Shabbat Shalom all,

Ya’aqob/James 1:21-25 “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. 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.

As we sojourn here as foreigners who are proclaiming the reign of the heavens, and are meditating on the Torah day and night, we are constantly reminded that we have been called in set-apartness, and as a result of this we must exercise great care in how we live and move and are, in Messiah! Being true doers of the Word is the fruit of hearing attentively and looking intently into the mirror of the Word and not forgetting what we have been called in.

Tas’loniqim Aleph/1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 “For Elohim did not call us to uncleanness, but in set-apartness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but Elohim, who also gives us His Set-apart Spirit.

These two verses are very sobering and very clear in telling us that any compromise to set-apartness simply renders the attempt at set-apartness as a clear rejection of Elohim! Anyone who rejects the need to live set-apart lives is simply rejecting Elohim, and not man. Often when people reject the message of the truth, they do not realise that they are in fact rejecting Elohim and not the one who has made the Truth known to them! This puts the majority of the world in the category of rejecting Elohim!!! Simply because they are rejecting the need to look intently into the Word and live set-apart lives! While this may be true for the masses, which include all those who are led astray by false Christian theologies of man, we must also recognise that these words were given to True Believers, and we are therefore reminded by this that our lives cannot contain any form of compromise, lest we are found to be classed as one who rejects Elohim! The reason that compromise can become apparent in a person’s life is due to the fact that they forget what they look like – all because they are not doing what they hear!

In a message tonight called, ‘WHO IS LIKE?’, I want us to recognise the urgency of the times we are living in, and how critical it is that we forget not loving-commitment for a moment, and not neglect our need to be meditating upon the Torah and walking according to the clear set-apart instructions of Elohim!

Please turn with me to Miḵah/Micah 1, as we will look at this first chapter of this very powerful prophetic book where Miḵah prophesied from the Southern Kingdom of Yehuḏah, in the face of the Northern Kingdom’s impending dispersion. He clearly addresses the corruption, injustice and most of all the direct unfaithfulness to יהוה, that lay behind all of the crookedness that was very evident!

We begin this chapter about 20 years before the final deportation of the Northern Kingdom (House of Yisra’ĕl) into Ashshurian captivity. The name of this prophet to which the Word of יהוה came was מִיכָה Miḵah – Strong’s H4318 which means, who is like, which is an abbreviation or shortened form of מִיכָיָה Miḵayah – Strong’s H4320 or מִיכָֽיְהוּ Miḵayehu – Strong’s H4321 which means, who is like who is like Yah, as we see the full name being used in Melaḵim Aleph/1Kings 22:8, when Yehoshaphat asked Aḥaḇ, the wicked king of Yisra’ĕl, if there was not a prophet of יהוה to inquire of, and Aḥaḇ said that there was still Miḵayehu, yet he did not like this prophet of יהוה because he said that מִיכָֽיְהוּ Miḵayehu never prophesied good concerning Aḥaḇ, only evil!

מִיכָה Miḵah was from ‘Moresheth’, or in Hebrew מוֹרַשְׁתִּי Morashti – Strong’s H4138 which means, inhabitant of Morashti, which was a town in the city which was the hometown of the giant Golyath, known as מוֹרֶשֶׁת גַּת Moresheth Gath – Strong’s H4182 which means, possession of Gath. This was near the Philistine coast, yet by this time the Philistines had ceased to be a physical threat to Yisra’ĕl. However the influence of the Philistines pagan practices were still a huge threat that had gripped Yisra’ĕl, and this is what was being addressed here through this prophet.

גַּת Gath – Strong’s H1661 means, winepress, and Gath was one of the 5 prices of the Philistines spoken of in Shophetim/Judges 3, as one of the nations that were left by יהוה to try Yisra’ĕl by them, and teach them how to do battle. It was later prophesied that these cities would be destroyed in the latter days, of which Gath was believed to have been destroyed in the days of Amos. The word of יהוה came to Miḵah in the days of Yotham, Aḥaz, and Ḥizqiyah which he saw concerning Shomeron and Yerushalayim.

יוֹתָם  Yotham – Strong’s H3147 means, ‘Yah is perfect; אָחָז  Aḥaz – Strong’s H271 means, he has grasped, taken hold of, he possesses; יְחִזְקִיָּה Y’Ḥizqiyah – Strong’s H3169 means, ‘יהוה has made strong, strengthened. From this we are able to determine that he prophesied for approximately 55 years (from around 742-687 B.C.E).

The word which he saw concerning Shomeron and Yerushalayim, is a direct word given to both Houses of Yisra’ĕl, with Shomeron being the capital of the Northern Kingdom, the House of Yisra’ĕl, and Yerushalayim being the capital of the southern Kingdom, the House of Yehuḏah. In other words, these words were applicable to the whole body, that is the whole House of Yisra’ĕl, and are still very much alive and relevant for us to hear today, lest we forget what we look like!

In verse 2 there is a clear call to listen up! This is a very great call for all people to hearשִׁמְעוּ  – ‘Shemau’ – which is from the root word שָׁמַעshama’ – Strong’s H8085, which carries the meaning not just simply to hear, but rather, to hear with attention and comprehend and discern and give heed to what is being spoken. Certainly we see that this kind of hearing that is being called for is not very apparent among the masses today, who are simply having their ears tickled and are not listening attentively, because they forget what they hear, and are doing that which Ya’aqoḇ/James warns against – do not be like a man who looks in the mirror and forgets what he sees!

Hear and Listen! The call to listen is not only given to Yisra’ĕl, but for all who are in the earth! The Hebrew root word translated here as ‘listen’ is קָשַׁב qashaḇ – Strong’s H7181 and means, to incline (ears), to attend to, pay or give attention to, listen, heed, mark, marked well’. Repeatedly throughout the Scriptures we see the call to ‘listen’, and often with it the clear rebuke for any nation who would not listen, nor give heed to the words of the prophets, who called a backsliding people back to the Torah. This word is often also translated as ‘pay attention’, and we know that if people actually paid attention to the Word and did what it actually says, they would not find themselves in the terrible confused mess that they find themselves being consumed in. Most will rather listen and pay attention to what their twisted traditions say – traditions that have been born out of falsified interpretations that are simply designed to satisfy the selfishness of the flesh, rather than to submit and obey to the truth of walking according to the Spirit. This was a major fault of the 2 Houses during the days of Miḵah – as they had given themselves over to the hearing of the very influential pagan practices of the nations that they were supposed to have destroyed, or supposed to have learn to do battle in their fight to remain set-apart! At this time worship had been corrupted and set-apartness was not evident in the nation that was called to be a light to the nations, and here in verse 2 Miḵah makes it clear that יהוה Himself would  be a witness against them, from His set-apart Hěḵal. This clear statement of declaring the witness of יהוה from His set-apart Hěḵal is a severe warning to listen up and take heed to Him who sits on High! In Ḥaḇaqquq/Habakkuk 2 we see some very severe ‘woes’ being given to a people who were not hearing and paying attention to the Word of Elohim, and while many were engaged in the pursuit of living according to their own ways and doing as they please, the prophet says in:

Ḥaḇaqquq/Habakkuk 2: 20 “But יהוה is in His set-apart Hěḵal. Let all the earth be silent before Him.

Those who are not listening now, and carefully paying attention to יהוה and guarding to hear and do His Torah, will find themselves being destroyed, for His is continually being a witness against the disobedient from His set-apart Hěḵal.

In verse 3 Miḵah speaks clearly of the time when יהוה will come out of His set-apart place and come down and tread the high places of the earth. This is a clear reference to Yom Kippur when He will come out of the Most Set-Apart Place and tread the winepress in His wrath, and destroy all forms of false worship!

The Hebrew root word for ‘witness’ is עֵד eyd – Strong’s H5707 which means, witness, evidence, testimony, and this word becomes more meaningful to us when we look at the ancient script, as it looks as follows:

daletayin

 עֵ  – This is the letter ‘ayin’ and in the ancient alphabet this letter is pictured as ayin, which is ‘an eye’ and represents the idea of seeing and watching, as well as knowledge, as the eye is the window of knowledge.

ד– This is the letter ‘dalet’, which in the ancient script is pictured as dalet, which is a ‘tent door’. It can also have the meaning of a back and forth movement as one goes back and forth through a tent door and so speaks of an access point. It can also carry the meaning of ‘dangle’ or hanging as the tent door would hang from the roof pole of the tent. It speaks a great deal in terms of understanding the door of the tent of appointment as the only means of access.

When we consider that יהושע Messiah is The Door, then we further see our need to continually be looking at Him, and praising Him as we diligently are serving in spirit and truth, guarding to do all His commands – as we look continually into the perfect Torah of Freedom and not forget what we look like!

The Word of יהוה shall be a witness against those who are not ‘looking’ at His Word and guarding to do it!

This word comes from the root word עוּד ud/ood – Strong’s H5749, which means, to return, go about, repeat, do again, encircle, supports, which is another great practical lesson in understanding how we are to continually be meditating on the Word of Elohim, as we also find ourselves repeating the cycle of studying His Torah each week, doing it again and again!

In the ancient script this word has an additional letter and looks as follows:

daletwawayin

As you will notice, this word has the extra letter in the middle:

וּ – This is the letter ‘waw’ or ‘vav’ and the ancient pictographic form of this letter is waw, 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’.

This further strengthens our understanding of looking to the Princely Leader and Perfecter of our belief, יהושע Messiah, The Word made flesh, who now sits on high! For He is the Perfect Witness of the Word that was made flesh and came to secure for us the Renewed Covenant in His own Blood, that we may be added to Him and be secured of everlasting life, as we guard His commands and stay in Him!

Another word derived from this root word, is the word that is used to describe the Ark of the ‘witness’, which is the Hebrew word עֵדוּת eduth – Strong’s H5715 which means, testimony, witness, ordinance, warning, and once again, as we look at the ancient form of this word we continue to get further ‘witness’ of the Word of Elohim, as it is pictured as:

As you will see that there is once again another letter used here, which is:

tawwawdaletayin

 ת – this is the letter ‘taw or tav’ which in the ancient script is pictured as – taw – which is the picture of 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!

It was on the lid of atonement of the ark of the witness that blood was to sprinkled on Yom Kippur, which was a shadow picture of the complete work of Messiah, who by His own Blood entered the Most Set-Apart place in the Heavens to make atonement for sins, and He continually intercedes for us who stay in Him and are waiting for Him, unto deliverance, when He shall come again apart from sin!

Why I am sharing this with you, is so that you can get a better understanding from a True Hebraic Scriptural perspective the witness that stands against those who are disobedient and are following corrupted man-made practices that are rooted in pagan worship rites, and have despised His Word!

When our Master comes again, He is coming with fire, and as verse 4 here in Miḵah clearly tells us, the mountains shall even melt under Him and the valleys be cleft as wax before the fire. This is clearly a very powerful metaphoric picture of the fierce destruction that is coming upon the sons of disobedience!

In verse 5 it is made clear what the transgression of Ya’aqob is – and it is Shomeron! Omri, the wicked father of Aḥaḇ, established Shomeron as the new capital of the House of Yisra’ĕl, and ‘Shomeron’ – שֹׁמְרוֹן  – Strong’s H8111 means, watchtower, great watchman, the most guarded, which he bought from  – Shemer – שֶׁמֶר  – Strong’s H8106 which means, preserved, kept, and also has the meaning of, lees, dregs, aged wine, in referring to the dregs at the bottom of the barrel – and by him setting up his own wicked reign and capital for the House of Yisra’ĕl, we can see metaphorically how those who reject the Torah of יהוה, in order to walk in their own selfish ways, can be likened to those who earnestly watch over, and guard the dregs of the traditions and dogmas of man, by setting up their own high places of mixed abominable worship!

The high places of Yehuḏah are ‘Yerushalayim’! The Hebrew root word for ‘high places’ is בָּמָה bamah – Strong’s H1116 which means, high place, heights, and is used as a technical name for a cultic platform, and is also used to describe the idolatrous high places of worship, and Yisra’ĕl was given this ability to tread down the high places of occult worship as a blessing:

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 33:29 “Blessed are you, O Yisra’ĕl! 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.

Who is like Yisra’ĕl? A people saved by יהוה, and equipped to tread down idolatry!!! Yehuḏah had not tread down idolatry, but had turned יהוה’s chosen set-apart place into an idolatrous worship site! This is still very evident today, as we recognise how corrupt Yerushalayim is today, for it is not set-apart unto יהוה, but rather entertains all forms of high idolatrous worship of all kinds. Yerushalayim and the physical land of Yisra’ĕl today is riddled with hypocrisy and idol worship, and sadly many flock there and pay homage to the high places of false worship, be it the corrupt teachings of Rabbinic Judaism, Christianity in its many denominations, or even in a mix of the two, being classed or labelled as ‘Messianic’ (which primarily is nothing more than a blend of Christianity and Judaism) – the high places of Yerushalayim being spoken of here in Miḵah, has evolved to an even higher place of cultic worship that is simply abominable in the eyes of יהוה!

In verse 6-7 it is made clear how Shomeron shall be made a heap, and this also carries great prophetic meaning for us as we understand that Shomeron is a picture of all that the corrupted and scattered House of Yisra’ĕl represents, and how Yisra’ĕl had fallen to harlot fees of the whore, which is a clear code name for the corruption of the teachings of the anti-messiah, in leading people astray through the drunkenness of falsehood and lies. Whoring after the whore – יהוה has always considered it whoring when His set-apart bride has gone after other false mighty ones, and neglected to worship יהוה alone. יהוה makes it very clear that He will utterly destroy all the idols and imagery of false worship!

This corruption will be destroyed, and here in verse 9 we are told that this corruption and wickedness had reached the gates of Yerushalayim. Once again we clearly see how Yerushalayim became corrupted by the Northern Kingdoms idolatry, and in referring this coming to the gate, emphasises how Yehuḏah was not exercising right ruling and true discernment, as they too allowed the influence of idolatry to enter in, and is still very much alive today!

Do not declare it in Gath, was a clear call that this message was for Yehuḏah and Yisra’ĕl! Often when people hear a clear warning or call to return, they often think that the message is not for them, but for those ‘out there’ so to speak. How many times have you looked into the mirror of the Word and the Word has clearly highlighted some areas that need to be cleaned up in your life, yet you quickly find yourself seeing that the message being given to you is not for you but for others! Be careful to not be found falling in the trap of never allowing the Word to show you how you look like, by trying to point the mirror toward others! The call to not weep in Bĕyth Aphrah is also a very clear message to not have false pity parties. בֵּית לְעַפְרָה Bĕyth L’aphrah – Strong’s H1036 means, house of dust, house to dust, and is only spoken of here in Scripture, making its location unknown, although we know it would have been in the region of Gath. What this pictures here for us is the clear warning to not have false weeping sessions in a House of Dust, which can represent for us a false house that feeds the flesh, and is not set-apart from the world but conforms to the pattern of the world! There are so many ‘prayers for Israel’ meeting happening in many churches today, and what we recognise here is that many are ‘weeping’ in these houses of dust, and it is worthless! There is a great play on words here, in saying that we should not ‘weep’ in the houses of dust, but rather we should ‘mourn over them!!! The Hebrew root word for ‘weep’ is בָּכָה baḵah – Strong’s H1058 which means, weep, bewail, cry, mourn, sob and the Hebrew root word translated as ‘roll’ is פָּלַשׁ palash – Strong’s H6428 which means, wallow, roll and is always used in Scripture as a reference to mourning in ashes or dust, symbolically meaning a true mourning for wickedness!

Mattithyahu/Matthew 6:5-8 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the congregations and on the corners of the streets, to be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place. And your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly. 7 “And when praying, do not keep on babbling like the gentiles. For they think that they shall be heard for their many words. 8 “Therefore do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

Yisra’ĕl and Yehuḏah had taken their eyes off of the Truth, and had turned their ears away from hearing the Truth and as a result this severe prophesy and warning was very clear, and is still very clear today. In the closing verses we are given various places that render insightful meanings for us:

שָׁפִיר Shaphir- Strong’s H8208 means, fair, beauty – the inhabitants of the fair and beautiful were to be stripped naked and ashamed! This reminds me of the words of Messiah to the lukewarm Assembly in Laodikeia, who thought they were ok and had it all:

Ḥazon/Revelation 3:17-18 “Because you say, ‘Rich I am, and I am made rich, and need none at all,’ and do not know that you are wretched, and pitiable, and poor, and blind, and naked. 18 “I advise you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, so that you become rich; and white garments, so that you become dressed, so that the shame of your nakedness might not be shown; and anoint your eyes with ointment, so that you see.

The word שָׁפִיר Shaphir comes from the root word שָׁפַר shaphar – Strong’s H8231 which means, to be beautiful, fair, or comely, and is only used once in Scripture:

Tehillim/Psalm 16:6 “Boundary lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Indeed, a good inheritance is mine.

 The word is translated as ‘good’ in referring to the inheritance that is ours. The inheritance of Ya’aqob is the Torah, which is clear here in the reference to the ‘boundary lines’ that have fallen in pleasant places! The warning to Yisra’ĕl here in Miḵah is clear – ‘you have overstepped your boundaries and you shall go naked and ashamed’, being stripped of the garments of righteousness that has been neglected to be worn and kept clean!

צַאֲנָן Tsa’anan – Strong’s H6630 means, pointed, and the inhabitant here did not go out! This word comes from the root word צאֹן tson – Strong’s H6629 which means, small cattle, sheep, goats, flock. This message is clear – the way for the flock to go has been clearly pointed out through the Torah and the prophets, yet the flock refuse to come out! So many people have been ‘shown the way out’ yet they refuse to move!

בֵּית הָאֵצֶל Bĕyth Ĕtsel – Strong’s H1018 means, house of narrowing – the lamentations of this place takes them from their standing place! The word אֵצֶל etsel – Strong’s H681 means, a joining together, proximity and comes from the root verb אָצַל atsal – Strong’s H680 which means, to lay aside, withdraw, refuse, hold back. Those who join themselves to false worship shall not be given a place in the House of Elohim, and those who refuse to submit to the Torah will have their standing place removed and there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth!

In the warning to the assembly in Ephesos who had left their first love we see the warning words of our Master:

Ḥazon/Revelation 2:5 “So remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works, or else I shall come to you speedily and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

מָרוֹת Maroth – Strong’s H4796 means, bitterness – they waited for good, yet evil came from יהוה:

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 4:18 “Your ways and your deeds have brought this upon you. This is your evil, because it is bitter, because it has reached into your heart.

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 2:19 “Your own evil instructs you, and your backslidings reprove you. Know therefore and see that it is evil and bitter that you have forsaken יהוה your Elohim, and that My fear is not in you,” declares the Master יהוה of hosts.

We are commanded to get rid of all bitterness, and the warning is to those who ‘live in bitterness’, and are falsely waiting for good, shall receive evil from the Master!

לָכִישׁ Laḵish – Strong’s H3923 means, invincible’ – here the warning to those who assume that they are invincible should go and harness the chariot to the horse. This is a great play on words in describing those who trust in chariots and horses and do not put their trust in Elohim. They think that they are invincible in their own works and strength, and herein lies the critical problem of pride! This trust in the flesh was the beginning of the sin of the daughter of Tsiyon.

Tehillim/Psalm 40:4 “Blessed is that man who has made יהוה his trust, and has not turned to the proud, and those turning aside to falsehood.

Tehillim/Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we remember the Name of יהוה our Elohim.

אַכְזִיב Aḵzi – Strong’s H392 means, deceit, deceptive and here we are told that the houses of deceit will become a deception to the kings of Yisra’ĕl! אַכְזִיב Aḵzi was part of the borders of Ashĕr, who did not drive out the inhabitants of this place as we are told in Shophetim/Judges 1:31. The ‘Blessed’ (meaning of Ashĕr) did not drive out the deception! We must be careful to not be found to be entertaining deceit in our own lives, for it is not fitting for the blessed Bride of Elohim! When it says that deception will come to the sovereigns of Yisra’ĕl, we must realise how powerful deception is, for this is how the enemy causes many to be lead astray from the blessed way, through lies and deception!

Marqos/Mark 13:22 “For false messiahs and false prophets shall rise and show signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.

מָרֵאשָׁה Marĕshah – Strong’s H4762 means, crest of a hill, and comes from the root that means, principalities, place at the head’, and here it is said that a dispossessor will come to the inhabitant living here! This imagery of a crest of a hill, speaks also of those who have set themselves up on high and through pride made a name for themselves in establishing their own ways.

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 2:12 “For יהוה of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up, so that it is brought low

What is very powerful in the clear word plays given here is that our Master יהוה shall bring down the lofty, and then He shall come and restore His justice and right-ruling. After the word is given against all these towns and ending with Marĕshah the promise is given that the esteem of יהוה shall come to Aḏullam, and here we see the clear words of deliverance as He will dispossess or bring low the high and exalted ones of the earth and bring low the rulership of the principalities of this world, and will come and bring justice to Yisra’ĕl, who shall be exalted with Messiah at His return, when His Rule and Reign is firmly established here on earth!

עֲדֻלָּם Aḏullam – Strong’s H5725 means, justice of the people, and it was in a cave at Aḏullam that the beloved king Dawiḏ escaped to when he saved himself from the hand of the wicked king Sha’ul. In a manner of speaking we can see how this place can represent the completion of our deliverance; when justice and righteousness is fully restored and established here on earth.

In the closing verse of this chapter we see the clear climax of the call of judgement that was being pronounced over a backslidden people, as the call was made to make themselves bald and cut off the hair. While this is written in the singular, it is clearly possible that this is speaking to the entire nation as one body who had clearly departed from true submission to the authority of Elohim. This making oneself bald was a common practice of mourning, yet was not endorsed at all by יהוה, and this sentence was a clear witness that the ‘covering’ of Yisra’ĕl had been removed, and this was a call to go into mourning for their children, as the whole House had now become defiled and corrupt, and about to be exiled and cut off!

They had not been set-apart as יהוה is set-apart, but had rather given themselves over to the ways of the nation and had lost the love of the Truth and now יהוה was ‘handing them over to the delusion’, and announcing that His judgement was coming forth!

This message is as loud and clear today as it was back then.

Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 1:13-16 “Therefore, having girded up the loins of your mind, being sober, set your expectation perfectly upon the favour that is to be brought to you at the revelation of יהושע Messiah, 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts in your ignorance, 15 instead, as the One who called you is set-apart, so you also should become set-apart in all behaviour, 16 because it has been written, “Be set-apart, for I am set-apart.

This message of Miḵah is a clear warning for us to recognise who we are like – are we set-apart as Elohim is or not!

Shemoth/Exodus 15:11 “Who is like You, O יהוה, among the mighty ones? Who is like You, great in set-apartness, awesome in praises, working wonders?

As we recognize that there is none like יהוה, may we further recognise that we ought to be set-apart as He is and let His Covenant, and our obedience toward His Torah, be a witness between us and Him, and not as a witness against us, aměn!

When you look daily into the mirror of the Word, what do you see – do you forget what you look like or do you hear, guard and do all that has been commanded us, so that you are part of a peculiar, set-apart people – for who is like us?

Diḇre haYamim Aleph/1 Chronicles 17:21 “And who is like Your people Yisra’ĕl, the one nation on the earth whom Elohim went to redeem for Himself as a people; to make for Yourself a great and awesome Name, by driving out nations from before Your people whom You redeemed from Mitsrayim?

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