Remember...

      There is a term called "worldview". It is defined as "the mental framework or lens through which a person or group views, interprets and makes sense of the world and reality. It shapes how a person answers big life questions, defines right and wrong, and makes daily choices." Each individual comes to a world understanding based upon what they know is the truth, and also by what they have personally experienced. I found that in this Sabbath reading portion titled Ki Teitze, which means "When you go out", the LORD repeatedly gives the Israelites a "worldview" which they are to keep in mind when applying the Law which the LORD had given to Moses, and their view of the world in general.

     The Book of Deuteronomy, in which this Sabbath reading begins, contains the final words (dabarim/d'varim) of Moses to the younger generation of Israelites as they are about to end their journey through the wilderness and enter into the land which the LORD had promised to their fathers. The older generation, which was a rebellious generation, has just about passed away as the LORD said would happen before entering the land. The title, "When you go out" is used several times, including Deut. 20:1, Deut. 21:10 and Deut. 23:9. The phrase is connected in these verses with battle: "When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt." And: "When you go out to war against your enemies, and the LORD your God delivers them into your hand, and you take them captive....". Also, "When the army goes out against your enemies, then keep yourself from every wicked thing." The LORD gave instructions regarding how the Israelites should conduct themselves "when they go out...". 

     The rest of the instructions of Moses in these assigned chapter readings, as well as previous readings, regarding the keeping of the Law is to be based upon a certain "worldview". Here are some examples:

     In showing generosity and kindness to a fellow countryman who has been sold to you and is now to be released in the seventh year (which is the LORD's Release), the master is to bestow on this former slave/servant liberal provisions with which to start his life again. This generosity and mercy are to be carried out with this "worldview": "You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-thing (dabar) today." (Deut. 15:12-15).

     As the LORD described His Feasts which the Israelites must keep including (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-Passover and the Feast of Weeks/Shavuot/Pentecost which was to include rejoicing with their children, their servants, the local Levite, the stranger, the fatherless and the widow, the LORD related these feasts to their deliverance from Egypt. He concluded by saying: "And you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to observe the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-statutes." (Deut. 16:1-12).

     In another example: "You shall not pervert justice due to the stranger or the fatherless, nor take a widow's garment as a pledge. But you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-thing (dabar).

     "When (ki - see Sabbath portion title) you reap your harvest in your field...When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over the boughs again...When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not glean it afterward; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. And you shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-thing (dabar).

     Even the observance of the Sabbath must contain this "worldview": "Observe the Sabbath (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates, that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you. And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-day." (Deut. 5:12-15).

     It becomes clear what kind of "lens" (see worldview definition above) the LORD had commanded His people to see through when dealing with the commands of the LORD, including the Sabbath, and when dealing with each other, even when dealing with warfare, enemies and captives. The LORD connects the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega Messiah/Christ (see *note below) to the dabar things involved with remembering that they were slaves in Egypt and it was God who brought them out. This remembrance was their starting point and their continuation: Remember where you came from and how you got here. The LORD even prophesied that once His people arrived in the land promised to them and began to prosper, they would forget where they came from and how they got there and they would think that they accomplished it on their own. The LORD said this: "...when your heart is lifted up, and you forget (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage....then you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.' And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-His-covenant which He swore..." (Deut. 8:14-18). Their remembrance or their forgetting of the LORD's commanded worldview will have an impact on their relationship with the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega LORD and His covenant.

     There is a stark illustration of this as Jesus spoke to a group who believed in Him: "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, 'If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.' They answered Him, 'We are Abraham's descendants, and we have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, 'You will be made free?' Jesus answered them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." (Jn. 8:31-34). Uh-oh, they forgotten what God had told them to remember. They changed the commanded "lens" through which they were to view themselves, each other, the law, and even their enemies. Now their "lens" had become being the descendants of Abraham according to the flesh. The (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-things (dabar) of God are not defined by man's flesh, but by God's Spirit. They even denied that they had ever been slaves, saying this while they were then under the oppressive boot of the Roman Emperor and his puppets, the Herods. This group that Jesus was talking to were so offended by His words of salvation freedom in the truth of God and His Son that they wanted to kill Him! (Jn. 8:58-59). Needless to say, they missed that particular day of their visitation and salvation, remaining slaves to sin and its consequence - eternal death - because they forgot to remember.

     From another reading portion from this Ki Teitze, "When you go out" Sabbath, the Book of Proverbs tells us about a generation that does not remember the God of their deliverance: "There is a generation that curses its father, and does not bless its mother. There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, yet is not washed from its filthiness. There is a generation - oh, how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up. There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, and whose fangs are like knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men." (Prov. 30:11-14). I think we can say that this generation being spoken of here, as also the one shown by the example above, does not remember that they were slaves in Egypt, but were delivered out of the house of bondage by the power and mercy of the LORD.

     From the same proverb, the writer asks us to remember and answer: "Who has ascended into heaven, or descended?...Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son's name, if you know? (v. 4). Do we know those names, the writer is asking, or do we only know our own names and self-importance?

     How do these *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega-things (dabar) apply to us, who have already believed and been saved by Jesus Messiah/Christ? God's miraculous deliverance of the Israelites at Passover from their heavy burden of slavery in Egypt, which they are always to remember, was also a prophetic foreshadowing of our deliverance from the slavery to sin and death by the blood of our Passover Lamb of God, Jesus (see 1 Cor. 5:7-8). We were slaves to the world, sin and death and have been brought out of that slavery by *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega-the-LORD. We have been promised glorious things as the now sons and daughters of God in Christ. However, I think that the moment that we forget where we came from and how we got here, our witness in the earth is compromised. Paul wrote about this. He challenged the Church about how the believers were treating each other. They were cheating each other and suing each other in the courts over slights. He wrote: "...you do these things to your brethren! Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?... And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Cor. 6:7-11).

     We can't forget where we came from and how we got here. We can't ignore the "lens" through which the LORD commanded us to view ourselves, each other, the law as fulfilled by Christ, the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega-things (dabar), and even our enemies, or change it into a different kind of "lens". 

     Paul also wrote: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." (Rom. 5:8-10). We did not save ourselves, nor were we ever able to. We did not reconcile ourselves to a holy God, nor were we ever able to. We must remember where we came from and how we got here. If we DO remember, it shows in our view of ourselves, each other, and even our enemies. If we DO remember, it shows in the thoughts of our hearts and the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega-words (dabar) out of our mouths. If we DO remember, we show ourselves to be the peculiar and special people that God called us to be. If we DO remember, our fruit changes from fruits of shame to fruits of holiness and everlasting life (see Rom. 6:20-23). When we DON'T remember, that shows too.

     I don't know if you come from the same place as I do, but I was lost and chained in darkness. However, according to my previous "worldview," this seemed like normal life. This is all I knew. Not only was I lost and chained in darkness in a pit of death, but I was too ignorant to know that I was lost and chained. I was so ignorant that I did not know as truth that there was only one true God of perfect holiness, grace, and love, so I didn't seek Him. I didn't find Jesus Messiah/Christ, He found me. It was not until He found me that I began to understand that He had set me free from slavery, darkness and the chains of death. Yes, I know and believe that we are many wonderous things as we abide in Christ for His purpose and use, but I don't ever want to forget where I came from and how I got here.

     "But you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-thing."

     If you would like to learn more about these (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-things, you can join my prayer: Dearest LORD and Father, while I was yet a slave, You sent Your beloved Son, Jesus, to find me and set me free. When I didn't love You, You loved me. While I was still sinning and dying, You sent Jesus to save me. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit in a moment to quicken me while I was dead and raise me up with Jesus to eternal life of Oneness with You, the God of heaven and earth. Father, let me never forget. Father, let me always view the world through this lens of miraculous mercy and the holy power of God Almighty. I would be enshrouded in deep darkness without You. I would be dead without You. Help me to lead others into Your love, light and life. I ask this in the name of my Savior 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. 

Judges

 

   The title of this week's Sabbath reading portion is Shoftim, meaning "Judges." The Hebrew title comes from the word sapat, which means "to judge, defend, condemn, avenge, execute, plead, govern, vindicate, punish, reason, rule."

     In Deuteronomy 16:18-20, we read about judges: "You shall appoint judges and officers in all your gates, which the LORD your God gives you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-people with just judgment. You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. You shall follow what is altogether just, that you may live and inherit (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-land ('eres - land, country, nations, earth, world, the whole world and its inhabitants) which the LORD your God has given you." 

     We can see above that the standard for judges and judging is absolute justice, not influenced or determined by favoritism nor reward. The judgment of the judge is to be of such absolute and unbiased justice that failure to heed a judge's ruling can result in death. (see Deut. 17:9-13). Failure to follow absolute justice in judgment can affect your life and prosperity or well-bring in the earth.

     As we can see from the Hebrew meaning of judge, sapat, above, the judge not only may condemn in judgment, but can also vindicate, avenge a wrong, or plead a case for an individual.

     Several scriptures speak of God and Messiah/Christ Jesus as Judges. Abraham called God "the Judge of all the earth..." and called upon His perfect justice. (Gen. 18:25, Acts 17:30-31). Paul, who was unfortunately familiar with being judged by men, wrote that He who judges him is the Lord. (1 Cor. 4:2-4). Solomon and Paul both wrote that God is the One who judges all of the secret things, good or evil. (Eccl. 12:13-14, Rom. 2:16). Jesus said that His Father in heaven has given all judgment into His hands. (Jn. 5:21-23). Paul wrote this eye-opener regarding judging how each believer esteems or observes the things of God: "But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: 'As I live, says the LORD, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.' So then each of us shall give account of himself to God." (Rom. 14:10-12). We often see the Body of Christ divided because of the rendering of judgment regarding who is serving the Lord correctly, and who is not, as Paul warned about above. 

     For those who choose to take on the responsibility of judging what the Lord has reserved for His judgment, which is the whole earth, these are huge and perfect shoes (and absolute standards) to fill, with consequences to pay if not done perfectly justly as Deuteronomy 16 above reveals.

     Jesus had said the same precautionary words as Paul above: "Judge (krino - determine, resolve, decree, examine for judgment, to separate, put asunder, decide, condemn, punish, damn, to sentence) not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Mt. 7:1-5). If you are considering taking on the responsibility of judging, especially concerning the brethren, be careful to remove the plank out of your own eye first. The Lord doesn't have any planks in His eye.

     

     The authority of the judge is not only to condemn and administer punishment, but it is to establish godly justice on behalf of God's people as we see in the meaning of sapat, judge, above. It was the judges of Israel who were called to judge the oppressors of Israel in the Book of Judges at the time appointed by the LORD, and pull them down, bringing deliverance to God's people.

     In another reading portion from this week's Shoftim, "Judges", Sabbath, we see the powerful justice of God acting as the Judge in turning circumstances completely around for His people who had experienced desolation, destruction, famine and sword. In an excerpt from Isaiah 51, the LORD declared to His people: "Listen to Me, My people; and give ear to Me, O My nation: For law will proceed from Me, and I will make My justice rest as a light of the peoples. My righteousness is near, My salvation (yesa/yasa - deliverance, salvation, rescue, safety, welfare, prosperity, victory/Savior, help, preserved, salvation, defend, avenge, victory, saved in battle, open wide, free, opulent, liberty) has gone forth, and My arms will judge the peoples...My salvation (yesua - salvation, deliverance, prosperity, welfare, victory, save, saving; also the Hebrew name of Jesus) will be forever, and My righteousness (sedaqa/sadaq - righteousness, justice, righteousness of a judge-ruler-king, the vindication-justification-salvation of God/just as of God, justice, justify, just cause, bring justice, vindicate the cause of) will not be abolished....Awake ('ur - stir up, lift up, awake, raise, be roused, be triumphant, open the eyes), awake! Stand up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk at the hand of the LORD (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-cup of His fury; You have drunk (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-dregs of the cup of trembling, and drained it out...Therefore, please hear this, you afflicted, and drunk, but not with wine. Thus says your LORD, the LORD and your God, who pleads the cause (also see sapat meaning above) of His people: 'See, I have taken out of your hand (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-cup of trembling, (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-dregs of the cup of My fury; you shall no longer drink it. But I will put it into the hand of those who afflict you, who have said to you, 'Lie down, that we may walk over you.' And you have laid your body like the ground, and as the street, for those who walk over." 

     God had previously judged His people, but, when that judgment was satisfied, the LORD turned and placed the same judgment on oppressors who had taken advantage the affliction of His people in order to trample upon them.

 We notice above that the means by which the LORD administered perfect and absolute justice was His salvation, both the condition, yesa/yasa, and the Person, who is Yeshua/Jesus, and His righteousness.

     In Isaiah 52, another reading portion assigned for this Shoftim, "Judges" Sabbath, again the LORD proclaims over Zion and Jerusalem: "Awake, awake! Put on your strength, O Zion; Put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city! For the uncircumcised and the unclean shall not longer come to you. Shake yourself from the dust, arise; Sit down, O Jerusalem! Loose yourself from the bonds on your neck, O captive daughter of Zion!...How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings good tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation (yesua - see meaning above), who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns!" 

     Again we see the revealed knowledge of yesua salvation proclaimed in order to break the bondage of God's people. At the end of this Chapter 52 of Isaiah, and continuing into Chapter 53, God's suffering, sin-bearing Servant is revealed who will justify (sadaq - to do or bring justice in administering the law, to be or do justice, to be right, be justified) many. Paul wrote that we have been justified by God through our faith in Jesus, and this even before the beginning, by the foreknowledge of God. (see Rom. 5:1-2 and Rom. 8:29-30).

     We see another example of justice through God's salvation and righteousness in another Shoftim, "Judges," Sabbath reading portion. The prophet Jeremiah wrote the Word of the LORD: "Behold, the days are coming,' says the LORD, 'that I will raise to David a Branch (semah - branch, sprout: of the Messiah/Christ from the Davidic tree) of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and justice/righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved (yasa - see above), and Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." (Jer. 23:5-6). 

     We recognize here in the above prophecy the Messiah/Christ Jesus, who is the King of kings and a descendant of David (see Mt. 9:26-31 and Mk. 10:46-52). His reign is made of salvation, righteousness and just judgment.

     The LORD commands us to do justly in His Word: "He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly (mispat/sapat - judgment, lawful, law, justice-right-rectitude, a verdict pronounced judicially/ see sapat above), to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8). Choosing to do the first, "do justly", requires for us also to do the other two: love mercy, and walking humbly with God.

     We have seen that just judgment is so important to the LORD that He pulled out "the big guns" to secure it. The first being His Salvation (yesua, see above) as Isaiah told us, and secondly, His King of Righteousness, as Jeremiah revealed above. Both of these powerful agents of justice were in the form of one: His Son, Messiah/Christ, Yesua/Jesus, the Lord our Righteousness. 

     Judgment and justice can make the difference between bondage and freedom, salvation and condemnation, and life and death. These things are not to be handled so carelessly in words that flow so recklessly from our hearts and mouths. Isaiah told us what we should be saying and proclaiming. Jeremiah gave us the proclamation of the LORD regarding the King of Righteousness, which we are to believe. Jesus told us what we should be teaching and preaching to all nations: The Gospel of salvation (see Mt. 28:18-20, Mk. 16:15-18, Lk. 24:46-49). There is no greater or more beautiful just judgment that can be spoken than this.

     If you would like to learn more about the LORD as the Judge of all the earth, you can join my prayer: "Dear Father, Just Judge of the earth, You sent your Son, Jesus, who is Salvation and Righteousness, to announce the just judgment of God to all living. Help me, LORD, by Your Word and Spirit of Truth, to proclaim the Day of Salvation that saves men from condemnation and declare the installment of Your Kingdom of Justice through Your Son, Jesus, the King of Righteousness. Lord, forgive me, and remove from my heart and mouth words of unjust judgment, made from my own will and understanding. Let everything in my being point towards You instead. 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. 

LifeAndLight

      This week's Sabbath reading portion is titled R'eh, which is translated as "Behold". The Hebrew title comes from the word ra'a meaning: "behold, see, look, consider, perceive, foresee, seer, inspect, learn about, discern, distinguish, give attention to, to see the face of a king, to see the face of God, enjoy the light, to live, to be taught in visions divinely brought, to care for what is seen, to choose for oneself, to see for oneself." As we can see, the meaning of ra'a is very deep and is an essential element in our relationship with God. It includes seeing with the eye, but it is more about seeing with our spirit, the inner eye which God has given to all of us by which we may discern God and the things of God. In Jn. 1:1-5, and 14 scripture says that all men have been created in the life of the Word, who is Jesus, and the life is light in each of us (see the meaning of ra'a above also). There is a basic knowledge of God that has been infused into all people. The Creator doesn't leave us blind but gives us the spiritual sight to behold and discern His face if we choose (see ra'a above) to do so.

     Relating to this Sabbath's reading portion, "Behold" or r'eh/ra'a, appears in Deut. 11:26-28: "Behold, I set before you today (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-a-blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you today; and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you today, to go after other gods which you have not known." The LORD doesn't just ask for blind obedience but wants us to r'eh/ra'a, to discern with our inner spiritual vision, the truth regarding the blessing, which we can see is associated with the knowledge of *aleph-tav, the Messiah/Christ, and the curse of which He is speaking here. As we can see from the meaning of r'eh/ra'a, "behold", above, there is also a choice that comes with this special vision, just as God offered a choice above to His people of the blessing or the curse.

     As we will see below, several reading selections from this week's R'eh/Ra'a, "Behold" Sabbath reading reveal the awesome blessing of choosing His Word and choosing to live in the light of the LORD.

     The great blessings of the LORD in this R'eh/Ra'a, "Behold", Sabbath reading also come with the obedient observance of "The LORD's Release" (semitta/samat - release from debt, remission of debt, suspension of labor/shake, release, throw down, overthrow, let loose, rest, fling down, to smite, to strike, to thrust), also called Shemitah, as revealed in Deuteronomy 15. The meaning of the word also includes a shaking up and an overthrow. The oppression of debt is cast down. Jesus taught His disciples to pray for the LORD's Release, or Shemitah, in what we call The LORD's Prayer: "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." (see Mt. 6:9-13). We all carry a debt of one form or another, physical or spiritual, and we all need the release from that debt.

     The LORD's Release was to occur in the seventh year when all debts owed by (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-neighbors and (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-brethren were to be forgiven. This "Release" was to be done out of a heart of love and joy for one's brethren and God's will, and not with resentment or manipulation. The blessing that accompanies Shemitah Release is stated: "...for the LORD will greatly bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance - only if you carefully obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe with care (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-all-these-commandments which I command you today. For the LORD will bless you just as He promised you; you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow; you shall reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over you." (Deut. 15:4-6). Looking at the blessings that follow the Shemitah Release of the LORD, the economy and banking system of the world can be overturned and shaken as a result. This is the power and authority within the LORD's Shemitah Release. Jesus Messiah/Christ is the Person who fulfills the Shemitah Release for us. All of our debts to God are "Paid in full" through Him as He said, "It is finished (teleo - to finish, to end, to pay)" while on the cross. (Jn. 19:30).

     From Isaiah 54-55 of this week's reading, the prophet wrote the word of a tremendous blessing from the LORD to His people who had suffered affliction: "Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of crystal, and all your walls of precious stones. All your children shall be taught by the LORD (see ra'a meaning above), and great shall be the peace of your children. In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear...No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me...Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you - the sure mercies of David." The house of David, who at the writing of Isaiah had been dead for over two hundred years, is the line from which Messiah/Christ (Jesus), the Son of David, would be born. Isaiah also wrote that other nations would run to this people "because of the LORD your God, and the Holy One of Israel; For He has glorified you." (Isaiah 55:5). Jesus also prayed, saying to His heavenly Father that He, Jesus, has given those who believe in Him the same glory as He has with the Father from the beginning. (Jn. 17:22-24).

     The meaning of r'eh/ra'a, or "Behold," as given above includes "to see the face of a king", as well as being associated with light and life. From another section of this Sabbath we read in Proverbs 16:15-16: "In the light of the king's face is life, and his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain. How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver." As we saw above, life and light mentioned in ra'a and in John 1 are connected to "the king's" face. The Messiah/Christ Jesus is the King of kings. Of His Kingship, He has also made us to be kings or royalty of the Kingdom of light in service to God. (see 1 Pet. 2:9-10 [Ex. 19:6], Rev. 1:6, 5:9-10).

     Isaiah again in this Sabbath's readings, speaks the Word of the LORD to the land of Judah who will sing this song: "We have a strong city; God will appoint salvation (yesua - salvation; the Hebrew name of Jesus) for walls and bulwarks. Open the gates, that the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in." (Isa. 26:1-2). The prophet directed the Word of the LORD to "the land of Judah", which is the southern part of Israel including Jerusalem. The Hebrew word 'eres used here is referring to the land, but also means "earth, world, nations." Judah is one of the twelve tribes of Israel, but the Hebrew word itself is yehuda/yada/yad which means "praised/thanksgiving, confess, make confession (see also Rom. 10:9-10)/hand, consecrate, power, strength, sign, monument." Those who believe in Messiah/Christ Jesus are also a consecrated/sanctified people (see Heb. 10:10) through Messiah/Christ who make confession by mouth of the belief in their hearts, and signs follow the believer. (Mk. 16:15-18). Our testimony is a living monument to the salvation, power and glory of God. (see Rev. 12:10-11, 1 Pet. 3:15).

     Within the language is not only a surface understanding, but also a deeper or wider understanding that can be found within it. God's vision, even as expressed to Abraham and others, is not small or limited.

     From this same Sabbath reading selection, Isaiah 26 also promises us further blessings in our God. Those blessings include perfect peace, an everlasting covenant, justice, righteousness, grace, increase, glory, expansion, perfect judgment, and the raising of the dead.

     This R'eh/Ra'a Sabbath reading portion also brought mention of "a curse" from Deut. 11:26-28 as written above. The curse follows the turning away from God to go after other gods. The LORD also warned that after (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-nations of the promised land were cut off from the land by the LORD before the Israelites, the Israelites were not to follow after or inquire after the gods of those people: "You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-their-sons and (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-daughters in the fire to their gods. (*Aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-Whatever-thing I command you be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it." (Deut. 12:29-32).

     The previous people who inhabited the land had knowledge of the Messiah/Christ as we can see by the presence of the *aleph-tav designation. Even their children were appointed to belong to the *Aleph-Tav/Alpha and Omega Christ. However, those people chose to turn away from that knowledge and were even willing to burn their children to death in order to worship demon gods with abominations. Paul wrote in Romans of those who knew God, who had manifested Himself to them since the creation, but they chose (see ra'a meaning above) to deny that knowledge. They knew God but did not glorify Him as God. Therefore: "...they became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened....Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts..." (Rom. 1:18-24). Their abasement grew worse, even "knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death..." (v. 26-32). We see the same today. Many people have chosen to turn away from their inner knowledge of God and to turn away from His life and light. The Lord repeatedly says to them, "Behold (the face of God, the face of the King)!" We have the freedom that God has given each man to choose, to see, to behold, to discern, and to enjoy and live in the light of life which exists only in Him.

     However, there exists a most powerful and overcoming truth for all mankind: Jesus became a curse, and suffered the death of it, so that we may be set free from the power of the curse and to receive the blessings: "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree'), that the blessing of Abraham (see Gen. 12:3, Gen. 22:15-18) might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." (Gal. 3:13-14). 

     Messiah/Christ Jesus, the righteous and innocent, both divine and man, inseparable from His Father in heaven, became a curse to Release us from the debt of the curse contained in the Law. What must the righteously divine Jesus have felt by becoming a curse, and all of the abominations of the curse, separated or cut off from the light and life of God His beloved Father? He suffered this and then overcame it on our behalf. He shook and overthrew the spiritual debt economy of the spirit of this world.

      Again, God says to man: "Behold!"

     If you would like to learn more about r'eh/ra'a, and the blessing of looking upon the life and light of the face of God and the King, Jesus, you can join my prayer: "Gracious and blessed Lord, You have poured out a blessing too great for me to contain. You have released me from all debt, and You have delivered me from the curse through the sacrifice and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus, my Savior. You allow me to stand in Your light and life, and have said that I may see Your face through spiritual ra'a sight. Lord, Your face is the only face that I desire, and I never want to turn away from Your face. Blessed be the Holy One of Israel who is LORD of all of the nations and people of the whole earth. All of the families of the earth are blessed within Your covenant, including all of my family, as You promised Abraham. I praise You, Lord, and offer my thanksgiving and my love to You in the name of Jesus, my King. 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.