Shuvah

This is the first sabbath of the new Jewish calendar year. It is also the sabbath that comes between the Feast of Trumpets, or Rosh Hashanah, which has recently passed, and the most solemn Feast of the LORD, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which will occur in a few days. This time between the two feasts is called Shuvah, meaning "return". It comes from the Hebrew root word shub which means "return, recover, come/go back, to restore, refresh, repair, be brought back". At the same time, shub can also mean "turn away from, refuse, hinder, reject". When we return to God, we are purposefully turning away from, refusing and rejecting those things that are not of God, refusing and rejecting them. As we will see in one of the sabbath readings, the people of God are not always aware of how far they have drifted from God, but God is aware, and calls His people to return. Jesus found this same condition even among those who believed in Him. They could not see how much their sin had enslaved them, and that they needed Jesus, the Son, to set them free from it. In fact, they were offended that He would contend such a thing (see Jn. 8:30-40, Jn. 9:39-41). However, the systems of this world, and even our own flesh, are continually working to separate and distance us from our God. We can all use this precious time allotted by God to return to him. As I read this week's Sabbath scriptures and other verses, it seemed to me that we were being told about a serious but magical time in the LORD. I know that the use of the word "magical" might seem strange when applied to a discussion about the things of God, but that's the word that came to mind. When I looked up the definition of "magical", I found that it included "supernatural, mystical, extraordinary, exceptional, remarkable, superlative, amazing, unparalleled" and so on, so I'll stick with the use of the word "magical". In fact, Shuvah is so magical, no one would want to miss experiencing it when they find out what it means, and its far-reaching results. Here is our first example of the magic of Shuvah from this week's sabbath reading: "O Israel, return (shub) to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity; take words (dabar - utterance, promise, precept, a royal mandate, oracles, a thing done) with you, and return to the LORD. Say to Him, 'Take away all iniquity; receive us graciously, for we will offer the sacrifices of our lips. Assyria (in the sense of being, or relying on, one who is fortunate, successful, prosperous) will not save us, we will not ride on horses, nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands (meaning by the strength of our own efforts and the idols we create), 'You are our gods.' For in You the fatherless finds mercy." (Hos. 14:1-3). The return to the LORD begins through the words out of our mouths, as is mentioned three different ways in v. 2, above. The prophet Jeremiah also wrote of what our declaration should be as we return to the LORD, as we are also turning away from the abominations that exist apart from Him: "...And you shall swear (saba - swear, take an oath, repeating a declaration seven times), 'The LORD lives', in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; the nations shall bless themselves in Him, and in Him they shall glory." (Jer. 4:1-2). Even the nations will be affected by the declaration of those who return to the LORD. That's magical! We can also see in the verses from Hosea 14 above, that whether we do or do not have earthly fathers, we are "fatherless" unless we can recognize and say that we need God as our Father. Now here is the "magic" of shub, or return, as the LORD says in response: "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from him, I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall grow like the lily, and lengthen his roots like Lebanon. His branches shall spread; his beauty shall be like an olive tree, and his fragrance like Lebanon. Those who dwell under his shadow shall return (shub- see above); they shall be revived (haya/hava - saved, have life, be restored to life or health, revive from death/ breathe, declare) like grain, and grow like a vine. Their scent (zeker - remembrance, memorial, bring to remembrance) shall be like the wine of Lebanon...Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them." (v. 4-7, 9). In Hosea 13, the LORD also declared: "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. 'O Death, I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction!' Pity (for Death) is hidden from My eyes." (Hos. 13:14). When the apostle Paul wrote about our resurrection in Christ (1 Cor. 15:51-55), he quoted these verses from Hosea, adding "Death is swallowed up in victory." which he repeated from Isaiah. However, the seeds of it all were planted in Shuvah, return. Our way of return to our Father, and resurrection, or Shuvah revival from death, is Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life (Jn. 14:1-7). In another reading from this week's sabbath in Micah 7, we can read about the far-reaching effects of Shuvah return. The prophet saw the condition of the people: "The faithful man has perished from the earth, and there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; every man hunts his brother with a net...Woe is me! For I am like those who gather summer fruits, like those who glean vintage grapes; (but) there is no cluster to eat of the first-ripe fruit which my soul desires." (Micah 7:2, 1). The prophet described these terrible things that he saw, and the resulting lack of the first fruits that signify the favor and provision of God for His people, which would include the first fruits of the resurrection, Jesus (see 1 Cor. 15:20). The prophet then turned to the LORD and said with his mouth: "Therefore I will look (sapa - look well, keep watch, lean forward and peer into the distance, to shine, to be bright, to overlay with gold and silver) to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me...'Shepherd Your people with Your staff, the flock of Your heritage...as in days of old...Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?' He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue (kabas - bring into bondage, tread down, conquer and subjugate) our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. 'You will give truth to Jacob, and mercy to Abraham, which You have sworn to our fathers from days of old." (Micah 7:7, 14, 18-20). In Malachi 3, the LORD said to His people: "Return (shub - see above) to Me, and I will return (shub) to you." (Mal. 3:7). We can see clearly here that Shuvah return is reciprocal, rather than a one-way activity. His people weren't even aware of how far they had drifted from the LORD, and had to ask Him (Mal. 3:7, 13). After explaining how they had departed from Him as revealed in their tithes, offerings and their words, the LORD promised this if they returned: "And try Me now in this...if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes...And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land', says the LORD of hosts." (Mal. 3:8-12). Even a book of remembrance will be written before the LORD "for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name. 'They shall be mine', says the LORD of hosts..." (v. 16-17). Here is a "magical" Shuvah transformation from Isaiah: "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return (shub) to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon...For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands...And it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off." (Isa. 55:7, 12-13). Even creation experiences the magic of a Shuvah return according to Isaiah's prophecy. Isaiah wrote that a Shuvah return is so magical, that the resulting effects in the earth will be an everlasting sign to all. It is always wise to enter into the Shuvah return to the LORD that is traditionally observed during the ten days between the Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement, and not ignore the opportunity. Why would we not want to return, especially in these perilous times, considering the power, blessing, and "magic" found in the return of God's people to Him? If you would like to enter into a Shuvah return to the LORD, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, I am returning to You. So many things have pulled my eyes off of You, and pulled my heart away from You. I recognize the sin in my life, and confess it in my return to You. You gave Your Son as my Shuvah Return, as my Atonement, and as my Sacrifice for my sin. I declare with the words and saying of my lips that You are my Father, my Shepherd, my Reviver, and my Restorer. You have saved me, and revived me from death to life and health. As I return to You, LORD, pour out Your Shuvah blessing and "magic" upon the earth, so that all nations and all creation may see it, and that it may be to You 'for a name, and an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off'. You are an 'amazing, extraordinary, superlative, unparalleled' God! I return to You in Jesus' name, AMEN."

End/Beginning

This is the last Sabbath reading of this Jewish calendar year. In two days, a new year begins with the arrival of the Feast of the LORD called Yom Teruah, the Feast (Day) of Trumpets. It is also known as Rosh Hashanah. In this Sabbath reading titled Nitzvarim - Va-yelech, meaning "(you) are standing" - "then he went out", we see the ending of one thing and the promise of a new thing. The leadership of Moses, who is 120 years old, is coming to an end, and Joshua has been appointed to become the leader who will take the people into the Promised Land (Deut. 31:1-3). Although the leadership will change, the Word of God will not change: "All of you stand today before the LORD your God...your leaders...your tribes...your elders...your officers...all the men of Israel, your little ones and your wives - also the stranger who is in your camp = that you may enter into covenant with the LORD your God, and into His oath,, which the LORD God makes with you today, that He may establish you today as a peaople for Himself, and that He may be God to you, just as He has spoken to you, and just as He has sworn to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." (Deut. 29:10-13). The Word of God was so vital to the Israeites' survival as a people that Moses instructed them to read aloud all the book of the law every seventh year, the year of the LORD's Release, on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Deut. 31:10-11). This Word of God would remain alive and active, even, Moses told them, returning them back to the LORD, and His voice, from where they will have been scattered among many nations, and bringing them back to the land from captivity, a captivity that would not take place until well over one thousand years later (Deut. 30:1-6). This Word preserved a people from the annihilation that the world had planned for them. This Word restored a nation to them in our time that had been destroyed in ancient conquest. The scriptures preserved a language, Hebrew, which was "dead", but is now resurrected as the language of a nation. The only way that these miraculous things could have come to pass is by the never-changing, constant, living Word of God spoken to them, and treasured by them. However, those events are not the end of the story! This same Word, Moses said, would circumcise their hearts to love God with all their hearts and souls so that they may live. There are blessings and cursings in the law, depending upon whether one loves God and His Word, or walks away from Him and His Word, but God was calling His people to love and obey Him: "But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways...that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess...I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling (dabaq - follow hard, keep fast, joined together, pursue closely, adhere firmly, glued together) to Him, for He is your life, and your length of days..." (Deut. 30:14-16, 19-20). The LORD called His people to "cling" or cleave to Him. In Hebrew, we see that this choice of words calls His people to become so close to Him that they are physically attached to Him. The reason for this is not only their immediate and future safety, but because He is going to walk them right into a new and greater covenant, as we will see. The apostle Paul quoted the words from Deuteronomy as they pointed to the way of salvation: "But what does it (the law) say? 'The word is near you, in your mouth, and in your heart' (that is the word of faith, which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Rom. 10:8-10). Paul followed closely after the LORD and took his readers from the law right into the new covenant of salvation, which came through the Messiah, Jesus. Jesus also told His listeners to "cling" to Him, become inseparable from Him, as He instructed them to follow Him, and abide in Him and His Word as the branches abide in the vine (see Jn. 17:21, 24, Mt. 4:18-20, and Jn. 15:4-7, Jn. 14:23). The apostle Paul wrote that we were to cling so closely to Jesus as to make him a physical part of us: "...that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith..." (Eph. 3:17). Within the Sabbath readings for this week, we see the Word of the LORD move into the new covenant, and all that the new covenant entails. In fact, the LORD said that He will not rest, and His watchmen should not let Him rest, until He establishes it: "For Zion's sake I will not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness (nogah - shining, brilliancy, as of fire), and her salvation as a lamp that burns." (Isa. 62:1, see also Jn. 8:12, Mt. 5:14-17). Again from this week's Sabbath reading, Isaiah wrote: "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in My God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom bedecks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with jewels...you shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD will name." (Isa. 61:10, Isa. 62:2 - see also Rev. 2:17, Rev. 21:1-2). The prophet Jeremiah wrote of the new covenant: "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Judah - not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers...My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them...But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days...: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people...For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." (Jer. 31:31-34). The fulfilment of the law was not an outward work only, but more importantly, an inward work of salvation. Jesus said, "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law until all is fulfilled." (Mt. 5:17-18). As we saw in this week's Sabbath reading portion, leadership was passing from Moses to Joshua, who would bring their journey to its completion. We can see the progression of the Word of God in this picture of the change of leadership. Moses, or Moshe, in Hebrew, means "drawn, rescued or saved from the water". The root word, Masa, means "to draw, to clean the face and wash the hands". In Joshua 1:1, Moses is desribed as a servant (ebed/abad - slave, bondservant, servant) to the LORD. The new leader is Joshua, who has the same name as Jesus in Hebrew: Yehosua - Jehovah is Savior/Salvation. In Joshua 1:1, Joshua is described not as a servant, but as a minister to Moses. This is the Hebrew word sarat meaning "to minister, to serve". Jesus said that He came as a minister: "...just as the Son of Man did not come to be ministered unto, but to minister (diakoneo/diakonos - serve another's interest, supply necessities of life, execute the commands of another), and to give His life a ransom for many." (Mt. 20:28). Finally, in this Sabbath's reading in Isa. 63, Isaiah prophesies of the LORD coming from an easterly direction, glorious in apparel, in the greatness of His strength, whose robe is sprinkled with the blood of His enemies.: "For the day of vengeance is in My heart, and the year of My redeemed has come." (Isa. 63:1-4, see also Isa. 61:2 and Rev. 19:11-16). The Sabbath readings for this week, like the coming Feast of Trumpets, brings us right up to the point where the ending of the old becomes the beginning of the new. If you would like to know more about the inward working of the Word of God in our lives, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father of us all, You have drawn me out of the waters, and You have made me new in the salvation of Your Son and Minister, Jesus. Your Word and You purpose all along was to bring me into Your new covenant, and the new covenant that You have given to me, gives me an eternal future, and an assurance in You. Your Word is near me, in my heart, and in my mouth to preserve me, and You are with me as I cling to You. Your promise to me is that You will never leave me. Help me by Your Holy Spirit to love and trust You, Lord, with my whole heart, soul, and strength. I ask this in Jesus' name. AMEN."

Inheritance

The title of this week's Sabbath reading is Ki Tavo, meaning "When you come in", based on the words that Moses spoke to Israel "It shall be when you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving to you as an inheritance..." in Deut. 26. The Israelites were about to cross over the Jordan River from the eastern direction into the land promised to them by God. The situation changes for the people of God when they come into their inheritance, and there are important principles for us to learn, as we also come into an inheritance when we become followers of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote of our being "...heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ..." and spoke of "...the glory which shall be revealed in us", and "...the glorious liberty of the children of God...", having "the firstfruits of the Spirit". (Rom. 8:17-23, excerpt). In another place, Paul wrote: "In Him (Christ) also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory." (Eph. 1:11-12). We who have received an inheritance from God are called to function at a different level. We will see this in this Sabbath's readings also, because we have "come in". The first thing the Israelites were to do when they arrived in the land was to bring an offering to God. This offering was not to be from what they had brought with them from Egypt, and it was not be what they had planted and grown themselves, nor accumulated during their journey. The LORD commanded: "...you shall take some of the first of all the produce of the ground, which you shall bring from your land your God is giving you...and go to the place where the LORD your God chooses to make His name abide...". (Deut. 26:2). This offering was to come from what they found already growing in their new land, from their inheritance given to them. However, a declaration was to accompany this offering. The one bringing the offering must say before the priest: "I declare today to the LORD my God that I have come to the country which the LORD swore to our fathers to give us...My father was a Syrian (Aramean), about to perish, and he went down to Egypt and dwelt there, few in number; and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous. But the Egyptians mistreated us, and laid hard bondage on us. Then we cried out to the LORD God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and looked on our affliction and our labor and our oppression. So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders. He has brought us to this place and has given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land which You, O LORD, have given me." (v. 3-10). Then the offering is set before the LORD and He is worshipped, "So you shall rejoice in every good thing which the LORD your God has given to you and your house..." (v. 11). In the third year in the land, the Israelites were to begin bringing the tithe they had laid aside of all of the increase they have received. The offering of the tithe (a tenth) was also to be accompanied by a declaration ending with "I have obeyed the voice of the LORD my God, and have done according to all that You hve commanded me. Look down from Your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless Your people Israel and the land which You have given us, just as You swore to our fathers, 'a land flowing with milk and honey'." (v. 13-15), excerpt). As the people further proclaimed that the LORD was their God, and that they will walk in His ways, His commandments, and His judgments, and obey His voice, the LORD makes a proclamation in exchange: "Also today, the LORD has proclaimed you to be His special people, just as He promised you, that you should keep all His commandments, and that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, in praise, in name, and in honor, and that you may be a holy people to the LORD your God, just as He has spoken." (v. 17-19). All of these declarations are made in conjunction with the giving of tithes and offerings to the LORD, and, as we read, the LORD proclaims amazing things over His people in return. Those amazing things sound very similar to what Peter wrote to the Church of believers (see 1 Peter 2:9-10). I must ask myself, then, what I am declaring, if anything, as I bring my tithes and offerings to the LORD. We can see that making a declaration of the Lord's deliverance and inheritance to us is to be a powerful, appropriate, even a commanded, part of our giving. I have received an amazing inheritance from Him. When I bring something to the LORD, I should be declaring that inheritance. An inheritance that first found me in sin, oppression, bondage, darkness, and death, as the Israelites were in Egypt, and brought me into that place of glory that Paul wrote about above - even to the sharing of Christ's own inheritance from His Father! Isn't this worth a declaration or two? The LORD has promised here in Deuteronomy 26 that if I make my declaration while giving to Him, He will make a declaration or proclamation to me. We should be aware that there are expectations of a people "when they come in", and have received their miraculous inheritance. God has given them and us a guideline to guarding and keeping the inheritance that they, and we, have been given. In Deuteronomy 28, another portion from this Sabbath's reading, Moses brought to the Israelites the Word of the LORD: "...if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments...the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth." (v. 1). This is the same declaration that the LORD made to His people previously in Deut. 26. This is part of their inheritance of the land, if they obey. On top of that, the LORD declared: "And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God." (v. 2). The LORD then told them of all of the blessings that will manifest in their lives, including the fruitfulness of their own bodies in children. Enemies would flee from before them. "The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments...and walk in His ways. Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they shall be afraid of you...and the LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath (see Jesus' words in Jn. 8:23), if you heed the commandments...and are careful to observe them." (v. 2-13, excerpt). Observing the commandments and voice of God preserves and guards the inheritance which the LORD has given to His people. His intentions were not to bring them to the land, and then set them on their own without His counsel. As we continue in this Sabbath's readings, we will find that this is just the beginning of the expectations, proclamations and miraculous manifestations that God has in store for His people to whom He has given an inheritance. The inheritance includes, as Paul wrote above, the LORD's inclusion of His people in His own glory. This Sabbath's reading also includes specific portions from the prophet Isaiah: "Arise (qum - rise up, stand, come on the scene, be established, raise up, give effect to), shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness (hosek/hasak - darkness including destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness; the dark place of Hades, dark as withholding light, to be surrounded with darkness) shall cover (kasa - overwhelm, hide, conceal, spread over, clothe) the earth, and deep darkness (arapel/arap - thick darkness, heavy or dark cloud, gloom, night, darkness dropping down) the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you...Surely the coastlands shall wait for Me...to bring your sons from afar, their silver and their gold with them, to the name of the LORD your God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because He has glorified you...And they shall call you 'The City of the LORD', 'Zion of the Holy One of Israel'." (Isa. 60:1-2, 9, 14). The inheritance of glory is not for our sake alone, but in order that the Gentiles and the nations will glorify the LORD also. The inheritance of glory given to us, if we will rise up and stand in it, is the only light that will be available to a world and its people who have been totally swallowed up in a natural and spiritual darkness, even the darkness of Hell. To understand and obediently walk in our inheritance from God through His Son, has grave importance to the world. Paul also wrote of our inheritance as sons of God: "For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing (apokalypsis - a disclosure of truth, appearance, of something previously withdrawn from view but now made visible to all, lighten) of the sons of God...because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption (phthorah- destruction, perishing from defilement, eternal misery in Hell) into the glorious liberty of the children/sons of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now." (Rom. 8:19, 21-22). We see Paul's teaching again in the Sabbath reading for this week in another selection from Isaiah regarding our salvation inheritance's effect on creation and other people: "...the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, even with joy and singing...They shall see the glory of the LORD, the excellency of our God...Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing (see also the words of Jesus in Mt. 11:2-6). For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. The parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water...A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it...And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." (Isa. 35:1-2, 5-8, 10). As the ancient order of weekly Sabbath readings was established many generations ago, we can see that the miraculous inheritance from God of the Promised Land by the Israelites also promised and was joined to an even greater inheritance, which would include other people as well. It is an inheritance that transforms from the deep darkness of Hell into the light of God's Glory through Jesus Christ. This is an inheritance well worthy of guarding and keeping as God instructed His people to do with all diligence. If you would like to learn more about this precious inheritance from the LORD of Glory, you can pray with me: "Dear Father, You have promised in Your Word that the whole earth will be filled with Your glory. You have given Your people an inheritance of shared glory with You through Your Son, Jesus. As You gave the land to Israel, You called them to be Your holy people set high above all nations, declaring the inheritance You gave to them as You delivered them out of Egypt and bondage, and into holiness and liberty. I have also received an inheritance of salvation through Your Son, and I declare how You delivered me from deep darkness and death into Your kingdom of marvelous light and glory. Fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can diligently obey Your Word and Your voice in guarding this inheritance received from You. All creation waits eagerly, and depends upon seeing Your people walk in this inheritance. I thank and praise You in the name of Jesus. AMEN."

Kindness

"...Christ is all and in all. 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...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." (Col. 3:11-15). As the Apostle Paul wrote this to the Colossians, he was speaking these things about each of us as a new man in Christ, renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created us (see v. 10). We can all agree that this scripture is guiding us to godly behavior towards one another. "Kindness" is a relatively mild and vague word in our language, but in the original Greek language with which it was written above, we can see a very powerful origin - even the creative power of God. The Greek word used here for "kindness", with its roots, is chrestotes, and we can begin tracing back its meaning: kindness, moral excellence, gentleness, goodness --> gracious, fit for use, useful --> to furnish what is needed, give an oracle, touch lightly or light upon --> by the help or agency of any one, God's might and power in: a) creating the universe, b) upholding and preserving, protecting and aiding, c) in punishing, and d) determining and controlling the destinies of men. At the very root of the word "kindness" used above is the creative power of God. This week's Sabbath reading titled Ki Teitze, or "When you go out", gives us a look into the power of kindness. We will find that kindness has a direct connection to either righteousness or sin in God's eyes. The readings from Deuteronomy Ch. 22 through 25 give us examples of the principle of kindness having been raised to the level of Law. Because we now know the meaning at the very root of "kindness", as stated above, this will not surprise us. In Deuteronomy 22:1-4 Moses commanded the people that they must go out of their way to show kindness to their brethren or neighbor, even to the point of inconvenience or cost to themselves. Kindness is to be shown even to a mother bird with eggs in her nest (v. 6-7). Just this small kindness to a bird has powerful spiritual rewards: "...that it may be well with you and that you may prolong your days." (v. 7). Kindness shown to something so small as a bird can lengthen our lives, according to the Word of God! In Deuteronomy Ch. 24, kindness, or lack of it, is accounted as righteousness or sin as the LORD commanded His people. The Law said that if you gave a loan to your brother, you could not go into his home and take what you want for security (pledge) on the loan. You must wait outside the home, showing kindness and respect, and allow the borrower to bring his security out to you. If the security is an item of necessity to the borrower if he is poor, such as a garment, you are not to keep it and use it overnight yourself, but must return it to the borrower when the sun goes down "that he may sleep in his own garment and bless you; and it shall be righteousness to you before the LORD your God." (v. 10-13). God's people were not to be unkind to a hired servant who is poor, whether he is one of the brethren or a foreigner, and were to give the servant his pay daily: "Lest he cry out against you to the LORD, and it be sin to you." (v. 14-15). The Law also instructed that instead of completely reaping the harvest of fields, olive trees, or vineyards, some must be left behind unharvested as a kindness to the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, who could gather the remainder for themselves, "...that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands." This kindness is done in remembrance of the kindness of God who brought them out of slavery in Egypt: "...therefore I command you to do this thing." (v. 19-22). Neglecting to do kindness to others is like forgetting the miraculous kindness that the LORD has done for us by His power. Our kindness, or lack of it, can determine and control the destinies of others, as well as our own, according to the meaning of the word as we saw above. The Hebrew word for kindness, hesed, shows the two possibilities of receiving either righteousness or sin before the LORD. Hesed and its root word means "mercy, kindness, goodness, favor, show thyself merciful, to be reproached, ashamed, put to shame or contempt which is determined by the ardent desire by which one is led". The intention of the heart, whether for good or evil, determines the direction and result of "hesed". One of this Sabbath's readings gives us an example of the judgment received by a king as a result of his unkind rule of the people, especially in comparison to the previous rule of his kind father. In Jeremiah 22, the LORD prophesied judgment against King Shallum (meaning retribution, recompense, reward, bribe) of Judah, son of King Josiah. The LORD promised that Shallum would die in captivity, never able to return to Jerusalem again. Shallum had built himself a very grand house of cedar and painted it vermillion, a rare and most esteemed red dye. He also failed to pay wages to those from whom he received work (v. 13-14). However, his grand house would not save his kingly reign. The LORD noted that Shallum's father, King Josiah, had done justice and righteousness. "(Josiah) judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Was not this knowing Me?' says the LORD. 'Yet your eyes and your heart are for nothing but your covetousness, for shedding innocent blood, and practicing oppression and violence." (Jer. 22:14-17). Here we see the two possibilities of hesed kindness, mentioned previously. The kind and just rule of the father caused things to go well with him, but the covetous and unkind intentions of Shallum's heart would bring him this fate: "He shall be buried with the burial of a donkey, dragged and cast out beyond the gates of Jerusalem." (v. 19). Two different destinies befell father and son here. In another reading from this Sabbath, we will see how the hesed kindness of the LORD will change the destiny of a people. The people that the LORD is talking about in Isaiah 54 are the beneficiaries of the sacrifice of God's Servant mentioned earlier in Isaiah 53. This Servant is described as being despised and rejected by men: "...He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities...And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all...My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities."" (Isa. 53:3-11, excerpt). We recognize this to be a prophecy regarding our Savior, Jesus, and His sacrifice for our sins. Because of this Servant's sacrifice, those who are shamed can now sing (Isa. 54:1). Those who were barren and desolate of (spiritual) life shall bear many children to the point that they will have to enlarge their dwelling. Regarding their previous shame the LORD declared: "Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame...with great mercies I will gather you. With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; But with everlasting kindness (hesed) I will have mercy on you,' says the LORD your Redeemer...'For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness (hesed) shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,' says the LORD, who has mercy on you." (Isa. 54:1-10, excerpt). The outpouring of the LORD's kindness upon us, through the sacrifice of His Servant for our iniquities, changed our destinies from barrenness, shame and desolation to singing and abundant life: "...that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." (Eph. 2:4-7, excerpt). The lifeless, desolate and shamed waited ages for this living testimony of God's kindness to set them free, the testimony we also received, and that testimony of kindness is still ongoing and changing destinies. Proverbs 31:25-26 describes a woman who changes her family's circumstances and destiny. It is written of her: "Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness (hesed)." There is a reason that we are seeing less and less kindness in the world today. Kindness is not a tepid word about being "nice"., but it is a law, and at its root is the creation power of God to determine the destinies of men. If you would like to know more about the power and law of kindness, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, You used the law of hesed kindness by Your extension to us of salvation through Your Son, Jesus. We were barren - without life and desolate, but through kindness, You changed our destinies. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I can bring that same kindness to others. Let my life be filled with righteousness before You through kindness shown to others, as You have shown kindness to me. I ask this in Jesus' name. AMEN."

Judges

"But I am the LORD your God, who divided the sea whose waves roared - the LORD of hosts is His name. And I have put My words in your mouth; I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, that I may plant the heavens, lay the foundations of the earth, and say to Zion, 'You are My people'." (Isa. 51:15-16). These are powerful words of authority. The words of God in someone's mouth enables Him to plant the heavens, lay the foundations of the earth, and announce salvation to Zion. To whom is the LORD speaking these words? Four times in the chapter the LORD identifies His hearers. The LORD first says, "Listen to Me you who follow after righteousness, you who seek the LORD." (v. 1). Again He says, "Listen to Me My people, and give ear to Me, O My nation: For the law will proceed from Me, and I will make My justice rest as a light of the peoples." (v. 4). A third time, the LORD says, "Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, you people in whose heart is My law." (v. 7). Finally, a fourth time, God says, "...please hear this, you afflicted..." (v. 21). By His word in their mouths, He is able to plant the heavens and lay the foundations of the earth, but why say that when these things of creation have already been done? In another place in Isaiah, we read: "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind." (Isa. 65:17). We read this same promise in the New Testament: "...looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God...Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless." (2 Pet. 3:13-14). We have a direct influence on the day when these events are to occur according to Peter above. In Revelation 21, we can read: "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." (v. 1). The Word of the LORD in the mouth of John is prophesying this new creation. There is another example where the Word in our mouths is joined with the Words of the Spirit of God: "I, Jesus, am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.' And the Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come!'. And let him who hears say, 'Come!' And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely." (Rev. 22:16-17). Both the prophets Isaiah and Micah wrote of the law going forth from Zion and the word from Jerusalem in the latter days, and its purpose is to establish judgment (justice) and peace (Isa. 2:3-4 and Micah 4:1-3). It seems though, that while this power has been given to men to have the Word of the LORD placed in their mouths to bring about the new things of God, most of our time and attention is spent upon old things: the former things that are passed away. The verses from Isaiah 51 above are part of this week's Sabbath reading titled Shoftim, meaning "Judges". Moses had given this command to the people to follow when they entered into the Promised Land: "You shall appoint judges and officers in all your gates, which the LORD your God gives you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with just judgment." (Deut. 16:18). The prophet Isaiah spoke the Word of the LORD concerning the restoring of the judges and counsellors, as at the first, or the beginning. This restoration of the judges creates a result according to Isaiah's prophecy: "...Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city." (Isa. 1:24-26). In this process, Isaiah said, the LORD will rid Himself of His adversaries, and purge His people of their dross (sig/sug - of silver not yet refined, baser metal having been mixed with purer/move away, recant, backslide from the LORD). This Sabbath's reading titled Shoftim or "Judges", comes at a very interesting time. It comes at the start of the last month of the Jewish calendar year. This last month is called Elul, which means "month of harvest". The Words of the LORD in our mouths affects the completion of the spiritual harvest of souls for His Kingdom. The month of Elul will end at the beginning of the Feast of Trumpets, also called Rosh Hashanah, which is also the first month, Tishrei, of the new calendar year. The word Tishrei means "to begin". The purpose of the last month, Elul, is to spiritually prepare for the arrival of the new, beginning month and year. Repentance occurs in this last month of Elul in order to cleanse and purify, like the removal of dross from Isa. 1 mentioned above, for the coming of the new, according to Jewish practice. This continuing theme running through the scriptures we have looked at for this week brings to mind the Words Jesus spoke of Himself: "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." (Rev. 22:12-13, also Rev. 1:8, 11, 17). The use of 'Alpha" and "Omega" refer to the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Jesus spoke Hebrew/Aramaic, and would have said instead "I am the Aleph - Tav...". Here are more meanings of the Hebrew words used in scripture that are translated as "first" and "last": first, one, once for all, join oneself together with, unify, begin, opening, sorrow, violate the honor of, defile, desecrate, perforate, pierce through, wounded, afflicted, sick with grief, son, first fruits, first born/ last, latter, uttermost, delay, tarry, wait, reward, rearguard. We can also look at the meanings of the words "Beginning" and "End" used by Jesus: beginning, origin, person or thing that commences something, the first place, the outer corner of a thing, to be the first to do anything, chief, leader, ruler, to be first in rank or power, to reign/ end, uttermost, finally, the limit at which a thing ceases to be, that by which a thing is finished, the end goal, aim or purpose. One purpose for God's Words being placed in the mouths of the judges, and also in the mouths of God's people according to the words of Isaiah above, are meant to bring old things to an end, and new things to a beginning. We can conclude with another portion from this week's Sabbath reading, which is again very appropriate for this time of the Jewish calendar year, when the last month ends, and the first month of a new year begins: "Awake, awake! Put on your strength, O Zion; Put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city! For the uncircumcised and the unclean shall no longer come to you. Shake yourself (na'ar - the rustling of a lion's mane which accompanies his roar) from the dust, arise; Sit down, O Jerusalem! Loose yourself from the bonds of your neck, O captive daughter of Zion!" (Isa. 52:1-2). The words "Sit down" used here is the Hebrew word yasab, which includes the meanings "to sit as a judge, where a judge sits to give judgment, as a king sits down on a throne, as an army that sits in a place and holds possession of it, dwelling among the praises of Israel, as sitting down at the right hand, to cause a bride to sit down in a dwelling, marriage, inhabit". These Words from Isaiah are calling us to speak and move in a new thing! If you would like to know more about the role of the judge, and the Words of God placed in our mouths regarding the First, the Last, the Beginning, and the End, the old and the new, and the former and the latter, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, You have placed Your Words in our mouths in order to cause the old to pass away, and to hasten the creation of the new, and the return of Your Son. As I grow into the full measure of Your Son, Jesus, let me also speak Words of Aleph-Tav, First and Last, and Beginning and End. The ending of one calendar year, and the beginning of a new month and year, have greater spiritual significance than a measure of time. By Your Holy Spirit, teach me to understand, look for, and walk in the new creation, and hasten the day of Christ's return. Let me speak with the Holy Spirit and say, "Come!" for the Lord's return. I ask these things in Jesus' name. AMEN."