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. 

     

     

TakeUp

      The title of this week's Sabbath reading portion is Naso, translated as "Elevate/Lift Up." This reading portion follows Shavuot, or the Feast of Weeks, or in the Greek of the New Testament, Pentecost. Pentecost is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the power from heaven, onto the disciples of Jesus who waited for it as they had been directed by the Lord before He was taken up (epairo/airo - to lift up, raise up, raise on high, hoisted up/to raise up from the ground, to bear up, to take upon one's self and carry what has been raised up, to bear away what has been raised, carry off) and was received by a cloud (root word: nephos - a cloud, a large dense multitude, a throng). (see Acts 1:4-9, Acts 2:1-4).

     We see the Greek root word, airo, used in the above verse in connection with Jesus' ascension into heaven. We see it again when Jesus, in Luke 9:23 and 26, says: "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up (airo -see above) his cross daily, and follow Me...For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels." 

     The words in Greek that we see above, we will also see the Hebrew counterpart in the Naso Sabbath portion for this week. We begin the story in Numbers Ch. 4: "Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: 'Take (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) a census of the sons of Kohath (qehat - assembly, to ally oneself with) from among the children of Levi (levi/lava - joined to, attached/to twine together, to unite, to remain, abide with, cleave to, adhere, be joined closely to anyone), by their families, by their fathers' house, from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, all who enter the service (saba/seba - host, war, army, battle, service, appointed time, warfare, company/assemble, mustered, wage war, fight, serve) to do the work in the tabernacle of meeting." (Num. 4:1-3).

     As with the Kohath family of the Levites, the other two families that make up the tribe of Levi, Gershon and Merari, were numbered by Moses and Aaron in the same manner. We found out from last week's Sabbath reading portion, that the other tribes of Israel were numbered in order to be counted as armies. The Levites who served (saba/seba - see meaning above) in the tabernacle were also numbered as an army, according to the meaning of the Hebrew word for "service" above.

     As an army of the LORD, besides serving in the tabernacle, this portion of Numbers specifies the Levites as the ones appointed to carry (root word: nasa (Naso, our title)- bear up, lift up, take, carry away [see also Greek root airo above], armorbearer, forgive, exalt) the contents and structures of the tabernacle when the tribes of Israel were commanded by the LORD to move camp.

     The Kohath division of the Levites would nasa carry, bear up, lift up, the most holy items of the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) sanctuary, which includes the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. The Gershonite Levites would nasa carry the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) curtains of the tabernacle. The sons of Merari of the Levites would nasa carry the pillars, boards, hardware and (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) instruments/furnishings (keli/kala - vessel, instrument, weapon, jewel, furniture, armorbearer, prepared items/accomplish, cease, end, be complete, destroy, exterminate, perish, expire, consume, wholly reap) of the more outer areas of the tabernacle.

     It is interesting that part of the meaning of the furnishings that the Merari Levites must nasa carry also includes the idea of destruction, extermination and to consume. The pictographic Hebrew letters that make up the word naso/nasa in our Sabbath title are nun, shin, and aleph. Combined, the individual meanings of these letters might express the thought "The Son, the Heir to the throne, is the sharp, consuming, destroying Rock of the Lord, Adonai. In Revelation, we are given the prophecy that all men, from the greatest to the least, will hide themselves in the caves and rocks of the mountains, and say to those mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" (Rev. 6:15-17). In that day, they would rather the natural rocks fall on them than to have to face The Rock of destruction, the One who sits on the throne, the Lamb of God, Jesus Messiah/Christ. We don't usually think of Christ in this way, but He will come in all of His heavenly glory to judge and to rule the nations with a rod of iron.

     The (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) instruments/furnishings that the Merari Levites carry, take, or lift up also contain the meaning to cease, end and complete. On the cross, Jesus said, "It is finished," referring to His work of redemption and forgiveness of our sins. Nasa also contains the meaning of forgiveness. God does not want to destroy anyone, but to save and forgive those who seek Him and will come to Him with a humble heart of repentance. (2 Pet. 3:9). So what is the nature of the consuming destruction associated with both nasa/naso and the holy furnishings of the tabernacle?

     We see the source of the destruction in what the first group of Levites, the Kohaths, are to nasa carry, take, bear and lift up: The furnishings of the two chambers of the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) sanctuary are so holy, that only Aaron and his sons may enter to cover them with various layers. If the Kohaths touch the furnishings uncovered, they will perish: "And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is set to go, then the sons of Kohath shall come to carry (nasa - see above) them; but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These are the things in the tabernacle of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry...Do not cut off the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites; but do this that they may live and not die when they approach (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the most holy things..." (Num. 4:15, 18-19).

     It is the pure holiness of the LORD that can destroy those who have not been covered. The Book of Hebrews tells us that those who are forgiven and covered by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ may draw near and enter the Holy of Holies with boldness (parresia - openly, with free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage and assurance), rather than in fear of death. (see Heb. 10:19-25).

     Scripture tells us how the lawless one/lawlessness/wickedness will be destroyed: "And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord (Jesus) will consume with the breath of his mouth and destroy with the brightness (epiphaneia/epiphanes/phos - brightness of glorious manifestation/illustrious, terrible/the pure brilliant light of God) of His coming." (2 Thess. 2:8).

     Sometimes we may forget the destructive power of God's holiness against any and all wickedness, against anything that is not as holy as He is. When Aaron's two sons came before the LORD with "profane fire" in their censors: "...fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. And Moses said to Aaron, 'This is what the LORD spoke, saying: 'By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.' So Aaron held his peace." (Lev. 10:1-3).

     In another example, the LORD was about to deliver the Law, the Ten Commandments, to the Israelites from Mount Sinai. He warned Moses: "Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to gaze at the LORD and many perish. Also let the priests who come near the LORD consecrate themselves, lest the LORD break out against them." (Ex. 19:21-22).

      Later, Moses would ask the LORD to show him His glory. The LORD had to make special provision in order to protect Moses from destruction. The LORD said to Moses: "You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live." (Ex. 33:18-23). One of Jesus' disciples also asked Him to show them the Father (God). Jesus answered him: "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father...Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me..." (Jn. 14:8-10). Earlier Jesus had said to them: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (v. 6).

     Jesus has done this for us. He has become the way by which we can approach the holiness of God and live. Jesus did this by making us, both Jew and Gentile believers in Him, into a new single creation: "...so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity...For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father." (Eph. 2:15-18, see also 2 Cor. 5:18-19). God has reconciled us back to Himself through the blood of His Son, Jesus: "...to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight." (Col. 1:19-22). We receive this reconciliation of ourselves with the pure holiness of God through our steadfast faith in the salvation work of Christ. (v. 23). It is Jesus Messiah/Christ who accomplished this for us, and only Christ, and not we ourselves. He is the grace, mercy, goodness and reconciling peace that makes us acceptable to the holiness of God.

     From another reading portion from this Naso Sabbath, we can also see the warfare power of naso/nasa in the story of Samson (simson - like the sun, to be brilliant). The people of Gaza ('azza/'az/'azaz - the strong, fortified city of the Philistines/strong, mighty, fierce, power, greedy, harsh, cruel/make strong and secure, impudent) sought to capture and kill Samson, who was a judge of Israel. They must have thought that if they could kill the judge appointed by God, they could escape the judgment of God against them that afflicted them. Not so. They were waiting to capture Samson in the morning, but Samson knew their plans: "And Samson lay low till midnight; then he arose at midnight, took hold of the doors of the gate of the city and the two gateposts, pulled them up (nasa) bar and all, put them on his shoulders, and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron." (Jud. 16:1-4).

     The Gazites were cruel and greedy in their power, becoming impudent in strength and security, according to the meaning of their name, above. In a moment, by the nasa power of God in Samson, the first line of their defense - the gate of their city - was ripped up and carried away.

     There is no power in the hands of men that can withstand the nasa power of God that appears when men least expect it. The Gazites expected Samson to walk into their trap in the morning, but Samson rose at midnight instead. Jesus told His listeners: "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect." (Lk. 12:40, see also Mt. 25:6-13).

     Naso/nasa is glorious in its ascension power, as in the ascension of Jesus Messiah/Christ, but it also carries, lifts up, the holiness of God in all of its consuming nature. In order to lift up and carry the holy instruments of the LORD, the Levites were taken from among the children of Israel and cleansed with the sprinkling (naza - to spurt, spatter, sprinkle especially in expiation [atonement, making amends or reparation for guilt] from sin) of the water of purification. (Num. 8:5-7).

     We will see this same idea expressed in Isaiah 52:13-15 in a prophecy about the yet-to-be-born Messiah/Christ: "Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently; He shall be exalted and extolled (nasa - see above) and be very high. Just as many were astonished at you, so His visage was marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men; So shall He sprinkle (naza - see above) many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths at Him; for what had not been told them they shall see, and what they had not heard, they shall consider."

     We can say that the Levites foreshadowed those who would one day be sprinkled by Jesus, set apart to nasa carry, take, lift and bear up the holy things of God. We carry this treasure, the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, in earthen vessels, "that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us." (2 Cor. 4:6-7). We carry or take up these things as the tabernacles or holy temple of the Lord, filled with His Holy Spirit. (Eph. 2:19-22).

If you would like to know more about our purpose in carrying and taking up the holy things of God, you can pray with me: "LORD of all, You entrusted Your most holy things of Your tabernacle that represent the Person of Your Son into the hands of men, into my hands. Help me to understand through Your Word and by Your Spirit how this is to be present and manifested in my life. You are Most Holy, and You have made a way through Your Son for me to approach the glory and beauty of your holiness. Keep me from treating this as a common thing, or as "profane fire", but with the reverent awareness of what it cost You to bring me into your Presence through the sacrifice of Your only begotten Son, Jesus. 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.     

     

Light

      The title of this week's Sabbath reading portion is B'ha'alot'cha, which means "When you step up/go up" or "In your making go up". Last week we learned about ascension through the Hebrew word Naso/nasa, but this week, we will see another type of "going up", and it is amazing. The titles of the Sabbath portions are taken from the beginning of the reading for the week. Our reading begins in Numbers 8: "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron (aharon - "Light Bringer"), and say unto him, When thou lightest the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) lamps, the seven (seba/saba - seven, seven-fold, seventy, sacred fulness/to swear, adjure, oath, swear seven times, to swear of Jehovah by Himself) lamps (nir/nur - lamp, candle, light, break up soil, gleam or glisten of broken up soil/fire, to shine) shall give light over against (mol/mul + panim/pana - before, God-ward/circumcised, cut off, cut down + the face, presence, person countenance/regard, look at) the candlestick. And Aaron did so; he lighted the lamps thereof over against the candlestick (menora/manor - lamp stand/beam, yoke, carrying the heddles (looped cords) of a loom, the frame of a weaving loom), as the LORD commanded (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Moses." (Num. 8:1-3 KJV). In these verses, we don't see an immediate connection to this Sabbath's title B'ha'alot'cha, or "When you step up/go up"/"In your making go up", but it is there hidden by our English translation. Let's see where it is. 

     When the LORD commanded Aaron to "light" the lamps of the candlestick, the Hebrew word used is ala, meaning "come up, go up, ascend, exalted, offering, light, burn, to be taken up into, be inserted in, in going from a lower place to a higher, to be high and lifted up, come up before God, climb." Ala is also a root part of the title of this Sabbath reading portion from which it gets its meaning. The word ala is most often used to mean a "going up" rather than "to light." Considering the position that Aaron must place the lamps and himself according to the Hebrew words used, Aaron must "go up" "before/in front of" the lamp in order to "look at/regard" the Face/Countenance/Presence/Person of the "cut off"/covenant God. It is also interesting that the Hebrew root meaning of the menora lamp stand is associated with the parts of a weaving loom. The purpose of a loom is to knit together or join many different strands. The meaning of "Levite" is also "to be joined to". 

     What is the nature of the light as used here and associated with the menora candlestick? It is the Hebrew word or, meaning: "light, shine, enlighten, fire, glorious, kindle, break of day, to be or become light, to become lighted up, to make shine of the face, to enlighten the eyes of understanding regarding the law, to lighten that which was in darkness (see also Eph. 5:8-10, 1 Pet. 2:9)."

     For those who know Messiah/Christ, this brings to mind the fact that Jesus said that He is the Light of the world (Jn. 8:12), and His purpose is to join us or reconcile us back to God by redeeming us from our debt of sin and its penalty of death. He "wove" us back into God. Jesus called us to this same ministry in His name (Mt. 5:14-16, 2 Cor. 5:18-21), even as we are changed by facing and regarding His glory (light) in the same way that Aaron went up and positioned himself before the light of the Face of God (see 2 Cor. 3:17-18). Proverbs 16:15 says: "In the light of the king's face is life, and his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain." Are we looking into the face of glory? Have we been woven together with God through Jesus Messiah/Christ? In the seba/saba seven lamps of the candle stick, we also see the beautiful seven-fold oath that the LORD made by and on Himself. Within the meanings above, this oath is regarding the sacred fulness/perfection/stature of Himself provided in our salvation (see Eph. 4:12-13). At the same time, we are "joined and knit together" as a whole body in Him (see Eph. 4:11-16).

     Leviticus 24:2 says this about the golden lamp in the tabernacle: "Command the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) children of Israel that they bring (laqah - take, receive, fetch, bring, carry away, married, buy, take hold of, seize, acquire, procure, be taken in marriage -see also Mt. 25:1-10) to you pure (zak/zakak/zaka - clean, pure, righteous/be clean, be pure, be bright/justified) oil of pressed/beaten (katat - to beat, crush, break in pieces, bruise, violently strike, a sacrificial victim) olives for the light, to make the lamps burn continually." Like the olive oil of the Lamp, the Levites will also be made pure and clean for their service to the LORD.

     After Aaron has been commanded by the LORD through Moses regarding the lighting (ala - see above) of the lamps on the lampstand, the LORD then begins to command Moses regarding the cleansing (see zak/zakak/zaka above) of the Levites who will serve in the tabernacle: "Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Take the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Levites from among the children of Israel and cleanse them ceremonially. Thus you shall do to them to cleanse (taher - to make clean, pure, purge, to shine, be bright) them: Sprinkle water of purification (see Ezek. 36:25-27) on them and let them... so make themselves clean...And you shall bring the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Levites before the tabernacle of meeting, and you shall gather together the whole (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) congregation of the children of Israel. So you shall bring the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Levites before the LORD, and the children of Israel shall lay their (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) hands (yad - hand, power, consecrate, sign, monument, wrists, the hand of God, communicate the Spirit of God through the hand) on the Levites; and Aaron shall offer the Levites before the LORD like a wave offering (tenupa/nup - offering, wave offering/move to and fro, lift up, shake, sprinkle, swing in a sieve, to scatter or shake forth as rain or seed) from the children of Israel, that they may perform the work of the LORD....And you shall stand the Levites before Aaron ("Light Bringer") and his sons, and then offer them like a wave offering to the LORD. Thus you shall separate the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Levites from among the children of Israel, and the Levites shall be Mine...So you shall cleanse them and offer them like a wave offering. For they are wholly given to Me from among the children of Israel; I have taken them for Myself instead of all who open the womb, the firstborn of all the children of Israel." (Num. 8:5-16).

    The beaten olive oil used for the Lamp must be pure, as Aaron ascended before the Lamp to light it. The Levites set apart for the service of the LORD in the tabernacle must be cleansed and purified also so that they may shine and be bright (see taher above). They are to be offered before the LORD as a wave offering, which is an offering lifted up and waved back and forth. Light is also placed in a lifted up position in order to spread its illumination further. Jesus also told us, as light, to show our light lifted up and placed on a lampstand (Mt. 5:14-16).

     Paul also wrote of the connection between being sanctified, cleansed and washed, and the lifted up light of God: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify (hagiazo/agios - purify internally by renewing of the soul, separate from profane things, purify by expiation (blood) in order to free from the guilt of sin, to make holy/ and cleanse (katharizo - make clean, purge, purify, free from guilt of sin, to pronounce clean in a Levitical sense) her with the washing (loutron/louo - bathing, bath, baptism/to bathe the whole person rather than a part) of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious (endoxos/doxa - glory, splendor, brightness, magnificence, kingly majesty of the Messiah, exterior brightness (of angels), exalted state) church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." Eph. 5:25-27). Paul described marriage as a prophetic picture as well as the spiritual actuality of Christ's relationship with us as His church. It is a relationship that creates purity, glorious brightness and light. Are we, who claim to know Messiah/Christ, proclaiming/prophesying through our marriages this revelation about Him and His saving relationship with us?

     To me, the nature of a wave offering, with which the Levites were set apart for the LORD, has a prophetic significance imbedded in the Hebrew meaning of its word tenupa/nup. Part of that meaning includes "to scatter or shake forth as rain or seed". I believe that something prophetic is being scattered or dispersed as the wave offering is lifted overhead and moved from side to side. Let us look at the prophetic importance of being the lifted light associated with the golden lampstand, and the wave offering of the Levites to the LORD. In another portion from this Sabbath's reading in Zech. chapters two through 4, we see the golden lampstand again. However, first, Zechariah relates the vision that the LORD gave him. (Zech. 3:1-5). As (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Joshua stood before (panim - the face, countenance, presence of) the Angel of the LORD, he was clothed in filthy garments with Satan standing there to oppose him. The LORD rebuked Satan and affirmed His covenant oath to Jerusalem. The Angel of the LORD commanded regarding Joshua: "Take away the filthy garments from him." And to Joshua He said, "See I have removed your iniquity from you and I will clothe you in rich robes...Let them put a clean (taor/taher -see above also) - pure, clean, clear/to be clean, pure, to be bright, to shine) turban on his head." Then the LORD prophesies to Joshua: "For behold, I am bringing forth My (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) servant the BRANCH (semah/samah -shoot, sprout, also referring to the Messiah as a shoot of David)....and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day." (v. 8-9). The cleansing of Joshua also brings the prophetic/revelation light to Joshua and to us.

     After this vision, an angel woke Zechariah with another vision of "a lampstand of solid gold...Two olive trees are by it" that stood by the bowl at the top of the lamp and supplied its oil. Zechariah asked the angel for the meaning of the vision. (Zech. 4:1-4). The prophetic vision had an immediate application regarding the removal of seemingly unmovable obstacles and the finishing of the building of the temple by Zerubbabel by the grace of Spirit of the LORD. (v. 6-7, 9). Then Zechariah asked what the two olive trees/branches of the vision represented "that drip into the receptacles of the two gold pipes from which the golden oil drains?" The angel answered: "These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the LORD of the whole earth." (v. 11-14). We read of a very similar prophetic occurrence in the Book of Revelation.

     In Rev. 11, the Lord will give power to His two witnesses (martys - one who avers, or can aver, what he himself has seen or heard or knows by any other means) before the return of the Messiah/Christ. They will prophesy clothed in sackcloth. If any try to harm them, fire goes out from their mouths and destroys them. They have miraculous power to bring plagues and drought. When their prophetic witness is finished, they will be killed and the world will rejoice in their deaths. After three days, they will be raised from the dead and ascend into heaven. Their prophetic witness will be one of the last warnings before the return of Christ who will come with judgment against the enemies of God. These witnesses are described as "the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before (enopion - before, in the presence of, in the sight of, in the face of, to look at (see also panim/pana above) the God of the earth." (Rev. 11:3-13).

     If we want to fulfill our calling to shine, to be light, then we will have to "ala" in the Spirit, and go up before the face of God, which we have in Jesus, as He said: "He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me?..." (Jn. 8-10).

     If you would like to learn more about going up before the face of God, you can join me in my prayer:

"Heavenly Father, Father of Lights, You sent Your Son, Jesus, to be the Light of the World. You sent Him to cleanse me of my sins, and to wash me and clothe me in the shining glory of His righteousness. You have called me to be light as He is light, in His sacred fulness, and in His stature. Fill me with the pure oil of Your Holy Spirit and enlighten my understanding by Your Word so that I also can be the light of Your Face in the darkness. I ask these things in the name of Jesus. AMEN."

*NOTE: aleph-tav written in Hebrew as אֶת, are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The meaning of the two pictographic Hebrew letters can also be interpreted "Adonai (Lord) of the Cross/Covenant". In the New Testament, these letters are translated as Alpha and Omega written as Α Ω , 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.

Zadok

We have been reading in the Book of Leviticus, which means "of the Levites" from the Latin. In Hebrew, this third Book of the Bible is called Va-yikra, which translates to "and He (the LORD) called". The Law that God gave to Moses to bring to the people of Israel is included in this Book, as well as the ministry of the priests and the Levites (the tribe of priests) who served in the tabernacle of God. We who believe in the Messiah, or Christ, Jesus, are also called to a priesthood before God (1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10), as has been mentioned previously, so we will see what we can learn about the priesthood from this week's readings. This week's Sabbath reading portion titled Emor meaning ""say", covers Leviticus chapters 23 and 24. What is Moses to say to the children of Israel at the command of the LORD? The LORD gave feasts to His people to observe at appointed times of the year. He commanded that these feasts were to be kept throughout all generations: "And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts." (Lev. 23:1-2). We may sometimes have difficulty relating to the Feasts of the LORD, however, the Feasts have a special quality and meaning that I think certainly applies to us and the world today. There are Feasts that take place in the spring, and Feasts that are appointed for the Fall, or harvest time. First mentioned of the Feasts is the Sabbath (Lev. 23:3). The Sabbath is treated as foundational to all of the Feasts. The identity of the Messiah is revealed in the Feasts. In the verses above, the LORD calls His Feasts holy. If we look at the meanings of the Hebrew words used in the two verses above from Lev. 23:1-2, we will find that these Feasts also are "appointed times to assemble and meet with the LORD, a fixed time for a betrothal, for an engagement in marriage between God and His people, summoned, called by name, invited, bidding of His guests to come to a rehearsal for future events, appointed assemblies where one will encounter God in an unexpected way". All of these qualities of the appointed Feasts of the LORD are very important in meaning, as we can see,, and not to be missed. These are the appointed holy Feasts of the LORD to which we are summoned by name: Passover-Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah), Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), Feast of Tabernacles (Succoth)/Simchat Torah (see Lev. 23 for details). We will see that not only were these Feasts established by God, but they played a role in supernatural events between God and Israel. The priesthood ministered during these feasts, and played an important role in miraculous encounters with God. Our priesthood in Christ should also lead others into saving, supernatural encounters with the God of our salvation. In one of this week's Sabbath readings, Psalm 81, the writer, Asaph, the chief Levite singer under King David, called God's people to return to Him. Asaph's name means "gatherer, to gather together", which is appropriate, as he issued an invitation from God for His people to gather together again, and meet Him at His feasts: "Sing aloud to God our strength...Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon, at the full moon, on our solemn feast day. For this is a statute for Israel, a law of the God of Jacob." (v. 1, 3). The LORD said: "You called in trouble,and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place (seter/satar - hiding place, covering, protection, shelter/concealed, hide oneself carefully) of thunder (ra'am - thunder, display of might, the whole circuit of the divine power)...". (v. 7). The "secret place of thunder" to me, is represented by Succoth, the Feast of Tabernacles, in which God instructs His people to build booths (enclosed coverings) out of the lovliest tree branches, and spend seven days within them. In its way, it is an intimate "secret place" under His green branches to meet with God, where He will display Himself within His provision of the finest fruits of the land. The booths built of camouflaging branches also represent the marriage canopy under which the bride and groom are joined together. It represents the place where God meets His bride, Israel, and Christ meets His bride, the believers. The LORD refers again to this shelter, His secret place, in Psalm 91: "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." (v. 1). Asaph the Levite is saying to us, "Do you need to return to God? He is waiting for you to meet Him in the secret place." This is also to be our message to others as the priests of Christ. In another Sabbath reading portion, the priest, Ezra, with the governor, Nehemiah, led the people of Jerusalem back to God after their return from a heartbreaking exile. They had been exiled from the land in the first place because they had exiled their hearts from God. The revival of their relationship with God followed their observance of Succoth, the Feast of Tabernacles (Neh. 8). Israel had not observed the Feast since the time of Joshua (v. 17), even though the LORD had commanded His people to meet with Him in His Feasts throughout all of their generations. When Ezra the priest read the law to all of the people, and the Levites helped the people to understand its meaning, the people wept in repentance for not keeping the Word of the LORD (Neh. 8:9). This reading before the people was done on the first day of the seventh month (v. 2), which would have been the Feast of Trumpets, a day that "is holy to the LORD your God." The people then began to gather what they would need in order to keep the coming Feast of Tabernacles. Again Ezra the priest gathered the people to explain what was required to observe the Feast so that they would understand (v. 13). He instructed the people to announce to everyone in Jerusalem and the other cities: "Go out to the mountain, and bring olive branches, branches of oil trees, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written." (v. 15). After keeping the Feast of Tabernacles with very great gladness, the people were assembled, and entered into repentance confessing their sins, and the sins of their fathers, and they read the Book of the Law (Neh. 9:1-3). When we meet God in His secret place, our hearts are touched not only by His divine Almighty power on our behalf, but also His loving mercy towards us. The Levites (levi/lava - joined to, attached/abide, to unite, to cleave to), standing on the stairs (ma'ale/ala - ascent, lofty place/come up, offer, light, cause to ascend), again led the people by lifting up their voices and proclaiming the greatness of God, and the re-dedication of His people to their covenant with Him (Neh. 9:4-38). The Levites were positioned in the Spirit, joined to the LORD in a lofty place (the stairs), to cause the people to "come up" or ascend in praise and re-dedication. This is what we also can bring to the people as the priests, the joined ones to the LORD, who stand in the lofty place. In another reading from this week's Sabbath, King Solomon has just completed the newly built Temple of God in Jerusalem. He was ready for the furnishings to be brought in. Solomon assembled all of the elders of Israel in Jerusalem to bring up the ArK of the Covenant into the new temple: "The Levites took up the ark...the priests and the Levites brought them (the furnishings) up...Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the temple, to the Most Holy place, under the wings of the cherubim." (2 Chron. 5:1-7, excerpt). Only the priests and Levites were allowed to bear the ark and the other vessels of the LORD. All of these furnishings represent the identity of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, in their prpose before God. Only the priesthood of saints carry the physical presence of Christ before the people, not with hands of flesh, but, as the Levites did, using spiritual poles or staves (bad/badad - a part of the body [see 1 Cor. 12:27], branch [see John 15:5]/to separate oneself, be separate [see Rom. 12:1-2]). Scripture tells us that the placement of the ark in the temple occurred on one of the Feasts of the LORD that is appointed for the seventh month (2 Chron. 5:3). Because all of the men of Israel were assembled with the king in Jerusalem, it was most likely the Feast of Tabernacles. The job of the Levites and priests was not done yet, however: "the priests...and the Levites who were the singers...stood at the east end of the altar, clothed in white linen, having cymbals, stringed instruments and harps, and with them one hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets - indeed it came to pass when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound...saying, "For He (the LORD) is good, and His mercy endures forever', that the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering...for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God." (v. 11-14, excerpt). The united voice and instruments of the priests and Levites ushered in the manifestation of the glory of God. No wonder the spirits of darkness have done all that they can to keep the members of the priesthood of believers in Christ from being unified in sound. The instruments mentioned above have these meanings in Hebrew: "sounded, surround with a stockade, separated from the open country, call aloud, proclamation, to call together, to quiver with vibration, a vessel, a weapon, a jewel, armor, to finish, end, accomplish, fulfill, destroy". This alone should teach us a great deal about our priesthood, if we will seek it. Finally, this week, the Sabbath portion brought us to a prophetic vision in Ezekiel chapter 44. Ezekiel received a vision from the LORD of a temple, unlike any temple that had existed before. He saw an eastern outer gate of the temple that the LORD Himself had entered. According to the prophetic vision, the same gate will be used only by "the prince", who will be able to sit in the gate and eat bread before the LORD (Ezek. 44:1-3). The Eastern Gate is associated with the appearing of Messiah, the Prince of Peace, whom we know to be Jesus Christ. Daniel the prophet also wrote of the Messiah to come as "the Prince" (Dan. 9:25). Also connected to this temple of Ezekiel's vision will be a new priesthood. The LORD explained to Ezekiel: "But the priests, the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary when the children of Israel went away from Me, they shall come near Me to minister to Me; and they shall stand before Me to offer to Me the fat and the blood,' says the LORD God. 'They shall enter My sanctuary, and they shall come near My table to minister to Me, and they shall keep My charge." (Ezek. 44:15-16). The Zadok priests were to eat only of the holy sacrifices made to the LORD (Ezek. 44:29-31, Lev. 22:7-8)). In Ezekiel's vision, the Levites had become so corrupted by idolatry that they were no longer fit to minister before the LORD, and their corruption had caused all of the house of Israel to fall into iniquity: "...therefore I have raised My hand in an oath against them,' says the LORD God, 'that they shall bear their iniquity. And they shall not come near Me to minister to Me as priest, nor come near any of My holy things, nor into the Most Holy Place; but they shall bear their shame and their abominations which they have committed..." (v. 12-13). Priests who minister before God cannot be covered with abominations and iniquity, neither then nor now. What is the meaning behind the new Zadok priesthood who will be accepted by the LORD? Zadok/sadak in Hebrew means "righteous, just/cleansed, justified, save, to absolve, to acquit, to purge oneself". Malachi also wrote prophetically of a priesthood, purified, purged and refined by the Messiah Himself so that they may be able to minister in righteousness. (Mal. 3:2-3). Speaking in the same meaning as the Zadok priesthood, Paul wrote of those who have turned away from sin and come to Christ: "...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. 6:11). The Zadok priests of Ezekiel's vision will be clothed in linen garments as they minister before the LORD (Ezek. 44:17). The Book of Revelation speaks of the Bride of the Lamb (Jesus) being "arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright for the fine linen is the righteousness (sadak in Hebrew) of the saints." (Rev. 19:8). The Zadok priesthood was given a specific charge by the Word of the LORD in the vision of Ezekiel: "And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy (see Lev. 22) and the unholy, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. In controversy they shall stand as judges, and judge it according to My judgments. They shall keep My laws and My statutes in all My appointed meetings (Feasts), and they shall hallow My sabbaths...I am their inheritance...I am their possession." (Ezek. 44:23-24, 28, see also Eph. 1:13-14, 17-23). The Zadok priesthood of righteousness appears to be very similar to our priesthood in Christ. Handel wrote a glorious piece of music titled "Zadok the Priest". Called one of the most triumphant moments in classical music, I recommend a listen to Handel's "Zadok the Priest", if you have a chance. This Sabbath's reading portion taught me something new about not only the Feasts of the LORD, but especially about the ministry of the priesthood before God and the people. If you would like to learn more about these holy things of God, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your desire to meet with Your people at appointed times, and to manifest Your greatness before them. You have created a place where we can come to You in the tabernacle of Christ's salvation in the beauty of holiness, where we can dwell all the days of our lives. Through Your Son, You have called me to a priesthood to minister to You and the people by the Holy Spirit, handling the holy things of God, teaching others Your Word so that they can understand, in unity ushering in the glory of God. You have given me linen garments of righteousness, not by any works that I do, but by the sacrifice of Your Son of righteousness, Jesus. You only are my inheritance and my possession. I pray these things in the name of Jesus, AMEN."

Sanctification

This week's Sabbath reading titled B'ha'alot'cha, meaning "When you step up or go up", sent me on a journey into sanctification, and what it means in my walk as a believer in Christ. Although this reading begins in Numbers 8, the story of sanctification begins earlier. When the LORD was about to release the tenth plague upon the Egyptians, death of the firstborn in every household, He also had to set apart the firstborn of the children of Israel: "For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast...Now the blood (of the lamb, see Ex. 12:7) shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt." (Ex. 12:12-13). The LORD set apart from the plague, or sanctified, the firstborn of Israel by the sign of the blood of the Passover Lamb. All other firstborn in Egypt were destroyed. This plague broke the stubborn will of Pharaoh, and he let the Hebrews leave Egypt. The concept of protection through sanctification was also revealed by David in praying to the LORD concerning his enemies: "But know that the LORD has set apart (pala - sever, separated, put a difference, marked out, be distinguished from) for Himself him who is godly; the LORD will hear when I call to Him...For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." (Ps. 4:3, 8). We can also see the meaning of sanctification as protection in the new covenant as well: "...To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved (tereo -to guard from loss or injury, hold fast, keep) in Jesus Christ." (Jude 1:1). The word "sanctified" above, is the Greek word hagiazo meaning "to separate from profane things and dedicate to God, to purify by expiation, to free from the guilt of sin, to purify internally by renewing of the soul". At its root meaning, "sanctified" has to do with celebrating, dancing, making a holiday, and keeping a feast. So we also see that keeping the feasts of the LORD is part of the sanctification, or setting apart, of His people. As we turn to Numbers 8, we will see the LORD do a new work concerning those of the firstborn of Israel who had been set apart or sanctified in Egypt. In this Sabbath reading portion, the LORD will redeem or replace with the Levites those firstborn of Israel who had been set apart in Egypt. The Levites were to be like a wave offering (v. 11) before the LORD in order to set them apart: "For they are wholly given to Me from among the children of Israel; I have taken them for Myself instead of all who open the womb, the firstborn of all the children of israel. For all the firstborn...are Mine...on the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them to Myself. I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn of the children of Israel." (Num. 8:16-18). The LORD connected the original setting apart, or sanctification, of the firstborn of Israel with the time of the plague of death in Egypt. Another important point to learn about sanctification is that we are set apart, like the Levites (see v. 15), for service unto the LORD. Regarding this sanctification and service connection, Paul wrote, "Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter (dishonor), he will be a vessel of honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work." (2 Tim. 2:20-21). Good works unto the LORD come out of our sanctification. Like the Levites we have been offered unto the Lord in sanctification according to Paul: "...that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the Gospel of God, that the offering (consisting) of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit." (Rom. 15:16, see also the prophecy in Isa. 66:20). Here is another point to learn about my sanctification - according to Isaiah's prophetic word, and Paul's fulfilling ministry, I was sanctified or set apart by the Holy Spirit in order to be an offering to God, as the Levites were. This holds an important meaning which we may not have considered. Paul wrote of this again in Rom. 12:1 when he told us to "present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service (logikos latrreia - pertaining to the soul: perform sacred services and worship to God according to the sayings of God; to officiate and discharge the priest's sacred office)". As we look further into the sanctification found in this Sabbath's reading, we are told Zechariah's vision of Joshua the High Priest in Zech. 3: "...Joshua (Yehoshua - "Jehovah is Salvation") the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan (satan - adversary, withstand, resist, oppose, attack, accuse, lie in wait) was standing at his right hand to oppose (satan) him." (v. 1). The Hebrew word satan appears several times in scripture describing a lying, cursing, speaker of words of hatred without cause, rendering evil for good, not showing mercy (see Ps. 38, Ps. 109, Ps. 71, Ps. 109). Ps. 109:18-20, a Psalm of David, says, using the word satan: "As he clothed himself as cursing as with his garment, so let it enter his body like water, and like oil into his bones. Let it be to him like the garment which covers him...Let this be the LORD's reward to my accusers, and to those who speak evil against my person." So Satan is standing on Joshua the high priest's right side, and Joshua is covered in excrement-filled filthy garments (Zech. 3:3). He is wearing the garments of lying accusation and cursing that has been put upon him by Satan, as he opposed Joshua before the LORD. However, Joshua is standing before the Angel (malak - king, representative) of the LORD. This upper case title is used in reference to the pre-incarnate Messiah, Jesus Christ, who appeared throughout scripture before His physical birth. And the LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke (ga'ar - restrain and deter from wicked efforts) you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?" (v. 2). Joshua had been set apart from those who were meant for the fire. He had been plucked out (nasal - deliver, recover, escape, take out, snatch away, rescue, preserve, deliver from sin and guilt) of it. The LORD then orders to have the filthy garments removed from Joshua, and to be clothed instead "with rich robes (mahalasot/halas - robes of state, splendid or costly garments, a garment for a special occasion/armed, army, prepared, to be equipped (for war), make strong, despoil an enemy, plunder)". (v. 4). "...and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the LORD stood by." (v. 5). The Angel began to admonish (ud - relieve, restore, bear witness, surround, go round and round, say again and again, testify, invoke, affirm solemnly) Joshua: "Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'If you will walk in My ways, and if you will keep My command, then you shall also judge My house, and likewise have charge of My courts; I will give you places to walk among these who stand here." (v. 6-7). Then the Angel of the LORD prophesied the coming of the Messiah to Joshua: "...For behold, I am bringing forth My Servant the BRANCH (semah - sprout, shoot (of Messiah from Davidic tree)." (v. 8). No wonder Satan had tried to oppose Joshua the high priest! He was to stand before the Angel of the LORD and receive a prophecy of the coming of the Messiah. Joshua and his companions were to be "a wondrous sign" of this prophecy (v. 8). As a high priest, Joshua would have been one who was set apart, sanctified, for his office. He stood before his Sanctifier, as the lies of Satan were rebuked from off of him. We also have been sanctified in Christ Jesus (1 Cor. 1:2). The Book of Hebrews teaches us more about our sanctification: "By that we will have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all...For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren...For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified." (Heb. 10:10, 2:11, 10:14). If you would like to know and experience more of or sanctification through Christ, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, You have given Your Son as a sacrifice of sanctification for me. You have set me apart from out of the people to serve You in Your spiritual house. You have rebuked Satan, removed my filthy garments, and clothed me in rich robes of office. You, the LORD who chooses Jerusalem, have sanctified me for a wondrous sign of the appearance of Your Servant, the BRANCH of David, Jesus. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and Your Word, so that I can learn to walk in Your sanctification. I ask these things in the name of my Sanctifier, Jesus, AMEN."