Ordinances

Although not everyone in the world accepts the Bible as the Living Word of God, there is no doubt that this Book has had an overwhelming influence on every nation on earth. Although the Bible does deal with the nations, it was written by God, revealed to men inspired by the Holy Spirit, for His people. This Sabbath's reading titled Mishpatim deals with the ordinances of justice delivered by God to His people. It is according to these ordinances that His people were to deal justly and with charity towards each other, and any strangers in their midst. Regarding justice, scripture says that God's throne is founded upon it: "You have a mighty arm; Strong is Your hand, and high is Your right hand. Righteousness and justice are the foundation (makon - habitation, fixed place, basis, to be firmly established, make ready) of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face." (Ps. 89:13-14). It is these ordinances given by God to Moses many thousands of years ago, and later taught and confirmed so often through the prophets and the words of Christ and the apostles, that a difference was established between God's people, and the people of other nations. Many have written about the Bible being the foundation of our civilization, and the starting point and the measurement of our systems of justice. These are some of the comments written throughout history: "We account the scriptures of God to be the most sublime philosophy.", wrote Sir Isaac Newton; "That Book, Sir, is the Rock upon which our republic rests.", Andrew Jackson; "The whole inspiration of our civilization springs from the teachings of Christ, and the lessons of the prophets. To read the Bible for these fundamentals is a necessity of American life.", Herbert Hoover; "Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet anchor of your liberties; write its precepts in your hearts, and practice them in your lives.", Ulysses S. Grant; "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God or the Bible.", George Washington; "The moral principles and precepts contained in the scriptures ought to form the basis of our civil constitutions and laws...", Noah Webster; "The Bible is endorsed by the ages. Our civilization is built upon its words...", Dwight Eisenhower; "The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in those teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country.", Calvin Coolidge; "The Bible, the Word of God, has made a unique contribution in shaping the United States as a distinctive and blessed nation and people...Biblical teachings inspired concepts of civil government that are contained in our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.", U.S. Congress, joint resolution, 1983. The principles of God as written in the scriptures have formed the foundation of our civilization. God has taught, and He expects His people to act, justly (Micah 6:8). The LORD also says: "Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow." (Isa. 1:17). As His people, we take an active role in praying for, and standing for, impartial and righteous justice. It may be that we have neglected our role in standing in the ordinances of God to advocate and intercede for those who are unjustly afflicted. The LORD's ordinances do not tolerate His people taking advantage of others' weaknesses, or to silently allow others to do so. The ordinances of God which we read this week in Exodus Chapters 21 through 24 require that God's people do not abuse or take advantage of the weak, the poor, or the powerless. The LORD issues a stern warning to His people: "You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless." (Ex. 22:21-24). Because we have disregarded the ordinances of God, the widows, or mothers left alone to fend for themselves, and the fatherless have become victims of injustice and mercilessness. David was also unjustly persecuted by King Saul, who was also one of God's people, chosen to fill a position of leadership and power. David described the LORD's reaction when he cried out to God because of his unjust treatment by Saul: "In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears. Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundation of the hills also quaked and were shaken. Because He was angry. Smoke went up from His nostrils, and devouring fire from His mouth; Coals were kindled by it...The LORD thundered from heaven, and the Most High uttered His voice, hailstones and coals of fire...Then the channels of the sea were seen, the foundations of the world were uncovered at Your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils." (Ps. 18:6-15). David saw in the Spirit that when the afflicted cry out to Him, the LORD hears and responds with great anger. The LORD twists creation inside out to answer the cry of one of His people who has been subjected to injustice. Jesus said of His Father's advocacy against injustice on behalf of one of His people: "And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" (Lk. 18:7-8). We see daily, the violence and oppression against those who are not in a position to defend themselves. So many of our children have become fatherless, and all the lies of hell have been directed at them to destroy them before they are even born, and certainly after their birth. Over 20% of fathers in this country, or about 7 million, do not take any part in parenting their children. This amounts to about 19 million children, or over 20% of all children born in this country, who are without any father figure in their lives. This leaves the mother as the single head of the household, most often as a result of divorce, and over 40% of those households live below the poverty level. This "widowhood" and fatherlessness lead to further sad statistics, including a higher than average suicide rate among high school aged fatherless students. The Ten Commandments, with which all are familiar, includes the blessing of the LORD's holy Sabbath rest in His presence not only to ourselves, but to our sons and daughters, and even the servants and animals connected to our households (Ex. 20:8-10). The children are of great importance to the LORD (Lk. 18:15-17), and He will not excuse our apathy in the face of any affliction or injustice towards them. Do not think that God does not hear the cries of the afflicted, and answer them. As God's people, the custodians to whom His ordinances have been given, this week's Sabbath reading contains the command from God that we follow His ordinances of justice and mercy. Jesus wondered if He would find any on earth who are doing so when He returns. Let Him not find us to be part of the problem in the affliction of the defenseless, but part of the godly solution instead, which is the unwavering justice and mercy of God. We were called by these scriptures to be different from the people of the world who do not know God. Our lives are to reflect these ordinances of the LORD. If you are crying out to God for deliverance from injustice, or you know of someone who is, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, I cry to You, the Just Judge, on behalf of justice and mercy. You hear the cries of Your people, and You answer from Your sanctuary in heaven. When I have turned a blind eye to those who are afflicted and attacked, please forgive me. Forgive me when I have not prayed on their behalf. Forgive Your people when they favor the rich and the powerful, and take advantage of the poor and the weak. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, Who is the Spirit of Righteousness and Truth, and Who leads me in the ways of Your ordinances. I ask You to hear the cries of the afflicted, and send Your help to those, including the strangers, the widows, and the fatherless among us, who have fallen into evil and merciless hands. I ask these things in Jesus' name. AMEN."

Breathe

There are many people who are experiencing sickness at this time, or know a friend, co-worker, or loved one, who is. COVID-19 is touching many lives, as well as other illnesses. During these difficult times, I know and feel that God, Father of us all, is calling us back into a closer, life-saving and life-changing knowledge of, and relationship with Him, with His son, Jesus, our Savior and King, and with the Holy Spirit, our Helper and Comforter. Recently, Fran in NY sent me her short Hebrew word study and intercessory prayer for us as the Body of Christ to pray for ourselves, for each other, and especially for those who are experiencing illness. She has given me her permission to pass this along. This Sabbath, let us enter into the LORD's healing rest together. Here is the information from Fran, and her prayer for healing: "Did you know the root word etymology for "rest" has to do with "breathing?" Yeah, Lord! First mention of "rest" is found in Gen. 8:9, with the Hebrew word "Manowah". The primitive root is "nuwach", meaning, "To rest, sit down. To set oneself down anywhere to take rest. The original idea lies in respiring, drawing breath, to rest, be quiet, draw breath... To kneel down as a camel, a place where camels lie down... to respire, to rest, e.g., Used of an army....". We have breath this day only because of You, Oh Righteous Father, and oh how we thank You for breath this day! Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. As we're a body before You, we breathe with and for those who are sick this day, Blessed Jesus. We lift our voice and with our breath, we say, HALLELUJAH! THANK YOU JESUS! With every breath, there is rest, there is quiet peace, and there is healing. With every breath there is rest, quiet peace and healing, with every breath, every breath, every breath, every breath we each take, in and out, every breath we breathe together.... oh wait... Gotta state that again... With every breath we breathe together, there is rest, quiet peace and healing in the Name of Yeshua, the Breath of life. Hallelujah!! Genesis 7:15-16 KJV — "And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life. And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in." Thank You Oh Righteous Father, for showing that... In the Ark Who is Christ, there is the breath of life!! We go in together, as You command, and... We breathe, we rest, we dwell in quiet peace, and we are healed, in the Holy Name of Jesus. Amen, Lord, Amen....".

Destination

When the LORD led His people out of Egypt, He was also leading them to a destination. We know from scripture that the LORD was leading his people to the Promised Land, the land that He had promised in covenant to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. However, we have hints, as we will see, that the Israelites were aware that there was a greater destination accomplished spiritually than even the physical homeland they were promised. Abraham, scripture tells us, was looking for a city whose builder and maker was God: "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God." (Heb. 11:8-10). While the forefathers passed down the knowledge of the promise of land to their future generations, Abraham was aware from the beginning that there was an even greater promise involved, the promise of the city of God. The title of this Sabbath's reading is B'shallach, which means "When he let go". The Hebrew letters which form the word B'shallach, beth, shin, lamedh and cheth could also form the meaning: "The house of God (El Shaddai) to which He guides by a shepherd's hook into an inner chamber". It is just as important to know where God is leading us to, as well as knowing what He is leading us from. The apostle Peter also revealed this when he wrote: "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." (1 Pet. 2:9). We were not just brought out of something, but we were brought into something, a destination, at the same time. By the meaning of the letters of the word, B'shallach used this Sabbath, God leads His people into an innermost chamber of His House. As part of this Sabbath's reading, we see, not only how God brought His people out, but also how He brought them in at the same time. After God stood the waters of the Red Sea up like solid walls, His people crossed over the Sea bed as if on dry land. As the Egyptian army and its princes pursued the Israelites through the divided Sea, the walls of water that had stood up solidly became liquified once again and drowned Pharaoh's army (Ex. 14:21-29, Ps. 78:12-13). After this miraculous victory, Moses and the Israelites sang a song rejoicing and praising God for His mighty works on their behalf (Ex. 15). Within this song, the Israelites sing of an accomplished destination beyond the physical land promised to their forefathers: "...You in Your mercy have led forth the people whom You have redeemed; You have guided them in Your strength to Your holy habitation...Till the people pass over whom You have purchased. You will bring them in and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which You have made for Your own dwelling, the sanctuary, O LORD, which Your hands have established. The LORD shall reign forever and ever." (v. 13, 16-18). Paul wrote that the Israelites' miraculous experience at the Red Sea was a type of baptism, and the Rock which followed them through the wilderness and provided them with water, was actually Christ (1 Cor. 10:1-4). So there is a spiritual change that took place here, besides the miraculous deliverance from the armies of Egypt. Unfortunately, the Israelites quickly forgot this accomplishment of God, and the destination to which He had guided them, and they began to complain about their current circumstances (Ex. 16:2-4). How easy it is to take our eyes off the miraculous destination into which the LORD has already delivered us, and to get enslaved once again in the things we see as lack! How easily we surrender ourselves once again to the land of bondage, and the Pharaoh who rules it! Jesus also reminded His disciples of the destination that is accomplished for them in the House of God through Himself: "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know." (Jn. 14:1-4). Not only does Jesus confirm the accomplishment of the promise that Abraham looked to so long ago, but Jesus connected His return to the fulfillment of that promise of being guided into the inner chamber of the House of God, a house whose builder is not man, but God, Himself. Jesus wanted us to have the knowledge of this finished work, and to be assured in it. This destination achieved through Christ is greater than any and all circumstances that we may encounter in our lives. This destination is not only a future habitation with God, but it is an accomplished reality now, as Jesus said: "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?...Therefore do not worry...for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Mt. 6:25, 31-33). In these times of trials and struggles, the knowledge of where we dwell in the Spirit becomes more important than ever. God has brought us to our destination in His House. If you would like to learn more about walking in the promise of the city of God, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, You guide Your people into Your House. Through Jesus, Who has made a place for me, I enter into that eternal dwelling place with You. Fill me with the Holy Spirit to guide me into, and keep me in this inner most chamber of Your House, and to remind me that now, in this life, I already dwell in this great destination. I ask this in Jesus' name. AMEN."

Beginning

The title of this Sabbath's reading is Bo, meaning to go in, or enter. The title comes from the beginning line of the reading, as God commands Moses, "Go in to Pharaoh..." in Exodus 10. The Hebrew letters that form the word Bo are beth, vaw, and aleph. While Moses entered into Pharaoh's presence, based on the meanings of the individual Hebrew letters used in Bo above, he was going in by "the house of the authority and strength of the nailed God (Adonai)". Pharaoh's house, and all houses of power, are subject to the greater power of the House of God. We would see that as "The House of the Nailed God" went into Pharaoh's house, Pharaoh's kingdom would be turned upside-down. Later, in Exodus 12, another portion of this Sabbath's reading, as the LORD was about to deliver Israel out of slavery in Egypt, He announced it as a new beginning in a point of time. He redefines the marking of time to them while they were still in Egypt: "Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying, 'This month shall be your beginning (Hebrew: ros) of months (Hebrew: hodes); it shall be the first month of the year to you..." (Ex. 12:1-2). The Hebrew words and root meanings used in the phrase "beginning of months" gives this phrase the meaning, "the chief, captain, ruler, head is the beginning of the shaking that renews, repairs, rebuilds, restores, produces newness (as in a sharp, polished, splendid sword)". This beginning of months is brought about in the form of a person (chief, ruler, captain, head). This newly designated time of your "beginning of months", when your Captain Who restores, repairs, and produces newness, will also form around the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Ex. 12:3-14). The LORD describes to Moses the selection and killing of the lambs for each household. The blood of those lambs was to be applied on the two doorposts and on the lintels of their houses: "...It is the LORD's Passover (pesah - the sacrifice of Passover for a sparing, an immunity from penalty and calamity). For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt, I will execute judgment: I am the LORD (YHWH). Now the blood shall be a sign (ot - a distinguishing mark, banner, a miraculous sign, proof, beacon, evidence) for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt." (Ex. 12:11-13). The Hebrew word for "sign" above is the word ot. The letters of this Hebrew word are aleph, vaw, and tav. The meaning of these letters together is "God (Adonai) nailed to a cross (two crossed sticks)". This miracle sign of Passover was to be remembered and observed in all following generations forever: "You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting (olam - old, ancient, perpetual, eternal, hidden time) ordinance." (v. 14). The houses of the Israelites bore the blood of the sacrificed lamb as an outward sign. We, who believe in Jesus as our Passover Lamb (Rev. 5:12), slain from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8), also bear the sign of the blood on our houses (bodies). This "beginning of months" containing Passover spoken of above is personal. The beginning or this renewal is a Person, according to the Hebrew meaning, and the beginning is directed to each person: The LORD says "your beginning of months". The Passover, within this beginning of months, is followed by the seven day Feast of Unleavened Bread. No leaven may be used in the bread. It is taught that leaven is a symbol for sin. There are many references in scripture that carry this meaning, and even the Hebrew word for "leaven" carries a negative meaning. However, considering the meanings that we have discovered in the Hebrew language used in this passage, I would like to also look at a perhaps additional significance concerning unleavened bread. It is interesting that unleavened bread is striped from baking, and pierced to assure that it won't rise. This is a picture of Christ to us. Although Jesus was striped by scourging and pierced, He still rose! No other raising power of man was present, except for the power of the Holy Spirit, who raised Jesus, and us, from the dead (Rom. 8:10-11). It is also interesting to me that the process of leavening bread requires the addition of old leavened dough called "the mother". When the new leavened bread is mixed, a portion of old leavened or fermented dough, that has been set aside and kept for this purpose, is also mixed in with the new dough. Sometimes that old leavened dough, "the mother", is kept on hand for many years. The inclusion of the old leavened mixture gives the new loaves of bread a more sour taste. So leavened bread often contains old leaven. Paul wrote for us to purge out the old leaven, and become a new, unleavened lump: "Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore, purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed, Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." (1 Cor. 5:6-8). We can see here that Paul spoke about the Passover fulfilled in Christ and its connection to the thought of old leaven and the new unleavened. Our "beginning of months" spoken of by the LORD in Exodus 12, is for our sparing from calamity by the blood of the Lamb, and the newness of Christ in us. We are not to mix the old with this newness: "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new." (2 Cor. 5:17) and "...as the truth is in Jesus, that you put off concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man, which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." (Eph. 4:21-24). I think the symbolism of old leavened, and new unleavened, fits right into the context of what the LORD was saying in Exodus. This beginning of months commanded by God in this Sabbath's reading, that includes both the Passover and the seven days of Unleavened Bread, represents the deliverance from calamity by Christ as the blood of the Lamb, and the renewing power that immediately follows, doing its work in us as we are to walk in "newness of life" (Rom. 6:4). We remember and keep the specific appointed days of these Feast, but while this is not yet the date of the Feast of Passover, Christ is our Passover and Unleavened Bread from eternity past, and into eternity future. In these present days of calamity and corruption, we have a promise of rescue and renewal. If you would like to receive Jesus as your "Beginning of months", your Passover sacrifice and your newness, you can pray with me: "Lord Jesus, You have fulfilled these Feasts of the LORD. I receive You as my Passover, and I receive Your renewing work in me. Fill me with the Holy Spirit who leads me in purging the old leaven from my life, and becoming instead new unleavened bread. You are my beginning of months, my newness, and I thank You in Your mighty, saving name. AMEN."