Yeshayahu/Isaiah 66 – At the Foot of the Covenant Ministries

10^th of the 6^th month 2021/2022

Shalom all,

As part of the weekly readings where we will be going through Wayyiqra/Leviticus 19-20, we will also be looking at Amos 9:7-15 as well as Yeshayahu/Isaiah 66:1-24 and Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 1:13-16. In this message I will be taking a closer look at Yeshayahu/Isaiah 66:1-24 and highlighting some great lessons that we are able to take from this passage.

Please read Yeshayahu/Isaiah 66:1-24

This passage carries some comforting encouragement for the humble who tremble at the Word of יהוה, along with the clear warning of judgment for the proud and lofty ones who are rejecting the need to submit to walking in obedience to the Torah of Elohim and reaffirms the establishment of יהוה’s reign on earth, where the hope that we have of His return being confirmed and the destruction of the wrong made clear as a proper set-apart worship being continually observed is firmly established by all on earth!.

Verse 1

“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?”.

יהוה is Creator of all – so where is the recognition of who He is?

No one building in righteousness – not being built up as living stones on the Rock!.

The heavens are His throne and the earth is His footstool!

The Hebrew word that has is translated as ‘throne’ comes from the root word כִּסֵּא kisse – Strong’s H3678 which means, ‘seat of honour, throne, authority, and official seat’, and speaks of the seat of the king and is a symbol of royal authority, and comes from the root word כָּסָה kasa – Strong’s H3680 which means, ‘cover, conceal, clothed, closed, hide’.

He ‘clothes’ creation, so to speak, being the One who is seated above all and nothing is hidden from Him!

Tehillah/Psalm 11:4 “יהוה is in His set-apart Hěḵal, the throne of יהוה is in the heavens. His eyes see, His eyelids examine the sons of men.” .

The phrase ‘my footstool is written in the Hebrew text as:

הֲדֹם רַגְלָי

haḏom raglay

This comes from the two root words:

1) הֲדֹם haḏom – Strong’s H1916 which means, ‘a stool, footstool’

2) רֶגֶל regel – Strong’s H7272 which means ‘a foot/feet or to walk’

The earth is the place for His feet and He chooses to walk with us and be in our midst, yet what we see from this clear announcement of who He is, is that there was no submission to walking with Him through a proper submission to His authority!

We are to exalt יהוה and acknowledge Him as Elohim!

Tehillah/Psalm 99:5 “Exalt יהוה our Elohim, and bow yourselves at His footstool, He is set-apart.”

Tehillah/Psalm 99:9 “Exalt יהוה our Elohim, and bow down towards His set-apart mountain; for יהוה our Elohim is set-apart.”

As it is in the heavens, let it be done here on earth!

We are to walk in righteousness and be set-apart as He is set-apart!.

Verse 1 highlights the clear disregard for the authority of Elohim and whatever house was being built, it was not His House!.

Where is this house that you build for ME and where is this place of My rest?

Diḇre haYamim Aleph/1 Chronicles 28:2 “Then Sovereign Dawiḏ rose to his feet and said, “Hear me, my brothers and my people: I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of יהוה, and for the footstool of our Elohim, and had made preparations to build it.”

Melaḵim Aleph/1 Kings 8:17-19 “And it was in the heart of my father Dawiḏ to build a house for the Name of יהוה Elohim of Yisra’ěl. 18 But יהוה said to my father Dawiḏ, ‘Because it has been in your heart to build a house for My Name, you did well that it was in your heart. 19 Only, you do not build the house, but your son, who is coming from your loins, he does build the house for My Name.’”

I have mentioned these two passages, as it clearly identifies the heart that Dawiḏ had, in desiring to build a house of יהוה and establish a place for His rest, where יהוה would walk among His people!.

What we can see from verse 1 of Yeshayahu/Isaiah 66, is the clear state of a backslidden and corrupt people, who were building their own houses and did not have a pure heart that seeks to build יהוה’s way.

This reminds me of the rebuke that is given in the Book of Ḥaggai, where no one was concerned about building יהוה’s House, but were busy building their own houses and they were called to consider their ways!

Ḥaggai/Haggai 1:2-5 “Thus spoke יהוה of hosts, saying, ‘This people have said, “The time has not come, the time the House of יהוה is to be built.” 3 Then the word of יהוה came by Ḥaggai the prophet, saying, 4 “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!”

This last chapter of Yeshayahu/Isaiah is a prophetic warning against those who are not considering their ways!

The Master Builder of all is coming and those who have been busy building up their own lives, with no regard for יהוה and His House, shall be destroyed!

When our Master was here, His taught ones marvelled at the design and building quality of the Temple, and our Master made it clear that they should not marvel at the work of man’s hands, for not one stone who be left unturned!

Mattithyahu/Matthew 24:1-2 “And going out, יהושע went away from the Set-apart Place, and His taught ones came near to point out to Him the buildings of the Set-apart Place. 2 And יהושע said to them, “Do you not see all these? Truly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, at all, which shall not be thrown down.” .

The state of the building may have looked pretty spectacular on the outside, yet the service was so corrupt that is could not be a place for יהוה’s feet to rest, and our Master was telling His taught ones that the corrupt man-made houses will be destroyed..

In Stephanos’ testimony before the elders and religious Pharisees, he presented a clear historical account of Yisra’ěl’s covenant journey and presented the clear witness of how the service that was taking place in the House of Elohim had become corrupt and did not bear the proper witness of יהוה.

He quoted this passage from Yeshayahu/Isaiah 66:1:

Ma’asei/Acts 7:48-50 “However, the Most High does not dwell in dwellings made with hands, as the prophet says: 49 ‘The heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What house shall you build for Me? says יהוה, or what is the place of My rest? 50 ‘Has My hand not made all these?’”.

By Stephanos quoting the words from Yeshayahu/Isaiah 66:1-2, he was making it clear that whatever they had thought they had built or were building, was not יהוה’s House, nor was it worthy to be the place where יהוה would place His feet!

He then proceeded to tell the religious leaders that they were a stiff-necked people who always resist the Set-Apart Spirit!

In other words, they were grieving the Set-Apart Spirit through their corrupted worship in a house that they attributed to being a place for יהוה’s presence..

We are reminded in Scripture that we are The Dwelling Place of Elohim, being built up as living stones upon Messiah, The Rock of our Deliverance, and these opening words of the last chapter in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 66 are words of rebuke to those who claim to be children of Elohim, while they are not being properly built up according to His righteous and set-apart standards as given through His Torah!.

Our Master told us that we are the branches and He is the Vine and that if we stay in Him, He will stay in us, and this presents the picture of us being an obedient House of Elohim, where He makes His stay, and represents a people who walk humbly before Elohim, in complete submission to His Torah which gives us the clear standards of righteousness.

Any deviation from walking in obedience to His Torah, represents a stubborn and stiff-necked people who are building their own houses on sand and their houses will not stand, when יהוה does come to set His feet on His set-apart mountain!.

Verse 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.”.

All has been made by His hand – everyone is made by his Hand, yet He looks not at the proud and lofty ones, He looks to the humbled ones, those bruised of spirit..

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘look’ comes from the primitive root verb נָבַט naḇat – Strong’s H5027 which means, ‘to look, behold, gaze, observe, pay attention’ and it is written here in the ‘hifil’ verb tense, which is the ‘causative’ tense and highlights how יהוה is caused to look upon him who is poor and bruised of spirit and who trembles at His Word!.

With the question of where is the house and place of rest, we are able to see the clear picture of יהוה seeking the place that should be ready for Him to come and dwell with His people, and in looking for His House, He is caused to look upon the poor and bruised ones who tremble at His Word, paying attention to their cry for help, while His face is against the evil doers!

Tehillah/Psalm 34:10-1 “The eyes of יהוה are on the righteous, and His ears unto their cry. 16 The face of יהוה is against evil-doers, to cut off their remembrance from the earth.” .

He looks upon him who is poor and bruised of spirit and trembles at His Word!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘poor’ comes from the root word עָנִי aniy – Strong’s H6041 meaning, ‘poor, afflicted, humble, oppressed’ and primarily refers to a person who is suffering some kind of disability or distress, and the one who is afflicted and literally lives day to day, and is often found to be socially defenceless, being subject to constant oppression and is translated as ‘humble’, in:

Shemuʼěl Bět/2 Samuel 22:28 “For You save the humble people, but Your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.”

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘haughty’ comes from the root word רוּם rum – Strong’s H7311 which means, ‘to be high, exalted, rise, raised, set-apart’..

In Mishlĕ/Proverbs 6:17 we are told that יהוה hates a proud look!

This is written as:

עֵינַיִם רָמוֹת

eynayim ramoth

This comes from the two root words:

1) עין ayin – Strong’s H5869 which means ‘eye’, and

2) רוּם rum – Strong’s H7311 which means, ‘to be high, exalted, rise, raised, set-apart’.

This can literally be understood as having ‘lifted eyes’, or even understood as having a ‘haughty’ look..

The word ‘haughty’ is defined as ‘blatantly and disdainfully proud’ – and this is something that is an abomination to יהוה..

In the words that Dawiḏ spoke to יהוה after having been delivered from the hands of his enemies and the hand of Sha’ul he said in:

Tehillah/Psalm 18:27 “For You save the afflicted people, but bring down those whose eyes are haughty.”

He also said in:

Tehillah/Psalm 131:1 “O יהוה, my heart has not been proud, nor have my eyes been haughty. Neither have I concerned myself with great matters, nor with those too wondrous for me.”.

יהוה resists the proud and gives favour to the humble, and one of the things that is clearly an abomination to יהוה is to have ‘a proud look’ and think more highly of oneself than we ought to! Having a proud look, or eyes that are haughty, speaks of looking only to one’s own interests, being selfish and having no regard for others!.

יהוה’s eyes are the humble and those who are bruised of spirit.

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.”

He revives the spirit of the humble and revives the heart of the bruised ones!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘revive’ comes from the primitive root verb חָיָה ḥayah – Strong’s H2421 which means, ‘to live, came to life, restored to life, revived’.

Our ability to be revived and kept alive, is by our guarding of the commands of Elohim, and the noun that comes from this root verb and means ‘life’ is חַי ḥay – Strong’s H2416 and means, ‘life, alive, living, flowing, fresh, running’:

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 32:45-47 “And when Mosheh ended speaking all these words to all Yisra’ĕl, 46 he said to them, “Set your heart on all the words with which I warn you today, so that you command your children to guard to do all the Words of this Torah. 47 “For it is not a worthless Word for you, because it is your life, and by this Word you prolong your days on the soil which you pass over the Yardĕn to possess.”.

Our Master humbled Himself and took the form of a servant, in order to cause us to be able to grafted into His Covenants of promise, by His own Blood, giving us the ability to be built up in Him as His House and He brought us a recovery of breath, so that we can worship Him in Spirit and Truth, as we are built up in His Torah and walk humbly before His face..

The humble tremble at His Word!

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’.

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!.

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!

This Hebrew word חֲרֹד ḥaroḏ – Strong’s H2730 is also the name of a place that Giḏ’on and his men had camped at:

Shophetim/Judges 7:1 “And Yerubbaʽal, that is Giḏ’on, and all the people who were with him rose up early and encamped by the fountain of Ḥaroḏ, so that the camp of Miḏyan was on the north side of them by the hill of Moreh in the valley.”

All who were with Giḏ’on, encamped at the ‘fountain of Ḥaroḏ’, which, in Hebrew is עֵין חֲרֹד En Ḥaroḏ – Strong’s H5878 which means, ‘spring or fountain of Ḥaroḏ’.

This comes from the two words:

1) עין ayin – Strong’s H5869 which means ‘eye, sight, fountain’, and is often used to depict the spiritual faculties, as when Aḏam and Ḥawwah sinned, their ‘eyes’ were opened and they lost their innocence and were aware of their nakedness, both physical and spiritual.

Eyes can be blinded to the Truth of the Torah of Elohim through compromise and sin, and eyes can be opened by Elohim, and we are told in Tehillah/Psalm 19:8 that the commands of Elohim enlighten the eyes!

2) חֲרֹד Ḥaroḏ comes from the root word חָרַד ḥaraḏ – Strong’s H2729 which means, ‘trembling, to be terrified, frightened, afraid’.

Giḏ’on and his gathered army were at the fountain of Ḥaroḏ, the place where the first testing, or sifting, would take place – the place that would reveal those who were afraid of the task that was at hand!

Miḏyan was on the north side of them by the hill of Moreh!

The term מוֹרֶה Moreh – Strong’s H4176 means, ‘teacher’, and this, in itself, carries a great encouragement for us, especially when we understand the full story of Giḏ’on, who overcame huge terrifying obstacles and frightening enemies, as he trusted in, and fixed his eyes upon, יהוה..

Here we recognise that, in the face of danger and terrifying circumstances, which in Scripture, is often represented as coming from the north, we are able to face battles and struggles, as long as we have the “hill of Moreh” in our sights. Meaning, that we have our eyes on our Mighty Teacher and His clear instructions, that gives us confidence and faith to stand and fight the good fight of faith!.

In Hebrew, the word for ‘north’ is צְפוֹן Tsephon – Strong’s H6828, which is from the primitive root – צָפַן tsaphan – Strong’s H6845 meaning, ‘to hide, treasure up, ambush, concealed’..

We have a Teacher of Righteousness – and as good, faithful students, we must take careful heed to hear, guard and do all He teaches us through His Word – then we will be equipped to face the tough battles in life – even those battles and struggles that may be hidden from our sights, causing us to not be in fear of what lies ahead, but be equipped to press on in fervent faith, as good soldiers of Messiah, as we put the proper fear back in the fear of יהוה, bringing esteem to His Name!!!.

What I find extremely interesting, is that the word that is used for ‘fear’, in the question, ‘where is My fear’, which יהוה asks in Mal’aḵi/Malachi 1:6, is מוֹרָה morah – Strong’s H4172 and the word that is used for ‘teacher’, is מוֹרֶה Moreh – Strong’s H4176.

Both of these words are spelt with the same letters, but have different vowel pointings; which can be a very important lesson, in terms of this message, or question of asking, ‘where is My fear?’..

When our eyes are truly fixed on our Teacher of Righteousness, and we are properly guarding His Word, and do not look to the left or the right, but are diligently meditating on His Word, day and night, then we are walking in the true fear of יהוה and trembling at His Word!.

Verse 3

“But whoever slays the bull strikes a man; whoever slaughters the lamb breaks a dog’s neck; whoever brings a grain offering – pig’s blood; whoever burns incense blesses an idol. Indeed, they have chosen their own ways, and their being delights in their abominations.”

After the promise of יהוה looking upon the humble who fear Him, amidst a wicked and corrupt generation, He highlights the abomination of corrupt worship!

This verse addresses very clearly the depravity of mixed worship and while the wrong think it is fine, יהוה makes it clear that it is an abomination!.

The slaughtering of the wrong is being highlighted here as abominable worship that is unacceptable as a form of worship unto יהוה!.

We are reminded of this in:

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 15:8 “The slaughtering of the wrong ones is an abomination to יהוה, but the prayer of the straight is His delight.”

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 28:9 “He who turns away his ear from hearing the Torah, even his prayer is an abomination.”.

In this verse 3 of Yeshayahu/Isiah 66, we see a clear picture of the abomination of mixed worship, as the mention of the slaughtering of a bull and a lamb, along with the grain offering and incense, all form parts of the service that we see being set forth in the requirements of drawing near to יהוה, yet in this rebuke, we are able to identify that the attempts at any service that was being performed was not being done in complete set-apartness according to the Torah of each offering, but was being brought with a corrupted mixing attached to each offering.

This highlighted the heart behind the outward show of offerings and revealed the hypocrisy of their service.

Their worship was false and unacceptable and revealed that the Torah of Elohim was being cast aside, showing that His Torah was not on their hearts..

There are a few lessons that we can learn from the abominable mixing that is being highlighted here.

With the picture of the one who lays a bull also strikes a man, highlights a clear picture of the wrong approach of worship before יהוה!.

The Hebrew word that is translated here as ‘bull’ is שׁוֹר shor – Strong’s H7794 which means, ‘ox, bull, cattle’ and comes from the root word שׁוּר shur – Strong’s H7788 meaning, ‘to travel, journey, carriers’.

An ox is a picture of a faithful worker that presses on and does what is required, as he is led forth with the yoke of truth!

After the Tabernacle had been set up and set-apart for 7 days, Aharon was instructed, on the 8^th day, to bring all of the necessary offerings and among all the offerings a bull was to be brought along with a ram as peace offerings.

And when we are able to see this picture of a bull being brought as a peace offering, we can then get some insight regarding this image that is being described in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 66:3, where the one bringing the bull strikes a man..

Striking a man is a clear picture of being a murderer, which does not reflect a man who is bringing an offering in peace.

This is a picture of coming to the slaughter place of יהוה while there are unresolved matters. You cannot be bringing a peace offering to יהוה when you have just killed a man or even slaughtered up another in pagan fertility worship!

Yeḥezq’ěl/Ezekiel 23:38-39 “They also did this to Me: They have defiled My set-apart place on the same day, and they have profaned My Sabbaths. 39 “For when they had slain their children for their idols, on the same day they came into My set-apart place to profane it. And see, that is what they did in the midst of My House.”.

There was clearly no standard of set-apartness and the image of striking another man, highlights a picture of hatred as our Master tells us that The Torah tells us not to murder, for whoever murders shall be liable to judgement, yet whoever is wroth with his brother without a cause shall be liable to judgment. He then goes on to tell us the following:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 5:23-24 “If, then, you bring your gift to the slaughter-place, and there remember that your brother holds whatever against you, 24 leave your gift there before the slaughter-place, and go, first make peace with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

The rebuke given in Yeshayahu/Isaiah was a clear exposition of the depravity of the hearts, as hearts were not coming before the Master in proper preparation of set-apartness and one cannot put on a show before the Master as He looks at the heart!.

The image of the one who brings a lamb breaks a dog’s neck is a clear picture of mixing the set-apart and the profane, the clean and the unclean.

The dog is an unclean animal, meaning that it is not clean to eat or to be offered up as food for the fire and the image of a dog is likened to the occultic practices of abominable fertility worship.

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 23:18 “Do not bring the harlot-fee of a whore or the pay of a dog to the House of יהוה your Elohim for any vowed offering, for both of these are an abomination to יהוה your Elohim.”

The use of the phrase ‘the pay of a dog’ is a euphemism for a male prostitute, which is something that is strictly forbidden as it was a common practice among the nations to have male prostitutes perform sexual acts on their altars as fertility worship rights and what is being highlighted here is that you cannot bring before יהוה that which has been gained by whoring!

The lamb, we know, is a picture of redemption and we cannot cheapen our Master’s work, being the lamb that takes away the sins of the world, with the fees of whoring!

This highlights a picture of corrupted offerings that are not acceptable to יהוה and teaches us the clear lesson on the warning against whoring!

No whoring – that is clear:

Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 6:9-10 “Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the reign of Elohim? Do not be deceived. Neither those who whore, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor greedy of gain, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers shall inherit the reign of Elohim.”.

The image of the one bringing a grain offering with pig’s blood is another picture of corruption as a pig is an unclean animal and to bring pig’s blood would profane the offering.

The grain offering is a picture of fellowship and while there is no blood that is typically brought with the grain offering, here we can see a picture of profaning the fellowship of our Master with unclean worship practices of pagan fertility worship!

Pig’s blood defiles the fellowship and this is a huge warning that needs to be heeded today, as many are defiling their worship by partaking in unclean matters..

Pig’s blood was something that was used in the initiation of new members, as part of the pagan rituals of fertility worship and many still do this today, as they will drink pig’s blood in order to become part of a fraternity, among other abominable practices that are performed too.

In 167 B.C.E. the Seleucid king Antiochus IV persecuted the Yehuḏim for not adopting Greek religious practices. He commanded the Yehuḏim to sacrifice unclean animals such as pigs and commit other abominable fertility acts that violated יהוה’s Torah.

Antiochus IV believed that his empire would be more secure if all his subjects became more Greek.

In 168 B.C.E. he issued a decree that would force all his subjects to adopt the Greek culture and only worship the Greek gods.

This process was called Hellenization (which means to make one Greek), and was primarily accepted by most who saw the Greek way being more advanced and culturally relevant.

The Yehuḏim (Jews) of the time refused to submit to this Hellenization process and therefore, Antiochus issued a series of laws that were designed to supress Torah observance, as see in:.

1 Maccabees 1:44-50 “And the king sent letters by messengers to Yerushalayim and the cities of Yehuḏah; he directed them to follow customs strange to the land, 45 to forbid burnt offerings and sacrifices and drink offerings in the temple, to profane Sabbaths and feasts, 46 to defile the temple and the set-apart people: 47 Set up altars and sacred precincts and shrines for idols, to sacrifice swine and unclean animals, 48 and to leave their sons uncircumcised. They were to make themselves abominable by everything unclean and profane, 49 so that they should forget the Torah and change all the ordinances. 50 And whoever does not obey the command of the king shall die.“.

In order to carry this out, the first thing that the Greeks did, was capture the temple and sacrifice pigs, on the Slaughter-Place, to their pagan god Zeus.

They then forced each Yehuḏi family to set up an altar to the Greek sun-gods at their homes. Public altars were set up all over the city and the Yehuḏim were forced to eat pigs that were sacrificed to Zeus..

The image of associating the one who brings a grain offering to being like one who brings pig’s blood, is a clear picture of the profane worship that was going on..

The image of depravity continues, with the image of the one who burns incense being likened to one who blesses an idol!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘idol’ is אָוֶן Awĕn – Strong’s H205 which means, ‘iniquity, trouble, wicked, sorrow’.

Incense is a picture of intercession and prayer and what we see being made clear here, is the abominable practice of making idols.

We are commanded to not make any moulded image and worship it and this is what so many people continue to do today, as they bless the idol that their hands of made.

Many may not have a physical idol but their idol has already been set up in their hearts..

In Hoshěa/Hosea 10 Yisra’ĕl is called a degenerate vine, due to the corruption of their false worship practices that they had adopted, as they were a nation that had become so twisted in their attempt at worship, that they resorted to the use of lying, cheating and the twisting of words to cover up their wickedness; and they had put more trust in self and their worship programmes and idols, rather than in יהוה.

They were more afraid of losing their calf to the enemy than actually stripping away the lies!

When Yaroḇʽam, the king of the northern tribes, had built Sheḵem in the north as the capital of Ephrayim, he did not want people to go to Yerushalayim to worship in fear that they would return to Reḥaḇʽam, the king of Yehuḏah, and so he made two calves of gold, setting one up in Bĕyth Ěl and another in Dan and made high places of all sorts and made many priests from all sorts of people who were not from Lĕwi.

And this became the focus of their worship – calf worship!

They had not learnt from the incident in the Wilderness many years before when Aharon built a golden calf proclaiming a festival unto יהוה, while in יהוה’s eyes it was an abomination (Shemoth/Exodus 32). This time was no different – יהוה does not change!.

Yisra’ĕl was more concerned about their calf being captured due to the tightening grip of judgement that was coming upon them and in Hoshěa/Hosea 10:5 we see the place Bĕyth Ěl being called בֵּית אָוֶן Bĕyth Awen – Strong’s H1007 which means, ‘house of iniquity/ house of wickedness/ house of vanity’.

Hoshěa/Hosea 10:5 “The inhabitants of Shomeron fear because of the calf of Bĕyth Awen. For its people shall mourn for it, as well as its priests who used to rejoice over it, because of its esteem that has departed from it.”

What we see very clearly here, is the fact that the House of Ěl had now become the House of iniquity!!!

False worship was taking place and the people leading the services were false priests!

Idolatry is still being practiced by millions today and while they claim to be the House of Elohim, we take note that the House of Elohim has no union with idols!.

After having clearly identified the depravity of their attempts at worship, יהוה makes it clear, in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 66:3, they had indeed chosen their own ways and their beings delighted in their abominations!

They had turned all their sacrifices into pagan rituals and had become so mixed in their worship by choosing their own ways rather than submitting to יהוה’s perfect way of set-apartness!

By their corrupt standards of mixed worship, they had no distinction between the set-apart and the profane and no distinction was being made between the clean and the unclean.

The same error is still happening today, as so many are performing a corrupted worship that is an abomination in the eyes of יהוה.

They were delighting in their abominable ways and we can therefore see from this that they loved the evil, instead of hating it!

We see a clear warning in Scripture being given to those who call evil good and good evil!

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 5:20-21 “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and clever in their own sight!”.

יהוה hates mixed worship!

Amos 5:21-22 “I have hated, I have despised your festivals, and I am not pleased with your assemblies. 22 “Though you offer Me ascending offerings and your grain offerings, I do not accept them, nor do I look on your fattened peace offerings.”.

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 1:11-15 “Of what use to Me are your many slaughterings?” declares יהוה. “I have had enough of ascending offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs or goats. 12 When you come to appear before Me, who has required this from your hand, to trample My courtyards? 13 Stop bringing futile offerings, incense, it is an abomination to Me. New moons, Sabbaths, the calling of gatherings – I am unable to bear unrighteousness and assembly. 14 My being hates your New moons and your appointed times, they are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. 15 And when you spread out your hands, I hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I do not hear. Your hands have become filled with blood.”.

Here, Yehuḏah were bringing slaughterings and offerings, as the temple service was seemingly still going on while יהוה was, in essence, saying to them,

“Why are you even coming to Me with your offerings, since you also have idols in your homes and all you are doing is bringing mud into My House and your feet/walk is muddied with falsehood!”

STOP MIXING YOUR ASSUMED WORSHIP UNTO יהוה WITH PAGANISM!!!.

The way Yehuḏah were carrying out His feasts, showed that they had turned them into a creation of their own hands, by doing it their own way and doing it however it suited them and, in the process, they mixed in pagan worship practices with it – and this form of worship was no longer as יהוה had prescribed, but had become their own, which He no longer saw as worship unto Him. .

In Yeshayahu/Isaiah 66:3 we are told that their beings had delighted themselves in their abominations.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘beings’ comes from the root word נֶפֶשׁ nephesh – Strong’s H5315 which means, ‘a soul, a living being, the inner being of a man’.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘delights’ comes from the root verb חָפֵץ ḥaphets – Strong’s H2654 and means, ‘to delight in, desire, take pleasure in’ and a noun that is derived from this verb is חֵפֶץ ḥephets – Strong’s H2656 which means, ‘delight, pleasure, desire, longing, purpose’, which is used in:

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.”

The blessed man’s delight is in the Torah of יהוה, and we are able to clearly see that the one whose delight is in the Torah, does not walk, in wrong counsels, nor does he stand in sinful paths or sit in scoffing seats!

The one who delights in the Torah of יהוה, meditates in it day and night because it is his pleasure, that he does with exceeding joy and satisfaction!

Those who are of the world and walk, in fleshly ways, take no delight in meditating on the Torah, as they have no interest in it whatsoever and to do so would seem boring, dull and too much hard work to do..

What you delight yourself in will never become boring or feel like it is too hard to do, even though it may take much effort, time and much energy.

Tehillah/Psalm 119:35 “Make me walk in the path of Your commands, for I have delighted in it.”

In this verse, the psalmist cries out with urgency a great plea for יהוה to make him walk in the commands of יהוה that he has greatly delighted in.

The wrong take great pleasure in their abominable ways!

In other words, they love to do whatever is right in their own eyes and they love to do that which יהוה hates!

The Hebrew word that is translated here as ‘abominations’ comes from the word שִׁקּוּץ shiqquts – Strong’s H8251 which means, ‘detestable thing, abominable idol, filth’.

Those who choose their own ways rather than יהוה’s way, love the filth of detestable matters!.

With the clear picture of their beings delighting in their abominations, we are able to see a clear heart issue being identified and pictures the depravity of many who may honour יהוה with their lips yet their hearts are far from Him, for His Torah is clearly not upon their hearts, for if it was, they would hate that which He hates and would not delight in detestable matters!

Their own disgusting ways are in their hearts, whereas the true set-apart worshipper has יהוה’s ways in his heart!

Tehillah/Psalm 84:5 “Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Your Highways are in their heart.”

Your worship will reflect whose ways are in your heart!.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘highways’ comes from the word מְסִלָּה mesillah – Strong’s H4546 which means, ‘a highway, course, courses, paths, steps’, and comes from the root word סָלַל salal – Strong’s H5549 which means, ‘to lift up, build, exalt, prize, esteem highly’, and we see the reference to this highway being used in:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 62:10 “Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Lift up a banner for the peoples!”

The root word סָלַל salal – Strong’s H5549 is used twice in a row and is translated as ‘build up, build up’.

The highway that is to be built up, is a clear reference to the ‘main way’ that is to be walked upon; and we recognise the clear reference to a highway of Elohim, being that which refers to a steadfast walk of set-apartness, where there is no compromise found!.

Corrupt worship reveals a wicked heart that delights itself in falsehood!

So many people today, refuse to hear the clear call to come out and be separate, simply because they love the evil of their false traditions and corrupt practices of worship!.

Verse 4

“I shall also choose their punishments, and bring their fears on them. Because I called, but no one answered. I spoke and they did not hear, and they did evil before My eyes, and chose what was displeasing to Me.”

In this verse we are able to see very clearly that יהוה had called and no one answered and He spoke but no one heard!

יהוה’s Word is still calling and speaking today, yet most are not answering and not hearing!

The wrong turn their ear from the proper hearing of the Torah and continue to choose what is displeasing to יהוה..

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 7:11-15 “Has this house, which is called by My Name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Look, I, even I Myself have seen it,” declares יהוה. 12 But go now to My place at Shiloh, where I set My Name at the first, and see what I did to it because of the evil of My people Yisra’ěl. 13 “And now, because you have done all these works, declares יהוה, and I spoke to you, rising up early and speaking, but you did not hear, and I called you, but you did not answer, 14 I shall also do to this house, which is called by My Name, in which you trust, and to this place which I gave to you and your fathers, as I did to Shiloh. 15 And I shall cast you out of My presence, as I have cast out all your brothers, all the seed of Ephrayim.” .

When our Master turned the tables of the moneychangers, he also rebuked them for making the House of Elohim into a den of robbers. (Mattithyahu/Matthew 21:13).

יהוה made it clear that He chooses the punishment!

The wrong choose their own ways and יהוה and then chooses their punishment!

You cannot expect to choose a favourable outcome when you choose your own way!
Those who refuse to walk in the Torah of Elohim and delight themselves in His Ways are handed over to a destructive path that leads to death..

In Sha’ul’s letter to the believers in Thessalonica, he makes the following very clear:

Tas’loniqim Bet/2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power and signs and wonders of falsehood, 10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness in those perishing, because they did not receive the love of the truth, in order for them to be saved. 11 And for this reason Elohim sends them a working of delusion, for them to believe the falsehood, 12 in order that all should be judged who did not believe the truth, but have delighted in the unrighteousness.”.

This is a clear warning against the luring ways of lawlessness, which so many are being handed over to, because they refuse to love יהוה’s ways! It is יהוה who sends the working of delusion, because the wrong do not want to guard His commands, which is love for Elohim, and they are handed over to the falsehood and believe the lie, in order that they be judged in their unrighteousness!.

The Greek word that is translated as ‘unrighteousness’ is ἀδικία adikia – Strong’s G93 which means, ‘unrighteousness, iniquity, wrong, deed violating law and justice’.

We also take note of the words we see in:

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 5:17-19 “All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not unto death. 18 We know that everyone having been born of Elohim does not sin, but the one having been born of Elohim guards himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. 19 We know that we are of Elohim, and all the world lies in the wicked one.”

When we guard righteousness, we are guarded against the deception of the lawless one!

The Greek word that is translated as sin is ἁμαρτία hamartia – Strong’s G266 which means, ‘sin, failure, miss the mark, to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honour, to do or go wrong’, and also carries the meaning of, ‘wandering from the law of Elohim, violate the law of Elohim’.

Scripture clearly tells us that ‘sin is lawlessness’.

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 3:4 “Everyone doing sin also does lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.”

The Greek word that is translated as ‘lawlessness’ is ἀνομία anomia – Strong’s G458 which means, ‘lawlessness or lawless deeds, unrighteousness’ and comes from the word ἄνομος anomos – Strong’s G459 which means, ‘lawless or without law, transgressors’.

Many erroneously claim to know the Master, yet they shall simply be rejected by Him, as not being known by Him, due to their workings of lawlessness!

Mattithyahu/Matthew 7:23 “And then I shall declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from Me, you who work lawlessness!”.

From these passages, it is very clear that unrighteousness is lawlessness, which is sin..

Those who delight themselves in their own ways, as they reject the Torah of Elohim and cast it aside, are delighting themselves in sin and are unrighteous!

Choosing what is displeasing to יהוה is a choice that so many are making today, as they choose to reject the need to submit to walking in His Torah and reject the need to keep His Sabbaths and Feasts His Way and have closed their ears to hearing His Truth..

When we see a repeated theme in Scripture, giving us the announcement of ‘He who has ears to hear, hear what the Spirit says’, we take note how extremely important it is to respond to the Word of יהוה. Many are as Yeshayahu prophesied – they are hearing but not hearing!

Those who turn their ear ways from the hearing of the Torah and are choosing what is displeasing to יהוה, are handed over to the delusion of their filthy ways and will suffer the result of their own wrong choices..

There are many today who are choosing their own ways and it is clear that they have been handed over to the delusion, so that they believe the falsehood as they actually approve of those who practice falsehood.

In chapter 1 of Sha’ul’s letter to the believers in Rome, we are given a clear picture of the nations who do not have any excuse to not know the wrath of Elohim, for it has been revealed from heaven against all wickedness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. His character and invisible qualities have been revealed from the beginning of Creation and His power and might has been clearly seen, leaving no one with an excuse not to know Him.

Yet despite this, even though many knew Elohim, they did not esteem Him in their ways but became fools and c hanged the esteem of the incorruptible Elohim into the likeness of corruptible images of man, birds, beasts and reptiles.

And because of this, Elohim gave them up to their own lusts and they changed the Truth of Elohim into falsehood and worshipped and served what was created rather than the Creator. They were given over to a worthless mind in order to do what was improper, being filled with unrighteousness and even though they know the righteousness of Elohim, that those who practise such deserve death, they not only do the same but also approve of those who practise them. (Read Romiyim/Romans 1:18-32).

Those who refuse to choose יהוה’s way, will approve of those who practice unrighteousness and the wicked ways of falsehood!.

The clear warning that we can see from Yeshayahu/Isaiah 66:4, along with many other accompanying passages that speak the same message of warning, is that if you choose your own way, then יהוה will give you over to falsehood in order to face the severe judgement of unrighteousness and the scary part is that those who are handed over to the delusion, actually think that their own ways are right and fine!.

Verse 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.” .

In this verse we are able to see an encouraging call for the true remnant that tremble at the Word of יהוה, to take courage and not be afraid of the persecution that comes from choosing יהוה’s way of righteousness.

Luqas/Luke 6:22-23 “Blessed are you when men shall hate you, and when they shall cut you off, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as wicked, for the sake of the Son of Aḏam. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for look, your reward is great in the heaven, for that is how their fathers treated the prophets.”

Yoḥanan/John 16:2 “They shall put you out of the congregations, but an hour is coming when everyone who kills you shall think he is rendering service to Elohim.”

This verse echoes the picture that we see being given in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 66:5, where we see how ‘the brothers who hate the remnant’ will cast the remnant who tremble at the Word, out of their assemblies and claim that it is an esteem to יהוה.

However, יהוה says that they shall be put to shame!.

We are to be bold and full of courage in The Master, as we walk in His righteous way, for narrow is the Way and few find it – it is hard pressed and will often feel like a very persecuted walk, yet we have the firm assurance that those who take refuge in Him shall never be ashamed!

Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 2:11-12 “Beloved ones, I appeal to you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts which battle against the being, 12 having your behaviour among the nations good so that when they speak against you as evil-doers, let them, by observing your good works, esteem Elohim in a day of visitation.”.

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

Yeshayahu/Isiah 66:5 warns us against the brother who hates us, yet we are reminded to not hate our brother, in:

Wayyiqra/Leviticus 19:17 “Do not hate your brother in your heart. Reprove your neighbour, for certain, and bear no sin because of him.”

This is a very powerful verse, for we can clearly see here that יהוה is instructing us on how we are to ‘feel’, or better put, He is getting to the heart of the matter!

Some people may put on an outward show of an assumed friendliness, yet deep inside they hate a brother!

Once again, we are able to see how the Torah is to be upon our hearts, as we meditate day and night on it, so that we are able to guard against envy, hatred, and folly toward another..

The Hebrew word that is translated here for ‘hate’ comes from the primitive root word שָׂנֵא sane – Strong’s H8130 which means, ‘to hate, detest, turn against’.

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 26:24-26 “He who hates, pretends with his lips, and lays up deceit within him; 25 though he speaks kindly, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26 Hatred is covered by deceit. His evil is disclosed in the assembly.”

While many may try to hide their hatred for another by deceit, it will be revealed in the assembly, for it is in true community where the Word is tested, in order to see if there is a true love for one another through selfless service, or whether there is an underlying hatred that refuses to serve!.

Here, in Wayyiqra/Leviticus 19:17, we are clearly told to reprove a brother, but do not bear sin by hating him in your heart!

No one may know the hate in one’s heart but themselves, and Elohim of course, and to have hate in your heart toward a brother is already a sin, and renders you unfit for true and complete worship:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 5:22-24 “But I say to you that whoever is wroth with his brother without a cause shall be liable to judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raka!’ shall be liable to the Sanhedrin. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be liable to fire of Gehenna. 23 “If, then, you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother holds whatever against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go, first make peace with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘reprove’ is יָכַח yaḵaḥ – Strong’s H3198 which means ‘to decide, prove, judge or correct’.

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 9:8 “Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you; reprove a wise one, and he loves you.”.

How do we ‘reprove’ our neighbour? With the Word!

The Greek word used here in the LXX (Septuagint) for ‘reprove’ is the verb ἐλέγχω elegchō – Strong’s G1651 which means, ‘to expose, convict, reprove, reprimanded, rebuke’, and the noun that comes from this verb is ἔλεγχος elegchos – Strong’s G1650 which means, ‘reproof, test, conviction’, and is used in:

Timotiyos Bet/2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is breathed by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for setting straight, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of Elohim might be fitted, equipped for every good work.”.

יהושע reproves those He loves:

Ḥazon/Revelation 3:19 “As many as I love, I reprove and discipline. So be ardent and repent.”

Sha’ul was also very clear in instructing us to reprove those who are out of line:

Timotiyos Aleph/1 Timothy 5:20 “Reprove those who are sinning, in the presence of all, so that the rest also might fear.”.

We are to also reprove the works of darkness:

Eph’siyim/Ephesians 5: 11-13 “And have no fellowship with the fruitless works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of what is done by them in secret. 13 But all matters being reproved are manifested by the light, for whatever is manifested is light.”.

We need to exercise boldness and unfeigned humility when we reprove another; and today there seems to be a mental block against proper reproof for fear of offending another when correcting their behaviour, yet we need to learn to do so with love and respect, in order that we can build one another up in the Most Set-Apart faith!

Titos/Titus 2:15 “Speak these matters, urge, and reprove with all authority. Let no one despise you.”.

Reproof must always be done on the basis of the pure plumb line of the Word and not on a twisted interpretation that diminishes the Word!

We must not reproof another when we do not like the way they do things, when it is not against the Torah, but we must exercise proper discernment, in distinguishing the set-apart and profane and when one’s actions are not set-apart, but are profaning the Truth, then we must boldly reprove the one in error, so that they learn to fear יהוה..

One thing we must remember is that we who walk in righteousness will be hated by those who do not!

Yoḥanan/John 15:18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.”

We are clearly told in Scripture that love for Elohim is to guard His commands and we are also told that we know that we love the children of Elohim, when we love Elohim and guard His commands.

We often hear the expression ‘where is the love’, in a response to our reproving others for their unrighteousness and they clearly lack the understanding of what love for Elohim and for one another is. And by their rejection of the need to guard the commands of Elohim, they are showing hatred toward us and will persecute us for it, thinking that they are doing a great service to Elohim. Do not fret because of what they do to you as we know the blessing of being persecuted for righteousness’ sake opens up the ability to declare our Master and His reign!.

This verse 5 of Yeshayahu/Isaiah 66, must be a reminder to us to have our ears open to the proper hearing of the Word of יהוה, for in doing so, we will understand what the fear of יהוה is and be equipped to work out our deliverance with fear and trembling, before His face.

Verse 6

“A roaring sound from the city, a voice from the Hěḵal, the voice of יהוה, repaying His enemies!”.

The roaring voice of יהוה is both a warning and an encouragement! A warning to the wrong that have scorned Him and turned a deaf ear to His Word, as well as an encouragement to the remnant trustworthy Bride that is waiting for His return.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘roaring’ comes from the word שָׁאוֹן sha’on – Strong’s H7588 which means, ‘a roar (of waters), an uproar, tumult, crash, big noise, clamour, destruction’, which comes from the primitive root verb שָׁאָה sha’ah – Strong’s H7582 which means, ‘crash into ruins, devastate, lay waste, cause to be desolated’.

This root verb שָׁאָה sha’ah – Strong’s H7582 is translated as ‘uproar’ in:

Amos 2:2 “But I shall send fire upon Mo’aḇ, and it shall consume the palaces of Qeriyoth. And Mo’aḇ shall die amid uproar, with a cry and with a voice of a shophar.”

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘cry’ is תְּרוּעָה Teruah – Strong’s H8643 and we know that the word תְּרוּעָה Teruah – Strong’s H8643 is also used to sound the destruction that is coming on the enemies of Elohim!

This root verb שָׁאָה sha’ah – Strong’s H7582 is translated as ‘laid waste’ in:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 6:11 “Then I said, “יהוה, until when?” And He answered, “Until the cities are laid waste and without inhabitant, and the houses are without a man, and the land is laid waste, a ruin”

You will recall that this was the answer that יהוה gave to Yeshayahu, when he asked יהוה how long he was to speak to a people who would not listen!

In remembering the Shout, as we consider the Feast of Yom Teruah where we have a remembrance of Teruah, we reminded that we are to remember that we are continue proclaiming the Good News, even though people will not hear what we are proclaiming!!! And we are to continue to proclaim the Truth until our Master comes and brings destruction upon those who refuse to hear..

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘sound/voice’ is קוֹל qol – Strong’s H6963 which means, ‘sound, voice, noise, thunder, proclamation’, and comes from an unused root meaning, ‘to call aloud’.

This sound of destruction being heard from the city and the voice of יהוה being proclaimed from His Hěḵal, is the clear awakening blast of His judgment that is coming upon His enemies.

The mighty voice of יהוה is sent forth and is a destructive warning against the wrong, while a comforting encouragement for those who know His voice!

The Cloud Rider is coming!!!

Tehillah/Psalm 68:33 “To Him who rides on the ancient highest heavens! See, He sends out His voice, a mighty voice.”

Tas’loniqim Aleph/1 Thessalonians 4:16 “Because the Master Himself shall come down from heaven with a shout, with the voice of a chief messenger, and with the trumpet of Elohim, and the dead in Messiah shall rise first.”.

What is clear to us is that the VOICE of יהוה has been spoken and leaves the choice up to each individual of whether they will hear it or not – and by hearing, I mean to hear it and respond to it by guarding to do what He commands!.

In the ancient pictographic script, the word קוֹל qol – Strong’s H6963 looks like this:.

Quph – ק:

This is the Hebrew letter ‘quph’, which is pictured in the ancient script as – – which is a picture of ‘the sun at the horizon’ and depicts the elements of ‘time’, as it pictures the sun in its rising and setting. It therefore carries the meaning of ‘circle’ or ‘to go around’, representing for us both, appointed cycles or times as well as eternity. It also is understood as the ‘gathering of the light’..

Waw/Vav – וֹ:

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’..

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..

These letters combined can give the understanding of:.

GATHERING TO THE SECURE STAFF

OF THE GOOD ETERNAL SHEPHERD.

When the shepherd called, the sheep came swiftly to him. The staff of the shepherd was his tool of authority. With it he would direct, discipline and protect the flock.

Our Good Shepherd’s voice has gone out and, by His Word that does not return empty, He has secured for us the ability to be brought back under His Authority, by His own Blood; and therefore we, as true set-apart children of Light, respond correctly as we hear His voice, submit to His Authority, take His easy yoke and guard His Torah and gather together, as we should on His Sabbaths and Feasts!.

If you do not do this then you clearly have misunderstood or do not know the power of His Voice.

We are told in:

Tehillah/Psalm 29:3-9 “The voice of יהוה is over the waters; the Ěl of esteem thunders; יהוה is over many waters. 4 The voice of יהוה is with power, the voice of יהוה is with greatness. 5 The voice of יהוה is breaking the cedars, יהוה is breaking the cedars of Leḇanon in pieces. 6 And He makes them skip like a calf, Leḇanon and Siryon like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of יהוה cuts through the flames of fire. 8 The voice of יהוה shakes the wilderness; יהוה shakes the Wilderness of Qaḏĕsh. 9 The voice of יהוה makes the deer give birth, and strips the forests bare; and in His Hěḵal everyone says, “Esteem!”.

In quoting the above, I simply want you to get a glimpse of what the Word teaches us regarding THE VOICE OF יהוה, and if you are not hearing and obeying, as you should, then you are putting yourself at risk of being cut off! As people who attentively listen to the voice of Elohim and obey His Word, we learn how we are to guard His Covenant and find refuge in our Master when He comes with His destructive voice to repay His enemies!.

The voice of יהוה repaying His enemies!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘recompense’ is גְּמוּל gemul – Strong’s H1576 which means, ‘a dealing, recompense, benefit, what is deserved’, and comes from the root verb גָּמַל gamal – Strong’s H1580 which means, ‘to deal fully or adequately with, reward, rewarding, deal out to, wean a child, ripen, bear ripe (almonds)’.

When our Master comes, He shall reward each according to their righteousness, or lack thereof!

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 35:4 “Say to those with anxious heart, “Be strong, do not fear! See, your Elohim comes with vengeance, with the recompense of Elohim. He is coming to save you.”

The Hebrew word that is translated here, in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 35:4, for ‘vengeance’ is the noun נָקָם naqam – Strong’s H5359, and the Hebrew word that is translated as ‘recompense’ is גְּמוּל gemul – Strong’s H1576.

In the Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, the word ‘recompense’, as a noun, means:

“An equivalent or return for something done, suffered or given”.

As a verb it means:

“to pay for, or to give by way of compensation (as for a service rendered or for damage incurred)”..

In other words, this term can have both a positive and a negative meaning to it when understanding the recompense of our Elohim – depending on which path you are walking on!.

For us who walk in the way of set-apartness, we recognise that our reward is with Him, and we shall receive our just inheritance and reward for our faithful obedience of walking steadfast in Him; while those who walk contrary to His way of set-apartness, and walk in their own ways, He is coming to give them what is due for their disobedience!!!.

In reference to the clear call to come out of man-made traditions and twisted theologies, we see in:

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 51:6 “Flee from the midst of Baḇel, and let each one save his life! Do not be cut off in her crookedness, for this is the time of the vengeance of יהוה, the recompense He is repaying her.”

In this verse, we have both of the words we see in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 35:4 – נָקָם naqam (vengeance) and גְּמוּל gemul (recompense).

Only, here in Yirmeyahu the Hebrew word for ‘vengeance’ is נְקָמָה neqamah – Strong’s H5360 which is the feminine of נָקָם naqam..

The Hebrew root word that is translated as ‘enemies’ is אֹיֵב oyeḇ – Strong’s H341 which means, ‘enemy or foe (both personal and national)’ and can primarily give reference to those who stand against us or those who hate us.

Those who befriend the world makes themselves an enemy of Elohim:

Ya’aqoḇ/James 4:4 “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with Elohim? Whoever therefore intends to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of Elohim.”

Aḇraham was called a friend of Elohim because He obeyed and what becomes very clear is that those who adulterate themselves away from serving Elohim and serve the flesh, make themselves enemies of Elohim.

Those who reject the Torah of Elohim are not His friends but His enemies and He is coming to give the just reward for those who have rejected Him and His Word!.

The Greek word that is translated as ‘enmity’, in Ya’aqoḇ/James 4:4, comes from the root word ἔχθρα echthra – Strong’s G2189 which means, ‘enmity, hostility, hostile, antagonism’ and is also used in:

Romiyim/Romans 8:5-8 “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the matters of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the matters of the Spirit. 6 For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace. 7 Because the mind of the flesh is enmity towards Elohim, for it does not subject itself to the Torah of Elohim, neither indeed is it able, 8 and those who are in the flesh are unable to please Elohim.”

Those who do not subject themselves to the Torah of Elohim, reveal that they are walking in the flesh, despite their vain attempt at claiming to be spiritual, and as a result of having no regard for the Torah of Elohim, they are unable to please Him.

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 66:6 is a clear witness of the ushering in of the Day of יהוה, where He is coming to establish His reign on earth and the preceding sound of His Trumpet voice will be heard by all. To some this will be a sound of joy and comfort but to others it will be the sound of terror and fear, as יהוה pours out His judgement upon the wrong.

Verse 7

“Before she laboured, she gave birth; before a pain came to her, she was delivered of a male child.”.

We are able to see here a clear prophecy of deliverance, with the promise of a male child being brought forth, as a promise of this child being brought forth would be The Deliverer of Yisra’ěl! This is a wonderful prophecy of Messiah and we see this language being used in the Book of the Revelation of Messiah:

Ḥazon/Revelation 12:1-5 “And a great sign was seen in the heaven: a woman clad with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2 And being pregnant, she cried out in labour and in pain to give birth. 3 And another sign was seen in the heaven: and see, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns on his heads. 4 And his tail draws a third of the stars of the heaven and throws them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, to devour her child as soon as it was born. 5 And she bore a male child who was to shepherd all nations with a rod of iron. And her child was caught away to Elohim and to His throne.”.

The child who was to shepherd all the nations with a rod of iron!

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 9:6-7 “For a Child is born unto us, a Son is given unto us, and the rule is on His shoulder. And His Name is called Wonder, Counsellor, Strong Ěl, Father of Continuity, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His rule and peace there is no end, upon the throne of Dawiḏ and over His reign, to establish it and sustain it with right-ruling and with righteousness from now on, even forever. The ardour of יהוה of hosts does this.”.

The promise of being delivered of a male child before she laboured is a promise of the sure hope that we have in our Master, who has had His plan of redemption in place from the beginning.

We are able to see a powerful promise being given in Miḵah, that although the daughter of Tsiyon would go into captivity in Baḇel, יהוה shall redeem Her from the hand of her enemies!

Miḵah/Micah 4:9-10 “Now why do you cry aloud? Is there no sovereign in you? Has your counsellor perished? For pain has gripped you like a woman in labour. 10 Be in pain, and deliver, O daughter of Tsiyon, like a woman in labour. For now you are to leave the city, and you shall dwell in the field. And you shall go to Baḇel, there you shall be delivered, there יהוה shall redeem you from the hand of your enemies.”.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘male child’ is זָכָר zaḵar – Strong’s H2145, which comes from the primitive root זָכַר zaḵar – Strong’s H2142 which means, ‘remember, be mindful’.

In a psalm of Dawiḏ, where he declares the excellence of יהוה, he asks the following:

Tehillah/Psalm 8:4 “What is man that You remember him? And the son of man that You visit him?”

What is worth taking note of, is that the Hebrew word that is translated in the first question, as ‘man’, is אֱנוֹשׁ enosh – Strong’s H582 which means, ‘man, mankind, mortal man’, while, in the second question, the Hebrew word that is translated as ‘man’, as in the ‘son of man’, is אָדָם aḏam which means, ‘man, mankind, human, person’ and this also collectively refers to both men and women!.

Why I am highlighting this, is that we can see from Creation account, a clear celebration of praise unto the esteemed Name of יהוה, that saves man and restores mankind to a rightful position in Messiah, our High-priest and King!.

Let us take a look at the following verse:

Berěshith/Genesis 1:27 “And Elohim created the man in His image, in the image of Elohim He created him – male and female He created them.”

יהוה had just created a perfect environment for man – an environment to place His image, and He makes a great declaration before all, that He had already created, including the heavenly host of beings that also had been created at this time, saying,

“let us make man in our image”.

This declaration can be seen as a ‘royal plural’, which is a manner of speaking that shows that the One who is speaking is very great, as He speaks on behalf of all His Kingdom – a Kingdom which He had made specifically for His image, that would be portrayed through man, which could now be placed and established!.

Here in this account, the term ‘man’ is translated from the Hebrew word אָדָם aḏam – Strong’s H120 which means, ‘man, mankind, human, person’ and so this also collectively refers to both men and women!.

The Hebrew word that is translated here as ‘male’ is זָכָר zaḵar – Strong’s H2145, which comes from the primitive root זָכַר zaḵar – Strong’s H2142 which means, ‘remember, be mindful’ and the word that is translated as ‘female’ is נְקֵבָה neqeḇah – Strong’s H5347 and comes from the word נָקַב naqab – Strong’s H5344 which means, ‘to pierce’..

This is a truly wonderful picture that we have here, right at Creation, as we see that the female came from the male who was pierced, as Aḏam’s side was ‘pierced’ and the woman was brought forth from his side (rib); and therefore, this is a shadow picture of how we, as the Bride of Messiah, have been brought forth by His flesh being ‘pierced’ for us!

And, in Messiah, the perfect and functional image of Elohim, which was corrupted through sin, could now be restored and re-established..

So, when we see here, the perfect image of Elohim being created in man, we can see that by the male and female terms, meaning, in essence, ‘marked and pierced’, we recognise that this is exactly what Messiah came for…. to be marked and pierced, in order for Him to restore the image of Elohim, which is His image, in mankind – an image that the first Aḏam had defiled through sin..

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘remember’, in Tehillah/Psalm 8:4, is זָכַר zaḵar – Strong’s H2142 which means, ‘remember, be mindful’, and is the root from which we get the term for ‘male’ in Berěshith/Genesis 1:27..

What this psalm clearly expresses, is the praise for יהוה creating man and remembering Him and in remembering Him, He provided a way for sinful man to be restored to his rightful place in creation, which is to rule and reign with Elohim!.

יהוה remembers!

And the prophecy of a male child being brought forth before any pain, is a clear witness of His loving-commitment and declares that He would come in the form of the flesh in order to deliver and redeem His Bride!.

At Yom Teruah, the Day of Trumpets, we are told to have a remembrance of Teruah, which is a call to be reminded to remember that we are betrothed, for it is on Shaḇuoth (Feast of Weeks) where we celebrate the Marriage Covenant now being written upon our hearts, having been renewed in the Blood of Messiah and it was on Shaḇuoth where the trumpet sounded long, announcing a betrothal, when Yisra’ěl entered into a marriage covenant with יהוה, in the Wilderness!.

Therefore, as we go through the first few verses of Yeshayahu/Isaiah 66, we are able to understand the clear language being given to us, in the ushering in the of Day of יהוה, and the sounding of His coming with wrath being poured out upon His enemies, while at the same time, the promise of deliverance for His Bride..

Verse 8-9

“Who has heard the like of this? Who has seen the like of these? Is a land brought forth in one day? Is a nation born at once? For as soon as Tsiyon laboured, she gave birth to her children. 9 Shall I bring to birth, and not give delivery?” says יהוה. “Shall I who give delivery restrain birth?” said your Elohim.”

This is a clear witness of the Day of Deliverance being announced!

Who shall believe the Good News of Deliverance?

To whom has the arm of יהוה been revealed!

Is anything too hard for יהוה?

These words being declared as questions, set forth a clear call for true hearers of the Word of Elohim to be encouraged that He who has promised to deliver is not too slow, nor has He delayed, for His timing is perfect and He is יהוה our Elohim who saves us!

We can endure the labour pains because we know He has already brought forth a Deliverance that we can be secure in and endure the pressures, with the hope of our deliverance being made complete!

When our Master told His taught ones what would take place before He would come again, He also said that when we see all these things happening that we should know that they are the beginning of labour pains:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 24:8 “And all these are the beginning of birth pains.”

Mattithyahu/Matthew 24:13 “But he who shall have endured to the end shall be saved.”

I encourage you to go and read Mattithyahu/Matthew 24, as I am simply highlighting these two verses to bring context to what we see being declared in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 66..

For those who are not in Messiah, the beginning of birth pains will catch them by surprise – and it will not be a good one!

Tas’loniqim Aleph/1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 “Now, brothers, as to the times and the seasons, you do not need to be written to. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of יהוה comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then suddenly destruction comes upon them, as labour pains upon a pregnant woman, and they shall not escape.”

Those who are not in Messiah have no understanding of His Appointed Times and will have no escape from the wrath being poured out, whereas we who are in our Master have the promise of deliverance made certain!.

Verse 10-11

“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.” .

Here we are given the clear call to rejoice! Yerushalayim was being handed over to destruction, yet the call is made to all who mourn for her to rejoice.

This is clear prophetic language for the Bride of Messiah to rejoice, as we know that the Set-Apart Yerushalayim, that comes from above, is the Lamb’s wife, as we see in:

Ḥazon/Revelation 21:9-10 “And one of the seven messengers who held the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and spoke with me, saying, “Come, I shall show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the set-apart Yerushalayim, descending out of the heaven from Elohim”.

The first Hebrew word that is translated as ‘rejoice’, in verse 10, comes from the root word שָׂמַח samaḥ – Strong’s H8055 which means, ‘to rejoice, be glad, be joyful, delight in and be elated’, and can also carry the meaning ‘to brighten up’, giving us the picture how we are to carry His joy as the light of the world and let praise and rejoicing abound!

Does your life reflect the joy of the light of the presence of our King?

Do you shine His truth and ‘brighten up’ any company that you find yourself in, as you rejoice before Elohim?

As children of light, do you shine with jubilant praise?

Do people know who you serve and praise or is your light hidden most of the time?

A true life of praise does not hide the joy and delight that we have in serving, following and praising our Master and Elohim!.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘be glad’ comes from the root word גִּיל gil – Strong’s H1523 which means, ‘rejoice, be glad, be joyful’, and is also understood as meaning, ‘to circle around or spin around’.

Tehillah/Psalm 118:24 “This is the day יהוה has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Are you able to truly rejoice and be glad every single day?

For no matter what day it is, that you are currently in, it is a day that יהוה has made, and therefore, let us make sure we rejoice!!!

This is an expressive rejoicing, that can clearly be seen in the physical actions of one’s life! As you go about you day – how are you expressing the joy and gladness of Elohim?.

The second Hebrew word that is translated as ‘rejoice’, in verse 10, comes from the primitive root verb שׂוּשׂ sus – Strong’s H7797 which means ‘to be bright, cheerful, exult, rejoice, display joy’.

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 12:3 “And you shall draw water with joy from the fountains of deliverance.”

It is with great gladness that we draw water from the fountain of deliverance!

This image of drawing water with joy from the fountain of deliverance fits in perfectly with what is being called for, here in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 66:10-11, as we see the call to drink deeply and be satisfied with the nourishment of her comfort!

Our Master gives the clear invitation to all who are thirsty, to come to Him and drink of the living waters, and this is the reason that we, His Bride, are equipped to rejoice, for we have been given the waters of life, for with יהוה is the fountain of life!.

Rejoice and be glad, so that you feed and are satisfied!

The Hebrew word that is translated here as ‘satisfied’ comes from the root verb שָׂבַע saḇa – Strong’s H7646 which means, ‘to be satisfied’, and a derivative of this word is שָׂבֵעַ saḇea – Strong’s H7649 which means, ‘satisfied, full, ripe’ and by implication, it can mean, ‘satisfied by nourishment’.

In Tehillah/Psalm 103:5, a Psalm of Dawiḏ, we are reminded that יהוה satisfies our desire with good!

In a Psalm and Song of Dawiḏ, in praise unto Elohim, we see him declaring the following:

Tehillah/Psalm 103:5 “Blessed is the one You choose, and bring near to dwell in Your courts. We are satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Your set-apart Hěḵal.”

We know that יהוה satisfies our desires with good things and He satisfies His people with bread – which is symbolic of His Word that satisfies!

Tehillah/Psalm 132:15 “I greatly bless her provision, I satisfy her poor with bread.”

Tehillah/Psalm 147:14 “Who makes peace in your borders, He satisfies you with the finest wheat”

Tehillah/Psalm 22:26 “The meek ones do eat and are satisfied; let those who seek Him praise יהוה. Let your heart live forever!”.

Delight yourselves in her overflowing stream.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘delight’ comes from the root verb עָנֹג anog – Strong’s H6026 which means, ‘to be soft, dainty, delicate, take delight’, from which we also get the noun עֹנֶג oneg – Strong’s H6027 which means, ‘daintiness, exquisite delight, luxurious’..

Both the noun עֹנֶג oneg – Strong’s H6027 and the verb עָנֹג anog – Strong’s H6026 is used in the following passage:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 58:13-14 “If you do turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My set-apart day, and shall call the Sabbath ‘a delight,’ the set-apart day of יהוה ‘esteemed,’ and shall esteem it, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words, 14 then you shall delight yourself in יהוה. And I shall cause you to ride on the heights of the earth, and feed you with the inheritance of Yaʽaqoḇ your father. For the mouth of יהוה has spoken!”.

So many people despise the need to remember, keep and delight themselves in the Sabbath, yet it is the very day that we are to call a delight and delight ourselves in our Master, for when we do so, then the clear foundation of delighting ourselves in our Master and Saviour, in all we do, will be firmly established, giving us strength and joy to lift up our requests with confidence and raising a ringing cry of victory amidst the battles of life!.

When you truly take pleasure in יהוה, then the desires of your heart will be perfectly lined up with His desire, which is our set-apartness!

Tas’loniqim Aleph/1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 “For this is the desire of Elohim: your set-apartness! – that you should abstain from whoring, 4 that each one of you should know how to possess his own vessel in set-apartness and respect, 5 not in passion of lust, like the gentiles who do not know Elohim, 6 not to overstep and take advantage of his brother in this matter, because the Master is the revenger of all such, as we indeed said to you before and earnestly warned. 7 For Elohim did not call us to uncleanness, but in set-apartness.”.

What is being called for, here in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 66:10-11, is for the remnant bride that trembles at the Word of Elohim, to rejoice and bel glad and be satisfied in delighting in the clear provision and protection of יהוה’s Word, through a proper observance and pursuit of set-apartness!.

Verse 12-13

“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 reason we are able to rejoice and be satisfied is because of the clear provision of the peace of יהוה, giving us all we need to be comforted and led forth!.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘peace’ is שָׁלוֹם shalom – Strong’s H7965 which means, ‘completeness, soundness, welfare, peace, prosperity, health, safety, security’..

The root meaning of 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’.

This word שָׁלוֹם shalom – Strong’s H7965 also includes the idea of ‘vigour and vitality’, in all dimensions of life.

Shalom 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 Hebrew 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, it also renders the meaning:

THE WORD OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

THAT SECURES FOR US

A COMPLETE CLEANSING!.

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

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

His perfect shalom caused us to be nourished in the completeness of His Word that sustains us, comforts us and guides us in the Way..

It is through our obedience to His Word that we experience the wonder and joy of His peace being extended to us like a river, as we take note of the words if rebuke, in:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 44:18 “If only you had listened to My commands! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.”.

Those who are not listening to the commands of Elohim do not have His peace!

Those who are in Messiah, have peace with Him!

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 promise of His peace and comfort is given to those who are in Covenant with Him as we once again see the image of being comforted in Yerushalayim, as clear prophetic picture of the city that יהוה chose for Himself, for we are the Bride that He chose for Himself!.

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 also express the meaning, ‘to be sorry, to be moved, have compassion, suffer grief, repent’.

The original root of this word, often seems to reflect the idea of ‘breathing deeply’; hence the physical display of one’s feelings, which can usually be of sorrow, compassion or comfort.

It can, therefore, mean, ‘to breathe deeply with sorrow for your sin’ or, ‘to breathe deeply as you comfort and console someone’.

In Scripture, we take note that the majority of the times that the root word נָחַם naḥam – Strong’s H5162 is used, and translated, as ‘repent’, actually refers to Elohim’s repentance and not man’s repentance.

Man’s repentance is most frequently indicated by the word שׁוּב shuḇ – Strong’s H7725 which means, ‘to turn back, return, repent, recover’, meaning to turn away from sin and turn back to Elohim and follow in His ways..

In Yeshayahu/Isaiah 40:1, we see the call for the people of יהוה to be comforted:

“Comfort, comfort My people!” says your Elohim.”

Yisra’ĕl was in captivity, and while the threat of destruction hovered over their heads, here, in this chapter 40, there is an encouraging call that is being given, to the chosen of Elohim.

A call to take heart, because the promise of their sure deliverance was coming!.

In verse 1 we see the repetition of the word ‘comfort’, which, in the Hebrew text, the phrase, ‘comfort, comfort My people’, is written as follows:

נַחֲמוּ נַחֲמוּ עַמִּי

naḥamu,naḥamu, ami

The repetition of the Hebrew root word, that is translated as ‘comfort’, is clearly being done here for emphasis; and the Hebrew word נַחֲמוּ naḥamu comes from the root word נָחַם naḥam – Strong’s H5162.

The term ‘naḥamu’, which is a derivative of נָחַם naḥam – Strong’s H5162, can give the understanding of, ‘to cause to breathe again’..

In other words, it is יהוה Himself that would bring the ‘recovery of breath’, and this is ‘His comforting words’ that is being given here to His people, in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 40..

In a sense, it could render the encouragement of knowing that Elohim Himself is declaring to a people in exile, the following:

“I AM BRINGING YOU A RECOVERY OF BREATH”.

This recovery of breath, that was surely needed, is sufficient for His people to get strengthened and be equipped to prepare the way for His soon return, as a cleansed and ready Bride!..

The ‘comfort’ that is being proclaimed here, at the beginning of Yeshayahu/Isaiah 40 is also a clear call to repentance, in order to find the necessary breath needed to be a voice in the wilderness, as the spirit of Eliyahu must first come again before Messiah returns and this is the spirit that proclaims righteousness and the call to repentance – just as Noaḥ did to a wicked generation!

Ma’asei/Acts 3:19 “Repent therefore and turn back, for the blotting out of your sins, in order that times of refreshing might come from the presence of the Master”

The Greek word that is translated here as ‘refreshing’ is ἀνάψυξις anapsuxis Strong’s G403 and means, ‘recovery of breath, refresh’ and we see that when we repent and turn back to The Master, we may receive a recovery of breath – that is:

His Word giving us our very life, that we may be continually strengthened to live and breathe and praise His Name – for everything that has breath praise יהוה!.

It takes an obedient hearing to clearly guard to do what His instructions tell us to, in order to be filled with His Spirit/Breath/Word that He puts in those who turn back to Him!

In Ḥaḇaqquq/Habakkuk 3 we see the prophet pleading with יהוה to ‘remember compassion’ in His wrath – in other words: remember those who return and are recovered by His Breath, through the Fear of Elohim – remember the righteous who do His will and please refresh His faithful remnant in the midst of these dark and perilous times!!!.

We are to be a people who are strengthened to lift up our voice and not be afraid, as we proclaim the True Shepherd and Saviour of our souls – The Master יהוה of Hosts!

Qorintiyim Bet/2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Blessed be the Elohim and Father of our Master יהושע Messiah, the Father of compassion and Elohim of all comfort, 4 who is comforting us in all our pressure, enabling us to comfort those who are in every pressure, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by Elohim.”

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

Comforted in His comforting recovery of breath!!!.

Verse 14

“And you shall see, and your heart shall rejoice, and your bones flourish as tender grass. And the hand of יהוה shall be known to His servants, and His displeasure to His enemies.”.

With the promise of the comfort of our Master, giving us a recovery of breath, our ability to truly rejoice echoes the clear call that the Book of Tehillim/Psalms ends with, in declaring that ‘everything that has breath praise יהוה!’

Our mourning is turned to joy, as we stay in the Master, and what a rejoicing Day it will be, when He comes to take up His ready Bride!

A celebration of reunion, which is what the Feats of Sukkoth reminds us of, as we recognise the clear command to rejoice being given for this Feast!

In this prophecy of a rejoicing of hearts taking place, we are able to recognise the language of victory and deliverance being made complete by those who have endured..

The taught ones of Messiah did not understand what He meant when He said:

“A little while, and you do not see Me, and again a little while, and you shall see Me”

When they asked what He meant, He responded by saying:

Yoḥanan/John 16:20-22 “Truly, truly, I say to you that you shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice. And you shall be grieved, but your grief shall become joy. 21 The woman has grief when she is in labour, because her hour has come, but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the affliction, for joy that a man was born into the world. 22 And you, therefore, have grief now, but I shall see you again and your heart shall rejoice, and no one takes your joy away from you.”.

Your hearts shall rejoice and no one take your joy away from you!!!

This is on the day He comes to fetch us!!!

And this is the rejoicing heart that is being declared in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 66, as we also take note of the clear prophetic language of deliverance being made complete, for there will be a renewal of our bodies!

Here in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 66:14, we are given the image of our bones flourishing as tender grass, which is a picture of bones no longer being dried up and brittle!.

In Yeḥezq’ěl/Ezekiel 37, we are given the account of the vision that the prophet had and he saw a valley of dry bones and was asked by יהוה whether the bones would live.

He was told to prophesy to the dry bones and tell them to hear the Word of יהוה.

As he prophesied, the bones came together and flesh and skin came upon them but there was no spirit in them. He was then told to prophesy to the Spirit, to come and breath on them so that they live. As he prophesied the killed ones came to their feet and he was told that this was Yisra’ěl!

He was then told to take two sticks and write on one of them, “for Yehuḏah and for the children of Yisra’ěl, his companions”, and write on the other, “For Yosěph, the stick of Ephrayim, and for all the house of Yisra’ěl, his companions”, and then bring the two sticks together as one.

No longer would they be two nations or two Houses, but would be One nation and have One Sovereign over them!.

This chapter is a clear prophecy of the great reunion that take place in the Day of יהוה, when He comes out of His Set-Apart place on Yom Kippur and destroys His enemies in the winepress of His wrath and then lifts up His Bride..

This picture of bones flourishing as tender grass is a picture of being changed in an instant!

Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 15:51-52 “See, I speak a secret to you: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

Tas’loniqim Aleph/1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 “Because the Master Himself shall come down from heaven with a shout, with the voice of a chief messenger, and with the trumpet of Elohim, and the dead in Messiah shall rise first. 17 Then we, the living who are left over, shall be caught away together with them in the clouds to meet the Master in the air – and so we shall always be with the Master. 18 So, then, encourage one another with these words.”.

The Hand of יהוה shall be known to His servants and His displeasure to His enemies!

A clear separation is made here, between those who know יהוה and those who do not!

The servants of יהוה will see the fulfilment of the Hand of deliverance while the enemies of יהוה will see His destructive wrath..

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘known’ comes from the word יָדַע yada – Strong’s H3045 which means, ‘to acknowledge, clearly understand, to perceive, distinguish and discern’ and implies the ability to respond to and recognise the Master’s voice and follow His commands.

Dawiḏ instructed his son Shelomoh, in Diḇre haYamim Aleph/1 Chronicles 28:9, that he was to ‘know’ the Elohim of his father, and further expands on the implications of ‘knowing’ Elohim – and that is: that he was to serve Elohim with a perfect heart and a pleasing life..

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 1:3-4 “An ox knows its owner and a donkey its master’s crib – Yisra’ĕl does not know, My people have not understood.” 4 Alas, sinning nation, a people loaded with crookedness, a seed of evil-doers, sons acting corruptly! They have forsaken יהוה, they have provoked the Set-apart One of Yisra’ĕl, they went backward.”

In this rebuke, given to a rebellious and apostate people, it is made clear that even an ox ‘knows’ its owner and a donkey knows its master’s crib, yet Yisra’ĕl do not know יהוה.

Here, this word that is translated as ‘knows/know’, is also from the Hebrew word יָדַע yaḏa – Strong’s H3045 and implies the ability to respond to and recognise the Master’s voice.

Yoḥanan/John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”.

Our reasonable worship unto Elohim – that which is well pleasing to Him – is to be a living sacrifice and live set-apart lives, as we faithfully obey His voice – for then we are able to faithfully declare that we know Him!.

To ‘know’ יהוה implies the clear ability to ‘hear’ His voice and guard to do what He commands, for then He shall know His own!!!.

To know His voice implies that one is able to know the sounding and take heed of what is coming, making sure that they hear His voice and follow Him!

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 2:3-5 “And by this we know that we know Him, if we guard His commands. 4 The one who says, “I know Him,” and does not guard His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever guards His Word, truly the love of Elohim has been perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.”

Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 8:3 “But if anyone loves Elohim, this one is known by Him.”.

To love Elohim, gives us the sure promise that we are known by Him!

Those who ‘know’ יהוה, by pursuing to know Him, and are guarding His commands in living completely set-apart lives, are known by Him.

Aḇraham was ‘known’ by יהוה, because of his obedience in training up his children in righteousness:

Berěshith/Genesis 18:19 “For I have known him, so that he commands his children and his household after him, to guard the way of יהוה, to do righteousness and right-ruling, so that יהוה brings to Aḇraham what He has spoken to him.”.

Sadly, many do not ‘know’ what love for Elohim is:

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 5:3 “For this is the love for Elohim, that we guard His commands, and His commands are not heavy”

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 4:8 “The one who does not love does not know Elohim, for Elohim is love.”

The Greek word that is used for ‘know’ in Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John is γινώσκω ginōskō – Strong’s G1097 which means, ‘to perceive, to learn, to come to know, comprehend, understand, recognise, learn to know, get a knowledge of’..

As we sit under the instructions of our Creator and Redeemer, we learn to know Him and get a knowledge of who He is and come to know how we are to live in obedience to His clear Torah.

There are so many liars out there today who claim to know Elohim, yet they have no knowledge of His Torah at all, as they refuse to sit and learn His Word – how can they know Him!!!.

It is one thing to claim that you know Him, yet whether we know Him or not, is seen in the fruit of our obedience to His commands, and all will be clearly revealed, when He returns – as many will come running, claiming they know Him, yet will be rejected!.

On the Day of our Master’s return, there will be a clear separation of those who know The Hand of יהוה and those who do not!

The lawless will be rejected as not being known by the Master, while his Hand shall be known to His servants!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘servants’ comes from the root word עֶבֶד eḇeḏ̱ – Strong’s H5650 which means, ‘servant, slave, bondservant’, and as a child of Yisra’ĕl, which we have become by the Blood of Messiah, we are servants of יהוה, called to ‘serve’ in perfection and in truth.

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

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

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

Ayin – עֶ:

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

Beyt – בֶ:

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

Dalet – ד:

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

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

ONE WHO WATCHES

AT THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE!.

This is what our Master calls us to do; and when we consider that יהושע Messiah is The Door, then we further see our need to continually be looking at Him, guarding to do all His commands – and this is how we keep watch over the House/Body of Messiah!.

While the true servants will know the Hand of יהוה, His enemies will know His displeasure.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘displeasure’ comes from the root word זָעַם za’am – Strong’s H2194 which means, ‘to be indignant, abhor, angry, denounce, denounced, enraged, cursed’.

This word is used to express the clear wrath and anger of Elohim that is coming on the wrong and all those who fall prey to the words of the strange woman and is translated as ‘denounced’ in:

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 22:14 “The mouth of a strange woman is a deep pit; the one denounced by יהוה falls in there.”.

His servants shall be accepted by His outstretched Hand of Deliverance, while His enemies will be denounced and cast away!.

Verse 15-17

“For look, יהוה comes with fire and with His chariots, like a whirlwind, to render His displeasure with burning, and His rebuke with flames of fire. 16 “For by fire and by His sword יהוה shall judge all flesh, and the slain of יהוה shall be many – 17 those who set themselves apart and cleanse themselves at the gardens after ‘one’ in the midst, eating flesh of pigs and the abomination and the mouse, are snatched away, together,” declares יהוה.”.

These three verses make the clear declaration of the fiery wrath of יהוה that is coming to destroy the wrong!

He is coming to render His displeasure with burning!.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘displeasure’, in verse 15, comes from the root word אַף aph – Strong’s H639 which means, ‘a nostril, nose, face, anger’, and this word is frequently used as a reference to the anger of both men and Elohim; and anger is often expressed in the appearance of the nostrils that dilate in anger. This word comes from the root verb אָנַף anaph – Strong’s H599 which means, ‘to be angry, become angry’. .

The Hebrew word used for ‘burning’ comes from the root word חֵמָה ḥemah – Strong’s H2534 which means, ‘heat, rage, anger, hot displeasure, wrath’, and further highlights the effects of the anger of Elohim toward His enemies..

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘rebuke’ is גְּעָרָה gearah – Strong’s H1606 which means, ‘a rebuke, threat’ and comes from the root verb גָּעַר ga’ar – Strong’s H1605 which means, ‘to rebuke, rebukes, rebuked’.

יהוה rebukes the proud who stray from His commands:

Tehillah/Psalm 119:21 “You rebuked the proud, cursed ones, who are straying from Your commands.”

The Greek word that is used in the LXX (Septuagint) here, for ‘rebuked’, is ἐπιτιμάω epitimaō – Strong’s G2008 which means, ‘to censure, warned, rebuked, sternly telling’, and we see this word being used in:

Timotiyos Bět/2 Timothy 4:2 “Proclaim the Word! Be urgent in season, out of season. Reprove, warn, appeal, with all patience and teaching.”

What Sha’ul was telling Timotiyos here is clear – Proclaim the Word, and in doing so realise that it is through the Word that you will reprove, warn and appeal to those you are teaching!.

Scoffers do not want to hear warnings or rebuke from the Word but rather want their ears tickled with lies, showing that they are not true sons of the Father!!!

Qoheleth/Ecclesiastes 7:5 “It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for man to hear the song of fools.”.

יהוה is coming with the fire of His wrath and the fire of His Judgement is by His sword!

The Hebrew word for fire is אֵשׁ esh – Strong’s H784 which means, ‘fire, flaming, burning, flashing’ and in opening words of the blessing of Mosheh, that he gave before his death, we are told the following:

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 33:2 “And he said, “יהוה came from Sinai, and rose from Sě‛ir for them. He shone forth from Mount Paran, and came with ten thousands of set-apart ones – at His right hand a law of fire for them.”

Mosheh begins his blessing by reminding them of how יהוה had delivered them and, at Mount Sinai, from His Right Hand, He gave them a ‘law of fire’..

The ‘Right Hand of Elohim’ is metaphoric of the work of Messiah, representing the ‘outstretched Arm’ and mighty Hand of Elohim that works deliverance and the term, ‘law of fire’, highlights the powerful nature of His law, which has a means to purify and refine.

Tehillah/Psalm 12:6 “The Words of יהוה are clean Words, silver tried in a furnace of earth, refined seven times.”.

The Hebrew wording that is translated as ‘law of fire’ is אֵשׁ דַּת esh dath – Strong’s H799 and comes from the following two words:

1) אֵשׁ esh – Strong’s H784 which means, ‘fire, flaming, burning, flashing’ and

2) דָּת dath – Strong’s H1881 which means, ‘decree, law, edict, regulations’.

This was a clear reminder of the 10 Words that the entire nation heard יהוה speak, as He came with great thundering and fire, and these words were written on two tablets of stone as a witness before Yisra’ĕl..

This law of fire is ‘at/from’ His Right Hand, and the Hebrew term יָמִין yamin – Strong’s H3225 means, ‘right hand’, and The Right Hand of Elohim is a title for יהושע, who is the fullness of the Torah – for that is why He came – to fully meet its requirements, so that we may walk in Him – the Living Torah – and live!.

This would be encouraging to Mosheh, as he would recognise that all that he had worked for would be fully accomplished by the Right Hand of יהוה, and so this forms the basis for his blessing the nation before he departs.

Luqas/Luke 12:49 “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!”

These were the words of יהושע Messiah, and from this, we clearly see what He was proclaiming – He came to proclaim the ‘law of fire’ for us, in order that we are to be properly refined through His Word ‘now’, lest we face the fire of judgement, at the second resurrection due to not submitting properly to His clear instructions!.

His desire that it was already kindled, shows us how He longs to be with His prepared Bride, and so He has ‘blessed us’ by giving us that which refines, purifies, and sets us apart as His called out and chosen Bride – that is, His Torah that He has given to us as a law of fire to refine and cleanse us!

If we are not refined by His law of fire now, then we will be destroyed by the fire of His sword, when He comes in the fire of His displeasure, against those who refused to be refined and cleansed by His Word!.

It is by fire that He enters into judgement and the clear choice of allowing His Word to refine us know and be redeemed or reject His Word and be destroyed by His wrath of fire when He comes again!.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘judge’ comes from the root word שָׁפַט shaphat – Strong’s H8199 which means, ‘to judge, govern, rule, pronounce judgement, give law’.

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 33:22 “for יהוה is our Judge, יהוה is our Lawgiver, יהוה is our Sovereign, He saves us”.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘sword’ comes from the root word חֶרֶב ḥereḇ – Strong’s H2719 which means, ‘a sword, axe, tool for cutting stone, knife’..

In the Revelation of Messiah, we are given a clear image of Messiah coming in His wrath, with a sword of judgment in His mouth;

Ḥazon/Revelation 19:11-15 “And I saw the heaven opened, and there was a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Trustworthy and True, and in righteousness He judges and fights. 12 And His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns, having a Name that had been written, which no one had perceived except Himself – 13 and having been dressed in a robe dipped in blood – and His Name is called: The Word of יהוה. 14 And the armies in the heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 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.”.

We know that Word of Elohim is living, and working, and sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting through even to the dividing of being and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart and it is by the power of His Word that He judges in righteousness and with Elohim there is no partiality!.

Allow His Word to refine you and cleanse you know, as you allow it to teach you and cause you to be equipped for every good work, or reject His Word and His Word will devour you!.

He is coming to judge all flesh by the fire of His Word and many shall be slain, for they will not allow His Word to refine them before His Day of wrath comes!.

We are given this judgment language of the Day of יהוה being made clear in:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 34:1-8 “Come near, you nations, to hear. And listen, you people! Let the earth hear, and all that is in it, the world and all its offspring. 2 For the displeasure of יהוה is against all the nations, and His wrath against all their divisions. He shall put them under the ban, He shall give them over to the slaughter, 3 and their slain be thrown out, and their stench rise from their corpses. And mountains shall be melted with their blood. 4 And all the host of the heavens shall rot away. And the heavens shall be rolled up like a scroll, and all their host fade like a leaf fading on the vine, and like the fading one of a fig tree. 5 “For My sword shall be drenched in the heavens. Look, it comes down on Eḏom, and on the people of My curse, for judgment. 6 “The sword of יהוה shall be filled with blood, it shall be made overflowing with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For יהוה has a slaughtering in Botsrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Eḏom. 7 “And wild oxen shall come down with them, and young bulls with bulls. And their land shall be drenched with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.” 8 For it is the day of the vengeance of יהוה, the year of recompense for the cause of Tsiyon.”.

There is a Day of slaughtering coming – a Day of vengeance upon the enemies of Elohim!

This is a call to repent and be refined by His law of fire now, and be hidden in Him on the Day of His wrath, or refuse to hear and face the fire of His Sword of Judgment and be destroyed!.

In verse 17 we are given a clear reference to some of the many that will be slain in the fiery judgement of Elohim’s wrath!

Those who are setting themselves apart and cleansing themselves, while eating the flesh of pigs, the abomination and the mouse – they are snatched away!

There are many who are ‘setting themselves apart’ and by that, I mean that they are not letting the Word of Elohim to set them apart but are claiming their own standard of set-apartness, which clearly has no distinction between the set-apart and the profane or the clean and the unclean as they continue to eat what is clearly not clean to eat..

Wayyiqra/Leviticus 11 and Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 14 set forth for us the clear parameters of what is clean for us to eat and what is not, and highlights what is to be abominable to us.

The slain of יהוה will include those who continue to defile themselves by eating what is not to be eaten and despite their attempts and promoting a cleansing of their own making, it is in direct violation of the clear standards of set-apartness by which יהוה sets His people apart..

One is not set-apart by יהוה when they are eating the flesh of pigs and eating abominations such as crayfish and prawns and calamari and all that do not have fins and scales or eating other unclean creatures!

This text ought to be a major wake up call for so many today, yet they refuse to hear the Truth, as they continue to follow falsehood and do not think that they will be harmed!

Those who neglect the keep the Torah of Elohim and continue to eat what is unclean and abominable, will be snatched away!.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘snatched away’ comes from the root verb סוּף suph – Strong’s H5486 which means, ‘to come to an end, cease, fade, remove, snatch away’.

There will be no more time for the wicked who have continued to do what is abominable and unclean – for their end will come when our Master comes in the fire of His wrath!.

The image of coming to and end or being snatched away, highlights the clear picture of being separated out of the rest and plucked out for judgement, with no promise f everlasting life!

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 2:21-22 “For the straight shall dwell in the earth, and the perfect be left in it; 22 but the wrong shall be cut off from the earth, and the treacherous ones plucked out of it.”

These two verses put to death any falsified ‘rapture’ teachings of man!

The ones who are going to be taken out are the treacherous and wrong!

So many people think that they are not wrong and are ‘cleansing themselves’ by their own unclean standards and are ‘setting themselves apart’ by whatever is right in their own eyes and have clearly rejected the Torah of Elohim and are profaning His Name by not allowing יהוה and His Word be the clear standard of righteousness by which we are to be set-apart!.

It is in true Set-Apartness where יהוה causes His presence to dwell, and it is in true set-apart living that we are caused to dwell in Him, for as we stay/remain in Him He stays/remains in us, in order to bear fruit or else we will be cut off!.

The upright and straight shall dwell in the earth and be left in it!

The word for ‘upright’ is יָשָׁר yashar – Strong’s H3477 which means, ‘right, straight, upright and righteous’, which we have already discussed in this commentary, as well as the word for ‘straight’, which is תָּמִים tamiym – Strong’s H8549 which means, ‘complete, whole, sound, perfect, without blemish, blameless’..

The Hebrew word translated as ‘be left’ is יָתַר yathar – Strong’s H3498 which means ‘to excel, abound, leave a remnant, cause to abound’, and is written in the ‘niphal passive’ tense which renders the meaning as, ‘to be left over, remain over, be left behind’.

Yes, the upright and straight will be ‘left behind’!!!.

Tehillah/Psalm 37:11 “But the meek ones shall inherit the earth, and delight themselves in plenty of peace.”

Tehillah/Psalm 37:22 “For His blessed ones inherit the earth, but those cursed by Him are cut off.”

Tehillah/Psalm 37:29 “The righteous shall inherit the earth, and dwell in it forever.” .

The wrong and treacherous and cut off and plucked out!

The analogy of being cut off, ought to remind us of the parable of the wheat and the darnel!

The Harvest is ripe and workers are few!

As the Master tells us: the wheat and the darnel are grown together until the harvest, and then the darnel is gathered, bundled and burned, while the wheat is taken to the granary!

Mattithyahu/Matthew 13:29-30 “But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the darnel you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 ‘Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I shall say to the reapers, “First gather the darnel and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my granary.”’” .

As we grow in Messiah, amidst a corrupt and wicked generation, may we submit ourselves completely to His Word and to the discipline of His Truth over our lives, so that we may be found to be a people who are gathered into the good and ripe basket!.

As the ear of the wheat develops it becomes heavy and causes the entire plant to ‘droop’ or hang down, giving us a picture of humility; whereas in darnel the ‘ear’ does not develop and remains upright – a picture of pride and stubbornness to hear the Truth. The wheat becomes white in the head, whereas the darnel becomes black!

This can only be revealed at harvest time.

Messiah makes it clear that the darnel is a clear reference to those who are lawless, and in Mattithyahu/Matthew 13:41 the Greek word translated as ‘lawlessness’ is ἀνομία anomia – Strong’s G458 which means, ‘lawlessness or lawless deeds, unrighteousness’ and comes from the word ἄνομος anomos – Strong’s G459 which means, ‘lawless or without law, transgressors’..

Tehillah/Psalm 37:37-38 “Watch the perfect, and observe the straight; for the latter end of each is peace. 38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; the latter end of the wrong shall be cut off.”.

The Hebrew word for ‘plucked out’ is נָסַח nasaḥ – Strong’s H5255 which means, ‘to pull or tear away, uprooted, torn, tear down’.

This root word נָסַח nasaḥ – Strong’s H5255 is used only 4 times in Scripture, here in Mishlĕ/Proverbs 2:22 and in the following 3 verses:

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 28:63 “And it shall be, that as יהוה rejoiced over you to do you good and increase you, so יהוה does rejoice over you to destroy you and lay you waste. And you shall be plucked from off the land which you go to possess.”

Tehillah/Psalm 52:5 “Let Ěl also break you down forever, take you and pluck you out of your tent. And He shall uproot you from the land of the living. Selah.”

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 15:25 “יהוה tears down the house of the proud, and He sets up the boundary of the widow.”

What Shelomoh is making clear here, at the close of his second collection of parables, is the vast difference in the reward for righteousness and the punishment for wickedness!.

Verse 18

“And I, because of their works and their imaginations, am coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and see My esteem.”.

The Hebrew word that is translated here as ‘imaginations’ is מַחֲשֶׁבֶת maḥasheḇeth – Strong’s H4284 which means, ‘thoughts, devise, scheme, plan, purpose’..

In the days of Noaḥ, we are told that יהוה saw that the thoughts (imaginations) of man were only evil continually!

Berěshith/Genesis 6:5 “And יהוה saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

Messiah clearly warned us that the last days will be as the days of Noaḥ, and we are certainly able to see how the inclinations of the thoughts of most people today are only evil, continually!

A heart without the Torah, will continue to plot, scheme, and devise wicked ways, plans and counsels, that seek to excuse away the need to obey the Torah, or even to excuse away parts of it – and this is an abomination to יהוה.

Instead of simply obeying the Torah of Elohim and meditating on His Word, day and night, the lawless continue to come up with reasons as to why they think that they do not have to submit and obey, and in doing so, they plot and scheme various man-driven systems, that have people meditating on lawlessness or a false grace concept, rather than meditating on the Truth!.

We must recognise that יהוה understands and knows exactly the forming of our thoughts and the fashioning of our thinking in our life.

He knows what shapes our thinking and the warning here is clear – if you depart from His Word that ought to shape our thoughts and direct our lives then we risk the end result of being rejected by Him forever!

We also must take note that יהוה searches the hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts!

Because of all the wickedness of those who are being led by their wicked imaginations, יהוה will bring all together and all will see His esteem!

This is a day when all thoughts and imaginations of falsehood are brought to nought, in the face of the esteem of Elohim, for every knee will bow and every tongue confess the sovereignty of יהוה our Saviour!

The gathering of the nations is an event that is shadow pictured all through the Book of Yeshayahu/Isaiah!

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.”

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 11:10 “And in that day there shall be a Root of Yishai, standing as a banner to the people. Unto Him the nations shall seek, and His rest shall be esteem.”

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 45:23 “I have sworn by Myself, a word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, so that to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue swear.”.

Verse 19

“And I shall set a sign among them, and shall send some of those who escape to the nations – Tarshish and Pul and Luḏ, who draw the bow, and Tuḇal and Yawan, the coastlands afar off who have not heard My report nor seen My esteem. And they shall declare My esteem among the nations.”.

This is a clear picture of יהוה gathering the remnant of His people from among all the nations and His esteem shall be made known to all.

This is a clear picture of what w are to be doing now, as we are to be shining the light of His presence and bringing the esteem of His presence to all, wherever we are!

Are you declaring His esteem among the nations?.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘declare’ comes from the root word נָגַד nagaḏ – Strong’s H5046 which means, ‘make known, announce, declare, publish and stand out boldly in opposition’, and it is written in the ‘hiphil’ verb tense, which expresses ‘the causative action’ of the verb and highlights that we are ‘to be caused’ to declare the esteem of יהוה!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘esteem’ comes from the root word כָּבוֹד kaḇoḏ – Strong’s H3519 which means, ‘honour, esteem, reverence, splendid’, which comes from the root verb כָּבֵד kaḇeḏ – Strong’s H3513 which means, ‘to be heavy, weighty or burdensome, to give high esteem and respect and honour’, and is often translated as ‘praise’ that is to be given to יהוה..

This verb כָּבֵד kaḇeḏ – Strong’s H3513 is used in the 10 words (Commandments) when we are told to ‘respect’ our parents; and what is, in effect, being told to us, is that we must carefully consider and ‘give weight to’ the Word of Elohim and so, we must weigh up the consequences of the inherited lies and mistakes that we had been wrongly raised up in, and be careful to not follow in the same mistakes, by guarding the Truth, in order that we may live long in the land which יהוה is giving us, and not be kept out or expelled as our forefathers were for disobedience and a lack of faith!

A son treats his father with much respect and considers him to be very important.

The opposite of this is to treat one ‘lightly’ and give no honour to the instructions and discipline of a father.

A כָּבֵד kaḇeḏ – Strong’s H3513 (esteemed) praise of יהוה, reflects a praise life that does not waver from complete set-apartness, and does not give in to the compromised standards of the world, or even to family members who do not walk in the Torah, but declares the esteem of יהוה by being a trustworthy ambassador and witness of Elohim and His Kingdom!.

Verse 20

“And they shall bring all your brothers as an offering to יהוה out of all the nations, on horses and in chariots and in litters, on mules and on camels, to My set-apart mountain Yerushalayim,” declares יהוה, “as the children of Yisra’ěl bring an offering in a clean vessel into the House of יהוה.”.

For me, I see this as being an awesome picture of bringing forth a clear declaration of having used the talents that were given and presenting the offering of praise of a trustworthy servant who has put their hand to the plough and not looked back, but has gone out and worked the harvest field as commanded!

On the flip side of that, we can also be warned against hiding the talents and gifts that we have been given and having nothing to present when He comes again!.

Sha’ul understood the necessity of making taught ones of the nations, as we see in his letter to the believers in Rome, the following:

Romiyim/Romans 15:15-16 “But I have written more boldly to you, in part, as reminding you, because of the favour given to me by Elohim, 16 to be a servant of יהושע Messiah to the nations, with the priestly duty of bringing the Good News of Elohim, so that the offering of the nations becomes acceptable, set apart by the Set-apart Spirit.”

His reminding us of his service is one that is to remind us of our service unto the Master too, so that we have somewhat to offer in thanksgiving to our Master when He comes!

This can only happen when you are taking seriously the commission of making taught ones of the nations and bringing the esteem of Elohim to them, in order to show the importance of becoming a vessel unto value in the house of Elohim!.

Bringing an offering in a clean vessel, highlights the need to guard against anything that can defile us, for we are His treasured possession and vessels of value in the Master’s Hand!.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘vessel’ comes from the root word כְּלִי keliy – Strong’s H3627 which means, ‘article, utensil, vessel, armour, weapon, tool for labour’, which comes from the root verb כָּלָה kalah – Strong’s H3615 which means ‘finished, completed, come to an end or accomplished’ and is very similar to the root word כַּלָּה kallah – Strong’s H3618 which means ‘a bride’, which comes from the primitive root verb כָּלַל kalal – Strong’s H3634 which means, ‘to complete, perfect, perfected’.

And this certainly carries a wonderful picture for us, of a bride prepared, that is – a bride who has made herself ready and presents herself as one prepared, before Her Husband and Redeemer, The Refiner of silver!.

Sha’ul wrote to Timotiyos and encouraged him to do his utmost to present himself approved to Elohim, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly handling the Word of Truth, and he was encouraged to keep away from that which defiles us; and he then uses the analogy of vessels and tells him the following:

Timotiyos Bět/2 Timothy 2:19-21 “However, the solid foundation of Elohim stands firm, having this seal, “יהוה knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the Name of Messiah turn away from unrighteous-ness.” 20 But in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some unto value and some unto no value. 21 If, then, anyone cleanses himself from these matters, he shall be a vessel unto value, having been set apart, of good use to the Master, having been prepared for every good work.”.

Anyone who cleanses himself from the dross of sin and lawlessness and rebellion will be a set-apart vessel unto value and of good use to the Master!.

The Greek word that is used here for ‘vessels’ comes from the root word σκεῦος skeuos – Strong’s G4632 which means, ‘vessel, implement, goods, article, jar’, and is used in:

The Greek word that is used for ‘value’, in the expression, ‘vessel unto value’, is τιμή time – Strong’s G5092 which means, ‘(to value, honour), a valuing, price, honour, honourable use, mark of respect’, and is used in:

Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 6:20 “For you were bought with a price, therefore esteem Elohim in your body and in your spirit, which are of Elohim.”

We were bought with a price and therefore, we must reflect that in our daily lives, as we are valuable vessels in our Master’s hand – if we have cleansed ourselves from all the dross of lawlessness and sin and are equipped to bring an offering in a clean vessel – as we present our lives of set-apartness and the presentation of being a trustworthy servant!.

Verse 21

“And from them too I shall take for priests – for Lěwites,” declares יהוה.”.

This verse highlights the wonderful promise of us being the set-apart and royal priesthood that will serve and reign with our Master forever!

From them too: this is a reference to all who are brought in from the harvest – all who are made taught ones of the Most-High, will be taken up as His royal priesthood!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘for priests’ is לַכֹּהֲנִים – lakohaniym and comes from the root word כֹּהֵן Kohen – Strong’s H3548 which means, ‘priest, chief minister, officer, chief ruler’

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘for Lěwites’ is לַלְוִיִּם – laleviyyim and comes from the word לֵוִי Lĕwi – Strong’s H3881 which means, ‘joined to’..

Once again, from Scripture, we are able to see a prophetic shadow picture of the royal priesthood of Messiah, who are the righteous ones that have been joined to Him, and serve as priests forever, in the order of Malkitseḏeq.

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.”.

Verse 22

“For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make stand before Me,” declares יהוה, “so your seed and your name shall stand.””.

The new heavens and earth present the clear picture of the renewal and the eternal state that will continue forever. Having cleansed the earth from all its defilement and cleansed a people from all sin and lawlessness, יהוה will cause His renewed Bride to stand forever!

This is the assurance of an inheritance that will never fade!

Kěpha Aleph/1 Peter 1:3-4 “Blessed be the Elohim and Father of our Master יהושע Messiah, who according to His great compassion has caused us to be born again to a living expectation through the resurrection of יהושע Messiah from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and unfading, having been kept in the heavens for you”

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘stand’ comes from the root word עָמַד amaḏ – Strong’s H5975 which carries the meaning, ‘to take one’s stand, present oneself, abide, appoint, arise, stay, be steadfast, remain, be or become a servant’. .

Our Master has appointed us to be His bondservant forever and this calls for us to take our stand in Him continually, so that we are caused to stand and remain in Him forever!

The Greek word that is translated as ‘stand’ in the LXX (Septuagint) is ἵστημι histēmi – Strong’s G2476 which means, ‘to make to stand, to stand firm, be established, stand upright, stand ready and prepared, be of a steadfast mind, to uphold and sustain the authority of something’ and this is the word that is used in Sha’ul’s letter to the Ephesians, wherein he gives us the call to put on the armour of Elohim and stand!

Eph’siyim/Ephesians 6:13 “Because of this, take up the complete armour of Elohim, so that you have power to withstand in the wicked day, and having done all, to stand.”.

As a royal priesthood we must be dressed to serve and be equipped to take a stand, for then we shall be established to rule and reign as His priesthood forever!

If we are not taking a stand for the Truth now, we will not be able to be established and taken as His priesthood when He comes, for those who have joined themselves to Him, in Covenant through His Blood, must remain in Him, by taking a firm and established stand in His Truth, amidst the wickedness and depravity of darkness, proclaiming the Light of His Truth to all nations!!!

How is your standing in Him going?

Keep your feet firmly planted on the Rock of our Deliverance and you will be established in Him forever! Let your foot slip now by walking in wrong ways and you will be removed along with the wicked!.

Verse 23

“And it shall be that from New moon to New moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before Me,” declares יהוה.”.

This second last verse of the book of Yeshayahu/Isaiah is of vital importance as it clearly presents the standard of obedience that will observed through all of the earth, in the Millennial reign of our Master!

And having mentioned in the notes on the previous verse, that is we want to stand and be established forever as a priesthood that reigns with Him, then we are to make sure that we are being bold in our stand of obedience today. Therefore, if we are not guarding the Sabbaths and Appointed Times of our Master now, then we will not get to enter His reign nor inherit the promise of everlasting life with Him!

From new moon to new moon and Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh will worship Him!

This is the pattern of obedience that we are to be taking a firm stand in now, shining the light of obeying the command to guard the Sabbath and set it apart, while the nations are continuing to profane His Sabbath!.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘new moon’ comes from the root word חֹדֶשׁ ḥoḏesh – Strong’s H2320 which means ‘month’ and the plural of this word is חֳדָשִׁים ḥodeshim (months) and by extension, is also translated and understood as ‘moons’..

What s being highlighted here, is that when our Master comes to rule and reign, His clear observance of His calendar will be done by all. There will not be various man-made calendars, but month to month all will worship Him according to His perfect timing..

The Hebrew word for ‘Sabbath’ is שַׁבָּת Sabbath – Strong’s H7676, which is the intensive form of שָׁבַת shaḇath – Strong’s H7673 which means, ‘to cease, desist, rest, observe, observe the rest, put an end’, which, when it is expressed as a causative action, can be understood as meaning, ‘to cease or put an end to, remove, exterminate, destroy, cause to desist from’.

The intensive form שַׁבָּת Sabbath – Strong’s H7676 refers specifically to ‘the’ Sabbath’, as in ‘the’ 7^th day of the week.

In the account given to us in Berěshith/Genesis 2, on creation, we do not see the specific word שַׁבָּת shabbâth – Strong’s H7676 being used, however we do see the root from which the word is derived in chapter 2:2-3:

Berěshith/Genesis 2:2-3 “And on the seventh day Elohim completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. And Elohim blessed the seventh day and set it apart, because on it He rested from all His work which Elohim in creating had made.”

The Hebrew word used here for ‘seventh’ is שְּׁבִיעִי shâḇiy`iy – Strong’s H7637 which simply means ‘seventh’.

What seventh? The word for ‘day’ in Hebrew is yôm – Strong’s H3117. Elohim completed His work on the 7^th day and then rested on it the Hebrew word for ‘rested’ used here in verse 3 is שָׁבַת shâḇath – Strong’s H7673) meaning ‘rest’ – that is to desist from exertion – or to desist from the normal day to day workings..

The difference between שַׁבָּת shabbâth –Strong’s H7676 and שְּׁבִיעִי shâḇiy`iy – Strong’s H7637 is that שַׁבָּת shabbâth –Strong’s H7676 is the intensive form coming from שְּׁבִיעִי shâḇiy`iy – Strong’s H7637 which means ‘to rest or observe’, and the intensive form of שַׁבָּת shabbâth –Strong’s H7676 refers specifically to ‘the’ Sabbath as in ‘the’ 7^th day of the week. .

It was on this very day – the 7^th day of the week that Elohim set-apart one day from the others and very specifically He blessed this 7^th day to be a day of rest in Him – a day to desist from the workings of the week and observe His Day that He has set-apart in order for us to delight in Him and find rest and refreshing in Him, together as a Bride!

This has greater implications for us, as we understand how the creation week itself gives us great insight in His redemptive plan and His appointed times and so, to misunderstand, or incorrectly recognise, the 7^th day as a clear marker for us, could be detrimental to us knowing Him and walking fully in Him..

As we can see from Scripture, Elohim blessed and set apart the 7^th day, not the 1^st or 2^nd or 3^rd etc. – He blessed the 7^th day and set it (7^th day) apart from the rest. .

The Sabbath is יהוה’s set-apart day for us to come together and delight in Him and not do our own pleasure nor even think our own thoughts:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 58:13-14 “If you do turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My set-apart day, and shall call the Sabbath ‘a delight,’ the set-apart day of יהוה ‘esteemed,’ and shall esteem it, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words, 14 then you shall delight yourself in יהוה. And I shall cause you to ride on the heights of the earth, and feed you with the inheritance of Ya’aqoḇ your father. For the mouth of יהוה has spoken!”.

When looking at the Hebrew word שַׁבָּת Sabbath – Strong’s H7676, in the ancient pictographic text, we recognise the importance of our proper observance of His Sabbaths as we see the following being rendering in the pictographic letters:.

Shin – שַׁ:

It also carries the understanding of consuming or destroying – as teeth do to food..

Beyt – בָּ:

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..

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!.

As we consider this Sabbath of Sabbaths, we can see from the rendering of the word שַׁבָּת Sabbath – Strong’s H7676 in the ancient pictographic lettering, the following:.

THE WORD OF THE HOUSE

IS SEALED.

This emphasises how the Sabbath is a sign that we are the House of Elohim, for it is His Word that marks us and the sign of that mark, is our proper observance of His Sabbaths!

If we do not guard to keep and observe His Sabbaths, then we are not sealed, nor are we guarding His Covenant that His Blood causes us to be grafted in to and the one who does not observe the Sabbaths of Elohim shall be cut off from His Everlasting Covenants of Promise!.

If you do not guard the Sabbath now then you will not enter the reign of the Master when he comes but shall be handed over to destruction of the wicked!.

All flesh shall come to worship יהוה!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘worship’ comes from the root word שָׁחָה shaḥah – Strong’s H7812 which means, ‘to bow down, to prostrate oneself before another, to humbly beseech, to do or show reverence, and to do or show obeisance’.

Obeisance means ‘a movement of the body made in token of respect or submission as well as to acknowledge the superiority of another’. .

This word is translated as ‘worship’, on many occasions, and reflects the true nature of our life of worship, which is in total submission to our Master and King, as we humbly bow our lives before Him in reverence and respect, acknowledging His authority in every way, as we walk in total obedience to His Torah/Word.

Our worship is only to be unto יהוה our Elohim – and to Him alone!!!...

Verse 24

“And they shall go forth and look upon the corpses of the men who have transgressed against Me. For their worm shall not die, and their fire not be quenched. And they shall be repulsive to all flesh!”.

This closing verse of this Book of Yeshayahu/Isaiah is a clear witness of the fate of the wicked who refused to worship יהוה in Spirit and Truth!

The image of a corpse highlights for us a body without the living breath of Elohim and therefore speaks of the clear fate of the sinners..

Aḏam was commanded to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for in the day that he would eat of it he would die.

The tree of life they were permitted to eat, and after they ate of the wrong tree, they were kept from eating this tree of life, which we see in Ḥazon as being this tree that is once again made available for all to eat:

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 we see from Scripture, the curse of death that was pronounced for eating of that which they were commanded not to, came true. In order to understand this, we must take note of the matter that we are urged by Kěpha to not let be hidden from us – and that is that 1 day is as 1000 years!.

In the ‘day’ that Aḏam sinned he died!

Aḏam only lived 930 years and so we see that he did not live past 1000 years or rather (1 day) and so, he actually died in the day he sinned!

The oldest man to ever live, which we will see in Chapter 5, was Methuselaḥ who lived 969 years – no one has ever lived to 1000 years here on earth!.

In the Hebrew, we see this phrase “you shall certainly die” written as:

מוֹת תָּמוּת

moth tamuth

This is the repetition of the same root word מוּת muth – Strong’s H4191 which means, ‘to die, surely be put to death, perished, dying’..

The literal translation of these two words, being repeated, are best rendered as, “dying you shall die” and so, what we see from this is that sin causes a process of death to be started as the ‘life’ begins to depart from man over a process of time..

It is not that when you sin that you die straight away, but rather the body or life you have begins on a path of decay to death, because of sin!.

יהוה had breathed into Aḏam the breath of lives and it was not just breath for Aḏam himself, but we see that He had breathed in the breath of many lives, showing that He was giving man the ability to produce after his kind, that which carries the breath of Elohim!.

Due to sin, that breath began to decay and mankind was in need of a recovery of breath, which I have already discussed earlier in this message..

The reason for me mentioning all of this, in light of the ending verse of Yeshayahu/Isaiah, is that in contrast to the prophesy of the valley of bones receiving new life, by the Spirit of Elohim, here in this picture of the judgment of the wrong, we are given the clear image of decaying bodies that no longer have breath to praise יהוה and they shall be no more!.

With the image of their fire not being quenched, we are able to see a clear lesson on the fulfilment of יהוה’s judgment on the wicked, for He will not relent of His wrath being poured out and His fire of His wrath will not be quenched until all evil is destroyed!.

This fire is a picture of the lake of fire which many will face at the Judgment seat at the end of the Millennial reign and those who are not found in the Book of Life will be thrown into the lake of fire, for this is the second death!.

Ḥazon/Revelation 20:12-15 “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before the throne, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged from what was written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and She’ol gave up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 And Death and She’ol were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And if anyone was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”.

The ending of Yeshayahu/Isaiah is a sobering warning against rebellion to the Torah and commands of Elohim and highlights the clear fate of the wicked and we see this picture being described in Yirmeyahu too:

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 25:33 “And in that day the slain of יהוה shall be from one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth. They shall not be lamented, or gathered, or buried, for they are dung on the face of the ground.”..

Summary:

As we consider this very powerful chapter that ends the Book of Yeshayahu/Isaiah, which we know is clearly speaking about the coming Day of יהוה, we are given the clear contrasting pictures of the comfort and rejoicing shalom that the righteous priesthood of Messiah has, versus the fate of the wicked and stubborn who refuse to submit to walking in obedience to His Torah!

In summary, this chapter could be presented as a clear mirror that declares the comfort of our Master along with the warning of His coming wrath.

Which side of His fire will you find yourself on?

May you hear the very life-giving encouragements and warning that are given in this Chapter and be comforted in His perfect shalom that equips you to stand and declare the esteem of our Wondrous Redeemer and King and always be ready to give a reason for the hope you have as you shine the light of His Truth to all, with the clear goal of our belief being pursued – which is the deliverance of lives!.

While this is in no way a complete exposition on this Chapter, it is one that can be used to dig even further into the Truth of our Master, in order to seek His out the abundant pearls of wisdom that there is to be found by diligent seekers of His Truth!.

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