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. 

BeHoly

      This week's Sabbath reading portion has a double title: Achariei Mot (see Lev. 16:1), which means "After the death" and K'doshim (see Lev. 19:1-2), meaning "Holy Ones". The LORD spoke to Moses saying: "Speak to all (kol/kalal - everything, all, whosoever, whatsoever, the whole, the totality/to complete, perfect, make perfect, finish, a crown, crowning of the bride, nuptials, to put a crown upon) the congregation of the children of Israel (yisrael = sara + el: have power as a prince. royal, to prevail, to fight + God), and say to them: 'You shall be holy (qados/qadas - sacred, holy, Holy One, saint, set apart, pure, clean, free from defilement/consecrate, sanctify, prepare, be holy, be separate, dedicate, clean, purify, declare holy), for I the LORD your God am holy (qados/qadas - see above)." (Lev. 19:1-2, see also Lev. 11:44-45, Lev. 20:26). Holiness is identified as the quality of the LORD who is called (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-The-Holy-One-of-Israel in the scriptures such as Isa. 1:4; 5:19, 24; 10:17, 20; 12:6, 17:7; 29:19, 23; 30:11-12, 15; 41:14, 16, 20; 43:3, 14, 45:11; 47:4; 48:17. All of these references to The Holy One of Israel are just those found in the Book of Isaiah. There are many more throughout scripture.

     This is quite a concept: The LORD is stating that His people are to be equal in holiness to God's holiness! From this statement, some may believe that we are to achieve this perfect holiness, for there is no partial holiness or almost holiness, by our own strength and methods. However, to me, this statement is saying something different. To me it is saying that this is not possible in the strength of flesh, using man's religious ideas, interpretations, and efforts. This is a far more powerful concept than any religion's efforts. Jesus said that a man is defiled by what proceeds from his own heart: Mt. 15:16-20, Mk. 7:20-23, see also Jer. 17:9-10. Our own ideas are the very things that defile us in the first place, so we cannot rely upon our own hearts and ideas to purify ourselves to the degree of the holiness of God, but should seek the more powerful way to and of His holiness that has been provided to us by God Himself. What is this way provided to the holiness of God?

     If we look at the two titles that have been joined together for this Sabbath, we see an idea: "After the death...the holy ones." There is a death that leads to holiness. This idea begins to lead us to the Rock who is higher than ourselves, who pours out the water of refreshing and cleansing, even the waters of holiness.

     It is written in the Book of Hebrews that Christ's death fulfills God's will, which includes our holiness as stated above in Leviticus, and perfects the sanctified: "By that we will have been sanctified (see qados/qadas above) through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." (see Heb. 10:4-10).

     Apostle Paul also wrote: "....that no flesh should glory in His (God's) presence. But of Him (God) you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God - and righteousness and sanctification (see qados/qadas above) and redemption - that as it is written, 'He who glories, let him glory in the Lord." (1 Cor. 1:30-31).

     Paul also wrote: "And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He (Jesus) has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy (hagios/hag - holy, saints, Holy One, sacred, pure, blameless, consecrated, clean [see similarity with Hebrew qados/qadas above]/feast of the LORD, sacrifice), and blameless, and above reproach in His sight - if indeed you continue in the faith...not moved away from the hope of the gospel...which was preached to every creature under heaven." (Col. 1:21-23).

     Paul again wrote: "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, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace..." (Eph. 1:3-7). The blood of Christ which achieved all of these things for us, came to all of mankind through His death. There is nothing here that suggests that these results were achieved through my efforts to be holy, but instead by the will of the Father through the death of Jesus Christ. 

     Paul wrote in Ephesians: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loves the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of the water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." (Eph. 5:25-27).

     Does this mean that nothing is required of us to be holy as the LORD is holy? Well, no. First, we must remain in the faith of the Gospel that declares that Jesus died to make us holy, as Paul wrote above. It is through the eyes of faith that we can see and receive this truth that sanctifies us. (see also Jn. 17:19). Then we remember our hint from above: "After the death...the holy ones." Christ's death established us in holiness, but there is another death involved in the path of holiness. Paul wrote: "For I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Gal. 2:20). This refers to a type of death for each of us by which we give up our own imperfect will, ideas, and desires. Now, instead, the holy Christ lives in us and we in Him.

     Paul gives us more detail of this concept in Romans: "For if we have been united together in the likeness of His (Jesus') death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord...present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God." (Rom. 6:5-13).

     "After the death...the holy ones."

     In these words from scripture above, we are not being asked to die physically, but to become united into the death and resurrected life of Christ as He lives. Paul wrote in the above verse from Galatians 2:20, "...it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me...". This is how God makes us holy if we will accept it - by making us one with His holiness, with His life through the death and life of His Son, Jesus.

From the K'doshim, or "Holy ones" Sabbath reading in Lev. 19, the LORD gives us a thought-provoking look into this holiness. The LORD says: "Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father." (v. 3). Why does this reflect holiness? All of us are to come before the Lord like little children, without pride and self-importance, with child-like faith, love, joy, and the reverence that comes as a child naturally depends upon a parent for all things, knowing that the parent will provide for every need. (see Mt. 18:1-5).

     The LORD then commands: "...keep (samar - keep, observe, preserve, watch, save, wait for, retain, guard) (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-My-sabbaths: I am the LORD your God." (v. 3). Why does the LORD's holiness fill His sabbaths? The sabbath represents and contains the completion and perfection of God's restoration, reconciliation and renewal plan established before the beginning for all of creation, but especially for man. For this reason, it is holy in the eyes of God. The sabbath was made to bring this completion to man, Jesus said. Jesus also said that the sabbath has a Lord to reign over it, to be the Master and Administrator of its fulfilment in the completion of God's will to provide for and renew man, and that Lord of the sabbath is Jesus Messiah/Christ. (see Mk. 2:27-28).

     As we look at the other reflections of holiness in verses 4-18, with which the LORD identifies Himself by repeating, "I am the LORD your God" six additional times, we can see the holy heart of God towards man, which He also wants to see in our thoughts and works, as well as man's reverence towards his holy God. We can see by this that we are only able to love God with all of our hearts, soul and mind, and love our neighbor as ourselves, which fulfills all the law and the prophets, if we do so out of a heart filled with the holiness belonging to the LORD our God. (see Mt. 22:36-40). These are holy manifestations that appear out of a holy heart.

     If you would like to learn more about walking in the holiness of God, you can join my prayer: "Heavenly Father, through the death and resurrection of Your Son Jesus for all of the world, You opened the door into Your heart of holiness. You called us to be worshippers, but You also called us, and made the way for us, to be partakers of Your own glorious holiness. This is a love and power towards us that is too great to fully comprehend, but You have entrusted us with Your own holiness. Lord Jesus, I never want to reject what You have accomplished for me by the sacrifice of Yourself, including my being made holy in You with the holiness of God. Help me, Lord, through Your Word and the Holy Spirit whom You have placed within me, to perceive and receive this divine gift of holiness. Let the holiness of God be manifested through my life, rather than my own thoughts and will. Let me not live by my own desires but let me live instead by and with Christ in me. There is no greater honor in my life, nor known to man, than Christ, the Holy One, in me. 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. 

RevolutionaryHope

      When an angel came to Mary with the announcement that she would bear a Son, who was in fact, "the Son of the Highest", Mary was very bewildered by such a possibility. The angel explained and concluded by saying, "For with God nothing will be impossible." (Lk. 1:35-37). 

     This Sabbath reading portion is a double-titled portion: Tazri'a-M'tzora. Tazri'a means "She bears seed", and M'tzora means "infected one". One of the infections from which the LORD offers a remedy in this Sabbath reading portion is the leprosy infection: "Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'This shall be the law of the leper for the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought to the priest." (Lev. 14:1-2). The priest would accept the sin offering, "and make atonement for him who is to be cleansed from his uncleanness." (v. 19). The verses 3-9 describing the cleansing offering and practice to be done are full of *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega, too many to document here. The presence of the *aleph-tav in written Hebrew indicates the presence of Jesus to us, because He identified Himself with the *aleph-tav in the Book of Revelation (see *note at the bottom of the page for details). This is also confirmed by the healing of lepers by Jesus many generations later as recorded in the Gospels.

     There is an important thing to know about this cleansing of leprosy which the LORD prescribes to the one afflicted in the Law given to Moses: leprosy was an incurable disease. This is the modern definition of leprosy: "Leprosy- lepra tuberculosa - a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacillus leprae and characterized by the formation of growths in the skin, mucous membranes, peripheral nerves, bones and internal viscera, producing various deformities and mutilations of the human body and usually terminating in death." Death is still the usual outcome according to this definition even though leprosy is now treated with medicine.

     The first documentation of the disease was recorded in ancient Egypt and was attributed at the time to the infection of the waters of the Nile River.  It is believed to have spread to other nearby nations from there. Leprosy is one of the oldest recorded diseases. Today, it is estimated that 2-3 million people are permanently disabled because of leprosy, with India having the greatest number of cases.

     Even though leprosy was a sure death sentence at the time of Moses, the people of God were able to be cleansed through *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega offerings as given in the Law and ministered through and under the oversight of the priest. Before this, the world had never known this hope and promise regarding the cleansing of leprosy, and the deliverance from certain death.

     There was a prophet in Israel, Elisha (meaning "God is salvation"), who had received a double portion of the anointing that his spiritual mentor, Elijah, had upon his life. Elisha lived in Samaria in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Both Elisha and his mentor, Elijah, were not prophets in the sense that they received the prophetic Words of the LORD and recorded them in a book as Isaiah and Jeremiah did. Instead, these prophets prophesied primarily through the deeds that they did from the hearing of the Word of the LORD to them. Elijah and Elisha brought the Kingdom of God into the earth by doing His works.

     At this same time, there was a great and mighty man of valor, Naaman (na'aman/na'em - pleasantness/pleasant, beautiful, sweet, delightful, lovely, show gracious favor toward), a man of integrity, who was the commander of the enemy Syrian army. He was also a leper. Naaman had an Israelite slave in his household who had been brought back as a captive to Syria as a young girl after the Syrians had gone on raids into Israel. (2 Kings 5:1-2). This Israelite slave girl said to Naaman's wife: "If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy." (v. 3). Even his captive slave admired Naaman and cared what happened to him. It was as a consequence of this true statement of a little captive slave girl from Israel that Naaman, the Syrian commander, received the news of hope.

     Naaman went to his master, the king of Syria, and told him what the captive Israelite slave girl had said. The Syrian king told Naaman to go to Israel to seek out this prophet, and the king would send a letter to the king of Israel. Naaman took with him large amounts of gold and silver, as well as clothing, prepared to pay for his healing. This letter from the Syrian king to the king of Israel told the king of Israel to heal his servant, (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-Naaman, of leprosy. The king of Israel was shocked by (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-letter and went into mourning, tearing his clothes and saying, "Am I God, to kill and make alive, that this man sends a man to me to heal him of his leprosy?...see how he seeks a quarrel with me." When Elisha heard about the distress of the king of Israel, he told the king not to tear his clothes but to send the Syrian, Naaman, to him, "and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel." (v. 4-8). Elisha was telling the king not to be a messenger of hopeless mourning regarding this event.

     When Naaman came to Elisha's house with his horses and chariot, Elisha would not even come out of his house to speak with him! The prophet sent a servant out to give Naaman this message: "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean." (v. 9-10). It is interesting to know that the cleansing of leprosy according to the Law given to Moses, requires that the one suffering from leprosy to be sprinkled seven times. (see Lev. 14:7).

     At first, Naaman was offended and "furious" by the strange instructions and the manner that the instructions had been given to him, but his servants respectfully suggested to Naaman that he might as well do it: "So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean." (v. 11-14). Naaman and all of his aides returned to Elisha, and Naaman said to the prophet: "Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel; now therefore, please take a gift from your servant." However, Elisha refused the gift, saying: "...I will receive nothing." 

     The miraculous healing of Naaman the Syrian's leprosy could have been a turning point in the enmity between Syria and Israel. However, the corrupt action of Elisha's servant seems to have impacted upon that possibility as we will see.

     As Naaman left, Elisha's servant, Gehazi (gehazi/gay'/geva - "valley of vision"/steep valley/pride, lift up), pursued (radap - pursue, chase, persecute, harass, pursue ardently, run after a bribe) Naaman and asked for silver and garments on behalf of the prophets, which Naaman gladly gave to him. Elisha perceived in the Spirit what his servant had done and asked Gehazi: "Is it time ('et/'ada - a fit or proper time, an opportunity, a certain time/adorn oneself, to attack in a hostile manner) to receive (laqah - lay hold of, take in the hand, take possession of, take in marriage, accept, receive, capture, seize, procure) money and to receive clothing, olive groves, and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants?" Elisha then said to his servant, Gehazi: "Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever.' And he went out from his presence leprous, as white as snow." (v. 15-27). Considering the meaning of the Hebrew laqah above, could it be possible that receiving the wealth of the Syrian commander also meant receiving or "being married to" the means by which that wealth, as Elisha described it above, was acquired? Abraham, generations earlier, also refused to accept the spoils that were offered to him that were captured in battle by the king of Sodom because it would rob God of the glory He had in Abraham's life. (see Gen. 14:21-24). Perhaps these deeper issues require careful and obedient discernment through the Holy Spirit.

     At a moment that was meant to glorify God for His gracious deliverance of Naaman from the death sentence of leprosy, a moment powerful to pull down spiritual strongholds over a man and even possibly over his nation, Gehazi used that moment to enrich himself.

     From Elisha's question to his servant, it also seems that this miraculous healing came at a pivotal time and purpose in the will and plan of God that would affect something very important. Not long after this miracle healing took place and the inappropriate acceptance of Naaman's gift by Gehazi, it is recorded in scripture that the king of Syria went to war against Israel (see 2 Kings 6:8) and besieged Samaria in a severe and desperate famine (see 2 Kings 6:24-25). 

     The healing of leprosy was a revolutionary, powerful and gracious provision of God beyond all worldly knowledge that was placed into the hands of Israel, for their benefit and even for the benefit of those outside of Israel as the LORD would use it. It was even more importantly a prophetic representation of the ministry of Jesus Messiah/Christ, who healed the unhealable and cleansed the uncleanable, thereby giving hope to the hopeless. All of these things were foretold by the prophets of God. (Ex. 4:6-7, Ps. 51:1-2, 7, Ezek. 36:25, Acts 10:15). As His servants, we are called to have a deeper discernment and understanding regarding this treasure of hope that has been given to the world through Jesus Messiah/Christ, especially at this time.

     If you would like to learn more about our revolutionary hope in Jesus Messiah/Christ, you can pray with me: "Father of all life, You miraculously and sovereignly injected hope into the world that was filled with hopelessness. You provided this hope to point us to the coming of Your Son, Jesus, regarding whose birth the angel said: "...with God, nothing will be impossible." Help me, Lord, to be guided by Your Holy Spirit in discerning Your miraculous works. Help me, Lord, not to question or speak against or judge Your works of salvation, healing and deliverance that You have brought to someone's life. Each one that You touch is part of Your plan for salvation in the earth. I never want to call common what You have sovereignly made clean, but I want to be instead a living "AMEN!" of celebration. 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.