Reconciliation

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Lk. 2:13-14). Today is Christmas day. Christmas is full of miracle messages. One of the miracles associated with Christmas is the above declaration of the angels in heaven: the outreach of reconciliation from God to man by the child who had been born, Jesus. This miracle of reconciliation is so great, that a multitude of angels cried out aloud from heaven in praises because of it. We are separated from our God in the first place because of our sin. The word of the LORD to the prophet Isaiah said, "Behold the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lipe have spoken lies, your tongue has muttered perversity." (Isa. 59:1-3). The same sin also separates and divides us from one another. Our nations are divided with hostility, our communities are divided, our families are divided. However, the child born on Christmas is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (Jn. 1:29, 34), and reconciles the world to God. The blood of the Lamb also reconciles us with each other, if we will allow it to do so. This is the ministry that was given to Christ, and to us - the reconciliation of man to God: "Now all things are of God who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God." (2 Cor. 5:18-20). As we know, the world is in desperate need of being reconciled to God. Everywhere we look, there are divisions and estrangements, even within the household of faith. We have this powerful ministry of reconciliation, created for us by the Father through Christ Himself. This is the perfect time of year to revive ourselves in the meaning and timely importance of this ministry of reconciliation. The Sabbath readings this week also carry the same message. They are from Gen. 45 and Ezek. 37. This group of readings is called Va'yigash, meaning "And he drew near". That title has a wealth of meaning to us, especially at this time of year. In Gen. 45, Joseph is miraculously reunited with his brothers, and afterwards, with his father, Jacob. These same brothers plotted to kill Joseph because they resented him and the prophetic dreams he had. They ended up selling him into slavery instead. They lied to their father, Jacob, and told him that Joseph had been killed. Joseph ends up as a slave in Egypt, but by the favor of God (the meaning of reconciliation includes "restoration to favor"), he was elevated into the second highest position in Egypt. Only Pharaoh was of higher rank. Rather than being offended, angry and bitter during the unexpected reconciliation with his brothers, Joseph was overcome with emotion at the reunion. In order to comfort them, Joseph told his brothers that all had worked out for him according to God's purpose. The reconciliation work of God causes us to be able to see His purpose, even through painful trials and rejection. Because of this reconciliation of Joseph with his family, the seed of Jacob would have provision and safety throughout the famine. The second miraculous reconciliation is found in this Sabbath's haftarah reading found in Ezek. 37. It is the reconciliation prophesied to the divided nation of Israel. The reconciliation taking place in this chapter takes place on several different levels. Israel had been divided into two separate kingdoms. God prophesies through Ezekiel that they would be joined together again. On another level of reconciliation, God promises that Israel would be one nation with one King, one Shepherd, even David, for ever. Here in this level of reconciliation, God is promising Israel the Kingdom of Messiah. On the third level of reconciliation, the Jews and the half-Gentile tribes, represented by Ephraim (Joseph's son by his Egyptian wife), would be joined together like two sticks or branches becoming one in God's hand. This same promise is given to the Church in the new covenant through Christ's ministry of reconciliation: "For if their (Israel) being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?...blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written, "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins." (Rom. 11:11-21, excerpt). From Ephesians we read, "...that at that time you (once Gentiles in the flesh) were without Christ being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and wiithout God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation..." (Eph. 2:12-14). The miraculous work of reconciliation, announced on that long ago night in Bethlehem at the birth of Christ, is still working miracle reconciliations as promised by our Father. May we walk faithfully in that ministry in the image of Christ, Who reconciled the world to His Father, because our Father has given us the ministry and word of reconciliation. If you would like to draw nearer to Jesus as He reaches out to draw near to you, you can begin with this prayer: "Lord Jesus, You have reconciled me to the Father in heaven by cleansing me of my sins. I believe you died for me, and that You rose again from the dead. Fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I may minister this same reconciliation to others in Your name. Amen."

Reputation

Christmas is drawing near. I was thinking about the first Christmas, and felt that I needed to remind myself of the circumstances surrounding it. Those who are recorded to have been present at the birth of Christ were of no reputation, several are not even known by name. No religious leaders were there, nor important officials. Animals probably outnumbered the people present. However, the glory of God was there as the heavens opened and the angels declared it. Lowly shepherds were allowed to be a part of the birth and the glory. Unnamed wise men from the East did not consider themselves too important to travel a long distance, following a star in order to bring gifts to an unknown King, though they were men of great enough esteem to be accepted into the presence of earthly kings (Mt. 2:7-12). Mary, a young woman of no importance to man, humbled herself further to receive the perplexing and challenging prophetic Word of the LORD that was brought to her by an angel. Joseph, a common carpenter, humbled himself to accept a seemingly impossible and what would be perceived as a scandalous situation because of what was shown to him in a dream. From these details of the birth of Jesus, we might be able to conclude that God is not necessarily looking for someone with a reputation, who is acknowledged, recognized, and approved of by man. In the world's view, it is a desired thing to be recognized. We live in an age of Instagram flooded with "selfies", and "social influencers" compete for subscribers by showing us how to live the most exciting and beautiful lifestyle. To them, recognition and reputation translates into money. The kingdom of God, especially if we use the birth of Christ as an example, does not share the world's viewpoint, and teaches the complete opposite. It is to our benefit to understand that the world's ways are not God's ways. Scripture tells us that Jesus came as one having made Himself of no reputation (meaning to empty, cause a thing to be seen as empty, of no reputation, abase, make of none effect; vessels which contain nothing, empty handed, destitute of spiritual wealth): "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, humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." (Phil 2:5-8). Though we are the sons of God through Christ, we follow the example of Jesus as we make of ourselves a people of no reputation. We will see what God does with such a people later. I think these verses above are some of the most important in scripture, and the Christmas story is filled with this same truth. If this is the model set before us by the most important figure the world has ever known, Jesus, we are to follow His example, surely. No one has accomplished more for the kingdom of God than Jesus, yet He deliberately sought to have no reputation. He even told those who recognized Him as Christ to tell no one. A person's acceptance of Jesus was not to be based upon His reputation, but based instead upon the revelation of God, a work of the Holy Spirit (Mt. 16:13-20). And too many to count have experienced this revelation. God can do great things through a person of no reputation. Again, in the continuation of the verses from Philippians, we are given the model of Jesus: "Therefore, God has also highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. 2:9-11). To one who accepted Christ, not based upon reputation, but revelation, Jesus said, "...on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Mt. 16:18-19). To the Corinthian church, who had great pride in their spiritual gifts, the apostle Paul pointed out that he came to them in weakness, knowing nothing but Christ and Him crucified. He deliberately preached not with words of human wisdom and polish, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. He told them that their faith should be of the same nature (1 Cor. 2:2:1-5). To the Philippian church, he spoke of his most excellent and highly regarded credentials which would make him a Jew of high standing if that was what mattered. However, he no longer considered those things of importance in preaching the Gospel. He said, "But what things are gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ...for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him...the righteousness which is from God by faith." (Phil. 3:3-9). Paul would rather lose himself and be part of Christ than to be and have what the world and religion consider impressive and influential. He would fit in well as one who came to that first Christmas in Bethlehem. The Sabbath readings assigned for this week, Gen. 41-44, carry the same timely message. The readings tell of people who were miraculously elevated, but they recognized that it was not because of who they were, but because of the Spirit of God. Joseph was brought out of prison to be a ruling person in Egypt because he interpreted Pharaoh's dreams that no one else could interpret. When Pharaoh said that he had heard of Joseph's reputation for interpreting dreams, Joseph answered, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace." (Gen. 41:16). The dream interpretation would result in revealing the heavenly knowledge and wisdom that would be needed to guide the nation of Egypt through years of famine, and also to have enough food on hand to provide for Joseph's father Jacob, Joseph's brothers, and all of their children and flocks when they joined Joseph in Egypt. Choosing Joseph to elevate to the position of second in the land, Pharaoh said to his servants and Joseph, "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?...Inasmuch as God has shown you (Joseph) all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall rule 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. 41:38-41). In this elevation, Joseph, born a Hebrew, hated by his brothers, sold into slavery, betrayed by those with whom he had been entrusted, learned that it was not who he was that elevated him, but Who the Spirit of God is Who revealed these things to him. In the haftarah reading for this Sabbath, 1 Kings 3:15-4:1, when Solomon became king after his father David died, he didn't come to the throne relying on David's great reputation, or the people's recognition and honor of his royal position. Solomon requested of the LORD in a dream, "Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father, David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant 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 people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?" (1 Kings 3:7-9). The next verse says, "The speech pleased the LORD that Solomon had asked this thing." Because the LORD was so pleased with Solomon's humble spirit as reflected in his request, the LORD gave Solomon not only what he asked for, but much more besides, "...so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you...there shall not be any one like you among the kings all your days." (v. 12-13). These readings for this Sabbath are titled, "Miketz", which is translated, "at the end of". In light of the contents of the readings, I believe what God is saying to us through them is that when we are willing to be at the end of ourselves, then God can begin. This Christmas, as we remember the birth of Christ, making a pilgrimage in the Spirit to the stable where He was born, let's leave our "reputations" behind, and come as ones having made ourselves of no reputation. This year, may we experience the same Christmas glory in the birth of Christ as those who were present so long ago. Our Father wants us to come to the manger and experience His glory. If you would like to receive the King of Glory, Jesus, this Christmas as your Lord and Savior, believe in your heart that He died for your sins, and confess by faith that He rose from the dead. We can pray together: "Lord Jesus, I come to You in faith, seeking You as Lord and Savior, believing that You died for me. I believe that You rose from the dead. I believe that God has given You a name, and highly exalted You. Every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that You are Lord of all. You lowered Yourself and became like men, and made Yourself of no reputation, in order to save me according to Your Father's plan. Fill me with the Holy Spirit that I might be the glory of God in Your image. In Your name, which has been exalted by God, I pray. Amen.

TheLamp

"Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man...and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches." (Rev. 1:12-13, 20). We never appreciate light as much as when we find ourselves in darkness. As soon as the power goes out, we light candles, grab the flashlight, whatever we have in the house that prevents us from having to walk through the complete darkness. We take light for granted until we have none. In Revelation, Jesus makes it clear that the Church that leaves its first love, Christ, can have its Lampstand taken away from it, losing its light (Rev. 2:5). The Law of Moses required that the Lamp in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle always remain lighted from night until morning. The Israelites were supposed to supply the freshly pressed olive oil for the purpose of supplying the lamp with fuel (Ex. 27:20-21). Later in Israel's history, the Maccabees began the work of cleansing and restoring the Temple of God after it had been defiled by an idolatrous conquering enemy who were eventually defeated in a great rebellion. The first thing the Maccabees did was light the Golden Candlestick in the Holy Place. By a miracle of God, the oil needed to keep the Candlestick lighted, though it was only enough to last one day, lasted eight days until more oil could be made. Christians generally ignore this season of Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication, also called the Festival of Lights. However, Jesus observed this feast: "Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch." (Jn. 10:22-23). The Greek meaning of the word "Dedication" used in the above verses has a very interesting meaning. It is the word Enkinea, which means "new, recently made, fresh(ness), of a new kind, unprecedented, unheard of, the new thing which as recently made is superior to what it succeeds". As scripture also says regarding an enemy who would be vanquished, "They are extinguished, they are quenched like a wick: Do not remember the former things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it?" (Isa. 43:17-19). The lighted Candlestick is not just about the restoration of the old, but it also brings with it an unprecedented "new thing". One of the haftarah readings assigned for this Sabbath is from Proverbs 6, and it rejoices in the Lamp: "For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are a way of life." Psalm 119:105, under the Hebrew letter nun, which means "life, seed, sprout, heir to the throne", reads, "Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path." We know from John 1, that Jesus is the Word of God, the light of creation, whose light gives life to men, and the light dispels darkness (Jn. 1:1-5). This "Lamp" spoken of in Psalm 119 above, lights the path ahead of us as we walk. It is prophetic. It shows us not only what is around us now, but ahead of us as well. The Torah reading for this Hanukkah Sabbath, Gen. 37, also tells of a very prophetic man. This reading is called "Va'yeishev", which means "And he settled". It is the story of Joseph, and his prophetic dreams, and his ability to interpret prophetic dreams. In his first dream as a youth, the natural lights of heaven, the sun, moon and stars, were bowing down to him. Joseph represented a light greater than these. Joseph's name means "add, henceforth, increase, exceed, further, to do more, much more". His brothers envied and resented him, especially because of his prophetic dreams. They plotted to kill him, and to throw his body into a dark pit. After he was sold into slavery, and even put into prison, wherever he was, the place prospered. All who came in contact with Joseph recognized his excellence and the favor that was with him. Though he was put through many trials, he eventually prospered in all of his circumstances. The Lamp is not only prophetic, but brings blessing and favor as well, and all in its light benefit from it. As we know, Jesus said of Himself, "I am the light of the world." (Jn. 8:12, 9:5). In the same manner, He said of those who believe in Him, "You are the light of the world." (Mt. 5:14-16). If we neglect the Golden Lampstand, and its significance, Who are we neglecting but Christ's and our own identity? As we read in the Law of Moses, it is up to the people to supply the oil for the Golden Candlestick. When the Lamp is neglected, there is a lack of the prophetic word, which is a guiding word. This is shown in another haftarah reading for this Hanukkah Sabbath involving the child, Samuel. When Samuel was young, "...the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation" (1 Sam. 3:1). Young Samuel received the prophetic word of the LORD at a time of day "before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the LORD where the ark of God was..." (v. 3). The prophetic word that Samuel received would bring an end to the old, negligent and corrupt regime of priests, and usher in a revived presence of the prophetic judge in Israel. Samuel would eventually anoint kings, including David, the predecessor of the coming Messiah. In another haftarah reading for this Hanukkah Sabbath, the LORD gives the prophets Zechariah and Amos powerful prophetic revelations. To Zechariah, the word of the LORD came to guide a discouraged Zerubbabel saying, "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts" (Zech. 4:6), and to Amos, the LORD speaks of those who tell the prophet not to prophesy (Amos 2:12), and then revealed, "Surely the LORD does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7). More powerful and effective than any efforts or plans of man, the Spirit of God is often represented by the oil of the olive that anoints the head to make it shine, and is used to supply the Golden Lampstand with its fuel. The LORD also gave the prophet Zechariah a vision of the Golden Lampstand. Two olive trees stood, one on the left side of the Lamp, and one on the right side of the Lamp. Each tree had a branch that fed into the oil bowl of the Lamp to supply it (see Rev. 11:3-4 also). These two feeding branches were described to the prophet as "...the two anointed ones who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth." (Zech. 4:13-14). Notice the spelling of "Lord" here. This is the Hebrew word Adon, which means, "master, lord, prophet, prince, king, husband". This meaning sounds like a reference to Jesus. Notice the two olive (root meaning: brightness) tree branches (from a root word meaning a lady's train, the train of a robe), also identified as the two anointed ones (meaning "sons of fresh oil", shining oil producing light) in Zechariah's vision. We see in these words the connection of olive trees and the branches to "light". Jesus warns those who have neglected their lamps, and therefore cannot produce light, that they will miss going in with Him to the marriage supper. Though they will knock on the closed door and cry out, He will tell them that He doesn't know them. How tragic! All of this because they lacked their identifying light (Mt. 25:1-12). The Lampstand, with its light, life, Word and prophecy was not just important to the Hebrews of the Old Testament, but it and especially Whom it represents plays an essential role in the Church. The miracle Light of Hanukkah is very much with us today, and we should seek to have it. The Lamp of the Lord is essential to us as Christians, and essential to all men. Isaiah wrote of the Light (of Christ) as lighting the way out of death: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined." (Isa. 9:2). The Light of the world is so important that scripture says Satan, who enslaves, tries to counterfeit it by disguising himself as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:13-14). However, true light liberates and sets the captives free. The true Light of Christ accompanied an angel into Peter's jail cell "and his chains fell from his hands", and Peter was commanded to leave his prison cell. (Acts 12:7). May we be like the Light set up high upon a lampstand, illuminating all who are around us, walking in His commandment to "Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you." (Isa. 60:1-2) Our Father has called us to be light even as His Son is Light. If you would like to become what Jesus called the light of the world, you can come to Him by faith in His death for your sins, and confession of your belief in His resurrection. We can pray: "Lord Jesus, I believe that You died for me, and rose again from the dead. You are the Light of the world, and You call those who believe in You the light of the world also. Come into my heart and transform my darkness into light, and death into life. Fill me with the oil of Your Holy Spirit so I can shine in truth and grace. Lead me and direct my path by the light of Your commandments, because they are the ways of life. I give You thanks for receiving me today as I confess my faith in You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."

Departure

There is a point in our lives when we make a departure. We leave our parents' house, and begin a life on our own. We leave the familiar and begin a path that is unknown. Spiritually speaking, when God calls us, He leads us from what we have known, and we begin a journey into newness with Him. When the moment comes that God separates us out, He does it in a way that we remember all of our lives. In the most challenging circumstances, we look back at that moment, and we are reminded that God has His hand on our lives in a special way. This moment happened in Jacob's life also. He was forced from his parents' home because of his brother's threats against him. He also began a journey to his mother's family in Syria to find a wife from among her people. This past Sabbath's assigned reading comes from Gen. 28, and is titled "Va'yeitzi", meaning "And he went out". Jacob left from Beersheba (meaning "well of seven-fold oath)" towards a place called Haran (mountainous, to loom up). He went from a place of being well watered, and a place of sabbath (seven) promises, to an arduous, and looming destination. Shortly after his journey began. Jacob fell asleep one night taking one of the stones of the place under his head for his pillow. He had a dream in which he saw the angels of heaven: "...a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, "I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and to the south; and in you and in your seed all the famiies of the earth shall be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you." (Gen. 28:12-15). Jacob awoke and thought, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it." The use of the word, ladder, here in the dream is the only time it is used in scripture. Notice that the ladder goes from earth up to heaven, rather thn the other way around. The Hebrew word for ladder is cullum. It means "ladder, raise up, exalt, extol, esteem highly, to cast up in a heap like a pile of rocks that are piled on the side as a road is leveled". Worship, thanksgiving and praise raise up that ladder from earth. Relationship with God through Christ (the stone under Jacob's head: Ps. 118:22-24, Isa. 28:16, Mt. 21:42, 1 Pet. 2:4-8) raises up that ladder from earth to heaven. As Jacob began his exile from his home, he now had seen the activity between earth and heaven, he had heard the LORD's voice himself, and he had received a covenant promise from the LORD. In that promise, the LORD also told Jacob that he would someday return to the land he had left. Jacob now knew the LORD for himself, rather than from what his grandfather and father had relayed to him. He had a personal experience. In the days and years ahead, including twenty long years of servitude in his conniving uncle's house, Jacob must have recalled that experience with the LORD, and encouraged himself by it. His uncle's name was Laban. The root meaning is "to make white, to purify, to cleanse, to purge oneself, to make bricks". Although his uncle tricked and took advantage of Jacob at every turn, it would be for a cleansing and building experience for Jacob. A spiritual structure was being built within Jacob from the bricks of cleansing in his trying experience. He must have thought again and again about seeing the angels of God ascending and descending that ladder from earth into heaven. As God has promised to those who love Him and are "the called" by Him, He will make all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28). After Jacob woke from this powerful dream, he took the stone upon which he had laid his head, and poured out oil upon it, and called it a pillar (monument, image, to fix, establish, be determined) in the place "Bethel", meaning "the house of God". As Jacob set apart Bethel as the house of God, he also made a promise to God that ended, "And this stone, which I have set as a pillar shall be God's house, and of all that you give me I will surely give a tenth to you." (v. 22). Paul in Ephesians wrote about a structure that is built from that same type of stone to become the house of God: "Now therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you are also being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." (Eph. 2:19-22). This is a very special stone indeed, that begins the building of the house of God in Spirit. Peter described this beginning stone as a living stone. In this living stone, Jesus, we also are made living stones that complete this special dwelling of God. As God promised, in Jacob, all the families of the earth will be blessed. As Jacob established a pillar of the house of God with that anointed stone, he also promised God a tenth, or tithe, of all that Jacob would possess in the future. Some today have a problem with tithing. They believe that it is legalistic, something done under the Law. However, with both Abraham and Jacob, tithing is practiced before the Law of Moses was given to the people. However, Abraham and Jacob were not being legalistic in the giving of their tithe. They both had experienced the miracle and revelation of God directly, and they expressed their worship and thanksgiving through the tithe they gave. They gave as part of their covenant with God. God didn't need their tenth, but He accepted it as their thanks, awe, and worship. Remember, the ladder in Jacob's dream represented the exalting and extoling of God, according to the meaning of the word. He received it as their recognition that nothing they had came from their own efforts, but by the unmerited favor and covenant promises of God. Surely a tenth is not too much to give as "Bethels" are built from our lives, as ladders to heaven are extended through our worship and thanks. All things done by the Spirit bring forth fruit in the Spirit, including tithing. The haftarah portion of this past Sabbath reading is from Hosea 11 and 12. The LORD points out how Jacob sought God's favor for his provision in the unknown, yet God mourns for Jacob's descendants who have walked away from God in their hearts, and have sought wealth through man, and the ways of man, rather than through God's favor: "I taught Ephraim (a grandchild of Jacob and a tribe of Israel and used to refer to the Northern Kingdom) to walk, taking them by their arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love, and I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them...My people are bent on backsliding from Me. Though they call to the Most High, none at all exalt Him." (Hos. 11:3-7). Though God touched Ephraim from the time they began, they did not know Him personally nor recognize Him. Though they knew His name, they never exalted Him. In a similar manner, Jesus talked about the fact that not everyone who claims to know Him will enter the kingdom of heaven, even if they did works in His name. Only those who do the will of His Father in heaven will enter. Jesus will say to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me..." (Mt. 7:21-23). In our spiritual walk, each of us must know God personally, having an experience with Him, as Jaoob did. We cannot know God because our father or mother knew Him. Though Ephraim had the evidence of God's hand upon them, according to these verses, they never established a personal, living relationship with Him, never sought to do His will, and therefore drifted away from God. May we each understand our place as a living stone, in the likeness of our chief cornerstone, Jesus, building up the house of God. Our Father has called us to establish His house. If you would like to experience Jesus, our living chief cornerstone, for yourself, and be established by Him in the House of God, you can do that with the belief in your heart that Jesus died on the cross for your sin, and the confession that God raised Him from the dead: "Lord Jesus, I believe that You died for my sins, and that You rose again from the dead, so that I may have eternal life in You. I believe that You will shepherd all of my days in You, turning all things, even tryng times, for my good. I believe that by You, I enter into the household of faith, the House and family of God. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as I become part of, and build, the House of God, in Your name, AMEN."

Election

The portion of scripture assigned for this Sabbath comes in part from Gen. 25 and Mal. 1. It is titled Toledat, meaning "Generations". This Sabbath portion is about the election of Jacob by God. Isaac's wife, Rebekah, did not conceive, so Isaac pleaded with the LORD, because his wife was barren. Rebekah did then conceive, but she felt troubled during the pregnancy and she went to inquire about it of the LORD. The LORD told Rebekah that there were two different peoples in her womb: "Two nations are in your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger." (Gen. 25:23). Jacob and Esau were the twins born to Rebekah and Isaac. Jacob was the elect of the LORD. His brother was not. Election does not depend upon natural circumstances. Esau was born first (v. 25), but he was not elected. Isaac preferred and favored Esau (v. 28), but Esau was not elected. The elect cannot be accurately identified from a physical appearance (Gen. 27:15-19, 23). Those not elected cannot perform a work to gain election (Gen. 27:38-39, 28:8-9). There is contention, even enmity, between those who are the elect of the LORD, and those who are not (Gen. 27:41). From Mal. 1, and the Book of Obadiah, the haftarah portions of this Sabbath, we can see that those who are not elected despise the LORD (Mal. 1:2-5). We also read how the LORD judges how those who are not the elect treat those who are (Obadiah). If the elect of the LORD are persecuted, then the LORD is also persecuted (Acts 9:3-5/Acts 22:6-8). The Malachi portion also reveals that the LORD will not tolerate His elect treating Him in the same disrespectful and disregarding manner as those who are not elected. By doing so, they are showing that they despise their election. From the title of this Sabbath portion, we can also see that those whom the LORD sovereignly elects will impact generations to come. In the New Testament, we are also called the Elect through Christ. Before we think too highly of ourselves on this account, we should keep in mind that we didn't choose the Lord, but He chose us first, as is the case in election - it is sovereign: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will..." (Eph. 1:3-5) and Jesus said, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give you." (Jn. 15:16). Jesus went on to say, in that same truth of our election: "These things I command you, that you love one another (see Colossians below). If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you." (v. 17-18). It is probably good to note at this point what the word "elect" means in Hebrew. The Hebrew word is bakher, and its root word is bakhar. It means chosen, elect (of God), choice, selected, to appoint. It also means to require, to prove, to try, to examine. The world is going to try the elect. The LORD is going to examine and prove His elect. There is something required of the elect. Our example this Sabbath, Jacob, was tried all his life. We often think that we are being attacked by our spiritual enemy, but our own election also tries us, proves us, and examines us. Our election requires a response from us in these circumstances. Regarding our election through Christ, Paul had this to say: "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, if anyone has a complaint against 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. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Col. 3:12-17). If I am being tried, proven, and examined based upon the above requirements of the elect in Christ, I will need the help of the daily work of the Holy Spirit perfecting me. At this time, the nation, the world, and even the Church are in an uproar over the recent election of a man. I believe that we would serve the spiritual interest of the nation, the world, and the Church better, if we truly understood the election of God through Christ in us. May the Lord reveal the height, the depth, and the breadth of His election to us, so that we may, by the help of the Holy Spirit, live out what it requires of us. Our Father has elected us through Christ.

LOVE

We are all familiar with the topic of "Love", especially for those of us who are part of the Christian faith. We all believe that we have an understanding of what love entails. We know that God is love. We know that we are to love the LORD our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. We know that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. Jesus said that our love for each other identifies us as His disciples (Jn. 13:34-35). If we don't have love for our brethren, then we don't love God (1 Jn. 4:20-21). However, this love is not just for family, friends, and brethren of the faith, but it is to be shown to those who do no good to us, even those who are our enemies. This is the model set before us of God's love (Lk. 8:32-35). Proverbs 10:12 tells us that love covers all sins. The very precious salvation faith, which we all treasure, began in love: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (Jn. 3:16). The first item mentioned as the fruit of the Holy Spirit is love (Gal. 5:22). Paul wrote that all of the spiritual gifts, which we so highly value and desire to manifest in our lives, mean absolutely nothing without love. Then the apostle goes on to describe the character of love, which he called "a more excellent way" (1 Cor. 12:31 and 1 Cor. 13:1-13). We believe that we have an understanding of love already, and we seldom think that we have a need to examine it more deeply. We can see that love plays an enormous and defining role in the Gospel. However, I'm not sure that we really understand the spiritual power of love, and why it is so heavily emphasized in the Gospels and New Testament teachings. In order to take a different look at the subject of love, I would like to refer to the Torah and haftarah portions of scripture that have been assigned for this Sabbath. We begin with the portion from Gen. 23. It is titled, "Chayai (meaning: living, revive, restore to life, remain alive) Sarah". In English, this would be "The Life of Sarah". The odd thing about this portion is that instead of dealing with Sarah's life, it begins with her death, and Abraham's efforts to find her a burial place. Isn't it odd for it to be called "The Life of Sarah"? This gets my attention right away. There is a mystery here that makes me want to look into it. Sarah died at Kirjatharba. This Hebrew word and its roots mean "to lay beams/flooring of a building; to be 4-sided, to be quadrate, four-square; to encounter, to chance to meet; stretch out, repose, lie down". It was later known as Hebron, which means "joining, association; fellowship, to unite, to couple together". To me, all of these meanings are very significant, because they bring the Gospel to mind. At his wife's death, Abraham wept and mourned (to beat the breast, to wail, to weep over). Then "Abraham stood up from before his dead" (v. 3). "Stood up" means: arise, to establish, to become powerful. What was Abraham about to extablish in power out of his love for Sarah? Abraham approached a local tribe of people called the sons of Heth (terror, broken to pieces, go down, terrify, shattered, dismay, break down by confusion and fear, violence). He says to these people, "I am a foreigner and a visitor among you. Give me property for a burial place among you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight." (v. 4). These sons of Heth address Abraham as " mighty prince among us" or "prince of God", and offer to give him burial land for free. Abraham insists on paying for the land. Abraham then asks them to speak to Ephron (fawn-like, a calf, a goat, to be dust, powder) the Hittite (descendant of Heth; fear, terror), the son of Zohar (whiteness, to dazzle (so similar to the meaning of Lucifer: light-bearer, shining one, morning star, brightness), who owns a cave in Machpelah (double portion). Ephron also offers to give the land, valued at 400 shekels of silver, to Abraham, but Abraham again insists on buying it. The land was then deeded to Abraham for a possession before witnesses (v. 17-18). The meaning of the phrase "deeded...for a possession" in Hebrew includes: confirm, accomplish, arise, acquisition, bought, purchase, possession, price, something bought, redeemed, recover, create, as God creating and redeeming His people, to erect, to found, of acquiring knowledge, wisdom. To me, from the meanings of the words used in this passage, Abraham, out of his great love for Sarah, separated out, or redeemed a possession from the place of the dead, a place of demonic torment/destruction. He redeemed it to establish a specific place for his beloved wife in death. I believe this spiritual place separated out of a hopeless death, which was established out of love, is the same place tht became known as "Abraham's Bosom". This is the place that Christ referred to in Lk. 16:22 of one who was "carried by the angels into Abraham's Bosom (meaning the upper chest part of a garment used for keeping and carrying things as in a fold, or pocket. "Bosom" also refers to one who so reclines at table that his head covers the bosom of the one next to him. And, of course, the bosom is the dwelling place of the heart. "Abraham's Bosom" in Christ's parable was not the place of torment for the dead. It was the place where those who were righteous, having died believing the prophesied promise of the Messiah to come, were kept in death before the resurrection of Christ. This is not really about Abraham's Bosom, though, but rather about a redemptive, creative spiritual work that came out of the kind of love that defines God, that Christ taught, that the Apostle Paul wrote about, that Abraham had for Sarah. The kind of love that we only think we already know about. The haftaraah portion for this Sabbath comes from Proverbs 1. We saw above, in the phrase "deeded... for a possession", the meaning in part: acquiring knowledge, wisdom. In Prov. 1, wisdom is crying out, raising her voice, at every possible place for people to listen to her counsel. Wisdom is saying here, "I have stretched out my hand...I have called"..."I will pour out my spirit on you" (v. 23-24). For those who ignore wisdom, calamity, terror, destruction, distress, and anguish, will come upon them (v. 26-27). For those who ignore wisdom, a separation from wisdom develops that cannot be remedied. They will then call on wisdom, but will not be able to receive an answer..."Because they hated knowledge..." (v. 28-29). The passage ends with, "But whoever listens to me will dwell (settle down, to abide, continue, lie down, sleep, rest) safely (assurance, hope, without danger and fear, to set one's hope and confidence upon), and will be secure (at ease, rest, be at peace), without fear (dread, terror, a causer of terror) of evil (wickedness, affliction, malignant, broken in pieces, punishment)." (v. 33). What would drive wisdom to cry out so, to reach out continually in Proverbs 1, but love? It is not spoken of as such, but this is the voice of love. The creation of a place of safety, and the rescue from terror is a work of love. Later, in Proverbs 8, wisdom reveals "...and my delights (meaning includes to dandle or bounce a baby up and down in an affectionate way) were with the sons of men", and who also says, "I love those who love me...". "Love", as the scriptures speak of it, as this Sabbath's portion demonstrates it, means more than the commonly held idea. Love creates redemptive works through those who know it and practice it. Perhaps we need to take a serious look at how we view love. Are we thinking of it as the world does, or are we viewing it as God views it, and creates through it? Our Father has called us to walk in love. May the Lord help us to walk in the knowledge of the creative, redemptive power of love. If you would like to receive the truth of Jesus as Lord, and as your salvation, believe and confess: Lord Jesus, You have redeemed me, and called me by name. I believe that You died for me through love, and were raised from the dead so that I may have everlasting life in You. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and His fruit, which includes the same kind of love. Be Lord of my life, and teach me to walk in truth, knowledge and wisdom. By Your love, You have reconciled me to the Father, Who IS love. I give you thanks, and come to you in Your holy name. Amen.

Images

It is important that each of us be a witness to God's revelatory truth, which is His Word. Jesus said, "Thy word is truth." (Jn. 17:17). Jesus is the Word become flesh, and He is described as being full of grace and truth (Jn. 1:1-14). Jesus also said of God's Word, which is truth, that it has the power to sanctify us (Jn. 17:17). The Church's proclaiming of the truth of God is important for another reason. Jesus told us, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (Jn. 8:31-32). There is liberating power in the truth. When the Church fails to tell the truth, but proclaims the world's solutions instead, we are in effect telling people something like this: "Stay in your prison cell, but I will make the cell more comfortable for you - here's a blanket and a pillow." We are called to speak Christ, Who is truth, in order to open prison doors and set the captives FREE. This is part of the power of truth as prophesied regarding the Messiah: "I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house." (Isa. 42:6-7, also Isa. 61:1). Also, the opening of otherwise unopenable cell doors, creates a wonder and a hunger for salvation that causes people to say, "What must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:23-36). There is nothing that the world can offer that can achieve these results. The world does not accept the power of God's truth. As Jesus declared that He came to bear witness to the truth, the world responded cynically asking, "What is truth?" (Jn. 18:37-38). The world considers truth to be something that is continually changing, or relative, or even unimportant. For this reason, the world's "solutions" are not deeply or lastingly effective, and at best, apply a bandage to a gushing wound. Why should we, the Church, be in agreement with the world's opinion of truth? There are two ways to deliver truth. There is a negative truth, and a positive truth, though both are truth. Here is an example: Someone wants to draw a tree. They ask, "What does a tree look like?" If I supply them with negative truth, I would answer, "Well, a tree does not look like a horse, and it does not look like a rock, and it does not look like a bird...", and so on. I would be delivering truth, but the person would not be able to replicate a tree. In order to replicate the image, positive truth would be more helpful to them: a tree has a strong central trunk with protective bark on its surface. The trunk has a wider base which tapers to a narrower top. From that trunk, branches that look like arms extend laterally from around the trunk, and up to the top. From those sturdy branches, extend thinner branches. At the ends of those thinner branches, grow clusters of leaves, or needles. The artist now has a far better chance of duplicating an accurate image of a tree from the positive truth supplied. In the same manner, we have the ability, by knowing God's Word of truth, to supply helpful, positive truth to reproduce the image that is created by truth, and we already know that the image created by the truth of God's Word is Christ. Here is an example from one of the issues of today. In dealing with the issue of marriage, there are many negative truths that can be supplied. "Marriage is not....". If we want to offer the truth of God that creates the person of Christ, it might be more helpful to describe what marriage is according to the Word of truth: "Then God (Elohim:plural) said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion...over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them..." (Gen. 1:26-28). We can see from the verses above, that God created man to place His image in the earth. He mentions His/Our image/likeness four times. That image would be created by the combination of male and female according to the verses. What does the image of God that is produced with the male/female creation look like? If we look at the Hebrew words and roots involved, it becomes quickly obvious that the image created is Christ. Here are some of the meanings of the Hebrew words used for male (remember, to bring to mind, to make a memorial, pricking, piercing, penetrating, to meditate and think on, to praise, to offer a memorial offering, the recorder of the annuls of the kingdom) and female (to pierce, perforate, bore a hole, pierce through, strike through, to call by name, to thrust through with a spear, to express with holes, blaspheme, curse). Can you see what the image is created within the truth of male and female? Yes, it's Jesus! We see the curious inclusion of "blaspheme", and "curse" within the meaning of the Hebrew word for female, but these two words have a very specific contribution to the image of Christ being created here. Christ was condemned to death by the religious council, and ultimately agreed to by the Gentile government, for the crime of blasphemy. Those who accused Him were actually committing blasphemy themselves, as they falsely accused the innocent Son of God. Scriptures also tell us that Christ has redeemed us from the curse..., having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs from a tree." (Gal. 3:13-14). Apostle Paul confirms the truth of the prophetic image of Christ within the joining of male and female that God established at our creation. Paul wrote in the New Testament, based on verses from Genesis, "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined with his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church." (Eph. 5:31-32, Gen. 2:24). Those who receive this positive truth concerning marriage as spoken by God now have this image before them to which they may conform. As we know, however, many prefer to accept a different image. There are those who are ignorant of the truth, or do not receive the truth when it is given to them, including some in the Church. They choose to conform to the images created and preferred by the world. However, those images do not set anyone free. Those images do not have the power to sanctify. Those images do not create the image of Christ. Many times in scripture, God brings judgment to His people who accept false images in place of the image that God has ordained through truth (see Ezek. 7 and 8). The world cannot receive the Spirit of truth, because it neither sees, nor knows Him (Jn. 14:17). How can the world recreate an image of truth when it cannot see, nor know, the original? It can't be done. That's our job. Our Father has provided us with an image of His Son, Who is truth. If you would like to know the truth that sets men free, the truth that brings us to the Father, the truth that redeems us from the curse, the truth which is the image of Christ, you can receive Him by believing His death, and resurrection. You can confess this belief through a prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe You are truth and grace. I believe that You died in my place, and was raised again, so I can live. Come into my heart, and be Lord of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, so that I may be a witness of truth in the earth for others. I thank You for reconciling me with the Father, and for the gift of salvation and everlasting life. I believe and pray these things in your name. Amen.