SpiritAbundance

      

"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge...to another faith...to another gifts of healings...to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy...to another discerning of spirits...to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills." (1 Corinthians 12:7-11).

      As I was reading the selections of scripture that are part of this week's Sabbath portion, I was directed to a common thread that ran through them. I would like to look at this thread to learn more about it.

     This week's Sabbath reading portion is titled Yitro, meaning "Abundance." Yitro, whom we call "Jethro" in English, was also the father-in-law of Moses, and we read about him in Exodus 18, beginning with verse 1: "And Jethro (yitro - "his abundance", "his excellence", a tent cord, hanging over, hanging down, that which exceeds measure or limit, remnant, remainder, exceeding, plentiful), the priest (kohen - priest, chief, ruler, officer, prince) of Midian (meaning strife, brawling, contention, quarrelsome, discord), Moses' father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Israel His people - that the LORD had brought (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Israel out of Egypt."

     Jethro came to visit Moses, and "Moses told his father-in-law of all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, all the hardship that had come upon them on the way, and how the LORD had delivered them. Then Jethro rejoiced for all the good which the LORD had done for Israel, whom He had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians." (v. 8-9).

     At hearing of the wonderful things that the LORD had done, Jethro had a moment of revelation: "Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods; for in the very thing in which they (the gods) behaved proudly, He was above them." Jethro then made sacrifices and offerings to God, and the elders of the Israelites came and shared a covenant meal of bread (lehem/laham - bread, food, shewbread, grain/fight, war, make war, overcome, prevail, use as food, to battle as destruction, devour enemies) with Jethro before God. (v. 11-12). 

     The Hebrew root for "bread", laham (see above), has a very deep meaning. The idea of eating this bread is connected to the idea of prevailing against an enemy. We see this usage in Num. 14:8-9. Jesus also told us that He was our Bread of life sent from heaven and we eat this Bread, being His body broken, in our Communion with Him. Jesus overcame all enemies, even the world, death, hell and the grave.

     As we read this, we can say that Jethro had a revelatory moment of awareness and knowledge of the LORD.  What he had not known before, he now knew with assurance. This is similar to a "born again" experience.

     After this, we begin to see the thread that will travel through this Yitro, "Abundance", Sabbath reading. Jethro gave Moses a word of wise counsel, a word of wisdom that would help, strengthen, and advise an over-burdened Moses as he governs and judges more a million Israelites. Jethro said to Moses: "Listen now to my voice (qol - voice, thunder, proclamation, command, thunderings); I will give you counsel (ya'as - counsellor, counsel, advice, advise, guide, command), and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-difficulties to God. And you shall teach them the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-statutes and (*[vaw]-aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-laws, and show them (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-way in which they must walk and (*[vaw]-aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-work they must do." (v. 19-20).

     Jethro, a ruler who came out of a place whose name means "strife, brawling, contention, discord, quarrelsome" (see "Midian" above), is now able to offer Godly wisdom and counsel to Moses. This is a picture of the work of the Holy Spirit in Jethro. Isaiah described the Holy Spirit as it would manifest in the Messiah/Christ: "The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD." (Isa. 11:2). 

     Jethro told Moses to listen to his voice (see qol above).  In Proverbs 8, Wisdom is described: "Does not wisdom cry out, and understanding lift up her voice?...Counsel ('esa/ya'as - counsel, advice, purpose, prudence/see ya'as above) is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength. By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth." (v. 1, 14-16). Jethro's or Yitro's office as a priest, also includes the meaning of prince and ruler (see kohen above). His counsel of wisdom to Moses was to make it easier for Moses to judge the people of Israel, as also mentioned here in Proverbs 8. (see Ex. 18:13-14). As we see from the verses from 1 Corinthians 12 at the top of the page, and the verses above from Isaiah, the word of wisdom is one of the manifestations of the Holy Spirit.

      We see another characteristic of the Holy Spirit of God as Jethro advised Moses to "Stand before God for the people." This is a position of intercession. The Greek word in the New Testament used as meaning the Holy Spirit is parakletos, which means "called to one's aid, advocate, counsel for defense, intercessor, lead into a deeper knowledge of the Gospel truth, giver of divine strength, comforter, consoler." Finally, Jethro commands Moses to teach the statutes, laws, the way and the walk which the people must know and follow. These four things are connected to the *aleph-tav or the *vaw-aleph-tav in written Hebrew as shown above from Ex. 18. This means that these four things are identified or connected to the Messiah/Christ (see *note below). One of the divine purposes of the Holy Spirit as revealed by Jesus is: "These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper/Comforter (parakletos - see above), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." (Jn. 14:25-26).

     Paul also wrote of the powerful intercession that the Holy Spirit makes on our behalf before God: "Likewise the Spirit (pneuma - third Person of the Trinity and co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son, Holy Ghost, Spirit of God, Spirit of the Lord) also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings (stenagmos - groaning, a sigh) which cannot be uttered...He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God." (Rom. 8:26-27, excerpt).

     Jethro also told Moses above to teach the people the *aleph-tav words, commands, ways and works connected to the Messiah/Christ, which is Jesus. As we can see from Jesus' words above in Jn. 14, this is the function of the Holy Spirit. Jesus also said of the Holy Spirit: "He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you." (Jn. 16:14).

     Paul wrote above that the Holy Spirit makes intercession for us with groanings and sighs that cannot be expressed in human language. Jesus called the Holy Spirit the Helper/Comforter in Jn. 14 above. The Hebrew word used for "Comforter" is naham, which means, "comfort, repent, ease, to console, be sorry, have compassion, to sigh, to groan, to lament, to grieve." Not only do we see the connection in Hebrew to groaning and sighing in intercession, but through the Hebrew word naham we also see the connection of the Comforter to repentance. Repentance is not achieved by the strength of the will of man, but by the sovereign move of the Spirit of God upon and within us. Scripture tells us of Esau, who had changed his mind about rejecting the blessing. However: "...he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it with tears." (Heb. 12:17). He desired to repent but no door of repentance was opened to him. Two of the reading portions of this Yitro, "Abundance", Sabbath, deals with deep repentance.

     Isaiah chapter 6 presents us with the vision of heaven that brought Isaiah his calling to be a prophet. In his vision, Isaiah saw (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-Lord (Adonai) sitting on His throne in (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-temple. Upon seeing the awesome sights and sounds of heaven, Isaiah was moved to repentance, saying: "Woe is me, for I am undone (dama - cut off, perish, lay waste, bring to silence, cut off at the sight of the Theophany)! Because I am a man of unclean (tame' - defiled, polluted, unclean, impure) lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-King, the LORD of hosts." (Isa. 6:1-5).

     As Isaiah cried out the words above, an angel took a live coal (Heb. root word resep/sarap - hot stone, glowing stone or coal, flame, firebolt, spark/set on fire, kindle) from the altar in heaven, and touched Isaiah's mouth with it, saying: "Behold, this has touched you lips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged (kapar- atonement, reconciliation, forgiven, atonement made)." (v. 6-7). Then (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-voice of the Lord then spoke sending Isaiah forth with the prophetic message to the people. (v. 8-10).

     The sight of the Messiah/Christ in heaven causes Isaiah to cry out in repentance. Where is the Holy Spirit in this encounter? I see the Holy Spirit in the flaming coal taken from the altar. John the Baptist said that the Messiah/Christ (Jesus) would come baptizing in the Holy Spirit and fire. (see Lk. 3:16-17). When the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples in the upper room on Pentecost, or the Feast of Weeks, He descended as tongues of fire that rested upon the heads of every disciple. (see Acts 2:1-4) The first indication of the touch of this fire of the Holy Spirit was a change in tongues or language. Their mouths, like Isaiah's, would now be used as vessels of the Lord. Jesus also connected the Helper/Comforter (see above) with repentance: "And when He (the Helper/Comforter) has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." Jesus also connected the Holy Spirit with prophecy. (Jn. 16:8, Jn. 16:13).

     We read from another portion of this week's Yitro Sabbath in Nehemiah 8: "Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of/before (panim - before, face, presence, countenance, person, from before time, turned towards the face) the Water (mayim - waters, waterspring, washing, waterflood, waters of refreshment, waters of destruction) Gate (sa'ar - gate, door, gate of entrance, heaven, gate of the temple/tabernacle, split open, set a price); and they told Ezra ('ezra/'ezer/'azar - help, succor, assistance, one who helps/aid, female helper/help, helper, surround, protect, aid, succor) the scribe to bring (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-Israel." (v. 1).

     There is important information in this first verse from Nehemiah Ch. 8. The whole congregation of Israel, which is identified with the *aleph-tav or Messiah/Christ, is standing before the "face" of the Water Gate. The waters described here are like flood waters that wash (or destroy) according to the Hebrew meaning. The prophet Ezekiel wrote: "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols...I will put (*vaw-aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-My-Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. ...you shall be My people, and I will be your God. I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses...Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations." (Ezek. 36:25, 27-29, 31). The Spirit of God is associated with the cleansing process of God's people, as well as their repentance.

     Ezra, whose name means "helper" (see also parakletos above) is like the Comforter/Holy Spirit who gives aid. The Book of the Law of God which Ezra reads from is associated with the Messiah/Christ, by the presence of the written *aleph-tav in Hebrew. Ezra assigned Levites who explained, gave the sense of, and "helped the people to understand" the Word of God being read to them (see parakletos above: "to lead into a deeper understanding of Gospel truth"). (Neh. 8:7-8, see also Jn. 16:14 above).

     As the people heard the words of the *aleph-tav Book, and were led by the Levites into the understanding of the Word, they began to weep and mourn in repentance because they had not kept the Words of the *aleph-tav Book, which is identified with the Messiah/Christ. The governor, Nehemiah, Ezra the scribe, and the Levites began to comfort and console the people. (v. 9-12). Not only the repentance from being given the understanding of the Word, but the comfort and consolation afterwards are all the work of the Comforter (see naham and parakletos above), the Holy Spirit.

     Paul wrote about the cleansing process that begins in the Word of God and includes the inspiration of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote that Christ gave Himself for the church: "...that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." (Eph. 5:25-27).

     Paul also wrote to Titus, saying: "...when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4-7).

     The title of this week's Sabbath portion is Yitro, means "Abundance". We see above that the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, is poured out in abundance upon us. Joel wrote: "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out (sapak - to profusely expend [soul, life], spill forth [blood, libation], gush out, shed blood, poured out like water, intensively) (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-My-Spirit on all flesh..." (Joel 2:28).

     The above writings of Paul, and the prophecy of Joel above, tell us that both the Word, which is Jesus and His blood, and the Spirit, work together to bring us our regeneration and renewal. John wrote: "...There are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one." (1 Jn. 5:7-8, excerpt).

     If you would like to learn more about the work of the Holy Spirit with the Word of God, you can join my prayer: "Merciful Father, how thankful I am that You sent Your Son, Jesus, the Word, for my salvation! How thankful I am that Your Son, baptized me with Your Holy Spirit! I welcome the cleansing water and renewal of the Word and the Spirit. I welcome the wisdom of Your Spirit. I welcome the guidance of Your Spirit who teaches me Your truth, leads me into repentance, and then comforts and consoles me in renewal and refreshing. Forgive me when I have tried to accomplish these things in my own strength and understanding. Jesus, my Shepherd guides me to the still waters of Your Holy Spirit and the green pastures of the Word of God. I need both in my life, Lord, not only for my own sake, but as a witness to others. I ask this mercy 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. 

RulingWisdom

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Origins

A Look at Job 28

Men have been interested in finding out the origins of all things, including themselves, and have formed their theories regarding these things. The word "origins" is defined as "The point or place where something begins, arises, or is derived". In order to try to find these origins, they have examined their environment: earth, sea, including the deepest pits and abysses, and sky. They have searched to the edge of darkness, even to the deepest darkness, the shadow of death (Job 28:3). They have looked deep into the earth. They have looked at the bottom of the seas. They have examined the air, the atmosphere, and the space above the atmosphere, as far as it is possible to see at this time. Men have looked everywhere that it is physically possible for them to look in search of the origins of man and the universe.
In all of their searching, they have found the hidden places, and starting points of the riches of the earth: the places of silver, gold, precious jewels (Job 28:1-6). Man has found this hidden wealth, cutting through rocks, even overturning mountains to their bases (v.9-10). Man has discovered the sources of every mighty river and stream on earth, and can even stop and divert them in order to extract the hidden wealth and knowledge underneath them (v. 11). Man is of the understanding that there is not much that will remain hidden from him.
However, there is a hidden place, the place of origins, that man cannot see (v. 12-14). Because he cannot see it, man does not understand, nor measure its value, as he can with gold, silver, and gems (v. 15-19). This place cannot be easily found nor accessed from any place, earth, sea or air, that contains natural life:
"It is hidden from the eyes of all living, and concealed from the birds of the air."  Job 28:21
In the same way that it is not in the physical heavens, it is also beyond the realm of the spiritual heavens. Even the most powerful created spiritual beings, Destruction ("Abaddon"), and Death ("Maveh") have only heard reports about it, but do not know it (v. 22).
The place, or point, of origins is beyond any place that contains creation, or created beings.
Only God knows the place and understands it (v. 23). From this place of origins, God established all of the laws and rules, all of the weights and measurements of the creation (v. 24-26) before the creation was even manifested.
God calls this concealed place of origins the place of wisdom ("chokma/chakam") and understanding ("biynah/biyn") (v. 7, 12, 20). This realm of wisdom and understanding inhabited by God, according to both the Hebrew and English meanings of the words, is a place to perceive, to discern, to understand, to distinguish, to separate mentally, to stand apart, to be separate, to teach and instruct, to perceive the intended meaning, to grasp the meaning or significnce of, to comprehend the reason, to assign a meaning to.
The place where the purpose and meaning of the creation was discerned, distinguished and separated out, became the origin of creation.
Proverbs 8 gives us a detailed description of this origin. Here is a portion below:
"The LORD possessed me (wisdom) at the beginning of His way, before His works of old. I have been established from everlasting, from the beginning, before there was ever an earth...When He marked out the foundations of the earth...Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman...Rejoicing in His inhabited world, and my delight was with the sons of men."    Prov. 8:22-23, 29-31
When God instructed Moses to build the tabernacle after the pattern that was shown to him of the tabernacle of eternity, the workmen and women who constructed each part had been those in whose hearts God had placed "wisdom and understanding" (Ex. 31:2-11, 35:31, 36:1). From this special knowledge within them, they were able to reproduce with the finest skills, the items of the tabernacle according to the eternal pattern. In the same manner, God gave King Solomon, and those who would construct the Temple in Jerusalem, the same type of "wisdom and understanding" (1 Ki. 4:29, 7:14). They were specially gifted from this place in God, in order to accomplish a model of the eternal on earth.
To find this place of origin, God said to man, who is the only part of creation that can begin to know it:
"Behold, the fear ("yirah"-Godly fear, respect, reverence, piety, awe, honor) of the LORD, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding."  Job 28:28, Prov. 8:13
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."  Prov. 9:10
Finding the starting point or origin of creation, including man, lies in the underlying purpose and meaning of it in God, this purpose being the awe and reverence for God, and the turning aside from, rejection, removing, deposing of evil. Our purpose and meaning in God's will is our origin.
God encourages us all in His Word to find this place of origins where He is.
In Psalm 49, the psalmist addresses "all peoples, all inhabitants of the world". He is speaking from the place of "wisdom and understanding" (v. 3). He tells us that all men, no matter their station in life, will die like all other living creatures (v. 12), and all of their honors and wealth will not help them, nor go with them (v. 10). However, from the place of wisdom and understanding, the psalmist has seen, and declared the following:
"But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me.
Selah (pause in silence to lift and exalt; weigh and value this)" (v. 15).
By looking into and from this special place inhabited by God, the psalmist was able to receive and proclaim this great truth that only the God of all creation can promise.
We, in particular, who are part of Christ, have been given access and invitation through Him, and by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, to this place of wisdom and understanding in the Father:
"...that the God of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling..."   Eph. 1:17-18
"...we... do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord... attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father, and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."    Col. 1:9-10, 2:2-3
"...that you may be perfect (mature) and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."    James 1:4-5
Through His Word, and by His Spirit, we have access to our Father's realm of wisdom and understanding. Our words and lives should reflect this, and we can teach others.
As man has searched for, and published theories of our origins, he has looked in every place but the place where it can be found. Because of this, the various theories fall far short. The origin of the species is not found in Darwin's theories. It is not even found in Adam and Eve. Our origins are found in the thought and statement of God, Elohim, "Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness" (Gen. 1:26). Our true origins are found in the hidden place that existed before beginnings: the wisdom and understanding of God.
Our Father wants us to know the place of our origins. He wants us to seek it, because it is with Him.

Our origins are in the wisdom and understanding of our Father.


"In The Beginning"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJlJ2j_mcxg

Wisdom

 



One of the most mysterious qualities of our Father, is His wisdom.
When we think of "wisdom", we think of a quality that incorporates intelligence, common sense, a certain talent for understanding. It does include these things, but the wisdom of God far exceeds the ideas we may have concerning wisdom, as we find it in man.
The quality of supernatural wisdom is directly connected with justice, judgment, and the power of creation. In the Old Testament, one of the meanings of "wisdom" in Hebrew, and the primary power of the word, is in regard to judging. In 1 Kings 3, Solomon asks God for a gifting of wisdom. In verse 9, Solomon says to the LORD, "Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?" The LORD answers him saying, "Behold I have done according to your words; see I have given you a wise and understanding heart..."
Similarly, in the New Testament, the word "wisdom" is defined as "the wisdom of God as evinced in forming and executing counsels in the formation and governing of the world, and the scriptures. So wisdom can be very much about justice, judgment, and governing.

Even more mysterious, is the role that wisdom played, and continues to play in the creation power of God. We can see this wisdom in Prov. 8. The person of Wisdom is speaking throughout this chapter:

"The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way,

Before His works of old.

I have been established from everlasting,

From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.

When there were no depths I was brought forth,

When there were no fountains abounding with water.

Before the mountains were settled,

Before the hills, I was brought forth;

While as yet, He had not made the earth or the fields (outer places),

Or the primal dust of the world.

When He prepared the heavens, I was there,

When He drew a circle on the face of the deep,

When He established the clouds above,

When He strengthened the fountains of the deep,

When He assigned to the sea its limit,

So that the waters would not transgress His command,

When He marked out the foundations of the earth,

Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman;

And I was daily His delight,

Rejoicing always before Him,

Rejoicing in His inhabited world,

And my delight was with the sons of men.”

                                  Prov. 8:22-31

Before, during, and after the completion of creation, Wisdom was present and participating. Even from everlasting, the person of Wisdom was with the Father.

And the delight of Wisdom, and of the Father, was seeing the inhabited creation, especially the sons (children) of men. They celebrated and rejoiced as that life was brought forth.

We know that wisdom also includes the concept of judgment and justice, and government. So what judgment was being accomplished with Wisdom present at the dawn of creation? What caused the great rejoicing at the bringing forth of an inhabited world?

The previous condition of the earth was emptiness, darkness and chaos, according to Gen. 1:2. By establishing light, and life, our Father was also establishing His judgment on those forces that had created such previous turmoil, and destruction. By establishing a creation teeming with life, our Father  was judging darkness and death. By this judgment, He was re-establishing His government, His Kingdom, in the midst of the void. And by the presence of Wisdom, the re-newed creation was brought forth.  The grace, beauty, joy and power of wisdom, the Wisdom that exists with the Father, are being revealed in the scriptures above.

The partnership of creation and wisdom are revealed in other parts of scripture as well. Master craftsmen were appointed by Moses to build the beautiful pieces of furniture used in the Tabernacle of God, among the congregation of Israel. The talent and artisanship of these craftsmen were attributed to the fact that these men and women were filled with the Spirit of wisdom (Ex. 28:3, Ex. 31:2-4).

And yet, the gift of wisdom is not just for God, kings, and craftsmen. In James 1, we can read:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

Just as our Father answered Solomon’s prayer for wisdom, so He will answer our prayer for wisdom as well. Why is it so important for the people who are the called by God, to desire and attain wisdom?

Ephesians 3:9-11 tells us:

“and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden on God who created all things through Jesus Christ (the Word of Christ is all wisdom-Col 3:16), to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord…”

The same purpose that we read in Gen 1 is commanded above to His church: establishing the judgment of God, the government of God, to the powers of darkness that would try to rule the earth. They did not succeed the first time, and they will not succeed this time – it is against the purpose, will and wisdom of God.

While the wisdom of our Father carries His judgment and government, and His creative power, yet the qualities of that wisdom are wrapped in His nature of love:

“For the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”

                                                         And

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.”

                                                      James 3:17, 13

In this age, it is desperately needed for those who know God to seek and attain His wisdom, and all that His wisdom entails. Our Father says in the verses from Ephesians above, it is to be done now, manifesting through the church (His called out assembly). All we have to do is ask.

Our Father is Wisdom.

“The Perfect Wisdom of Our God”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSnzYnOe6kI