Reconciliation

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Lk. 2:13-14). Today is Christmas day. Christmas is full of miracle messages. One of the miracles associated with Christmas is the above declaration of the angels in heaven: the outreach of reconciliation from God to man by the child who had been born, Jesus. This miracle of reconciliation is so great, that a multitude of angels cried out aloud from heaven in praises because of it. We are separated from our God in the first place because of our sin. The word of the LORD to the prophet Isaiah said, "Behold the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lipe have spoken lies, your tongue has muttered perversity." (Isa. 59:1-3). The same sin also separates and divides us from one another. Our nations are divided with hostility, our communities are divided, our families are divided. However, the child born on Christmas is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (Jn. 1:29, 34), and reconciles the world to God. The blood of the Lamb also reconciles us with each other, if we will allow it to do so. This is the ministry that was given to Christ, and to us - the reconciliation of man to God: "Now all things are of God who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God." (2 Cor. 5:18-20). As we know, the world is in desperate need of being reconciled to God. Everywhere we look, there are divisions and estrangements, even within the household of faith. We have this powerful ministry of reconciliation, created for us by the Father through Christ Himself. This is the perfect time of year to revive ourselves in the meaning and timely importance of this ministry of reconciliation. The Sabbath readings this week also carry the same message. They are from Gen. 45 and Ezek. 37. This group of readings is called Va'yigash, meaning "And he drew near". That title has a wealth of meaning to us, especially at this time of year. In Gen. 45, Joseph is miraculously reunited with his brothers, and afterwards, with his father, Jacob. These same brothers plotted to kill Joseph because they resented him and the prophetic dreams he had. They ended up selling him into slavery instead. They lied to their father, Jacob, and told him that Joseph had been killed. Joseph ends up as a slave in Egypt, but by the favor of God (the meaning of reconciliation includes "restoration to favor"), he was elevated into the second highest position in Egypt. Only Pharaoh was of higher rank. Rather than being offended, angry and bitter during the unexpected reconciliation with his brothers, Joseph was overcome with emotion at the reunion. In order to comfort them, Joseph told his brothers that all had worked out for him according to God's purpose. The reconciliation work of God causes us to be able to see His purpose, even through painful trials and rejection. Because of this reconciliation of Joseph with his family, the seed of Jacob would have provision and safety throughout the famine. The second miraculous reconciliation is found in this Sabbath's haftarah reading found in Ezek. 37. It is the reconciliation prophesied to the divided nation of Israel. The reconciliation taking place in this chapter takes place on several different levels. Israel had been divided into two separate kingdoms. God prophesies through Ezekiel that they would be joined together again. On another level of reconciliation, God promises that Israel would be one nation with one King, one Shepherd, even David, for ever. Here in this level of reconciliation, God is promising Israel the Kingdom of Messiah. On the third level of reconciliation, the Jews and the half-Gentile tribes, represented by Ephraim (Joseph's son by his Egyptian wife), would be joined together like two sticks or branches becoming one in God's hand. This same promise is given to the Church in the new covenant through Christ's ministry of reconciliation: "For if their (Israel) being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?...blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written, "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins." (Rom. 11:11-21, excerpt). From Ephesians we read, "...that at that time you (once Gentiles in the flesh) were without Christ being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and wiithout God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation..." (Eph. 2:12-14). The miraculous work of reconciliation, announced on that long ago night in Bethlehem at the birth of Christ, is still working miracle reconciliations as promised by our Father. May we walk faithfully in that ministry in the image of Christ, Who reconciled the world to His Father, because our Father has given us the ministry and word of reconciliation. If you would like to draw nearer to Jesus as He reaches out to draw near to you, you can begin with this prayer: "Lord Jesus, You have reconciled me to the Father in heaven by cleansing me of my sins. I believe you died for me, and that You rose again from the dead. Fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I may minister this same reconciliation to others in Your name. Amen."

Reputation

Christmas is drawing near. I was thinking about the first Christmas, and felt that I needed to remind myself of the circumstances surrounding it. Those who are recorded to have been present at the birth of Christ were of no reputation, several are not even known by name. No religious leaders were there, nor important officials. Animals probably outnumbered the people present. However, the glory of God was there as the heavens opened and the angels declared it. Lowly shepherds were allowed to be a part of the birth and the glory. Unnamed wise men from the East did not consider themselves too important to travel a long distance, following a star in order to bring gifts to an unknown King, though they were men of great enough esteem to be accepted into the presence of earthly kings (Mt. 2:7-12). Mary, a young woman of no importance to man, humbled herself further to receive the perplexing and challenging prophetic Word of the LORD that was brought to her by an angel. Joseph, a common carpenter, humbled himself to accept a seemingly impossible and what would be perceived as a scandalous situation because of what was shown to him in a dream. From these details of the birth of Jesus, we might be able to conclude that God is not necessarily looking for someone with a reputation, who is acknowledged, recognized, and approved of by man. In the world's view, it is a desired thing to be recognized. We live in an age of Instagram flooded with "selfies", and "social influencers" compete for subscribers by showing us how to live the most exciting and beautiful lifestyle. To them, recognition and reputation translates into money. The kingdom of God, especially if we use the birth of Christ as an example, does not share the world's viewpoint, and teaches the complete opposite. It is to our benefit to understand that the world's ways are not God's ways. Scripture tells us that Jesus came as one having made Himself of no reputation (meaning to empty, cause a thing to be seen as empty, of no reputation, abase, make of none effect; vessels which contain nothing, empty handed, destitute of spiritual wealth): "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." (Phil 2:5-8). Though we are the sons of God through Christ, we follow the example of Jesus as we make of ourselves a people of no reputation. We will see what God does with such a people later. I think these verses above are some of the most important in scripture, and the Christmas story is filled with this same truth. If this is the model set before us by the most important figure the world has ever known, Jesus, we are to follow His example, surely. No one has accomplished more for the kingdom of God than Jesus, yet He deliberately sought to have no reputation. He even told those who recognized Him as Christ to tell no one. A person's acceptance of Jesus was not to be based upon His reputation, but based instead upon the revelation of God, a work of the Holy Spirit (Mt. 16:13-20). And too many to count have experienced this revelation. God can do great things through a person of no reputation. Again, in the continuation of the verses from Philippians, we are given the model of Jesus: "Therefore, God has also highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. 2:9-11). To one who accepted Christ, not based upon reputation, but revelation, Jesus said, "...on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Mt. 16:18-19). To the Corinthian church, who had great pride in their spiritual gifts, the apostle Paul pointed out that he came to them in weakness, knowing nothing but Christ and Him crucified. He deliberately preached not with words of human wisdom and polish, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. He told them that their faith should be of the same nature (1 Cor. 2:2:1-5). To the Philippian church, he spoke of his most excellent and highly regarded credentials which would make him a Jew of high standing if that was what mattered. However, he no longer considered those things of importance in preaching the Gospel. He said, "But what things are gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ...for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him...the righteousness which is from God by faith." (Phil. 3:3-9). Paul would rather lose himself and be part of Christ than to be and have what the world and religion consider impressive and influential. He would fit in well as one who came to that first Christmas in Bethlehem. The Sabbath readings assigned for this week, Gen. 41-44, carry the same timely message. The readings tell of people who were miraculously elevated, but they recognized that it was not because of who they were, but because of the Spirit of God. Joseph was brought out of prison to be a ruling person in Egypt because he interpreted Pharaoh's dreams that no one else could interpret. When Pharaoh said that he had heard of Joseph's reputation for interpreting dreams, Joseph answered, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace." (Gen. 41:16). The dream interpretation would result in revealing the heavenly knowledge and wisdom that would be needed to guide the nation of Egypt through years of famine, and also to have enough food on hand to provide for Joseph's father Jacob, Joseph's brothers, and all of their children and flocks when they joined Joseph in Egypt. Choosing Joseph to elevate to the position of second in the land, Pharaoh said to his servants and Joseph, "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?...Inasmuch as God has shown you (Joseph) all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall rule over my house and all my people shall be ruled according to your word...See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt." (Gen. 41:38-41). In this elevation, Joseph, born a Hebrew, hated by his brothers, sold into slavery, betrayed by those with whom he had been entrusted, learned that it was not who he was that elevated him, but Who the Spirit of God is Who revealed these things to him. In the haftarah reading for this Sabbath, 1 Kings 3:15-4:1, when Solomon became king after his father David died, he didn't come to the throne relying on David's great reputation, or the people's recognition and honor of his royal position. Solomon requested of the LORD in a dream, "Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father, David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. Therefore, give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?" (1 Kings 3:7-9). The next verse says, "The speech pleased the LORD that Solomon had asked this thing." Because the LORD was so pleased with Solomon's humble spirit as reflected in his request, the LORD gave Solomon not only what he asked for, but much more besides, "...so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you...there shall not be any one like you among the kings all your days." (v. 12-13). These readings for this Sabbath are titled, "Miketz", which is translated, "at the end of". In light of the contents of the readings, I believe what God is saying to us through them is that when we are willing to be at the end of ourselves, then God can begin. This Christmas, as we remember the birth of Christ, making a pilgrimage in the Spirit to the stable where He was born, let's leave our "reputations" behind, and come as ones having made ourselves of no reputation. This year, may we experience the same Christmas glory in the birth of Christ as those who were present so long ago. Our Father wants us to come to the manger and experience His glory. If you would like to receive the King of Glory, Jesus, this Christmas as your Lord and Savior, believe in your heart that He died for your sins, and confess by faith that He rose from the dead. We can pray together: "Lord Jesus, I come to You in faith, seeking You as Lord and Savior, believing that You died for me. I believe that You rose from the dead. I believe that God has given You a name, and highly exalted You. Every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that You are Lord of all. You lowered Yourself and became like men, and made Yourself of no reputation, in order to save me according to Your Father's plan. Fill me with the Holy Spirit that I might be the glory of God in Your image. In Your name, which has been exalted by God, I pray. Amen.

TheLamp

"Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man...and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches." (Rev. 1:12-13, 20). We never appreciate light as much as when we find ourselves in darkness. As soon as the power goes out, we light candles, grab the flashlight, whatever we have in the house that prevents us from having to walk through the complete darkness. We take light for granted until we have none. In Revelation, Jesus makes it clear that the Church that leaves its first love, Christ, can have its Lampstand taken away from it, losing its light (Rev. 2:5). The Law of Moses required that the Lamp in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle always remain lighted from night until morning. The Israelites were supposed to supply the freshly pressed olive oil for the purpose of supplying the lamp with fuel (Ex. 27:20-21). Later in Israel's history, the Maccabees began the work of cleansing and restoring the Temple of God after it had been defiled by an idolatrous conquering enemy who were eventually defeated in a great rebellion. The first thing the Maccabees did was light the Golden Candlestick in the Holy Place. By a miracle of God, the oil needed to keep the Candlestick lighted, though it was only enough to last one day, lasted eight days until more oil could be made. Christians generally ignore this season of Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication, also called the Festival of Lights. However, Jesus observed this feast: "Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch." (Jn. 10:22-23). The Greek meaning of the word "Dedication" used in the above verses has a very interesting meaning. It is the word Enkinea, which means "new, recently made, fresh(ness), of a new kind, unprecedented, unheard of, the new thing which as recently made is superior to what it succeeds". As scripture also says regarding an enemy who would be vanquished, "They are extinguished, they are quenched like a wick: Do not remember the former things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it?" (Isa. 43:17-19). The lighted Candlestick is not just about the restoration of the old, but it also brings with it an unprecedented "new thing". One of the haftarah readings assigned for this Sabbath is from Proverbs 6, and it rejoices in the Lamp: "For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are a way of life." Psalm 119:105, under the Hebrew letter nun, which means "life, seed, sprout, heir to the throne", reads, "Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path." We know from John 1, that Jesus is the Word of God, the light of creation, whose light gives life to men, and the light dispels darkness (Jn. 1:1-5). This "Lamp" spoken of in Psalm 119 above, lights the path ahead of us as we walk. It is prophetic. It shows us not only what is around us now, but ahead of us as well. The Torah reading for this Hanukkah Sabbath, Gen. 37, also tells of a very prophetic man. This reading is called "Va'yeishev", which means "And he settled". It is the story of Joseph, and his prophetic dreams, and his ability to interpret prophetic dreams. In his first dream as a youth, the natural lights of heaven, the sun, moon and stars, were bowing down to him. Joseph represented a light greater than these. Joseph's name means "add, henceforth, increase, exceed, further, to do more, much more". His brothers envied and resented him, especially because of his prophetic dreams. They plotted to kill him, and to throw his body into a dark pit. After he was sold into slavery, and even put into prison, wherever he was, the place prospered. All who came in contact with Joseph recognized his excellence and the favor that was with him. Though he was put through many trials, he eventually prospered in all of his circumstances. The Lamp is not only prophetic, but brings blessing and favor as well, and all in its light benefit from it. As we know, Jesus said of Himself, "I am the light of the world." (Jn. 8:12, 9:5). In the same manner, He said of those who believe in Him, "You are the light of the world." (Mt. 5:14-16). If we neglect the Golden Lampstand, and its significance, Who are we neglecting but Christ's and our own identity? As we read in the Law of Moses, it is up to the people to supply the oil for the Golden Candlestick. When the Lamp is neglected, there is a lack of the prophetic word, which is a guiding word. This is shown in another haftarah reading for this Hanukkah Sabbath involving the child, Samuel. When Samuel was young, "...the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation" (1 Sam. 3:1). Young Samuel received the prophetic word of the LORD at a time of day "before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the LORD where the ark of God was..." (v. 3). The prophetic word that Samuel received would bring an end to the old, negligent and corrupt regime of priests, and usher in a revived presence of the prophetic judge in Israel. Samuel would eventually anoint kings, including David, the predecessor of the coming Messiah. In another haftarah reading for this Hanukkah Sabbath, the LORD gives the prophets Zechariah and Amos powerful prophetic revelations. To Zechariah, the word of the LORD came to guide a discouraged Zerubbabel saying, "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts" (Zech. 4:6), and to Amos, the LORD speaks of those who tell the prophet not to prophesy (Amos 2:12), and then revealed, "Surely the LORD does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7). More powerful and effective than any efforts or plans of man, the Spirit of God is often represented by the oil of the olive that anoints the head to make it shine, and is used to supply the Golden Lampstand with its fuel. The LORD also gave the prophet Zechariah a vision of the Golden Lampstand. Two olive trees stood, one on the left side of the Lamp, and one on the right side of the Lamp. Each tree had a branch that fed into the oil bowl of the Lamp to supply it (see Rev. 11:3-4 also). These two feeding branches were described to the prophet as "...the two anointed ones who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth." (Zech. 4:13-14). Notice the spelling of "Lord" here. This is the Hebrew word Adon, which means, "master, lord, prophet, prince, king, husband". This meaning sounds like a reference to Jesus. Notice the two olive (root meaning: brightness) tree branches (from a root word meaning a lady's train, the train of a robe), also identified as the two anointed ones (meaning "sons of fresh oil", shining oil producing light) in Zechariah's vision. We see in these words the connection of olive trees and the branches to "light". Jesus warns those who have neglected their lamps, and therefore cannot produce light, that they will miss going in with Him to the marriage supper. Though they will knock on the closed door and cry out, He will tell them that He doesn't know them. How tragic! All of this because they lacked their identifying light (Mt. 25:1-12). The Lampstand, with its light, life, Word and prophecy was not just important to the Hebrews of the Old Testament, but it and especially Whom it represents plays an essential role in the Church. The miracle Light of Hanukkah is very much with us today, and we should seek to have it. The Lamp of the Lord is essential to us as Christians, and essential to all men. Isaiah wrote of the Light (of Christ) as lighting the way out of death: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined." (Isa. 9:2). The Light of the world is so important that scripture says Satan, who enslaves, tries to counterfeit it by disguising himself as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:13-14). However, true light liberates and sets the captives free. The true Light of Christ accompanied an angel into Peter's jail cell "and his chains fell from his hands", and Peter was commanded to leave his prison cell. (Acts 12:7). May we be like the Light set up high upon a lampstand, illuminating all who are around us, walking in His commandment to "Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you." (Isa. 60:1-2) Our Father has called us to be light even as His Son is Light. If you would like to become what Jesus called the light of the world, you can come to Him by faith in His death for your sins, and confession of your belief in His resurrection. We can pray: "Lord Jesus, I believe that You died for me, and rose again from the dead. You are the Light of the world, and You call those who believe in You the light of the world also. Come into my heart and transform my darkness into light, and death into life. Fill me with the oil of Your Holy Spirit so I can shine in truth and grace. Lead me and direct my path by the light of Your commandments, because they are the ways of life. I give You thanks for receiving me today as I confess my faith in You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."

Departure

There is a point in our lives when we make a departure. We leave our parents' house, and begin a life on our own. We leave the familiar and begin a path that is unknown. Spiritually speaking, when God calls us, He leads us from what we have known, and we begin a journey into newness with Him. When the moment comes that God separates us out, He does it in a way that we remember all of our lives. In the most challenging circumstances, we look back at that moment, and we are reminded that God has His hand on our lives in a special way. This moment happened in Jacob's life also. He was forced from his parents' home because of his brother's threats against him. He also began a journey to his mother's family in Syria to find a wife from among her people. This past Sabbath's assigned reading comes from Gen. 28, and is titled "Va'yeitzi", meaning "And he went out". Jacob left from Beersheba (meaning "well of seven-fold oath)" towards a place called Haran (mountainous, to loom up). He went from a place of being well watered, and a place of sabbath (seven) promises, to an arduous, and looming destination. Shortly after his journey began. Jacob fell asleep one night taking one of the stones of the place under his head for his pillow. He had a dream in which he saw the angels of heaven: "...a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, "I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and to the south; and in you and in your seed all the famiies of the earth shall be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you." (Gen. 28:12-15). Jacob awoke and thought, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it." The use of the word, ladder, here in the dream is the only time it is used in scripture. Notice that the ladder goes from earth up to heaven, rather thn the other way around. The Hebrew word for ladder is cullum. It means "ladder, raise up, exalt, extol, esteem highly, to cast up in a heap like a pile of rocks that are piled on the side as a road is leveled". Worship, thanksgiving and praise raise up that ladder from earth. Relationship with God through Christ (the stone under Jacob's head: Ps. 118:22-24, Isa. 28:16, Mt. 21:42, 1 Pet. 2:4-8) raises up that ladder from earth to heaven. As Jacob began his exile from his home, he now had seen the activity between earth and heaven, he had heard the LORD's voice himself, and he had received a covenant promise from the LORD. In that promise, the LORD also told Jacob that he would someday return to the land he had left. Jacob now knew the LORD for himself, rather than from what his grandfather and father had relayed to him. He had a personal experience. In the days and years ahead, including twenty long years of servitude in his conniving uncle's house, Jacob must have recalled that experience with the LORD, and encouraged himself by it. His uncle's name was Laban. The root meaning is "to make white, to purify, to cleanse, to purge oneself, to make bricks". Although his uncle tricked and took advantage of Jacob at every turn, it would be for a cleansing and building experience for Jacob. A spiritual structure was being built within Jacob from the bricks of cleansing in his trying experience. He must have thought again and again about seeing the angels of God ascending and descending that ladder from earth into heaven. As God has promised to those who love Him and are "the called" by Him, He will make all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28). After Jacob woke from this powerful dream, he took the stone upon which he had laid his head, and poured out oil upon it, and called it a pillar (monument, image, to fix, establish, be determined) in the place "Bethel", meaning "the house of God". As Jacob set apart Bethel as the house of God, he also made a promise to God that ended, "And this stone, which I have set as a pillar shall be God's house, and of all that you give me I will surely give a tenth to you." (v. 22). Paul in Ephesians wrote about a structure that is built from that same type of stone to become the house of God: "Now therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you are also being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." (Eph. 2:19-22). This is a very special stone indeed, that begins the building of the house of God in Spirit. Peter described this beginning stone as a living stone. In this living stone, Jesus, we also are made living stones that complete this special dwelling of God. As God promised, in Jacob, all the families of the earth will be blessed. As Jacob established a pillar of the house of God with that anointed stone, he also promised God a tenth, or tithe, of all that Jacob would possess in the future. Some today have a problem with tithing. They believe that it is legalistic, something done under the Law. However, with both Abraham and Jacob, tithing is practiced before the Law of Moses was given to the people. However, Abraham and Jacob were not being legalistic in the giving of their tithe. They both had experienced the miracle and revelation of God directly, and they expressed their worship and thanksgiving through the tithe they gave. They gave as part of their covenant with God. God didn't need their tenth, but He accepted it as their thanks, awe, and worship. Remember, the ladder in Jacob's dream represented the exalting and extoling of God, according to the meaning of the word. He received it as their recognition that nothing they had came from their own efforts, but by the unmerited favor and covenant promises of God. Surely a tenth is not too much to give as "Bethels" are built from our lives, as ladders to heaven are extended through our worship and thanks. All things done by the Spirit bring forth fruit in the Spirit, including tithing. The haftarah portion of this past Sabbath reading is from Hosea 11 and 12. The LORD points out how Jacob sought God's favor for his provision in the unknown, yet God mourns for Jacob's descendants who have walked away from God in their hearts, and have sought wealth through man, and the ways of man, rather than through God's favor: "I taught Ephraim (a grandchild of Jacob and a tribe of Israel and used to refer to the Northern Kingdom) to walk, taking them by their arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love, and I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them...My people are bent on backsliding from Me. Though they call to the Most High, none at all exalt Him." (Hos. 11:3-7). Though God touched Ephraim from the time they began, they did not know Him personally nor recognize Him. Though they knew His name, they never exalted Him. In a similar manner, Jesus talked about the fact that not everyone who claims to know Him will enter the kingdom of heaven, even if they did works in His name. Only those who do the will of His Father in heaven will enter. Jesus will say to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me..." (Mt. 7:21-23). In our spiritual walk, each of us must know God personally, having an experience with Him, as Jaoob did. We cannot know God because our father or mother knew Him. Though Ephraim had the evidence of God's hand upon them, according to these verses, they never established a personal, living relationship with Him, never sought to do His will, and therefore drifted away from God. May we each understand our place as a living stone, in the likeness of our chief cornerstone, Jesus, building up the house of God. Our Father has called us to establish His house. If you would like to experience Jesus, our living chief cornerstone, for yourself, and be established by Him in the House of God, you can do that with the belief in your heart that Jesus died on the cross for your sin, and the confession that God raised Him from the dead: "Lord Jesus, I believe that You died for my sins, and that You rose again from the dead, so that I may have eternal life in You. I believe that You will shepherd all of my days in You, turning all things, even tryng times, for my good. I believe that by You, I enter into the household of faith, the House and family of God. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as I become part of, and build, the House of God, in Your name, AMEN."

Election

The portion of scripture assigned for this Sabbath comes in part from Gen. 25 and Mal. 1. It is titled Toledat, meaning "Generations". This Sabbath portion is about the election of Jacob by God. Isaac's wife, Rebekah, did not conceive, so Isaac pleaded with the LORD, because his wife was barren. Rebekah did then conceive, but she felt troubled during the pregnancy and she went to inquire about it of the LORD. The LORD told Rebekah that there were two different peoples in her womb: "Two nations are in your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger." (Gen. 25:23). Jacob and Esau were the twins born to Rebekah and Isaac. Jacob was the elect of the LORD. His brother was not. Election does not depend upon natural circumstances. Esau was born first (v. 25), but he was not elected. Isaac preferred and favored Esau (v. 28), but Esau was not elected. The elect cannot be accurately identified from a physical appearance (Gen. 27:15-19, 23). Those not elected cannot perform a work to gain election (Gen. 27:38-39, 28:8-9). There is contention, even enmity, between those who are the elect of the LORD, and those who are not (Gen. 27:41). From Mal. 1, and the Book of Obadiah, the haftarah portions of this Sabbath, we can see that those who are not elected despise the LORD (Mal. 1:2-5). We also read how the LORD judges how those who are not the elect treat those who are (Obadiah). If the elect of the LORD are persecuted, then the LORD is also persecuted (Acts 9:3-5/Acts 22:6-8). The Malachi portion also reveals that the LORD will not tolerate His elect treating Him in the same disrespectful and disregarding manner as those who are not elected. By doing so, they are showing that they despise their election. From the title of this Sabbath portion, we can also see that those whom the LORD sovereignly elects will impact generations to come. In the New Testament, we are also called the Elect through Christ. Before we think too highly of ourselves on this account, we should keep in mind that we didn't choose the Lord, but He chose us first, as is the case in election - it is sovereign: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will..." (Eph. 1:3-5) and Jesus said, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give you." (Jn. 15:16). Jesus went on to say, in that same truth of our election: "These things I command you, that you love one another (see Colossians below). If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you." (v. 17-18). It is probably good to note at this point what the word "elect" means in Hebrew. The Hebrew word is bakher, and its root word is bakhar. It means chosen, elect (of God), choice, selected, to appoint. It also means to require, to prove, to try, to examine. The world is going to try the elect. The LORD is going to examine and prove His elect. There is something required of the elect. Our example this Sabbath, Jacob, was tried all his life. We often think that we are being attacked by our spiritual enemy, but our own election also tries us, proves us, and examines us. Our election requires a response from us in these circumstances. Regarding our election through Christ, Paul had this to say: "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Col. 3:12-17). If I am being tried, proven, and examined based upon the above requirements of the elect in Christ, I will need the help of the daily work of the Holy Spirit perfecting me. At this time, the nation, the world, and even the Church are in an uproar over the recent election of a man. I believe that we would serve the spiritual interest of the nation, the world, and the Church better, if we truly understood the election of God through Christ in us. May the Lord reveal the height, the depth, and the breadth of His election to us, so that we may, by the help of the Holy Spirit, live out what it requires of us. Our Father has elected us through Christ.

LOVE

We are all familiar with the topic of "Love", especially for those of us who are part of the Christian faith. We all believe that we have an understanding of what love entails. We know that God is love. We know that we are to love the LORD our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. We know that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. Jesus said that our love for each other identifies us as His disciples (Jn. 13:34-35). If we don't have love for our brethren, then we don't love God (1 Jn. 4:20-21). However, this love is not just for family, friends, and brethren of the faith, but it is to be shown to those who do no good to us, even those who are our enemies. This is the model set before us of God's love (Lk. 8:32-35). Proverbs 10:12 tells us that love covers all sins. The very precious salvation faith, which we all treasure, began in love: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (Jn. 3:16). The first item mentioned as the fruit of the Holy Spirit is love (Gal. 5:22). Paul wrote that all of the spiritual gifts, which we so highly value and desire to manifest in our lives, mean absolutely nothing without love. Then the apostle goes on to describe the character of love, which he called "a more excellent way" (1 Cor. 12:31 and 1 Cor. 13:1-13). We believe that we have an understanding of love already, and we seldom think that we have a need to examine it more deeply. We can see that love plays an enormous and defining role in the Gospel. However, I'm not sure that we really understand the spiritual power of love, and why it is so heavily emphasized in the Gospels and New Testament teachings. In order to take a different look at the subject of love, I would like to refer to the Torah and haftarah portions of scripture that have been assigned for this Sabbath. We begin with the portion from Gen. 23. It is titled, "Chayai (meaning: living, revive, restore to life, remain alive) Sarah". In English, this would be "The Life of Sarah". The odd thing about this portion is that instead of dealing with Sarah's life, it begins with her death, and Abraham's efforts to find her a burial place. Isn't it odd for it to be called "The Life of Sarah"? This gets my attention right away. There is a mystery here that makes me want to look into it. Sarah died at Kirjatharba. This Hebrew word and its roots mean "to lay beams/flooring of a building; to be 4-sided, to be quadrate, four-square; to encounter, to chance to meet; stretch out, repose, lie down". It was later known as Hebron, which means "joining, association; fellowship, to unite, to couple together". To me, all of these meanings are very significant, because they bring the Gospel to mind. At his wife's death, Abraham wept and mourned (to beat the breast, to wail, to weep over). Then "Abraham stood up from before his dead" (v. 3). "Stood up" means: arise, to establish, to become powerful. What was Abraham about to extablish in power out of his love for Sarah? Abraham approached a local tribe of people called the sons of Heth (terror, broken to pieces, go down, terrify, shattered, dismay, break down by confusion and fear, violence). He says to these people, "I am a foreigner and a visitor among you. Give me property for a burial place among you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight." (v. 4). These sons of Heth address Abraham as " mighty prince among us" or "prince of God", and offer to give him burial land for free. Abraham insists on paying for the land. Abraham then asks them to speak to Ephron (fawn-like, a calf, a goat, to be dust, powder) the Hittite (descendant of Heth; fear, terror), the son of Zohar (whiteness, to dazzle (so similar to the meaning of Lucifer: light-bearer, shining one, morning star, brightness), who owns a cave in Machpelah (double portion). Ephron also offers to give the land, valued at 400 shekels of silver, to Abraham, but Abraham again insists on buying it. The land was then deeded to Abraham for a possession before witnesses (v. 17-18). The meaning of the phrase "deeded...for a possession" in Hebrew includes: confirm, accomplish, arise, acquisition, bought, purchase, possession, price, something bought, redeemed, recover, create, as God creating and redeeming His people, to erect, to found, of acquiring knowledge, wisdom. To me, from the meanings of the words used in this passage, Abraham, out of his great love for Sarah, separated out, or redeemed a possession from the place of the dead, a place of demonic torment/destruction. He redeemed it to establish a specific place for his beloved wife in death. I believe this spiritual place separated out of a hopeless death, which was established out of love, is the same place tht became known as "Abraham's Bosom". This is the place that Christ referred to in Lk. 16:22 of one who was "carried by the angels into Abraham's Bosom (meaning the upper chest part of a garment used for keeping and carrying things as in a fold, or pocket. "Bosom" also refers to one who so reclines at table that his head covers the bosom of the one next to him. And, of course, the bosom is the dwelling place of the heart. "Abraham's Bosom" in Christ's parable was not the place of torment for the dead. It was the place where those who were righteous, having died believing the prophesied promise of the Messiah to come, were kept in death before the resurrection of Christ. This is not really about Abraham's Bosom, though, but rather about a redemptive, creative spiritual work that came out of the kind of love that defines God, that Christ taught, that the Apostle Paul wrote about, that Abraham had for Sarah. The kind of love that we only think we already know about. The haftaraah portion for this Sabbath comes from Proverbs 1. We saw above, in the phrase "deeded... for a possession", the meaning in part: acquiring knowledge, wisdom. In Prov. 1, wisdom is crying out, raising her voice, at every possible place for people to listen to her counsel. Wisdom is saying here, "I have stretched out my hand...I have called"..."I will pour out my spirit on you" (v. 23-24). For those who ignore wisdom, calamity, terror, destruction, distress, and anguish, will come upon them (v. 26-27). For those who ignore wisdom, a separation from wisdom develops that cannot be remedied. They will then call on wisdom, but will not be able to receive an answer..."Because they hated knowledge..." (v. 28-29). The passage ends with, "But whoever listens to me will dwell (settle down, to abide, continue, lie down, sleep, rest) safely (assurance, hope, without danger and fear, to set one's hope and confidence upon), and will be secure (at ease, rest, be at peace), without fear (dread, terror, a causer of terror) of evil (wickedness, affliction, malignant, broken in pieces, punishment)." (v. 33). What would drive wisdom to cry out so, to reach out continually in Proverbs 1, but love? It is not spoken of as such, but this is the voice of love. The creation of a place of safety, and the rescue from terror is a work of love. Later, in Proverbs 8, wisdom reveals "...and my delights (meaning includes to dandle or bounce a baby up and down in an affectionate way) were with the sons of men", and who also says, "I love those who love me...". "Love", as the scriptures speak of it, as this Sabbath's portion demonstrates it, means more than the commonly held idea. Love creates redemptive works through those who know it and practice it. Perhaps we need to take a serious look at how we view love. Are we thinking of it as the world does, or are we viewing it as God views it, and creates through it? Our Father has called us to walk in love. May the Lord help us to walk in the knowledge of the creative, redemptive power of love. If you would like to receive the truth of Jesus as Lord, and as your salvation, believe and confess: Lord Jesus, You have redeemed me, and called me by name. I believe that You died for me through love, and were raised from the dead so that I may have everlasting life in You. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and His fruit, which includes the same kind of love. Be Lord of my life, and teach me to walk in truth, knowledge and wisdom. By Your love, You have reconciled me to the Father, Who IS love. I give you thanks, and come to you in Your holy name. Amen.

Images

It is important that each of us be a witness to God's revelatory truth, which is His Word. Jesus said, "Thy word is truth." (Jn. 17:17). Jesus is the Word become flesh, and He is described as being full of grace and truth (Jn. 1:1-14). Jesus also said of God's Word, which is truth, that it has the power to sanctify us (Jn. 17:17). The Church's proclaiming of the truth of God is important for another reason. Jesus told us, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (Jn. 8:31-32). There is liberating power in the truth. When the Church fails to tell the truth, but proclaims the world's solutions instead, we are in effect telling people something like this: "Stay in your prison cell, but I will make the cell more comfortable for you - here's a blanket and a pillow." We are called to speak Christ, Who is truth, in order to open prison doors and set the captives FREE. This is part of the power of truth as prophesied regarding the Messiah: "I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house." (Isa. 42:6-7, also Isa. 61:1). Also, the opening of otherwise unopenable cell doors, creates a wonder and a hunger for salvation that causes people to say, "What must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:23-36). There is nothing that the world can offer that can achieve these results. The world does not accept the power of God's truth. As Jesus declared that He came to bear witness to the truth, the world responded cynically asking, "What is truth?" (Jn. 18:37-38). The world considers truth to be something that is continually changing, or relative, or even unimportant. For this reason, the world's "solutions" are not deeply or lastingly effective, and at best, apply a bandage to a gushing wound. Why should we, the Church, be in agreement with the world's opinion of truth? There are two ways to deliver truth. There is a negative truth, and a positive truth, though both are truth. Here is an example: Someone wants to draw a tree. They ask, "What does a tree look like?" If I supply them with negative truth, I would answer, "Well, a tree does not look like a horse, and it does not look like a rock, and it does not look like a bird...", and so on. I would be delivering truth, but the person would not be able to replicate a tree. In order to replicate the image, positive truth would be more helpful to them: a tree has a strong central trunk with protective bark on its surface. The trunk has a wider base which tapers to a narrower top. From that trunk, branches that look like arms extend laterally from around the trunk, and up to the top. From those sturdy branches, extend thinner branches. At the ends of those thinner branches, grow clusters of leaves, or needles. The artist now has a far better chance of duplicating an accurate image of a tree from the positive truth supplied. In the same manner, we have the ability, by knowing God's Word of truth, to supply helpful, positive truth to reproduce the image that is created by truth, and we already know that the image created by the truth of God's Word is Christ. Here is an example from one of the issues of today. In dealing with the issue of marriage, there are many negative truths that can be supplied. "Marriage is not....". If we want to offer the truth of God that creates the person of Christ, it might be more helpful to describe what marriage is according to the Word of truth: "Then God (Elohim:plural) said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion...over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them..." (Gen. 1:26-28). We can see from the verses above, that God created man to place His image in the earth. He mentions His/Our image/likeness four times. That image would be created by the combination of male and female according to the verses. What does the image of God that is produced with the male/female creation look like? If we look at the Hebrew words and roots involved, it becomes quickly obvious that the image created is Christ. Here are some of the meanings of the Hebrew words used for male (remember, to bring to mind, to make a memorial, pricking, piercing, penetrating, to meditate and think on, to praise, to offer a memorial offering, the recorder of the annuls of the kingdom) and female (to pierce, perforate, bore a hole, pierce through, strike through, to call by name, to thrust through with a spear, to express with holes, blaspheme, curse). Can you see what the image is created within the truth of male and female? Yes, it's Jesus! We see the curious inclusion of "blaspheme", and "curse" within the meaning of the Hebrew word for female, but these two words have a very specific contribution to the image of Christ being created here. Christ was condemned to death by the religious council, and ultimately agreed to by the Gentile government, for the crime of blasphemy. Those who accused Him were actually committing blasphemy themselves, as they falsely accused the innocent Son of God. Scriptures also tell us that Christ has redeemed us from the curse..., having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs from a tree." (Gal. 3:13-14). Apostle Paul confirms the truth of the prophetic image of Christ within the joining of male and female that God established at our creation. Paul wrote in the New Testament, based on verses from Genesis, "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined with his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church." (Eph. 5:31-32, Gen. 2:24). Those who receive this positive truth concerning marriage as spoken by God now have this image before them to which they may conform. As we know, however, many prefer to accept a different image. There are those who are ignorant of the truth, or do not receive the truth when it is given to them, including some in the Church. They choose to conform to the images created and preferred by the world. However, those images do not set anyone free. Those images do not have the power to sanctify. Those images do not create the image of Christ. Many times in scripture, God brings judgment to His people who accept false images in place of the image that God has ordained through truth (see Ezek. 7 and 8). The world cannot receive the Spirit of truth, because it neither sees, nor knows Him (Jn. 14:17). How can the world recreate an image of truth when it cannot see, nor know, the original? It can't be done. That's our job. Our Father has provided us with an image of His Son, Who is truth. If you would like to know the truth that sets men free, the truth that brings us to the Father, the truth that redeems us from the curse, the truth which is the image of Christ, you can receive Him by believing His death, and resurrection. You can confess this belief through a prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe You are truth and grace. I believe that You died in my place, and was raised again, so I can live. Come into my heart, and be Lord of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, so that I may be a witness of truth in the earth for others. I thank You for reconciling me with the Father, and for the gift of salvation and everlasting life. I believe and pray these things in your name. Amen.

Walk

This entry is based upon the Torah and Haftarah readings assigned to last week's Sabbath, and this Sabbath. Even those these two sections of scripture are read a week apart, I believe they have a common thread. As is true with all scripture, these scriptures have insights that are very pertinent to our walk with Christ and these current times. We will see the ruling image of Christ in these scriptures as well. Last week's Sabbath section of scripture in the Parshah, or assigned reading, is titled "Noah" or "Rest". God had concluded that because of the thorough wickedness of men, and the evil that was in their hearts continually, He would destroy men from the earth: "And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them." (Gen. 6:6-7). Onto this scene of impending judgment and destruction, Noah is inserted: "But Noah found (encountered, acquired) grace (favor, acceptance, mercy, supplication) in the eyes of the LORD. This is the geneology of Noah. Noah was a just (righteous, correct, lawful, cleansed) man, perfect (complete, without blemish, in accord with truth; finished, to be completely crossed over) in his generations (also an age, a period, to dwell). Noah walked (to die, live, manner of life) with God (Elohiym-plural name of God)." (v. 8-9). Last week's Sabbath section of scripture in the Parshah, or assigned reading, is titled "Noah" or "Rest". God had concluded that because of the thorough wickedness of men, and the evil that was in their hearts continually, He would destroy men from the earth: "And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them." (Gen. 6:6-7). Onto this scene of impending judgment and destruction, Noah is inserted: "But Noah found (encountered, acquired) grace (favor, acceptance, mercy, supplication) in the eyes of the LORD. This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just (righteous, correct, lawful, cleansed) man, perfect (complete, without blemish, in accord with truth; finished, to be completely crossed over) in his generations (also an age, a period, to dwell). Noah walked (to die, live, manner of life) with God (Elohiym-*plural name of God)." (v. 8-9). (*The use of the name "Elohiym" here for God lets us know that, as a plural, the Son and the Holy Spirit are understood also.) From the Hebrew meanings, including root meanings, of the description of Noah, we can see that he was a forerunner in the Spirit of a follower of Christ in his age. As such a follower, he received the characteristics of Christ through grace. He would provide a place of rest in prepartion for the coming judgment. We are called to have a similar walk with God during the approaching judgment of the earth. Not only would the rest be for himself and those immediately with Noah, but there would be a promise of the same rest for Noah's descendants, his future generations. The haftarah portion from Isa. 54 tells us that God was still keeping His covenant promise established with Noah to show His mercy and kindness to Noah's descendants. God called it His covenant of peace with them. As in the case of the description of Noah here in these verses, we also are "predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many brethren." (Rom. 8:28-30), in our age, which is the age of Christ and His Church. We also therefore are called to provide a place of rest against the shakings and coming judgment of God. That place of rest is the same place of rest as in Noah's day, in Christ. In this week's assigned Torah reading, the section of scripture is called "Lech Lechah", or "Go forth yourself!" It begins in Gen 12, as Abram is told by God: "...Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation...and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Gen. 12:1-3). In the same way that Noah was described as "just", which in part means "completely crossed over", Abram would begin a journey, or walk, through which he will become "completely crossed over", spiritually speaking. Like Noah, having made this spiritual journey, he will impact many generations, and all the families of the earth. In these first nine verses, Abram is brought from a place of burning, scorching, parching, anger (Haran), to a place of humbling oneself, the bending or falling to the knees (Canaan), to a place where the back and shoulders are offered (consented to) for carrying a burden, and upon which blows are inflicted (Shechem), to the place of teaching, instruction and the early rains (Moreh), to the spiritual place of intercession: positioned between iniquity, perversity, destruction and ruin (Ai) and the House (tent, family, descendants) of God (Bethel). We can clearly see a journey in Christ in these places where Abram was directed to go. This reflects our journey as well as we are brought from death to life through Christ's sacrifice. The work of our walk also includes intercession as we stand between destruction and the House of God, praaying the mercy of God. In the corresponding Haftarah portion for this week's Sabbath, the prophet Isaiah describes the work that was accomplished through Abram, and the generations to follow him: "But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend. You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest regions, and said to you, "You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away...I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isa. 41:8-10). The LORD also declared in this assigned passage for this Sabbath, "Who has performed and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD, am the first; and with the last, I am He." (v. 4). As we see the use of the term "beginning", as well as "first" and "last", we can understand that this reference is to Christ, Who identified Himself in these terms in the Book of Revelation (1:8,11, 17)). Christ's work through our walk with Him, is not just with us, but to establish a relationship with us from which to call future generations to Himself. The journey of Abram was a "walk with God", as it was with Noah. This walk produced the work of Christ in these men, as it is also produced in us. The work is not just a change for one man, but a change impacting many generations into the future. We are assured of this great fruit into the distant future because the generations produced out of this Christ-like work, are generations ordained by Christ Himself, the First and the Last. We can see why this Sabbath's section of the Parsha is titled "Go forth yourself!" We can rejoice in the fruit that the Lord guarantees from every life walked with Him. May you be encouraged in your walk with Christ, and may the Lord bring forth His work of rest out of judgment, and the establishment of His covenant blessing to many generations through us. Our Father has called us to walk with Him in Christ. If you would like to begin to walk with God through His Son, Jesus, Who is the First and the Last, we can pray this life-changing, and life-giving confession of faith: Dear Jesus, I believe that You died for me. I believe that You rose again from the dead, and are returning soon to rule and reign on the earth. I confess my sins to You, and believe that You have cleansed me of those sins. I believe I have received the promise of everlasting life in You. Fill me with the Holy Spirit Who will teach me and lead me in this walk to follow You in Your ways of truth and righteousness. I give You thanks for hearing my prayer, and receiving me into the eternal loving covenant family of God. In Your name, I come to the Father. Amen.

Witnesses

Romans 12 opens with a mysterious statement by Paul. He says, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded (compassed about) by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of God." (Rom. 12:1-2). The Greek meaning of the phrase "compassed about" is: enclose, encircle, have round one, be bound with. The root meaning includes: of things put and set in place, of vessels, of a throne, or the site of a city, of a foundation; of laws to be made, to be set by God's intent, destined, appointed. The verses go on from there, urging perserverance against hostility and sin. Because Paul starts this chapter with the word "Therefore", we look back to the previous chapter to see to whom he is referring as being witnesses. The chapter before, discusses great heroes of faith, who were obedient to what they heard from God, despite sometimes extremely difficult circumstances. We can then consider these forerunners of faith, the "witnesses" to whom Paul is referring. The Greek word used here for "witnesses" is the word martys, from which we get the word "martyr". The Greek meaning does include the concept of martyrdom in affirming faith, but it includes more than that in its meaning. The meaning also includes: a witness in the legal sense, the historical sense, spectator, record, one who avers what he himself has seen, heard, or knows by any means. While some of those that were named in Chapter 11 bore terrible afflictions, and some even death for their faith, not all were martyrs. However, we can understand that witnesses play a very deep spiritual role from what Jesus said about them: "But if he (a brother who has sinned against you) will not hear, take with you one or two more, that "by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established." (Mt. 18:16, also see Deut. 17:6, Deut. 19:15). Jesus was revealing that things were established by witnesses. The word established here is the Greek word hestame. It means: to cause or make to stand, to make firm, fix, establish, to be kept intact, to cause a person/thing to keep his or its place, to continue safe and sound, to stand ready and prepared, to be of a steadfast mind, one who does not hesitate or waiver, abide, appoint, continue, covenant. A witness then has a spiritually important role in the establishment of anything. Looking at Paul's statement in Romans, and taking into account the fact that Paul was Jewish, we can find out more about witnesses if we consider the Hebrew sense of the word. We will look at the Hebrew concept of witnesses in the Book of Joshua. At the end of the Book of Joshua, the tribes of Israel are replacing the people who had inhabited the land of promise. These former inhabitants of the land had descended into iniquity. Joshua makes the following personal commitment to the LORD before the people of God: "And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Josh. 24:15). The people answered and insisted to Joshua that they too will vow that they will serve the LORD, who brought them out of Egypt with great signs. Joshua warned the people that after making such a commitment, if they should turn and worship other gods, the LORD, who had previously done them good, would turn and do them harm. The people responded, "No, but we will serve the LORD!". (v. 16-21). Here, Joshua brings in the solemn meaning of "witnesses": "...You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the LORD for yourselves, to serve Him." And they said, "We are witnesses!" Joshua then made that day a covenant, a statute, an ordinance with the people. He wrote the words in the Book of the Law, and he also took a large stone, and set it under an oak tree by the sanctuary there in Shechem (meaning "consent, back and shoulder, to carry a burden on the back and shoulder"). Joshua then said, "Behold, this stone shall be a witness to us, for it has heard all the words of the LORD which He spoke to us. It shall therefore be a witness to you, lest you deny your God." (v. 27). It is time now to find out the Hebrew meaning of the word "witness". It is the word edah which means: testimony, witness, always plural and always of laws as diivine testimonies; a precept, a recorder, a prince, concretely. The root word is ud, which means:surround, to return, to restore, to affirm solemnly, to warn, to exhort, to admonish, to charge. As we see from the meaning of the word in Hebrew, and what Jesus revealed, the role of the witness is to establish a precept that reflects divine testimonies. That witness also establishes a point of return and restoration. The witness is surrounding us also to give warning, to admonish, and to charge. Joshua not only recorded the witness in the Book of the Law, but set a large stone to be a witness to what had been consented. This witness of the people that day was not only to set precedent and establishment to a people of faith, but also to a people who were now assigned and inhabiting a specific geographical location. This was also the beginning of a nation. That great cloud of witnesses that Paul spoke of as surrounding us is not only to spectate, or cheer us on, but spiritually, they are also a point of warning, and a point of retoration. They are the point of establishment. Our nation also has those who are spiritual witnesses from our beginnings. There are also stones that have been, as in Joshua, set as witnesses. We already know of the Puritans and Separatists (Pilgrims) who established covenant in New England. There is a stone, or monument that is a witness to this covenant, The National Monument to the Forefathers in Plymouth, Massachusetts, having on it a guide to spiritual restoration for this people. We also associate Plymouth Rock with the first step onshore of the Puritans of the Mayflower. Besides the Puritans, there are others who settled this land, who became spiritual witnesses surrounding our people. First of all, all of the English Charters, and also the Dutch Charter, had a provision to bring Christianity to the Native people who were inhabitants of the land. Although the first permanent settlement of Jamestown, Virginia, established in 1609, was not established primarily because of religious reasons or persecution, the settlers showed themselves to be people of faith. They spent two years discipling the Native king's daughter, Pocohontas, to Christianity (Church of England). The first building in the settlement was a church, in which prayers were said morning and evening, and communion was shared several times per month. When it was discovered that one of the leaders of the community neglected to bring his Bible from England, he was removed from his position. It is recorded that as the settlers first came on shore, they erected a cross, before continuing on up the James River to establish their settlement. Recently, a stone was discovered from Jamestown. The secular historians are cslling it a type of Rosetta Stone that had both the English language and the Native language carved into it. However, rather than being a type of Rosetta Stone, which had not been discovered at the time anyway, I believe this stone is a stone of witness. If the settlers had wished to create a language dictionary, they would surely have done so with parchment, quill, and ink, rather than hammer and chisel into stone. Also, the only two words which remain legible on this newly discovered stone are the words, "Abraham" and "book". Many things have been said lately about the Jamestown settlement, but it appears that they were people of strong faith, and may be among the spiritual witnesses that were established for this nation. Another early settlement in this country was in New York, and it wasn't the Dutch, as we have been told. The Dutch claimed the territory from the explorations of Henry Hudson. While they had trappers and traders in the territory, they had not considered establishing a settlement of dwellers. In 1612, again before the Puritans of Massachusetts, a small group of settlers arrived in the harbor of what they would name "New Netherland", after the ship on which they arrived, under the Dutch Charter. These people were Walloons. The Walloons were from Belgium originally. As Protestants out of the Reformation movement, they were persecuted in their homeland. They petitioned England for permission to join the Jamestown settlement, but were denied. They then petitioned the Dutch for permission to settle on the Dutch held territory in America. They were a small group of 32 families. Some of the families settled there at the base of what became known as Manhattan, and some were sent by the Dutch upriver to what we now call the Albany area. Shortly afterwards, the Dutch began to also send their own countrymen to establish settlements. There is a monument, or granite stone, located in the Battery area of lower Manhattan to commemorate the arrival of the Walloons. They were another group of believers who became part of the cloud of witnesses, not only for our personal faith, but witnesses for the establishment of precedents of faith for a nation. We have talked here about some of the earliest of the American colonies established. Now, we will talk about the last colony to be established in America. The Georgia colony was also established under an English Charter. They were not specifically founded for religious reasons, or because of persecution. A man named James Ogelthorpe was a philanthropist in England, who did philanthropic work in the debtors prisons of England. The system of debtors prisons were a hopeless dead end for those who found themselves in them. Ogelthorpe convinced the king that he could bring some of these debtors to the American Territory to have a new and successful beginning. King George agreed. A settled area, in what would be called Georgia, would also act as a buffer against Spanish aggression from their holding in Florida northward into the territory claimed by England. English settlements in Georgia would be a protection for the valuable Carolina colonies. In 1733 a group of 114 were brought to America by Ogelthorpe. Ogelthorpe was treated as the leader and authority of the colony, although he did not formerly hold that position. The settlers called him, "Father". He instituted rules prohibiting Negro slavery and rum, because he wanted to encourage settlers who were Christians to come. Early on, over half of the settlers began to succumb to sickness as a result of the heat. Even the doctor was stricken and unable to care for the sick. It looked like the sick would not survive. Unexpectedly, a ship arrived. It was full of Jewish people looking for a place to settle. They were at first rejected by the leaders of the Georgia colony there in Savannah. On board the ship, however, was a Jewish doctor named Dr. Samuel Nunez. He offered to treat the sick, and he did so without payment. The sick recovered, but the board of leaders still did not want to accept the Jewish settlers. Ogelthorpe overruled that decision, not only accepting the Jewish refugees, but allowing them to purhase land, and establish a synagogue. That synagogue remains the oldest active synagogue in the South, and the third oldest synagogue in America. Ogelthorpe would makes trips back and forth to England, and on one of his return trips to the colony, he brought with him John and Charles Wesley, ministers of the Church of England. In 1738, George Whitefield (also spelled Whitfield) arrived in the Savannah colony. He was a Church of England minister, and the founder of the evangelical movement. In 1734, a German anti-slaver, Rev. Boltzius came to minister to German speaking Protestants of the colony called Saltzburgers. Ogelthorpe gave them a settlement which was named "Ebenezer", and they became the oldest continuing Lutheran congregation in America. "Ebenezer" is a Hebrew word meaning "stone of help". In Israel, it was a stone placed by the prophet Samuel to mark the place where God helped Israel defeat the Philistines. We have always known that America's beginnings were established by people of faith. However, they were not only settlers, but "witnesses" placed in this nation for the purpose of establishing the divine testimonies, and as a point of warning, charging, admonishing, and just as importantly, as a point of return and restoration of faith for this nation. We should understand the solemn warning of Joshua for a people who turn away from their witness. If the LORD withdraws His hand of going good to a nation, repentance before the witness of truth is necessary for restoration. The settlers and their colonies were not perfect, but neither were the witnesses mentioned in Heb. 11. The spiritual role of the witnesses is only part of the story, rather than the whole story, but the witnesses do have a role to play. The Heb. 11 witnesses were often accounted as righteous, and grace was extended to many of them because of their obedience and faith to what they heard from the LORD. Their importance as witnesses to us will extend forever. May the Lord bring us to the place of admonishment, warning, return, and restoration in Him by the establishing witnesses that He provided for this nation. Our Father has encompassed us and this nation about with a great cloud of witnesses. Special thanks to G.S. for valuable contributions to this entry.

LatterRains

The Feast of Tabernacles lasts seven days. The day after this feast ends, which would be the eighth day (Lev. 23:36), is called Shemini Atzeret. Today happens to be that Eighth Day. A detailed description of this day is not given in scripture, but it is written as a day of solemn assembly, and a sabbath of no work. It is also referred to by many in Judaism as "the last day". This day became associated with the beginning of the latter rains of the year, and prayers were said, beginning on Shemini Atzeret, for those latter rains. These prayers would continue into the spring, and the Feast of Passover. Generally speaking, believers are familiar with the expression "latter rains". The prophets wrote about the latter rains. Joel wrote, "Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the LORD has done marvellous things! Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field; for the open pastures are springing up, and the tree bears its fruit; the fig tree and the vine yield their strength. Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God; for He has given you the former rain faithfully, and He will cause the rain to come down for you- the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust have eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt wonderously with you; and My people shall never be put to shame. Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the LORD your God and there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame." (Joel 2:21-27). The LORD here is not discussing a rain cycle. What the LORD is doing in these verses He describes as "marvellous". It is a restoration work. He tells the land and the beasts to "Fear not...do not be afraid...". There was a destruction that four different kinds of locusts caused, but the LORD will restore bountifully all that was lost. The kind of locusts mentioned here are crawling locusts, which have not yet developed wings. As they crawl on the ground, they devour everything. Flying locusts go from place to place, but crawling locusts keep progressing upon the ground, until all is eaten- not an inch of ground is missed or spared. This time of year in Israel, the summer crops have already ripened and have been harvested, including the summer crop of wheat. From the wheat crop, the grain is ground into flour, and a light, delicious bread can be made. Wheat, as it grows, does not like "wet feet". It does not grow well in puddled water. It preferrs a clay soil. By the time wheat is harvested in Israel, the ground is dry, hard, cracked, and baked in the hot summer sun. The latter rains that must begin after the Feast of Tabernacles softens and prepares the hard, dry, caked soil left for a barley crop to be planted for harvesting in early spring. The moisture level of the soil must be about 60% from the tillering of the soil until the barley plants begin to flower. Without the latter raains, the soil cannot be planted successfully, and there will be no harvest in the spring. If we consider these things on the spiritual level, after the great wheat harvest, the hard, depleted, dry earth is telling God that there will not be another planting and harvest. However, God will not allow the earth to refuse Him another harvest. He begins to send a "rain" that will force the earth to receive His seed, and produce another harvest. The LORD will not be satisfied until He reaps the last willing soul from the earth. The end result He is looking for is not total destruction, but a seedtime and harvest of souls. In the Book of Revelation, John sees a great multitude in heaven worshipping God and the Lamb (Jesus). An elder in heaven asks John, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?" The elder then goes on to answer his own question, because John does not know: "These are the ones who come out of great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb...He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb...will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Rev. 7:9-17, excerpt). There is a harvest of salvation that comes out of the Tribulation period. The latter rains of Tribulation have broken the hard earth and allowed a final harvest before the return of Christ. How can we know that the latter rains may be associated with the Tribulation? The Hebrew word and meaning for "barley", the crop that results in the natural from the latter rains, reveals a great deal to us. Barley in Hebrew is the word, "seora". It means "roughness", which describes the texture of the barley awls. However, the root word for barley is saar, which means "be (horrible), afraid, tempestuous, hurl as a storm, dread, bristle, come like a whirlwind". Barley is associated with terror and destruction in its meaning. The prophet Joel, after describing the former and latter rains as we read above, says that following this, there will be an outpouring of God's Spirit as we have never before seen. Peter likens this outpouring to the one on Pentecost, after Christ's death and resurrection (Acts 2:15-21). Joel wrote that the outpouring will be upon "all flesh" (Joel 2:28-32). For a remnant in those days, there shall come salvation in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem for "whoever calls on the name of the LORD". Out of the destruction (imagery of crawling locusts), there will come fruit, oil, and wine, as Joel wrote. May the LORD cause the earth to produce a harvest of souls by His latter rains - even out of the darkest, most troubled times the earth has known. Our Father will send the latter rains of Shemini Atzeret.

Culmination

The Feast of Tabernacles is the last of the fall feasts of the Lord. The depth and breadth of this Feast exists on several different levels: the past, the present, the future, and to the intimately personal, to the nations, and finally, to all creation. Only a few of the many meanings of Tabernacles will be discussed here. To me, Tabernacles represents the completion of the will of God, the culmination of all His work. We are currently in the middle of Tabernacles, which lasts seven days. From the beginning of man, it has been our Creator's intention to dwell among us, His beloved creation. In Genesis, God walked in the Garden of Eden with the man He created, until that man fell in rebellion against His Maker. To tabernacle, or dwell with man was so important to God, that, even before time and creation began, He made a provision to restore His dwelling relationship with man, that provision being salvation, redemption, and atonement through His Son, the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world. Tabernacles begins with the intimate gathering of each family under a shelter built for this occasion called a sukkah. Meals are shared within the shelter or sukkah to remember God's miraculous provision for Israel when He led them out of Egypt and through the wilderness. It is also an occasion to thank God for His continuing provision in all things, physical and spiritual today. Jesus spoke in Revelation about coming in and supping with us if we will hear His voice (Rev. 3:20). Tabernacles is not only the culmination of God's relationshi[p with man, but it is also the culmination of His Word, in both the Old and New Testaments. In Zechariah, one of the last books of the Old Testament, the LORD prophecies His tabernacle among men, and calls all the nations to come to Him in Jerusalem: "And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles." (Zech. 14:16). Even the nations that were enemies of His people will be required to tabernacle with the LORD in Jerusalem. It is not for the LORD's benefit that He commands the nations to tabernacle with Him in Jerusalem, but for their own benefit. In the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament, there is an even greater vision of a heavenly tabernacle being brought down to earth, to men, as the LORD brings to pass the culmination of Tabernacles: "Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God." (Rev. 21:2-3). In joining in His Feast of Tabernacles, we are not only joining in a prophetic promise of things to come, but we are bringing the blessing of Tabernacles into the NOW, into our lives, into the earth. Those blessings of Tabernacles are: no more tears, no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain, all wiped away by God Himself (Rev. 21:4). There is another promise associated with Tabernacles that is not only part of a future time, but, because of Christ, it is part of the NOW, and part of us: "Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." (Rev. 21:5). Those who are in Christ are a new creation. Old things have passed away, and all things have been made new. This is the essence of Tabernacles, according to Revelation. These verses in 2 Corinthians go on to say, "NOW all things are of God who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation." (2 Cor. 5:17-18). The ministry of reconciliation, which by its description in 2 Corinthians, is the essence of Tabernacles, has been given to us! Shouldn't we be taking part in this victorious Feast of the LORD? We are its present fulfillment in the earth! As we read in Revelation, with the culmination of Tabernacles, the Lord creates all things new, in a new beginning: "NOW I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea." (Rev. 21:1). At the end of the Feast of Tabernacles, which lasts for seven days, there is a mysterious eighth day (eight is the number of new beginnings). It is a day called "Shemini Atzeret". It is mentioned in scripture as a day immediately following Tabernacles, but with no specific description. "Shemini" means "8th", but the meaning of "Atzeret" is unclear. It is translated as meaning a solemn gathering because of the possible root word "atzar", which means "stop". It is also called "the last day". Outside of Israel, Shemini Atzeret is joined with a day called "Simchat Torah". In Israel, these two days are kept separate, one following the other. This year, Shemini Ateret will begin on the evening of October 9, until sundown of October 10. Shemini Atzeret is associated with the beginning of the fall rains, or the latter rains. Prayers for rain continue from this day until Passover in the spring. In the natural, the latter rains soften and prepare the earth for the early planting of the barley crop, from which a type of bread can be made when harvested in early spring. For this reason, these rains of Shemini Atzeret are very important to Israel. They are also important in the Spirit. The Word of God talks about the latter and former rains in connection with His faithful provision, a move of His Spirit, and the going forth of the LORD (Hos. 6:3, Joel 2:23-24). The latter rain also reminds us of the return of Christ: "Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." (James 5:7-8). The second day after the end of Tabernacles, Simchat Torah, speaks of wonderful things also. In present practice, the day is observed in the synagogue with everyone handling and dancing joyfully holding the Torah (the first five books of scripture). Usually the Torah is treated with quiet reverence, and careful handling, but on this day of Simchat Torah, it is time to dance, drink, and celebrate with the Torah! They literally dance around the synagogue holding the priceless Torah scroll, and everyone gets a turn. The rabbi is encouraged to say the closing blessing early in the day, because he might be too "happy" to articulate it later in the day. This is like our celebrtion with Christ, the Living Torah or Word, at our wedding celebrtion with Him (Rev. 19:7-9). The wedding. like Simchat Torah is a time to "be glad and rejoice". With Simchat Torah, the last reading in the annual cycle of Torah readings is completed with the last verses of Deuteronomy. However, combined with these ending verses, the beginning verses of Genesis are also read. There is an ending, but there is an immediate new beginning, as well. We can see how this coincides with the new beginning of Tabernacles. In this traditional practice, the cycle of Torah reading remains unbroken. In Revelation, Jesus describes Himself as the Beginning and the Ending, the First and the Last, the Alpha and Omega (Aleph/Tav). Here, during the day of Simchat Torah, we see practiced the eternal connection between the beginning and the ending in Christ's identity as the Word of God. Finally, I would like to reveal an interesting meaning to this Hebrew year of 5781, or 2020-21 in our secular calendar. The year 5781, which began with the first fall Feast of Trumpets approximately 15 days ago, is composed of the Hebrew letters, written from right to left, aleph, peh, shin + tav, (he). These letters in their pictographic meaning could translate into something like "Behold, Adonai (Lord) what is first, the beginning, El Shaddai (Almighty God), the last". May the Lord fill you, the nations and all creation with the new beginnings of the Feast of Tabernacles. and also with the new beginnings in Christ. Our Father has called us to meet with Him during the Feast of Tabernacles.

Mercy

For most of the world, and sadly for most of the Church, today is like any other day. It is a typical Monday morning, except of course for the pandemic, the fires, the hurricanes, the political enmity and turmoil, desperate outcries against racism and injustice, and the huge increase in violence and murder. However, today is not like every other day to God. This is a very solemn day to God. It is a day of life and death, and the provision of mercy. It is a day when He looks at His Throne of Judgement, and sees the blood of His Son poured out upon it, crying out to Him. In His Word, He makes clear that this should be a most solemn day for us as well. Today is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Today is not a day for "normal" activities. It is a day when some will be cut off, and some will live. For many in the Church, Yom Kippur is "Old Testament". Now that we have Christ, they think, we are saved, and the issue is moot for us. They argue that it is understood that Christ is our Atonement, and we have already been covered in that blood. However, the Book of Hebrews makes very clear that the Day of Atonement, while fulfilled by Christ, is a Day in which all of the people of God, especially the believers in Christ, should actively participate. It even says within the context of the whole explanation of the Day of Atonement of previous chapters: "...not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace." (Heb. 10:25-29). These words of the Book of Hebrews were written to the Church, the sanctified believers, the partakers of the covenant sealed by the blood of Christ. The writer of Hebrews is saying that to ignore this Day is like trampling the blood of Christ underfoot, and thereby becoming an adversary of God. It is like treating the atoning blood as a common, everday, business as usual thing to which we are automatically entitled. The Day of Atonement is very much a solemn Day that applies to those who, having been saved by the grace of God through Christ, may partake in by faith the opportunity presented by this Day to avail ourselves of the atoning blood that covers our continuing sins. The provision has been made. Why would we ignore it? Why would we despise it? "Kippur" is from the Hebrew word kaphar, which means atonement, reconciliation, merciful, cleansed, forgive, pardon, purge (away), to cover, cover over, to overspread, pacify, propitiate. On the occasion of this feast, the High Priest entered into the Holy of Holies with the sacrifical blood of animals, and poured it upon the Mercy Seat which covered the Ark. Not only has Christ fulfilled this feast by entering into the Holy of Holies in heaven as our High Priest, according to the Book of Hebrews, but He covered the Mercy Seat, not with the blood of animals for a temporary relief, but with His own blood, providing an everlasting covering. Though we who are in Christ are saved, there is no doubt that we all continue to sin. This is the place to which we can go to have our continuing sins covered and purged away. We approach the Mercy Seat of the atoning blood of Christ by faith, in the promise of God in this Day, which He has set apart, a Day in which He has provided an appointed time and place for us to partake of His provision of mercy. It is a provision that was appointed for us before the foundations of the world, when the Lamb was slain. This Day is associated with the Lamb's Book of Life. The Father told His people in the Book of Leviticus that he who does not avail himself appropriately of the atonement provision of this day, with an attitude worthy of the Day, shall be cut off from his people (Lev. 23:26-32). The Book of Hebrews says that this Day is still part of the commandments of God. The provision is there for us. The word of God clearly tells us the importance of this Day to Him for our sakes. It is a Day that proclaims life or death. The blood of the Lamb is crying out to His Father on our behalf from God's Mercy Seat, which is the Throne of the presence of God. That blood is crying out, "Atonement! Reconciliation! Mercy! Cleansing! Covering! Propitiation!" Why would we want to ignore that blood or this Day? Our Father has proclaimed the Day of Atonement for His people. "May you be written in the Lamb's Book of Life!"

Benediction

When I was young, my family attended a church whose minister, Rev. Gerald Huenink, was a very reserved, learned man. However, it would always charm me, even as a child, to see Rev. Huenink come to the center of the altar area at the end of the service, raise his arms over the congregation, and pronounce a blessing or benediction over us. The benediction, or blessing, has the power to transform. The patriarchs of scripture would pronounce a blessing over the heads of their children (Gen. 49). The blessing had a prophetic significance also over a person's life. Aaron, the priest, was instructed to say a blessing over the children of Israel: "And the LORD spoke to Moses saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, "This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: "The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace." So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them." (Num. 6:22-27). By Aaron and his sons speaking this blessing over Israel, the LORD said He would place His name upon them, and bless them. In these trying times, I am sure that there are people upon whom we would like to see the name of the LORD placed, and the blessings that follow that wonderful name. Are we speaking this blessing? Are we speaking a transforming word of blessing into people's lives? Especially as the time of Christ's return draws near, speaking the benediction can be a vital tool of ministry to others. Proverbs teaches us that we have power in our mouths: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Prov. 18:21). "Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul, and health to the bones." (Prov. 16:24). "Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad." (Prov. 12:25). Mental and physical health, even life and death, are impacted by the words out of our mouths. More than ever before, people, even children, are being consumed by anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses. Speaking blessings and benedictions over them can bring words of relief and transformtion. The creative power of transformation found in the blessing, or benediction, is not only meant for the people of God, or for the people we like. Jesus said: "You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I say to you, love your enemies, bless them who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you my be sons of your Father in heaven: for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust." (Mt. 5:43-45). The role of the ministers of the Church is for "the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be childre, tossed to and fro...by the trickery of men...but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the Head - Christ -..." (Eph. 4:12-15). The Church is being transformed into the perfect man, and the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ by the truth spoken in love. This transformative truth comes in several forms, but one of the ways that Paul spoke the truth over the Church is by the benediction, or blessing. These are some of the benedictions of prophetic, creative, transformative power spoken by Paul over the believers in his letters to the churches: "Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be likeminded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Rom. 15:5-6). "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Rom. 15:13). "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Cor. 1:3). "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen" (1 Cor. 16:23-24). "Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God." (2 Cor. 9:10). "And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all the saints." (1 Thess. 3:12-13). "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thess. 5:23). "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work." (2 Thess. 2:16-17). "Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ...Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all." (2 Thess. 3:5,16). "The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen." (2 Tim. 4:22). "Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." (Heb. 13:20-21). The blessing or benediction spoken over a life can transform a life. It can transform a home, a city, a nation. Our Father has shown us the power of the benediction. "May the Lord God Almighty bless you in all your ways in Him. May He bless your home and children with peace. May He lead you in His paths of righteouseness and holiness, and make you fruitful in the earth by His Son, Jesus."