Vision

      The LORD has a huge vision and plan for the earth and all of its inhabitants. That vision is brought to us in this week's double-titled Sabbath reading portion. Its title is Mattot - Mass'ei, which refers to the tribes of Israel, and the journey of the tribes from their deliverance and departure from Egypt to their entry into the Canaan territory, their promised home. The reading portion starts in Numbers 32. Moses recorded each of their journey's departure points and encampments along the way. (Numbers 33). 

     As the tribes approached the Promised Land from the east, the LORD gave instructions to Moses regarding the current inhabitants of the land: "...When you have crossed the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Jordan into the land of Canaan (kana - humiliate, vanquish, bring down low into subjection, humble, fall on one's knees, bring low by enemies), then you shall drive out all (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the inhabitants of (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the land from before you, destroy all their engraved stones, destroy all their molded images, and demolish all their high places; you shall dispossess the inhabitants of (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the land and dwell in it, for I have given you the land to possess." (Num. 33:51-53). 

     The LORD was uncompromising in His next warning: "But if you do not drive out (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants (sek/sakak - thorn/covering, shut in, to block, overshadow, cover over, screen, hedge in) in your eyes ('ayin - sight, fountain, well, mental and spiritual faculties) and thorns (seninim/sen - thorn, barb, a cactus hedge) in your sides (sad/sarar - side, adversary/enemy, distress, bind up, vex, besiege, trouble, make narrow, harasser, oppress), and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell. Moreover it shall be that I will do to you as I thought to do to them." (v. 55-56).

     In the thinking of the world today, this sounds very harsh. The LORD was taking the land away from the Canaanites and giving it to the Israelites. However, the land, the earth, is the LORD's (see Ps. 24:1-2), and He does what His will with it. The LORD had given the land of Canaan to the Israelites in a covenant promise that He will not break. The Canaanites were, like all the people of the earth, descendants of Noah and his three sons. Through their forefathers, the Canaanites had knowledge of the LORD God, their Creator, who saved their future lives through the flood by sparing Noah. In written Hebrew, the inhabitants of the land are signified with the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega, having the knowledge of the coming Savior and Messiah/Christ. The wickedness of these inhabitants had grown very great, and their rejection of God had caused them to choose demonic gods, idols and abominable worship practices. Human beings became a commodity to them to be trafficked for profit. God waited to dispossess them (see Gen. 15:13-16) until their wickedness had grown so great, and without repentance, so that as the Just Judge, He could wait no longer. Joshua described the inhabitants this way because of their rejection of God as LORD: "...do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them." (Num. 14:9).

     The LORD has set pre-appointed times and boundaries for all of the nations (see Acts 17:26-27), as He set specific appointed boundaries for the Israelites also (Num. 34:1-12). The LORD, and not man, raises up kingdoms and tears down kingdoms according to His will and divine purpose. (Jer. 1:9-10). All nations would do well to remember this. This is just one part of the Vision of God for the whole earth that we can learn in this Sabbath reading portion.

     The fact that the LORD sovereignly and miraculously moved an estimated two million people from "bitter and hard bondage" in Egypt to (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) a land filled abundantly with milk and honey is an earth and history changing event that only the LORD could accomplish as He had promised.

     As we read in another selection from this Sabbath reading portion, the Israelites did not keep the Vision of the LORD. They accepted the idols of the land and lost their 'ayin spiritual perception and eyesight as the LORD had warned above. They gave up their knowledge and trust in God. Jeremiah wrote the Word of a grieving God: "...My people have changed their glory for what does not profit...For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns - broken cisterns that can hold no water. Have you not brought this on yourself, in that you have forsaken (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the LORD your God when He led you in the way?...For though you wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, yet your iniquity is marked before Me," says the LORD God. 'How can you say, 'I am not polluted, I have not gone after the Baals (false god of the Canaanites)?" (Jer. 2:11-23, excerpt).

     The forsaking of God by His people has a far-reaching and devastating effect upon the heavens: "Be astonished (samem - desolate, waste, destroy, astonished, appalled, stunned, stupefied, causing horror, cause to be ruined), O heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid; be very desolate,' says the LORD." (v. 12). Much is at stake in the spiritual obedience or disobedience of God's people as we can see.

     Jeremiah also recorded this cry from the heart of God to His people: "If you will return, O Israel,' says the LORD, 'Return to Me; And if you put away your abominations out of My sight, then you shall not be moved. And you shall swear, 'The LORD lives,' in truth, in judgment, in righteousness; The nations shall bless themselves in Him, and in Him they shall glory." (Jer. 4:1-2). In the same manner, the return of His people to the LORD affects all of the nations of the earth! The nations praise the LORD and are glorified in Him. How can we refuse to return to Him with all of our hearts?

     This leads us to the last part of the Vision of God revealed in this Sabbath reading portion.  This is a special Sabbath because it is the Sabbath before the new month of Av begins. When the new month begins at the appearance of the new moon in the lunar cycle, it is called "Rosh Chodesh," or "Head of the month." Av is an important month because a special day of mourning, fasting and prayer is marked during this month called Tisha B'Av, the 9th of Av or August 3rd this year. Several catastrophic events occurred in Israel or to the Jewish people on this date throughout history including the destruction of the first and second temples in Jerusalem, the expelling of Jews from certain European countries, and the date of marked events in the Holocaust.

     To commemorate this date of mourning, Isaiah 66 is read for the Sabbath reading portion. Isaiah 66 contains a great Vision of God for the earth. It begins: "Thus says the LORD: 'Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool...on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word." (Isa. 66:1-2, excerpt).

     The LORD mourned over His people, saying, "...Because when I called, no one answered, when I spoke they did not hear; but they did evil before My eyes, and chose that in which I do not delight." (v. 4). However, the LORD also then emphasized His Vision for Jerusalem and Zion, His holy mountain. He will judge all flesh, but of Jerusalem and Zion the LORD says: "Rejoice with (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all you who love her...Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream...and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem...For as the new heavens and the new earth which I will make shall remain before Me,' says the LORD, 'So shall your descendants and your name remain. And it shall come to pass that from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me,' says the LORD." The LORD's Vision extends to all flesh on the earth, flowing to the world from Jerusalem and Zion. (see also Acts 1:8).

     Also mentioned in this chapter of Isaiah is the Lord's question: "Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day? Or a nation be born at once?" (v. 8). The answer is "Yes!" The LORD caused Israel to be re-established in a day after two thousand years. The earth had to give birth to Israel again at the Word of the LORD.

     This is a special time to draw closer to the LORD. It is a time to consider what is lasting and what is not, what is true and what is not, and whose Vision we will follow - our own, the world's, or the LORD's. It is a time to express our love and thanks for the mercies of God and for His enduring Word for all of the inhabitants of the earth. There is no other King worthy to rule the earth. There is no other Ruler who brings glory out of sorrow and manifests the possible out of the impossible. It is a time to seriously consider these things and choose the LORD God again and again, and His Son, Jesus, our Salvation, and His Spirit who dwells within us. 

     If you would like to know more about drawing closer to our Father, you can join my prayer: "Dear Father, You have guided the steps of my life and given me everlasting life in the light of Your face, and in the name of Your Son. You brought me to Your Son, Jesus, who changed my life. You called me holy and a living temple, and filled me with Your Holy Spirit and with Your glory. You healed me, delivered me, and blessed my loved ones. You hear my prayers and reassure me that You have heard. You gave my life purpose, taught me and said to me, "I am here." I can only thank You with my love, my praise and my life. I offer this in Jesus' name. AMEN."

*NOTE: aleph-tav written in Hebrew as אֶת, are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The meaning of the two pictographic Hebrew letters can also be interpreted "Adonai (Lord) of the Cross/Covenant". In the New Testament, these letters are translated as Alpha and Omega written as ΑΩ , the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. These letters are those by which Jesus Christ identifies Himself in the Book of Revelation: see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13. 

Zealous

     This week's Sabbath reading portion is titled Pinchas, referring to Phinehas, a man of zeal for God. His story begins in Numbers 25.

     Dealing with demonic false gods takes its toll on people, especially the people of God. Numbers 25 begins this way: "Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove/Shittim (sittaym/sotet - a large tree growing in dry areas covered with black thorns, a valley on the border of Moab, scourging thorns, wood used to build the holy furnishings of the tabernacle/scourge, to pierce, to flog, a whip), and the people began to commit harlotry (zana - harlot, whore, whoredom, fornication, commit adultery, to be a cult prostitute in worship of an idol, be unfaithful to God) with the women of Moab. They (the women) invited (qara - read, proclaim, invite, preach, to call with the name of God, to cry out, to call, to be named or called out or chosen) the people to the sacrifices (zebah - sacrifices of righteousness, the Passover sacrifice, covenant sacrifice, thank offering VS. sacrifice of strife, sacrifice to dead things) of their gods, and the people ate ('akal - eat, devour, burn up, feed, be wasted and destroyed of the flesh) and bowed down to their gods. So Israel was joined (samad - bind, join, fastened, to adhere) to Baal of Peor (false deity of Moab worshipped with licentious rites in which women prostitute themselves, and meaning "mouth gaping wide open like a ravenous beast"), and the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel." (v. 1-3).

     We can see from the Hebrew meanings in the above verses that this place and these circumstances were to be a prophetic signpost of the prophesied Messiah/Christ to come, a valley of decision, but instead it became a perversion of the way, a twisting of the call and election of God and the Gospel (preaching, see above) of Messiah/Christ Jesus, a subversion of the offerings of righteousness into the offerings of licentiousness and things of death rather than life according to the meanings of the Hebrew words used. The demon gods and the evil spirits of wickedness could not have hoped for a better outcome: the people of God had joined themselves to demons.

     We find out later in scripture that the use of Moabite women against the Israelites was based on advice given by Balaam to King Balak of Moab in order to separate the Israelites from their God, and in doing so, defeat them. (Num. 31:14-16). This was not a one-time strategy from ancient history. The resurrected Jesus, in His message to the church at Pergamos in the Book of Revelation, judged the church for this. Jesus said to them: "But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality." (Rev. 2:14).

     The meaning of Pergamos, the name of a church in Asia Minor, is very interesting. It means, "height or elevation, a tower, a fortified structure rising to a considerable height to repel a hostile attack or to enable a watchman to see in every direction." The church that had been elevated to a great spiritual height in order to watch, protect and defend the holiness of God and the human soul, had instead become a doorway into immorality and idolatry, which would prove to be a stumbling block to salvation for any Jewish person. The God and the practices of this Christian church bore no resemblance to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, nor to His commandments. Recent headlines tell us that there are again churches, like Pergamos, that have placed these same stumbling blocks between God and man through sexual immorality and abuse, as well as the idolatry of worldly dying things. Mankind was made a living soul (nefes) by the holy breath of God to be champions of Him and His righteousness, to eat from the tree of life, His Son Jesus, and to show others the way to this salvation from death to everlasting life.

     From that place of death, only the Messiah/Christ, as prophetically described in the above verses from Numbers 25, whom the Israelites should have been proclaiming in the valley of thorns and scourging, can turn the human soul back to the way of life. Zion (siyun) is a way marker, a signpost, a guiding pillar to the way of Truth, according to its root meaning in Hebrew.

     We find out from this sad account in Numbers 25 that Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, walking in the zeal of God, stopped the plague that had broken out among the Israelites as a result of their choice of Ba'al and unfaithfulness to God in that Shittim valley: "And those who died in the plague were twenty-four thousand. Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Phinehas the son of Eleazar, that son of Aaron the priest, has turned back (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) My wrath from (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the children of Israel, because he was zealous with (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) My zeal/for My sake among them, so that I did not consume the children of Israel...Behold, I give to him (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) My covenant of peace (salom/salam - peace, welfare, prosperity, safety, health, completeness, contentment, friendship/recompense, reward [see Rev. 22:12-14], render, restore, repay, restitution, finished, complete); and it shall be to him and his descendants after him a covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was zealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel." (Num. 25:9-13). Our calling as believers in Christ requires the same zeal as God's for those who are dying spiritually and physically. Lives are in the balance. 

     This week's Pinchas Sabbath reading portion has another encounter with the false god, Ba'al, and involves another man of zeal for the LORD. The prophet of God, Elijah, brought to the rulers and people of Israel an example of the power of the LORD their God, who again, under pressure from an evil queen, had become involved in Ba'al worship. Elijah demanded that Israel choose between the worship of God and the worship of Ba'al. On Mount Carmel, Elijah set up a sacrifice on the altar of God, and the four hundred and fifty prophets of Ba'al set up a sacrifice on an altar to Ba'al. Elijah said to the false prophets: "Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD; and the God who answers by fire, He is God." (1 Kings 18:19-24). Elijah had said to the people of Israel: "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Ba'al, follow him." (v. 21). 

     The prophets of Ba'al called upon their god, but he did not answer, even as they "cut themselves as was their custom, with knives and lances until the blood gushed out of them." (v. 27-28). However, when Elijah called upon the name of the LORD: "...the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, 'The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!" The people seized the prophets of Ba'al and Elijah executed them at the Brook Kishon (qison/qos - winding, twisted, torturous/to lay bait, to lay a snare, to lure). (v. 38-40). The prophets of Ba'al were killed by the same snare and trap into which they had tried to lure all of Israel, according to the Hebrew meaning of "Kishon."

     There is an often-repeated principle in scripture that the wicked, the plotters, the nations who lay snares and traps for God's people will be caught in those snares themselves, as we see in the account of Elijah and the false prophets above. (see also Ps. 7:15-16, Ps. 9:15-16, Ps. 141:9-10, Prov. 26:26-27, Esther 7:9-10, Dan. 6:24). This principle of God's justice and judgment is very important for us to know in these current times before the return of Jesus. Jesus warned that there was a snare coming upon the whole earth, set against all of the people of the earth. This snare of deception is so spiritually and physically powerful, that even the elect of God could be caught in it. (see Mt. 24:24-25, Lk. 21:34-36).

     Even though Elijah brought forth a powerful demonstration from God that brought the worship of God back to Israel, after his encounter with the false prophets and the death threats from the evil queen of Israel who worshipped Ba'al, Elijah suffered an attack to his spirit. He prayed that he would die. He fled from the northern kingdom of Israel and ran to the southern kingdom, Judah, to Beersheba. There Elijah feel asleep under a broom (root word ratam - to bind, attach, to yoke up, thread tied around a finger as a reminder, horses bound to a chariot) tree. Then an angel touched him, telling him, "Arise and eat." Elijah found a cake baked on coals and a jar of water. This happened twice, as the angel then told Elijah that he had to be strengthened for a forty-day journey to "Horeb. the mountain of God." (1 Kings 19:1-8).

     The broom tree was like a thread tied around Elijah's finger, according to the Hebrew meaning, to remind him of an important principle. The broom tree is a symbol in scripture of God's provision: it provides shade from intense heat, its wood is used to make long-lasting coals for warmth and preparing food, it is able to grow in harsh and desolate places symbolizing the capacity for survival and endurance in the face of adversity, its roots are used by the poor for food in times of scarcity.

     In this place under the broom tree, the LORD sent an angel to provide for and strengthen his zealous prophet for what was to come.

     The angel instructed Elijah to make the long journey to Mount Horeb, the mountain of God. Mount Horeb (meaning "glowing, heat") is also considered to be the same as Mount Sinai, the site of the burning bush to Moses, the place where the Word of God and the Covenant of God were given to His people, and where water was given from the rock. Mount Horeb, the mountain of God, is also a place of great spiritual warfare, as we can imagine. The Hebrew root word harab means "waste, desolate, destroyer, slay, decay, ruins, dried up, attack, smite down, fight." It also means "to be amazed and astonished." The LORD worked powerfully and miraculously in this place.

     Here Elijah would learn that he was not the only prophet left in Israel who was serving God zealously as he had thought. (1 Kings 19:18). Elijah would also receive on the mountain of God instructions that would bring about changes to power structures. Two new kings were to be anointed by Elijah, as well as a new prophet, Elisha. The LORD would use this combined new power structure to carry out His judgment. (v. 15-17).

     Jesus also instructed His disciples that when the abomination of the antichrist and the surrounding by armies came to Jerusalem in the days before His return, they were to immediately "flee to the mountains." (Mt. 24:15-16, Lk. 21:20-22). This is the time when the snare that had been laid for the people of God by the powerful enemies of God would be turned back upon those who had plotted to deceive the whole earth and destroy God's covenant people as mentioned in the verses above. 

     Before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham's nephew Lot had also been instructed by angels: "Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed." (Gen.19:17). Instead of fleeing to a high place for refuge, Lot asked to go to a nearby place closer than the mountains, which was called Zoar (meaning "insignificant, ignoble, be brought low").

     Spiritual enemies of God and His people are and will be rising up in these last days before Christ's return. The prophet Daniel also spoke about the people of God who would have zeal during this time: "Those who do wickedly against the covenant he (the defiler of the sanctuary) shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits." (Dan. 11:32). Instructions have been left for us in scripture, including the prophetic warnings of Christ.

     If you would like to know more about the role of the zealous people of God in this time, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, You have provided for us the wisdom and instruction in Your Word for these times. Help me, LORD, to learn and receive in my heart this necessary understanding by Your Holy Spirit, and to walk in the role that You have purposed for Your people. These are not ordinary times, and we are not called to be "ordinary, insignificant, or ignoble," but we are called to walk in the high places as You have instructed. I give You thanks for preparing the believers in Christ for the times to come, and I pray with the Holy Spirit for the soon return of Your precious Son, our Lord, Jesus. I pray these things in Jesus' name. AMEN."

*NOTE: aleph-tav written in Hebrew as אֶת, are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The meaning of the two pictographic Hebrew letters can also be interpreted "Adonai (Lord) of the Cross/Covenant". In the New Testament, these letters are translated as Alpha and Omega written as ΑΩ , the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. These letters are those by which Jesus Christ identifies Himself in the Book of Revelation: see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13. 

WarfareHeights

     There is warfare in the high places. 

     Scripture tells us that the king of Syria was making war against Israel and kept trying to lay traps to capture its king. However, the king of Syria found that the king of Israel always changed his travel path and managed to avoid the ambush that awaited him. The king of Syria became very frustrated and thought that he had a traitor in his midst that was leaking information to the king of Israel. One of his servants told the king that there was no traitor, but Elisha a prophet of Israel prophetically sees the plans of the king and tells the king of Israel to avoid them. Then the king of Syria sent a great army out to capture the prophet at his home in Dothan (meaning, "two wells"): "And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, 'Alas, my master! What shall we do?' So he (Elisha) answered, 'Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' And Elisha prayed, 'Lord, I pray, open (paqah - to open, to blossom, to enable to see things which otherwise are hidden from the eyes of mortals) (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) his eyes (ayin - eye, sight, fountain, spring of water [see Dothan meaning above], face, mental and spiritual faculties, favor, humble, knowledge, having beautiful eyes, between the eyes) that he may see (ra'a - look, behold, appear, seer, foresee, perceive, have vision, discern, visions).'...And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." (2 Kings 6:8-17, excerpt). Elisha also prayed that the eyes of the attacking army be stricken with blindness, and then Elisha led the Syrian army away from Dothan. (v. 18-19).

     The angelic army of the LORD was revealed as Elisha's servant's eyes were opened by the LORD. The great Syrian army became insignificant in comparison. Spiritual warfare was conducted on this mountain as the Syrian army was stricken with sudden blindness. The heights are a place that requires the ra'a vision and discernment of the people of God in order to perceive the warfare which God fights on behalf of His people.

     Satan took Jesus to the heights in order to show Him things that might tempt Him: "Then the devil, taking Him (Jesus) up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, 'All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.' And Jesus answered and said to him, 'Get thee behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.' Then he (Satan) brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle (pterygion - a wing of birds, extreme top corner) of the temple, and said to Him, 'If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written...: (see Ps. 91:11-12).' And Jesus answered and said to him, 'It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.' Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time." (Lk. 4:5-13, excerpt).

     Jesus used His knowledge of the appropriately applied Word of God to fight the spiritual warfare on the heights.

     It is mentioned in scripture that Jesus would go up to a height to pray (Mt. 14:22-23, Lk. 6:12-13), sometimes all night. No doubt there were times when He did spiritual warfare from that position. On one occasion, after feeding the five thousand by a miracle, Jesus retreated to a mountain because He perceived (see ra'a above) that the crowd was about to take Him by force to make Him a king. (Jn. 6:15).

     The greatest spiritual warfare in history occurred at an elevated height. Jesus was crucified on a mount called Golgotha, which is estimated to be about 2500 feet above sea level. Scripture says that if the spiritual rulers realized the overwhelming, overcoming victory that would be achieved by the death of Christ at that appointed place, they never would have crucified the Son of glory. (1 Cor. 2:7-10). What was unseeable to them on that hill was made seeable to us by the Holy Spirit as we came to believe.

     This brings us to this week's Sabbath reading portion titled Balak. Balak was the son of Zippor (little bird, chirping and hopping in a circle) and he was the king of Moab. Balak's name means "devastator, annihilate, make empty, make void." The congregation of the children of Israel was encamped near the boundary of Moab, and its king, Balak, was sick with dread at the sight of them and wanted them destroyed. He sought to hire for a diviner's fee a sorcerer named Balaam (bilam/bala - not of the people, foreigner/consume, waste, wear out, decay, spend) who dwelled a distance away at Pethor (petor - Mesopotamian town on the Euphrates River, soothsayer, interpreter of dreams). King Balak's message to Balaam said: "Look, a people has come from Egypt. See, they cover (kasa - cover, conceal, hide, clothe, overwhelm) the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) face (ayin - eye, sight, fountain, well, face, mental and spiritual faculties) of the earth ('eres - whole earth, region, territory, ground, Sheol: land of no return and the underworld), and are settling next to me! Therefore please come at once. curse this people for me, for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to drive them out of the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed." (Num. 22:1-6).

     King Balak being mentioned as the son of Zippor above has a special significance. "Zippor" refers to a small chirping and hopping bird, like a sparrow. Jewish tradition relates that the bird, in this case, may refer to a little model of a bird that kings like Balak used for divination, receiving demonic spiritual guidance from the underworld. It's where we get the expression, "A little birdie told me." 

      A panicked and desperate King Balak must now seek out a soothsayer of reputation, Balaam, because the presence of the Israelites has covered or blinded his eyes of "spiritual" sight according to the Hebrew meanings above. We read in the account of Elisha above, how the enemy army was suddenly "blinded" and could not find the one they sought, while the servant of Elisha had his eyes opened, discerning the presence of the angels of God.

     The presence of the Israelites had brought spiritual blindness to those who depended upon occultic practices. This may be one reason that the nations around them would not allow the Israelites to cross their borders. All of those nations had fallen into idolatry and demonic practices and were to be dispossessed from their land by God because of it.

     Without going into all of the details of the encounter between Balak and Balaam, we can read that King Balak took Balaam to certain heights from which to curse Israel.: "So it was, the next day, that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the high places (bamot/bama - great high place/mountain, battlefields, high places of worship, fortress) of Ba'al (name of a false god), that from there he might observe (ra'a - see above) the extent of the people." (Num. 22:41). Balaam was not able to curse God's people from there because God had not cursed them. (Num. 23:8). King Balak discovered that the sorcerer Balaam's power to bless and curse was not unlimited as he had stated above. Balaam was limited by the commands of God concerning His people.

     King Balak then took Balaam to another place in the heights: the field of Zophim (spym - "watchers") at the top of Mount Pisgah (meaning cleft, fragment, to pass between or within, contemplate, consider, divide palaces) to make another attempt to curse the Israelites. Balaam again could not curse Israel, but he prophesied: "For there is no sorcery against Jacob, nor any divination against Israel." (Num. 23:23). Of cursing Israel, Balaam told King Balak the Word he received from the LORD: "Behold, I have received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it." (v. 20).

     Then King Balak took Balaam to "the top of (Mount) Peor (peor/pa'ar - name of false god of Moab, similar to Baal and worshipped by prostitution/gaping open mouth of a ravenous beast) that overlooks the wasteland (Jeshimon/yasam - waste/to ruin, be desolate)." (Num. 23:28). At this location, for the first time, Balaam prophesied not by his sorceries as he had at the other locations, but by the Holy Spirit: "the Spirit of God came upon him." (Num. 24:1-2). When this happened, Balaam said: "The utterance of Balaam the son of Beor, the utterance of the man whose eyes (ayin - see above) are opened (satam - to open, to unveil, to 'unclose'), the utterance of him who hears the words of God, and sees (haza - see, perceive, look, a seer in the ecstatic state, to have a vision, to see God) the vision (mahaze - have a vision in the ecstatic state) of the Almighty, who falls down with eyes wide open." (v. 3-4, see also 15-16).

     Balaam saw now by the Holy Spirit as he never had before when using his sorceries. He still could not curse Israel for King Balak, of course. The king became very angry as a result and sent Balaam home without the honor that the king would have given him. The sad part of the story is that even after this experience with God, neither man ended up serving God, but they worked together to try to bring harm to Israel. They both ended up dying in their future activities towards this ungodly goal. Here's an additional piece of information to consider: it is no coincidence or accident that those high places named in the Barak/Balaam verses above that were once located in the nation of Moab in its border area, are now shown on maps as being located in the middle of Israel! Those high places became part of the territory of Israel and Moab no longer exists as a nation. We can only marvel at the workings of our God and His justice.

     We can understand why the false gods and those who worship them covet the heights. It is the position of "seeing", of having open eyes, and spiritual vision. The heights also represent the power and authority of God, and the anointing and purpose upon His people. Even Satan is revealed to desire the highest places. The covetous thoughts of Satan were revealed by God to the prophet Isaiah. Satan or Lucifer said: "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation (mo'ed/ya'ad - congregation, feast, appointed place, appointed and fixed time, appointed meeting, sacred season, appointed sign or signal/meet together, assemble, appointed, betrothed, gather by fixed appointment) on the farthest sides (yereka/yarek - extreme parts, border, flank side, recesses/thigh, loins as the seat of procreative power, thigh where the sword is worn) of the north (sapon/sapan - north, hidden, obscure/hide, esteemed, hidden ones, secret places, inaccessible, treasure or store up, hide from discovery by covering over [see also Ps. 91:1-2], protect, to be destined [see also Eph. 1:3-6]); I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High." (Isa. 14:13-14). However, the LORD promised to bring Lucifer down to the lowest depths of the Pit of Sheol. (v. 15).

    It is important to pay special attention to the meanings associated with "congregation" and "the farthest sides of the north" used in the above verses. There was something hidden in the heights. There was something concealed from spiritual eyes. God covered over this special something in order to hide it, but Satan knew something called "the congregation" was there. He wanted to occupy that spiritual high place. We, the believers in Christ, both Jew and Gentile, are appointed to that meeting place. The apostle Paul wrote about the whole armor of God, which has been supplied to us. Part of that armor requires us to have our loins (see "farthest parts" above), our procreative parts by which we multiply and bear fruit, girded with truth. We are bearers of truth, which is the Word and Person of Christ (see Jn. 1:14). We are to carry the sword on our flanks (see "farthest parts" above), which is the Word of God, the weapon of our warfare. With the armor of God, we are able to stand in opposition against the wiles (methodeia - cunning, deceit, trickery, methods, devices, craft) of the devil. (see Eph. 6:11-20).

     We were hidden and protected in the Spirit by God until the appointed time had come for Jesus Christ to be sent, and for those who would believe on His name to become sons of God. (see Gal. 4:3-7).

     From another portion of this Sabbath's Balak readings, the prophet Habakkuk wrote that regardless of whatever trying circumstances, which are reflective of a poor spiritual condition, that might come upon his nation: "Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, and He will make me walk (darak - tread upon, bend a bow, shoot an arrow, lead forth, guide, march forth, tread on a press of wine or oil, tread down enemies as grapes, overtake, enter a threshold) on my high hills." (Hab. 3:18-19).

     Here we can see that walking on the heights includes the warfare meaning that we have seen throughout the above accounts. My nation has long mountain ranges running all the way down near its eastern and western borders and along part of its northern and southern borders. These high places are a spiritual battleground that is calling to us according to what I have learned this Sabbath, and the victory is the LORD's. I live in an area surrounded by hills and mountains. It is known that a satanist some years ago dedicated the mountains and hills in the area to Satan. It is also known that a man of God later flew over those same hills and poured anointing oil out upon them from the window of the small airplane. After this Sabbath study, I now look at these hills differently and I am determined to spiritually "walk upon my high hills", by the Spirit and in the name of the LORD. 

     If you would like to learn more about this kind of warfare, you can pray with me: "Heavenly and Most High Father, You have destined me through Your Son, Jesus, to walk the high places with open eyes and "see"  - to see the King in His beauty", and "the land that is very far off." (Isa. 33:15-17). You have equipped me to do so, not in my own strength, but with Your truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation and Word, according to the armor with which You have clothed me. You spoke blessing over my life in Your Word, including within the epistles of Your apostles. Help me, Lord, to walk faithfully and to grow in the knowledge of Your salvation. I ask these things in the name of Jesus. AMEN."

*NOTE: aleph-tav written in Hebrew as אֶת, are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The meaning of the two pictographic Hebrew letters can also be interpreted "Adonai (Lord) of the Cross/Covenant". In the New Testament, these letters are translated as Alpha and Omega written as ΑΩ , the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. These letters are those by which Jesus Christ identifies Himself in the Book of Revelation: see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13. 

Authority

      In the New Testament, we are told in several examples of the power and authority that has been given to the believer in Jesus Christ by Him and of the Holy Spirit whom Jesus sends into the believers' lives. Jesus made clear that all authority/power (exousia/exesti - power of choice, permission, ability or strength with which one is endued (see endyo below), power of authority and privilege, power of rule or government/legal) has been given to Him in heaven and on earth. (Mt. 28:18). Here are just a few examples of the power accompanied by the authority given to believers by Jesus:

     "Behold, I (Jesus) send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued (endyo - clothed with, arrayed in, to invest with clothing, sink into clothing) with power (dynamis - strength, power, ability, power for performing miracles, moral power and excellence of soul) from on high (hypsos/hyper - height, heaven, elevation, exalted, high rank or station/exceedingly abundantly, above, beyond, over)." (Lk. 24:49 also Acts 1:8).

     "Then He (Jesus) called His twelve disciples together and gave them power (dynamis - see above) and authority (exousia - see above) over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick." (Lk. 9:1-2).

     "Behold, I (Jesus) give you (seventy disciples) the authority/power (exousia - see above) to trample on serpents (ophis - serpent, especially satan, artful, cunning and malicious) and scorpions (skorpios - concealed, lurking, piercing poisonous sting), and over all the power (dynamis - see above) of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Lk. 10:19).

     (Jesus said) "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." (Jn. 20:22-23).

     "Assuredly, I (Jesus) say to you, whatever you (the disciples) bind (deo - to tie, fasten with chains, to forbid, declare illicit) on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose (lyo - to loose one who is bound, set free, deprive of authority, declare unlawful, overthrow, do away with) on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." (Mt. 18:18-20 and also Mt. 16:19).

     Whatever power and authority the believers in Christ exercise, it is to reflect and represent the power and authority of Christ and as given by the Holy Spirit. It is not meant to be empowered by our own ideas, emotions, or will, all of which comprises our souls. It is by the Spirit of God.

     Even Jesus declared that He only did what He saw His Father in heaven doing (Jn. 5:19), and He only said what He heard His Father in heaven saying (Jn. 12:49-50). He was completely submitted to His Father's will in all things, saying, "...not My will, but Yours be done." (Lk. 22:42, Mt. 26:39).

     This is the high standard set in exercising the power and authority given to us by Christ. There is no other acceptable standard.

     The above scriptures from the New Testament relating to power and authority have been included here to help our understanding of this week's Sabbath reading portion titled Chukkat, meaning "Ordinance (of)". The Hebrew word chukkat/chukat is found in Num. 19:1-2: "Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 'This is the ordinance (huqqa/hoq/haqaq - statute, ordinance, appointed, limit, prescribed, established or defined/bounds, boundary, decree, appointed/lawgiver, governor, one who decrees, inscribe, engrave, cut into stone or metal tablets, stamp violently on something) of the law which the LORD has commanded..."

     We can also see the purpose of the ordinance, or huqqa, by the meanings of the Hebrew letters that form the word: cheth, qoph, heh. The combined meaning found in the letters could be expressed as "Behold, revealed is the division, the separation and protection between what is in the inner chamber from what is outside the tent wall." We know that what is in the inner chamber of the tent/tabernacle is holy and separated from what is outside the curtained and gated outer perimeter of the tent/tabernacle.

     There is also to be a protective separation or division between the holy people of God and the profane, or fleshly things of the world. Paul wrote this question: "...For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?...Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord..." (excerpt 2 Cor. 6:14-18, also 1 Thess. 5:4-5, Eph. 5:8-11).

     In this week's Chuqqat or "Ordinance" Sabbath portion, the Israelites led by Moses and Aaron, came again into a part of the wilderness without water: "Now there was no water for the congregation; so they gathered together against Moses and Aaron. And the people contended with Moses and Aaron and spoke, saying: 'If only we had died when our brethren died before the LORD! (Referring to Korah's rebellion - see Num. 16:31-35, 47-49.) Why have you brought up the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) assembly of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our animals should die here? And why have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place?..." (Num. 20:2-5).

     This generation of the Israelites had already been told by the LORD that they would not be allowed to enter the Promised Land, but instead, wander in the wilderness for forty years and, with just a few exceptions, die in the wilderness. (see Num. 14:26-38). This was done because of their previous unbelief and disobedience to God. The Israelites had also seen the LORD produce water from a rock before when they were without water. (Ex. 17:5-7). On that occasion, Moses was instructed by the LORD to strike the rock with his rod/staff, and the water would then flow. This time, however, the LORD gave these instructions to Moses: "Take the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) rod (matte - staff, branch, tribe, rod or scepter of a king, support of walking, support of life, soldier's spear, used in chastising); you and your brother Aaron gather the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water...and give drink to the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) congregation and their animals." (Num. 20:8).

     These were the instructions that Moses received from the LORD. However, Moses also spoke words over the (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) congregation that the LORD had not commanded him to speak, saying: "Hear now you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?" (v. 10). Then, instead of speaking to the rock as instructed this time by God, Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod. (v. 11). Water did flow out of the rock abundantly.

     The rod that Moses carried was designated by God at the burning bush to be proof to the Hebrew slaves in Egypt that the LORD had appeared (ra'a - to be visible, to gaze at, to be caused to be seen, to look upon) to Moses. (Ex. 4:1-5). The LORD also told Moses that he was to do signs (ot - signs, miracles, distinguishing mark, token, proof) with the rod in his hand. (Ex. 4:17, see also Mk. 16:17-18: signs follow believers in Christ). It is with this rod that Moses demonstrated the power and authority of God over Pharaoh, his magicians, the whole country of Egypt and their gods, and Moses' own role as the appointed messenger of Almighty God.

     At the same time as the rod of Moses was designated by God for signs, God also said to Moses: "Who has made man's mouth?...Have not I, the LORD? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say." (Ex. 4:11-12). Isn't this what Jesus said also? He spoke only what He heard the Father speak (see above). He also told His disciples that they were not to give thought as to what to say, that the Holy Spirit would give them the words to speak. (Lk. 12:11-12). The phrase "the authority of the believer" to me, therefore, is somewhat of a misnomer. The authority of a believer is the authority of the Father and the Son manifested in an obedient and submitted servant, after the pattern established by Jesus with His heavenly Father. (see Phil. 2:5-13).

     There were many occasions when the LORD said to Moses: "Speak to the children of Israel and say to them...", but this event in the wilderness was not one of them.

     Philippians 2, referred to in the notation above, continues, bringing this instruction from Paul that should remind us of this event involving Moses and the Israelites in the wilderness: "Do all things without complaining and disputing (dialogismos/dialogizomai - disputing, arguing, the thinking of a man within himself, questioning what is true, doubting, reasoning, opinion/to reason, dispute, reckon up reasons, revolve in one's mind), that you may become blameless (amemptos - free from fault or defect, deserving no censure) and harmless (akeraios - pure, innocent, without a mixture of evil), children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life..." (Phil. 2:14-16, excerpt).

     This was the LORD's response to the actions of Moses: "Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, 'Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them." (Num. 20:12). Moses would not be entering and taking Israel into the land. His brother Aaron would soon die at Mount Hor on the border of Edom, as the LORD said to Moses and Aaron: "...for he (Aaron) shall not enter the land which I have given to the children of Israel, because you rebelled against (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) My word at the water of Meribah (meriba/rib - strife, contention, quarrel/contend, chide, debate, wrangle, rebuke, complain, adversary)." (v. 22-24). Aaron's son, Eleazar would go up on the mountain with Moses and Aaron, Aaron's garments would be removed and put on his son, "and Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain." (v. 25-28).

     Moses would later say that he pleaded (hanan - implore, have mercy on, be gracious, show pity and favor) the LORD to let him cross over the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Jordan to see (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the land, but the LORD refused him. The LORD would let Moses look upon the land from the top of a mountain, but he could not enter. (*Aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Joshua (yehosua - "Jehovah is salvation", a form of the Hebrew name of Jesus) would lead the children of Israel into the land instead. (Deut. 3:23-28).

     Another reading from this Chukkat, "Ordinance" Sabbath portion says: "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice: Do not harden your hearts, as in the day of rebellion (meriba - see above)...For forty years I was grieved with that generation, and said, 'It is a people who go astray in their hearts, and they do not know My ways.' So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest." (Ps. 95, "A Call to Worship and Obedience", v. 6-11, excerpt).

     Paul revealed in Romans: "For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God...because the creation itself will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God...even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body." (Rom. 8:19-23, excerpt).

      As sons or children of God through Jesus, we have something that is waiting to be manifested in us, and when it is manifested, all creation will also manifest it and be delivered. It is through belief in Jesus that we attain the exousia (see above) power of authority to become sons of God, born by the will of God. (see Jn. 1:12-13). It is by being led by the Spirit of God, and not ourselves, that we receive the Spirit of adoption as children of God and joint heirs with Christ. (see Rom. 8:14-17).

     A great deal, especially in these current times, depends upon our correct understanding of the authority of the Father and the Son that has been placed into the hands of the believers. To this end, we need to display more of Him and His ways and thoughts, and less of our own flesh and soul.

     If you would like to know and understand more about the authority that the Lord has entrusted into our hands, you can pray with me: "Father in heaven, You have done awesome and great things. You have sent Your beloved Son to guide us back into Your presence and grace. You have entrusted Your Son, Jesus, and those who believe in Him to walk in the authority and inheritance of servant sonship. Father, I want to speak what Your Spirit tells me to speak. I want to do the things that You show me to do. Let Your sons, Your children, be manifested in the creation. Let Your deliverance flow through our words and deeds as directed by Your will, in the same way that You brought millions of Your people out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. I ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus. AMEN."

*NOTE: aleph-tav written in Hebrew as אֶת, are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The meaning of the two pictographic Hebrew letters can also be interpreted "Adonai (Lord) of the Cross/Covenant". In the New Testament, these letters are translated as Alpha and Omega written as ΑΩ , the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. These letters are those by which Jesus Christ identifies Himself in the Book of Revelation: see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13.