WorksOfAbraham

 

                                                                                          Abraham

     This week's Sabbath reading portion titled Lech L'cha, meaning "Go! Leave!", begins the account of Abram/Abraham. The title comes from the first verse of the reading portion: "Now the LORD had said to Abram ('abram - "exalted father", "father of elevation"): 'Get out (yalak - go, walk, depart, proceed, move, to die, live, manner of life, carry) of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land ('eres - land, earth, country, world, nations, whole earth as opposed to a part, the earth and its inhabitants) that I will show you." (Gen. 12:1).

     As we can see from the Hebrew meaning of "land" or 'eres above, to limit the meaning as to only referring to a piece of ground is to limit the vision of God that He was imparting to Abram at this time, and the vision of God regarding "a land," which included the whole earth and its inhabitants by definition, proved to be absolutely and miraculously true through the knowledge of Messiah/Christ.

     The generations following would look at Abram/Abraham, not only as a "father" of the Hebrew people, but as a "father" and example of faith to both Jews and Gentiles across the earth, as the LORD had prophesied that Abram would be. Jesus referred to Abraham as such, indicting those who rejected Him, saying: "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this...Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad...Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." (Jn. 8:56-58).

     There are perhaps billions of people throughout history that have considered Abraham ("father of a multitude", which is his *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega-name - see Gen. 17:5-6) to be their (fore)father, either as his physical descendants, or as being a spiritual father to them pertaining to their faith. Jesus, however, was looking for "...the works of Abraham," above, by those who claimed Abraham as father. He didn't find those works of Abraham in the people who were so grievously and murderously offended in Him. What are "the works of Abraham"? One of the primary works of Abraham, as Jesus noted above, was obediently being able to "see", recognize and receive his Messiah/Christ by the Spirit, although Jesus would not be physically born until thousands of years after Abraham.  Abraham was so absolutely sure in his (fore)knowledge of the One who was "the resurrection and the life" that years later he would obediently offer his own miraculous son for sacrifice telling his servants who were with him, "...the lad and I will go...and we will come back to you." (see Gen. 22:4-5). This was a prophetic shadow of the Father in heaven offering His Son, Jesus, as a sacrifice for us. I hope that as we continue studying in the weeks to come, we will be able to learn more about the works of Abraham rooted in obedience and faith.

     We view Abraham as an "Old Testament" patriarch, with whom God made a covenant solely regarding the physical (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-land and descendants which would be later known as Israel, which is definitely included in the covenant promise. However, the promise of God extends beyond that physical perimeter. Paul wrote clearly that the extensive blessing promised to Abraham by God had now also been made available to the new covenant believers, including both Jews and now Gentiles, through Messiah/Christ Jesus. Paul wrote of this very thing in Galatians: "...Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness (see also Gen. 15:6). Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, 'In you all the nations shall be blessed' (see Gen. 12:3). So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham....Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law...that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith....And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Gal. 3:6-9, 13-15, 29).

     We are pointed to Abraham and also his wife, Sarah, as examples to us of faith: "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out (exerchomai - to go or come forth of, arise from, to be born of, to come forth into the world, to flow forth from the body, a point of departure) to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out (see exerchomai above), not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents/tabernacles (skene - tent, tabernacle, movable temple of God, to cover)...for he waited for the city which has foundations (themelios/tithemi - laid down as a foundation, beginnings, system of truth/fix, establish, set forth, lay down, kneel down, appoint, set in place), whose builder and maker is God. By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child...Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead (nekroo/nekros - to make dead, to put to death, impotent old man, deprive of power, to deaden, mortify/lifeless, destitute of life, inactive, inoperative, to disappear, as if already dead), were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude (see Gen. 15:3-5) - innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore (see Gen. 22:16-18)." (Heb. 11:8-12).

     Abraham, an elderly man without children at first, was described above as being "as good as dead." We also saw this idea of dying or being dead last week concerning Noah, although the idea does not always involve a physical death but a spiritual death to self. According to the Greek above, Abraham in his "going out" is described in a manner of which we would identify as being raised up, born again or born anew. Paul wrote of our spiritual dying rather than a physical death: "For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death/mortify your members which are on earth...But now you yourselves are put off all these...and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him...but Christ is all and in all." (Col. 3:3-5). Abram was given a new (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-name, Abraham, by which the old man passed away, and a new man was raised up. Those whom God has called to "go out," such as Abraham, must leave the old familiar things behind, counting them as dead, including oneself. Only then can God raise us (see exerchomai above) in His power and inheritance in Jesus Christ. As we will see, an inheritance from God in Jesus Christ includes but also far exceeds a natural inheritance. It is the inheritance that includes the whole earth and its inhabitants (see 'eres above). It is an inheritance of salvation and eternal life. It is an inheritance of God's own holiness, righteousness and glory. It is an inheritance that cannot be earned but is given as a gift from the Giver of all things pertaining to life and godliness, God. It is an inheritance of exceedingly great and precious promises even to becoming partakers of the divine nature. (2 Pet. 1:2-4). Paul wrote that it is well worth counting all other things as loss, if he may gain Christ. (Phil. 3:7-11).

     This was a work of Abraham in his life, as well as his unwavering faith in the promises of God to him, no matter how seemingly impossible those promises might have appeared to his understanding. We will look at some of the repeated promises of God to Abraham later.

      It was so important to the LORD that His people understand the works of Abraham that His Word repeatedly told His people to consider their esteemed patriarch. Some of those examples are included in this week's Lech-L'cha, "Go!", Sabbath reading portion.

     From Isaiah 41: "But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend ('ahab - to love, friend, beloved, loving). You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest regions, and said to you, 'You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away." (v. 8-9).

     From another of this Sabbath's readings, the LORD calls to His people to listen to His Words: "Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, you who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the hole of the pit from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who bore you; for I called him alone, and blessed him and increased him...My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth...But My salvation will be forever, and My righteousness will not be abolished...But My righteousness will be forever, and My salvation from generation to generation." (Isa. 51:1-8, excerpt).

     When the LORD commanded Abram to "Go!/Leave!" from out of all that was familiar to him, His vision and purpose for Abram was not limited as we tend to understand it, but it was eternal, global, and involving billions of people throughout centuries from all of the families of the earth, to be filled with the works of their father, Abraham.

To learn more about the works of Abraham in our lives, you can join with my prayer: "Heavenly Father, You called Abraham out and brought him into friendship with you. You have made him to be the father of faith and obedience for us all - both Jew and Gentile, to Israel and to all nations. Jesus was seeking those who did the works of their father Abraham. Lord, let me be one who does these works born of faith. Let me be a blessing in Christ to others, as Abraham was a blessing. By Your Word, Jesus, and by Your Spirit, lead me into the depth of understanding and knowledge of You, as You led and showed Yourself to Abraham. Just as You called Abraham "out", You have also called each of us in Christ. I thank You and I am always amazed at Your great love and provision for each of us. I pray 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. 

GracePower

      This week's Sabbath reading portion is titled Noach (Noah). This reading portion covers Genesis Chapters 6 through 11. The events described in these chapters will be referred to in scripture again and again. This means that there are foundational principles that will be the basis of God's future interaction with mankind. As I looked at the familiar account of Noah, I learned things that I had not considered before it but led me to a deeper understanding of my own walk with Jesus Christ.

     We can begin by briefly reviewing the conditions on earth before Noah was called by God. Genesis 6 tells us that "sons of God", perhaps referring to angelic beings, coveted (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-daughters of men and took them as wives. They produced children that were called mighty men, giants, or gibor in Hebrew, meaning "strongest, mightiest, giant, powerful, warrior, tyrant, champion, proud, bold, hunter."  The LORD saw that the wickedness of man "was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-man on the earth, and He was grieved ('asab - grieve, hurt, sorry, put in pain, torture, worry, anger, suffer, to afflict). So the LORD said, 'I will destroy (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry (naham - sorry, regret, repent, suffer, grief, lament, groan." Also: "be comforted, be consoled, have compassion, sigh) that I have made them." (Gen. 6:1-7). At the same time that the LORD was "sorry" that He had made men, He also wanted to offer comfort and consolation to both *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega-man and Himself, according to the Hebrew meaning of naham above. In Isaiah 54, Jeremiah 31 and Zephaniah 3, additional reading portions from this Noach Sabbath, the LORD offers mercy, kindness, restoration, comfort and consolation to His people who had been sorely afflicted or punished. The apostle James wrote that for those who show mercy in the law of liberty, "Mercy triumphs over judgment." (James. 2:12-13). God's mercy exists even within His judgment, as we will see with the account of Noah.

     So now, God will call Noah using a very special and powerful quality: "But Noah found grace (hen/hanan/hana - grace, favor, precious, acceptance, good-will/mercy, gracious/encamp, pitch a tent, dwell, grows to an end) in the eyes of the LORD." (v. 8). "Grace" is very much spoken of in the New Testament. Do we understand it, or what it accomplishes? In the account of Noah, it saved the earth, including a remnant of its inhabitants, from deserved total destruction. 

     At this point, we can find out more about Noah before we go further. Noah's name in Hebrew, Noach, means: "rest, resting place, quiet, have rest from enemies, ceased, set down, lay, remain, give rest to, to leave or depart from, repose, be granted rest, give comfort, resting place, to deposit for safe keeping, to leave remaining, of a person dying." To say that Noah's name just means, "Rest" does not give the complete picture. There is also a hint of death or dying in the meaning. The Hebrew letters of Noah's name, nun + cheth, can mean "the heir to the throne, the descendant + inner room or chamber, to protect, cut off from." 

     After finding grace in the eyes of God, scripture tells us that Noah "walked (halak/yalak - to walk, move, depart, come or go away, manner of life, to die, to enter, pass away, travel/go, walk, depart, away, to die, to live, flow, vanish, pursue, take away) with (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-God. Again we see in the Hebrew, the meaning can include death, dying, pass away. There are other examples in scripture of servants of God who either experienced a physical death and restoration, or a kind of spiritual death and restoration. This happened to the prophet Jonah (Jonah 2), the prophet Jeremiah (Lamentations 3) and to King David (Psalm 69, Psalm 22 [as prophecy of Christ's death]). All of them ascribed their restoration to the mercy of God.

     After finding grace in the eyes of God, Noah is described as "a just man, perfect (tamim - without blemish, perfect, upright, without spot, whole, complete, innocent, entirely in accord with truth and fact, undefiled) in his generations." (v. 9). This was Noah's spiritual condition after grace. Noah did not "earn" his relationship or grace with God by his own perfection or righteousness. God sovereignly gifted Noah with His grace and its fruits. It is God who said elsewhere in scripture: "...I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." (Ex. 33:19, Rom. 9:15-16). Noah's "perfection" was not his own, but the product of God's sovereign grace upon Noah for His own purposes.

     In circumstances of unrestrained and unlimited wickedness and corruption in the earth, so pervasive that even the beasts of the earth and the air were affected, and with the rule of evil in every man's heart, God's grace set Noah apart. Scripture says of grace: "Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Rom. 5:20-21). No matter how pervasive wickedness and evil are, the power of God's grace is able to overcome it. Grace is not a weakness but a reigning power given as a gift by God, just as He gave His Son, Jesus, the Person of Grace, as a gift to mankind if they will believe and accept it.

     Here are some additional facts regarding Noah. Noah, a descendant of Adam's third son, whose (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-name was Seth, was the ninth after Adam and the tenth of the line of mankind on earth. The significance of being "ninth" is reflected in the Hebrew letter with the value of "9", which is tet. This letter has a "u" shape like a vessel or a womb and "represents something hidden, protected, incubating inside a container, not immediately obvious on the surface." This sounds to me like the Person of Christ hidden within the believer. It also me think of the promised seed of Messiah/Christ, hidden and gestating in the future generations of Noah, and prophetically hidden within Noah as Noah and his family were hidden in the ark. The Hebrew letter tet also represents "the eternal and unchangeable truth." 

     The significance of being the "tenth," as mentioned above regarding Noah, is reflected in the Hebrew letter yod. The letter yod has the value of ten, reflecting "a single point of flame, the hand of God, indivisible divine power, spiritual continuity, a gathered community, a unity of multiple parts, a whole body, a complete community wherein God's presence dwells." This makes me think of the unified Body of Christ, both Jew and Gentile, composed of many parts making up a whole, within which dwells the Holy Spirit of God.

(Note: The above interpretations of the numbers 9 and 10 are found in rabbinical writings and traditional Jewish understanding.)

     We saw above a reference to death or dying in the Hebrew meaning of the name "Noah." I don't think that this means that Noah had been physically dead. However, we know from the New Testament writings that those who are called to Messiah/Christ, the embodiment of grace and truth, are called to a kind of spiritual death and resurrection with Messiah/Christ, as well as our later physical death and resurrection. Jesus, who was grace in the flesh, said: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death unto life." (Jn. 5:24). The believer while still living has already passed from death to life (eternal). Paul wrote: "...you were raised with Christ...Set your mind on the things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden (see the meaning of "9" above) with Christ in God." (Col. 3:1-3). He also wrote: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me...I do not set aside the grace of God." (Gal. 2:20-21, excerpt). Paul directly connects the power of grace to the raising of us up together with Christ: "But God, who is rich in mercy (eleos - mercy, kindness, compassion, clemency, good-will, kindness), because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk (Noah walked with *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega-God) in them." (Eph. 2:4-10). We do not have to physically die first before being raised up with Christ. The work of grace ends our present life and raises us up in new life with Christ.

     By finding grace in the eyes of God, Noah was also being enabled and empowered for the "good work" that the LORD had prepared for him to do. Paul wrote that he could minister only by grace: "For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I am labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore, whether it was I of they (the other apostles), so we preach and so you believed." (1 Cor. 15:9-11). We often associate the grace of God only with our salvation, but the work of grace continues throughout our works in the name of the Lord. We may often credit our "gifts" in ministering, but we are lax if we do not understand that we minister, however God has purposed us to minister His name, by the power of His grace even more so.

     The grace of God is not an excuse to knowingly continue to sin without repentance as some may wrongfully believe. Scripture tells us that the ongoing work of grace makes us to have died to sin and continues to teach us to turn away from sin in our lives (Rom. 6:1-2, Titus 2:11-14). The power of grace, by remaining in it, removes us from the dominion of the sin under the law (Rom. 6:14), and is an ongoing presence in the life of a believer. Grace is absolutely necessary in our on-going spiritual walk with God and in our purpose, as it was in Noah's.

    Please join my prayer for the grace of God if you would like to: "Dear Father, Your great grace through Your Son, Jesus, saved my life. Your grace has been shown to me so many times, and I have seen its operation throughout my life in so many ways. I depend upon and lean upon Your grace with thanksgiving every moment of my life, and I ask that Your grace works through me to others. I praise You, Lord, because even in the darkest evil of the times, Your Word says that Your grace is even more abounding. Let my eyes not be fixed on the darkness but upon the grace. I call upon Your eternal grace, Lord, not only for Your people, but for those who have been captured in the darkness. I pray the Name of Your Grace, Jesus, upon the earth and all of its inhabitants. I ask 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. 

    

TRUTH

      The pattern of the Sabbath readings is that once the reading portions have finished with the end of the Torah (the first five books of the Bible), which is Deuteronomy 34, the readings immediately circle back to the beginning of the Torah with Genesis 1. So, we begin again this Sabbath with the Book of Genesis, which I think has a very timely message for us. I am already looking forward to what the LORD will teach us in this new cycle of Sabbath readings.

     This week's Sabbath reading portion is titled B'reshiet, meaning "In the Beginning." The "B" that is joined with the Hebrew word reshiet, or "beginning", can mean "in, at, with, when." 

     As we know, Genesis 1 begins with these words: "In the beginning (resit/ro's - beginning, firstfruits, first in place-time-order or rank, chief/head, top, beginning, captain, first, ruler, height, choicest, excellent) God created (bara'- create, creator, choose, to shape or form, transform, of miracles, of the birth of something, pare a reed for writing or a stick for an arrow, to cut, carve out, separate, break out) (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-heavens (and) (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-earth. The earth was without form and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, 'Let there be light ('or - light, bright, clear, light of life, illumination, light of day, light retained, become light, shine);' and there was light. And God saw (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day." (Gen. 1:1-5).

     The Hebrew meanings of the words used in the description of the condition of the earth as shrouded in deep darkness, point to an earth held captive in the darkness and misery of death. The Father, God, and the Son who is present in the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega attached to the heaven and the earth and the light in written Hebrew, and the Holy Spirit, would resurrect the dead planet with the spoken Words: "Let there be light." The "light" spoken and produced is also the light of life (see Jn. 1:1-5, see also Col. 1:15-18), according to the Hebrew meaning, which is Messiah/Christ as the Word of God. 

     The creation of God continued from this first day as the earth was filled with life.

     The first unequivocal truth is that there was no other beginning factor in the creation of the heavens and the earth other than GOD - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Secondly, resurrection power and authority by the attachment of the name and rank of the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-Son of God played an essential part in the creation. There may be other theories and fables of men regarding creation, but none of those theories or fables have the power and authority to be able to resurrect a dead planet, as was described here in the Hebrew meanings. 

     Another principle of truth of the authority and power of God seen in creation is that although heaven and the dry land of earth are separate creations of the second and third days of Genesis 1:6-13, they are eternally connected as one in Genesis 1:1 under the name and authority of the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega, which is Messiah/Christ Jesus (see *note at the end of the entry). We know that the will of God rules over and in both heaven and earth as Jesus taught His disciples to pray: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven..." (Mt. 6:9-10). Jesus also told His disciples: "Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." (Jn. 1:51, speaking of Himself as the fulfillment of the vision of "Jacob's Ladder," the connection between heaven and earth, from Gen. 28:10-15).

     Another truth laid out by God in Genesis 1 is that all that is created by God has life within itself. God has placed the seed of life in each living thing and that seed will bring forth the same form as the form of its origin. Grasses, trees and herbs have seed within them that will produce the same types of grasses, trees and herbs. All created life of the air, land and sea have seed within themselves to produce their own likeness. A tree cannot produce a bird. The seed of a plum tree cannot even produce an apple tree. A bird cannot produce a rhinoceros and so forth. Although there are mutations and variations that may occur, there are not enough billions of years contained within time, and there are not enough mutations in the universe that will result in the reproductive seed of one species producing a totally different species. (v. 11-13, 24-25). They were created and commanded by God to produce seed after their own kind. Man was created by God as a separate creation and not as coming forth from any other species. Man was formed by God after God's own likeness. As this specific and separate creation of the image of God, man would not be of the same stature as the other creatures but would have rule and dominion authority over them. (v. 26-28). This is the truth of God's creation, regardless of what man may say. The LORD unapologetically and uncompromisingly lays these truths before us for a reason, which we will see. The LORD set forth these details of His creation because it is so important for our lives and purpose on earth for us to know and to trust in the truth of God concerning the origin of all things, including man, and His absolute power and authority to redeem and resurrect His own creation (through His Son, Jesus), that God made these the first words which He had written to all mankind.

     The other reading portions for this B'reshiet Sabbath, Isaiah 42, Job 38, and Psalm 139, confirm the truth that it was God the LORD who created the heavens and the earth and all of its inhabitants, including man. The LORD even uses the truth of Himself as Creator as His identity:

     "Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb: 'I am the LORD, who makes all things, who stretches out the heavens all alone, who spreads abroad the earth by Myself;" (Isa. 44:24). And:

     "For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens, who is God, who formed the earth and made it, who has established it, who did not create it in vain, who formed it to be inhabited: 'I am the LORD, and there is no other." (Isa. 45:18).

     It is the LORD who forms man before he is born. It is the LORD who determined to give His Servant (Messiah/Christ) to His creation as a Savior and Redeemer:

     "Thus says God the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it, and spirit to those who walk on it: I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light (see 'or above) to the Gentiles (also meaning "nations")." (Isa. 42:5-6).

      The truth is that God calls lies and liars abominations (see Prov. 6:16-19) worthy only to be thrown into eternal fire (Rev. 21:6-8), and we will see why later. God's Word assures us that God is not a liar, and is impossible for Him to lie. (see Num. 23:19-20, Rom. 3:3-4, Titus 1:1-2, Heb. 6:17-18).

      However, it didn't take long for man to choose to believe that God is a liar. The serpent questioned the woman about the truth of what God had said to Adam in Gen. 2:15-17: "Then the LORD God took (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the LORD commanded the man, saying, 'Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." Eve repeated to the serpent the command given by God to the man as she understood it or misunderstood it. Somewhere between the time that the man received the command and the woman heard of the command, an untruth was added to the command. Not only were they to not eat of that tree, but the woman told the serpent that they were also forbidden to even touch the fruit of that tree, which was not included in the original command. (see Gen. 3:2-3). The serpent immediately took advantage of this untruthful statement and said to the woman: "You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Gen. 3:4-5). The serpent told the woman, and her husband who was with her (v. 6) that God had lied to them when He warned them that they would die - that God had lied to them in order to withhold His divinity and authority from them.

     The LORD God later asked the man and then the woman what they had done. The woman answered: "The serpent beguiled/deceived me." (Gen. 3:13). Here we come to the important point concerning lies: they are connected to witchcraft and occultic powers. The word "serpent" in Hebrew is nahas which means "hissing serpent, snake, viper, enchantment, enchanter, practice divination or fortunetelling, whisper a magic spell, the whisper of a soothsayer, to use sorcery." We can see here in the Hebrew meaning, the connection between the serpent and witchcraft, including the casting of spells. This does not mean that the woman and her husband would not be held responsible for their choice, even under "beguilement," to believe the lying words of the serpent instead of the true words of God.

     It is at this point that the LORD expelled the man and woman from the Garden, and cursed the serpent, promising He would cause the woman to bring forth the Seed, referring to Messiah/Christ, that would crush the serpent's head. (see Gen. 3:14-15).

     Jesus said this to those who were offended by and refused to hear the life-saving salvation truth from Him: "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of myself, but He sent Me. ...you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your Father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him...he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me....He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God." (Jn. 8:42-47).

      In a reference to the events of Genesis 3 above, Jesus often told the religious leaders of His time that they were snakes, vipers and serpents (see Hebrew meaning above) because they refused to receive the truth themselves and they withheld God's truth from the people. (see Mt. 12:33-34 and Mt. 23:33).

     As it is with the Father, it is also impossible for Jesus to lie. He came full of grace and truth (Jn. 1:14), and He came to testify of the truth (Jn.18:37). He said that His Father sanctifies us with the truth, with His Word of truth (Jn. 17:16-17). The Holy Spirit of the Godhead is called by Jesus, "the Spirit of truth" who will guide us into all truth." (Jn. 16:13-14). It is the truth brought by the Son of God, Jesus that sets man free in every way. (Jn. 8:31-32). It is imperative to God that we know that He does not lie to us. He is a God Who not only tells the truth, sends the truth, but IS the truth. It is the knowledge of the truth that delivers us from the beguilement associated with the serpent/Satan.

     John 1 identifies Jesus as the Word of God, who was with God, and who was God in the beginning. Everything that was created was created through Jesus as the Word of God. Proverbs 30:5-8 tells us: "Every word of God is pure; He is a shield (magen/ganan - shield, buckler, armed, defense, ruler, protector/to defend, to cover over, surround, to hedge about, protect) to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words (see also Rev. 22:18-19), lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar. Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): Remove falsehood and lies far from me..." The truth of God, who IS truth, and His Word which is the Person of truth, serves as a protective covering over and surrounding us if we will trust in Him as truth.

     It is never just a "simple" lie. Jesus told us that Satan himself is the father of lies. He is a liar, and the father of it. Satan, who deceives the whole world, (see Rev. 12:9), like the serpent in the Garden, uses his occultic powers to generate and empower the deception. We will see some more examples.

     We are given an account in Luke 4 in which Satan tried to tempt and deceive Jesus for forty days into abandoning His purpose as the Son of God, as the Savior and Redeemer. We are told that Jesus was in the wilderness. However, while attempting to deceive, seduce and tempt Jesus with improper interpretation of scripture, Satan also combined this attempt with witchcraft and sorcery (see the definition of "serpent" above). Satan supernaturally took Jesus from the wilderness to a high mountain to show Him all of the kingdoms of the earth "in a moment of time." (v. 5-7). Then, supernaturally, Satan took Jesus to Jerusalem from the wilderness and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple there. (v. 9-11). Satan used these occultic arts to empower the lies and misrepresentations that he would tell. We know that Jesus resisted these attempts to lure Him from the will of His Father by using truth - the pure, correct application of scripture that overrides the twisting of scripture by men and devils to suit their own purposes. Both Peter and Paul warn believers about this practice of deception (see 2 Pet. 3:15-18, and 2 Tim. 4:2-4).

     In another example, the apostle Paul wrote the following to the church in Galatia: "O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched (baskaino - to bring evil, the evil eye, to charm, bewitch, to fascinate by false representations) you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?" (Gal. 3:1). The word "fascinate" is used here as part of the Greek meaning of "bewitched." The word "fascinate" in our English dictionary means: "spellbind or transfix, enchant, bewitch, cast a spell, a magical or irresistible pull, to draw another by exerting a powerful influence." Paul recognizes that something evil has exerted an occultic influence in combination with a lie being falsely represented as truth to this church.

     The Galatians had fallen away from the truth of the salvation of Christ by grace through faith and began to believe that salvation was "earned" by obeying and doing the works of the law of Moses instead. The lie and the liar were attempting to rob this church of its salvation faith. Paul countered this to this church with a repetition of the truth of God.

     We may be skeptical of such things as being beguiled, bewitched or spellbound, but Jesus warned, and it is important for us to know, that before His return mass deceptions and delusions will be very powerful. The deceptions will be so powerful that even the elect can be deceived by them. (Mt. 24:4-5, 11, 23-27). Paul also wrote of a strong delusion sent by God that will cause people to believe a lie. These people had already chosen to believe and accept lawlessness and the lawless one who comes with "the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception", and they did not believe the truth of God. However, God has chosen us to have "belief in the truth." (2 Thess. 2:7-13).

     Many are perplexed by the current mass belief in outright lies (those things that stand counter to the Word of God) that we are seeing today. Not only are lies supported with zeal, but some of the lies have been incorporated into the law of the land. Not only do masses of people believe the lies, but they also demand that all others must honor the lies as well. We often hear the bewildered words being said, "It's as if the world has gone crazy!" Even "common sense", or foundational innate human knowledge and understanding, is being removed. Are we seeing what Eve realized when she said, "The serpent beguiled me"? Are we seeing some of the mass deception and delusion about which Jesus and the apostles warned? Nevertheless, we have been provided by God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, with the only shield and defense against it - the truth, if we will remain in it and trust that God is true. Those who do not love and cling to the truth will be led further into the lies. (2 Thess. 2:10-12).

I invite you to join with me in this prayer:

"Heavenly Father of all truth, fill me, shield me and cover me with Your Word, Your Son, and Your Holy Spirit of Truth. Keep me from deception and delusion, from lies and the father of lies. You sent Your own Son, Jesus, to crush the head of the serpent, who beguiles, lies, and leads astray from the truth of life and salvation. Let my ears and my heart only receive Your truth. I pray this with thanks in the name of Jesus for myself and my whole household. 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. 

Ending&Beginning

      

                                                                  Portrait: Christ's Empty Tomb

     On this Sabbath, we come to the end of the Feast of Tabernacles, one of the feasts of the LORD commanded in His Word. The Feast of Tabernacles lasts seven days. The next day is called Shemini Atzeret. In English, this means "the eighth (day)" + "assembly, solemn gathering, stopping, holding back, store up." It is as if the LORD is saying to His people after the completion of the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles, "Stay awhile - There's more." 

     We see the "eighth day" as following the Feast of Tabernacles in 1 Kings 8:65-66, as Solomon held a Tabernacles (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-feast in the seventh month (see 1 Kings 8:2) following the dedication of the newly completed temple in Jerusalem: "On the eighth day he (Solomon) sent (salah - send, stretch out or forth, let loose, let go, set free, appoint, shoot forth, sow, spread, send a messenger) (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-people away; and they blessed (*aleph/tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-king, and went to their tents ('ohel/'ahal - tabernacle(s), dwellings, tent(s), covering, sacred tent of Jehovah/to be clear, to shine, to be bright, a vibrating shining appearance) joyful and glad of heart for all the good that the LORD had done for His servant David (meaning the house and son of David because David had already died), and for Israel His people." From the Hebrew meanings, we can see that the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-people were sent out as a messenger is sent out, to be bright, shining tabernacles, filled with joy and gladness, to their own places of dwelling. This is also how Jesus has sent us out as well.

     The number "eight," which is part of the name of this day, has a very wonderful meaning. Some describe it as meaning "a new beginning." However, the number "eight" also has the deep meaning, according to rabbis, of being a step above the perfection and completion of the number "seven," which is the number associated with the Sabbath. This rabbinical understanding of "eight" being a step more or higher falls in with the Hebrew meaning of "eight": robust, plenteous, to shine, of oil." (see also 'ohel/'ahal mentioned above).

     Sunday is considered both the first day of the week and also "the eighth day" since it comes after the seventh day. Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week, or, we might be able to say, "the eighth day." (see Mt. 28:1-2, Mk. 16:1-4, Lk. 24:1-3, Jn. 20:1). Scripture has many references to events that occurred on "the eighth day." Circumcision (mul - destroy, cut in pieces, remove impure things, cut down and withered, cut off as a branch with the roots drying up, to fade) was to occur eight days after the birth of a son (see Gen. 17:12, Lev. 12:3), as Jesus was also circumcised on the eighth day of His life to fulfill the Law of Moses (see Lk. 2:21). The prophets and Paul wrote that circumcision was to be not just a concept applied to flesh, but more importantly and truly to be of the heart. The impure or corruption is cut away and withered so that the incorruptible remains. Paul wrote of the change or metamorphosis that must occur as the trumpet sounds and we are caught up to meet Christ: "...we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." (1 Cor. 15:52-53). Flesh must be changed into Spirit.

     The Father, who is the vinedresser, circumcises the Body of Christ, casting away and withering (see mul above) the unfruitful branches that have not abided in the Vine, His Son, Jesus. (see Jn. 15:1-8). We also have the Word of God (Which is Jesus, and testifying of Jesus) as being "living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword (machaira/mache - large knife used for cutting flesh, knife, war, judicial punishment), piercing even to the division (merismos/merizmo - to cleave asunder or separate, dividing, partition/to separate into parts, cut into pieces, disunite) of soul and spirit, and of joints (harmos/harma - joint/particle of union) and marrow (myelos - marrow, enclosed within, shut), and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Heb. 4:11-12). 

     The Lord has not abandoned circumcision in its true meaning. It was given as an outward sign that always pointed to a vital inner work of God in us. (see Rom. 2:28-29). Moses, who wrote the law as given by God, also spoke of this greater meaning of circumcision. (see Deut. 10:16-17). We will see the concept of "cutting away" applied later here also.

     These are just a few examples of the greater works of God on "the eighth day." Jesus also said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to be with My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." (Jn. 14:12-14). We may have often wondered, "How can we do greater works than Jesus?" In the context of the "eighth day" abundance, as well as its connection to christ's resurrection, I am able to better understand these greater works.

     Outside of Israel, there is another observance held on the same day as Shemini Atzeret, or "the eighth day." This second observance is called Simchat Torah, meaning "Rejoice with/in the Torah." The Torah is composed of the first five books of the Bible, written by Moses. Inside of Israel, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are celebrated on the two successive days after the Feast of Tabernacles ends. This is a day of joyous celebration where the Torah scroll is held in the arms in the synagogue while the people dance and sing with it in a circle. It is said that they are giving the Torah "legs" with which they can dance and celebrate with the Torah. 

     The congregants are not just celebrating the fact that they have completed the Torah Sabbath readings for the year with the end of the Book of Deuteronomy, but they are more celebrating the fact that they are looking forward to begin again a new cycle of Sabbath readings with the Book of Genesis. Because of this, the last chapter of Deuteronomy is read with the immediately following reading of the beginning of Genesis. The year-long Sabbath readings then become an eternal circle of the end and the beginning. This is also the identity of the Messiah/Christ Jesus when He said: "I am the *Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,' says the Lord, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." (Rev. 1:8, also Rev. 21:5-6, Isa. 41:4). The Lord also said, "I make all things new" in Rev. 21:5.

     Deuteronomy 33 contains the last words of Moses as he spoke a blessing over each of the twelve tribes of Israel. The last chapter of Deuteronomy, chapter 34, reveals the circumstances of the ending of Moses's life and the beginning of the leadership of Joshua over the Israelites as they are about to cross over the Jordan River into the Promised Land which God has given to them. Again, we have an ending and a beginning.

     However, I would like to consider another ending and beginning found in this celebration of Simchat Torah, which includes the end of the Book of Deuteronomy, the fifth book of the Torah.

     This reading for Simchat Torah, "Rejoice in/with the Torah," recording the death of Moses, now immediately swings back to the beginning of scripture, Genesis 1:1-5: "In the beginning (resit/ro's - beginning, firstfruits, first in place-time-order or rank, chief/head, top, beginning, captain, first, ruler, height choicest, excellent) God created (bara'- create, creator, choose, to shape or form, transform, of miracles, of the birth of something, pare a reed for writing or a stick for an arrow, to cut, carve out, separate, break out) (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-heavens (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-(and)-the-earth. The earth was without form and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, 'Let there be light;' and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day." In the meaning of "created", which is bara in Hebrew, we see the root idea of cutting or carving and separation applied to the act of creation as we saw above in mul circumcision.

     The creation of God continued as the earth was filled with life.

     The first thing that we notice is that the meaning of "beginning", resit in Hebrew, and its root word ro's, include the idea of firstfruits and also of a person, a captain, a ruler of the greatest importance and height. The head of all things. The creation of the heavens and the earth is by God and has been attached to the name of *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega Messiah/Christ. Many other scriptures declare the fact that the earth and everything in it belongs to the LORD. Colossians 1:16 says: "For by Him (Jesus) all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist." (see also Ps. 24:1, Ps. 50:10-12, Ex. 19:5, Job 41:11, Gen. 14:19, 1 Chron. 29:11-12, 1 Cor. 10:26).

     Because the Hebrew meanings of the rest of the description of the earth in Genesis 1:1-5 are many, I will paraphrase the description according to these meanings: The earth was without form, in confusion, full of emptiness, lying in waste, a place of chaos, a desolation and buried, hidden and concealed in darkness, misery, without hope, in destruction, death, sorrow, the dark place as of Hades (the place of death), in the darkness that withholds light. This darkness was so deep and thick that it was like an abyss, the depths, the grave. It was full of commotion and agitation, and in an uproar like a multitude making noise. It was destroyed, crushed, broken and consumed or swallowed up by this darkness like the place of death.

     Then the Spirit of God hovered/moved over it, growing soft, fluttering, moving gently, cherishing and soothing as one would soothe a child or as spreading over and cherishing of the body of a dead child as both Elijah and Elisha did before the child was raised from the dead (see 1 Kings 17:17-222 and 2 Kings 4:32-37). The Spirit hovered and caressed as a brooding hen hovers over its young ones.

     Then God spoke the Light of life, who was a Person- the logos spoken Word: Messiah/Christ (see Jn. 1:1-5): the light that severs things previously mixed together and separates out the darkness from the light. Again, we can see mul circumcision in the cutting power of the Word of God.

     The image presented here by the meanings of the Hebrew words of Genesis 1:1-5, as paraphrased above, is the resurrection of the earth that had become shrouded with the darkness of death, but had been created by God as attached to the *aleph-tav name and rank of the Messiah/Christ. This same Name and Person told us: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." (Jn. 11:25).

     Now that's a real Simchat Torah Beginning, and a truly great reason to rejoice, to sing and to dance with the Torah Word of God! If Almighty God is able to resurrect a whole planet from the darkness of death into teeming life, He is well able to resurrect to life all who are called by the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega name of our Savior, Jesus. 

     This is the traditional blessing that is spoken at the end of the Torah reading: "Blessed are You, Adonai (Lord) our God, King of the universe, who gave us the Torah of truth and planted eternal life within us. Blessed are You, Adonai, Giver of the Torah."

                                                                                    <>

     "Heavenly Father, I thank You and celebrate Your living creative Word, which is Your Son, Jesus. Father, You, and Your Son, the *Aleph-tav, and the Holy Spirit turned darkness and death into resurrection light and life. All praises, honor, power and glory be unto You, the holy Three-in-One. Thank You, Jesus, for placing Your name upon me, my household, and upon all who believe in You, as those who have attained Your gift of salvation and eternal life. Blessed be Your Name in all the heavens and the earth! In the name of Jesus I pray. 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. 

LanguageOfTabernacles

 

                                                                           Sukkah of Feast of Tabernacles
    

     This Sabbath is the beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot. It is also called the Feast of Ingathering because it is connected to the gathering of the fruits of the fall harvest. There are several harvests in Israel that play a role in the Feasts of the LORD. In the spring, around the time of Passover, is the barley harvest. In the summer, at the time of the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost, it is also the time of the wheat harvest. The Feast of Tabernacles is also connected to the fall harvest of grapes, figs, pomegranates, and other choice fruits harvested from the vines and trees. However, the Feasts of the LORD as He commanded us to keep in His Word, are divine appointments that signify deep and precious things involving our relationship with the LORD. The Feasts are like a progressive picture of the work of Messiah/Christ in us and for us. There is a great deal of information available, and several mentions in scripture, about the Feasts of the LORD, including the Feast of Tabernacles. However, this year, the LORD had me take a different kind of look at this precious, powerful and meaningful fall Feast of the LORD to be kept by all generations.

     "Tabernacle" is the Hebrew word miskan/sakan which means: "tabernacle, dwelling place, tents, shepherd's hut/dwell, abide, remain, inhabit, continue, dwellers, cause to dwell and abide, rest, to lie down." Notice that the word for tabernacle does not only mean a dwelling place but also includes those who dwell in it (continually). It means to abide or remain in that place. This reminds me of Jesus telling us to abide in Him as He is the Vine and we are the branches of that Vine. The branches that abide or remain in Him, dwell in Him, will bear much fruit. (see Jn. 15:4-8). The Vine and the branches exist as one. I hear the language of the Feast of Tabernacles here in Christ's words to all of us. We will see more about the branches later.

     We see the word "tabernacle" for the first time in scripture as the LORD spoke it to Moses: "And let them (the Israelites) make Me a sanctuary (miqdas/qadas - sanctuary, sacred place, holy place, asylum, of the temple, of the tabernacle/sanctify, dedicate, holy, prepare, consecrate, purified, be holy, to be set apart, to be treated as sacred), that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show you, that is, (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-pattern of the tabernacle, and (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-pattern of all its furnishings (keli- vessel, instrument, artillery, deadly weapon, jewel, armor, utensil, receptacle, yoke, clothing, ornaments), just so shall you make it." (Ex. 25:8-9). We are first told that the tabernacle, specifically the sanctuary set within the tabernacle, is the place where God will dwell with His people. Then we are told that there is a specific pattern from which the tabernacle must be constructed and is to display. That pattern reflects the Messiah/Christ as indicated by the written aleph-tav in Hebrew (see *note below). The tabernacle cannot be built as Moses or any man might decide to build it. It is based upon a specific pattern or form of the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega-Messiah/Christ. Also, the tabernacle is not an empty building but contains vessels or furnishings that also must be made after the *aleph-tav pattern. The meaning of those "furnishings" includes deadly weapons and weapons of warfare as well as vessels of rare beauty and ornamentation, clothing and also items of "usefulness" as utensils. The New Testament compares believers in Christ to "vessels" in the house of the Master: "But in a great house there are not only vessels (skeuos - a vessel, implement, utensil, a chosen instrument) of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel of honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work." (2 Tim. 2:20-21, see also 2 Cor. 4:7-10).

     There is even the idea of a "yoke" involved in the meaning of keli furnishings above. I remember the words of Jesus: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (see miskan above). Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Mt. 11:28-30). Again, I suspect that the language that Jesus speaks here is also the language of the Feast of Tabernacles.

     Earlier it was mentioned that the Feast of Tabernacles is connected to the fall harvest of fruits from vines and trees. Jesus referred to us as branches with Himself as the Vine if we abide or dwell in Him: "Abide (meno - abide, continue, dwell) in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (Jn. 15:4-5). We will find soon that these words of Messiah/Christ are also spoken as the language of the Feast of Tabernacles.

     Let us look at the branches connected to the Feast of Tabernacles. This Feast of the LORD carries this command from God: "You shall dwell in booths (suka/sakak - tabernacle, thicket of trees, tents, interwoven boughs, a booth made of leaves and interwoven branches, entwined boughs/cover, covering, defense, fence in, hedge in, join together, shut up in, protect, overshadow, screen, weave together, to cover with armor) for seven days. All who are native Israelites shall dwell in booths, that your generations may know that I made (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God." (Lev. 23:42-43).

     The sukkah or booth, spoken of above, that each household makes for the Feast of Tabernacles is constructed from interwoven branches (see suka above). The LORD described the boughs or branches from which the sukkah tabernacle should be made: "And you shall take for yourselves on the first day (of the feast) the fruit (peri/para - boughs of fruit-bearing tree, fruitful, firstfruits, offspring/branch off, increased, bring forth fruit) of beautiful (hadar - glory, majesty, excellence, splendor, honor) trees, branches (kap/kapap - hand, sole, palm, hand-shaped branches or fronds, power/to bend down, to be bowed) of palm trees (tamar - date palm, be erect, rectitude), the boughs ('anap - to cover, bough, branch) of leafy ('abot/'abat - interwoven foliage, leafy, dense with foliage, entwined/weave together, interlace) trees, and the willows ('arab - have fellowship with, share, intermingle with, engaged, to give in pledge, surety) of the brook (nahal - stream, river, torrent of water, flowing from a fountain, inheritance, to inherit, bequeath, possession); and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days." (Lev. 23:40). These four beautiful and meaningful boughs and branches, one type of which includes fruitful branches (see Jesus' words above), are interwoven together to make this tabernacle booth. The last-mentioned branches from "the ('arab) willows of the (nahal) brook" make me think of the quality of the Holy Spirit. These four types of branches are so thickly woven together that you cannot tell where one ends and the other begins. Some of the branches still have their fruit attached and hanging down into the interior of the booth. It is a booth constructed not of dead branches but of living, leafy, green branches, some of which are still bearing their fruit. The meanings of the trees used are beautiful and powerful, and also include the meaning of "glory, majesty, splendor, excellence and honor" (see hadar above).

      The glory of God is connected to the tabernacle/temple and cannot be excluded from the Feast of Tabernacles. The glory cannot be excluded from the construction of the booth or sukkah either because one of the types of branches used for its construction is directly associated with the glory and majesty of God. As King Solomon dedicated the newly-built Temple in Jerusalem, and had the priests bring the ark of the covenant into the holy place, the inner sanctuary, the glory of God filled the Temple: "And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-house of the LORD, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-house of the LORD. Then Solomon spoke...'I have surely built You an exalted house (to dwell in), and a place for You to dwell/abide forever." (1 Kings 8:10-13, excerpt).  

     Jesus again spoke the language of Tabernacles when He prayed to His Father regarding those who believe in Him, and the interwoven relationship and the glory found within it: "I do not pray for these alone (His current disciples), but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are One: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me before the foundation of the world...And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them." (Jn. 17:20-26, excerpt).

     We can see above how Jesus prayed about an interwoven (see suka above) relationship between the Father, the Son and the believers in Messiah/Christ. Jesus assured us earlier that if we abide in Him, we are represented within the interwoven branches as the branches of fruitfulness (see peri/para above). This interwoven relationship is filled with the glory of God, as Jesus prayed above, in the same way as the LORD filled His temple/tabernacle with His glory.

     Isaiah wrote prophetically about a people filled with the glory of God, a spiritual house of His living people rather than a physical house built of wood: "Arise, shine; for your light has come!...the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles (also meaning "nations") shall come to Your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising...and they shall proclaim the praises of the LORD...They shall ascend with acceptance on My altar, and I will glorify the house (bayit/bana - household, human bodies, receptacle, those belonging to the same household, descendants as an organized body, temple/build a house, establish a family, obtain children) of My glory." (Isa. 60:1-7, excerpt).

     To my ear, all of these things are spoken in the powerful language of the Feast of Tabernacles: the cry of the Lord, both Father, Son and Holy Spirit, to have an interwoven relationship of love and glory with us.

     "Heavenly Father, Your Word says that we are a living, spiritual house of God. I cannot help but think of the beautiful and pleasant sukkah of the feast of Tabernacles. Jesus told us that those who believe Him and abide in Him are interwoven with Him and with His Father. He told us that we form a tabernacle filled with Your glory - the same glory given to Your Son. Lord, I pray that I may remain interwoven with You as a fruitful branch in Your living dwelling place among man, established in Your love for Jesus and for us. This is an appointed time of rejoicing in the household of the family of God, and in the fact that You established a living dwelling place with You for each of our households, filled with Your habar glory, majesty, excellence, splendor and honor. I give all glory to Your holy Name in 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. 

    

EternalSoul

      

                                                                         Genesis 2:7 God breathes into man

     This is the Sabbath that occurs this year before/on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which is one of the fall Feasts of the LORD. The title of this Sabbath reading portion is Ha'azinu, which means "Listen/Give ear." This Sabbath is also called Shabbat Shuvah, a Sabbath of Return/Repentance (to the LORD). 

     Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, is treated as a very solemn and pivotal feast that the LORD commanded repeatedly for all (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-souls to keep. This is the only feast of the LORD in which He specifically and repeatedly commands "souls" to observe and keep (see Lev. 23:26-32). The Hebrew word translated as "souls" is the word nepes, which means "soul, life, person, mind, will, emotions, desires, heart, body, that which breathes, inner being, living being with life in the blood, to take breath, to breathe, to be breathed upon, refreshed." The soul with the blood, as mentioned in the definition of nepes above, is the life in a person, rather than their physical body. The soul is created by the breath of God, which gave the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-man life (see Gen. 2:7). Therefore the outer body may die, awaiting resurrection, but the inner soul cannot die. In the New Testament Greek, "soul" is the word psyche meaning "breath, breath of life, the soul as an essence which differs from the body and is not dissolved by death."

     We can see the meaning of the soul as mentioned above in the Hebrew and Greek definitions in these verses from scripture. 

     Regarding the soul as life: 

"O LORD, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive that I should not go down to the pit (bor - pit, cistern, dungeon, prison, pit hole)." (Ps. 30:3). And: "For You have delivered my soul from death. Have You not kept my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?" (Ps. 56:13, also Job 33:29-30).

     The LORD's redemption of the soul:

"The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned." (Ps. 34:22). And: "Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed upon them...And their beauty shall be consumed in the grave, far from their dwelling. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me. Selah." (Ps. 49:14-15). And: "He keeps back his soul from the Pit (sahat/suah - pit, snare, trap, destruction, cistern of mud/to sink down, sunk into mire, sink down into Hades) and his life from perishing by the sword....He will redeem his soul from going down to the Pit, and his life shall see the light." (Job. 33:18, 28).

     The LORD shows mercy upon the soul:

"I said, 'LORD, be merciful to me; heal my soul, for I have sinned against You...But You, O LORD, be merciful to me, and raise me up..." (Ps. 41:4, 10).

     The soul of man was not created from the breath of God in order to sink down into the mire and quicksand of sin into the place of death. The snare of sin are the hands that pull what was meant to be the glorious and divinely breathed soul of man into the pit. This feast of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, deals with the Atonement (kipur/kapar - atonement, sin offering, redemption/atonement, purge, reconciliation, forgive, merciful, cleansed, pardon, to cover, be covered) of the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-soul of man. The Feast of Yom Kippur/Atonement occurs ten days after the Feast of Trumpets, during which repentance and return to the LORD are solemnly sought. 

     As believers in Jesus Messiah/Christ, we must know that His blood, given in sacrifice for us, is our Atonement covering and the cleansing from our sins. Jesus asked us all this question: "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:36-37). There is not enough money on the whole earth or in any earthly power or authority that can redeem even one soul. The richest man in the world today, whose wealth is currently valued at 950 billion USD, cannot redeem his own soul nor anyone else's with even all of his wealth.

     Billy Graham said this regarding the value or redemption price of a soul: "God places the value of the soul at an incalculable price, for by the blood of His only Son, Jesus Christ, are sins forgiven and souls cleansed."

     This solemn and serious Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur, when we bow down our souls before God, from whose breath the soul was created, comes before, and in its way is the pre-requisite of, the Great Feast, which is the Feast of Tabernacles. That feast takes place five days after Yom Kippur. We will hopefully get a chance to study that feast next time. It is the Feast of the LORD in which the redeemed soul of Yom Kippur, Atonement, becomes one with God and His habitation in His realm of glory.

     The title of this Sabbath's reading portion, Ha'azinu, "Listen/Give ear," comes from Deuteronomy 32:1 as (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-words sung by Moses: "Give ear O heavens, and I will speak; And hear, O earth, the words of my mouth." It is a song commanded by God to be taught to all of the assembly of Israel detailing the perfect goodness of God extended towards them, and their resulting rejection of Him. The song ends with the promise of God's mercy and kapar atonement being extended towards Israel. (see Deut. 32:43).

     In another scripture portion from this Ha'azinu, "Listen/Give ear" Sabbath, we read Psalm 78, which describes the rebellious hearts of God's people towards Him even though He had on many occasions miraculously delivered them from harm. These words were to be told to the generation to come, the children who would be born: "that they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God...and may not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not set its heart aright, and whose spirit was not faithful to God...And they tested God in their heart...they spoke against God...they did not believe in God, and did not trust in His salvation...they flattered Him with their mouth, and they lied to Him with their tongue; for their heart was not steadfast with Him, nor were they faithful in His covenant." (excerpts Ps. 78).

     This rebellious condition of God's people described above stemmed from issues of sin in the heart (see also nepes "soul" above). The rebellion against God began in the soul, the very living breath given to man that had come from the Almighty.

     Then the Psalm says: "But He (God), being full of compassion, forgave (kapar - see "atonement" above) their iniquity and did not destroy them...." (v. 38).

     It is important that we look at the meaning of God's "compassion" used in the verse above. It is the Hebrew word rahum/raham, which means "compassion and mercy only used of God/to love deeply, have mercy, have tender affection, show compassion, to be soft and soothing and cherishing in a gentle emotion of the mind, to behold with tenderest affection, the love of parents towards their children, to obtain mercy." Looking at this meaning, we can say that the LORD ministered His kapar atonement forgiveness and cleansing to the souls of His people from His soul, the seat of His heart (see nepes soul above) or strong emotions.

     We also know that God would provide His eternal kapar Atonement covering of sin through His Son, Jesus, from the realm of His heart, His soul: "For God so loved (agapao - to love dearly - see also rahum/raham above) the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (sozo - keep safe and sound, rescue from danger or destruction, to save from perishing, to heal, restore to health, to deliver from the penalties of judgment, to preserve, make whole)." (Jn. 3:16-17).

     Do we have a moment, an hour, a day (yom - day, time, daily, ever, year, continually, always, whole, lifetime, yesterday-today-tomorrow), to bow our souls before the Lord, as David did, with love, gratitude and the repentance renewal that comes in knowing that "He (the LORD) restores (sub - return, turn back to God, repent, bring back, restore, relieve, refresh, recover, circumcise, rescue) my soul (nepes - see above)" (Ps. 23:3)?

     Heavenly Father, You poured Your soul into my soul with Your breath of life in my nostrils. I lift my hands, dear Lord, and I lift up my soul, to magnify You, to turn to You with all my heart, to ask and receive Your forgiveness, Your pardon, and Your Atonement covering and cleansing by the blood of Your Son, Jesus, my Savior and the Redeemer of my soul. Rescue, restore, renew, and revive my soul within me so that I may love You with all my heart, mind and strength, with all my soul. Circumcise my heart anew within me. Purify my heart, purging it of sinful ways. You appointed the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, as a holy convocation, to call me to bring my heart and soul back to Your heart and soul, which have always awaited my return to You. I ask this 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.