SeeingGod

     

 

     The title of this week's Sabbath reading portion is Mishpatim, meaning "Judgments/Ordinances". The title comes from the first verse of this reading portion, Exodus 21:1, as the LORD spoke to Moses: "Now these are the judgments (mispat - judgment, manner, right, cause, ordinance, order, worthy, law, measure, justice-right-rectitude [included in the attributes of God]) which you shall set before them (meaning the Israelites)..."

     We view the word "judgment" in a negative way associating it with only condemnation and punishment. However, "judgment" is more associated with the idea of justice and righteousness, and with the very characteristics of God, as we see in the Hebrew meaning above. It not only includes the idea of punishment from the root word sapat, but also to govern and to vindicate. In the chapters that follow, the LORD demands justice for those who are in servitude, for the poor, and for a stranger or foreigner. The LORD states: "You shall not pervert the judgment of your poor in his dispute. Keep yourself far from a false (seqer - lying, falsehood, false, wrongfully, deceitful, liar, fraud, deception, swear falsely, deal falsely) matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked. And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discernment and perverts the words of the righteous. Also you shall not oppress a stranger, for you know (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-heart of a stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt." (Ex. 23:6-9). It is among God's people and under God's mispatim judgments that a person should be able to find justice, truth and righteousness. Through His mispatim judgments, one is able to see God through His attributes that are contained within His written mispat judgments.

     The Hebrew letters used to create the word mispat or judgment are "mem, shin, phe, teth". Each Hebrew letter also has an individual meaning. The individual meanings of these four letters, when joined together, convey the idea: "the mighty water and blood from the Rock, when spoken or commanded by the open mouth, destroys and devours the hidden, coiled snake." I can see our Rock, Jesus, in this meaning. He is the Rock of Zion, a Rock of offense and stumbling for those who are disobedient to the Word of the LORD and unbelieving. (see 1 Pet. 2:6-8, and Isa. 8:13-15).  As prophesied, He is the Rock who crushes the head of Satan, who is the serpent, the snake, the dragon. (Gen. 3:14-15, Rev. 12:9-11).

     From this Mishpatim Sabbath reading, there is another occasion where God was seen. Moses delivered (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-all-the-words of all of the mispat judgments of the LORD to the people. Then: "...Moses wrote (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-all-the-words of the LORD. And he rose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars according to the twelve tribes of Israel. Then he sent (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-young-men (na'ar - youth, young men, boys, the rustling of a lion's mane which accompanies its roar, overthrow, shake, to growl, yell, make a noise, roar as a young lion) of the children of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen (represented by the letter aleph in Hebrew) to the LORD. Moses took half the blood and put it in basins, and half the blood he sprinkled on the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, 'All that the LORD has said we will do, and be obedient.' And Moses took (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-blood, sprinkled (zaraq - sprinkle, strew, scatter abundantly, live coals) it on the people, and said, 'This is the blood of the covenant which the LORD has made with you according to all these words." (Ex. 24:1-8).

     There are a few things in the verses above that are very interesting. The twelve pillars were not part of the altar, but were built in addition to the altar. It is written above that these twelve pillars were according to the twelve tribes of Israel. As I considered the meaning of these twelve tribal pillars, I thought of the verses from Gen. 31:45-50. Jacob had set a stone as a pillar as well as a heap of stones between himself and his father-in-law, Laban. Laban said, "This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not pass beyond this heap to you, and you will not pass beyond this heap and this pillar to me for harm." Jacob then made a sacrifice and called his brethren to eat bread on the mountain. (v. 54). The twelve pillars around Moses' altar were to stand forever as witnesses to the sacrifice made at the altar, and the covenant blood. We also are to be pillar witnesses of the sacrifice and the blood that were shed for our salvation.

     Moses said above, "This is the blood of the covenant...". Jesus would say generations later: "...this is my blood of the new (kainos - a new kind, unprecedented, uncommon, fresh, recent, unused) covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." (Mt. 26:28, 1 Cor. 11:25). It is also interesting in the above verses that the blood of the sacrifice didn't become associated with the Messiah/Christ with the notation of the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega until it was strewn or scattered abundantly upon the people. The blood of Messiah/Christ Jesus must be applied, sprinkled, strewn and scattered abundantly to become associated with Him. How are we sprinkling the blood of Christ that we have been given?

     Another interesting detail from the Exodus 24 verses above is the fact that only the young men were dispatched to gather the offering and sacrifice for the altar, which was unusual. In Hebrew, the meaning of "young men" as noted above has to do with the shaking of the mane and the roaring of a lion. These young men are also associated with the Messiah/Christ because they are connected to *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega, in the above verses. Our Savior Jesus is also known as "The Lion of the Tribe of Judah." He brought the sacrifice to the altar/cross, which was Himself.

     What happens next, after these offerings are made upon this altar will include the seeing of God: "Then Moses went up ('ala - ascend, raised, offering, light, come up before God, be taken up into), also with Aaron, Nadab (meaning to offer willingly, a son of Aaron), and Abihu (meaning "He is my father", a son of Aaron), and seventy elders of Israel, and they saw (ra'a - see, behold, consider, perceive, foresee, have vision, discern, distinguish, gaze at, be visible) (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire (sapir/sapar - sapphire stone for beauty and splendor/declare, show forth, commune, rehearse, take account of, to score with a mark, to inscribe letters on a stone) stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity (tohar/taher - purifying, clearness, glory, brightness, splendor, majesty/clean, purify, purge, make clean, innocent, holy, to shine, be bright). But on the nobles of the children of Israel He did not lay His hand. So they saw (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-God, and they ate ('akal - eat, devour, burn up, consume by fire, slay, destroy) and drank (sata - drink, banquet, feast)." (Ex. 24:9-11).

     They saw God, who is identified by the presence of the *aleph-tav with the Messiah/Christ. They ate and drank on the mountain, but this was no average meal. It was a meal of covenant - a covenant created out of the blood of the sacrifice that was slain, the body consumed by the fire of the altar, and devoured. It was a banquet feast like the marriage supper of the Lamb. (see Rev. 19:6-9). As the names of Aaron's sons tell us in Hebrew, it involved the generous willing Offering of the One who says, "He is My Father." This willing Offering will also be One who will consume His enemies "with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His appearing." (2 Thess. 2:8).

     Moses, Aaron, Aaron's sons and the seventy elders (also see Lk. 10:1, and 17-20) were not the only ones to see at least the presence of God that day after the building of the altar: "The sight (mar'e/ra'a - appearance, sight, visage, form, countenance, vision, look upon/see ra'a above) of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming/devouring (see 'akal above) fire on top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel." (Ex. 24:17). All of Israel who were waiting at the bottom of the mountain saw the glory of God's presence on the top of the mountain, and they saw Moses enter into it.

     From another reading portion of this Mishpatim Sabbath, the prophet Amos wrote of the LORD calling His people to seek Him: "Seek (daras - to beat or tread a path to, seek with care, search, enquire) (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-LORD and live, lest He break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour (see 'akal above) it, with no one to quench it in Bethel (meaning "the house of God") - You who turn justice/judgment (see mispat above) to wormwood (la'ana - bitterness, curse, accursed as poisonous, hemlock), and lay righteousness to rest in the earth!" (Amos 5:6-7). The people of God had been profaning God by perverting His mishpatim judgments/justice, making them a curse instead. Their only hope was to seek out and return to (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-LORD. We are not to profane the attributes of God as found in His justice.

     The prophet Ezekiel, living far away in Babylon as a captive with God's rebellious people, wrote very plainly in another Mishpatim Sabbath reading portion: "Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the River Chebar (kebar/kabar - continuance of time, a great while, extent of time/plait together, in abundance, to be much or great), that the heavens were opened and I saw visions (mara/mare/ra'a - looking glasses, vision, mirror, mode of revelation) of God (elohim - [plural form] God, judge, ruler, works of God, the true and supreme God, mighty, angels)." (Ezek. 1:1).

     As Ezekiel referred to thirty years, four months and 5 days, the Jewish rabbis conclude that Ezekiel was referring to his own age. Ezekiel was born of the tribe of priests. According to the Law of Moses, Ezekiel's priesthood of service in the Temple of God would have begun at the age of thirty (see Num. 4:23). However, Ezekiel couldn't fulfill his priesthood in the Temple as he would have known it because he was in captivity in Babylon with his people. The Temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed. This year of his life was probably filled with loss because of these things. The number "30" in Hebrew understanding is associated with "dedication for rulership" and is the numerical equivalent of the Hebrew letter lamed, which is the shepherd's hook or rod. Examples of elevation to rulership at thirty years of age are Joseph in Egypt (see Gen. 41:46), David to his kingship over Israel (see 2 Sam. 5:3-4), and as we know, Jesus to public ministry (see Lk. 3:23).

      I'm sure that Ezekiel never suspected that the LORD had other plans in store for his life. Ezekiel would be given visions of God and would be called to be a prophet of the LORD. He would also later be given a vision of a great new temple of God. 

     Jesus, the Son of God, and co-Member of the Trinity, came in the flesh so that we may be able to look upon Him and behold His glory - the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (see Jn. 1:14). Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. (see Acts 7:55-56). Paul wrote that hundreds saw the resurrected Jesus, including Paul himself. (see 1 Cor. 15:3-8). The heavens were opened and John saw Jesus the Lamb seated on His throne in heaven. (see Rev. 5:5-7). In His resurrection body, He is still visible to us (consider the Shroud of Turin) and we will see Him, and not only see Him but be like Him. (1 Jn. 3:2-3).

     If you would like to know more about "seeing God" you can join me in my prayer: "Father of heaven and earth, You have revealed Your attributes, Yourself, in Your mishpatim judgments. You revealed Yourself before Moses, Aaron and the elders of Israel. You gave Your prophet visions of God, and above all, You have shown us Jesus, who said, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father." (Jn. 14:9). I am Your witness, Lord, that You have made Yourself able be seen by man. I pray that by Your Spirit, by Your attributes in Your mishpatim judgments, and by the image of Your Son, Jesus, many upon many will ra'a see You and will perceive You. I ask this in the name of Jesus. AMEN."

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

Persia

Persepolis-Ancient Ceremonial Capital
of Persian Empire, located in Iran

This entry is a companion piece to the previous entry entitled, "Yeruwshalaim".
We know from prophecy in scripture, from both the Old and New Testaments, that nations will be brought to a place of battle. Ezekiel describes the LORD "putting a hook in the jaws" of these nations, and compelling them into this huge world-involved war of attack on Israel. The LORD prophesies of these nations that "thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will make an evil plan...to take plunder and to take booty" (Ezek. 38:4,10-12). The purpose of the LORD in this moving of the nations to join together and attack Israel in the latter days is "so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog (name of the spiritual stronghold prince over Russia, which is called Magog, Tubal, Rosh: see Ezek. 38:1-3), before their eyes." (v. 16).
The Book of Revelation prophesies that demons or spirits of devils will tempt these nations to gather together(meaning like fish gathered up in a net) to make war in a place in Israel called Armageddon, a Hebrew word meaning "place of crowds, penetrate, cut into, attack, gather in troops or crowds of people, to press, crowd upon, invade with troops". (Rev. 16:14-16).
The LORD will gather these nations not because He hates them, but rather to do warfare against the spiritual principalities that rule over them, according to Ezekiel. We can say that these spiritual powers think they are manipulating the nations to enter into this foolish attack, but meanwhile, God is manipulating these spiritual powers to fall into His trap. For once they touch His covenant people, and His covenant land, He can execute judgment promises according to His covenant Word (Ezek. 38:18). Because of this everlasting covenant, Israel becomes irresistible bait for the trap that has been set for these overreaching spiritual powers. It is in their own interests that the spiritual powers are determined to prove to man and all creation that the everlasting covenant of peace declared by God (Ezek. 37:26) and sealed in the blood of Christ (Heb. 13:20) is a lie. In fact, there are four miraculous prophetic promises made in Ezekiel 37, and they all revolve around the nation of Israel, including the rulership of Messiah, referred to by Ezekiel as David, king and shepherd, forever (v. 24-25). To the spiritual prince over this area, the possibility of destroying Israel to prevent these prophetic promises from being fulfilled would be a temptation impossible to resist. However, God will prove it to be truth to His glory. He will hallow Himself right in the midst of their plan, and the whole world will see it. The prophetic promise made to Israel through the prophet Ezekiel regarding the everlasting covenant of peace would benefit all of us.
One of the nations specifically mentioned in Ezekiel as coming together with others against Israel is Persia (Ezek. 38:5). It is interesting that Persia is modern day Iran/Iraq, which has been creating very troubling headlines. Remember though, God is dealing with great spiritual powers over the nations. We will see that Persia has a great and interesting history with God, and His people.
The word Persia means "pure", "splendid". Let's look at some of the history of Persia in scripture.
As the time drew near for the children of Israel to be returned to their land from the Babylonian captivity, as prophesied by Jeremiah (Jer. 29:10), The LORD sent the Persian army, brilliant engineers of their time, to overthrow the king of seemingly impregnable Babylon. This Babylonian king was that night, defiling the sacred vessels of the Temple of Jerusalem, which had been taken as spoil seventy years before, by using them for drunken revelry (Dan. 5:22-23). According to the historian Herodotus, the Persian army diverted the mighty Euphrates river that ran through the city, and entered under the massive wall around Babylon through the now nearly empty river bed.
The very first year that Cyrus, the Persian ruled from Babylon, "the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus". As a result, he issued a decree to return the exiles back to Judah, and financed the rebuilding of both Jerusalem and the Temple of God. He also ordered his people to "send free will offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem" (Ezra 1:1-4/2 Chron. 36:22-23). God had prophesied hundreds of years before through Isaiah, that He would know Cyrus the Branch, awesomely prophesying him by name, and that Cyrus would serve Him (Isa. 44:28, 45:1-7). Cyrus also had all of the gold and silver vessels of the Temple that had been taken as spoil and brought to Babylon, 5,400 items, returned to the prince and captives of Judah before they left (Ezra 1:7-11). These vessels were worth a fortune for their silver and gold value alone, but Cyrus of Persia obeyed the LORD and freely gave them back. Not many kings of history give away the silver and gold in their possession.
Later in time, Artaxerxes, another king of Persia who ruled from Shushan (in present Iran), allowed a most trusted Jewish man in his service as his cupbearer, named Nehemiah, to leave the king's service and go to Jerusalem to facilitate the rebuilding of that city and the Temple, and even appointed him as governor of Judah having the king's authority there (Neh. 2:1, 4-8 and Neh. 5:14).
Even later in history, Ahasuerus, thought to be Xerxes I, also ruled from Shushan (Iran). His empire covered territory from India to Ethiopia (which is also mentioned as one of the nations in the Ezekiel prophecy (Ezek. 38:5). As with all of the Persian kings, he was an absolute monarch. He could get rid of one wife and queen who failed to obey him to appear before his drunken friends, and order up a new queen. However, as he began dealing with the Jewish people in his city, he began to bow his very exalted head. God entrusted His beautiful young Jewish maiden, Esther, into this king's care as his new queen. A king's court was the most dangerous place for a king. Many plots and power grabs originate among those closest to the king among his court. They watch for the smallest sign of weakness in the monarch, so it was important that the king seem powerful, irreversible, unchallengeable and strong at all times, sometimes brutally strong. In front of his treacherous court, however, this Persian king lowered his scepter, the symbol of his judgment authority as king, and allowed Esther to approach him without being summoned first, which was a breach of royal protocol on her part punishable by death (Esther 4:11, 5:2). This absolute Persian king allowed a Jewish man, Mordecai, who had foiled an assassination attempt against the king, to be clothed in the king's royal robes, a royal crown placed on his head, and to be set upon the king's personal horse (Esther 6:3-10). This absolute monarch of Persia even rescinded one of his own decrees, an act which would be unthinkable for such a monarch, when Esther revealed the plot against the Jews, and her own identity as a Jew (Esther 8:6-17). By being willing to be seen as less than absolute, this Persian king saved thousands of Jewish lives across his whole empire, and the enemies of the Jews were destroyed. Many in the empire even became Jews themselves because of the fear of the miraculous favor given to the Jews by this king. It is true that Esther was the interceding vessel, but the ruling power of death or deliverance for the Jews was decided by the king of Persia. One of the great qualities of Esther as the intercessor for God's covenant people was that she was able to discern and reveal to true evil or enemy. It wasn't the nation of Persia, or its king, her husband, but the behind-the scenes lying manipulator, Haman (meaning "magnificent"), who was not a Persian, but an Agagite (descendants of Esau; meaning "I will overtop") (Esther 7:5-6).
The LORD said of Israel, "Blessed are those who bless you", a promise first made to Abram/Abraham in Gen. 12:1-3. The promise was again made concerning Jacob or Israel in Num. 24:5-9.  Persia has played an important role in ancient history in the deliverance or restoration of the Jews and Jerusalem. It is a nation that has been a remarkable blessing to Israel and the Jews in the past, because God has compelled them by His Spirit to do so. I think it is important to keep this in mind even though the headlines may provoke other thoughts and feelings towards peoples and nations. Like the intercessor Esther, we need to discern who the enemy really is, and how God will move against them. Our prayers need to keep in mind God's ultimate plan in all of this. Dark spiritual strongholds rule over nations, including Iran (Dan. 10:13, 20-21), and that nation now finances terrorist organizations' attacks against Israel. The prophesied battle mentioned in Ezekiel and Revelation is for the pulling down of those strongholds, so that the nations of the earth will see God's victory, and hallow God's name, and know that His Everlasting Covenant of Peace is true for them, for all, and it will be established.

Our Father will hallow Himself in the sight of the nations.