Inheritance

The title of this week's Sabbath reading is Ki Tavo, meaning "When you come in", based on the words that Moses spoke to Israel "It shall be when you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving to you as an inheritance..." in Deut. 26. The Israelites were about to cross over the Jordan River from the eastern direction into the land promised to them by God. The situation changes for the people of God when they come into their inheritance, and there are important principles for us to learn, as we also come into an inheritance when we become followers of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote of our being "...heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ..." and spoke of "...the glory which shall be revealed in us", and "...the glorious liberty of the children of God...", having "the firstfruits of the Spirit". (Rom. 8:17-23, excerpt). In another place, Paul wrote: "In Him (Christ) also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory." (Eph. 1:11-12). We who have received an inheritance from God are called to function at a different level. We will see this in this Sabbath's readings also, because we have "come in". The first thing the Israelites were to do when they arrived in the land was to bring an offering to God. This offering was not to be from what they had brought with them from Egypt, and it was not be what they had planted and grown themselves, nor accumulated during their journey. The LORD commanded: "...you shall take some of the first of all the produce of the ground, which you shall bring from your land your God is giving you...and go to the place where the LORD your God chooses to make His name abide...". (Deut. 26:2). This offering was to come from what they found already growing in their new land, from their inheritance given to them. However, a declaration was to accompany this offering. The one bringing the offering must say before the priest: "I declare today to the LORD my God that I have come to the country which the LORD swore to our fathers to give us...My father was a Syrian (Aramean), about to perish, and he went down to Egypt and dwelt there, few in number; and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous. But the Egyptians mistreated us, and laid hard bondage on us. Then we cried out to the LORD God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and looked on our affliction and our labor and our oppression. So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders. He has brought us to this place and has given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land which You, O LORD, have given me." (v. 3-10). Then the offering is set before the LORD and He is worshipped, "So you shall rejoice in every good thing which the LORD your God has given to you and your house..." (v. 11). In the third year in the land, the Israelites were to begin bringing the tithe they had laid aside of all of the increase they have received. The offering of the tithe (a tenth) was also to be accompanied by a declaration ending with "I have obeyed the voice of the LORD my God, and have done according to all that You hve commanded me. Look down from Your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless Your people Israel and the land which You have given us, just as You swore to our fathers, 'a land flowing with milk and honey'." (v. 13-15), excerpt). As the people further proclaimed that the LORD was their God, and that they will walk in His ways, His commandments, and His judgments, and obey His voice, the LORD makes a proclamation in exchange: "Also today, the LORD has proclaimed you to be His special people, just as He promised you, that you should keep all His commandments, and that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, in praise, in name, and in honor, and that you may be a holy people to the LORD your God, just as He has spoken." (v. 17-19). All of these declarations are made in conjunction with the giving of tithes and offerings to the LORD, and, as we read, the LORD proclaims amazing things over His people in return. Those amazing things sound very similar to what Peter wrote to the Church of believers (see 1 Peter 2:9-10). I must ask myself, then, what I am declaring, if anything, as I bring my tithes and offerings to the LORD. We can see that making a declaration of the Lord's deliverance and inheritance to us is to be a powerful, appropriate, even a commanded, part of our giving. I have received an amazing inheritance from Him. When I bring something to the LORD, I should be declaring that inheritance. An inheritance that first found me in sin, oppression, bondage, darkness, and death, as the Israelites were in Egypt, and brought me into that place of glory that Paul wrote about above - even to the sharing of Christ's own inheritance from His Father! Isn't this worth a declaration or two? The LORD has promised here in Deuteronomy 26 that if I make my declaration while giving to Him, He will make a declaration or proclamation to me. We should be aware that there are expectations of a people "when they come in", and have received their miraculous inheritance. God has given them and us a guideline to guarding and keeping the inheritance that they, and we, have been given. In Deuteronomy 28, another portion from this Sabbath's reading, Moses brought to the Israelites the Word of the LORD: "...if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments...the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth." (v. 1). This is the same declaration that the LORD made to His people previously in Deut. 26. This is part of their inheritance of the land, if they obey. On top of that, the LORD declared: "And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God." (v. 2). The LORD then told them of all of the blessings that will manifest in their lives, including the fruitfulness of their own bodies in children. Enemies would flee from before them. "The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments...and walk in His ways. Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they shall be afraid of you...and the LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath (see Jesus' words in Jn. 8:23), if you heed the commandments...and are careful to observe them." (v. 2-13, excerpt). Observing the commandments and voice of God preserves and guards the inheritance which the LORD has given to His people. His intentions were not to bring them to the land, and then set them on their own without His counsel. As we continue in this Sabbath's readings, we will find that this is just the beginning of the expectations, proclamations and miraculous manifestations that God has in store for His people to whom He has given an inheritance. The inheritance includes, as Paul wrote above, the LORD's inclusion of His people in His own glory. This Sabbath's reading also includes specific portions from the prophet Isaiah: "Arise (qum - rise up, stand, come on the scene, be established, raise up, give effect to), shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness (hosek/hasak - darkness including destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness; the dark place of Hades, dark as withholding light, to be surrounded with darkness) shall cover (kasa - overwhelm, hide, conceal, spread over, clothe) the earth, and deep darkness (arapel/arap - thick darkness, heavy or dark cloud, gloom, night, darkness dropping down) the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you...Surely the coastlands shall wait for Me...to bring your sons from afar, their silver and their gold with them, to the name of the LORD your God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because He has glorified you...And they shall call you 'The City of the LORD', 'Zion of the Holy One of Israel'." (Isa. 60:1-2, 9, 14). The inheritance of glory is not for our sake alone, but in order that the Gentiles and the nations will glorify the LORD also. The inheritance of glory given to us, if we will rise up and stand in it, is the only light that will be available to a world and its people who have been totally swallowed up in a natural and spiritual darkness, even the darkness of Hell. To understand and obediently walk in our inheritance from God through His Son, has grave importance to the world. Paul also wrote of our inheritance as sons of God: "For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing (apokalypsis - a disclosure of truth, appearance, of something previously withdrawn from view but now made visible to all, lighten) of the sons of God...because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption (phthorah- destruction, perishing from defilement, eternal misery in Hell) into the glorious liberty of the children/sons of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now." (Rom. 8:19, 21-22). We see Paul's teaching again in the Sabbath reading for this week in another selection from Isaiah regarding our salvation inheritance's effect on creation and other people: "...the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, even with joy and singing...They shall see the glory of the LORD, the excellency of our God...Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing (see also the words of Jesus in Mt. 11:2-6). For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. The parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water...A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it...And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." (Isa. 35:1-2, 5-8, 10). As the ancient order of weekly Sabbath readings was established many generations ago, we can see that the miraculous inheritance from God of the Promised Land by the Israelites also promised and was joined to an even greater inheritance, which would include other people as well. It is an inheritance that transforms from the deep darkness of Hell into the light of God's Glory through Jesus Christ. This is an inheritance well worthy of guarding and keeping as God instructed His people to do with all diligence. If you would like to learn more about this precious inheritance from the LORD of Glory, you can pray with me: "Dear Father, You have promised in Your Word that the whole earth will be filled with Your glory. You have given Your people an inheritance of shared glory with You through Your Son, Jesus. As You gave the land to Israel, You called them to be Your holy people set high above all nations, declaring the inheritance You gave to them as You delivered them out of Egypt and bondage, and into holiness and liberty. I have also received an inheritance of salvation through Your Son, and I declare how You delivered me from deep darkness and death into Your kingdom of marvelous light and glory. Fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can diligently obey Your Word and Your voice in guarding this inheritance received from You. All creation waits eagerly, and depends upon seeing Your people walk in this inheritance. I thank and praise You in the name of Jesus. AMEN."

Kindness

"...Christ is all and in all. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another...even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Col. 3:11-15). As the Apostle Paul wrote this to the Colossians, he was speaking these things about each of us as a new man in Christ, renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created us (see v. 10). We can all agree that this scripture is guiding us to godly behavior towards one another. "Kindness" is a relatively mild and vague word in our language, but in the original Greek language with which it was written above, we can see a very powerful origin - even the creative power of God. The Greek word used here for "kindness", with its roots, is chrestotes, and we can begin tracing back its meaning: kindness, moral excellence, gentleness, goodness --> gracious, fit for use, useful --> to furnish what is needed, give an oracle, touch lightly or light upon --> by the help or agency of any one, God's might and power in: a) creating the universe, b) upholding and preserving, protecting and aiding, c) in punishing, and d) determining and controlling the destinies of men. At the very root of the word "kindness" used above is the creative power of God. This week's Sabbath reading titled Ki Teitze, or "When you go out", gives us a look into the power of kindness. We will find that kindness has a direct connection to either righteousness or sin in God's eyes. The readings from Deuteronomy Ch. 22 through 25 give us examples of the principle of kindness having been raised to the level of Law. Because we now know the meaning at the very root of "kindness", as stated above, this will not surprise us. In Deuteronomy 22:1-4 Moses commanded the people that they must go out of their way to show kindness to their brethren or neighbor, even to the point of inconvenience or cost to themselves. Kindness is to be shown even to a mother bird with eggs in her nest (v. 6-7). Just this small kindness to a bird has powerful spiritual rewards: "...that it may be well with you and that you may prolong your days." (v. 7). Kindness shown to something so small as a bird can lengthen our lives, according to the Word of God! In Deuteronomy Ch. 24, kindness, or lack of it, is accounted as righteousness or sin as the LORD commanded His people. The Law said that if you gave a loan to your brother, you could not go into his home and take what you want for security (pledge) on the loan. You must wait outside the home, showing kindness and respect, and allow the borrower to bring his security out to you. If the security is an item of necessity to the borrower if he is poor, such as a garment, you are not to keep it and use it overnight yourself, but must return it to the borrower when the sun goes down "that he may sleep in his own garment and bless you; and it shall be righteousness to you before the LORD your God." (v. 10-13). God's people were not to be unkind to a hired servant who is poor, whether he is one of the brethren or a foreigner, and were to give the servant his pay daily: "Lest he cry out against you to the LORD, and it be sin to you." (v. 14-15). The Law also instructed that instead of completely reaping the harvest of fields, olive trees, or vineyards, some must be left behind unharvested as a kindness to the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, who could gather the remainder for themselves, "...that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands." This kindness is done in remembrance of the kindness of God who brought them out of slavery in Egypt: "...therefore I command you to do this thing." (v. 19-22). Neglecting to do kindness to others is like forgetting the miraculous kindness that the LORD has done for us by His power. Our kindness, or lack of it, can determine and control the destinies of others, as well as our own, according to the meaning of the word as we saw above. The Hebrew word for kindness, hesed, shows the two possibilities of receiving either righteousness or sin before the LORD. Hesed and its root word means "mercy, kindness, goodness, favor, show thyself merciful, to be reproached, ashamed, put to shame or contempt which is determined by the ardent desire by which one is led". The intention of the heart, whether for good or evil, determines the direction and result of "hesed". One of this Sabbath's readings gives us an example of the judgment received by a king as a result of his unkind rule of the people, especially in comparison to the previous rule of his kind father. In Jeremiah 22, the LORD prophesied judgment against King Shallum (meaning retribution, recompense, reward, bribe) of Judah, son of King Josiah. The LORD promised that Shallum would die in captivity, never able to return to Jerusalem again. Shallum had built himself a very grand house of cedar and painted it vermillion, a rare and most esteemed red dye. He also failed to pay wages to those from whom he received work (v. 13-14). However, his grand house would not save his kingly reign. The LORD noted that Shallum's father, King Josiah, had done justice and righteousness. "(Josiah) judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Was not this knowing Me?' says the LORD. 'Yet your eyes and your heart are for nothing but your covetousness, for shedding innocent blood, and practicing oppression and violence." (Jer. 22:14-17). Here we see the two possibilities of hesed kindness, mentioned previously. The kind and just rule of the father caused things to go well with him, but the covetous and unkind intentions of Shallum's heart would bring him this fate: "He shall be buried with the burial of a donkey, dragged and cast out beyond the gates of Jerusalem." (v. 19). Two different destinies befell father and son here. In another reading from this Sabbath, we will see how the hesed kindness of the LORD will change the destiny of a people. The people that the LORD is talking about in Isaiah 54 are the beneficiaries of the sacrifice of God's Servant mentioned earlier in Isaiah 53. This Servant is described as being despised and rejected by men: "...He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities...And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all...My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities."" (Isa. 53:3-11, excerpt). We recognize this to be a prophecy regarding our Savior, Jesus, and His sacrifice for our sins. Because of this Servant's sacrifice, those who are shamed can now sing (Isa. 54:1). Those who were barren and desolate of (spiritual) life shall bear many children to the point that they will have to enlarge their dwelling. Regarding their previous shame the LORD declared: "Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame...with great mercies I will gather you. With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; But with everlasting kindness (hesed) I will have mercy on you,' says the LORD your Redeemer...'For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness (hesed) shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,' says the LORD, who has mercy on you." (Isa. 54:1-10, excerpt). The outpouring of the LORD's kindness upon us, through the sacrifice of His Servant for our iniquities, changed our destinies from barrenness, shame and desolation to singing and abundant life: "...that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." (Eph. 2:4-7, excerpt). The lifeless, desolate and shamed waited ages for this living testimony of God's kindness to set them free, the testimony we also received, and that testimony of kindness is still ongoing and changing destinies. Proverbs 31:25-26 describes a woman who changes her family's circumstances and destiny. It is written of her: "Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness (hesed)." There is a reason that we are seeing less and less kindness in the world today. Kindness is not a tepid word about being "nice"., but it is a law, and at its root is the creation power of God to determine the destinies of men. If you would like to know more about the power and law of kindness, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, You used the law of hesed kindness by Your extension to us of salvation through Your Son, Jesus. We were barren - without life and desolate, but through kindness, You changed our destinies. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I can bring that same kindness to others. Let my life be filled with righteousness before You through kindness shown to others, as You have shown kindness to me. I ask this in Jesus' name. AMEN."

Judges

"But I am the LORD your God, who divided the sea whose waves roared - the LORD of hosts is His name. And I have put My words in your mouth; I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, that I may plant the heavens, lay the foundations of the earth, and say to Zion, 'You are My people'." (Isa. 51:15-16). These are powerful words of authority. The words of God in someone's mouth enables Him to plant the heavens, lay the foundations of the earth, and announce salvation to Zion. To whom is the LORD speaking these words? Four times in the chapter the LORD identifies His hearers. The LORD first says, "Listen to Me you who follow after righteousness, you who seek the LORD." (v. 1). Again He says, "Listen to Me My people, and give ear to Me, O My nation: For the law will proceed from Me, and I will make My justice rest as a light of the peoples." (v. 4). A third time, the LORD says, "Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, you people in whose heart is My law." (v. 7). Finally, a fourth time, God says, "...please hear this, you afflicted..." (v. 21). By His word in their mouths, He is able to plant the heavens and lay the foundations of the earth, but why say that when these things of creation have already been done? In another place in Isaiah, we read: "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind." (Isa. 65:17). We read this same promise in the New Testament: "...looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God...Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless." (2 Pet. 3:13-14). We have a direct influence on the day when these events are to occur according to Peter above. In Revelation 21, we can read: "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea." (v. 1). The Word of the LORD in the mouth of John is prophesying this new creation. There is another example where the Word in our mouths is joined with the Words of the Spirit of God: "I, Jesus, am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.' And the Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come!'. And let him who hears say, 'Come!' And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely." (Rev. 22:16-17). Both the prophets Isaiah and Micah wrote of the law going forth from Zion and the word from Jerusalem in the latter days, and its purpose is to establish judgment (justice) and peace (Isa. 2:3-4 and Micah 4:1-3). It seems though, that while this power has been given to men to have the Word of the LORD placed in their mouths to bring about the new things of God, most of our time and attention is spent upon old things: the former things that are passed away. The verses from Isaiah 51 above are part of this week's Sabbath reading titled Shoftim, meaning "Judges". Moses had given this command to the people to follow when they entered into the Promised Land: "You shall appoint judges and officers in all your gates, which the LORD your God gives you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with just judgment." (Deut. 16:18). The prophet Isaiah spoke the Word of the LORD concerning the restoring of the judges and counsellors, as at the first, or the beginning. This restoration of the judges creates a result according to Isaiah's prophecy: "...Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city." (Isa. 1:24-26). In this process, Isaiah said, the LORD will rid Himself of His adversaries, and purge His people of their dross (sig/sug - of silver not yet refined, baser metal having been mixed with purer/move away, recant, backslide from the LORD). This Sabbath's reading titled Shoftim or "Judges", comes at a very interesting time. It comes at the start of the last month of the Jewish calendar year. This last month is called Elul, which means "month of harvest". The Words of the LORD in our mouths affects the completion of the spiritual harvest of souls for His Kingdom. The month of Elul will end at the beginning of the Feast of Trumpets, also called Rosh Hashanah, which is also the first month, Tishrei, of the new calendar year. The word Tishrei means "to begin". The purpose of the last month, Elul, is to spiritually prepare for the arrival of the new, beginning month and year. Repentance occurs in this last month of Elul in order to cleanse and purify, like the removal of dross from Isa. 1 mentioned above, for the coming of the new, according to Jewish practice. This continuing theme running through the scriptures we have looked at for this week brings to mind the Words Jesus spoke of Himself: "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." (Rev. 22:12-13, also Rev. 1:8, 11, 17). The use of 'Alpha" and "Omega" refer to the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Jesus spoke Hebrew/Aramaic, and would have said instead "I am the Aleph - Tav...". Here are more meanings of the Hebrew words used in scripture that are translated as "first" and "last": first, one, once for all, join oneself together with, unify, begin, opening, sorrow, violate the honor of, defile, desecrate, perforate, pierce through, wounded, afflicted, sick with grief, son, first fruits, first born/ last, latter, uttermost, delay, tarry, wait, reward, rearguard. We can also look at the meanings of the words "Beginning" and "End" used by Jesus: beginning, origin, person or thing that commences something, the first place, the outer corner of a thing, to be the first to do anything, chief, leader, ruler, to be first in rank or power, to reign/ end, uttermost, finally, the limit at which a thing ceases to be, that by which a thing is finished, the end goal, aim or purpose. One purpose for God's Words being placed in the mouths of the judges, and also in the mouths of God's people according to the words of Isaiah above, are meant to bring old things to an end, and new things to a beginning. We can conclude with another portion from this week's Sabbath reading, which is again very appropriate for this time of the Jewish calendar year, when the last month ends, and the first month of a new year begins: "Awake, awake! Put on your strength, O Zion; Put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city! For the uncircumcised and the unclean shall no longer come to you. Shake yourself (na'ar - the rustling of a lion's mane which accompanies his roar) from the dust, arise; Sit down, O Jerusalem! Loose yourself from the bonds of your neck, O captive daughter of Zion!" (Isa. 52:1-2). The words "Sit down" used here is the Hebrew word yasab, which includes the meanings "to sit as a judge, where a judge sits to give judgment, as a king sits down on a throne, as an army that sits in a place and holds possession of it, dwelling among the praises of Israel, as sitting down at the right hand, to cause a bride to sit down in a dwelling, marriage, inhabit". These Words from Isaiah are calling us to speak and move in a new thing! If you would like to know more about the role of the judge, and the Words of God placed in our mouths regarding the First, the Last, the Beginning, and the End, the old and the new, and the former and the latter, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, You have placed Your Words in our mouths in order to cause the old to pass away, and to hasten the creation of the new, and the return of Your Son. As I grow into the full measure of Your Son, Jesus, let me also speak Words of Aleph-Tav, First and Last, and Beginning and End. The ending of one calendar year, and the beginning of a new month and year, have greater spiritual significance than a measure of time. By Your Holy Spirit, teach me to understand, look for, and walk in the new creation, and hasten the day of Christ's return. Let me speak with the Holy Spirit and say, "Come!" for the Lord's return. I ask these things in Jesus' name. AMEN."

Wealth

God's economic system is different from the world's. Most of our lives are spent working for, acquiring and spending money. God understands the value of wealth, but He handles the power behind the getting of wealth very differently than what man understands in the world. Both Abraham and Solomon were the richest men of their respective eras. Both of them in their time made Elon Musk and Bill Gates look like small-time "pikers". Jacob miraculously attained flocks and herds by the favor of the LORD, great enough in number to trade for his and his children's safety from his brother Esau, who sought to kill him. There are other examples in scripture of great wealth in the hands of God's people. The world's system of earning, investing, buying and selling, which is the opposite of God's economy, is so invasive and pervasive, that even we who love God have difficulty viewing wealth in any other way. This week's Sabbath reading gives us a glimpse of God's economic system and is titled Re'eh, which means "See or Behold". We can get a beginning idea of the Foundation of Godly wealth. Let's look at some of the economic instructions given to God's people in this Sabbath reading: "...love the LORD your God with all your heart and all your soul. You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; You shall serve Him and hold fast to Him...that the LORD may...show you mercy, have compassion on you and multiply (raba - increase, much, abundance, enlarge, make great, become numerous, exceedingly great, to produce much) you, just as He swore to your fathers." (Deut. 13:3-4, 17). Moses also relayed to the people that they were not to be drawn away or enticed from the LORD to serve other gods or powers, not even by the words of a prophet showing signs (miracles), or close loved ones, or those living in their cities, or the cities around them (v. 1-16). So multiplication of all things towards us is found in the LORD, and not in anything else. Are we looking for increase from another source? That's what the world does. Another principle in the economy of God is found in giving, rather than getting. The LORD teaches His people the power of the tithe, which is giving in worship to the LORD through His priesthood, the Levites, and the setting aside of portions also for the stranger, the widow, and the fatherless: "...that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do." (Deut. 14:29). The world, on the other hand, pursues getting in order to get more. Our own homes and garages are so full of our "gettings" that we have to sell some of those gettings to make room for new gettings. However, these gettings have removed wealth from our hands, rather than adding wealth. The next instruction from God deals with debt. He doesn't want His people working all of their lives to pay debt. We do not acquire wealth through debt, as we have been told by the world. Only banks acquire wealth from our debt. In the second quarter of 2022, the household debt in the United States, for instance, reached 16.15 trillion dollars, showing a record-breaking increase. In God's economy, however: "At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release of debts...Every creditor who has lent anything to his neighbor shall release it; he shall not require it of his neighbor or his brother, because it is called the LORD's release (shamat/Shemitah - fling down, overthrow, let rest, throw down, shake, release)." (Deut. 15:1-2). The power of the LORD's release, according to the meaning of the word in Hebrew, overthrows oppressive powers. How many of us when someone owes us an unpaid debt, instead of applying the LORD's release to it, we have grown hurt, bitter and resentful over it? The LORD commanded: "...you shall give up your claim to what is owed by your brother...for the LORD will greatly bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance..." (v. 3-4). Would you rather have the limited funds from the debt owed to you, or the true wealth of the inheritance that God has promised if you follow the LORD's release? There's more to the LORD's release in the seventh year. If a brother Israelite had been working for his debt-holder for six years to pay off the debt, not only is he to be "released" from service in the seventh year, but also "...you shall not let him go away empty-handed; you shall supply him liberally from your flock, from your threshing floor, and from your winepress. From what the LORD has blessed you with, you shall give to him...Then the LORD your God will bless you in all that you do." (v. 12-18). This would never happen in the world's economic system, and that system is so powerfully ingrained in our lives that it is difficult to renew our own thinking regarding it. The Word of God however, is wisdom and life to His people if we will love Him, hear His voice, and receive His instruction. The LORD again cautions His people to be a lender to others, and not borrowers: "For the LORD your God will bless you just as He promised you...you shall rule over many nations, but they shall not reign over you." (v. 6). If a brother is poor, the LORD said: "...you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs. Beware lest there be a wicked thought in your heart...and it become sin among you. You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand." (v. 7-10). The world's programs of assistance to the poor have not been successful. These aid programs do not supply all that is needed, and they still leave the recipient and future generations to continue in poverty. In God's economy, not only are all of the needs of a poor brother met, but according to the promise of the LORD, all of His people will be prospered in all that pertains to them, as well, if they will listen and learn. Are we able to accept God's concept as it is written in these verses? Finally, the LORD reminded His people to come before Him in observance of His feasts: "...because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you surely rejoice." (Deut. 16:1-17). In another part of this Sabbath's reading, we see the LORD's economic teaching again. He instructs His people in the way of honesty and integrity in their economic dealings: "Better is a little with righteousness, than vast revenues without justice....Honest weights and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are His work (ma'ase - deed, business, thing offered, workmanship, enterprise, accomplishment, deliverance of justice)...How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver." (Prov. 16:8, 11, 16). This is at complete odds with the economic system of the world. We can read the blessing that co-exists with God's economic principles here: "When a man's ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." (v. 7). As you know, though the world chases wealth, there is little peace. In the economy of this world, the wealthy build or buy large, ornate houses for themselves that testify of their riches, with secured gates and alarms to protect their goods. The LORD however is building a different kind of house of wealth for His people with the principles of His economy. It is a house that all of the wealth of the world combined could not buy: "For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,' Says the LORD, who has mercy on you. 'O you afflicted one, tossed with tempest and not comforted, Behold, I will lay (rabas - cause to lie down, to stretch out, to make a flock lie down) 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, and great shall be the peace of your children. In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you." (Isa. 54:10-14). These blessings can never be acquired through the world's system of wealth. The LORD's economy includes the Messiah, and His appearance, as Isaiah prophesied this about Jesus, Who was to come: "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money, come, buy, and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good. And let your soul delight itself in abundance." (Isa. 55:1-2, see also Jn. 7:37-38). God is not against His people prospering, but teaches His people the correct path in which to walk in order to prosper in His economy. It is an economy that enriches, but adds no sorrow with it (Prov. 10:22). We only have to consider examples of some of the wealthiest people in the world's economy to see the sorrows that the world has mixed with its path to riches. God's economy is established by a heart attitude, and it begins with our loving Him, and Him only as our God, with all of our hearts and souls, as Moses wrote above. If you would like to understand more about God's economy, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, You created the world and everything in it, and it belongs to You (Ps. 24:1). Help me to understand and walk in Your economy, rather than the world's economy. Jesus told us that we cannot serve both God and Mammon, a false god of money. This day, I choose You, and ask for the help of the Holy Spirit as I renew my mind in Your Word. Bless our households according to Your promises, as we follow after You. In Jesus' name, I ask. AMEN."

Moses

This week's Sabbath reading is titled Eikev, meaning "Because", from Deuteronomy Chapters 8 through 11. The individual Hebrew letters that form the word Eikev, ayin, qoph, and beth, each have a meaning. These letters when assembled together can mean ""a people, or house, that sees, understands and experiences the past". These were exactly the group of Israelites whom Moses was addressing in this reading: "...you shall love the LORD your God,, and keep His charge, His statutes, His judgments, and His commandments always. Know today that I do not speak to your children, who have not known, and who have not seen the chastening of the LORD your God, His greatness, and His mighty hand and His outstretched arm - His signs and His acts which He did in the midst of Egypt...what He did for you in the wilderness until you came to this place...but your eyes have seen every great act of the LORD which He did." (Deut. 11:1-7, excerpt). Moses was talking to the Israeites who had seen and experienced the LORD in mighty ways. A different level of understanding is expected of such a people because they know God from experiencing Him. As Moses said, such a people should be keeping the LORD's commandments which He gave to them, not out of a religious obligation, but out of a love for God. Love is not acquired by word of mouth, but through experiences by which one has become intimately acquainted with and knowledgeable of another. Therefore Moses said to the people who have experienced God: "...I command you today, to love the LORD your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul....Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes." (v. 13, 18). This exhortation of Moses to the people of Israel came on the day when Israel would cross over the Jordan River into the Promised Land (see Deut. 9:1-3). This also meant, therefore, that this would be the day of Moses' death, because God had told Moses previously that he would not be allowed to go into the Promised Land with the people. All of the rest of the chapters of Deuteronomy that will follow will be his last words to the people. Moses also reminded the people of an interesting point. He revealed to the people that on several different occasions, he had prostrated himself and fasted without food or water before God for forty days. He did this when receiving the Word covenant of the LORD for the people on Mt. Sinai, and also in intercession before God to prevent His anger from destroying the people because of their idolatry, rebellion and wickedness before Him (see Ex. 34:27-28, Deut. 9:18-19, 9:23-25, and 10:4-10). And now we see that on his last day on earth, Moses is still teaching God's Word to His people so they can live in God's blessing when they inhabit the land. I have to ask myself, "Where are those who are following Moses' example today?" Who is there that is willing and moved to repeatedly lay prostrated before the Lord for forty days without food or water, not on their own behalf, or because of their own troubles, but on behalf of a stiff-necked people who have seen and experienced the greatness of God, but have turned from Him? Who is willing to do this in order that God's anger would be turned away from us, His people, or from others who are about to face His judgment for wickedness? Would I be willing to do it? Would you? And yet, this is not about following a religious formula: 1) prostrate, 2) fast, 3) forty days. This is more about the heart and mind of Moses in regard to the people of God, and God's purpose in Moses. What caused Moses to seek the LORD for His rebellious people in such a steadfast manner? We'll see more about this later. On this Sabbath, this Eikev reading portion answers that question for us. From Isaiah 50 and 51, the LORD asked His prophet: "Why when I came, was there no man? Why when I called was there none to answer? Is My hand shortened at all that it can not redeem? Or have I no power to deliver?..." (Isa. 50:2). If we really believed that the Lord would deliver and redeem a people who have sold themselves for iniquity, wouldn't we think it was worth doing as Moses did in order to intercede, and see the miraculous mercy and deliverance of God? The Lord raised this issue again with His prophet, Ezekiel: "The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one." (Ezek. 22:29-30). The Lord was looking for anyone like Moses, and He didn't find even one. That's a shame. As much as we see "the handwriting on the wall" regarding the judgment of God in our times, I don't know if there is one like Moses who is prostrating, fasting and praying for forty days and nights before the Lord. Do you know of any? So what did God do regarding this? He sent One who spiritually prostrated Himself in humility and obedience: "...I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away. I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting. For the LORD God will help Me...Therefore I have set My face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed." (Isa. 50:5-7). This prophesied Servant, Who would be sent to us as the Savior, Jesus, laid down His body before God in order to stand in the huge gap between sin and righteousness among the people. The apostle Paul wrote that the same is required of us, we who have experienced the saving knowledge and Person of Christ: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name..." (Phil. 2:5-9). Jesus did these things in the form of a man. We are asked by Paul to be of the same mind. We may never be called to give our lives physically as Christ did, or to fast and prostrate before God for forty days and nights as Moses did, but we are to have the same mind in order to walk in this same Spirit. If we hope to bring others to Christ in a latter day harvest of souls, I think that they are going to have to begin seeing this "mind" in us. Isaiah's prophesied Servant, Who made living intercession and sacrifice before God, accomplished joy and salvation in the place of God's judgment and anger: "For the LORD will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found in it, thanksgiving and the voice of melody...My salvation will be forever, and My righteousness will not be abolished." (Isa. 51:3, 6). It is Christ Who died and is also risen Who makes even greater intercession for us than Moses did for the Israelites (see Rom. 8:34). He is still before God interceding continually. He does not stop, and Christ saves to the uttermost of circumstances and distance, because He lives to make intercession for those who belong to God (Heb. 7:25). We read in the Gospels, that as the Lord Jesus was transfigured before His disciples, Moses was one of two who appeared and stood with Him (Mt. 17:1-3). Jesus said: "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape...and to stand before the Son of Man." (Lk. 21:36). One of those who has already been shown to be worthy of standing with Jesus in His glorious appearance is Moses. If you would like to learn more about our calling to the same mind that is in Christ, you can pray with me: "Lord Jesus, You showed us the Eikev purpose to which Your Father called You, because You experienced Him and loved Him. Father has also called us to the same calling. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit who leads me to intercede for the people, to stand in the gap like Moses, to be that wall that stands between the people and destruction, to have the same mind as is in Christ. I ask this in Jesus' name. AMEN."

WordCovenant

In last week's entry titled "Words/Vision", we saw how the cultic practices of the Canaanites, who would be dispossessed from the Promised Land by the Israelites, used idols and false gods in their grasping of wealth and security. This Sabbath's reading titled Va-etchannan, or "And I besought (the LORD)", is from Deuteronomy Chapters 3 through 6. In this reading portion, Moses told the Israelites that their lives, their sustenance and much more was available to God's people by knowing and loving Him and observing His Word. God Himself delivered His Word to them in an awesome appearance on Mt. Sinai in the wilderness. This giving of His Word to His people formed a covenant unlike any covenant that had been known to their fathers before them. Moses said: "The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb (location of Mt. Sinai). The LORD did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, those who are here today, all of us who are alive. The LORD talked with you face to face on the mountain from the midst of the fire." (Deut. 5:2-4). As Moses reminded the Israelites in these few verses of the circumstances involved in the giving of the Word-covenant by God to His people, the awesome power of this Word-covenant is revealed in the Hebrew words and meanings used here. First of all, the Word-covenant was delivered to them in Horeb. Horeb means "desert, dried up, kill, destroyer, waste, slay, decayed, absence of water, to fight". This Word-covenant was given right in the middle of a place of death, that is unable to sustain life, which was the territory of the destroyer. It was given to those who are "alive", or hay/haya/hava in Hebrew, meaning "live, life, creature, living thing, sustenance, maintenance, flowing fresh water, revival, renewal/save, revive, recover, live, live forever, sustain life, live prosperously, be restored to life or health, to revive from death, faintness, or discouragement, to preserve alive, nourish, be whole/declare, make known, to breathe". God's Word-covenant speaks life, including eternal life, even in the habitation of the destroyer and death. God delivered this covenant to His people face to face, in the midst of fire (es - supernatural fire accompanying the visible manifestation of God to humankind; altar fire). Perhaps God delivered this Word-covenant, which was unlike any other previous covenant, in such an earthshaking display of never-to-be-forgotten power and personal presence because, at a later time, His Word would become flesh and dwell among us, full of grace and truth in the form of His only begotten Son, Jesus, our Savior and Messiah (Jn. 1:14). Jesus also said to those questioning Him: "You search the scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me." (Jn. 5:39). The Canaanite idols, and the world's current idols of wealth, military and political security and power, and dependence upon men's knowledge and understanding are laughable when contrasted with the kind of power imbedded in God's Word-covenant, which He delivered face to face with His people from the midst of fire. Moses told the Israelites to know and observe God's commands and statutes "that you may live" (see also Jn. 6:63, Ps. 119:25), and "take possession of the land" (Deut. 4:1). He also said: "...be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes", and as a result determine that Israel is a great nation not only because of that wisdom and understanding, but because God is so near to it. (Deut. 4:6-7). Do we have this same Word-covenant with God that causes others to see wisdom and understanding in us? to see the nearness of God to us? There were other benefits from this Word-covenant with God. Moses said that the observance of this Word-covenant would prolong their days (see also Prov. 3:1-2), and they would be multiplied greatly (Deut. 6:2-3). They would dwell in large and beautiful cities that they had not built (see also Heb. 11:10). In addition, the observers of the Word-covenant would have "houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant..."> (Deut. 6:11). These are blessings not achieved by human effort, but out of the bountifulness of God's Word-covenant with His people. However, His people, as they were filled and prospered, were not to forget the LORD Who delivered them out of Egypt, and out of bondage (v. 12). In prosperity and fullness, it is easy to fall into the trap of forgetting Who has given us everything that we have (see Rev. 3:14-19). In these chapters from Deuteronomy, Moses restated the Ten Commandments (Deut. 5:6-21). These same Ten Commandments are being removed from public display in our nation because of the fear of some people's complaints. It seems, based upon what we have read above, that it would be far better to offend people with the truth, than to offend the LORD God Who appears to us face to face from the midst of fire. Moses (and Jesus) also told the congregation this: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart." (Deut. 6:4-6, Mt. 22:37-38). It is not enough to read the Words, or even to speak the Words, but they must become part of our hearts in order for us to observe them, and for them to produce life in us. The Word-covenant was also to be worn as a sign (ot - appearing, mark, banner, warning, evidence, proof, miracles, both past and future, consent or agreement) on the forehead, the hand, the doorposts of their houses, and on their gates of entrance. (Deut. 6:8-9). We are to be so joined to the Word-covenant with bindings, that we are identified by it. With concern and caring for the salvation and welfare of the children and the grandchildren of His people, the LORD commanded that the young ones also be taught the Word of God diligently in every daily situation (Deut. 4:9-10, 6:7). As we found out above, the Word-covenant was given by God to His people in the middle of the place of the destroyer, desolation and death. We will see this again in another section from this week's Sabbath reading. The reading is from Isaiah 40, which is always read on the Sabbath called Nachamu, or "Comfort", which follows Tisha B'Av. Tisha B'Av, meaning the ninth day of the month of Av, commemorates the destruction of the two Jewish temples, which occurred on the same date but hundreds of years apart, as well as other devastating events in history for the Jews. Tisha B'Av is remembered with a day of mourning and repentance, but also with hope in the redemption of God. Out of the place of desolation, once again God delivers His Word of life, revival, and healing. In this Nachamu reading portion, the LORD has just delivered a prophecy to King Hezekiah of Judah through His prophet Isaiah. The LORD prophesied that the king's accumulated wealth, and his sons, (as well as the people of Judah) would be carried away into captivity to Babylon, leaving nothing left (Isa. 39:5-7). However, the LORD also prophesied a Word of reviving consolation: "Comfort (naham), yes, comfort (naham) My people!' says your God. Speak (dabar) comfort (leb) to Jerusalem and cry out to her, that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned." (Isa. 40:1-2). The first two appearances of the Word "comfort", or naham, in verse 1, according to the Hebrew meaning, refers to the comfort, pity, Comforter, consolation and compassion that God pours out on His people as they sincerely regret and repent of their iniquities before Him. The second use of the Word "comfort", or the Hebrew word leb, used in verse 2, is a different word and has a completely different meaning from the first mentions of "comfort". As the LORD says: "Speak comfort...", it means to promise, declare, speak, sing, command to the understanding, emotions or desires, and the inclination or will of Jerusalem - in other words, to speak directly into to the soul(s) of Jerusalem from the soul of God. The LORD then prophesies the Words that will be repeated at the appearance of John the Baptist, the prophet who would come to identify the Messiah, the Christ, to the people many centuries later: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the LORD...The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken." (v. 3-5, see also Jn. 1:23, Mk. 1:2-5). Then the LORD says to the cities of Judah: "Behold your God!...Behold, His reward is with Him...He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young." (v.9-11. excerpt, see also Jn. 10:11-18, Rev. 22:12-13). Isaiah 40 is full of consolation and encouragement, reminding His people that all creation is small compared to His greatness. Isaiah 40 ends with this Word-covenant promise: "He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength...But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." (v. 29, 31). Even in the place of desolation, the Word-covenant of God, His Living Word, Jesus, speaks life, renewal, healing and restoration for those who are partakers of that covenant with Him. If you would like to learn about the Word-covenant of life even in the place of desolation and destruction, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, You delivered Your Word-covenant with awesome signs and wonders, face to face with Your people. You filled Your Word-covenant with life, even eternal life, revival, fresh water, and healing for us. You speak consolation and salvation into our souls when we are in a place of mourning and repentance before You. You sent Your Son, Jesus, as the Word Who became flesh, so we could all see His glory, grace, and truth. Fill me with Your Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to revive me, so that I can know and observe Your Word-covenant of life. I pray for this same revival for my nation. I ask these things in Jesus' name, AMEN."

Words&Vision

This Sabbath comes at a very special time of remembrance for God's people called Tisha B'av, or the 9th of the month of Av. The 9th of Av signifies the destruction of the two temples of God in the history of Israel. The first destruction came on that date in 586 BC at the hands of the Babyonians, and the second temple of God was destroyed in 70 AD on the 9th of Av also by the Romans. Other catastrophes for the Jewish people also happened on this date, so the time is marked by repentance, fasting, and another element, which we will discuss. The title of this Sabbath's reading is D'varim/Chazon: the Words and the Vision. D'varim, or the Words, comes from the singular dabar, which has a two-fold meaning. On the one hand, dabar means "to speak, declare, command, promise, warn, sing, appoint, bring into order, to lead or guide especially of flocks or herds to pasture, to speak to a woman in order to propose marriage, to speak kindly, to console". The other side of the meaning of dabar, or word, is to destroy, to threaten, to pronounce a sentence of penalty, put to flight, subdue, to lay snares, to plot against. God's people should seek never to find themselves on the wrong side of dabar, His Word. that side is meant for the enemies of God. We see how the dabar Word of God works in Heb. 4:12. It is described as sharper (tomos - to decisively cut) than a two-edged sword. It is piercing, and within its active power is the ability to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. How that sword of the dabar Word cuts depends upon what it discerns in the heart. Our Sabbath reading portion is from Deuteronomy Chapters 1 through 3. The reading begins: "These are the words (d'varim) which Moses spoke to all Israel on this side of the Jordan....in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month...according to all that the LORD had given him as commandments to them..." (Deut. 1:1-3). These words which Moses is about to speak to the Israelites come at a very important time. The words come nearly at the end of the forty years of wandering commanded by God because of Israel's rebellion. The journey to the Land should normally have taken eleven days (v. 2)! The number eleven, repeatedly used in these verses, can refer to, according to the Hebrew meaning, a choice or discernment between rebellion and submission. "Choice" will play a major role in this reading, as we will see. The Israelites had also just accomplished a military victory over two enemy kings: Sihon, king of the Amorites who dwelt in Heshbon, and Og, king of Bashan who dwelt at Ashtaroth in Edrei (v. 4). Moses later told Joshua, who would become the next leader of the Israelites, to remember the victories over these kings: "Your eyes have seen all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings; so will the LORD do to all the kingdoms through which you pass. You must not fear them, for the LORD your God himself fights for you." (Deut. 3:21-22). Later, when Joshua became the leader, the LORD would repeatedly tell him not to be afraid. What did these enemy kings represent that Moses would command Israel to remember their defeat? These two kings represent the same rebellious kingdoms that we see in the world today. The meanings of the Hebrew words used to describe the kings and their territories of rulership in Deut. 1:4 describe Sihon as "a warrior, a "sayer", who sweeps away or wipes away by using words (amar- speak, utter, promise, command, to intend, to boast, to act proudly, challenge). Instead of the Word (dabar) of God, this king uses words (amar) from the Heshbon stronghold of reason, understanding, thinking, and calculation to make judgments and to "forecast". He uses the words of men from their own understanding, while rejecting the anointed and true Word of God. We see that today when people prefer to believe any amar words, knowledge and understanding of men over the dabar Word of God. It is a powerful stronghold, but the Word of God has already spoken and defeated it. The second king, Og, is a giant, and his dwelling was connected to a goddess of fertility (Ashtaroth). This king, Og, reached out his arm and grasped the richest pastures for himself, according to the Hebrew meanings, as well as all that yields seed, and breeds to bring increase. This king represents an economic giant with a monopoly grasp on the wealth, and the sources or producers of wealth. The fertility goddess, Ashtaroth, according to the fertility cults of Canaan, was considered both the mother and mistress of the god, Ba'al, who is usually represented by the image of a bull. It was believed by their worshippers that the sexual union of Ba'al and Ashtaroth produced fertility, including economic fertility, for the accumulation of wealth. Worshippers of these false gods or idols would engage in perverse sexual practices believing that this would cause these two gods to also join together sexually. This became a type of religious prostitution in various Canaanite tribes and in even more distant cultures. The worship of the accumulation of wealth and immoral sexual activity still go hand in hand today. The accumulation and concentration of wealth has grown to the extent that there are well over two thousand billionaires in the world today, according to Forbes. Just recently, at the end of July, the Commonwealth Games* were opened in Britain with a display of the worship of a huge mechanical bull with a woman sitting on top of it. This is like a modern representation of the Canaanite god, Ba'al. These Games represented the British Commonwealth, an economic and trade confederation of about 15 nations of former British colonies, encompassing 2.5 billion people. This confederation of nations generates great wealth. It is distressing but not surprising that the Games chose to act out the worship of a large bull in their opening ceremonies. The spiritual powers that were represented by these two kings in Deuteronomy Ch. 1-3, Sihon and Og, are still present today, but God has physically and prophetically defeated these strongholds through Moses and the Israelites, and God promises to bring them to final judgment, along with those who partake of them: "The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her (the Whore of Babylon, who sits upon the Beast) will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning...For in one hour your judgment has come. And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore." (Rev. 18:9-11). As Moses told Joshua, remember the defeat of these two kings when you enter the Land, and do not fear them. Joshua would much later still be challenging Israel in the Promised Land to choose that day whom they would serve: the gods from the other side of the River, the gods of Egypt, or the gods of the Amorites - "But for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Josh. 24:14-15). Again that choice is before all of us. God's d'varim Words have shown us Who is truly the LORD, and there are no other gods before Him (Ex. 20:2-5, Deut. 5:6-9). The other title of this week's Sabbath reading, because it comes at the heavy time of the 9th of Av, is Chazon, or "Vision". This additional reading is found in Isaiah Ch. 1. The vision, or chazon, of Isaiah concerning God's people extended throughout the years of rulership of four kings: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (Isa. 1:1). It is an interesting side note that Hezekiah tried to impress a Babylonian envoy by opening his treasuries and showing off all of his wealth. Although this took place many centuries after the words of Moses in Deuteronomy, the Babylonians worshipped the same gods of fertility and wealth that we read about above, Ba'al and Ashtaroth, and engaged in the same type of immoral acts in order to join those gods together. God prophesied to Hezekiah by Isaiah that because of his foolishness, the people of Judah would be carried away into captivity by Babylon (2 Kings 20:12-18). Concerning the enduring Chazon Vision that Isaiah received from the LORD concerning His people Judah and Jerusalem, it was a prophetic vision that was to be declared far more widely - to the heavens and the earth (v. 2). So it is a vision that will affect not just the people of Judah, but the heavens and earth as well. The meaning of chozan, or vision, is not only a revelation and divine communication, but at its root it means to see God and His divine presence, and to choose for one's self. As Joshua said to the people of Israel above, "Choose for yourself whom you shall serve." In Isaiah's vision, God calls His people "a sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who are corrupters (sahat - to destroy, corrupt, ruin, to pervert, decay, marred, rotted, injured)!" (v. 4). As God looked at His rebellious people spiritually, their corruption appeared to Him as wounds and bruises, and putrefying sores that had not been closed, bound up or treated with ointment (v. 5-6). The LORD caused Isaiah to see their land as desolate and burned, overthrown by strangers (v. 7). This is the spiritual condition for which the Jewish people repent and solemnly pray about on Tisha B'Av, the 9th of Av, which saw the destruction of the two temples of God. However, there is also a hope and prayer for redemption on Tisha B'Av, the 9th of Av. Isaiah wrote of this redemption that was available if God's people would turn, and worship Him truly, and serve each other, in Godly character and holiness (v. 16-17). If His people will come and speak with Him, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (v. 18). (See also a previous Blog entry titled "theWorm" found under the right hand Archive column under April 15, 2022.). If His people are willing and obedient, God showed Isaiah: "Zion shall be redeemed with justice; and her penitents with righteousness." (v. 27). Both of these verses give promises of our Redeemer, Jesus, and Isaiah was given several other powerful prophetic revelations of the Messiah, as well as His suffering and atonement made for our sins. The LORD uses the term "Zion" here, which has a powerful meaning in regard to His penitent people. It means "sunny mountain, to shine, to be bright, a waymark, sign, monument, signpost, guiding pillar". Those who become Zion are waymarkers and guiding pillars pointing to the way to the Redeemer for others to choose also. We can see that Isaiah's chazon vision did indeed affect the heavens and the whole earth. This Sabbath, we have been given the D'Varim, the Words, and the Chazon, the Vision, and the choice is laid out before us also. If you would like to learn more about the choice before us, you can pray with me: "Lord Jesus, You are my Redeemer, and I choose to serve You, and our heavenly Father. You died for me, and You rose from the dead, so that I can have eternal life with You. Fill me with the Holy Spirit, Who leads me to redemption, and teaches me Your Words and Vision. I desire to be Zion, a shining signpost, a guiding pillar, for those who are also looking for and choosing the way of the LORD. I ask this in Your holy name. AMEN." *Thanks to JP for contributing the information on the Commonwealth Games' opening ceremony.