WorksOfAbraham

 

                                                                                          Abraham

     This week's Sabbath reading portion titled Lech L'cha, meaning "Go! Leave!", begins the account of Abram/Abraham. The title comes from the first verse of the reading portion: "Now the LORD had said to Abram ('abram - "exalted father", "father of elevation"): 'Get out (yalak - go, walk, depart, proceed, move, to die, live, manner of life, carry) of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land ('eres - land, earth, country, world, nations, whole earth as opposed to a part, the earth and its inhabitants) that I will show you." (Gen. 12:1).

     As we can see from the Hebrew meaning of "land" or 'eres above, to limit the meaning as to only referring to a piece of ground is to limit the vision of God that He was imparting to Abram at this time, and the vision of God regarding "a land," which included the whole earth and its inhabitants by definition, proved to be absolutely and miraculously true through the knowledge of Messiah/Christ.

     The generations following would look at Abram/Abraham, not only as a "father" of the Hebrew people, but as a "father" and example of faith to both Jews and Gentiles across the earth, as the LORD had prophesied that Abram would be. Jesus referred to Abraham as such, indicting those who rejected Him, saying: "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this...Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad...Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." (Jn. 8:56-58).

     There are perhaps billions of people throughout history that have considered Abraham ("father of a multitude", which is his *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega-name - see Gen. 17:5-6) to be their (fore)father, either as his physical descendants, or as being a spiritual father to them pertaining to their faith. Jesus, however, was looking for "...the works of Abraham," above, by those who claimed Abraham as father. He didn't find those works of Abraham in the people who were so grievously and murderously offended in Him. What are "the works of Abraham"? One of the primary works of Abraham, as Jesus noted above, was obediently being able to "see", recognize and receive his Messiah/Christ by the Spirit, although Jesus would not be physically born until thousands of years after Abraham.  Abraham was so absolutely sure in his (fore)knowledge of the One who was "the resurrection and the life" that years later he would obediently offer his own miraculous son for sacrifice telling his servants who were with him, "...the lad and I will go...and we will come back to you." (see Gen. 22:4-5). This was a prophetic shadow of the Father in heaven offering His Son, Jesus, as a sacrifice for us. I hope that as we continue studying in the weeks to come, we will be able to learn more about the works of Abraham rooted in obedience and faith.

     We view Abraham as an "Old Testament" patriarch, with whom God made a covenant solely regarding the physical (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-land and descendants which would be later known as Israel, which is definitely included in the covenant promise. However, the promise of God extends beyond that physical perimeter. Paul wrote clearly that the extensive blessing promised to Abraham by God had now also been made available to the new covenant believers, including both Jews and now Gentiles, through Messiah/Christ Jesus. Paul wrote of this very thing in Galatians: "...Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness (see also Gen. 15:6). Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, 'In you all the nations shall be blessed' (see Gen. 12:3). So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham....Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law...that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith....And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Gal. 3:6-9, 13-15, 29).

     We are pointed to Abraham and also his wife, Sarah, as examples to us of faith: "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out (exerchomai - to go or come forth of, arise from, to be born of, to come forth into the world, to flow forth from the body, a point of departure) to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out (see exerchomai above), not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents/tabernacles (skene - tent, tabernacle, movable temple of God, to cover)...for he waited for the city which has foundations (themelios/tithemi - laid down as a foundation, beginnings, system of truth/fix, establish, set forth, lay down, kneel down, appoint, set in place), whose builder and maker is God. By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child...Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead (nekroo/nekros - to make dead, to put to death, impotent old man, deprive of power, to deaden, mortify/lifeless, destitute of life, inactive, inoperative, to disappear, as if already dead), were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude (see Gen. 15:3-5) - innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore (see Gen. 22:16-18)." (Heb. 11:8-12).

     Abraham, an elderly man without children at first, was described above as being "as good as dead." We also saw this idea of dying or being dead last week concerning Noah, although the idea does not always involve a physical death but a spiritual death to self. According to the Greek above, Abraham in his "going out" is described in a manner of which we would identify as being raised up, born again or born anew. Paul wrote of our spiritual dying rather than a physical death: "For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death/mortify your members which are on earth...But now you yourselves are put off all these...and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him...but Christ is all and in all." (Col. 3:3-5). Abram was given a new (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-name, Abraham, by which the old man passed away, and a new man was raised up. Those whom God has called to "go out," such as Abraham, must leave the old familiar things behind, counting them as dead, including oneself. Only then can God raise us (see exerchomai above) in His power and inheritance in Jesus Christ. As we will see, an inheritance from God in Jesus Christ includes but also far exceeds a natural inheritance. It is the inheritance that includes the whole earth and its inhabitants (see 'eres above). It is an inheritance of salvation and eternal life. It is an inheritance of God's own holiness, righteousness and glory. It is an inheritance that cannot be earned but is given as a gift from the Giver of all things pertaining to life and godliness, God. It is an inheritance of exceedingly great and precious promises even to becoming partakers of the divine nature. (2 Pet. 1:2-4). Paul wrote that it is well worth counting all other things as loss, if he may gain Christ. (Phil. 3:7-11).

     This was a work of Abraham in his life, as well as his unwavering faith in the promises of God to him, no matter how seemingly impossible those promises might have appeared to his understanding. We will look at some of the repeated promises of God to Abraham later.

      It was so important to the LORD that His people understand the works of Abraham that His Word repeatedly told His people to consider their esteemed patriarch. Some of those examples are included in this week's Lech-L'cha, "Go!", Sabbath reading portion.

     From Isaiah 41: "But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend ('ahab - to love, friend, beloved, loving). You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest regions, and said to you, 'You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away." (v. 8-9).

     From another of this Sabbath's readings, the LORD calls to His people to listen to His Words: "Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, you who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the hole of the pit from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who bore you; for I called him alone, and blessed him and increased him...My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth...But My salvation will be forever, and My righteousness will not be abolished...But My righteousness will be forever, and My salvation from generation to generation." (Isa. 51:1-8, excerpt).

     When the LORD commanded Abram to "Go!/Leave!" from out of all that was familiar to him, His vision and purpose for Abram was not limited as we tend to understand it, but it was eternal, global, and involving billions of people throughout centuries from all of the families of the earth, to be filled with the works of their father, Abraham.

To learn more about the works of Abraham in our lives, you can join with my prayer: "Heavenly Father, You called Abraham out and brought him into friendship with you. You have made him to be the father of faith and obedience for us all - both Jew and Gentile, to Israel and to all nations. Jesus was seeking those who did the works of their father Abraham. Lord, let me be one who does these works born of faith. Let me be a blessing in Christ to others, as Abraham was a blessing. By Your Word, Jesus, and by Your Spirit, lead me into the depth of understanding and knowledge of You, as You led and showed Yourself to Abraham. Just as You called Abraham "out", You have also called each of us in Christ. I thank You and I am always amazed at Your great love and provision for each of us. I pray 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. 

Standing

      This is the Sabbath before the great Feast of Trumpets. That Feast of the LORD contains the multiple blasts of the shofar ram's horn trumpet that sound out to all the earth, but particularly to God's people. The blasts signal the urgent call to repentance and return of hearts to the LORD.

      The title of this week's Sabbath reading is a double title. The first title is Nitzavim, meaning "Are standing," found in Deuteronomy 29:10-15, which are the words of Moses to the Israelites: "All of you stand (nasab - stand, appointed, establish, upright position, fixed, stationary) today before the LORD your God...that you may enter into covenant (berit - covenant, alliance, league, agreement, pledge, alliance of marriage or friendship) with the LORD your God, and into His oath ('ala - oath, a covenant confirmed by an oath, an oath joined with an imprecation or curse, to swear, to curse, to put under a curse bound by an oath), which the LORD your God makes with you today, that He may establish you today as a people for Himself, and that He may be God to you, just as He has spoken to you, and just as He has sworn to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I make this (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-covenant and this (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-oath, not with you alone, but with him (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-who stands ('amad - raise up, stand up, withstand, waited, remain, continue, establish, abide, endure, be steadfast, be upright, be appointed) here with us today before the LORD our God, as well as with him who is not here with us today."

     There are two different Hebrew words used in the above verses that are translated as "stand." The first, nasab, from which the Sabbath title comes, refers mostly to a physical position of standing. The second word, 'amad, seems to mean more of a spiritual standing: an abiding, enduring, remaining and steadfastness. Jesus also spoke of the blessings and the curses attached to abiding and remaining (see 'amad "standing" above) in Him and in His words, or the failure to do so. The blessings of abiding in Christ are fruitfulness, answered prayer, His love, and His joy. The curse includes being fruitless, cast out, withered and thrown into the fire. (see Jn. 15:4-11). Jesus was dealing here with issues of life and death.

     The LORD's oath mentioned in the above verses from Deuteronomy which accompanies the covenant includes the idea of an attending curse according to the Hebrew meaning above. Moses told the people of Israel that both blessings and curses attend the covenant of the law: blessings if the people follow the LORD and His Word, and curses if a man turns away from the LORD to follow other gods or to follow the ideas of his own heart instead of the LORD. Moses warned that the consequence of doing this would be that every curse of the law would fall upon the land until it is brimstone, salt and burning like Sodom and Gomorrah. (see Deut. 29:18-23). 

     As Jesus dealt with issues of life and death as mentioned above, Moses also connected the spiritual "standing" of God's people with life and death: "And the LORD your God will circumcise (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-your-heart and (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live...The LORD your God will make you abound in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your land for good....if you obey the voice of the LORD your God to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this Book of the Law, and if you turn (sub - return, turn back to God, come back, repent) to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. For this commandment which I command you today...the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. See, I have set before you today (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-life and (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-good, (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-death and (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-evil, in that I command you today to love (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess." (Deut. 30:6-16, excerpt). This is not about "standing" legalistically or religiously, this is about the heart, and Who our hearts worship in love. It is not just about what or how much you know, but WHO you know and LOVE with an (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-heart that only He can circumcise. Sometimes we lose track of that "WHO and the LOVE for Him." (see Rev. 2:4-5). It is a matter of life and death, and good and evil. We also see above that the LORD makes room for His people who have turned away from Him to turn back to Him. We all need to return to the LORD so that we may live and dwell in His blessing.

     The oath of the curse that came with the covenant was never meant for God's people, but for their enemies: "Also the LORD your God will put (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-all-these-curses on your enemies ('oyeb/'ayab - enemy, adversary, foe, to persecute, to hate/to be hostile to, to hate, to treat as an enemy) and on those who hate you, who persecuted you." (Deut. 30:7). His people were not to fall into the same ways as these enemies, forgetting to love God with all of their hearts. Moses was warning them not to choose this way that leads away from the LORD. Paul wrote the same principle, saying, "But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint (tithemi - to set, fix, establish, place, ordain, set forth) us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing." (1 Thess. 5:8-11). Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law so that we would receive the blessings of Abraham.  (Gal. 3:13-14). Paul, the highly trained Pharisee, knew his Torah, and he knew the fulfilment of the Torah through the salvation of Jesus Messiah/Christ.

     The LORD God was warning His people through Moses to stand before Him, to remain and abide in Him in love because He is the life and the blessing, and not to fall into the same curse as their enemies. Paul also wrote that we should not be conformed to the world (and its ways) but to be transformed in our minds (see Rom. 12:1-2). Jesus said that while we were physically in the world, we were not of this world (see Jn. 17:14-19). God's people are separated, consecrated, sanctified unto Him. (see Deut. 7:6, Jn. 17:17-19).

     As we look at the corresponding reading portion to Nitzavim, "Are standing", the blessings of the LORD are unlimited through the Person filled with the anointing (masah - root of the Messiah/Christ) of the Holy Spirit. They are earth-changing. Where once the curse that brought mourning, darkness, being stricken, forsaken and hated covered the people, now the light of the glory of the LORD has risen upon them for all to see. The Person in whom the anointing of the Spirit of the LORD resides preaches and proclaims healing, liberty, comfort, beauty, joy, righteousness, rebuilding and restoration, double honor, everlasting joy, truth, an everlasting covenant, garments of salvation, robes of righteousness, a crown of glory, a new name, delight, and being married. "So the LORD God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all nations...Indeed the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the world: 'Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Surely your salvation is coming; Behold, His reward is with Him...And they shall call them The Holy People, The Redeemed (see Gal. 3, above) of the LORD..." (Isa. 61 through Isa. 62, excerpt). Isaiah refers to salvation as a Person, as the prophet uses "His" and "Him" to describe salvation above. Jesus referred in part to this above blessing as being fulfilled on the day that He read it from the scriptures in the synagogue on the Sabbath. (see Lk. 4:16-19). He had come to announce to the ends of the world the redemption from the curse and the coming of the blessing through Himself, who is the Messiah/Christ, the Salvation anointed with the Spirit of the LORD. Jesus' name in Hebrew means "Salvation of the LORD."

      Moses' time was running out. The second title of this double-titled Sabbath is Va-yelech, meaning "Then he went out." This title comes from Deuteronomy 31:1: "Then Moses went and spoke these (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-words to all Israel." Moses, now one hundred and twenty years old, had little time left before he would die, and Joshua would then lead the people over the Jordan River and into the land. In part, Moses tells Israel regarding the tribes that were currently inhabiting the land: "The LORD will give them over to you, that you may do to them according to every commandment which I have commanded you. Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." (Deut. 31:5-6). These were some of Moses' last words to Israel telling them to stand in the LORD in courage and trust in Him. The LORD was sending His people into the land with His presence and authority going with them.

     Jesus also sent His disciples, which includes us, into the "land" or world in the same manner: "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age (aion/aei - forever, an unbroken age, perpetuity of time, eternity, the worlds, the universe/perpetually, incessantly, at any and every time, always).' Amen." (Mt. 28:18-20).

     If you would like to learn more about standing and abiding in the Lord with all of your heart and soul, you can join my prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, circumcise my heart so that I will stand before You and in You always, and that I will love You with all my heart and soul. LORD - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - You are with me always because of the abundant and eternal blessings of Your new covenant with me, written in the broken Body and the poured-out Blood of Your Son, Jesus. You have redeemed me from the curse! Let my heart, mind and will be staid upon You, loving and trusting You in worship and thanksgiving. 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. 

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. 

 

WarfareHeights

     There is warfare in the high places. 

     Scripture tells us that the king of Syria was making war against Israel and kept trying to lay traps to capture its king. However, the king of Syria found that the king of Israel always changed his travel path and managed to avoid the ambush that awaited him. The king of Syria became very frustrated and thought that he had a traitor in his midst that was leaking information to the king of Israel. One of his servants told the king that there was no traitor, but Elisha a prophet of Israel prophetically sees the plans of the king and tells the king of Israel to avoid them. Then the king of Syria sent a great army out to capture the prophet at his home in Dothan (meaning, "two wells"): "And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, 'Alas, my master! What shall we do?' So he (Elisha) answered, 'Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' And Elisha prayed, 'Lord, I pray, open (paqah - to open, to blossom, to enable to see things which otherwise are hidden from the eyes of mortals) (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) his eyes (ayin - eye, sight, fountain, spring of water [see Dothan meaning above], face, mental and spiritual faculties, favor, humble, knowledge, having beautiful eyes, between the eyes) that he may see (ra'a - look, behold, appear, seer, foresee, perceive, have vision, discern, visions).'...And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." (2 Kings 6:8-17, excerpt). Elisha also prayed that the eyes of the attacking army be stricken with blindness, and then Elisha led the Syrian army away from Dothan. (v. 18-19).

     The angelic army of the LORD was revealed as Elisha's servant's eyes were opened by the LORD. The great Syrian army became insignificant in comparison. Spiritual warfare was conducted on this mountain as the Syrian army was stricken with sudden blindness. The heights are a place that requires the ra'a vision and discernment of the people of God in order to perceive the warfare which God fights on behalf of His people.

     Satan took Jesus to the heights in order to show Him things that might tempt Him: "Then the devil, taking Him (Jesus) up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, 'All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.' And Jesus answered and said to him, 'Get thee behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.' Then he (Satan) brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle (pterygion - a wing of birds, extreme top corner) of the temple, and said to Him, 'If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written...: (see Ps. 91:11-12).' And Jesus answered and said to him, 'It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.' Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time." (Lk. 4:5-13, excerpt).

     Jesus used His knowledge of the appropriately applied Word of God to fight the spiritual warfare on the heights.

     It is mentioned in scripture that Jesus would go up to a height to pray (Mt. 14:22-23, Lk. 6:12-13), sometimes all night. No doubt there were times when He did spiritual warfare from that position. On one occasion, after feeding the five thousand by a miracle, Jesus retreated to a mountain because He perceived (see ra'a above) that the crowd was about to take Him by force to make Him a king. (Jn. 6:15).

     The greatest spiritual warfare in history occurred at an elevated height. Jesus was crucified on a mount called Golgotha, which is estimated to be about 2500 feet above sea level. Scripture says that if the spiritual rulers realized the overwhelming, overcoming victory that would be achieved by the death of Christ at that appointed place, they never would have crucified the Son of glory. (1 Cor. 2:7-10). What was unseeable to them on that hill was made seeable to us by the Holy Spirit as we came to believe.

     This brings us to this week's Sabbath reading portion titled Balak. Balak was the son of Zippor (little bird, chirping and hopping in a circle) and he was the king of Moab. Balak's name means "devastator, annihilate, make empty, make void." The congregation of the children of Israel was encamped near the boundary of Moab, and its king, Balak, was sick with dread at the sight of them and wanted them destroyed. He sought to hire for a diviner's fee a sorcerer named Balaam (bilam/bala - not of the people, foreigner/consume, waste, wear out, decay, spend) who dwelled a distance away at Pethor (petor - Mesopotamian town on the Euphrates River, soothsayer, interpreter of dreams). King Balak's message to Balaam said: "Look, a people has come from Egypt. See, they cover (kasa - cover, conceal, hide, clothe, overwhelm) the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) face (ayin - eye, sight, fountain, well, face, mental and spiritual faculties) of the earth ('eres - whole earth, region, territory, ground, Sheol: land of no return and the underworld), and are settling next to me! Therefore please come at once. curse this people for me, for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to drive them out of the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed." (Num. 22:1-6).

     King Balak being mentioned as the son of Zippor above has a special significance. "Zippor" refers to a small chirping and hopping bird, like a sparrow. Jewish tradition relates that the bird, in this case, may refer to a little model of a bird that kings like Balak used for divination, receiving demonic spiritual guidance from the underworld. It's where we get the expression, "A little birdie told me." 

      A panicked and desperate King Balak must now seek out a soothsayer of reputation, Balaam, because the presence of the Israelites has covered or blinded his eyes of "spiritual" sight according to the Hebrew meanings above. We read in the account of Elisha above, how the enemy army was suddenly "blinded" and could not find the one they sought, while the servant of Elisha had his eyes opened, discerning the presence of the angels of God.

     The presence of the Israelites had brought spiritual blindness to those who depended upon occultic practices. This may be one reason that the nations around them would not allow the Israelites to cross their borders. All of those nations had fallen into idolatry and demonic practices and were to be dispossessed from their land by God because of it.

     Without going into all of the details of the encounter between Balak and Balaam, we can read that King Balak took Balaam to certain heights from which to curse Israel.: "So it was, the next day, that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the high places (bamot/bama - great high place/mountain, battlefields, high places of worship, fortress) of Ba'al (name of a false god), that from there he might observe (ra'a - see above) the extent of the people." (Num. 22:41). Balaam was not able to curse God's people from there because God had not cursed them. (Num. 23:8). King Balak discovered that the sorcerer Balaam's power to bless and curse was not unlimited as he had stated above. Balaam was limited by the commands of God concerning His people.

     King Balak then took Balaam to another place in the heights: the field of Zophim (spym - "watchers") at the top of Mount Pisgah (meaning cleft, fragment, to pass between or within, contemplate, consider, divide palaces) to make another attempt to curse the Israelites. Balaam again could not curse Israel, but he prophesied: "For there is no sorcery against Jacob, nor any divination against Israel." (Num. 23:23). Of cursing Israel, Balaam told King Balak the Word he received from the LORD: "Behold, I have received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it." (v. 20).

     Then King Balak took Balaam to "the top of (Mount) Peor (peor/pa'ar - name of false god of Moab, similar to Baal and worshipped by prostitution/gaping open mouth of a ravenous beast) that overlooks the wasteland (Jeshimon/yasam - waste/to ruin, be desolate)." (Num. 23:28). At this location, for the first time, Balaam prophesied not by his sorceries as he had at the other locations, but by the Holy Spirit: "the Spirit of God came upon him." (Num. 24:1-2). When this happened, Balaam said: "The utterance of Balaam the son of Beor, the utterance of the man whose eyes (ayin - see above) are opened (satam - to open, to unveil, to 'unclose'), the utterance of him who hears the words of God, and sees (haza - see, perceive, look, a seer in the ecstatic state, to have a vision, to see God) the vision (mahaze - have a vision in the ecstatic state) of the Almighty, who falls down with eyes wide open." (v. 3-4, see also 15-16).

     Balaam saw now by the Holy Spirit as he never had before when using his sorceries. He still could not curse Israel for King Balak, of course. The king became very angry as a result and sent Balaam home without the honor that the king would have given him. The sad part of the story is that even after this experience with God, neither man ended up serving God, but they worked together to try to bring harm to Israel. They both ended up dying in their future activities towards this ungodly goal. Here's an additional piece of information to consider: it is no coincidence or accident that those high places named in the Barak/Balaam verses above that were once located in the nation of Moab in its border area, are now shown on maps as being located in the middle of Israel! Those high places became part of the territory of Israel and Moab no longer exists as a nation. We can only marvel at the workings of our God and His justice.

     We can understand why the false gods and those who worship them covet the heights. It is the position of "seeing", of having open eyes, and spiritual vision. The heights also represent the power and authority of God, and the anointing and purpose upon His people. Even Satan is revealed to desire the highest places. The covetous thoughts of Satan were revealed by God to the prophet Isaiah. Satan or Lucifer said: "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation (mo'ed/ya'ad - congregation, feast, appointed place, appointed and fixed time, appointed meeting, sacred season, appointed sign or signal/meet together, assemble, appointed, betrothed, gather by fixed appointment) on the farthest sides (yereka/yarek - extreme parts, border, flank side, recesses/thigh, loins as the seat of procreative power, thigh where the sword is worn) of the north (sapon/sapan - north, hidden, obscure/hide, esteemed, hidden ones, secret places, inaccessible, treasure or store up, hide from discovery by covering over [see also Ps. 91:1-2], protect, to be destined [see also Eph. 1:3-6]); I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High." (Isa. 14:13-14). However, the LORD promised to bring Lucifer down to the lowest depths of the Pit of Sheol. (v. 15).

    It is important to pay special attention to the meanings associated with "congregation" and "the farthest sides of the north" used in the above verses. There was something hidden in the heights. There was something concealed from spiritual eyes. God covered over this special something in order to hide it, but Satan knew something called "the congregation" was there. He wanted to occupy that spiritual high place. We, the believers in Christ, both Jew and Gentile, are appointed to that meeting place. The apostle Paul wrote about the whole armor of God, which has been supplied to us. Part of that armor requires us to have our loins (see "farthest parts" above), our procreative parts by which we multiply and bear fruit, girded with truth. We are bearers of truth, which is the Word and Person of Christ (see Jn. 1:14). We are to carry the sword on our flanks (see "farthest parts" above), which is the Word of God, the weapon of our warfare. With the armor of God, we are able to stand in opposition against the wiles (methodeia - cunning, deceit, trickery, methods, devices, craft) of the devil. (see Eph. 6:11-20).

     We were hidden and protected in the Spirit by God until the appointed time had come for Jesus Christ to be sent, and for those who would believe on His name to become sons of God. (see Gal. 4:3-7).

     From another portion of this Sabbath's Balak readings, the prophet Habakkuk wrote that regardless of whatever trying circumstances, which are reflective of a poor spiritual condition, that might come upon his nation: "Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, and He will make me walk (darak - tread upon, bend a bow, shoot an arrow, lead forth, guide, march forth, tread on a press of wine or oil, tread down enemies as grapes, overtake, enter a threshold) on my high hills." (Hab. 3:18-19).

     Here we can see that walking on the heights includes the warfare meaning that we have seen throughout the above accounts. My nation has long mountain ranges running all the way down near its eastern and western borders and along part of its northern and southern borders. These high places are a spiritual battleground that is calling to us according to what I have learned this Sabbath, and the victory is the LORD's. I live in an area surrounded by hills and mountains. It is known that a satanist some years ago dedicated the mountains and hills in the area to Satan. It is also known that a man of God later flew over those same hills and poured anointing oil out upon them from the window of the small airplane. After this Sabbath study, I now look at these hills differently and I am determined to spiritually "walk upon my high hills", by the Spirit and in the name of the LORD. 

     If you would like to learn more about this kind of warfare, you can pray with me: "Heavenly and Most High Father, You have destined me through Your Son, Jesus, to walk the high places with open eyes and "see"  - to see the King in His beauty", and "the land that is very far off." (Isa. 33:15-17). You have equipped me to do so, not in my own strength, but with Your truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation and Word, according to the armor with which You have clothed me. You spoke blessing over my life in Your Word, including within the epistles of Your apostles. Help me, Lord, to walk faithfully and to grow in the knowledge of Your salvation. 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. 

AbovePerfection

      This week's Sabbath reading portion is titled Sh'mini, which means "8th Day". The reading portion includes Lev. 9 through Lev. 11. The title comes from Lev. 9:1: "It came to pass (haya/hava/ava - exist, become (like), be established, to be finished/existence, shall be, become, breathe, the breath of living creatures, to live/ negatively, the root ava mentioned above includes the meaning: lust, greatly desire, covet, be greedy, crave, long for, turn aside) on the eighth day that Moses called Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel." There is a positive and a negative meaning associated with the phrase "It came to pass", as we can see. Breathing life is created, existence is established, or the opposite of life - the darkness of heart that leads to sin and death is established.

     We see here in the meaning of the Hebrew of this verse that something became alive and breathing, came into existence on the eighth day. "Eighth" in Hebrew is semini. It is an ordinal number, showing a progression in order like sixth, seventh, eighth, and so on. The root words connected to semini: semone and samen, refer to "a surplus above the perfect seven" and "fatness, plenteousness". There is also a root word, saman, which can mean to shine from fat or oil, or, in a negative sense, to be covered in the grossness of fat, and to cover the heart with fat to render it callous so as not to heed the words of the prophet (see Isa. 6:10). Again, we can have a positive or negative result when going "above the perfect seven". The abundance above the seven can work two different ways depending upon the heart of the person. In another reading portion from this Sabbath, Solomon wrote of a man having great plenty in every way, "but his soul be not filled with good (tob - goodness, beauty, favor, gladness, joy, delight, merry, agreeable, to do rightly)". It would have been better, Solomon wrote, if that man had been a stillborn child rather than to not to see this goodness. He calls it vanity and an evil affliction (Eccl. 6:1-6). Good and goodness are part of the character and name of God (see Ex. 34:5-7, Ps. 23:5-6). Psalm 23 is an "eighth day Psalm" to me, incorporating the eighth day blessings of abundance, which are those blessings that result from exceeding above the perfection of "seven". We will read about those blessings and where they come from later.

     However, we see a problem today. We have a very prosperous society, but there is sickness of heart and mind, an evil affliction as Solomon wrote, because we consume the bounty, the fatness, but we as a society have systematically and deliberately removed the knowledge of the goodness of God. Without being able to incorporate that goodness, having all of earth's riches sickens the soul rather than gladdens it. Without the goodness that is rooted in God, Solomon wrote that man has no hope or future regardless of how much wealth he has or how long his days are (v. 10-12). Rather than the eighth day blessing, we are living the eighth day curse. Let's now see what happened on the eighth day in Lev. 9.

     The eighth day in Lev. 9 marks the beginning of the priests' ministry, after Aaron and his sons spent seven days of consecration, being set apart as holy. So in numeral order, the eighth day is above or beyond the perfection of the seven of consecration. This priestly ministry started with peace offerings, sin offerings and burnt offerings made to the LORD to make atonement for the priests and the people. This eighth day would be a special day: "...for today the LORD will appear to you...and the glory of the LORD will appear to you." (v. 4, 6). From the sacrifices, Aaron's sons "presented (masa - find, attain, suffice, deliver, secure, to meet, to encounter, to detect, to discover, to come to, obtain knowledge of, be in possession of) to him the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) blood, which he sprinkled all around on the altar (mizbeah/zabah - altar/to slaughter, kill, sacrifice, to slaughter in divine judgment)." (v. 18).  After the offerings were completed, the LORD kept His promise: "Then Aaron lifted (nasa - lift up, bear up, carry, forgive, be exalted, take up) his (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) hand toward the people, blessed them, and came down (yarad - descend, sink down, go down alive into Hades [see Ps. 55:15-16], those who go down to the grave) from offering the sin offering, the burnt offering and peace offerings. And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of meeting, and came out and blessed the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) people. Then the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people, and fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces." (v. 22-24). This was an awesome eighth day event. The glory and fire of the LORD answered their offerings.

     The Hebrew word for blessing used above as Aaron blessed the people, also contains the meaning "to curse": (barak - bless, salute, kneel down, cause to kneel, be blessed, be adored, also to break down, to curse, to imprecate some evil on one by calling upon God, blaspheme, impious words against God, to wish ill). As we have seen above, the eighth day can have a dual meaning. What made the eighth day above such a wondrous event? 

     We can see the hint of the presence of Jesus Christ in this eighth day event. He is in the offering. He is in the knowledge of the blood. He is in the descent of Aaron from the brazen altar of sacrifice, just as Jesus descended into the realm of death and the grave after offering Himself as a sacrifice for us. There He led captivity captive, took the keys of authority over death, hell and the grave, and "ascended far above all the heavens". (see Ps. 68:18-19, Eph. 4:7-10, 1 Pet. 3:18-19, Jn. 20:16-18, Rev. 1:17-18). The eighth day to us must be all that is contained in the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ into the realm far above the highest realms: the realm of all glory, which He has delivered to us (Jn. 17:22-24). It is from this realm of glory above the highest realms that He blesses us with all of the riches and abundance, particularly spiritual riches, of that glory realm (Phil. 4:18-29). The word "above" in Hebrew is al, meaning, "over, in addition to, above, excess, pre-eminence, state of rest, on high, the Highest". The root word, ala, of "above" gives us a deeper understanding of this highest region: "offer up, bring, come, cause to ascend, go up, light, increase, raised, arose, to be taken up into, go up over, exalted".  The al "above" is the place of God (Gen. 28:12-13). We have the scripture also from Paul: "...to know the love of Christ which passes (hyperballo - beyond anything, surpass, exceed, excel) knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fulness (pleroma - fulness, abundance, copiousness) of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above (hyper - beyond, more than, above, very chiefest) all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Eph. 3:19-21). What a wonderful eighth day calling to which we have been called! Paul tells us to "walk worthy of the calling to which you were called...". (Eph. 4:1).

     We have seen the duality in meaning of the eighth day, which can be either abundant blessing, or abundantly empty and hopeless life, a curse. The dividing line between the two, as we saw in the Hebrew meanings of Lev. 9 above, is the new and abundant life of glory in Jesus Messiah/Christ (see Jn. 10:7-11), or the vanity and evil of a life without Him and the work of salvation which He completed (Eph. 2:12-13). 

     We see this duality again immediately after the glory was experienced on the eighth day. This is what occurred: "Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane (zur - estranged, gone away, turn aside, depart, stranger, foreigner, enemy, loathsome, alienated, prostitute, adulterer, falsehood, lie) fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. And Moses said to Aaron, 'This is what the LORD spoke, saying: 'By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all people I must be glorified." (Lev. 10:1-3). These two priests, who had experienced the eighth day blood and glory, approached the LORD in a manner that did not respect His holiness and glory. By doing so, the LORD did not recognize them as priests, but as strangers, and destroyed them. Jesus mentioned the same thing about some of those who will claim to know Him and serve him doing spiritual works in His name. To them He will say: "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness." (see Mt. 7:21-23). Jesus will not accept "strange fire" from us, a fire mixed with something loathsome and foreign to the Lord. Are we coming before the Lord with strange fire?

     Moses had two kinsmen of the dead priests to carry their dead (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) brethren from the front of the sanctuary, and out of the camp (v. 4-5). However, to Aaron and his two remaining sons who were still serving in the tabernacle, Moses gave a serious warning not to defile their holy priestly robes with signs of mourning for the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) burning which the LORD had kindled, or to come out of the tabernacle "...lest you die, for the anointing oil of the LORD is upon you.' And they did according to the word of Moses." (v. 6-7). We want the anointing of the Lord, the priceless Holy Spirit, but do we understand the standards by which the Lord commands that we wear His anointing? Paul wrote: "Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are." (1 Cor. 3:16-17, see also 1 Cor. 6:19-20).

     As those who are part of the eighth day new and abundant life in Messiah/Christ, which is above the perfection of seven, we also have been made priests by God (1 Pet. 2:9-10). We are purposed to be blessed, as we offer our pure worship to God. We are here to bring God's eighth day glory among His *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega people. Our golden bowls of incense are not filled with strange fire, but prayers, declaring the new song: "You (the Lamb, Jesus) are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth." (Rev. 5:9-10).

     Let's learn to walk worthy of this exceeding abundance from above that has been given to us from God through the death, burial (descent), resurrection and ascension of His Son.

*NOTE: aleph-tav written in Hebrew as אֶת, are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. 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, which is the name of Jesus Christ in the Book of Revelation: see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13.

     If you would like to know more about the eighth day and its calling and blessings, you can pray with me: "Dearest Father, You have called me into Your eighth day abundance through our Savior, Your Son, Jesus. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit to lead me into the new life of glory and priestly ministry before You. You said that You have filled me with all fulness of God. Through Christ, I have been joined to You in the highest realm, the realm of glory and exceeding abundance. This is the substance of Your Kingdom, and this is the calling and purpose to which I have been called. Help my understanding so that my offerings to You in holiness will bring forth Your glory in the earth. I ask this in the name of Jesus. AMEN."

     

Naso

This week's Sabbath reading is titled Naso, or "Elevate!". The meaning of naso in English is "to elevate, lift up, to take a census or a sum, a measure of elevation". In this Sabbath reading, the LORD will give us a look into both His priesthood and kings, and their important role in the command to "Elevate!" the people of God. As we carry on church "life as usual", we have perhaps forgotten the root of our calling from the Torah. We also have been called to be a spiritual priesthood and kingship before God (1 Pet. 2:9-10, Rev. 1:4-6, Rev. 5:9-10). In this Sabbath reading, Aaron, Moses' brother, is serving as the high priest, and his sons are assisting him. His service in the Tabernacle deals with intercession and sin, trespass, peace and atonement sacrifices to God. On only one occasion, told to us in Numbers 6, did God give Aaron a command through Moses regarding what Aaron must speak to the children of Israel: "And the LORD spoke to Moses saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons saying, "This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: The LORD bless (barak - bless, kneel, adore) you and keep (samar - guard, give heed to, keep watch, save life, to hedge about) you; The LORD make His face shine (or - light, enlighten, glorious, to make shine, kindle) upon you, and be gracious (hanan - show favor, have mercy, to bend in kindness to; to camp, dwell, pitch a tent) to you; The LORD lift up (nasa - lift up, carry away, forgive, exalt, assist, bear continuously, desire, armor, marry) His countenance upon you, and give you peace (salom/salam - peace, welfare, prosperity, health, safety, completeness, contentment, friendship in covenant relationship with God/recompense, reward, restore, repay, restitution, full, to be finished, completed, be uninjured, perfect, to be whole).' So they shall put My name (sem - name, fame, reputation, glory, authority, character, definite position, sign, mark) on the children of Israel, and I will bless them." (Num.6:22-27). This blessing to be said by Aaron to the children of Israel placed God's name upon the people, and accomplished much in the Spirit, as we can see from the word meanings. This blessing was meant to build something prophetically within the people of God, as well as supply their immediate and natural needs. This blessing, as we can see from the word meanings, immediately brings to mind those things that are found in the Person of the Messiah, Jesus: light, forgiveness, mercy, completion, perfection, wholeness, being carried away, marriage, reward. So the prophetic promise of the Messiah is also being embedded in the people through this blessing. The people didn't have to earn or deserve this blessing. It was an obligation of the priesthood to say it as commanded by God. This blessing marked the difference between the people of God and all others. Do we, the priests of the New Covenant, understand and perform this commandment of God? In another portion from this Sabbath's "Elevate!" reading in 2 Chronicles 6, we are given a kingly example of the command Naso, or to "elevate" God's people. God has placed before us in this portion, one of the most glorious and renowned of the kings of Israel, Solomon, the son of David. His glory was so far above all other kings, that Jesus used him as an example of glory in His teaching: "...Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field...will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" (Mt. 6:28-30). In our Sabbath reading for this week in 2 Chronicles 6, the Temple of God has just been completed in Jerusalem. It was a luxurious and glorious temple, and King Solomon is leading its dedication. All Israel was assembled before him as he stood on a platform that had been built before the bronze altar of the LORD so that all of Israel could see him: "...and he stood on it, knelt down on his knees before all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven." (2 Chron. 6:12-13). When is the last time we saw a king, or any governmental authority, kneel down, raise his hands towards heaven and pray? As kings before God, which we are according to scripture, when was the last time that we knelt down, and raised our hands to heaven to pray? What did Solomon pray to God about in the dedication of this temple? He asked the LORD to make this temple a place where God's people could pray, confess His name (v. 26), and come to Him for forgiveness (v. 21, 29-30)...a place where the land could be healed as a result of the repentance of God's people (see 7:14). Not only did Solomon pray for such a house of God for the people of Israel, but for any foreigner who would come because they believed the name of the God of Israel (v. 32-33). When Solomon finished praaying, "fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the temple." (7:1). Because of the presence of the glory of God, the priests could not enter the LORD's house (7:2). The Prophet Isaiah confirmed Solomon's prayer calling God's house a house of prayer for all nations (Isa. 56:7). Jesus confirmed the Law and the Prophets by calling the House or Temple of God to be a house of prayer for all nations (Mk. 11:15-17, Mt. 21:12-14). As the living, spiritual temple of God, we also are a house of prayer for all nations, as we have been redeemed and called "out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation." (Rev. 5:9-10). As we saw what happened when Solomon prayed, amazing things happen when "kings" humbly and sincerely pray. Our modern politicians, even those who proclaim faith, do not pray publicly. However, there was a speech given by Ronald Reagan on February 6, 1986, that came very close, and which brings to mind the great prayer of King Solomon, and the priestly blessing of Aaron that we read above. This is an excerpt from that speech: "...We also have His (God's) promise that we could take to heart with regard to our country, that 'If My people, which are called by My name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.' Let us, young and old, join together...in humble heartfelt prayer. Let us do so for the love of God and His great goodness, in search of His guidance and the grace of repentance, in seeking His blessings, His peace, and the resting of His kind and holy hands on ourselves, our nation, our friends...and all mankind, now and always. The time has come to turn to God and reassert our trust in Him for the healing of America...Our country is in need of and ready for a spiritual renewal. Today, we utter no prayer more fervently than the ancient prayer for peace on earth. If I had a prayer for you today...it is that one we're so familiar with: 'The LORD bless you and keep you, the LORD make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace...'. And God bles you all." If you would like to know more about our calling as priests and kings, which Christ has made us, you can pray with me: "Lord Jesus, You have appointed us to minister before God and man as Your priests and kings. By doing so, we speak "naso", elevation to man, and glory to God our Father in Your name. Fill us with the Holy Spirit so that we can fulfill this important spiritual assignment, not by the agendas of man, but by the command of God, and these precious examples given to us from God in His Word. I ask this in Jesus' name. AMEN."

Benediction

When I was young, my family attended a church whose minister, Rev. Gerald Huenink, was a very reserved, learned man. However, it would always charm me, even as a child, to see Rev. Huenink come to the center of the altar area at the end of the service, raise his arms over the congregation, and pronounce a blessing or benediction over us. The benediction, or blessing, has the power to transform. The patriarchs of scripture would pronounce a blessing over the heads of their children (Gen. 49). The blessing had a prophetic significance also over a person's life. Aaron, the priest, was instructed to say a blessing over the children of Israel: "And the LORD spoke to Moses saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, "This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: "The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace." So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them." (Num. 6:22-27). By Aaron and his sons speaking this blessing over Israel, the LORD said He would place His name upon them, and bless them. In these trying times, I am sure that there are people upon whom we would like to see the name of the LORD placed, and the blessings that follow that wonderful name. Are we speaking this blessing? Are we speaking a transforming word of blessing into people's lives? Especially as the time of Christ's return draws near, speaking the benediction can be a vital tool of ministry to others. Proverbs teaches us that we have power in our mouths: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Prov. 18:21). "Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul, and health to the bones." (Prov. 16:24). "Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad." (Prov. 12:25). Mental and physical health, even life and death, are impacted by the words out of our mouths. More than ever before, people, even children, are being consumed by anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses. Speaking blessings and benedictions over them can bring words of relief and transformtion. The creative power of transformation found in the blessing, or benediction, is not only meant for the people of God, or for the people we like. Jesus said: "You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I say to you, love your enemies, bless them who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you my be sons of your Father in heaven: for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust." (Mt. 5:43-45). The role of the ministers of the Church is for "the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be childre, tossed to and fro...by the trickery of men...but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the Head - Christ -..." (Eph. 4:12-15). The Church is being transformed into the perfect man, and the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ by the truth spoken in love. This transformative truth comes in several forms, but one of the ways that Paul spoke the truth over the Church is by the benediction, or blessing. These are some of the benedictions of prophetic, creative, transformative power spoken by Paul over the believers in his letters to the churches: "Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be likeminded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Rom. 15:5-6). "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Rom. 15:13). "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Cor. 1:3). "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen" (1 Cor. 16:23-24). "Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God." (2 Cor. 9:10). "And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all the saints." (1 Thess. 3:12-13). "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thess. 5:23). "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work." (2 Thess. 2:16-17). "Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ...Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all." (2 Thess. 3:5,16). "The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen." (2 Tim. 4:22). "Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." (Heb. 13:20-21). The blessing or benediction spoken over a life can transform a life. It can transform a home, a city, a nation. Our Father has shown us the power of the benediction. "May the Lord God Almighty bless you in all your ways in Him. May He bless your home and children with peace. May He lead you in His paths of righteouseness and holiness, and make you fruitful in the earth by His Son, Jesus."