LifeAndLight

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

      Again, God says to man: "Behold!"

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

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

 

Tested

        

      "Gold refined in the fire"

     There was a Hebrew, a son of Jacob named Joseph, who was carried away into Egypt as a slave. Joseph had a prophetic gift, especially in dreams and the interpretation of dreams. The Word of God says: "He (the LORD) sent a man before them - Joseph - who was sold as a slave. They hurt his feet with fetters, he was laid in irons. Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the LORD tested (sarap - goldsmith, refine, refiner, purge away, pure, try, test and prove true, to smelt to separate dross, to test by trials) him." (Ps. 105:17-19). Joseph was tested in his trust in the prophetic word that the LORD had given him. That prophetic word was proved to be truth as Joseph was elevated from slavery and imprisonment to the right hand of Pharaoh in the ruling of Egypt in order to preserve the Hebrews through the severe famine.

     Proverbs says: "Every word of God is pure (see sarap above); He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar." (Prov. 30:5-6). A tested Word of God in our lives causes us to trust and rely on that Word in all things. The prophet Daniel also wrote that God's people would be severely tested (see sarap above) in the time of the end in order to purge them and refine them "and make them white." (Dan. 11:35). The sarap testing that comes into our lives is to test the Word of God in us as to the strength of our belief in Him and our loving devotion to Him, and to remove the things (dross) that are not of God.

     This brings us to the Sabbath reading portion for this week titled R'eh, meaning "Behold". The title is from the Hebrew word ra'a which means "see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider, have vision, observe, find out, distinguish, look intently at, discern, visions, to see and enjoy light, to see the face of God." We are not just looking at something. but we are also weighing it, discerning it, looking for the light and the face of God in it. The title is found in Deut. 11:26-28: "Behold (see ra'a above), I set before you today a blessing and a curse: the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) blessing if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you today; and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you today, to go after other gods which you have not known."

     The blessing spoken of above in the obedience or observance of the Word of God, the ra'a perceiving of it, is associated with the knowledge of the Messiah/Christ, according the written Hebrew which includes an *aleph-tav (see note below). This is a test. Do we perceive and observe the light and the face of God that are only found in the purity of His Word? Or do we believe other things (dross) as truth? "Dross" is defined as "something regarded as worthless; rubbish." The testing process of God's Word for His people purifies the precious and removes the worthless so that we may walk in the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega blessing of life. Jesus said that we are sanctified by truth because God's Word is truth. The scriptures are the same Word that the *Aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega Jesus has given to us to sanctify us. (see Jn. 17:16-17, 14).

     Sometimes it appears that evil is testing us, or circumstances are testing us, but it is the Word of God itself that is testing the necessary purity of our belief that His Word is absolutely true. We understand from scripture that Jesus was tempted/tested (peirazo/peira/peran - to try, to make trial of, examine, test for the purpose of ascertaining quality, to test one's faith, virtue, and character/to have a trial of a thing, assaying, through the idea of piercing/to pierce through to the farther side) by Satan. However, Jesus was really tested by the Word of God spoken by Satan to trap Jesus. Jesus passed the testing by answering Satan with His perfect ra'a perception and discernment of God's Word. (see Lk. 4:1-13). How do we ra'a discern and handle these sarap tests? Do we ra'a perceive that these tests are by the Word in order to purify our trust and belief in the Word of God?

     Job, the servant of God, had difficulty seeing Him and perceiving Him in his trial, but said: "But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold (zahab - incl. golden splendor of the heavens, brilliant, of the purest oil). My foot held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food." (Job 23:8-12).

     As we return to the R'eh, "Behold!" Sabbath reading portion, we read that Moses is warning the Israelites not to do the same abominations that the nations who dwelled in Canaan had done, saying "Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it." (Deut. 12:29-32). The testing does not end there. Moses warned that there may arise prophets and dreamers who would give the Israelites a sign and a wonder, and their prophetic word would come to pass, seemingly to be a genuine prophet of God, but they would encourage the Israelites to go after other gods to serve them. Moses said, "...you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer, for the LORD your God is testing (nasa - to test, try, prove, tempt, assay, put to the proof, to try by smell or by touch) you to know whether you love (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him." (Deut. 13:1-4). The prophets in the above verses are not testing them, but the LORD God is testing them. The test if from the LORD. Surface appearance is not enough to determine if the prophet is one to believe. His message disqualifies him to anyone who knows the Word and Person of God. God has a smell and a feel to us, as we have to Him (see nasa above). We are to get in there and ra'a examine, inspect, look intently at and discern, not by our own understanding of what looks good, but by the unchanging, tested and proven Word of God. In this case, the Ten Commandments and many other commands given by Moses to the Israelites from God make clear that they shall worship no other gods. This same examination would also apply to any close family who would try to entice the people of God to follow after other gods, Moses said. (v. 6-8). The punishment for those who try to entice the people of God with a lie was the death penalty. 

     We may think that the command to worship no other god, but to worship God only with all of our hearts and souls is not a test for us today as believers in Messiah/Christ Jesus, but that would be incorrect. Every day we are enticed and tested to leave our love of and obedience to God behind, trust in man instead, and seek what the world is offering. Jesus said that no man can serve two masters. (Mt. 6:24-33). Do not think that this type of test is minor in importance or irrelevant in today's world.

     Jesus prophesied that in the times before His return there will be false prophets and false Christs who, with lying signs and wonders, will try to deceive the very elect of God into turning to a false god and an oppressive and evil world system that persecutes faith. (Mt. 24:21-25). We still need ra'a vision and perception today. One of the great stumbling blocks to this kind of ra'a vision is false vision, as found in this R'eh "Behold" Sabbath reading portion: "All the ways of a man are pure (zak/zaka - pure, clean, righteous, pure olive oil free from foreign substances, pure frankincense, purity of soul and morals/be translucent in purity, be justified, pure and clean in the sight of God) in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs (takan - measure, weigh in the balance, test, prove, be equal, make equal or level) the spirits (ruah - Spirit of God, mind, breath, disposition)." (Prov. 16:2). The LORD is looking for Himself, equal to Himself, His Word, reflected in our souls and spirits. He weighs or tests for His image in us. Jesus, the perfect image of His Father, God, provides that for us if we will receive it and allow it in its fulness. (see Eph. 4:11-13).

     The prophet of God, Daniel, once told the richest and most powerful king of the greatest empire, who had surrounded himself with and used the precious holy objects of God: "TEKEL (see takan above): You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting." (Dan. 5:27). Daniel also told this Babylonian king: "...you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways (see Prov. 16:2, above), you have not glorified." (v. 23, excerpt). That king with seemingly unconquerable defenses, surrounded and protected by one of the great walls of history, was overthrown that very night by an invading army, and lost his life, as Daniel prophesied would happen. (v. 28, 30-31).

     Perhaps we think that this doesn't and couldn't happen in the Church of believers. Jesus sent a very serious warning to one of the churches that carried His name. They were rich and had need of nothing, or so they mistakenly thought as they were without ra'a vision. They had not experienced the testing process of God, and had grown lukewarm in their love for Him. Jesus said that far from being rich, comfortable and favored, they were really spiritually "wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked." (Rev. 3:14-17). This was His advice to this comfortable church: "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." (v.18-20). The reward for this church if they will overcome their self-satisfaction and their despising of the testing and purifying process of God, will be to sit with Christ on His throne, which is the throne of His Father. (v. 21). They would go from being spiritually wretched to sitting with Christ on His throne, if they would allow themselves to be tested and proven like pure gold that emerges from a refiner's fire.

     The testing and proving refiner's fire of God is not meant to destroy us (see 1 Cor. 10:12-13 [ note: tempt/temptation, peirasmos/peirazo, incl. "trial, proving, testing of man's fidelity, integrity, virtue and constancy to God"], but to make us shine like the sun! We pass these testings and provings by clinging to our love of God above all else, and our steadfast belief that His Word is eternally true.

     Perhaps we need to change our ra'a perception of what a trial is in the life of a believer. We view them in a negative way, and call them attacks, but the trials created by the Word of God in us actually strengthen and purify us and are meant for our good. James wrote: "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials/temptations (peirasmos/peirazo - trial, proving, also see above) knowing that the testing (dokimion/dokime/dokimos - trying, trial, the proving of, testing/tried character, a proof, proving through affliction, a specimen of tried worth/tried, approved, accepted, genuine full-weighted money rather than counterfeit) of your faith produces patience (hypomone/hypomeno - steadfastness, constancy, cheerful endurance, patient continuance/abide and not flee, to persevere under misfortunes and trials, to hold fast to one's faith). But let patience have its perfect (telios - lacking nothing to being complete, perfect, full grown, adult, mature) work, that you may be perfect (see telios above) and complete, lacking nothing...Blessed is the man who endures temptation (peirasmos/peirazo, see above); for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." (James 1:2-4, 12). We do not develop ourselves, but the Lord is developing a mature and perfect Church in Himself.

     The Word of God in us is also Messiah/Christ in us because He is the Word become flesh (John 1). Peter wrote that, because of our faith in Jesus, the fiery trial which is to try us should not come as a surprise. Persecution because of faith in Messiah/Christ Jesus will follow those who believe. Jesus suffered such persecution and yet, His glory will be revealed, and we may also be: "glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you." Though He is blasphemed by others, "on your part He is glorified (doxazo/doxa - praise, extol, magnify, celebrate, honor, make glorious, adorn with luster, clothe with splendor, to esteem as glorious/splendor, brightness, kingly majesty of Messiah/Christ)." (see 1 Pet. 4:12-14). We know the glory of Christ, and the Spirit of God dwells within us as believers. Be glad with exceeding joy even in the middle of this kind of trial through persecution. Persecution is increasing across the world, but when believers endure through that trial, they actually heap great glory onto Christ. Will we endure the testing, or will we flee from it? If we will endure the test, we will not endure it alone or in our own strength. Jesus has promised He will be with us always, which would include through the testing and proving. (see Mt. 28:18-20, Isa. 43:1-5). 

     From another reading portion from this R'eh Sabbath, Isaiah the prophet recorded the promise of the LORD to those who have been afflicted or "storm-tossed". The LORD will not forget them, but cover them with beauty and glory and establish them in (His) righteousness: "And their righteousness is from Me', says the LORD." (Isa. 54:10-17, excerpt).

     If you would like to learn more about the testing and proving process of the LORD, you can join me in prayer: "Dear Father, You are doing a purifying work in me because You love me and have a ra'a vision for My life. You have given me Your Son, Jesus, who is the Perfect One, and You have called me to glorify Your Son and my Savior with my life. Be glorified, Jesus, and be glorified Father and Spirit before all men. Cause me to become mature and complete before You. You are the strength in me that will let me cling to You over all other things, and to believe and trust in Your Word above all the words of men, not for my sake only, but for those who will come after me. Give me Your ra'a sight and discerning perception through both testing and triumph to examine all things for Your light and Your Face, and let me not depend on my own understanding. 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. 

theHIGHEST

      The title of this Sabbath's reading portion is R'eh, which means "Behold." R'eh is written with the Hebrew letters reysh, aleph, heh. Each of these letters has its own meaning, so these three letters together might express, "Behold, the Lord is the Highest." R'eh comes from the Hebrew root word ra'a, which not only means to see, to look, to behold, but it also means to consider, to inspect, to perceive, find out, discern, distinguish, to see prophetically, to see by divine revelation. We will find in this week's Sabbath reading that the LORD expects His people to see with discernment and perception, and He will reveal what this discernment should be based upon.

     Jesus gave this warning about the last days before His return: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ (Messiah),' and will deceive many...many false prophets will rise up and deceive many." (Mt. 24:4-5,11, see also Mt. 7:15-20). There are many other such warnings in scripture of the same thing (Jer. 23:16-22, 1 Tim. 4:1-2, 2 Pet. 2:1-3, 1 Jn. 4:1-3).

     In this Sabbath portion beginning in Deut. 13, Moses said to the people: "If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, 'Let us go after other gods' - which you have not known - 'and let us serve them,' you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the LORD your God is testing (nasa - test, try, assay, put to the proof, try by smell) you to know whether you love the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)  LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear Him and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him." (Deut. 13:1-4). The LORD also said that such a prophet or dreamer "has spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of bondage...so shall you put the evil from your midst." (v. 5). The LORD is testing His people with false prophets to see if they love Him with all of their hearts and souls. This is another "smell test" that the people of the LORD are to pass. The very first commandment of God is "I am the LORD your God...You shall have no other gods before Me." (Ex. 20:1-3, Deut. 5:6-7).

     Paul's writings and the vision presented in the Book of Revelation also tell us that in the latter days before the return of Messiah/Christ signs and wonders will be performed by workers of evil, like the false prophets mentioned by Moses above, in order to deceive many people into worshipping a false god rather than the true God (see 2 Thess. 2:9-12, Rev. 13:12-15). So the warning from Moses above to the Israelites is also prophetic and pertains to us and our time as well.

      As Jeremiah spoke the judgment of the LORD against the false prophets, the LORD also said: "For who has stood in the counsel of the LORD, and has perceived (ra'a - see above) and heard His (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) word? Who has marked His word and heard it?" (Jer. 23:18). The LORD is looking for those who stand in His counsel, who know His Word. The word "counsel" is the Hebrew word sod, which means: "secret counsel, familiar converse, intimacy with God, in close deliberation, sitting together on a couch or cushion." This is an intimate, familiar relationship with God. The disciple, and later the apostle, John, described his intimate relationship with Jesus: "Now there was leaning (ana + keimai - in the midst, among, between + to be set in place by God's intent, appointed, destined, of a city on a hill, set in place as: vessels, a throne, a city, a foundation) on Jesus' bosom (kolpos - in front of the body between the arms as one who so reclines at table that his head covers the bosom or chest of the one next to him; the bosom or hollow of a garment used for keeping and carrying things, a fold or pocket) one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved..." (Jn. 13:23). In the account from John 13, from his close position to Jesus, John was able to ask Jesus the private question of who would be betraying Him. (Jn. 13:20-26). The LORD expects us to be in His counsel and to have an intimate, conversing relationship with Him. It is found by leaning upon the Savior's bosom at His Passover table where we dine with Him, sharing the same cushion with Him, while having secret and private counsel with Him. and by loving Him with all of our heart and soul. He expects this of us, not for His benefit, but for ours. Jesus is not One of whom we can have a distant knowledge, or with whom we can have an indirect relationship because our grandmother knew Him. Jesus expects intimacy with each of us. Do we know Him this way? We each have to seriously consider this question.

     It is also interesting that within the meaning of the word "leaning" in the scripture above, is included the establishment of a city, a city on a hill, even a foundation. It is this same disciple/apostle John who would later receive the awesome ra'a vision of the heavenly city of God, the New Jerusalem, descending from heaven as a bride adorned for her husband. It was the vision of a great city on a great and high mountain having the glory of God. John gave a detailed description of this city, including its intricate foundation, from his ra'a prophetic sight (Rev. 21:1-6, 9-27). We can conclude that the seed of this vision may well have been planted in John as he leaned upon the bosom of Jesus. This is exactly the R'eh/Ra'a discerning, distinguishing, perceptive prophetic revelation relationship with God of this Sabbath's reading portion. This relationship is formed from loving and serving the LORD with all of our hearts and soul.

     In another reading portion from this R'eh Sabbath, Isaiah wrote the word of the LORD to His people: "Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you - the sure mercies of David...Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near." (Isa. 55:2-3, 6). The Messiah/Christ makes the same cry of invitation when He prophesied through Isaiah: "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat. Yes, come buy wine and milk without money and without price." (Isa. 55:1, see also Jn. 7:37-38).

     As Moses warned the Israelites above against listening to those who would turn them away from the LORD their God, he described the LORD as "the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of bondage." The one true God is the only God who can deliver His people out of bondage. This is one of His principal characteristics as Moses described it. He is also a debt Redeemer, and a bond breaker. As Moses warned the people not to listen when others try to lure them to other gods, financial debt is another form of bond and chain. From another reading portion of this Sabbath, the LORD gave the Law of the Shemita, or "the LORD's Release" to His people. Every seven years debts are to be forgiven, and indentured servants are to be set free (Deut. 15:1-2, 12). Pharaoh was a power that enslaved God's people. God's people enslave themselves to debt. The LORD has made a provision for the forgiveness of debts by His Sabbath measurement of years, and He has applied the same forgiveness for our sins (Mt. 6:9-15). This is the blessing that follows the Law of the Shemita Release: "...for the LORD will greatly bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance - only if you carefully obey the voice of the LORD your God to observe with care all these (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) commandments which I command you today. For the LORD will bless you just as He promised you; You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow; you shall reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over you...for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand...Then the LORD your God will bless you in all that you do." (Deut. 15:4-6, 10, 18).

     It can be generally said, I think, that we do not find this liberty and redemption from debt as commanded by the law of the Shemita year being practiced by those who have chosen to observe the scriptures. The LORD knows, however, that there are economic bondages that are just as oppressive as physical bondages, and He desires to deliver us out of them as is His character. The Israelites preferred the hard bondage of Egypt and wished to return to it, rather than to trust God by faith while in the wilderness. We also sometimes choose to enslave ourselves to debt for expediency. The LORD has shown us the blessing that is attached to His Shemita Release if we will receive it.

     Another reading portion from this Sabbath brings us this promise from the LORD who breaks bonds for those who are afflicted: "O you afflicted (ani/ana/ana - poor, afflicted, humble, wretched, needy, weak, lowly, depressed/troubled, downcast, stooped, bowed down, browbeaten/receive an answer, testify, bear witness, shout, sing) one, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems, and lay your foundations with sapphires (sapir/sapar - gem known for its beauty and splendor/tell, declare, show forth, recount, rehearse, enumerate, inscribe). I will make your pinnacles of rubies (kadkod - striking fire, sparkling gem, extreme redness, ruby), your gates of crystal ('eqdah - fiery glow, sparkle), and all your walls of precious stones. All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you." (Isa. 54:11-14). The LORD has deliverance for His people.

     Is there anyone else except the LORD who can transform affliction into fiery glory and priceless sparkling beauty? Can we truly r'eh behold, perceive, distinguish and discern this? Do we know the LORD this way and love Him with all of our hearts and souls? The LORD wants us to "behold" this on this R'eh Sabbath.

     If you would like to know more about a R'eh relationship with the LORD, you can join me in my prayer: "Father, how I want a deeper relationship with You, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit! You want me to have discerning and perceiving knowledge of You and Your desires for my life by loving You with all my heart and soul. Forgive me because I have, during my daily life, given other things more importance. Nothing is more important than You. My family's salvation comes from You. My provision comes from You. Life comes from You. Deliverance from all bondage comes from You. You are the source of all, so what could be more important to me than You? Give me that r'eh/ra'a vision that I need to truly see this and understand it, especially in these current times. Give me the perception to choose Your liberty over bondage. Let me enter and remain in Your intimate counsel, leaning on Your bosom, Jesus, and give me the discernment to recognize anything or anyone that might try to pull me away from that place. 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 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.

     

     

Seeing

We have been reading in Deuteronomy, the fifth Book of the Bible. Deuteronomy is a word that comes from the Greek language and means "to repeat". As we have seen so far, though, Deuteronomy is so much more than just a repetition of the Law, as Moses is speaking to the Israelites in their fortieth and last year of journeying through the wilderness. They are soon to enter the land which the LORD promised to their fathers before them. In Deuteronomy, or D'Varim in Hebrew, meaning "Words", Moses has revealed deep things of God to His people. This week's Sabbath reading is titled R'eh, or "See/Behold", and covers Deuteronomy chapters 13 through 16 in the Torah portion. R'eh comes from the Hebrew word ra'a meaning "see, look, behold, show, appear, consider, perceive, provide, foresee, have vision, give attention to, watch, inspect, to be caused to see, to gaze at". This word is first used in the Bible in Genesis, when, as God created each thing, He saw that it was good. The Word of God, as in Deuteronomy, is supposed to make us "see"- not as the world sees, but as God sees. This week's Sabbath portion is overflowing with things for us to "see". The first thing that I saw, was the mention of something 16 times from Ch. 12 through Ch. 16. The LORD commanded His people through Moses that when they enter the new land and inhabit it, they are to destroy all of the places of idol worship (Deut. 12:1-4). The LORD then commanded: "But you shall seek (daras - seek with care, diligently enquire, require, tread upon, rub, thresh, to study, to follow, to care for) the place where the LORD your God chooses, out of all your tribes, to put His (aleph-tav, Alpha and Omega/Jesus' identity, see Rev. 1:8, 21:6, 22:13) name for His dwelling place; and there you shall go." (V. 5). Again the LORD says in another place: "...the place where the LORD your God chooses to make His name abide...in the place which the LORD chooses" (v. 11, 14). Now the Hebrew word for "place", which is maqom/qum - can mean a physical place, but it also has the root meaning "raise, arise, raise up, become powerful, fulfilled, succeed, proven, endure, establish". This "repetition" regarding "the place the LORD chooses", or "the place the LORD chooses to put His name" goes on many more times in these few chapters. Not only are the Israeites to seek this place of His name, but they are to come there, a place of sacrificial offerings, with their whole household, including servants, and with the Levite in their midst, with rejoicing (Deut. 12:7, 12, 18; 14:26; 16:11, 14). After entering and subduing the land, the men of Israel were to appear (ra'a- to see, behold, perceive, appear, consider, foresee, have vision, give attention to, watch, inspect, to be caused to see) (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) before (panim - face(s), presence, before) "the LORD your God in the place which He chooses three (salos - three, triad, third) times (pa'am - footstep, stroke, beat, anvil, to beat persistently, to strike) a year for these three of the Feasts of the LORD: Passover/Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), and the Feast of Tabernacles (Deut. 16:16). They are to seek the place of the name, and ra'a see the beaten aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega panim face of the LORD. When they entered the land, they were to destroy the places of idolatry, and rejoice in the place where the LORD has put His name. The people were not in the land yet in the chapters of this reading portion, and the LORD does not give them any further hints as to this place's identity, except that they were to "seek" it. It was not until many generations later that the Word of the LORD came to King David, saying, "...Yet I have chosen Jerusalem (meaning "teaching of peace", or, "foundation of peace"), that My name may be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel." (2 Chron. 6:6). David was the spiritual catalyst, as the forefather of the prophesied Messiah, for the revealing of this place. Yet the LORD tells the Israelites to prophetically "seek" this place well before that when they were still in the wilderness. We know that Jerusalem is a very significant physical place, a place where the salvation plan of God was fulfilled in Christ's death and resurrection, and the restoration and renewal of the souls of men through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit took place there (Acts 2), as well as being the focal point of vital future prophetic events. However, it is also a spiritul place, according to the reading portion from this week's Sabbath lesson "R'eh" or Ra'a (see meaning above), as we will see. We see this in another reading portion from this Sabbath when the Word of the LORD came to Isaiah, saying, "O you afflicted one, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of crystal, and all your walls of precious stones (see also the Bridal City of the Holy Jerusalem: Rev. 21:9-11, 18-21). All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children." (Isa. 54:11-13). The prophesied walls of this spiritual Jerusalem are created out of salvation, and the gates are created from praise (Isa. 60:18). We can see that the LORD is speaking of teaching peace, the meaning of the name "Jerusalem". This is a city not built of common stones, but of precious stones. In this same Sabbath portion from Isaiah, the LORD promises: "But with great mercies I will gather you...but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you says the LORD, your Redeemer...For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,' says the LORD who has mercy on you...Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters (see Jn. 7:37-38, Rev. 21:6, 22:16-17); And you who have no money, come, buy and eat...Incline your ear and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you - the sure mercies of David." (Isa. 54:7-8, 10; Isa. 55:1, 3). This physical yet spiritual place carries "the sure mercies of David". David wrote a Psalm about those mercies that God had shown and promised him, saying: "Also, I will make him My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. My mercy I will keep for him forever, and My covenant shall stand firm with him. His seed also I will make to endure forever, and his throne as the days of heaven." (Ps. 89:27-29). Yes, this is about an earthly king, but those who can "see", also see the heavenly King who will reign, as God promised David, forever on his throne. This prophesied King is the Messiah, whom we know and receive as being Yeshua, or Jesus (Luke 1:30-33, Acts 2:29-32). This is the sure mercies of David. The Word of the LORD through Moses to the Israelites told them to "seek" this place of His name. Again from this Sabbath portion of Isaiah: "Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, For He will abundantly (raba - multiply, increase, much, more, exceedingly, abundance, enlarge) pardon." (Isa. 55:6-7). This is a place where, if we seek the LORD, return to Him, desire our unrighteous ways and thoughts to be changed, we will find the LORD, and He will forgive us abundantly. The Hebrew word for "pardon" used in this verse is salab. It means forgive, pardon, spare, but it derives from the root meaning of "lightness, lifting up". If you think that you could never be pardoned by God, take hope in the fact that God has made this provision for you, and for all of us who desire it. The Father has placed all judgment in the hands of His only begotten Son, Jesus. The Son, who healed the paralyzed man, proved by this miracle that He has the authority to forgive sins (see Mt. 9:1-8). The Father has also placed the authority of resurrection in the hands of His Son (see Jn. 5:24-27). How much more does this show the authority that the Son, Jesus, has been given to forgive sins. All of us have sinned (Rom. 3:10-12, 23-24) and must come to the place where the LORD has put His name, YHWH, the Holy Name of which each Hebrew letter, when combined together, bears the meaning: "Behold the Hand, Behold the Nail", and there we are promised that we will receive His mercy and pardon. It is written that the mercies of God are new every morning, and available for us (Lam. 3:22-23). Do not hesitate to come to Him. Jesus, as we can see, is also that place we are to seek where the LORD has put His name (Jn. 5:43). In another part of this week's Sabbath reading, Proverbs 16 says: "In mercy and truth, atonement is provided for iniquity; and by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil." (Prov. 16:6). In this place where the LORD has put His name, a place of sacrificial offerings, the atonement for iniquity is found "in mercy and truth". John described Jesus, our atonement, in the same way: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, and the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace (charis/chairo - good will, loving kindness, favor, of the merciful kindness of God to turn those to Christ/rejoice, joyfully) and truth." (Jn. 1:14). Again from Prov. 16, part of this Sabbath's reading portion for R'eh, "See", the qualities of a king are described (v. 10-14). At the end of this series of verses comes one of my personal favorites: "In the light of the king's face is life, and his favor is like a cloud (ab/ub - cloud, envelope, threshold/cover with cloud, wrap around) of the latter rain." (v. 15). There is a King, whose face contains a kind of light that gives life. Again, John described Jesus, the eternal Word, in this way: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...All things were made through Him...In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." (Jn. 1:1-5). We see here the connection between light and life, and the Agent of both. Jesus said of Himself: "I am the light of the world. He who follows (see the meaning of "seek" above) Me shall not walk in darkness, but hae the light of life." (Jn. 8:12). The resurrection of the dead mentioned earlier is also part of this Sabbath's reading portion. It is described in "a song of salvation" that will be sung in the land of Judah: "We have a strong city; God will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks. Open the gates, that the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in." (Isa. 26:1-2). Isaiah continued in the Word of the LORD: "...O LORD we have waited for You; the desire of our soul is for Your name and for the remembrance of You...LORD, You will establish peace for us...Your dead shall live; together with my dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing you who dwell in the dust; for your dew is like the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead." (v. 8, 12, 19). If the LORD repeats a phrase 16 times within just a few pages, it is something His people are to seek and "see" in the Sabbath portion titled "R'eh":See (perceive, foresee, watch, have vision, inspect, give attention to, cause to be seen". We are being called by the LORD through Moses to see and understand something important, not only with our physical eyes, but with the eyes of our spirit. Proverbs 16 also contains this verse: "How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver." (v. 16). If you would like to know more about ra'a seeing the raising up place where the LORD has chosen to put His name, which is upon His Son, Jesus, you can pray with me: "Lord God, I seek the place of Your YHWH name, in order to see Your aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega face. I find Your abundant mercies in that face, the face of Your Son, Jesus, and the atonement in mercy and truth which You have provided for me through the blood of His sacrifice. Your mercies are new every morning for me and my whole household, and I seek them early and rejoice in them. Jesus, come into my heart, and fill my soul and spirit, and establish Your habitation there. Create in me a pure heart, and a new being in Your own image. I thank You, LORD, for showing Your people the beautiful place that You have provided where we can go to find this graciousness - within our own hearts. In Jesus' name, I pray these things. AMEN."