SpiritLight

      The title of this week's Sabbath reading portion is Mikketz, which means, "at the end of." The title comes from the first verse of the reading in Genesis 41: "Then it came to pass, at the end of (qes/qasas - end, after, end of time or space, an extremity, utmost border/cut off, cut in pieces, cut asunder, chop off, amputate, cut away) two (sana - second time, again, repeat, do again, alter, change, to transmute, to be other, those who change, change oneself) full years, that Pharaoh had a dream..." (v. 1). Since this verse says that it is the end of two years, it must be at the door of the third year.

     If we look at the Hebrew meanings above, something important is about to happen. A great change has occurred, not only a change in circumstance but also a change in the people involved, including Joseph. After two years in Pharaoh's dungeon, Joseph's reputation for interpreting dreams will cause his release. He will be brought before Pharaoh to interpret Pharaoh's dreams. After two years in the dungeon (bor/bur/ba'ar - pit, cistern, dungeon, prison, sepulcher, fountain, well/examine, make clear, prove, bore into, declare, search out/make plain, make clear, distinct, letters on a tablet, engrave, declare), Joseph was filthy and had to be cleaned, shaved, and given appropriate clothes to wear for an audience before Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. (v. 14-15). Pharaoh was so troubled by his dreams that he was willing to bring a Hebrew slave up from his dungeon and into his presence to ask for his help.

     From the Hebrew meaning for "dungeon," above, we can see that the place of the pit or the grave became a place of change for Joseph. Joseph was spiritually examined and proven in that place. The tomb of the dungeon then became a spiritual well or fountain for Joseph. Out of the pit or grave where he had been forgotten, Joseph would become a tablet written with letters (see bor/bur/ba'ar above) that will declare and exalt the LORD.

     As Joseph was asked to interpret Pharaoh's dreams, he answered: "It is not me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace." (v. 16). After hearing Pharaoh's dreams and giving Pharaoh the interpretation that God had shown him, Joseph was viewed by Pharaoh and his court as "a man in whom is the Spirit of God....there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my (Pharaoh's) house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word..." (v. 37-40).

     A change in circumstances, and a change in apparel occurs again as Pharaoh appointed Joseph into leadership over the nation of Egypt: "Then Pharaoh took his (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) signet ring (taba'at/taba' - a seal, a seal-ring, signet ring/to sink, to press in, to impress a seal, to seal, to dip into, to immerse, plunged) off his hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen (ses/sayis - fine linen, bleached white, alabaster/to bleach, to whiten, alabaster, marble) and put a gold chain (collar) around his neck." (v. 42).

      The LORD not only used Joseph to prophesy through dream interpretations, but the pattern that I see here says to me that God also used Joseph to prophesy death and resurrection, not only the resurrection of His Son, Jesus from the pit of death, but also the resurrection of all of those who see and believe in Jesus: "And this is the will of Him who sent Me (Jesus), that everyone who sees (theoreo - look at and intensively acknowledge, behold, consider, perceive with the eyes, discern, ascertain) the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day." (Jn. 6:40). How can we "see" Jesus as mentioned in this verse? We "see" Him through the hearing of the Gospel, the revelation of Him through the Word of God, and our encounter with Him through the Holy Spirit. He is just as visible to us in this manner as if we could reach out and touch Him. We see Him with the eyes of our souls and our spirits.

     Joseph was changed or altered spiritually and in appearance (see sana above) after he was brought up from the pit early in the third year, and Jesus was altered physically and spiritually (see Phil. 2:5-11) after He rose from death early on the morning of the third day. He then appeared to His disciples in His changed body. We also will be changed or altered. (see Jn. 20:19-22, 1 Cor. 15:42-44 and 52-55).

     Pharaoh acknowledged the Spirit of God upon Joseph's life, and we also have the "sealing" by the signet ring, which includes the meaning (see taba'at/taba' above) of being immersed or dipped into, reminding us of baptism. When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, a dove, which John identified as the Holy Spirit, descended from heaven and remained upon Jesus. John said, "This is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. And I have seen (horao - see with the eyes, perceive, to know by experience, to look, pay heed to, discern clearly) ..." (see Jn. 1:32-34).

      As with Joseph, it is the Holy Spirit that not only raised Jesus from the dead, but raises us also. (see Rom. 8:11). It is the Holy Spirit that "seals" (see taba'at/taba' above) us in our resurrection inheritance: "In Him (Jesus) you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory." (Rom. 1:13-14).

     Joseph was clothed by Pharaoh in fine linen, as Pharaoh perceived the Spirit of God in Joseph and elevated him in authority. Egyptian linen was and is still known as the finest, most luxurious linen in the world. The dressing of Joseph in fine linen is a prophetic shadow of how our King, the Lord, robes us His saints. The beautiful pure white linen with which He robes us represents the salvation covering of His righteousness upon us. These white linen garments are also associated with the marriage between the Bride and Bridegroom, which also reflects our relationship with Christ as His Bride. (see Isa. 61:10, Rev. 19:6-9).

     We see again the power and purpose of the Holy Spirit in another reading from this Sabbath's Mikketz, "at the end of" portion. The following is included in this Sabbath's reading because this Sabbath takes place while Hanukkah, the eight-day Festival of Lights (Dedication) is taking place. This feast remembers the miracle of God that extended the oil supply necessary to keep the Menorah Lamp in the temple burning for eight days instead of one day. The "eighth day" appears often in scripture and always carries the establishment of an important and powerful principle or event with God.

     This Sabbath reading portion is from Zech. 4:1-7. Zechariah received the vision from the LORD of a solid gold, seven-branched lampstand or menorah, with a continuous supply of olive oil flowing directly from two olive trees standing on each side of it. Zechariah is told that this vision, and the meaning of the vision is to be delivered to Zerubbabel, who was the governor and leader of the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem after the Israelites were miraculously returned from captivity in Babylon, as was previously prophesied. The progress in rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem had been torturously slow, with little progress made and opposition all around. This was the prophetic message to Zerubbabel: "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts. 'Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of 'Grace (hen - well-favored, grace, acceptance, good-will), grace to it!" 

     The Holy Spirit, represented by the gold lamp of the vision, would accomplish by His unlimited power what man had not been able to accomplish. The seven branches of the Lamp are the eyes of the LORD scanning the whole earth. (v. 10). The Holy Spirit is the voice of "grace" in the message to Zerubbabel. The Holy Spirit in the mouth of Zerubbabel would take the mountain of opposition and raise up the *Messiah/Christ capstone from it (see *note below). Transformation, change, alteration, transmutation (see sana above) - what once was, will be changed by the Holy Spirit into what is to be, according to the will of God. There is also the force of "grace" in this message to Zerubbabel.

     Have we limited our concept of "grace"? Our understanding of grace should also include the power to change what is an obstacle to God's will, the mountain, into what is approved and acceptable to God, in this case, the beloved Capstone that is His Son, Jesus. (see Ps. 118:22-24, Mt. 21:42, Acts 4:10-12, Eph. 2:19-22, 1 Pet. 2:4-10). Grace changed us from being unacceptable to accepted by God: "...that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace..." (see Eph. 1:3-8). Grace contains the glory and riches of God, as this verse reveals. If we truly believe that grace has the power to change the unacceptable into the accepted before God, then we should be believing, speaking and praying "Grace, grace" to all of creation, especially to that which stands in opposition to the will of God. Jesus came full of grace and truth. (Jn. 1:14). Speaking "Grace" is like speaking the name and essence of Jesus. 

     Do we only view the Holy Spirit as the Giver of spiritual gifts? Jesus said that the Holy Spirit glorifies Him, Jesus, and takes what is His and declares it to us. (see Jn. 16:13-14). We can believe for the Holy Spirit to glorify Jesus Christ in the whole earth, and to declare the things of Christ to us, and to those being saved. Paul wrote that the Holy Spirit bears witness with our inner spirit that we are children of God, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. (see Rom. 8:16).  Paul again wrote that the Holy Spirit testifies to our inner spirit and hearts from which He cries out, "Abba, Father!" on our behalf, making us sons and heirs of God through Christ. (see Gal. 4:6). The Holy Spirit is part of the Three in heaven, Father, Son and Spirit, that bear witness of truth in heaven, and the Holy Spirit and the water and blood of Christ as one bear witness of the truth of Christ here on earth. (see 1 Jn. 5:6-12). All of the gifts, witnessing and testifying of the Holy Spirit in and through the believer in Jesus Christ (the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit of fire), serve the purpose, glory, and truth of Jesus Christ to all the earth. In the form of the Golden Lampstand of God as seen in the vision above, the Holy Spirit identified in the message to Zerubbabel, is the flame of the Light of the world, the unending oil that supplies the flame of the Light of the world, and the Lampstand which lifts up, elevates and exalts the Light of the world, which is Christ and Christ in us. That Light of the world is the Light that overcomes the darkness of a long, cold winter night. It is the Light of creation and life. It is the Light of hope that all things are possible with God, to be held up high for all to be able to see. (Ps. 18:27-28, Isa. 42:6-7, Mt. 4:16, Mt. 5:14-16, Rev. 21:23-24).

Joseph's gift, as a man with the Spirit of God, testified to Pharaoh and all Egypt that the LORD is the only God, and that he, Joseph, knew God, and the spiritual gift in Joseph, the filthy Hebrew slave brought up out of the pit by the grace/favor and Spirit of God, was used to testify of God, and not of any man. (Gen. 41:16). How much more can a called-out assembly of millions of believers in Jesus, both Jews and Gentiles, full of the Holy Spirit and as witnesses to the grace of God through Christ, be used by God for His purpose? The mind boggles! As we think of the miracles, especially the birth of our Savior, Jesus, of this time of year, let us bring new wonder and worship to the Lord for all that He has done.

     If you would like to learn more about the Spirit and grace of God, and the Light that shines through every darkness, you can join my prayer: "Heavenly Father and glorious King, especially in this season, help me to understand, speak, pray, and walk in a deeper understanding of Your Holy Spirit and Your grace, given to us through the sacrifice of Your own Son, Jesus. Help me to understand by Your Word and Spirit as a light to my eyes, how the Spirit's testimony that I am a child of God and a joint-heir with Christ is not meant to be consumed on myself, but is to be used to glorify You, Your Son, and Your Spirit. You assigned Hanukkah and Christmas to occur during a season of darkened days for a reason. Help me to walk in the gift of Your grace in a manner that shines Your Light into 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 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. 

Spirit

      This week's Sabbath reading portion is titled Mikketz, meaning "at the end of". This reading comes on the Sabbath after Hanukkah, and also after Christmas this year. 

     Have you ever been "at the end of " yourself where trying circumstances have wearied and discouraged you? When the promise of God seems to be out of reach? One of the people written about in this Sabbath portion might have been feeling that way. His name was Zerubbabel.

     Judah and Jerusalem had been held in captivity in Babylon for seventy years when they were released and allowed to return to Jerusalem, which is also what the prophet Jeremiah had prophesied would happen. The first returnees had come back to Jerusalem and had a huge re-building project ahead of them because Jerusalem had been left in ruins when the Babylonians had laid siege to it. Zerubbabel was in charge of building the (second) temple of the LORD.

     Zerubbabel was among the captives who first returned to Jerusalem. He was also the grandson of the nineteenth and last king of Judah, named Jehoiachin. Jehoiachin became king when he was eighteen years old, and three months into his reign, the Babylonians took Jerusalem, and the king along with many inhabitants of Jerusalem were taken into captivity to Babylon (2 Kings 24:8-12, 15). Jehoiachin was imprisoned there for thirty-seven years until it was discovered that he was a king, and he was not only released from prison, but exalted above all other kings who were held captive (2 Kings 25:27-30). Now, at the end of this time of captivity, this king's grandson, Zerubbabel, had returned to Jerusalem with the other miraculously freed captives.

     The building of the temple, of which Zerubbabel was in charge, was experiencing extremely slow progress. There was great opposition from the local population of adversaries outside of Jerusalem who did all that they could to halt the restoration work (see Ezra 4:1-5). Then there came a stunning prophecy from Zechariah that we read in this week's Mikketz Sabbath portion. This prophecy not only empowered Zerubbabel's building of the temple, but it will give us insight into Jesus' all-powerful anointing, as well as having an impact on end time events before the return of Christ.

     Perhaps Zerubbabel's struggle to build the temple in Jerusalem, and his eventual spiritual empowerment is reflected in the meaning of Zerubbabel's name. The general meaning is "sown in Babylon". However, if we break the name down into its parts, we find the word zarab, which means "to make narrow [like a stream that dries up], perish, pour out, flow off, dry up, flow away." The second half of his name is the word babel, which means "confusion, to mix, fade away." However, the root word, according to the Concordance, balal, means, "fresh oil, to overflow with oil, anoint." From his name, perhaps Zerubbabel was a man who was spiritually drained and overwhelmed, maybe even discouraged, but there is a root pointing to the anointing (of oil) of God. Isaiah wrote this about the anointing of God: "It shall come to pass in that day that his (the Assyrian's) burden will be taken away from your shoulder, and his yoke (ol - yoke, of servitude and calamity) from your neck, and the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil." (Isa. 10:27). The title given to Jesus of "Messiah/Christ", for example, refers to "the anointing, the anointed One", and He does indeed break the yoke of sin and death off of our lives. The anointing of God changes everything, even the whole world, as we will see.

     The prophecy of Zechariah, which would have an impact on Zerubbabel's work and the future, began with an unusual vision from the LORD: "Now the angel...wakened me...and he said to me, 'What do you see?' So I said, 'I am looking, and there is a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps. The two olive trees are by it (see also Ps. 52:8), one on the right of the bowl and the other at its left.' So I answered and spoke to the angel who talked to me, saying, 'What are these, my lord?' Then the angel...answered...'Do you not know what these are?' And I said, 'No, my lord.' So he answered and said to me: 'This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts. 'Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) capstone with shouts of 'Grace, grace to it!' Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying: 'The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands shall also finish it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you. For who has despised the day of small things?..." (Zech. 4:1-10, excerpt).

     According to the vision, there are two living olive trees that continually supply the seven lamps on the golden candlestand, or menorah, with oil. This Sabbath reading portion comes in the middle of the celebration of Hanukkah, or Festival of Lights, a miracle involving the multiplication of the oil for the menorah in the temple many generations previously. The seven lamps represent the seven eyes of the LORD which scan/run to and fro throughout the whole earth (v. 10). To us, the oil of the Lampstand represents the Holy Spirit who searches all things of God. Paul wrote: "But God has revealed them (the hidden wisdom) to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God...Even so, no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God...Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God." (1 Cor. 2:10-12, see also Jn. 14:26).

     This prophetic word from Zechariah to Zerubbabel is one of the prophecies credited in scripture as being the reason for the successful building of the temple no matter what rose up to try to block it: "So the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo (meaning "His witness"). And they built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the command of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia." (Ezra 6:14).

      As we saw how the spiritual anointing (of oil) revived and empowered Zerubbabel to complete the building of the house of the LORD, scripture tells us that Jesus was this anointing and was filled with this anointing (and light) of the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist said this about Jesus after he saw the Spirit rest upon Jesus in the form of a dove (see Mt. 3:16-17): "For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God [proclaiming the Father’s own message]; for God gives the [gift of the] Spirit without measure [generously and boundlessly]!" (Jn. 3:34 Amplified Version).

 

     Paul also wrote of Jesus, warning the church not to be deceived by the philosophies of men: "For in Him (Jesus) dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily; and so you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power." (Col. 2:8-9). The Godhead spoken of here by Paul also includes with the Son, Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit. As Paul also indicated, this same fulness dwells in us as we are in Jesus. Jesus Himself gave to His disciples the Holy Spirit prophetically (Jn. 20:21-23), and then in manifestation in the Upper Room after His resurrection and ascension (Acts 2:1-4), and it wasn't just for the original twelve disciples but for every believer in Christ (Acts 19:1-7).

     .

     Do we understand what this gift received from Jesus Christ, the Anointed One, of the anointing of the Holy Spirit really means in our lives? Some believers are actually taught that the full anointing of the Holy Spirit is not for them, and that it is no longer needed. How sad and wasteful of the power of God! Some believers believe in the receiving of the Holy Spirit but limit the meaning of the receiving of the Holy Spirit's anointing to operating in spiritual gifts. However, it means even more than that. The anointing is the same anointing that destroys the yoke of which Isaiah prophesied. It is the same anointing and Holy Spirit that destroyed every obstacle standing in the way of the will of God, as it did for Zerubbabel, and created a headstone out of that same obstacle with joyful shouts of "Grace, grace!" to it. I believe that same "headstone" of the temple/house of God built by Zerubbabel with "grace" attached to it was a prophetic reference to the Messiah/Christ, Jesus, as Peter said (Acts 4:11-12 ), and is also named as the Head over all things, and over all things pertaining to His Church of believers (Eph. 1:22). Why would we want to limit the fulness of the Holy Spirit in our lives? Christ certainly did not limit the Spirit. It is even the same Spirit that raised Him from the dead! (see Rom. 8:9-11). I hope in the same resurrection for myself, don't you? Then we need to thank the Holy Spirit Who is to dwell in each of us, and the One Who baptizes us in the Holy Spirit, Jesus the Anointed One (Mt. 3:11-12).

     From this same prophecy of Zechariah's also comes a time-changing and world-changing event in the days before the return of Jesus, which, according to what we are seeing happening now, could be very soon.

     

       The prophet Zechariah received an explanation from the angel who brought him the vision regarding the two olive trees and the two olive branches that drip oil into the receptacle of the golden lampstand:  "Then he answered me and said, 'Do you not know what these are?'   And I said, 'No, my lord.' So he said, 'These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth."  (Zech. 4:"12-14).

     The Book of Revelation mentions the coming of two witnesses, who are also prophets, who are sent to testify in the last days before Christ's return: "And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.' These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth." (Rev. 11:3-4).

     The purpose of these two witnesses, who are associated with the olive oil anointing, is so important that they are given great power and authority, and able to do signs and plagues. Although the beast of the bottomless pit will make war against them and kill them, after three and one-half days: "the Holy Spirit/breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them...And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them." (v. 7-12). 

     This anointing that destroys the yoke, as Isaiah described it, gave the two witnesses power and authority from heaven, and we see the power of resurrection from the Holy Spirit raise them up as well. The witness of these two prophets will be one of the last chances that dwellers on earth in those days will get to hear and receive the Gospel that will save them.

     The LORD is building His spiritual house of living souls redeemed by His Son (see Eph. 2:19-22, 1 Peter 2:5-8) and nothing will stand in the way of that, as Zerubbabel found out.

     If you would like to find out more about the anointing that destroys the yoke, and the work of the Holy Spirit in us, you can pray with me: "Our Father, You sent Your Son, Jesus the Anointed One, to save me and baptize me with Your Spirit. Help me, Lord, not to limit the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit, but to walk in that infilling according to Your Word. Remove any self-righteous spirit from me that takes pride in the humbling gift of Your Spirit in me. As David prayed, "Do not take Your Holy Spirit from me" (Ps. 51:11). Help me not to grieve the Holy Spirit by walking in sin. Give me ears to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to me in order to teach and guide me in the Words of Jesus. I ask this in Jesus' name. 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. 

     

RulingWisdom

      The apostle Paul said of the Church at Corinth: "...you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Cor. 1:4-8).

     This sounds like a wonderful church, coming short in no gift, enriched in all knowledge and utterance by Christ. However, there was an oversetting problem in this church that affected everything they did. They were walking in the wisdom of this world, rather than the wisdom of God. Because of this, their church was riddled with divisions and contentions. Paul wrote this example: "Now I say this, that each of you says, 'I am of Paul', or 'I am of Apollos', or 'I am of Cephas (Peter)', or 'I am of Christ'. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?" (1 Cor. 1:10-13).  Paul assured the Corinthian church that the message of the cross is not a message of worldly wisdom: "For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.' Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" (v. 18-20).

     Paul described how this church had allowed worldly wisdom and understanding to guide almost everything they did. This even included their handling of the Communion, or The Lord's Supper! (see 1 Cor. 11:17-22). Paul then had to explain to this gifted church the godly wisdom of The Table of the Lord (see v. 23-31). In these verses, Paul especially equates this expression of godly wisdom with the ability to judge rightly (v. 31). By joining wisdom and judgment, Paul is expressing the meaning of the Hebrew word for wisdom: hakma/hakam - wisdom, skill in war, quality ascribed to a ruler, to a king [including the Messiah], and to God/become wise in mind, word, or act, show oneself to be wise, to make wise, teach wisdom, instruct, to judge-hence to rule. Again, Paul reflects this definition of the Hebrew word with this statement that while the idea of Christ crucified is foolishness to some: "...to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles), Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God...of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God - and righteousness and sanctification and redemption - that it is written, 'He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.'" (1 Cor. 1:23-24, 30-31).  The ruling Messiah, Jesus, personifies the true rulership, wisdom and judgment of God.

     Again, Paul wrote about the importance of godly wisdom to the Corinthians: "Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, 'The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.' (1 Cor. 3:18-20). If the Corinthian church was riddled with destructive worldly wisdom, then it may be necessary to consider if we also have based our rulership as kings and priests in Christ upon the same worldly wisdom that is really foolishness with God. It seems an easy trap to fall into while not even realizing that we are trapped.

     The apostle James, whose Hebrew name was Jacob, wrote even more emphatically: "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness (prautes/praus - gentleness of spirit, mildness/humble, meek, the opposite of self-assertiveness and self-interest stemming from trust in God's goodness and control over a situation, a work of the Holy Spirit and not of human will) of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are from there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." (James 3:13-18). How closely are we willing to look at ourselves through the lens of these strong words of an apostle of Christ, inspired by the Holy Spirit for our consideration and obedience? The attaining of godly wisdom, according to James, must be accompanied by humility, and humility is in short supply.

     The Sabbath reading portion for this week, which happens to take place during Hanukkah (Feast of Lights and Dedication) this year, is titled Mikketz, meaning "At the end of", and it deals with godly rulership-wisdom and judgment.  "At the end of" deals with a period of time here, but in this reading portion, it can also mean being "at the end of" one's own self-importance, as we will see. This portion is from Gen. 41 through 43, and involves details from Joseph's life in Egypt. At the start of this reading, Joseph had been in Pharaoh's prison because, after being sold into slavery by his envious brothers, he was serving as a slave in Potiphar's house in Egypt when he was falsely accused of a crime. "Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream...." (Gen. 41:1). Joseph had been in prison for at least two years. To understand what happening in Joseph's life, we have to go back to his youth. From seventeen years old, Joseph had had prophetic dreams. He, like the Corinthian church, was gifted by God, but he exercised that gift in worldly wisdom. In his youthful "enthusiasm", Joseph told his brothers and father of his dreams of rulership over them, and even his father, though aware of his son's prophetic gift, was offended by him (Gen. 37:10-11). We will find out that the point of these dreams was not Joseph's rulership, but God's miraculous and merciful "sabbath" (seven years of plenty) provision for multitudes of people, including His covenant people, in the midst of a severe seven-year famine to come. In order to enact His plan, God would have to train Joseph up in godly wisdom. Joseph's first lesson would come from the betrayal of his brothers. His next lesson would be to serve as a slave in a foreign household. Then would come false accusation and resulting imprisonment. Then Joseph would learn how to serve even while in prison, receiving the favor of God and the trust of the prison-keeper (Gen. 39:20-23). Then while in prison, he was forgotten by someone for two full years for whom he had accurately interpreted a dream which came to pass "on the third day". (Gen. 40:20-23). We often view trials as the work of evil, but God uses them to purify our faith and to produce godly fruit in us, such as wisdom perhaps. It is at that same time that Pharaoh had two disturbing dreams which he felt had a prophetic significance: "...he (Pharaoh) sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dream, but there was no one who could interpret them for Pharaoh." (Gen. 41:8). Those of worldly wisdom could not help. Joseph was then remembered as a dream-interpreter, and Pharaoh ordered this Hebrew slave prisoner to be brought out of the dungeon to offer an interpretation of his dreams. Joseph had been cleaned and clothed, and came before Pharaoh, but we see that Joseph had changed inwardly. When asked for the interpretation, Joseph answered Pharaoh saying: "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace (see James' words above)." (v. 16). We can see here that Joseph has learned the difference between the worldly wisdom of self-assertion and godly wisdom through his time of service. Messiah/Christ Jesus, the personification of ruling, godly wisdom (see references above), told His disciples about the godly wisdom of service, in which He also walked, as contrasted with the worldly wisdom by which others ruled (Mt. 20:25-28). 

     As God gave Joseph the interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams involving seven years of abundance to be followed by seven years of severe famine, Joseph was able to tell Pharaoh how to prepare so that his country and other people may not only live through the famine, but prosper. "Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word...See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt." (Gen. 41:39-41). Joseph was also recognized as "a man in whom is the Spirit of God." (v. 38). Joseph, when he later saw his brothers who had betrayed him as they came to Egypt for food, would say to them: "...do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life." (Gen. 45:5). God's purpose here through all of Joseph's difficulties, which was the preservation of life, could only be perceived through godly wisdom, and Joseph was a man who served successfully in rulership by godly wisdom.

     Another reading from this Sabbath's Mikketz portion is from 1 Kings 3. The new king, Solomon, son of King David, had a dream while in Gibeon (Levitical hill city in the territory of Benjamin/gabia - large bowl of wine; flower-shaped bowls of oil on the holy lampstand), the place where the tabernacle was kept in those days. In his dream, the LORD asked Solomon, "What shall I give you?" (1 Kings 3:5). In the dream, Solomon answered the LORD in part: "I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. Your servant (referring to himself) is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega/see Rev. 1:8, 21:6, 22:13) people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) people of Yours?" (v. 7-9). It is interesting, and part of the Hebrew meaning of "wisdom", that Solomon requested this from God in order to judge God's people justly in rulership. Solomon could have asked for many things. His rise to the throne had been a dangerous and controversial one, because one of his older brothers had already claimed the throne while their father, David, was still alive. However, "THE SPEECH PLEASED THE LORD, THAT SOLOMON HAD ASKED THIS THING." (v. 10). In fact, the LORD is so pleased with a request for godly wisdom that scripture says that if any lack it and ask for it, He will honor that request (James 1:5).

     God said to Solomon in the dream: "Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor..." (v. 11-13). The LORD also promised to lengthen Solomon's days as his father David's IF Solomon walked in the LORD's ways and kept His commandments (v. 14). Often we pray for what we think we need, but perhaps God is waiting for us to also request those things, like wisdom, that will make us more like our Father and His Son.

     Even from the first time that Solomon was called upon to administer judgment (1 Kings 3:16-27), he gained a reputation for the wisdom of God and for justice: ""And all Israel heard of the (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) judgment which the king had rendered; and they feared (yare - fear, reverence, in awe of, honor, respect, to tremble) the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice. So Solomon was king over all Israel." (v. 28, 1 Kings 4:1). 

     Solomon also wrote three Books of the Bible, one being Proverbs, the Book of Wisdom. As in the Hebrew definition of "wisdom" (see above), those who have the wisdom of God also teach and instruct others in that wisdom. The prophet Daniel, describing the events of the latter days, wrote: "And those people who understand (sakal - wisely understand) shall instruct many...Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament. and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever...none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand." (Dan. 11:33, 12:3, 9). There is a godly wisdom, through the Messiah/Christ Jesus, available to us that must accompany our spiritual rulership and just judgment. It is dangerous to try to do either without that wisdom. 

     If you would like to pray for godly wisdom, you can join me in my prayer: "Dear Father, Your Son, Jesus, is the wisdom of God, as well as being our righteousness, our healing, and our salvation. Your Word says that if any lack wisdom, they may ask You for it. I ask for Your precious wisdom to fill my life, and direct my thoughts, words and deeds. Let Your wisdom cause me to discern between good and evil, and to have wise understanding. Let Your wisdom in me allow others to see the wisdom of God, rather than my "self". Forgive me, Lord, for neglecting to seek and ask for Your wisdom. Help me, by Your Holy Spirit to see when I am following the wisdom of this world, which is foolishness, rather than the wisdom of God. I ask these things in the name of my Lord and Savior, Your Son and Wisdom, Jesus. AMEN."

AppointedTimes

The title of this sabbath's reading is Mikketz, meaning "At the end of", from Genesis Chapters 41-43. Genesis is the Book of Beginning, or B'reshiet in Hebrew. We have read about many beginning principles of God so far in this first Book of the Bible, and we have another beginning principle in this sabbath's readings also. TThis week's readings are timed to take place during the Feast of Dedication, the Festival of Lights, or Hanukkah. This year, the sabbath also falls on Christmas Eve. Our reading begins with Joseph who was forgotten in Pharaoh's prison: "Then it came to pass, at the end (qes/qasas - extremity, border, end/cut off, hew off, chop off, cut in two) of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river." (Gen. 41:1). We read here that two full years had passed since Joseph was forgotten by the man whose dream Joseph had interpreted while the man was imprisoned with Joseph. Suddenly, Pharaoh had a strange set of dreams. In the first dream, seven fat, healthy cattle arise from the river. Then seven thin, ill-favored cattle rose up after them and "ate up" (akal - eat, devour, consume, burn up) the healthy cattle. In the second dream of Pharaoh, seven plump and good heads of grain appear on one stalk. However, seven thin heads, blighted (sadap - scorch, burn up) by the east wind sprang up afterwards. The blighted heads then "devoured" (bala - swallow up, engulf) the good heads of grain. We should keep in mind that at the end of a two year time period, the time is "cut off" or "chopped off", according to the Hebrew meaning. Joseph's life is about to change dramatically. Pharaoh was troubled by his two dreams, and called in both his magicians, and the wise men of his realm to interpret these dreams, but no one knew the meanings. Both man's natural knowledge and wisdom, and the dark "knowledge" of the occult, were insufficient. Then Pharaoh was told about a Hebrew in his dungeon named Joseph, who had the proven ability to interpret dreams. Joseph was brought up out of the dungeon, shaved and given clean clothing in order to appear before Pharaoh. Pharaoh told Joseph that he had heard about his ability to interpret dreams, and that his magicians and wise men had not been able to help him (Gen. 41:15). Pharaoh had the power to throw Joseph right back into the dungeon, or set him free, yet Joseph answered him: "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace." (V. 116). Pharaoh told Joseph the dreams he had had, and Joseph began to bring the interpretation saying: "The dreams of Pharaoh are one. God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do." (v. 25). Joseph told Pharaoh that the seven fat cattle and the seven full heads of grain signified seven years of abundance. However, a seven year severe famine, represented by the ill-favored cattle and blighted heads of grain, would follow the seven years of plenty. (v. 29-31). He concluded by saying to Pharaoh: "And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass." (v. 32). Joseph advised Pharaoh to appoint a wise man to set aside part of the abundance Egypt would experience, and store it away for the time of the famine to come (v. 33-36). "So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said..."Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?' Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.' And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.' Then Pharaoh took (sur - depart from, come to an end, put aside, be removed, withdraw from) his signet ring (taba'at/taba - signet ring of authority used for sealing/sink down, pierce, to impress a seal, dip into, immerse, plunge) off his hand and put it on Joseph's hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen (ses/sayis - linen, marble, bleach, white/alabaster, bleach, white, marble) and put a gold chain (rabid zahab - golden, shimmer, brilliance, splendor of the sun and heavens/ bind a neck collar) around his neck." (v. 37-42). Instead of wearing the yoke of slavery on his neck, Joseph now wore a golden neck piece instead. The signet ring mentioned is the seal of authority, and by the Hebrew meaning of the word, it is also associated with a plunging, or immersion, such as baptism. Paul wrote this concerning the anointing of the Holy Spirit in the believer: "Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed (sphragizo/sphragis - to set a seal upon, mark by the impression of a seal or a stamp in order to prove, attest, confirm, authenticate, place beyond doubt regarding a thing/a signet ring) us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee." (2 Cor. 1:21-22, see Eph. 1:13-14, Rev. 7:2, Rev. 9:4). The fine linen given to Joseph to wear by Pharaoh (meaning "great house") is like the fine, white linen given to the saints, representing the righteousness of God (Rev. 19:5-9). In this Book of Genesis, we are seeing a beginning teaching of the changing role that the Holy Spirit played in Joseph's life, not just to bring Joseph glory, although He does, but to bring God glory out of Pharaoh's own mouth. The purpose of the Holy Spirit is not to exalt a believer for his own sake, but to bring God glory. The appointed time had come to make a shift in Joseph's life, s well as Egypt's future, and for the survival of Israel, which was able to be buy food in Egypt from Joseph in the middle of the terrible famine when it arrived (see Gen. 42-43). This was about so much more than Joseph's personal destiny. It also set the precedent of beginning in our lives as believers. The appointed time arrived in which the Holy Spirit came into our lives, sealed us, and changed our garments, neck-yokes, lives and destinies, and the destinies of those with whom our paths cross. Again we will see the connection of the Holy Spirit with the abrupt changing of time. In Zechariah 4, the prophet is awakened by the return of an angel "as a man who is wakened out of his sleep". (Zech. 4:1). The Hebrew meanings of the key words in this phrase can also mean "like a man raised from the dead", or "like a man stirred up after a long, old, dry period of time". The angel is about to show Zechariah something that will affect a work in the prophet's present time, but also the eternal meaning of the work. As with Joseph, the appointed time had come. During the prophet's time, Zerubbabel was the governor of Judah, after the people of God returned to Israel from their captivity in Babylon. Zerubbabel was overseeing the rebuilding of the temple of God in Jerusalem, and the work was not progressing well. It had taken many years just to complete the foundation of the temple. The appointed time to break through the spiritual darkness that was impeding the work had come. The angel gave Zechariah a vision of the eternal golden Lampstand, from which the lampstand of the earthly temple had been copied. This golden Lampstand had a perpetual supply of oil attached to it in the form of two olive trees directly feeding their oil into the bowls of the Lamp. This Lamp of the angelic vision represented a message for Zerubbabel, the governor: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts. 'Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone/headstone (eben rosa - top most, highest stone of the corner), with shouts of 'Grace, grace to it!'" (v. 6-7). Zerubbabel was concerned with building a work - the Temple of God. However, God was building an eternal connection in this moment of time between the Kingdom of heaven and a living temple on earth through His Salvation, according to the Hebrew meanings found in verses 8-14 of this same chapter. We know that Jesus is described as "the chief cornerstone" (see Ps. 118:22, Mt. 21:42-44). Paul explained: "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." (Eph. 1:19-22). These sabbath reading portions were about Joseph and Zerubbabel, but they were also about the stirring force of the Holy Spirit Who begins, continues, and completes the eternal work of God in us and through us. We cannot force it to fruition ourselves. We cannot force a beginning ourselves, nor change the times ourselves. It is by His Spirit. How can we apply these things to Christmas? The eternal work accomplished through the birth of Jesus Christ only happened by the Spirit, at an appointed time. Mary conceived the holy Seed of Christ, not by the will of man, but by the Spirit of God: "And the angel answered and said to her (Mary), 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God." (Lk. 1:34-35). Knowing this, Paul also wrote: "Even so we...were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!'" (Gal. 4:3-6). Zerubbabel was to bring out the capstone shouting "Grace, grace" to it by the Spirit of God. We, by the Spirit, cry out "Abba, Father!". The birth of Christ was determined by "the fullness of time", according to Paul. Not only His birth, but His death was determined by the Holy Spirit: "Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit Who was given to us. For when we were still without strength, in due time/at the right time Christ died for the ungodly...But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. 5:5-8). Jesus did not die according to the timing of a hateful mob. He died, as He was born, at the appointed time, by the eternal work of the love of God through the Holy Spirit. Even Christ's resurrection, and ours, was accomplished by the Holy Spirit! (see Rom. 8:11-14). Paul wrote again regarding our appointed time: "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Cor. 6:1-2). When will your appointed time, like Joseph's, come to accomplish God's work? God has the answer: "...humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time (kairos - a fixed and definite time, opportune and seasonable time, the right time), casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:6-7). Have a blessed Hanukkah and Christmas, for they come at the appointed time of God. If you would like to learn more about the Lord's appointed times, and the work of His Holy Spirit in our lives, you can pray with me as I pray for myself: "Heavenly Father, I see in Your Word that events are not by the power or might of man, nor by the will and knowledge of man, but by Your Spirit. All of the events in the life of Jesus were quickened and accomplished by Your Holy Spirit. Baptize and fill me with Your Spirit, and arrange the days of my life according to Your appointed times. I thank You for the birth of Your precious Son and our Savior, Jesus, who is the Light, the Menorah, of the world, and has called me to be the light of the world in Him. I ask for these things in His name. AMEN."