both males and females it is addressed in the masculine, hence ‘children’ being called ‘sons’..

After having received the revelation of our Master, Yohanan was told the following:

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

These words יהושע Messiah spoke to Yohanan, giving us a clear witness of the revelation that יהושע Messiah is יהוה our Saviour and that the son that was born unto us, is The Everlasting Father!.

The call to come out and be separate is a call to be sons of Elohim:

Qorintiyim Bět/2 Corinthians 6:17-18 “Therefore, “Come out from among them and be separate, says יהוה, and do not touch what is unclean, and I shall receive you. 18 “And I shall be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me, says יהוה the Almighty.”

Hoshěa/Hosea 1:10 “Yet the number of the children of Yisra’ěl shall be as the sand of the sea, which is not measured nor counted. And it shall be in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they shall be called, ‘You are the sons of the living Ěl.’”.

When He comes in the raging storm of His wrath, we who are standing firm on the Rock of our deliverance, as wise maidens, shall not be shaken, as we have the firm assurance of His Covenant of Peace never being broken, for we now have peace with Elohim!.

In Bemiḏbar/Numbers 25:12 we are told that the promise given to Pineḥas, was יהוה’s COVENANT OF PEACE – he was literally given the ‘shalom’ of יהוה, as an everlasting covenant – and, in Hebrew, the root word שָׁלוֹם shalom – Strong’s H7965 means, ‘wholeness, completeness, soundness, welfare, peace, health, prosperity, well-being, safety, protection’, which comes from the primitive root verb שָׁלֵם shalem – Strong’s H7999 which means, ‘to be complete or sound, rewarded, make full restitution’..

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

Great emphasis is being placed here, in Tehillah/Psalm 119:165, on how much peace that those loving the Torah have!.

We are also told of the perfect peace that the steadfast have, in:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 26:3 “The one steadfast of mind You guard in perfect peace, for he trusts in You.”

This verse in written in the Hebrew text as follows:

יֵצֶר סָמוּךְ תִּצֹּר שָׁלוֹם שָׁלוֹם כִּי בְךָ בָּטוּחַ

This verse can be transliterated as:

‘yetser samuḵ titsor shalom shalom ki ḇeḵa batuaḥ’

This verse can be literally translated as:

‘He whose mind is steadfast you keep in perfect peace, because in you he trusts’

The term ‘perfect peace’ is translated from the repetition of the root word שָׁלוֹם shalom – Strong’s H7965. .

Yeshayahu was picturing himself standing in the redeemed land with the remnant, listening to the people express they’re thanks to, and confidence in, יהוה our Saviour!

And the true thanks of the reality of the deliverance being made complete for those who are steadfast in mind is expressed in the complete shalom that is experienced by those who trust in יהוה.

Those loving the Torah have perfect peace and are not shaken by threatening circumstances but stand firm on the Rock of their deliverance!.

The root meaning of the Hebrew word שָׁלוֹם shalom – Strong’s H7965 is ‘to be whole or sound’, and this leads to various translations that speak of ‘completeness, wholeness, well-being, welfare and peace’.

The understanding of שָׁלוֹם shalom also includes the idea of vigour and vitality, in all dimensions of life..

The Hebrew word שָׁלוֹם shalom – Strong’s H7965 carries a wealth of meaning that is almost impossible to summarise in a few sittings, yet the concept of shalom entails a completeness and wholeness in our Master and Elohim, who has redeemed us from enslavement to the chaos of sin!.

In the ancient pictographic text, the word שָׁלוֹם shalom – Strong’s H7965 looks like this:.

Shin – שֵׁ:

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.

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’.

Mem – מ:

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

Now, when looking at this word in the ancient pictographic script, we are able to recognise what the true Shalom of Elohim brings and does for us, for its ancient meaning could be rendered, among others, as follows:.

THAT WHICH DESTROYS OR BREAKS

THE FALSE AUTHORITY THAT BOUND US

TO THE CHAOS OF THE NATIONS!

And further renders the meaning:

THE WORD OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

THAT SECURES FOR US

A COMPLETE CLEANSING!.

This word speaks of a complete restoration of that which what was lost and broken and is a word that ensures the provision for what is needed to make one whole and complete, lacking nought!

For we have been given all that we need for life and reverence, having been grafted into the Covenant of Peace by the Blood of Messiah!.

The bold actions of Pineḥas pictures for us a clear shadow picture of the redemptive work of our Master and Elohim, יהושע Messiah, and with the covenant of peace, being given to him and his seed forever, as a covenant of an everlasting priesthood, we can recognise the shadow picture of Messiah, who is High Priest forever in the order of Malkitseḏeq, and how we, who have been grafted in to His Covenants of Promise, are to serve as a fervent and zealous priesthood forever!

This means that we have complete peace with Elohim and are able to be perfectly comforted by Him, even in the darkest of storms!..

True servants become sons!

In the proverbs of Shelomoh, we are given the clear parable that highlights this for us:

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 29:21 “He who deals tenderly with his servant from youth, has him as a son in the end.”

The Hebrew word that is translated here as ‘deals tenderly with’ comes from the word פָּנַק panaq – Strong’s H6445 which means, ‘to indulge, pamper, treat another with extreme care and attention’.

This word is only used here in Scripture and relays to us the message of a servants that is treated well from the beginning will be as a son in the end, giving us the concept of a strong and faithful relationship that is built up between a master and his servant..

This parable teaches us a clear lesson on how we have been treated with extreme care and attention by our Master and Elohim, and those who endure to the end shall be called sons, as we have already discussed, earlier in this teaching, when looking at the revelation that was given to Yoḥanan..

The inheritance of true servants of the Most-High, is the full assurance of protection, as they have the Covenant of Peace firmly established in our Master, giving us all we need to guard His right-rulings and do righteousness, being true peacemakers and sons of Elohim!.

True peacemakers are:

SUPREMELY BLESSED!.

8 – Mattithyahu/Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness’ sake, because theirs is the reign of the heavens.”

The Greek word that is translated as ‘persecuted’ comes from the verb διώκω diōkō – Strong’s G1377 which means, ‘to put to flight, pursue, persecute’, and also carries the meaning, ‘to follow after’ or, ‘to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing’ or, ‘earnestly endeavour to acquire’ and can also mean, ‘to suffer persecution’! .

We see this root word διώκω diōkō – Strong’s G1377 being translated as ‘persecuted’, in the following verse:

Timotiyos Bět /2 Timothy 3:12 “And indeed, all those wishing to live reverently in Messiah יהושע, shall be persecuted.”

It is also translated as ‘pursue’ in:

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 12:14 “Pursue peace with all, and pursue apartness without which no one shall see the Master.”.

Only those who pursue apartness, will have their deliverance made complete and see the Master, face to face, and not be destroyed!.

What we can see from the use of this word διώκω diōkō – Strong’s G1377, is that when we earnestly endeavour to acquire or attain the clear standard of complete set-apartness, we shall be persecuted.

Yet, we are reminded by Sha’ul that we are not to be discouraged by the persecution that comes because of righteousness, but rather, we must continue to press on and pursue the goal of the prize of the high calling that we have in Messiah!.

Pursuing set-apartness and guarding righteousness will see one coming under the fire of persecution, and what is worth taking note of, is that sufferings persecution for anything other than righteousness’ sake or the pursuit of set-apartness, is not a blessing.

If one gets punished or persecuted for making wrong choices then you cannot claim a persecution for righteousness’ sake!.

Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 3:14-18 “But even if you suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not fear their threats, neither be troubled.” 15 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. 17 For it is better, if it is the desire of Elohim, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 Because even Messiah once suffered for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to Elohim, having been put to death indeed in flesh but made alive in the Spirit”.

The Greek word that is translated as ‘suffer, suffered’ comes from the word πάσχω paschō – Strong’s G3958 which means, ‘suffer, be vexed, to be affected, endured sufferings’.

This word is used 42 times in 41 verses in the Renewed Writings, and is mostly used in reference to the suffering of יהושע Messiah Himself – a suffering that He had to go through, as it was written, in:

Luqas/Luke 24:26 “Was it not necessary for the Messiah to suffer these and to enter into His esteem?”

Ma’asei/Acts 3:18 “But this is how Elohim has filled what He had announced beforehand through the mouth of all the prophets, that His Messiah was to suffer.”.

This Greek word πάσχω paschō – Strong’s G3958 is also used in referring to the sufferings of believers for יהושע Messiah’s Name, and in speaking of Sha’ul, יהושע Messiah says the following, in:

Ma’asei/Acts 9:16 “For I shall show him how much he has to suffer for My Name.”

We, as believers are to share, not only in each other’s rejoicings, but also in each other’s sufferings:

Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 12:26 “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is esteemed, all the members rejoice with it.”

Sha’ul writes to the Philippians and says, in:

Pilipiyim/Philippians 1:27-30 “Only, behave yourselves worthily of the Good News of Messiah, in order that whether I come and see you or am absent, I hear about you, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one being, striving together for the belief of the Good News, 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose, which to them truly is a proof of destruction, but to you of deliverance, and that from Elohim. 29 Because to you it has been given as a favour, on behalf of Messiah, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same struggle which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”.

It has been given, as a favour, to suffer for His sake!!!

Yet we take note that יהושע Messiah is able to help those being tried:

Iḇ’rim/Hebrew 2:18 “For in what He had suffered, Himself being tried, He is able to help those who are tried.”.

Our Master learnt obedience through what He suffered (Iḇ’rim/Hebrew 5:8).

Kěpha teaches us that we find favour when suffering for doing good – that is: doing what we are commanded to do, as we guard to do the good works that have been prepared beforehand for us to do – which is: to walk in righteousness, and in doing so, we are always hearing, guarding and doing the commands of Elohim!.

Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 2:20-21 “For what credit is there in enduring a beating when you sin? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure, this finds favour with Elohim. 21 For to this you were called, because Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps”

Our Master left us the perfect example of what to follow, as we are to follow in His steps and endure the suffering of persecution for righteousness’ sake..

Those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake are:

SUPREMELY BLESSED!.

9 – Mattithyahu/Matthew 5:11 “Blessed are you when they reproach and persecute you, and falsely say every wicked word against you, for My sake.”

It may not often sound like a blessing, when being falsely persecuted and reproached, yet we acknowledge the clear fact that obedience to our Master will come with a target on our backs, so to speak, and as we see in the verse that follows, we are told:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 5:12 “Rejoice and be glad, because your reward in the heavens is great. For in this way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Just as they persecuted the prophets who were before us, so too will we be persecuted!

The reason we can rejoice is the clear fact of knowing that our reward in the heavens is great! Far greater than what the wicked world has to offer, to those who so easily compromise and give in to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, which is not of Elohim.

The Greek word that is translated as ‘reproach’ comes from the word ὀνειδίζω oneidizō – Strong’s G3679 which means, ‘reproach, denounce, insult, reviled’ and we see this word being used in:

Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 4:14 “If you are reproached for the Name of Messiah, you are blessed, because the Spirit of esteem and of Elohim rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is praised.”.

Here, Kěpha tells us why we are blessed for being reproached!

Because the Spirit of esteem and of Elohim rests upon us – how awesome is that!

Being reproached for His Name, highlights the facing of insults and ridicule for obedience, for when we understand that His Name is upon us and whatever we do, in word and deed, we do all in His Name, then we recognise that the pursuit of set-apartness and the bearing of the perfect set-apart fruit of our lives, will be met with intense persecution, insults, ridicule and hatred! And in the process, we are able to see His Name being praise, as we bear the reproach of many, for His Name’s sake, by not letting our guard down..

Sha’ul teaches us, in his letter to the believers in Rome, that we are to do our utmost to life at peace with all as he says in:

Romiyim/Romans 12:4 “If possible, on your part, be at peace with all men.”

He again tells us the following, in:

Qorintiyim Bet/2 Corinthians 13:11 “For the rest, brothers, rejoice. Be made perfect, be encouraged, be of one mind, live in peace. And the Elohim of love and peace shall be with you.”

Be of one mind and live in peace!

Now we know that there are times when there those who cause divisions and strife over matters of the Torah and clearly do not live in peace as they are always seeking an opportunity to argue and debate and get their own way.

When this happens, we certainly are to do our utmost in reconciling the peace we ought to have, on our part, and when this is not possible then walking together can no longer be done, as we know that Scriptures teaches us that when two do not agree how can they walk together and when this happens, a clean break is necessary..

What Sha’ul was addressing here, was the unity that is to be guarded among those who are walking together in the Master, so as to not bring in any forms of insecurity to the body. .

Now, sometimes the trials and pressures of life that we face, may make it almost impossible to feel joyful, yet here Sha’ul was not telling his readers to be joyful – he was encouraging them to rejoice ‘in the Master’..

יהושע Messiah is the One in whom the sphere of rejoicing must take place.

Yes, there are many circumstances where we may not or cannot be joyful, but we can always rejoice in the Master and delight in Him – why?

Because of His presence – for He is with us and He is near at hand to help us in all circumstances, if we stay in Him. .

Sha’ul was an excellent example for us, as one who had inner joy despite external circumstances such as persecutions, imprisonment or even the threats of death that were against him..

The Greek word that is translated as ‘rejoice’ comes from the word χαίρω chairō – Strong’s G5463 which means, ‘be glad, joyful, thrive, give one’s greeting and approval’, and this is what we ought to be doing always: living our lives in a joyful approval of the Master’s instructions for us, as His Treasured Possession – and we are able to do this, when we recognise that He is near..

Ya’aqoḇ teaches us that when trials come upon you suddenly, do not be dismayed but consider it as joy!

While we do not know what we may encounter each day, we can and should be prepared and armed in the Truth, so that the strengthening joy of our Master be our strength that makes us stand and handle all, with complete trust in our Mighty Master and Elohim!

Not every trial that we face is a result of mistakes that we may or may not have made, as we can encounter trials unexpectantly! Knowing this then, we should be armed with the ability to not get shaken in our stand! Trials can come across our path, even when we are being steadfast in our loving obedience and we should not always think that they are a result of sin or compromise! They can be, but not always!

Trials comes across our way in order to mature us in the belief and therefore we can understand why Ya’aqoḇ says that we should count it all joy when falling into trials – for it is an opportunity to grow in the Master!

Trials of many kinds indicate that they come in many ways – unique, if you will, to every individual, and the final product of the trials that are faced through patient endurance is a beautiful opportunity for praise and esteem to be given to יהוה!.

The Greek word that is translated as ‘count’ in Ya’aqoḇ/James 1:2 is ἡγέομαι hēgeomai – Strong’s G2233 meaning, ‘to lead, command, consider, account, suppose, think carefully upon, count’. This is used 30 times and is also translated as, ‘governor, think, thought, esteem’..

When we look more closely at our Master’s commands to count the cost of following Him, we recognize that it does come with some real heavy decisions to consider – in fact, He tells us that if any one of us comes to Him and does not hate father and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, and his own life too, is unable to be His taught one; and whoever does not bear his stake and follow after Him is unable to be His taught one.

Hard words they may be, but what He is saying in effect is that we are to put our total trust in Him and not in others and to do that may cost us some things that we will find hard to count as lost!

When we count the cost of walking in Him, we will be hated!

Mattithyahu/Matthew 10:22 “And you shall be hated by all for My Name’s sake. But he who shall have endured to the end shall be saved.”

As much as none of us like to or want to be hated – we must consider the cost of being made into the Bread/Body of Messiah, which is presented before Elohim, as a body that endured to the end!

The Greek word that is translated as ‘endured’ comes from the word ὑπομένω hupomenō – Strong’s G5278 which means, ‘to stay behind, to await, endure’, which comes from the two words:

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

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

A derivative of the word from the word ὑπομένω hupomenō – Strong’s G5278 is ὑπομονή hupomonē – Strong’s G5281 which means, ‘a patient enduring, steadfastness, perseverance, a remaining behind’ and is translated as ‘endurance’ in:

Luqas/Luke 21:19 “Possess your lives by your endurance!”

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

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

This call to possess our lives by endurance implies that endurance is certainly needed, especially as we live in a world that is corrupt and wicked and where righteousness is hated and persecuted, and if one does not ‘possess by endurance’ they may just see their lives being stolen away through the influence of sin and compromise. .

Enduring the reproaches, hatred and the false accusations of slander and insults will cause us to be:

SUPREMELY BLESSED!.

As we consider these words of our Master and the blessings of guarding our position in Him, as true taught ones, we are able to understand why these words became known as the beatitudes, for our attitude needs to be one that reflects a supremely blessed life in the Master!.

After these words, our Master tells us that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world, with a clear warning not to lose our saltiness and not hide our light, for the supremely blessed reflect the true covenant of salt and shine the perfect light of obedience to the Master, by walking in the Light of His Torah that guides our way in a dark and depraved world that hates the light..

As we consider this Greek word μακάριος Makarios – Strong’s G3107, that is translated as ‘blessed’, I would like to highlight a few more verses from the Book of Ḥazon/Revelation, where we see this word presenting the clear understanding of being supremely blessed!.

Ḥazon/Revelation 1:3 “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and guard what is written in it, for the time is near.”

Ḥazon/Revelation 14:13 “And I heard a voice out of the heaven saying to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Master from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “in order that they rest from their labours, and their works follow with them.””

Ḥazon/Revelation 16:15 “See, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who is staying awake and guarding his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”

Ḥazon/Revelation 19:9 “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.””

Ḥazon/Revelation 20:6 “Blessed and set-apart is the one having part in the first resurrection. The second death possesses no authority over these, but they shall be priests of Elohim and of Messiah, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”

Ḥazon/Revelation 22:7 “See, I am coming speedily! Blessed is he who guards the words of the prophecy of this book.”

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

As one meditates upon these 7 blessings that are given to us in the revelation of Messiah, it becomes abundantly clear the supreme blessing that we have in Him, as long as we stay in Him and guard His Word, with great endurance and joy!.

Reflecting on the supreme blessing that we have in the Master, may you be armed with the right attitude of steadfast set-apartness, after all, in יהושע Messiah, we are:

SUPREMELY BLESSED!.

The Greek word μακάριος Makarios – Strong’s G3107 is used in the LXX (Septuagint – Greek translation of the Tanak) 42 times in 40 verses and is primarily used to translate the Hebrew root word אֶשֶׁר esher – Strong’s H835 which means, ‘blessedness, bliss’, and comes from the root verb אָשַׁר ashar – Strong’s H833 which means, ‘blessed, lead, guide, to go straight, make progress to be advanced, to be led forth’..

This root word אֶשֶׁר esher – Strong’s H835 is also used in:

Tehillah/Psalm 34:8 “Oh, taste and see that יהוה is good; blessed is the man that takes refuge in Him!”

A ‘blessed’ – אֶשֶׁר esher – Strong’s H835 – man, is one who fears יהוה, takes refuge in יהוה and who trusts in יהוה completely, submitting completely under the authority of His Torah:

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people are let loose, but blessed is he who guards the Torah.”.

It is also a blessing for man to not follow wrong advice, but delight in the Torah of יהוה:

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

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 33:29 “Blessed are you, O Yisra’ěl! Who is like you, a people saved by יהוה, the shield of your help, and He who is the sword of your excellency! And your enemies are subdued for you, and you tread down their high places.”.

We are a people that have been saved by יהוה, our help and shield, and who is like us, o Yisra’ěl? For we are:

SUPREMELY BLESSED!.

Now live like it, aměn!.

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!.