THE HOUSE THAT I AM BUILDING! Diḇre haYamim Bět/2 Chronicles 2:1-12

15^th of the 6^th month 2022/2023

Shalom Covenant Family,

Sha’ul tells us in:

Qolasim/Colossians 2:6-7 “Therefore, as you accepted Messiah יהושע the Master, walk in Him, 7 having been rooted and built up in Him, and established in the belief, as you were taught, overflowing in it with thanksgiving.”

The Greek word that is translated here as ‘built up’ is ἐποικοδομέω epoikodomeō – Strong’s G2026 which means, ‘build up, build upon’ and this is an active verb, which implies a continued action that is to take place.

It can render the understanding, in the Greek, ‘to finish the structure of which the foundation has already been laid’.

It is constructed from two root words:

1) ἐπί epi – Strong’s G1909 which is a preposition that can render the meaning, ‘upon, on, about, over’ and

2) οἰκοδομέω oikodomeō – Strong’s H3618 which means, ‘to build up, edify, to build a house, to be in building, to build up (from the foundation)’.

Eph’siyim/Ephesians 2:19-22 “So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the set-apart ones and members of the household of Elohim, 20 having been built upon the foundation of the emissaries and prophets, יהושע Messiah Himself being chief corner-stone, 21 in whom all the building, being joined together, grows into a set-apart Dwelling Place in יהוה, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of Elohim in the Spirit.”

By the Blood of יהושע Messiah, we have been brought near, and grafted in, to the body of Messiah, and by Him we are being joined together and built up into a dwelling place of Elohim in the Spirit; and what we must clearly understand here, from this “being built up” process, is that we are to be actively engaged in the building process, as we continue to build upon that sure Rock, our Chief Cornerstone, that has been laid – as we diligently: HEAR – GUARD and DO His clear commands!

In Mattithyahu/Matthew 7, our Master יהושע Messiah makes it clear, that those who hear His words and does them, shall be like a wise man who builds his house on the rock and will be secure until the end, while those who hear His words and do not do them, shall be like a foolish man that builds his house on the sand, which shall not stand when the latter rain storms come!

In other words, we are all to be about building the House – His House, which He has called us to become a part of, in order to dwell with Him forever.

The question we certainly ought to be asking ourselves, is whether we have sat down and considered the cost of building this House that we have called to be functional part of, or whether we find ourselves lacking in our clear responsibilities!

As taught ones of our Master, we ought to take time to carefully reflect on our building abilities and the responsibilities that we have each been entrusted with, as we build each other up in the most set-apart belief!

In a message called, ‘THE HOUSE THAT I AM BUILDING’, I would like us to look at some very powerful words spoken, as Shelomoh embarked on building a House for the Name of יהוה!

Please read Diḇre haYamim Bět/2 Chronicles 2:1-12

When I read this again this week, I was struck by the power of some of the words that we find in these verses, in regards to the House which Shelomoh was about to build/

We know that his father, Dawiḏ, had prepared much for this building process, and in a sense, he had ‘laid the foundation’ for the building work to take place, on the place where he had built a slaughter place on the threshing floor of Ornan the Yeḇusite, which he bought at full price, and offered ascending offerings and peace offerings and called upon the Name of יהוה.

By the offering up of Himself for our sins, our Master יהושע Messiah, paid the full price and laid the foundation for us to build upon.

This slaughter place, which Dawiḏ built on the threshing floor he had bought, was on Mount Moriyah, and מֹרִיָּה Moriyah – Strong’s H4179 means, ‘יהוה is teacher, the place where יהוה teaches’.

Moriyah was also the place where Aḇraham was instructed to go and offer up his son Yitsḥaq, which we also know, is a powerful shadow picture of our Master יהושע Messiah offering Himself up for the redemption of our lives!

A we consider that Moriyah can mean “The place where יהוה teaches”, we recognise that His House is built upon by our obedience and adherence to His teaching/instructions – i.e. His Torah, as given through Mosheh and revealed through the life, death and resurrection of our Master יהושע Messiah.

As Shelomoh realised this huge task that lay ahead of him, he realised that he would never be able to do this in his own strength, and when asked what he should be given from יהוה, Shelomoh asked for wisdom, revealing to us the clear fact that he started out with the right attitude – having the fear of יהוה, which is the beginning of wisdom!

The task that was before him was indeed a huge one – and as huge as it was, he did not allow the responsibility that he was entrusted with, to be set aside, but rather, he went all out!

He realised that he was building House for the Name of יהוה!

A House for His Name, where the continual incense, showbread and offerings would be done for Yisra’ĕl, forever!

In verse 5, he declares plainly that ‘The house I build is great – for our Elohim is greater than all mighty ones!’

This is a very powerful acknowledgement that he was declaring!

It was an acknowledgement of the greatness or יהוה our Elohim, and how the building of a House for His Name was not something to be taken lightly, but rather, it required the utmost attention to detail, and was to be done with precision and steadfast devotion!

And then, in verse 6, he soberly realises the task that was before him – after all, as he stated:

“Who is able to build Him a House, since the heavens and the heavens of heavens are unable to contain Him?”

The task of building this House for the Name of יהוה hit home, and Shelomoh them cried out…

“Who am I then that I should build Him a House, except to offer before Him?”.

Who am I?

That is certainly a phrase that we may all ask ourselves, when tasked with such a great task as this – to build a House for the Name of our Elohim!

Mosheh asked this, when told to go before Pharaoh and bring Yisra’ĕl out of Mitsrayim.

Shemoth/Exodus 3:11 “And Mosheh said to Elohim, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Yisra’ĕl out of Mitsrayim?”

Dawiḏ asked this question after being told that His throne would be established forever:

Shemuʼěl Bět/2 Samuel 7:18 “And Sovereign Dawiḏ went in and sat before יהוה and he said, “Who am I, O Master יהוה? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far?”

Dawiḏ also asked this question, when he recognized the privilege of being able to offer voluntarily, that which comes from Elohim:

Diḇre haYamim Aleph/1 Chronicles 29:14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give so voluntarily as this? For all comes from You, and we have given to You out of Your hand.”

Many a great men and women, who have gone before us, have too echoed these same thoughts, as the very humbling task of building a House for the Name of יהוה was presented before them, and while we too may think that we do not have the ability or competence for such a task, we must recognise that our competence is not from ourselves, but is from our Master and Rock of our deliverance:

Qorintiyim Bět / 2 Corinthians 3:5 “Not that we are competent in ourselves to reckon any matter as from ourselves, but our competence is from Elohim”

With this great task, and huge responsibility, that lies before us all who are in Messiah, we recognise that our competence for such a task can only come from Elohim, who teaches us how we are to build His House, according to His Torah.

What stuck out for me, in a huge way, was these words of Shelomoh that exclaims the following:

“Who am I then, that I should build Him a House, EXCEPT TO OFFER BEFORE HIM?”

These words ‘Except to offer before Him’, struck me – for this is exactly how we are to be building a House for His Name – we are to be living our lives as a daily living sacrifice:

Romiyim/Romans 12:1 “I call upon you, therefore, brothers, through the compassion of Elohim, to present your bodies a living offering – set-apart, well-pleasing to Elohim – your reasonable worship.”

This verse we all have heard over and over, I am sure, but do we actually recognise what it truly means: when it says that we are to be presenting our bodies a living offering, set-apart and well pleasing to Elohim?

Living as a set-apart living offering, is our reasonable worship unto our Great and Marvellous King!

In verse 9, Shelomoh expresses a clear message to Ḥuram, the sovereign of Tsor, who he asked for materials from, that the House that he was building is:

‘GREAT AND MARVELLOUS’.

I often wonder if we actually recognise, just how ‘great and marvellous’ the body of Messiah, that we are to be building together, is?

If we would just realise how ‘great and marvellous’ it is, we may be more determined to be giving our all, all the time!!!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘great’ is גָּדוֹל gaḏol – Strong’s H1419 which means, ‘great, highest, mighty, marvellous’ and Dawiḏ says the following, in:

Shemuʼĕl Bet/2 Samuel 7:22 “You are great indeed, O Master יהוה. For there is none like You, and there is no Elohim but You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.”

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘marvellous’ is פָּלָא pala – Strong’s H6381 which means, ‘to be surpassing or extraordinary, make marvellous, make special, wondrous work or deed, fulfil a special vow’.

In other words, this word פָּלָא pala – Strong’s H6381 can render the meaning, ‘to cause a wonderful thing to happen’, and this word is frequently used in reference to the great wonders and historical achievements, that are beyond human capabilities, and done on behalf of Yisra’ĕl; and as a result, awakens astonishment in man!

The phrase ‘For the house that I am building’ is written in The Hebrew text as follows:

כִּי הַבַּיִת אֲשֶׁר־אֲנִי בוֹנֶה

Kiy habbayith asher-aniy boneh

The Hebrew word that is translated as building is בוֹנֶה boneh, which comes from the root word בָּנָה banah – Strong’s H1129 which means, ‘rebuild, establish a family, construct, fortify, build up’.

This is exactly what we are to be about doing: establishing a family in Messiah, rebuilding the ancient ruins, that have been so left as the result of sin and rebellion, as we encourage and build one another up continually.

The Hebrew word בָּנָה banah – Strong’s H1129 which means, ‘to build, besieged, construct, fortify, rebuild, establish a family, build up’, in the ancient pictographic script, it looks like this:

This is the letter ‘beyt’ (בֵּ), which in 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 and is the Dwelling Place of the Most-High, which we are, as we are as living stones being built up in Messiah.

Nun – ן:

This is the letter ‘nun’ (ן), which in the ancient text is pictured as a , which is a ‘spouting seed’, and gives the idea of ‘continuation or an offspring or an heir’, speaking of that which sprouts forth will be the heir of the promise of continuation, and represents one’s life expectancy.

Hey – ה:

The ancient script has this letter pictured as , which is ‘a man standing with his arms raised out’.

The Hebrew word letter “hey” means “behold, breath, sigh”, as when looking at a great sight, and can also give the understanding of ‘reveal or revelation’; from the idea of revealing a great sight by pointing it out. It also carries for us the meaning of surrender, as we lift up our hands and submit to יהוה as we lift our hands in praise, declaring His authority under which we humbly submit!

THE CONTINUING OF THE HOUSE

OF THE ONE WHO IS TO BE PRAISED

When we consider how we are being built up as living stones in our Master, and are the Dwelling Place of Elohim, we see that we can only be built up in the One who is to be praised, and can only be built up according to His wisdom – the wisdom that He has already made clear and by which all is made, for wisdom has already ‘built Her house’.

In other words, the design and pattern and function has been given and the continuing of the House of Wisdom can only be done according to Her standards as set forth in the Word of Elohim!

We therefore can only be built up in Him, as sons and daughters of Elohim, by the clear standard and pattern of His Torah and instructions!

We are therefore able to see, how it is יהוה who builds us up as living stones. And being built up, in Him, we are able to stand strong and stand firm in any circumstance, with the full assurance that the Rock, upon which we stand, will stand firm and not be moved or shaken!

When we are built up in Him and keep our feet steadfast upon His word, we have the sure promise that He will not pull us down.

Tas’loniqim Aleph/1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, as indeed you do.”

The Greek word that is translated here as ‘build up’ is οἰκοδομέω oikodomeō – Strong’s G3618 which means, ‘to build a house, edify, strengthen’ and comes from the words:

1) οἶκος oikos – Strong’s G3624 which means, ‘a house, dwelling, descendants, family’ and

2) δῶμα dōma – Strong’s G1430 which means, ‘to build (a house, dwelling)’.

This makes perfect sense as we understand that we (plural) are the House (singular) of Elohim:

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

The ‘you are’ that is highlighted here, is the Greek word ἐστέ este – Strong’s G2075 and is the second person plural of the word of εἰμί eimi – Strong’s G1510 which means, ‘I exist, I am, stay, remain’, while the Greek word for ‘Dwelling Place’ is ναός naos – Strong’s G3485 which means, ‘to inhabit, a temple, sanctuary’ and is written in the noun singular nominative tense.

Why I am mentioning this, is to highlight how we are all to be built up together, as one body, and this emphasises the importance of there being unity, with no falsehood that can rob the need for truth to be spoken to each other, so that the body can be built up in unity and not broken down, by rebellious division caused through falsehood!

Tehillim/Psalm 127:1 “If יהוה does not build the house, its builders have laboured in vain. If יהוה does not guard the city, the watchman has stayed awake in vain.”

What these words highlight for us, is that we can only build His way – and that is: to walk according to His Torah, which is spiritual and therefore, we are to walk according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh!

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.”

We know that in Scripture, that wisdom is often understood as a reference to the Torah or the instructions of Elohim, and so, He has given us His clear building plans, that we are to work according to – any other way is simply vain labour!

By the Torah (instructions) of Elohim, the house is built and by the ‘doing’ of these instructions, that brings understanding, it is firmly established upon the Rock.

Building contrary to the Torah is vain labour!

Here, in Mishlĕ/Proverbs 24:3-4, we see three key elements being mentioned, along with three resulting factors of these key elements!

Wisdom, understanding and knowledge, builds, established and fills!

Let us therefore that look at each of these words, in order to gain insight into the importance of these words and what is clearly being taught here.

In the first part of first phrase, of verse 3, Shelomoh tells us that it is by wisdom that a house is built.

When reading this, we most certainly are reminded, and take note, of his previous parable, that we find in Mishlĕ/Proverb 9:1, which tells us that ‘Wisdom has built here house’!

The Hebrew word for ‘wisdom’ is חָכְמָה ḥoḵmah – Strong’s H2451 meaning, ‘wisdom, skill’ and is from the primitive root word חָכַם ḥaḵam – Strong’s H2449 meaning, ‘to be wise, skilful, make wise’.

In the ancient pictographic alphabet, this Hebrew word for ‘wisdom’ – חָכְמָה ḥoḵmah – Strong’s H2451 looks like this:

Ḥet – חָ:

The ancient script has this letter as which is a ‘tent wall’, and carries a meaning of ‘SEPARATION’, as a tent wall separates two halves of the tent; or it can also reflect the outside walls that separate the people inside from that which is outside and so can also symbolise protection and security to those inside, while picturing a cutting off of those who are outside. Hence, this letter can mean ‘established, secure’ as well as ‘cut off, separated from’. As a tent wall we are also able to recognise the picture of stones being built up to make a complete wall, having been separated from the world and built up in the master!

Kaph – כְ:

The ancient form of this letter is – meaning ‘the open palm of a hand’.

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

Mem – מָ:

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’.

Hey – ה:

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

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

As we consider these pictographic letters that render for us the term for ‘wisdom’ we are able to clearly see that wisdom entails a separation, as pictured through the tent wall.

We can render the meaning of the construction of this word, in terms of true wisdom, as meaning:

WE ARE BUILT UP IN THE MASTER AS WE SEPARATE OURSELVES FROM THE WORLD AS WE SUBMIT UNDER THE HAND OF OUR MASTER AND DO WHAT HIS WORD INSTRUCTS AS IT WASHES US AND ENABLES US TO LIFT OUR HANDS TO HIM IN CONTINUAL PRAISE!

Wisdom, at its core, speaks of one’s ability to clearly separate the good from the bad, right and wrong, left and right, and up and down; and this we are to be able to do as we exercise true discipline – the discipline of separation!

Wisdom is often used in the context of a skilled workman that has been equipped by the Spirit of Elohim:

Shemoth/Exodus 28:3 “And you, speak to all the wise of heart, whom I have filled with a spirit of wisdom, and they shall make the garments of Aharon, to set him apart, for him to serve as priest to Me.”

Wisdom, in the ancient text, can speak of a clear separation by the washing of one’s hands; and as we consider the design of the Tabernacle, we need to be reminded that the bronze laver was used, for the serving priests, to wash their hands and feet; and clearly pictures for us how we are to be continually washing our work and walk, through being immersed in the Word that transforms us!

The Hebrew root word that is used for ‘built’ is בָּנָה banah – Strong’s H1129 which means, ‘to build, besieged, construct, fortify, rebuild, establish a family, build up’, which we have already discussed.

A word that is derived from this root word, through the meaning to build, is אֶבֶן eḇen – Strong’s H68 meaning, ‘stone, corner stone, differing weights, plumb line’.

We are therefore able to see how it is יהוה who builds us up as living stones; and being built up in Him, we are able to stand strong and stand firm in any circumstance, with the full assurance that the Rock upon which we stand will stand firm and not be moved or shaken!

The Hebrew word for ‘house’ is בַּיִת bayith – Strong’s H1004 meaning, ‘house, home, armoury, building’, which in the ancient pictographic script looks like this:

Beyt – בַּ:

This is the letter ‘beyt’ (בֵּ), which in 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, and it is the Dwelling Place of the Most-High, that we are, as living stones, being built up in Messiah.

Yod – יִ:

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

Taw – ת

The ancient script has this letter as which is pictured as two crossed sticks, and can represent for us ‘seal, covenant, mark or sign’; as this once again points to the complete work of Messiah in the renewal of the Covenant in His Blood that brings the two Houses of Yisra’ĕl and Yehuḏah together in Him, as One, for He is not only the ‘aleph’, but is also the ‘taw’ – the beginning and the end of all creation!

HIS ‘FLOOR PLAN’ FOR HIS CREATION, IS SEALED BY HIS COVENANTS OF PROMISE BY THE WORK AND AUTHORITY OF HIS MIGHTY OUTSTRETCHED ARM AND HAND, AND AS LIVING STONES ARE BEING BUILT UP IN HIM BECOMING HIS DWELLING PLACE!

His House is only built by wisdom, and…:

It is by understanding that it is established!

The Hebrew word used for ‘understanding’, in Mishlĕ/Proverbs 24:3, is תְּבוּנָה teḇunah – Strong’s H8394 which means, ‘understanding, discernment, reasonings, discretion, skill, intelligence’, and comes from the root word בִּין bin – Strong’s H995 which means, ‘to discern, act wisely, consider carefully, understand, perceive’.

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in יהוה with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding”.

We are to trust יהוה with all our heart, which entails trusting Him with all of the understanding and wisdom that is contained in His Word and not seek out our own vain and selfish reasonings.

We are to guard the proper understanding of the Word, which comes in the proper obedient doing of the Word, and in doing so, we must grow in our understanding of the Word and be able to discern the set-apart from the profane, becoming skilled in the Sword of the Spirit, guarding ourselves from becoming hard faced before the Master, as we take note that Mishlĕ/Proverbs 21:30 tells us that there is no wisdom or understanding against יהוה, for it is His!

The Hebrew word that is used here for ‘established’ comes from the root word כּוּן kun – Strong’s H3559 which means, ‘ready, steadfast, established, firm, set up, determined, prepared’.

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 12:3 tells us that no man is established by wrongness and here, in this parable, Shelomoh tells us very clearly, that it is by understanding that we, as the House of Elohim, are established!

Built and established by wisdom and understanding… and:

By knowledge its rooms are filled!

The Hebrew word for ‘knowledge’ is דַּעַת da’ath – Strong’s H1847 which means, ‘knowledge, concern, premeditation, skill’, and comes from the root verb יָדַע yaḏa – Strong’s H3045 which means, ‘to know, to acknowledge, clearly understand, to perceive, distinguish and discern’.

This verb can also render the ability to “know by experience”, and while we recognise that יהוה certainly ‘knows’ all things, we also realise that, in terms of יהוה knowing those who take refuge in Him, or that He knows those who are His, there is a deeper intimacy being expressed, by the clear experience of a faithful and fruitful relationship, between the Creator and His Created beings, that follow and adhere to His clearly prescribed ways for functioning as they should, by being faithfully obedient to His instructions for living set-apart lives unto Him!

Proper knowledge of Elohim, implies a proper obedience through the proper works of righteousness, which is to guard to do all that He commands.

So many profess to know Elohim, but in their works, they deny Him!!!

Their works are works of falsehood and lies that have been handed down through vain traditions and dogmas of man

Titos/Titus 1:16 “They profess to know Elohim, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unfit for any good work.”

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

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

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘rooms’ comes from the root word חֶדֶר ḥeḏer – Strong’s H2315 which means, ‘chamber, room, bedroom, innermost parts, inner room’, and comes from the root word חָדַר ḥaḏar – Strong’s H2314 which means, ‘to surround, enclose’.

The word חֶדֶר ḥeḏer – Strong’s H2315 is mainly used to describe a room where people can find privacy, and is also used four times figuratively in Scripture, in reference to ‘the chambers (or inner rooms) of the belly’; and here in this parable we take note of how we can be filled in our inner being!

It is by knowledge that we are filled and able to function as we should.

Knowledge, however, must be applied or else it may only puff up and not be utilised properly in displaying the wondrous beauty of the Word within us!

By Knowledge rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches!

The Hebrew word for ‘precious’ is יָקָר yaqar – Strong’s H3368 which means, ‘precious, rare, splendid, noble, excellent, honourable’, and in its primitive root form means, ‘to be precious, prized, appraised, costly’.

In Mishlĕ/Proverbs 3:15 we are told that ‘wisdom’ is more precious that rubies!

Tehillah/Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the eyes of יהוה is the death of His lovingly-committed ones.”

What is extremely ‘precious’ to יהוה is the death of His loving-committed ones!!!

Qorintiyim Bět/2 Corinthians 4:10-11 “always bearing about in the body the dying of the Master יהושע, that the life of יהושע might also be manifested in our body. 11 For we, the living, are always delivered to death for the sake of יהושע, that the life of יהושע might also be manifested in our mortal flesh”

Romiyim/Romans 8:36 “As it has been written, “For Your sake we are killed all day long, we are reckoned as sheep of slaughter.”

Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 15:21 “I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Messiah יהושע our Master, I die day by day.”

To die, day by day in Messiah, is precious in the eyes of יהוה, and we do this by putting to death the misdeeds of the flesh!

Why I am mentioning this, is to highlight that the enemy hunts for the precious ones!

That is to say, that the enemy is constantly looking to trap the precious ones of Elohim, and in understanding this we are warned and commanded to guard the Torah and not take our eyes off of our Prince and Perfecter of our faith, so that we guard the precious knowledge of our Mighty Master and Elohim!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘pleasant’ is נָעִים na’iym – Strong’s H5273 which means, ‘pleasant, delightful, lovely, surpass in beauty’, and comes from the root word נָעֵם na’em – Strong’s H5276 which means, ‘to be pleasant, delightful, lovely, surpass in beauty’, and we also take note that proper praise for יהוה is pleasant:

Tehillah/Psalm 147:1 “Praise Yah! For it is good to sing praises to our Elohim. For it is pleasant – praise is fitting.”

Not only is it a functional thing to praise יהוה and guard His Word, but it is also something that surpasses beauty!!!

Our Master tells us, in:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 12:35 “The good man brings forth what is good from the good treasures of his heart, and the wicked man brings forth what is wicked from the wicked treasure.”

Whatever is in the ‘inner rooms’ of your being, will be brought forth, and therefore, if that which is pleasant resides within you, through the proper knowledge of Elohim, then praise is fitting and it will flow forth naturally!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘fitting’ is נָאוֶה naveh – Strong’s H5000 which means, ‘comely, lovely, becoming, fitting’, and is thought to come from either נָאָה na’ah – Strong’s H4998 which means, ‘to be comely or befitting, be at home’, or from the root נָוֶה naveh – Strong’s H5116 which means, ‘habitation, dwelling, pasture, meadow, who remains, abode of shepherd or flocks’.

What we can see here, as we understand these words, is that to ‘praise’ Yah, is not only lovely and beautiful, functional and pleasing, but it is where we feel at home!

In other words, our praise should come from a complete place of comfort, and result in a secure boasting of who our Mighty Master, Redeemer and King is!

How many of you love to sing in the shower or sing when you are alone, all because you are ‘comfortable’ in your environment?

Well, that is what praise for יהוה should be, wherever we are!

We should ‘feel at home’ in our confident boasting of beautiful praise for יהוה our Elohim!

Now that you should understand the words being expressed here, let me ask you how your praise of Yah is: is it good, pleasant and fitting, or has it been the complete opposite and non-existent?

Everything that has breath praise Yah! We are to make a bold boast of his comeliness and esteem, aměn!

Precious and pleasant riches:

The Hebrew word that is translated here as ‘riches’ comes from the root noun הוֹן hon – Strong’s H1952 which means, ‘wealth, sufficiency, possession’.

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 8:18 tells us that with wisdom is enduring wealth and righteousness!

Having said that, we take note then, that true wealth/riches are with our Master and Elohim.

Our sufficiency and wealth, is with our Saviour and King!

We have been given all that we need for life and reverence in Messiah, and we need not chase after wealth/riches as sinners do, and we must not be enticed to do so either.

Luqas/Luke 12:15 “And He said to them, “Mind, and beware of greed, because one’s life does not consist in the excess of his possessions.”

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John2:15-17 “Do not love the world nor that which is in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 Because all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world passes away, and the lust of it, but the one doing the desire of Elohim remains forever.”

With Elohim, and the knowledge of Him, is enduring wealth/riches and righteousness!

In the LXX (Septuagint) the Greek word used for ‘wisdom’ here, in Mishlĕ/Proverbs 24:3, is σοφία Sophia – Strong’s G4678 meaning, ‘wisdom, skill, cleverness, learning’, and comes from the root word σοφός Sophos – Strong’s G4680 meaning, ‘skilled, wise, wise men’.

Sha’ul tells us in Eph’siyim/Ephesians 1, that our Master has, by the riches of His favour, lavished on us every spiritual blessing in the heavens, in Messiah, in all wisdom and insight, leaving us no excuse to not have the inner rooms of our beings filled with the knowledge of Elohim, in order that we be the fragrance of Messiah in every place!

After speaking some very valuable parables, our Master said to His taught ones:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 13:52 “And He said to them, “Therefore every scholar of Scripture taught in the reign of the heavens is like a householder who brings out of his treasure matters, renewed, and old.”

As we seek for wisdom and understanding and grow in the knowledge of Elohim, through being properly taught in the reign of our Master, we are equipped and enabled to bring out great treasure!

he Greek word that is used here for ‘treasure’ is θησαυρός thēsauros – Strong’s G2344 which means, ‘treasure, storehouse, magazine, repository’, and refers to, ‘the place in which good and precious things are collected and laid up’.

The English word ‘thesaurus’, in general use, is a reference work that lists words grouped together according to similarity of meaning (containing synonyms and sometimes antonyms).

The main purpose of such reference works is to help the user “to find the word, or words, by which [an] idea may be most fitly and aptly expressed”.

Do you see what treasure we have been given – it is not just some random words, but the very living Words of our Master that He has put in us, in helping us ‘find’ the proper words and actions that can be most fitly applied to every situation!

He has put His thesaurus in us, so to speak!!!

His Word is so powerful that it enables us to rightly divide and discern the Truth so that we can behave and live as true set-apart ones in complete righteousness, even whilst we are in exile and are faithfully enduring, looking for the blessed expectation and esteemed appearance of the great Elohim and our Saviour יהושע Messiah!

By the words and actions of Shelomoh, even the sovereign of Tsor recognised that יהוה had given Shelomoh wisdom, understanding and knowledge – in order to build a House for יהוה.

In the Book of Yehoshua/Joshua, we find a very powerful picture for us today, in how we too are to be witnesses of the Truth, in living as a set-apart people offering up their lives as a daily living sacrifice.

In Chapter 22, we see that after Yisra’ĕl had settled, the 2 ½ tribes that had helped their brothers take the land and receive their lot, had gone back to their allotment beyond the Yardĕn and they built a slaughter place to יהוה.

In fact, we are told in Yehoshua/Joshua 22:10, that the children of Re’uḇĕn, Gaḏ and the half tribe of Menashsheh, had built a great conspicuous slaughter place!

They built a slaughter place to be seen and not hidden!!!

This of course angered the other tribes who had settled in the land and Pineḥas was sent to check it out and confront them on what seemingly was a huge trespass in their eyes, as they accused the 2 ½ tribes that were beyond the Yardĕn of rebelling against יהוה, only to discover that the slaughter place was not built to offer slaughterings upon, but rather, it was built as a witness between them and their brothers who were in the land, so that they would not be forgotten, and this matter was good in the eyes of all.

What we find today, is the same accusation that is coming from many who we would have assumed to be brothers and sisters.

Many ‘claiming’ believers in Messiah, will often say to us who are walking according to the Torah, that we are ‘going back under the law’ or that we are ‘trying to be Jewish’.

Or even from the Jews today, we are often accused of trying to walk in the Torah, which according to them is forbidden for us to do so!

These accusations that come at us, from various groups, try to accuse us of doing something wrong by walking in the purity of the Torah, as if it were a curse; and even think that we wish to enact a sacrificial system (including circumcision), which is a ridiculous accusation, as they simply do not understand that we are not going back under a sacrificial system that has been satisfied in the Blood of Messiah, but rather, we are about building His House, as a living sacrifice; and as we who were scattered among the nations are building on Messiah, our Rock and Good Teacher, we become a great and conspicuous witness before all, as we diligently guard to do all His commands, in wholehearted service unto Elohim, keeping His Feasts and Appointed Times and living each daily as the salt and light of His Truth for all to see His Name upon His House that is being built up in the most set-apart faith!

Living stones, we are, and we are being built up together:

Kěpha aleph/1 Peter 2:4-5 “Drawing near to Him, a living Stone – rejected indeed by men, but chosen by Elohim and precious – 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up, a spiritual house, a set-apart priesthood, to offer up spiritual slaughter offerings acceptable to Elohim through יהושע Messiah.”

The question we must ask ourselves, in light of the huge and awesome task that is before us, is whether we are indeed building His House or are we about building our own?

The prophet Ḥaggai is a very powerful book for us today, as it addresses this very issue:

Ḥaggai/Haggai 1:4-5 “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your panelled houses, and this House be in ruins?” 5 And now, thus said יהוה of hosts, “Consider your ways!”

4 Times in Ḥaggai we are told to “consider”

Twice they were told to ‘consider our ways’ and twice they were told to ‘consider from this day forward’, and that same call, to consider ways from this day forward, is still being proclaimed, very loudly and clear, as long as it is called today!

The foundation has been laid – Messiah the chief cornerstone!

Man’s rebellion destroyed the Dwelling Place of Elohim, which they had turned into a den of robbers, and Messiah said that He would raise it up in three days – speaking of the Dwelling Place of His Body!

He came to establish and restore the True Tabernacle/Dwelling Place of the Most–High – His House built by His Hands!!!

The question we all must ask ourselves is:

“How great do I value His House?”

Are you seeking wisdom with your all?

We are told, in:

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 3:13 “Blessed is the man who has found wisdom, and the man who gets understanding”

Blessed is that man who has found wisdom, for he can truly be enlisted as a builder!!!

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 8:1 “Does not wisdom call, and understanding lift up her voice?”

Wisdom has made her call – the Torah has been proclaimed and revealed – there is no excuse to not know how to build!

There is no excuse to not hear and respond!

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 9:1-6 “Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out its seven columns, 2 she has slaughtered her meat, she has mixed her wine, she has also prepared her table. 3 She has sent out her young women, she cries out from the highest places of the city: 4 “Who is simple? Let him turn in here!” As for him who lacks heart, she says to him, 5 “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.” 6 Leave the simple ones and live, and walk in the way of understanding.”

I love this passage – as we see that not only has the foundation been laid, but we can clearly see how the 7 columns for the House have been hewn – that is: the clear columns of our belief have been made for us, as building blocks – and they are: His Appointed Times – His 7 Feasts!!

We build His House, as we remember to guard, keep and perform His Feasts, and that we have been hewn out from the foundation of the earth, in Messiah.

We Keep His Feasts, as we prepare and serve in Righteousness.

The sacrifice and provision has been done, and the whole House has been cleansed and set-apart for service in the Blood of Messiah, as we hear the clear call given here to come and eat and drink of His provision and walk in the way of understanding, leaving behind the simple ones who are building their own paneled houses without secure columns!

It all begins with our fear of Elohim:

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of יהוה is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Set-apart One is understanding.”

Who do you fear and who do you seek?

Fear יהוה and seek wisdom, no matter how intense the vain accusations of the world come up against us.

Many may even accuse us of becoming mad with all our learning, just as Festus shouted in a loud voice to Sha’ul, “Sha’ul, you are mad! Much learning is turning you to madness!” (Ma’asei/Acts 26:24)

True fear of יהוה, begins the journey of discovering who He is and enables us to further grow in our understanding, as we incline our ear to hear, guard and do His Word, and stand firm on the Rock of Truth, without the fear of man that tries to cause us to stumble in our building of the Master’s House!

When Kěpha and the other emissaries, were commanded not to speak or teach in the Name of יהושע Messiah, they responded boldly, with the clear understanding, that it is better to listen to the Truth than to the attacking accusations that try to stop us from being obedient!

Ma’asei/Acts 4:19 “But Kěpha and Yoḥanan answering them, said, “Whether it is right in the sight of Elohim to listen to you more than to Elohim, you judge.”

I believe that this is something that we all must judge in our own hearts each day, as we face tough choices to obey or not to obey the clear commands and teachings of Elohim – judge for yourself whether you think it is right in the sight of Elohim to listen to man more than to Elohim!!!

Ma’asei/Acts 5:29 “And Kěpha and the other emissaries answering, said, “We have to obey Elohim rather than men.””

When we neglect obedience to Elohim, we may render ourselves as unfit builders, being found to be about building our own panelled houses of self-security, while the task of building the great and marvellous House of Elohim gets neglected through compromise!

As we consider the need to be trustworthy builders – let me ask you:

“Are you counting the building costs?”

When you honestly assess your life against the mirror of The Word of Elohim, can you be sure that when you say, as Shelomoh did, “THE HOUSE THAT I AM BUILDING”, is the House of Elohim, or are you building your own house?

Are you offering before Him daily, the reasonable worship of being a set-apart and living sacrifice, serving as the royal priesthood that you have been called to, or have you found that you have gone ‘off duty’ so to speak?

Are you armed in the Torah and making sure that you are daily clothed in His righteousness, building His House His way, as you keep watch over His charge given to us to go and teach the nations and make disciples – that is: to equip more builders?

He is coming soon – and He is coming for a ready Bride – A Prepared and Built House – and now is the time to be building His Great and Marvellous House – that is: the House that we collectively a part of, in Messiah, tasked with the responsibility of building each other up, and encouraging one another to not forsake the gathering of the set-apart ones, as some are in the habit of doing, as they fall away to the joining of themselves to the simple through compromise.

In Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 10 we are told clearly to hold fast to our expectation of His return and be concerned for one another, to stir up love and good works – that is: complete obedience, as it has been hewn out for us to build by – through the guarding of His Word and the Keeping of His Feasts.

It also warns us, that when this is neglected there remains no more a sacrifice for our wilful sin/lawlessness.

We who know the Truth and still do not build according to His Word and His Appointments, trample His work under foot, and to fall into the hands of the Living Elohim is a fearsome thing!!!

We are either builders of His House or we are His opponents whom He will avenge at His return.

Half-hearted attempts at building are not regarded as the building He makes us competent for!

As we count daily the cost of serving and building, let us carefully consider how we are building, ensuring that we are held firmly in His Hand, as His treasured possession, being presented as an acceptable wave offering in the Hand of our Rock, High priest and King, יהושע Messiah!

THE HOUSE THAT I AM BUILDING….

May that House be the True House for His Name!

Perhaps you have recognised, as you look intently into the mirror of The Word, that your building methods have not been totally according to His Word and your hands have been found to be building walls of compromise for self.

If so, then count the cost of building and take up the sword of Truth in your hand and diligently guard to do all He commands, in order that you too can declare…

THE HOUSE THAT I AM BUILDING IS GREAT AND MARVELLOUS

for,

THE HOUSE THAT I AM BUILDING

is The Body of Messiah!!!

As we build His House, His Way, may we be truly ignited with an intense passion for building ourselves and each other up in Messiah, hating the garments of compromise that is defiled by the flesh:

Yehuḏah/Jude 1:20-23 “But you, beloved ones, building yourselves up on your most set-apart belief, praying in the Set-apart Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of Elohim, looking for the compassion of our Master יהושע Messiah unto everlasting life. 22 And show compassion toward some who are doubting, 23 but others save with fear, snatching them out of the fire, hating, even the garment defiled by the flesh.”

May we all make the bold confession:

THE HOUSE THAT I AM BUILDING…

I AM BUILDING HIS WAY!

יהוה bless you and guard you as you build His Great and Marvellous House, offering before Him your life, as a daily living sacrifice – set-apart and well pleasing to Him in every way, aměn!