LivingCenser

                                                        A priest with his censer of incense

     The title of this week's Sabbath reading portion is Korach, meaning "Bald." This title is found in the wording of the verse that opens this reading portion: "Now Korah (qorah/qarah - "bald"/make bald, make a baldness, to make oneself bald, make smooth) the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men and they rose up before Moses with some of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, representatives of the congregation, men of renown. They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, 'You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?" (Num. 16:1-3).

      So the Sabbath title refers to a man's name, Korah, who was a Levite, the tribe of dedicated servants and priests who ministered in the tabernacle. Moses and Aaron were Levites also. We see that Korah and two hundred fifty renown leaders whom he had persuaded were challenging Moses' and Aaron's spiritual positions and leadership of God's people. The Hebrew letters of the name "Korah,", each having their own meaning are qoph, reysh and heh. When these letters and their meanings are put together, they could form the meaning "Behold, the highest and most important head who is first, has been made the back of the head, the last and the least." We will see that this describes well what is happening here.

     Korah was not challenging Moses and Aaron on behalf of the people, but because of his own ambition, as Moses discerned. He said to Korah: "Hear now you sons of Levi: Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-work of the tabernacle of the LORD...Are you seeking the priesthood also? Therefore you and (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-all-your-company are gathered together against the LORD." (Num. 16:8-11, excerpt). Notice that all of the rebels involved have the written *aleph-tav preceding them. They were identified in some way with the Messiah/Christ (see *note at the end of the entry). Is this surprising? We will read of this kind of attitude again in the New Testament later.

     As we see above, the challenge against Moses and Aaron was really a challenge against the LORD. The LORD will meet this challenge. Like a head that has been made bald, challenging the LORD's position removes a "covering." The LORD will demonstrate this. Once Moses and Aaron had received the challenge to their positions of authority over the people, a position which they had never sought, these were the instructions from the LORD to the rebels: "Do this: Take censers (mahta/mehita/hata - firepans, censer, fire holder, for live coals, removing live coals/destruction, terror, ruin, dismaying, a breaking, dissolution/seize, take away, snatch up coals, destroy) Korah and all your company; put fire in them and put incense (qetoret/qatar - incense, perfume, odor of sacrifice, smoke, fumigation that causes to flee) in them before the LORD tomorrow, and it shall be that the man whom the LORD chooses is the holy one. You take too much upon yourselves, you sons of Levi." (Num. 16:6-7).

     This is not the first time that the LORD has dealt with people through the use of censers. (see Lev. 10:1-3). As we can see by the Hebrew word meanings for censer and incense, the burning coals have the meaning of a terrifying destruction and breaking. The incense that represents the fragrance of sacrifice (see qetoret/qatar above) placed upon those coals becomes a smoking cloud that covers over that destruction. The cloud of incense also acts as a fumigating smoke that causes (spiritual) undesirables or pests to either leave or be destroyed. Regarding the incense to be used, the LORD said in an earlier place: "You shall make of these an incense, a compound according to the art of the perfumer, salted, pure and holy...It shall be most holy to you. But as for the incense which you shall make, you shall not make any for yourselves, according to its composition. It shall be to you holy for the LORD." (Ex. 30:35-37, excerpt). Any who used the incense for any private purpose other than in worship of the LORD would lose their lives (see Ex. 30:38). 

     When the LORD commanded Korah and the other rebels to get out their censers, they should have gotten a clue that this was not going to turn out well for them, and it didn't. They were destroyed in a terrifying manner (see mahta/mehita/hata above) - by earthquake and by fire. (Num. 16:31-35). Then the LORD ordered that: (*Aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-The-censers that the rebels "...who sinned against their own souls, let them be made into hammered plates as a covering for the altar. Because they presented them before the LORD, therefore they are holy; and they shall be a sign to the children of Israel." (v. 38). It is not men who made the censers holy but the LORD who made them part of His holiness because they were in His presence.

     In the hands appointed by the LORD, the power of the holy things of God save and deliver, but in the hands of those who presume but have not been so called, appointed and anointed, those same holy things become a death sentence to them. 

     The very next day, when the whole congregation is condemning Moses and Aaron for the deaths of their brethren, the rebels, the LORD, hearing the accusation, broke out in anger against the Israelites. As Moses and Aaron fell on their faces to intercede for the congregation, Moses told Aaron: "Take (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-a-censer and put (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-fire-in-it from the altar, put incense on it, and take it quickly to the congregation and make atonement (kapar - atonement, purge, reconciliation, forgive, merciful, cleansed, pardon, to be covered over, propitiation) for them; for wrath has gone out from the LORD. The plague has begun." (Num. 16:41-46). As we know, Jesus Messiah/Christ is the Atonement covering for our sins that saves us from the death and destruction of sin.

     As Aaron ministered atonement with his censer, he ran to stand between the living and the dead. The plague stopped at that place. Fourteen thousand seven hundred died before the plague was stopped. That's how fast it had swept through the people. (see v. 47-50).

     Before we assume that the rebellion of Korah is limited to the Old Testament, let's look at some instances where people have made themselves "bald" or uncovered in the same manner as Korah:

Personal ambition: Luke 22:24 says: "Now there was also a dispute among them (referring to the disciples of Jesus), as to which of them should be considered the greatest." Jesus said that the ways of the Kingdom of God were completely different from those of the world. The idea of "greatness" comes in the form as one who serves rather than one who insists upon being served. He Himself came as a servant among them. (v. 25-27).

     The idea of "greatness" in the kingdom arose again as His disciples asked Jesus, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" (Mt. 18:1). How can anyone sit before the Greatest, the Son of God, and ask, "Who is the greatest?!" Perhaps they were expecting Jesus to say, Abraham, or Moses, or David. However, Jesus called a little child before Him, and He said, "Unless you are converted (strepho - turn oneself, turn back again, reverse, turn from one's course of conduct) and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me." (v. 2-5). We carry this kind of mindset of being "great" from the world. We have to turn away from it. Again, the qualifications of the Kingdom of God are not like those of the world. However, worldly standards and goals often still have rule over our minds, whether we admit it or not.

     Paul addressed this issue of personal ambition in the Church saying: "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." (Phil. 2:3). Paul doesn't say to consider others equal to oneself but better than oneself! Korah the Bald wouldn't like that one. We might have a difficult time with that one also.

Financial Gain: Many warnings appear in scripture about those who preach Messiah/Christ for financial gain. See 2 Pet. 2:3, Titus 1:11, 2 Cor. 2:17, 1 Tim. 6:9-11. I say sincerely, God bless those who humbly and obediently serve the Lord for no other reason than because they love Him and love His people. I thank you for your sincerity and selflessness.

Works Denying the Father: Jesus said: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord', shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness/iniquity." (Mt. 7:21-23). Korah disregarded the leadership of God the Father over Israel and decided that he was more qualified to lead the people than the ones appointed by God. The two Hundred and fifty leaders of renown agreed with him. He and they were wrong. The Father has not ceded His throne to any man and never will.

     We who believe in Messiah/Christ, both Jew and Gentile, have been called by the LORD God to carry the Living (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-Censer, Jesus, whose atonement covering, like the incense of the odor of sacrifice, covers and appeases the fiery coals of wrath and destruction.

     If you would like to know more about the Censer of the LORD, you can pray with me: "Most High Father, as priests in Your Kingdom (1 Pet. 2:9-10), You have given us the great privilege of carrying and ministering the Living Censer that is Your Son, Jesus. Lord, let me put aside all selfish and worldly thoughts and ways, and serve and love You with all my heart, mind, and strength. Turn me, Lord, away from the corruption of Korah and his followers, and cause me to embrace Your Kingship, Lordship and reign over my life. Let me be as a little child before You and let me esteem others more than myself. Keep me from challenging You as my Shepherd and King by seeking my own ways instead of Yours. I ask this in the name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior. 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. 

DifferentSpirit

      The title of this week's Sabbath reading portion is Sh'lach L'cha, which means "Send for yourself." The title comes from the first verse of the Sabbath readings: "And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Send (salah - send, go, send out, stretch out, sow, let loose, shoot forth) men to spy out (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel; from each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a leader among them." (Num. 13:1-2).

     We will see that the LORD was about to expose something in the hearts of His people that we sometimes call "unbelief" or "disobedience" but is really something far more dark and insidious, something of which we should all be aware.

     I will just summarize the account of the twelve spies, leaders among Israel, whom Moses sent to spy out the land which the LORD had promised to give to Israel. Those twelve included Joshua, right-hand-man to Moses who was from the half-tribe of Ephraim, and Caleb, from the tribe of Judah, who was not called a Hebrew in scripture but a Kenizzite, which was one of the Canaanite tribes. (see Gen. 15:17-21, Num. 32:11-12, Josh. 14:6).

     The twelve tribes remained on their mission to spy out the land of promise for forty days. When they returned, while admitting that the land was very fruitful, ten of the spies brought back the evil report (diba/dabab/dobe' - evil report, slander, infamy, defamation, whispering, secret slanderer/to creep about, a slanderer/the languor of death) that giants were in the land and the Israelites would not be able to win against them. In scripture then, according to the Hebrew meaning above, the LORD described their report as infamous slander against Him and the inheritance that He had promised to the fathers of Israel. Only Joshua and Caleb insisted that with the LORD on their side, the Israelites would be able to overcome the current inhabitants of the promised land. They urged the Israelites not to fear the inhabitants and not to rebel (marad - bold and audacious in acts of rebellion or disobedience, contumacious [meaning willfully resisting authority, unruly, intractable, insubordinate]) against the LORD.

     The Israelites reacted with violence to these words of Joshua and Caleb: "And all the congregation said to stone them with stones." (Num. 14:10). The LORD had to directly intervene, and He was not happy, saying, "How long will these people reject (na'as - despise, abhor, blaspheme, deride, reject with contempt and derision, speak evil of) Me?" (v. 10-11). The command of the LORD to send the twelve spies exposed an abhorrence against Him in the hearts of His people to whom He had shown many signs and wonders. This was not only unbelief and disobedience, but derision and despising according to the Hebrew meaning above. Why this extreme reaction against God and against Joshua and Caleb? We will hopefully find out.

     The LORD said this after Moses interceded to Him for forgiveness and mercy towards the people: "...but truly, as I live, (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-all-the-earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD - because all these men who have seen (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-My-glory and (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-signs/miracles which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice, they certainly shall not see (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected (see na'as above) Me see it. But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit (ruah - spirit, Spirit, breath) in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it." (v. 20-24).

     The men and leaders of Israel had witnessed the glory of the LORD and His signs and miracles, but still rejected or despised (see na'as above) Him. However, the LORD vowed on His own eternal existence to fill the whole earth with the glory that had been despised by these men. Caleb, however, had a "different spirit" from these other men who despised and rejected the LORD. In fact, the men who rejected and despised the LORD would later die of the plague that comes with the evil report: "But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive, of the men who went to spy out (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-land." (v. 36-38).

     The LORD exposed the very deep despising and violent contempt of man for God and His Messiah/Christ (as indicated by the presence of the *aleph-tav in written Hebrew. See *note below) in this account above, but His answering vow was even greater: to fill the whole earth with His glory. Caleb, the LORD revealed to Moses, was of a different spirit. The Feast of Pentecost has recently passed during which the disciples of Jesus Messiah/Christ received the outpouring of the fire of the Holy Spirit (Ruah HaKodesh in Hebrew). If we take a look at this event on Pentecost more closely, we will see something more about man's violent hatred towards God.

     The Feast of Pentecost, or Feast of Weeks, or Shavuot, is directly connected and timed from Passover. This Feast of the LORD is to occur fifty days after Passover according to the law of Moses as given by God. The New Testament account of this Feast day, occurring after Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension, begins: "When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they (referring to the followers of Jesus) were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:1-4).

     The disciples of Messiah/Christ are described as being "all with one accord in one place." It sounds good in English and is even often repeated as a goal to attain, however, the Greek reveals something else that is going on here that is not good. The phrase "in one accord" is the Greek word and roots, homothymadon/thymos/thyo. These are the meanings attached to the Greek: "with one mind, with one passion/boiling up fierceness, passion, anger, to rush, breathe hard/to sacrifice, immolate, slay, kill the pascal (Passover) lamb." Jesus wasn't slain for our sins only because of others' unbelief in Him. He was slain in the fierce and passionate anger of man against God. That same anger towards God, according to these verses was still present in the disciples. All mankind had a hand in slaying the Lamb of God, Jesus. Several times in scripture, violently angry, irrationally angry people tried to kill Jesus for what He was saying, but it was not yet His appointed time to die. 

     The second highlighted phrase from the verses in Acts above, "in one place," is the Greek word and root autos/aer, meaning "themselves, the same/lower air rather than higher rarer air, to breathe unconsciously, to blow the air."

     I know that it may be hard to believe that this kind of anger and fierceness towards God and Christ as noted by the Greek meanings above was present in the disciples who had followed Christ, seen miracles with Christ, seen Him crucified, resurrected and later ascended. However, it is confirmed when we look back into the law concerning the Feast of Weeks/Shavuot/Pentecost: "Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath (from Passover); then you shall offer a new grain offering to the LORD. You shall bring from your dwellings two wave loaves...They shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven. They are the firstfruits to the LORD." (Lev. 23:16-17). The word "leaven" used here is the Hebrew word hames, which means: "gained by violence and wrong, grieved, cruel, harsh, embittered, sour, oppress, be red or blood-stained, be ruthless, be unjust, violent, to injure." As we can see, the meaning of leaven here is very specific and the hames leaven cannot be a symbol of the Holy Spirit, but just the opposite. The hames leaven of the Feast of Weeks/Shavuot/Pentecost indicates that a violent and unjust cruelty is being lifted up to God as a firstfruits offering. The lifitng up or waving of Jesus on the cross was likewise unjust and atrociously cruel. Jesus sacrificed Himself, in part, to cover and intercede for the very people who were committing this terrible act of hate and violence: "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Lk. 23:34).

     However, a "different Spirit" came upon the followers of Jesus that Day of Pentecost after the Holy Spirit came upon them. It changed the disciples. They were not the same. Paul explained the difference between the (Holy) Spirit-filled man and the carnal man: "...do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity (ekhthrah/ekhthros - hostility, hatred/hating, odious, enemy, foe, opposing as the devil opposes God, hateful) against God...So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God...Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His...But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you...For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God." (Rom. 8:4-14, excerpt). Paul said that the carnal mind of man hates and opposes God in the same manner that Satan hates and opposes God. This is another confirmation of man's natural or fleshly and truly irrational hatred of God. This is what sin does to man - to his mind, to his soul. Paul also wrote about men becoming haters of God. (see Rom. 1:28-31).

     Jesus said to His disciples that it was better for them that He goes away to His Father so that He could send the Helper/Comforter, the Spirit of truth. (see Jn. 16:7-15). Even for the disciples of Messiah/Christ on the Day of Pentecost as we see above, and in us today, the Holy Spirit is not just about receiving spiritual gifts, but He is needed and sent by Jesus Christ to work a transformation in our souls. Paul wrote above that to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Caleb, who, as we saw above, was of a "different spirit" was associated with life and peace in scripture. (see Num. 14:38 and Josh. 14:13-15).

     The Holy Spirit was present and necessary in the work of transformation from the beginning. When the earth was buried in deep darkness and emptiness, the Holy Spirit hovered (rahap -gently cherish, fluttering, brooding meaning incubating and hatching) over it. Then the Word of creation spoke forth and transformed the darkness of death into the teaming of light and life. (see Gen. 1:1-2, Jn. 1:1-5). We need this transformation working in each of us. Not only that, but we need to pray and desire that our love for the Lord never grows cold or is lost. Jesus warned in scripture that this is a possibility as lawlessness increases. (Mt. 24:12-13, Rev. 2:4-5).

     This also helps us to understand what we are seeing in the world today - the irrational hatred of God and the people of God. Jesus spoke of this hatred. (see Jn. 15:18-19). However, the LORD vowed on His own Life after the rejection (see na'as above) of His own people for Him: "...all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD." The prophet Joel confirmed this promise. (see Joel 2:28-29). This starts with each of us as His Spirit of glory fills and transforms us.

     If you would like to learn more about being of a "different spirit", and being filled with the transforming Holy Spirit of God, you can join with my prayer: "Beloved Father, Your commandment to us says: 'You shall love ('ahab - love, long for, breathe after, beloved, to produce fruit, to germinate, putting forth) the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.' Lord, let Your Word and Your Holy Spirit create and continually revive in me a spiritual mind. Place Your protection around my mind, heart and soul, so that I will always walk in love for You. Let my desire be to love and worship You above all and with all. Holy Spirit, as on the Day of Pentecost, come into my life and fill my soul and spirit with the flames of fire of love for the Lord. Change my carnal mind into the mind of Spirit and of Messiah/Christ. Renew my love for the Lord daily as I pray and declare over my heart, and the hearts of all the earth, the commandment above to love You. I ask and receive these things in the name and by the grace 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. 

RaisingLight

      

     The title of this week's Sabbath reading portion is B'ha'alot'cha, which means, "When you step up/go up." The source of this title is found in the beginning of the reading in Numbers 8: "And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 'Speak to Aaron, and say to him, 'When you arrange/light ('ala - come up, go up, ascend, bring, offer, offering, to light, raised, arose, to meet, spring up, be taken up, brought up, taken away, carried away, exalted, cause to go up, mount up, raise, perfect', recover, restore, shoot forth, go from a lower region to a higher) (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand.' And Aaron did so; he arranged/lighted (see 'ala above) the lamps to face toward the front of the lampstand, as the LORD commanded Moses. Now this workmanship of the lampstand was hammered gold; from its shaft to its flowers it was hammered work. According to the pattern which the LORD had shown (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-Moses, so he made (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-lampstand." (Num. 8:1-4).

     Although translated as "to light" or "to arrange" in English, the Hebrew word 'ala means much more than that, including a meaning of going up or ascending, as well as to restore or recover, or to perfect something/someone. The lamps being lighted here in the tabernacle are preceded by the *aleph-tav in written Hebrew by which Messiah/Christ identified Himself in scripture (see *note at the bottom of the entry). The priest would light the seven lamps of the lampstand (menora) by stepping up to it or ascending to it. The number "seven" always makes a connection to the Sabbath for me. There are other mentions of "seven" in scripture, especially in the Book of Revelation, but for this entry, I am looking at the connection between the light (of the lamps/lampstand) and ascendency from a lower place to a higher, and resurrection.

     In the creation account from the Book of Genesis, we discover that there is a connection between God's voice and light: "Then God said, 'Let there be (haya/hava/'ava - to be, exist, be established, to arise/to breathe, to become/long for, desire, sigh, wait longingly, crave) light'; and there was light. And God saw (ra'a - see, consider, perceive, foresee, have visions, discern, distinguish, joyful) (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-light, that it was good; and God divided (badal - severed, utterly separated, difference, set apart) the light from the darkness." (Gen. 1:3-4). "The light" is preceded by *aleph-tav in the written Hebrew, connecting it to the Messiah/Christ (see *note at the bottom of the entry). This is also confirmed in John's Gospel as the (spoken) Word (logos/lego - of speech, uttered by a living voice, language, the sayings of God, the act of speaking/to say, to speak, call by name, to teach, to affirm, tell, utter) of God, which is Jesus, is described as being the life and the light of men, a light that cannot be overcome by darkness (see Jn. 1:1-5, 9), as we also saw above in Genesis 1. Jesus also referred to Himself and to those who follow Him as "the light of the world". Being "light" is very important to our walk, especially if we understand the 'ala ascendancy that is connected to its meaning.

     There is a connection between "voice" and "light" in both the Hebrew and Greek language of the scriptures. In Hebrew, "voice" is the word qol, which includes the meaning "spark". In Greek, the connection between "voice" and "light" is even more striking. The Greek word and roots for "voice" as used in the New Testament scriptures are phone/phaino/phos, which means: tone, voice, instrument/appear, shine, shed light, bring forth into the light, be bright/light (of lamp, of angels, of God), brightness.

     Scripture says this about the (spoken) Word of God in Psalm 119:105, recorded under the Hebrew letter Nun in the Psalm, which letter means 'descendant, Son, Heir to the Throne': "Your word (dabar - word, saying, commandment, speech, speaking, utterance, discourse, talk, say, spoken, declare, arrange in order, to lead, to guide) is a lamp (nir - lamp, light, candle, glisten) to my feet and a light ('or - light, bright, clear, morning, light of life-instruction-prosperity, shine, glorious, fire, enlighten, luminous, become light) to my path (natib - path, way, trodden with feet, raised pathway)." The spoken Word of God is and becomes light.

     Many believe that God does not speak or have a voice, but scripture clearly declares that He does. Often the LORD tells His people to hear and obey His voice. (see Ex. 3:3-4, Ps. 95:7-9/Heb. 3:14-16, Jer. 33:1-3, Jer. 7:23, Isa. 55:3, Jn. 10:27-28, Jn. 8:47, Rev. 3:20). Jesus repeatedly tells His churches in Revelation to have ears to hear what the Spirit (of God) is saying to the churches. (see Revelation Ch. 2 and 3). Both before and after there was a written law as given to Moses, there was the spoken Word of God to be heard and obeyed. The spoken and written Word are in agreement with each other and confirm each other.

       As we saw above, light has a voice, and the voice (of God) is light. We know from Numbers 8, that the lighting of the lamps of the tabernacle is the word 'ala, which includes the meaning "to come up, go up, ascend, raised, arose, etc.". We can find several scriptures that connect the "voice" (see phone/phaino/phos as light above) with raising up and ascending (see 'ala above):

     Jesus Himself ascended or was taken up "after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen...being seen by them during forty days and speaking (see lego above) of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God...Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up and a cloud received Him out of their sight." (Acts 1:2-3, 9). Immediately after speaking the Word, He ascended.

     Jesus also said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear it will live...all who are in the graves will hear His voice (see phone/phaino/phos as "light" above) and come forth - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation." (Jn. 5:25-29, excerpt). The voice of the Son of God is what causes the dead to hear and be raised. It is a voice so powerful that dead ears are able to hear it. Shouldn't living ears hear His raising voice of light even more?

     Paul wrote: "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord." (1 Thess. 4:16-17). Again, hearing the voice of light (see phone/phaino/phos above) in our ears raises the living and the dead to ascend to the Lord.

     John's testimony of his vision in the Book of Revelation (of Jesus Christ) includes the following: "After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice (see phone/phaino/phos [of light] above) which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, 'Come up (Greek: anabaino - go up, come up, ascend up, climb up, arise, rise up, mount up - see similarity to 'ala above) here, and I will show you things which must take place after this." (Rev. 4:1). The voice of light caused John to be raised up, to mount up, to ascend (from a lower region to a higher), as we see in the Hebrew word 'ala above as it is used in Num. 8 in connection to the lighting of the lamps of the tabernacle.

     Those called to be the light of the world by faith in Messiah/Christ Jesus are to both hear and speak the ascendant Word of light of the Lord. They are to 'ala rise up and light the lamps set on the lampstand (see Mt. 5:14-16) that shine the same light of life that darkness can never overcome.

     If you would like to learn more about the ascending light, you can join my prayer: "Dear Father of Lights, Your voice, Your Son's voice, and the voice of the Holy Spirit reaches our ears and raises us up. Father, by Your Spirit, give me ears to hear Your voice of light and ascendency.  By Your Spirit, let me speak Your Words of light that causes others to be raised up as well. By Your Spirit, let me light the lamps of Your holy lampstand and speak Your Words of light that darkness cannot overcome. I will listen for Your voice, Lord, that lights my path and guides me in Your ways of life. 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. 

Prophesy!

      The title of this week's Sabbath reading portion is Naso, meaning "Elevate/Lift Up." This Sabbath also follows the Feast of Weeks, Shavuot. In this Feast, loaves made from the first fruits of the wheat harvest are waved before the LORD. We also know this Feast of the LORD as Pentecost, occurring fifty days after Passover/the death of Jesus the Lamb on the cross, when the Holy Spirit came with wind and fire upon the waiting disciples of Messiah/Christ, who were gathered in the Upper Room in Jerusalem. 

     The reading selections for this Naso Sabbath begin in Numbers Ch. 4 with the census to be taken by command of the LORD of the sons of Gershon, one of the three families of Levites: "Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 'Take (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-a-census of the sons of Gershon, by their father's house, by their families...They shall carry (nasa' - bear, lift up, lift, carry, rise up, exalt, furnish, hold up, high, marry, magnify, raise up, pardon, forgive) (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-curtains....of (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-tabernacle... (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-screen for the door of the tabernacle...(*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-screen for the door of the gate of the court...(*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-all-that-is-made for these things: so shall they serve." (Num. 4:21-26, excerpt).

     I excerpted the verses above regarding all of the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega things of the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega tabernacle that the sons of Gershon were to carry because every item described in the verses is preceded by *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega (see *note at the bottom of the page). This means that the tabernacle and everything of it and in it is connected to the Messiah/Christ Jesus. Jesus would not to be born until many centuries later. We find out the prophetic nature of what they and the two other Levite families would carry by the next verse: "Aaron and his sons shall assign all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-all-their-tasks (massa/nasa' - burden, song, prophecy, tribute, utterance/see nasa' meaning above) as their duty." (v. 27).

     Not only were the three Levite groups assigned to the carrying tasks of the tabernacles and furnishings, but each man was assigned to a specific task by name. (see Num. 4:32). There is a specific individual assignment and accounting in addition to that of the family group.

     Whether the scripture is speaking of the sons of Gershon Levites as mentioned above, or the sons of Kohath Levites, who carried the holiest furnishings from inside the sanctuary, or the sons of Merari Levites, who carried the infrastructure of the tabernacle, they all were given the task (see massa/nasa' above), according to the Hebrew meaning, of carrying (see nasa' above) those things that became a prophetic song or utterance of the Savior to come, and the pardon and forgiveness that He would provide for the whole world. It gives food for thought that these three families of the tribe of Levi should be given the task of carrying (see nasa' above) the tabernacle and its furnishings. The names of the three families include the meanings "exile, refugee, thrust out, driven out, expelled, divorced, assembly, bitterness, unhappy, grieved, vexed, enraged, moved by rage/choler." However, the LORD had a prophetic purpose for them that would "lift up" the Name of Salvation upon future generations. Sometimes we assume, judge or even disqualify someone or something by what we know of a person or situation rather than what the LORD knows and has ordained for a group or an individual. We need to be careful of that, as we will see.

     The Merari Levites were assigned to carry/burden/task (see massa/nasa' above) the seemingly least important (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) instruments/furnishings of the tabernacle. These things included pedestals, pillars, pins and cords. However, these more utilitarian things include the Hebrew meaning: "the foundation or base, the remainder, the remnant, the residue, to excel, to show pre-eminence, preserve alive, be over and above, to exceed the bounds." Did they or others sometimes think that the Meraris' task was less important or less glorious because of what they carried? However, what they carried was also part of the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega tabernacle, which identified the Messiah/Christ.

     As we can see, not all prophecy is written or spoken. Sometimes it is "carried." Prophecy is even contained and proclaimed within our actions of service to the Lord, even if we are not aware of it, even in the carrying of furnishings. The prophets of scripture not only spoke and wrote the prophecy of the LORD, but also prophesied to the people of God by whom they married (Hosea), having children and what they named their children (Isaiah), how they turned to lay down (Ezekiel), how they cooked their meals (Ezekiel), what they wore (John the Baptist) or didn't wear (Isaiah), through the dreaming of dreams (Joseph son of Jacob, Pharaoh, Joesph betrothed to Mary), and through their prayers to God (Daniel, Elijah). God's determination to prophesy does not always require a platform and a microphone, or even an audience. Our lives contain prophecy, whether we are aware of it at the time or not, and we are the fruit of the prophetic knowledge and plans of God, who knew us in Messiah/Christ beforehand (Jer. 1:5, Ps. 139:15-16, Rom. 8:29-30, Eph. 1:4-5, Eph. 2:10), because the testimony of Jesus (who is in us) is the spirit of prophecy. (Rev. 19:10). Paul encouraged believers to desire to prophesy: "Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order." (1 Cor. 14:39-40). We are meant to be prophetic people in thought, prayer, word and deed, but only as inspired by the Holy Spirit, and not of ourselves.

      Buildings and furnishings inspired by God can prophesy! The (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-furnishings of the tabernacle were arranged in the pattern of the cross thousands of years before Jesus died on the cross. The tabernacle itself, surrounded by a proscribed arrangement of the twelve tribes' encampment, formed the shape of the cross in the wilderness. While we have a certain understanding of the words spoken by Jesus to His disciples, if the Levites of the tabernacle heard His words: "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up (airo (Grk.)- to raise from the ground, take up, lift up, raise up, elevate, to bear, to bear what has been raised, carry off: also see nasa' above) his cross daily, and follow (akoloutheo/alpha (Grk.)- a particle of union, in the same way with/Christ is the Alpha: the beginning and the end) Me," (see Mt. 16:24-27, Mk. 8:34-38, Lk. 9:23-26), they would perhaps, be able to give us another view, a prophetic meaning, of these words. Jesus also said concerning the manner of His death: "And I, if I am lifted up (hypsoo/hypsos (Grk.) - to lift up on high, to exalt, to raise to the very summit of opulence and honor/on high) from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." (Jn. 12:32). From this we can see that the cross that Jesus told us to carry daily, not only denies our "self" nature, but must exalt and raise up Jesus on high in song and prophetic utterance until His return.

     Even as we partake in the Communion or Table of the Lord, it is remembering what He achieved through His death but also declaring and proclaiming it "till He comes," which then becomes a prophetic utterance. (see 1 Cor. 11:23-26).

      Blessings inspired by the LORD are prophetic. In this same Naso, "Elevate/Lift up" Sabbath reading portion, the priestly blessing that the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron to be placed upon all of the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-children of Israel is included:

     "And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 'Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the way you shall bless (barak - bless, kneel down, be adored, praise, the result of divine favor, to cause to prosper, to cause to be used of God)(*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-children of Israel. Say ('amar - speak, command, utter, proclaim, promise, declare, appoint, see and show, name, designate) to them:

     'The LORD bless (see barak above) you and keep (samar - keep, guard, observe, protect, save the life of, as a watchman, retain, preserve as with loving-kindness, to hedge about as with thorns) you; 

      The LORD make ('or - light, shine, fire, glorious, illuminate, enlighten, to become light) His face (panim/pana - face, from beforetime, presence, sight, countenance, person/turn and look, to turn and face) shine (see 'or above) upon you,

      And be gracious (hanan/hana - have mercy on, gracious, favor, pity, bend or stoop in kindness toward, compassion, long for/house with you, reach towards you, pitch a tent and dwell, encamp, lie, rest) to you;

      The LORD lift up (see nasa' above) His countenance (see panim/pana above) upon you,

      And give (sum - put, make, appoint, lay, ordain, give, place, show, establish, transform into, make for a sign, mark, name, paint) you peace (salom/salam - peace, well, health, welfare, prosperity, safe, friendship covenant with man and God/peace, recompense, reward, repay, restore, restitution, make whole).'

     So shall they put (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-My-name (sem - name, renown, famous, glory, monument, character, authority) on the children of Israel, and I will bless (see barak above) them." (Num. 6:22-27). 

     We should also be aware that the Hebrew word barak, meaning "bless" as used above also includes the meaning "to curse, blaspheme." We should understand that our words and thoughts carry prophetic significance by the presence and testimony of Messiah/Christ (see Rev. 19:10) within us, and how we speak or think towards another person can work for life and blessing in Messiah/Christ or blaspheming and cursing. The spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet (1 Cor. 14:31-33), and as Jesus warned, idle (argos - lazy as shunning the labor which one ought to perform, barren, useless, of things from which no profit is derived although it can and should be productive) words spoken will be accounted for before the Lord (Mt. 12:35-37). If our words, whether by thought, speech, or action had no special significance to God, He would not command such an accounting for them. As we saw above in the carrying (see nasa' above) task (see massa/nasa' above) assigned to the three Levite families and each named individual within them, there are things, concepts and people who have been appointed to the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega Messiah/Christ of which we may or may not be aware, which should not be (prophetically) cursed nor blasphemed. 

     I have learned, according to what we have read in this Naso, "Elevate/Lift up Sabbath reading, that we must follow the leading of the Holy Spirit rather than our own leading in these and all things. It can be difficult to surrender all of our thoughts, intentions, various doctrines that we hold to be godly, words and actions to the Lord's rulership, but all of these things are meant for the Lord's use rather than our own. I believe that this is especially important in these days in which we are living today, and prophetically speaking, for the days to come.

     If you would like to learn more about walking in the prophetic purpose in the Lord, you can join my prayer: "Heavenly Father, You know the end from the beginning. Your Son, Jesus, is the Beginning and the End/Alpha and Omega. You exist in time and in eternity and Your thoughts, words and works have determined the past, the present and the infinite future of Your creation, including each person to whom You have given life. Lord, I surrender my thoughts, words and deeds to You, and I pray, that with the power of Your living Word, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit of Truth, all that I am would be profitable to You, fruitful for the present and also for the future. I bless You, Lord, and magnify You, and I bless all of Your sons and daughters born of the Spirit and place Your holy *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega name, Jesus, upon them. I pray this in the name of Jesus, my Savior. 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. 

     

     

Infinite&Innumerable

   

      The title of this week's Sabbath reading portion is B'midbar, meaning "In the wilderness." B'midbar is also the title in Hebrew of the Book of the Bible that we call "Numbers." I think that the Hebrew title, B'midbar, "In the wilderness" is probably a more spiritually accurate description of this fourth Book of scripture. It is true that the Israelites will be numbered in a few different ways, but this Book is also about the depth of teaching that the LORD brings forth for His people in this wilderness setting. The wilderness setting is not an easy place, but the LORD gives His people truths that, if they will listen to Him, will cause His people to thrive even in this challenging place. God's people were meant to just pass through the wilderness on the way to their destination, the inheritance of the land promised by God to their forefathers. However, because of unbelief, pride, and disobedience, they fell victim, in a manner of speaking, to the testing of the wilderness. What could have been an eleven-day journey through and out, turned into a forty-year long period of challenges, and the death of a whole generation. Even Moses' obedience would be tested, and he would end up being forbidden by God from leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. The Book of Numbers, or B'midbar, opens with the LORD organizing His people into armies - both physically and spiritually, because the trials of the wilderness are spiritual. This Book bears important lessons for all of us to learn, and is given to us, like all other scripture is given as Paul wrote: "...by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof (elegchos - that by which a thing is proven or tested, evidence, proof of, to call to account, by conviction to bring to the light, to expose, to show one his fault), for correction (epanorthosis - restoration to an upright or right state, improvement of life or character, straightening up again), for instruction (paideia - whole training and education [as of children], cultivation of mind and morals, instruction aimed at increasing virtue, chastening) in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

     The title of this week's Sabbath reading portion is found in the beginning of B'midbar or the Book of Numbers: "Now the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai (meaning "thorny"), in the tabernacle of meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying: 'Take (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-a-census/sum (ro's - head, chief, top, beginning, company, band, captain, sum, summit, total, height, choicest, best, excellent, first, principal, ruler) of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number (mispar/sapar - number, sum, account, abundance, infinite, innumerable/scribe, tell, number, declare, accounted, count, recount, rehearse, celebrate) of names, every male individually/by their polls (gulgolet/galal - head, skull [also Golgotha, "the skull",]/roll away, remove, to roll as a stone), from twenty years old and above - all who are able to go to war in Israel. You and Aaron shall number (paqad - number, visit, appoint, set, muster, pass in review, assign, to seek, to look for, care for) them by their armies." (Num. 1:1-3).

     There is no doubt according to the verses above, that the LORD commanded that His people, the Israelites, be numbered in the wilderness. The purpose of this numbering was to muster the individuals, families, and tribes into armies (the Hebrew meaning also includes the heavenly hosts or armies of angels) for battle. However, the presence of the *aleph-tav, which is found in the written Hebrew of this verse, connected to the census or sum in Num. 1:2 indicates that this "sum" is identified with the Messiah/Christ (see *note at the bottom of this entry). We will see that while the LORD is speaking about the Israelites in the wilderness, He is also prophetically speaking of people directly connected to Messiah/Christ. 

     There are three different Hebrew words used in the above verses for the "numbering" of the Israelites. These three words are different for a reason, I believe. The first is ro's, used for census/sum. This word ro's refers to a ruler who is the highest, and most excellent. He was the Beginning and in the beginning. Jesus fills this description as well as being the Captain (see ro's above) of the heavenly hosts, and the Captain of our salvation. (see Mt. 26:52-53, Heb. 2:10-12).

     The next Hebrew word used in the above verses for "number" is mispar/sapar. While it means the number or sum of something, it includes the meaning of abundance, infinite and innumerable. The number that is to "declare, to tell, account for, rehearse and celebrate", according to the Hebrew word meaning, can also be beyond any number that can be counted. How could Moses count the uncountable? How could he count a number that is beyond numbers? Moses could "number" them by those contained within The Seed (Messiah/Christ). Abraham was promised by God that (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-his-seed/descendants could be numbered if the stars can be numbered or if the grains of sand on the shore can be numbered, or (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-dust of the earth can be numbered, because Abraham had done (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-this-thing: Abraham had not withheld (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-his-son, even (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-his-only son, from the LORD. (see Gen. 13:16, Gen. 15:5-6, Gen. 22:16-17, Heb. 11:11-12). This number is not limited to natural descendants, because it cannot be counted, but extends into eternity and infinity according to its definition. Through faith in Messiah/Christ Jesus, who is the blessed Seed of Abraham, both Jews and Gentiles are included in this infinite and impossible to number faith-descendants of Abraham, as Paul explained, who was a Jew both by flesh and by faith in Messiah/Christ, and a Pharisee trained under Gamaliel. (see Gal. 3:14, Gal. 3:16, Gal. 3:27-29).

     We are given an awesome look at this infinite and innumerable number associated with Messiah/Christ in John's Book of Revelation: "After these things I looked and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the Lamb (Jesus), clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out in a loud voice, saying, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!" (Rev. 7:9-10).

     We also see that each man is to be counted in the numbering individually, or by "the skull", which is gulgolet/galal in Hebrew. Written in English, gulgolet becomes "Golgotha, the skull", the name of the mount upon which Jesus Messiah/Christ was crucified according to all four Gospels. (Mt. 27:33-35, Mk. 15:22-25, Lk. 23:32-33, Jn. 19:17-18). Each of us was counted individually as we received the crucifixion of Messiah/Christ for our sins. We also died then and there with and in Him. (see Rom. 6:3-8, Gal. 2:20). The song asks, "Were You There?" Through our belief in Christ, we were counted as being there as He died for each one of us, as well as for all of us. The root word of gulgolet is galal, which means "the rolling away of the stone". As we were part of His crucifixion, we are also part of Messiah/Christ Jesus' resurrection (see Rom. 6:5, Eph. 2:4-7, Col. 2:11-12, Col. 3:1-4), when the stone was rolled away three days later, and the tomb of His burial was found to be empty.

     The final Hebrew word that is translated as "number" used in the above verses from Numbers 1, is the word paqad. As we see above, the meaning of this Hebrew word includes: to number, visit, appoint, to set, muster (meaning to gather, to summon, to assemble), assign, to seek, to look for, to care for. Not only does this definition apply to the then Israelites under Moses' leadership, but I believe that Moses is also being commanded to appoint, summon, to seek, look for, care for, and assemble an infinite and innumerable group of people who were not physically there with them yet, but were to be prophetically included: the people of the Messiah/Christ, who are to be a part of the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega census/sum of Numbers 1:2. The LORD does not just see the "now", but He sees the end from the beginning. He is the eternal and He sees the eternal at the same time as He sees the present. Paul wrote that God saw us and foreknew us in Christ: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself..." (Eph. 1:3-5, see also Rom. 8:28-30 and 2 Tim. 1:8-9). God does nothing without revealing it to His servants the prophets (see Amos 3:7-8), so why would He not reveal to His great prophet Moses this hidden assembly of people, both Jew and Gentile, the infinite and innumerable, who belonged before time, belong now, and will belong to Messiah/Christ? 

     Many believers think that "a wilderness experience" is something miserable from which one is to pray to God to escape. However, there are many important and exciting things happening in the wilderness, as we can see. As we also see, these exciting things include the prophetic vision and Word of the LORD that we are to declare, tell, rehearse and recount (see mispar/sapar above). We who are the people of Messiah/Christ Jesus have a special and earth-changing purpose to be completed in the wilderness. The Word given to the prophet Isaiah, and at least partially fulfilled by John the Baptist, speaks comfort to the people of God (Isa. 40:1-2), but also extends even farther than that: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth; The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken....O Zion, you who bring forth good tidings, get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, you who bring good tidings, lift up your voice with strength, lift it up, be not afraid; Say to the cities of Judah, 'Behold, your God!' Behold, the LORD shall come with a strong hand, and His arm (zeroa/zara - [stretched out] arm, shoulder [of the sacrifice], force, mighty, help, power, strength/sow seed, scatter seed, yielding seed, conceive, pregnant) shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young." (Isa. 40:3-9, excerpt). 

     If you would like to learn more about being part of the infinite and innumerable assembly in Jesus Messiah/Christ, you can join my prayer: "Heavenly Father of glory! You have called an assembly of people before the beginning of time and You have manifested them in the fruit brought forth through the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus. You gave the vision of this assembly in Messiah/Christ to Your prophets to carry into time. Lord, You have a purpose for this assembly, and I ask You to help me to fulfill this purpose in my own life. Your Son gave His life to bring me and innumerable others forth, and I want to stay true to Your vision whether I am in the wilderness or on the mountain top. Fill me with Your Word and Your Holy Spirit so that I can walk in Your vision for the whole earth. 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. 

OnTheMount

     This week's Sabbath reading combines two titles: B'har, meaning "on the Mount", found in Leviticus 25:1, and B'chukkotai, meaning "in My statutes", found in Leviticus 26:3. The two titles would seem to have a connection to each other anyway because the LORD delivered His statutes to Moses on the Mount: "And the LORD spoke (dabar - speak, declare, command, commune, promise, warn, sing, to arrange in order, to subdue, to lead and guide flocks or herds to pasture, to follow behind, the hinder part) to Moses on Mount Sinai ("Thorny"), saying ('amar - speak, say, utter, intend, say in one's heart, desire, to avow, appoint), 'Speak (dabar - see above) to the children of Israel, and say ('amar - see above) to them: 'When you come into the land which I give you, then the land shall keep a sabbath to the LORD. Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-its-fruit; but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath to the LORD..." (Lev. 25:1-4).

      As was often the case when the LORD was uttering His statutes, He would start with a concept connected to the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a powerful foundation to the Kingdom of God, which should not be ignored. It is not about religious designation of this day or that day, but it is a set-apart day, week or year(s) that renews, restores and revives life in the LORD.

     It is also interesting to see that the meaning of "say", or 'amar in Hebrew (see above), includes the truth that the things or desires that we say only in our own hearts carry the same weight as if we have spoken them aloud. Jesus proved this many times when He knew by divine insight and addressed what others were thinking in their hearts but had not spoken aloud. (see Mt. 9:1-4, Mt. 12:22-28, Lk. 6:6-10, Lk. 9:46-48, Jn. 6:64). It is a warning to us that although we may hold our tongues against speaking something, it still manifests in the Spirit as we only think it. In a good way, this is also the power found in godly prayer spoken in the heart. We can't have it one way and not the other as well.

     The LORD orally gave His statutes as He continued His discourse with Moses on the mount. He also said: "If you walk in My statutes (huqqa/haqaq - statute, ordinances, limit, enacted, something prescribed, appointed, manner, that which is established or defined, a right or privilege/cut out, cut into, cut upon, engrave, to stamp violently, portray, lawgiver, justice, truth, decide to be just, necessity, obligation) and keep (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-My-commandments, and perform them, then I will give you rain in its season, the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit....You shall...dwell in your land safely. I will give peace in the land...and none will make you afraid; I will rid the land of evil + beasts (ra' + hay/haya - any evil or wickedness that brings hurt, trouble, affliction, distress, calamity, evildoer that comes against life, against sustained life, prosperity, restoration to health or life, or against revival from the dead) , and the sword...You will chase your enemies, and they shall fall...I will look on you favorably and make you fruitful, multiply you and confirm (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-My-covenant with you....I will set My tabernacle among you...I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people...I have broken the bands of your yoke and made you walk upright." (Lev. 26:3-13, excerpt). On the other hand, ignoring the statutes of God will bring the opposite of these blessings.

     Between chapters 25 and 26 in Leviticus, from which these two combined Sabbath reading portions, B'har, "On the Mount", and B'chukkotai, "In My statutes", are taken, the LORD spoke to Moses on the mount about the Sabbath of the land in the seventh year, and the Jubilee of restoration that was to come after seven sabbath years (in the fiftieth year after at the completion of forty-nine years). The LORD gave His statutes regarding the redemption of property from debt, the redemption of those forced into indentured servitude by debt, or their release from debt at Jubilee ("Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" [Mt. 6:8-13]), and the merciful treatment of those who have become slaves. These statutes are about mercy and restoration and the release of yokes and burdens, both physical and spiritual. These are statutes of the Kingdom of God and His *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega-covenant.

     Jesus preached the Kingdom of God and signs, wonders and miracles followed His preaching to confirm its truth: "And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel (euangelion - good tidings, glad tidings of the Kingdom of God, glad tidings of salvation through Christ, the proclamation of the grace of God, a good message, to bring good news, the joyful tidings of God's kindness) of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people." (Mt. 4:23, see also Mk. 1:14-15, Lk. 4:43, Mt. 24:14). He taught the statutes of God His Father, in a way that amazed the people who heard because God's statutes had never been taught to them in this manner. (see Mt. 7:28-29, Mk. 1:21-28, Jn. 7:14-17 and 44-46). The statutes came to life through His Words and parables.

     As Moses was changed by his experience on the Mount with the LORD, his face shining with light afterwards (see Ex. 34:29-30), the disciples of Christ were changed inwardly when Jesus would lead them into an "On the Mount" experience.

     These are some examples of the experiences that the disciples had with Jesus "On the Mount":

     "And seeing the multitudes, He (Jesus) went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them the statutes of God, saying: 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven." (Mt. 5:1-12, see also Micah 6:8).

     There are several instances when it is recorded in scripture that Jesus would go up on a mountain by Himself to pray, or with His disciples, to rest away from the crowds. (Mt. 14, Lk. 6, Jn. 6). As His disciples saw that the way that Jesus prayed was different from what they were used to seeing, as Jesus ceased praying, one of the disciples asked Him: "Lord, teach us to pray..." (Lk. 11:1). Jesus told them not to pray as the hypocrites do, with great public show, but to find a private "alone" place to speak to their Father in heaven, who dwells in the secret place. He then taught His disciples what we call "The Lord's Prayer". (Mt. 6:5-15). We will see, as Jesus knew, that general crowds are not found on mountain tops. You may find yourself alone there with Him, but that's alright.

     In Mt. 14:22-33, Jesus had sent His disciples ahead by boat, while He stayed on the mountain to pray all night. A wind storm broke out on the sea, and Jesus came, walking on water, to get to His disciples. Peter got out of the boat and walked on the stormy water to get to Jesus. When they entered the boat, the wind quieted. Those on the boat said to Jesus, "Truly, You are the Son of God."

     In Luke 6:12-17, Jesus had gone to the mountain alone to pray. He then called all of His disciples to Him there and chose the twelve, whom He called apostles. They all came down with Him and Jesus healed the multitude.

     In John 6:3-14, Jesus and His disciples together went up on a mountain. Jesus looked and saw a great multitude of people coming to them. He then told His disciples to feed all of the multitude, which they had no way of doing. It is here that Jesus then miraculously fed the multitude with the five loaves and two fish that they had on hand and which He miraculously multiplied to fully feed all.

     Being on the Mount in the Spirit with Jesus is a place to experience Jesus, the Word or statutes of God, and to be transformed by it. Isaiah wrote that in these last days, many, even nations, would come to the mountain of the LORD, where His house is, to be taught, and those nations would be transformed. (see Isa. 2:1-5).

      Jesus took only three of His disciples to a certain place: "Now after six days Jesus took (paralambano - to take with or join to one's self, to receive something transmitted, to associate with oneself in any familiar or intimate act) Peter, James, and John, and led (anaphero - to bear, carry, bring or lead up [to a higher place], to bring up to the altar, to offer up) them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured (metamorphoo - to change into another form, to transform) before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. And Elijah appeared to them with Moses and they were talking with Jesus." (Mk. 9:2-4). The three disciples who were present on this mountain with Jesus did not understand what was happening before their eyes at the time, but I'm sure that they came to understand later on.

     Apostle Paul later wrote of the importance to the believer of being both spiritually and physically transfigured in Jesus Christ: 

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Cor. 5:17).

"Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep (sleep/die), but we shall all be changed (allasso - change, change form, make different, exchange one thing for another) - in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed (see allasso above). For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." (1 Cor. 15:51-53).

     There was another mount where Jesus did one of His greatest works, but according to the scriptural account, only one of His appointed disciples was there with Him. That great work was on Mount Calvary, or Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified and died, until three days later, when He was resurrected in the tomb. Only John from among the appointed disciples, who profoundly referred to himself in this account as "the disciple whom (Jesus) loved", as well as several of the women who followed Jesus, were present that day with Him on that mount. (Jn. 19:25-27). Although Jesus invites us to follow Him there (see Mt. 16:24-27), as we can see above with the lack of disciples present, Mount Calvary is not a popular destination. There are no seats of honor there, nor the blowing of trumpets before men to commend our works, nor the religious honors of men to be found there. However, it is important to note that it is the perfect viewing place of the Garden of Resurrection, which is very nearby. (see Jn. 19:41-42).

     There is another mount, The Mount of Olives (elaion/elaia - olive orchard, Mount of Olives/the fruit of an olive tree), from which Jesus ascended into heaven before the eyes His disciples whom He had gathered there, and is the same mount upon which Jesus will descend to the earth upon His return, and where He spoke to His disciples/apostles and gave them direction. (Acts 1:4-14, also Zech. 14:3-4).

     The Body of Christ has many eyes, seeing different things from various positions and locations. However, from this Sabbath's B'har ("On the Mount") and B'chukkotai ("In My statutes") reading portions, I learned that there is something very special and particular about the view and Presence found on the spiritual Mount of Messiah/Christ. The mountains tended to be lonely places as we saw, but Jesus was there. These mountains were not a place to be seen and praised by men, but Jesus was there. These mountains, that in history were used by men for purposes of idolatry and false worship, were transformed into places that became the ground under the feet of Jesus Christ and His disciples for the glory of God, rather than men.

     If you would like to know more about being with Messiah/Christ on the Mount, you can join my prayer: "Father, Your Son, Jesus, my Lord and Savior, brought His disciples to the various mountains of His Presence: in prayer, in the life-giving statutes of God, in miracles, in transformation, in death to self, in ascension and return. Your Word says: "I will lift up my eyes to the hills - from whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth." Lord Jesus, give me spiritual eyes to see from this place on the mount. Give me a heart that desires to follow You to this place on the mount because You are leading me there. Lord, give me ears to hear the voice of the statutes of God coming to life on the mount of Your Presence. I ask this in Your name, 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. 

Appointment

    

      

     If the LORD made an appointment to meet with you and reveal Himself to you, and fellowship with you, would you keep that appointment? Most of us would surely say, "Yes! Of course!" The LORD has provided these appointments, but most of us fail to show up, or if we do show up, the people of God have changed the appointment into something that is done according to tradition or religious obligation, leaving no room for the expectation in faith of encountering the presence of the living God. 

     These appointments with the LORD are composed of the holy saving blood, the cleansing and refreshing of holy water, the holy voice and breath of the LORD, the consuming power of holy fire, the sacrifice of the holy offering, and the glory of His holy presence. They were never meant to be treated as a time of customary ritual.

     This week's Sabbath reading portion is titled Emor, which means "Say". The title comes from Leviticus 23:1-2: "And the LORD spoke (dabar - speak, say, promise, pronounce, declare, warn, primary power is to arrange in order, to lead, to guide to pasture, to follow behind) to Moses, saying ('amar - say, speak, command, to be called, to say in one's heart, to avow, to bid, appoint, desire, require, show and declare, to bear forth, to bring light), 'Speak (see dabar above) to the children of Israel, and say (see 'amar above) to them: The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim (qara'/qara' - call and endow, proclaim, appoint, named, invited, bidden, gave, renowned, preach, utter a loud sound, be summoned, be called out, be chosen/meet, encounter, cause to meet) to be holy convocations (miqra/qara' - assembly, calling, calling together, reading, reciting, a rehearsal/see qara' above), these are My feasts (mo'ed/ya'ad - feast, congregation, sacred season, appointed time-meeting-place-sign, solemn, tent of meeting/meet, assemble, appointed, time, agreed, appointment, to be set or fixed, to espouse, betrothed for marriage)."

     We see in the above two verses that there are three different Hebrew words used for something spoken: "speak, say, proclaim", and each of those words has its own powerful emphasis. The LORD is leaving no room for misunderstanding. The letters of the Hebrew word emor, meaning "say", which is the title of this Sabbath, are aleph + mem + reysh. Each letter has its own meaning in this language and can give us an even deeper understanding of what is meant. These three letters when joined together can mean: "Adonai/the Lord is the First, the mighty and massive origin of the water and the blood, the Highest, the Head, the Beginning, the most important." This is the One who is "saying" and issuing the proclamation regarding His feasts.

     This isn't a religious practice that is determined by a man, but it is a command, appointment, invitation, calling, declaration, summons, encounter, desire in the heart of the LORD.

     All of (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-Feasts (written Hebrew in Lev. 23:44) spoken of by the LORD in Leviticus 23 are: the Sabbath, the LORD's Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD, the Feast of Firstfruits, the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot, Pentecost) which will occur later this month, the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah, Rosh Hashanah), the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot, Feast of Ingathering), and The Eighth Day (Simchat Torah: "Rejoice in the Torah/Word of God").

     It is revealed in the New Testament that the identity of Jesus, and His appearing and purpose to mankind are found within all of the feasts of the LORD named in Leviticus 23. 

     Jesus directly associated Himself with at least four of the feasts (Sabbath - see Mk. 2:27-28; Passover and Unleavened Bread - see Mk. 14:12-25; Tabernacles [incl. water-drawing ceremony/Nissuch Ha-Mayim] - see Jn. 7:37-39). The apostles also wrote of Messiah/Christ's identification with the Feasts of the LORD mentioned in Lev. 23 including Passover, First Fruits, Trumpets, Atonement, Feast of Weeks/Pentecost (Christ's identity is hidden in the Greek root words of Acts 2:1), and Tabernacles. So the feasts are not limited in observance and understanding to Israel or the Jewish people only, but to all who call upon the name of the LORD and receive His Person, His Word and His Voice because these are the Feasts of the LORD.

     Other readings assigned to this week's Emor, or "Say", Sabbath portion record how the LORD moved upon His people in connection with their heart-felt keeping of His feasts. Nehemiah records what happened immediately following the Israelites' keeping of the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles and The Eighth Day (Simchat Torah) observance that had not been kept for centuries, since the days of Joshua. (see Neh. 8:16-17). The next day, on the twenty-fourth day of the seventh month, the people of God assembled themselves, separating themselves from the foreigners in their midst, and began to repent and confess their sins as the Book of the Law was read to them. The Levites began to sing the song of the LORD, and the people renewed their covenant with God. (Neh. 9 and 10). There was great spiritual revival and commitment among the people.

     In another reading portion, during the Feast of the LORD in the seventh month, which the rabbis teach was the Feast of Tabernacles, Solomon assembled the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-elders and (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-heads-of-tribes in Israel, and had (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-ark brought up from the City of David, which is Zion, and placed in the Holiest Place in the newly built temple in Jerusalem. The Levites began to play their instruments and sing as one sound, praising and thanking the LORD, saying, "For He is good, and His mercy endures forever." In that moment, the house of the LORD was filled with a cloud, and the glory of the LORD filled (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-house of God. (2 Chron. 5:2-14 KJV).

     The prophet Ezekiel's prophetic vision of a temple that would be built included the glory of the LORD: "Also He brought me by way of the north gate to the front of the temple; so I looked, and behold, the glory of the LORD filled (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-house of the LORD; and I fell on my face." (Ezek. 44:4).

     As we saw earlier above, the Hebrew word for "feast" is mo'ed which also includes the meaning "the tent of meeting". The tent of meeting was the place where Moses met with God and spoke to Him: "Moses took his tent and pitched it outside the camp, and called it (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-tabernacle of meeting. And it came to pass that every one who sought the LORD went out to the tabernacle of meeting which was outside the camp...And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses...All the people saw the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-pillar...and all the people rose and worshipped...So the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend..." (Ex. 33:7-11).

     Because of Jesus' sacrifice for our salvation (Passover, Day of Atonement), and His sending the Holy Spirit to each of us (part of the Feast of Weeks/Pentecost), we also may meet with the Lord in our spirits, speaking to Jesus and directly to the Father (see Jn. 16:23-24) as speaking face to face with a friend within our tents or tabernacles of meeting, which are our own bodies, as Paul wrote. (see 1 Cor. 3:16-17). These tents of meeting, which are our bodies, have also been filled with the glory of the Lord, according to the Words of Jesus (see Jn. 17:22-23) and Apostle Paul (see Rom. 8:28-30, 2 Thess. 2:13-14).

     The Feasts of the LORD should not be a foreign concept to us as believers in Jesus, because they are the stories of our lives in Jesus Messiah/Christ, as He has manifested His presence and glory within us, as He came the first time, and as He will return again.

     If you would like to know more about how the Feasts of the LORD reflect our walk with Jesus Messiah/Christ, you can pray with me: "Father of the Feasts, You have spoken to Your people and commanded them to keep Your Feasts. You have placed the identity of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus, in the origin and meaning of each Feast.  In Your Feasts, You have shown Your people how to meet with You in Your holy presence through the way provided by Your Son. As I observe Your Feasts at their set times, help me to understand that they are not just tradition or custom, or a date on the calendar, but an appointment with You, and a continuing work of Your Holy Spirit as they reflect the Way of Salvation from its beginning in Passover to its culmination in Your Presence and glory of Tabernacles and The Eighth Day. These Feasts are Your story, Father, Messiah/Christ's story, the Spirit of God's story, and my story in You. As I observe Your Feasts, Lord, let the Holy Spirit continue Your work of perfection and completion in me. Let me draw ever nearer to You, Father, in worship and communion through Jesus. I ask these things in the name of Jesus Messiah/Christ. 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.