Ephod

Today is Purim. We can read about Purim in the Book of Esther. It is the day that an enemy of God's people had planned for their condemnation and destruction, but those plans were exposed and overturned, and God gave, instead, complete victory and favor to His people. As Esther was implored by Mordechai to intercede with the king on behalf of the Jews, she told Mordechai that the Jews were to fast for three days, as she would do also, before she entered the king's presence. Fasting is a form of repentance and consecration before God. When she then entered the king's presence uninvited, he looked upon her with favor, and extended his scepter to her. He listened to her and agreed to banquet with her. It was at this banquet that the enemy's plans were revealed to the king, and the king acted on Esther's behalf. Esther had consecrated herself, and went before the king, and he heard her petition. This week's Sabbath reading has much in common with Esther in a way. It begins in Ex. 27 and 29 in the Torah. Here we read the description of the high priest's garments that were to be prepared according to the pattern that Moses was shown on the mountain by God. One of the parts of the high priest's garments was called the ephod .Ephod, in general, means "an image". These were God's instructions: "And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments, to consecrate him, that he may minister to me as priest...They shall take the gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, artistically worked...And the intricately woven (ingenious work) band of the ephod, which is on it, shall be of the same workmanship, made of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen." (Ex. 28:2-8 excerpt). God gave Moses a very detailed description of the ephod that the high priest would wear over his tunic. It would cover his chest and back. It would also contain gems representing the twelve tribes of Israel. An interesting point to note is that the LORD said that these garments would "consecrate", or set apart and treat as holy, the high priest. The garments were to be made by only the most gifted of the artisans, not just gifted with talent, but with wisdom as well. From the detailed description of the ephod, or breastplate worn by the high priest, this item meant a great deal to God. Through the ephod, God would communicate with, and guide His people. The stones on the ephod would light up, these lights being called the Urim and Thummim (meaning lights and perfections, or perfect light), when His people sought guidance from Him. Can we see how lovingly God placed His guidance and voice among His people in the pattern of the ephod? It was also important to God because of the prophetic fulfillment of the ephod that we will see later. Many centuries after the time of Moses, the ephod will save David's life. In this Sabbath's haftarah reading from 1 Sam. 23, Saul is the king of Israel, although he was informed by Samuel the prophet that God has rejected him from being king. David has already been chosen by God and anointed to replace Saul as king, and therefore, Saul has sought to kill David. In fact, Saul had by this time killed all of the priests of God (1 Sam. 22:20-21). Only one priest, Abiathar (meaning "my Father is great"), has escaped with the ephod of the high priest, and fled to David. At this time also, the Philistines were attacking the city of Keilah (meaning "fortress"), to rob it of its grain. David sought the LORD to ask if he and his men should go to fight the Philistines at Keilah. The LORD answered, "Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah." (1 Sam 23:2). David's men, however, were afraid even in Judah, because they were hiding from Saul. It was too risky to show themselves at Keilah, they told David. David inquired again of the LORD, and the LORD again confirmed that he was to go: "I will deliver the Philistines into your hand." David and his men did defeat the Philistines at Keilah, and saved the city (v. 5). King Saul indeed heard that David was going to save Keilah, and "called all the people together for war" (v. 8). He planned to trap David there. David called the last surviving priest, Abiathar, to him and said, "Bring the ephod here." (v. 9). He inquired of the LORD through the ephod, and the LORD confirmed that Saul intended to trap David there in Keilah. David and his men fled that city and were spared. Saul, unlike David, did not value either the prophetic Word, or access to God's counsel through the high priest's ephod, seeing that he killed the priests of God. Eventually, Saul was killed in battle, and David did become the new king of Israel, as God had prophesied. David would later say of the importance of the ephod in his life, "One thing I have desired of the LORD, that I will seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple." (Ps. 27:4). The glory and beauty of the ephod are refleted in these revelations of Jesus, our Perfect Light: "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." (Jn. 14:13-14). Speaking to His disciples about His going to the Father after His death, Jesus said, "And in that day, you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now, you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." (Jn. 16:23-24). Hebrews says: "Seeing we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession...Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Heb. 4:14-16). In another place, "...continue to believe in the name of Son of God. Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." (1 Jn. 5:13-15). Not only does the Father desire to listen, but He made the provision of His Holy Spirit, so we may hear from Him in return. Jesus said, "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truuth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you." (Jn. 16:12-15). God still wants to communicate with His people. There is a living High Priest, a living Ephod, who enables our petitions to our Father: "In that day, you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God." (Jn. 16:26-27). We are represented among the precious gems that Jesus wears on the breastplate over His heart as our High Priest. We need have no hesitation to bring our thoughts, hopes, prayers, questions and troubles to our Father, and He will answer. The title of this week's Sabbath reading is T'tzavveh, which is translated, "you shall command". May we understand the heart of our Father, who sent His Son to be the Perfect Light for us - a Son who opens the Holy of Holies to us through His own flesh, and asks us to inquire of His Father regarding all things, and He will answer. Our Father wants to communicate with His people. If you would like to know Jesus, you can pray: "Lord Jesus, I come to You as my High Priest. You gave Yourself so that I could have access to our heavenly Father, who is perfect and holy. You died for my sins, and You rose from the dead and went to be with the Father on my behalf. Fill me with the Holy Spirit, according to Your promise, so I can walk with You in wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and truth. I thank You that You hear my prayer, spoken in Your name, and You have answered it. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Sanctuary

This week's Sabbath reading deals with establishing the tabernacle, and is titled T'rumah, or "offering". The tabernacle account brings us insights about God, His Son, and our relationship with them. God made no secret to Pharaoh of His purpose in bringing His people out of Egypt: "Let My people go that they may serve Me." (Ex. 3:18, Ex. 7:16, Ex. 8:1, Ex. 9:13 Ex. 10:3). The word "serve" used here is the Hebrew word abad. It means slave, bondservant, worshipper, labor, serve, serve as a subject. The same Hebrew word used to describe service to God is used for Israel's slavery to Pharaoh (Ex. 1:14). The people who had once been in service to Pharaoh would now be in service to God. God illustrated this service to Him through the tabernacle. In Exodus 25, which is part of this Sabbath's reading, the revelation of the tabernacle is brought forth. Its very beginning is in a free will offering from the hearts of the people. Only those who had the sincere desire to give, would be called upon to contribute to the supplying of the tabernacle: "Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering." (Ex. 25:2). Then the LORD told Moses, "And let them make Me a sanctuary (holy place, consecrate) that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern (likeness, image, similitude) of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it." (v. 8-9). The tabernacle was to follow a specific pattern which God showed to Moses. We know now that the tabernacle and each of its unique furnishings represent Christ: the brazen altar, the lamp, the table of bread, the altar of incense, etc. There is a book titled, "Gem of the Tabernacle" by Rev. B.R. Hicks, which goes into great detail concerning the furnishings of the tabernacle and the image of Christ created by them. The placement of the furnishings associated with the tabernacle is in the shape of a cross. I believe there is also another image that pertains personally to us as believers that we can learn from the tabernacle, which we will see later. The tabernacle and its furnishings were designed by God to be transportable. Its parts were to be borne (carry, carry away, lift up, exalt, sustain, bear continuously, forgive, pardon, marry, magnify) upon the Israelites' shoulders wherever they went (Ex. 25:14). Jesus also told us "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up (raise up, elevate, lift up, bear, to carry, to carry away with one) his cross, and follow Me." (Mt. 16:24). We can see that the same idea of carrying the tabernacle, is reflected in the command of Jesus to "take up" our cross. Exodus 25 also gives the details of constructing the ark, which would be placed in the innermost part of the tabernacle, called the holy of holies. It was to be made of shittim/acacia (thorns, a scourge, a flog, scourging thorns, to pierce) wood, but completely covered inside and out with pure gold. The ark would contain the testimony (witness, revelation, evidence, say again and again, restore, relieve) which God gave to Moses, the tablets. Exodus 25 also describes the construction of the lamp, which was also to be covered with gold, and whose seven lamps were to be arranged so as to give light in front of it (Ex. 25:37). This description seems to differ from the traditional image we have of a Menorah, whose arms spread to either side, rather than frontward. Another Torah reading for this week is from Ex. 27. It deals with the construction of the brazen altar to again be made of shittim/acacia wood (see above), but this time covered with bronze/brass/brazen (fetters, chains, filthiness, lust, money; root meaning: to shine, the red throat of a serpent). The brazen altar, according to its Hebrew meaning here, deals with sin and its roots. It was to be placed in the court of the taberncle before the entrance to the two inner chambers. We know from the scriptures that the tabernacle consisted of its court, which contained the brazen altar (and also the bronze laver for washing). The first inner room, called the holy place, contained the lamp, the table of bread, and the altar of incense for prayers. The most inner room, called the holy of holies contained only the ark of the covenant, covered by the mercy seat and the two cherubim angels. The glory and presence of God was located above the mercy seat. The high priest could only enter this innermost chamber once a year to apply sacrificial blood upon the mercy seat (Yom Kippur, the Feast of Atonement). We can easily see how the tabernacle reflected Christ, His sacrifice, and His work of salvation. I believe the tabernacle is also meant to be the pattern for our own purpose and walk with God. The taberncle consists of three parts, as we do: the court to deal with sin or the flesh, the holy place to deal with the transforming and joining of our souls to Christ, and the holy of holies to deal with the spirit of man joining eternally with the Spirit and covering glory and presence of God. In our case, the testimony of Jesus Christ, or the witness, the revelation, dwells within us, as it dwells within the ark of the covenant in the tabernacle. I also find this in Rom. 12:1-3: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that your present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service/spiritual worship (see abad, above). And do not be conformed (patterned) to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (soul), that you may prove (in other words: witness, evidence) what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." God is Spirit. In another place, Paul tells us that we are the living temples or tabernacles of God, for God to dwell within (1 Cor. 3:16-17, 2 Cor. 6:16). There is a song, "Sanctuary" that includes the lyrics: "Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true. With thanksgiving, I'll be a living sanctuary for You." We don't just visit the sanctuary of God, we are to BE the sanctuary of God, following the same pattern, which is Christ. The brazen altar of our outer court is where we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice. The sins of the flesh and the world are burned and washed away there. We then become the holy place when we are transformed by the Light, the Word, and the intercessory prayers of Christ, so that we are no longer conformed to the world, but we allow ourselves to be transformed according to the pattern of the Son of God (1 Cor. 11:1, Eph. 4:13). If we will continue on our sacrificial journey through the tabernacle, we will become the holy of holies, where we are one with the will of God, where the Word or testimony of Christ has been written into our hearts in the same way that the testimony was placed into the ark: "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them." (Heb. 10:6). Jesus said that not everyone who claims to know Him will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of the Father (Mt. 7:21). Jesus also said that whoever does the will of His Father is His true intimate family member (Mt. 12:50). Most of us are content to say that we know Jesus, but Jesus said that more was required of us. There was another chamber to enter: the holy of holies. This is the same will of God that Paul mentioned above in Romans 12. We become the holy of holies when we fulfill the purpose that God intended for us from the beginning when He brought us out of bondage to sin to serve Him. The haftarah reading for this Sabbath comes from 1 Sam. 15. It carries the notation "Zachor", meaning "Remember". God's purpose for His tabernacle is so that He can dwell with us. It is not just about the religious sacrificing of animals, but the sacrificing of self to become an abad bondservant/worshipper. This reading is a reminder to us to consider Saul, who convinced himself that his purpose was to keep the people happy, and to do his own will to please the LORD, even against the specific Word of the LORD that had been given to him by Samuel. God rejected Saul that day as king of His people because of it. Although Samuel cried to the LORD all night on behalf of this first king of Israel, the LORD's judgment would stand: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king." (1 Sam. 15:22-23). The LORD wasn't looking for a religious sacrifice from Saul in order to please the people, but a sacrifice of self in order to please God. God was looking for an abad servant. May the LORD show us the pattern of His tabernacle in our own lives, so we may be His servants and worshippers in Spirit and Truth, and so we may be His living tabernacles after the pattern of His Son, Jesus. Our Father establishes a sanctuary with His people. If you would like to begin your walk as the sanctuary of the Lord, you can pray: "Heavenly Father, by the living pattern of Your Son, Jesus, I want to fulfill Your plan for me to be Your living sanctuary. I believe that Jesus died for my sins, and rose from the dead for me. As Your Son, Servant and King, I believe He is coming back. Fill me with the Holy Spirit so I can be the living sacrifice that You desire. Transform me, so that I will do Your will in the earth. Let Your Word, Jesus, dwell in my heart and mind. Your word, LORD, I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You. I give You thanksgiving in the name of Jesus, Amen."

Justice

As we have seen recently, justice is imperfect in our system. Some people get more justice than others. The figure that represents justice is a blindfolded woman, holding a balance scale. Sadly, many have found that rather than being "blind", modern justice is very much influenced by an individual's outward appearance and circumstances. Our current system of laws has a long history. Many say that our present laws go back to Roman law, and then later the Code of Justinian. Our laws certainly have their roots in English Common Law. However, there is a system of justice which is much older than that. It dates back to the time of Moses, and it was given to the children of Israel, whom God redeemed out of slavery from Egypt and its Pharaoh. This Law was given in a time in history when nations were ruled by kings, and the law was whatever the king decreed it to be. The Law given by God was very different in nature and purpose from the law systems of the world. Jesus said that it is based upon two tenets: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind". This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Mt. 22:37-40). Our present justice system is supposedly based upon doing equity, which is sometimes successful to an extent, and sometimes not. "Equity" can be very subjective. God's system of laws, on the other hand, is based upon doing and being love, according to Jesus. This week's Sabbath reading from the Torah, and the haftarah, is titled "Mishpatim", which means judgments or ordinances. The Torah readings come from Ex. 21-24. Overall, we can see reflected in these ordinances of God, His demand for truth, justice, mercy, kindness and liberation from servitude: LOVE. It requires not equity, as our law does, but beyond what would be considered equity. Some examples: Those who have become your servant because of a debt owed, must go out free after six years owing you nothing more (The seventh year is the Jubilee year of freedom from all debt) (Ex. 21:2). If a thief steals an animal, he must restore four or five times the number of animals stolen (Ex. 22:1). If someone allows his animal to graze in another man's field, he must make restitution from the very best of his own field, and from the very best of his own vineyard (Ex. 22:5). We can see in this that we are not to harm a neighbor in any way. God's law also says that we are not to circulate a false report for any reason or advantage to us, or to pervert justice (Ex. 23:1-2). He equates the spreading of falsehoods to the killing of the innocent and the righteous, and He will not excuse that, or justify it, in any way. (Ex. 23:7). These ordinances also say that if you see an ox or a donkey of even your enemy, that has gone astry, you must rescue it and restore it to him, and if you see your enemy struggling with a heavy burden on his animal, you must help him with it (Ex. 23:4-5). It's not about animals, it is about kindness even to one you consider to be an enemy. Not only is kindness to be extended to your neighbor, but even to a stranger (Ex. 23:9). This kindness to a stranger or foreigner is to come from the same place in your heart that knew what it was like to be a stranger yourself, alone and unaccepted by others. The following is an interesting first mention in scripture. The LORD provides the office of judges to determine what shall be done if there is a failure to arrive at an agreement between parties. The judge is mentioned in Ex. 21:6 for the first time, and also Ex. 22:8-9. The word written in these verses as "judges" is the Hebrew word elohim. The judges are called by the very name of God. What is required of them in that name is to judge by the Spirit of God, by the wisdom of God, by the Word of God. We have already heard that the basis of all of these things is love. How does this apply to the present, and to the Church today? Paul wrote, "Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more things that pertain to this life?...do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!" (1 Cor. 6:1-6). Paul is asking for one who has wisdom to be placed in the position of elohim judging. It sounds like wisdom was a rare commodity in the Church of Corinth. It is even more rare today. Paul said it is better to accept the wrong, to allow yourself to be cheated, than to go to (secular) law against one another. Are many of us willing to do that? Capricious "equity" sought in secular law is not justice. Justice is superior to equity in every way: "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face." (Ps. 89:14). God is not equity. He is sacrificial love. If He were equity, none of us would be here anymore. However, before we go running to fulfill the office of the elohim, or judges, we had better read the fine print first. Let us remember the nature and the purpose of the law of God fulfilled in Christ, and taught by Him. Jesus told us, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." (Mt. 7:1-2). The word translated in these verses as the verb "judge" has a wide variety of meanings in the Greek word used, krino. It can mean "condemn, esteem, to be of an opinion, to deem, to determine, to decree, to judge, to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong, to rule". The word "judgment" or krima, means "the decision which one passes as being the faults of others". Is our criteria for judging others different from how we would want to be judged ourselves? We would hope for a heavy dose of mercy and longsuffering for ourselves and loved ones, but do we extend it to others not so dear to us? Paul added this thought: "For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged." (1 Cor. 11:31). Being "elohim" requires having a deep understanding of God's view of justice, rather than man's. In the haftarah portion of this week's Sabbath reading, which is read with joy in this month before Passover, the prophet Isaiah includes the verses: "Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand has made. And all those things exist. But on this one will I look: On him who is poor (meaning poor, humble, lowly, wretched, pious) and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word...Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at His word: Your brethren who hated you, who cast you out for My name's sake, said, "Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see Your joy." But they shall be ashamed." (Isa. 66:1-2,5). When we think we have judged rightly, have we in fact cast out those whom God considers "brethren? Make no mistake, God will not justify the wicked (Ex. 23:7). Sin is the exact opposite of the two main tenets of the Law fulfilled by Christ. However, elohim are required to remove the planks from their own eyes before they attempt to remove the specks from their brothers' eyes. Elohim judge as if they were the ones being judged, and they judge themselves first. This is the spirit of justice. May we be the elohim of the earth, not as man views justice, but in the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the Living Word of God, Jesus Christ. Our Father is enthroned upon righteousness and justice. If you would like to have knowledge of God through His Son, and His Spirit, you can pray: "Heavenly Father, I come to You in the name of Your only begotten Son, Jesus, who fulfilled the Law for me, dying on the cross for my sins, so I would not be condemned. I believe that He rose again from the dead to deliver me from the sentence of death. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, so I can understand and live Your righteousness and justice. Quicken to me any continuing sin in my life, and wash me in the blood of the Lsmb, and the water of the Spirit, so I can speak Your justice in the earth. I give thanks to You for Your continuing mercy in my life. Amen."

Abundance

Sometimes, we read the Word of God, even experience His great miracles and deliverance, but we can still lack understanding. The Word and Person of God are not understood by the flesh, but by the Spirit. Scripture says that the things of the spirit can only be understood by the help of Holy Spirit: "But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God...no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now, we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God...But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things...we have the mind of Christ." (1 Cor. 2:9-16). We cannot even know all of the things that God has freely given to us, according to the above verses, unless the Holy Spirit reveals them to us. About this, Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." (Jn. 3:5). We can't find the kingdom of God with the best GPS in the world, unless it is revealed to us by His Spirit. Jesus again said, "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (Jn. 4:24). We cannot even truly worship God except by spirit, because He is Spirit. The Sabbath readings for this week have more clearly illustrated to me the lack we suffer as the people of God when we try to comprehend Him without the help of the Spirit of God. This week's reading begins in Ex. 18. Moses received a visit from his father-in law, Jethro. Based upon outward appearances, we might not see the significance of Jethro, but the Sabbath readings are named for him: Yitro, meaning "his abundance, tent cord, that which exceeds measure or limit, eminence, remainder, to save over, to preserve alive". Jethro was a Midianite (meaning brawling, strife, discord). The Midianites were often connected to the tribes of Ishmael. Moses met Jethro when he was running away from Egypt as a young man. He married Jethro's daughter, and had two sons with her. When Jethro came to Moses, the people of Israel were encamped at the mountain of God. Jethro had brought Moses' wife and sons with him. Moses' greeting of Jethro is described: "So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, bowed down, and kissed him..." (Ex. 18:7). This man meant a great deal to Moses. Moses told his father-in-law all that God had done to bring them out of Egypt. "Then Jethro rejoiced for all the good which the LORD had done for Israel, whom He had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians. And Jethro said, "Blessed be the LORD...Now I know that the LORD is greater than all the gods; for in the very thing in which they (Egypt/the gods) behaved proudly, He was above them." (v. 9-11). From Jethro's statements we can see that he rejoiced at the greatness of God that delivered Moses and Israel from the Egyptians. He may not have been a worshipper of the God of the Hebrews before that moment, but now he knew and understood: "Now I know...". In this same moment, what did the children of Israel "know" about Him? Even though they knew that God's miracles had brought them out "on the wings of eagles" to bring them to Himself (Ex. 19:4), and knew that He miraculously fed them, and gave them water, they spent every waking hour, from morning until evening, bringing their problems, disagreements and contentions to Moses to decide them. Jethro discovered God by the Spirit, but the people were still hopelessly mired in their own understanding. Jethro, whose natural cultural background meant brawling, strife and discord, only had to hear Moses' account to understand by the Spirit what God had done. The people of God, on the other hand, who had actually experienced Him, had failed to discern Him by the Spirit, and had descended into unending disagreements with each other. Jethro then gave his son-in-law wise advice on how to handle the many disagreements. Instead of standing before the people to settle their disagreements, Moses should delegate that to other "men of truth". Moses was to stand before God instead on behalf of the people, teach the people the statutes of God and show them the way to walk, and the work they must do, so they could learn for themselves. In another place in scripture, Num. 10:29, Jethro is referred to by the name Raguel, which means "friend of God". By the Spirit, Jethro had entered into the "abundance" and understanding of the free things of God given to us. In the haftarah reading for this Sabbath, which is from Isaiah 6, we see a tragic fate for a people of God who do not know Him by the Spirit, and therefore, do not know Him at all. Isaiah received a vision in the year King Uzziah of Judah died. The death of this king, I think, played a major role as an example before God's people. King Uzziah had started out being a good and godly king, but he became ruled by pride, and tried to burn incense at the altar of incense in the temple. This he was not allowed to do. Only consecrated (sanctified, set apart) priests were to burn the incense that represented the prayers of the people before God, which were considered holy by Him. The altar of incense also represents His Son, Jesus, who lives to make prayers of intercession for us before His Father. Immediately, Uzziah was struck with leprosy, and had to live the rest of his life separately. We can say that Uzziah knew of God, but didn't know Him by the Spirit. In any case, Isaiah in this vision saw the Lord in His heavenly temple. As the seraphim (fiery, burning) angels glorified Him, the pillars of the door shook, and smoke filled the heavenly temple. Isaiah immediately became aware of his own sin, and the sin of the people, and thought he was about to die being in this holy Presence. The fiery angel brought a burning coal to touch Isaiah's lips, saying, "Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged." (Isa. 6:7). As he heard the Lord asking, "Whom shall I send for Us?", Isaiah answered, "Here I am! Send me." However, what he was about to be sent to do would be a very difficult task. Isaiah is known to us as one of the greatest prophets in scripture. He had profound and wonderful revelations from God regarding the Messiah to come, and many other glorious things of God. However, even as the prophet would faithfully record the prophetic Word he received, he did so knowing that the people of God to whom he was prophesying would not understand them. Like their king, their pride made them want to know God only by their natural understanding, rather than by the Spirit. The Lord told Isaiah at the time of this vision: "Go, and tell this people: "Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive." Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and return and be healed." (v. 9-10). We have been called to have the mind of Christ. We have been called to walk in the Spirit, and know God by the Spirit, and to receive from Him all the things which He desires to freely give to us by His Spirit. Jethro, or Yitro, understood more in a moment by the Spirit, than the children of Israel would understand in forty years of experiencing God in the wilderness. When the world is using their natural understanding to face the confusing and dangerous events of this time, and not coming closer to either solutions or God, we are called to be Jethros, who speak wisdom and clarity by the Spirit of God. May we never let pride in our own understanding, quench the Spirit of God. It is better to walk an inch with God in the Spirit, than a mile in our own understanding. Overflowing abundance that exceeds measure or limit is found only by the Spirit of God. If you would like to receive the Lord, who is Spirit, you can pray: "Heavenly Father, I want to know You and worship You in Spirit and in Truth. Your Son, Jesus, allows me to be born of water, and the Spirit, so I can know You. Jesus has cleansed me of my iniquity, and purged me of sin by His sacrifice for me. I believe that He rose from the dead for me. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, who teaches and leads me in all things concerning You. Let me be directed always and in all ways by Your Comforter, the Holy Spirit. I ask and receive these things from You in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen."

BigPicture

We have a unique prophetic role to play in spiritual warfare. Nations and people are hanging in the balance, but often we can't see it, because the cares of this world are consuming our time and attention. In speaking to Jeremiah after He touched Jeremiah's mouth, the LORD said, "Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant." (Jer. 1:9-10). It is true that this is Jeremiah's call to the office of prophet, but we are all called to be prophetic people. In fact, we are told by Paul to covet to prophesy (1 Cor. 14:39)). The root meaning of the word "prophesy" in Greek includes "the Messiah; of men filled with the Spirit of God, who by God's authority and command in words of weight plead the cause of God and urge salvation of men." Rev. 19:10 says, "...brethren that have the testimony of Jesus...for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." In another place it says, "And they overcame him (the accuser of the brethren who is cast down) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." (Rev. 12:10-11). God uses His people to accomplish spiritual warfare against principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age, spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph. 6:12). We can learn more about this spiritual warfare through this Sabbath's assigned readings from the Torah and the haftarah. The title of the Sabbath portion for this week is B'shallach, meaning "When he let go". Sometimes we view Pharaoh's finally agreeing to let God's people go from slavery to serve Him, and the later destruction of Pharaoh's army in the Red Sea as the end of the story, the victory won. However, "when he (Pharaoh) let go" is just the beginning of the warfare. A Jewish commentary on this portion of Sabbath reading contends that God fought powers of Egypt both on high and below; not just the natural power of Pharaoh and his army, but the spiritual powers behind them. Isaiah 19:1-3 reveals the spiritual battle against Egypt, including the statement, "The spirit of Egypt will fail in its midst...". The word "Egypt" in Hebrew, Mitsrayim, involves much more than a physical nation. The root meanings of the word include: narrow straits, siege, entrenched, limit, distress, confine, bind, beset, show hostility, be an adversary. In the final encounter with the Egyptians at the Red Sea, God leads the Israelites to a position opposite Ba'al Zephon(Ex. 14:2). Ba'al Zephon is the name of Egypt's god of wealth. It also means lord of the north, darkness, destroyer, laid up or concealed, treasure. At the Red Sea, God changed phases of matter, liquid to solid, and solid again to liquid (Ex. 14:22, 26, Ps. 78:13), in order to deliver and then to destroy. After the miraculous deliverance at the Red Sea, Moses and the people celebrated exultantly through an inspired song (Ex. 15). It is called "Song by the Sea". The Song declares: "The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; He is my God and I will praise Him...The LORD is a man of war (root: make war, devour, to eat, to feed on); The LORD is His name..." In v. 9 of the Song, the enemy makes threats against God's people that begin with the phrase "I will..." (see Isa. 14:13-14) saying: "I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil...I will draw my sword." The Song states that because of what has been accomplished by the LORD in this warfare against Egypt, four other nations will be affected: Philistia/Palestina, Edom, Moab, Canaan (v. 14-15). These four names are connected in meaning with rolling in the ashes in mourning, covetousness and murderous threats, immorality, merchandising/trafficking/humiliation. The Song concludes: Till Your people pass over, O LORD, Till the people pass over whom You have purchased. You will bring them in and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which You have made for Your own dwelling, the sanctuary, O LORD, which Your hands have established." (v. 16-17). The accomplishment of the "entering in" of God's people has a direct impact on the outcome for these nations mentioned, and the spiritual strongholds they represent. This is the role we, His people, play in this warfare as we enter into the realm of the throne of God. In the very next chapter of the Sabbath readings (Ex. 16), however, it is one month later, and the people of Israel were in the wilderness of Sin (meaning thorn, clay). The Israelites began to complain against Moses, because they were not happy with their lack of comforts and food. They began idealizing their conditions back in Egypt. They wanted meat, and they wanted bread. Twice it is pointed out that their complaints were not really against Moses, but against God (v. 7-8). The people were in a "thorny" place, and they were immediately affected by their circumstances and conditions. They certainly did not see "the big picture". Their attitude angered God, but not only did God miraculously provide the meat and bread that the Israelites craved, but He provided it in such a way as to allow them to still keep His rest with Him on the Sabbath (Ex. 16:22-23). This would not be the last time in the Exodus account, however, that God's people failed to trust Him. What things are our hearts craving that we think we lack, things we think we need but don't have, that cause us to feel dissatisfied, even resentful? How does this craving and wanting affect the spiritual warfare going on around us? In contrast, Paul pleaded with God concerning the thorn in his flesh (see "clay" in connection with the meaning of the wilderness of Sin) that had been given to him. Paul called that thorn "a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure." God answered Paul that His grace was sufficient (arkeo-to be possessed of unfailing strength, to defend, to ward off, raising a barrier, to be satisfied, to be content; Root: to raise up, to lift up) for Paul, "for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Paul noted tht he will be happy to accept his infirmities, "that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Cor. 12:7-9). Paul's contentment and satisfaction because of his trust in the power of Christ in him, even in the pain of the thorn in his flesh, is a powerful spiritual weapon in God's hands. This is a great revelation in contrast to the complaints and dissatisfaction of God's people in the wilderness, those complaints still often heard in the mouths of His people today. The Book of Hebrews said of Moses: "By faith Moses....esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt..." (Heb. 11:24-27). Hebrews also says: "...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb.12:1-2). Jesus was not just inconvenienced by thorns, but He wore thorns, and did so without complaint, because He saw the "big picture", the spiritual victory being accomplished. Psalm 78, another reading for this Sabbath, tells us that the experiences and attitudes of the Israelites were recorded "That the generation to come might know...that they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God...and may not be like their fathers...that did not set its heart aright, and whose spirit was not faithful to God." (v. 5-8). Of that generation in the wilderness, the psalm says, "...they tested God in their heart by asking for the food of their fancy. Yes, they spoke against God; they said, "Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?" (v. 18-19). The psalm says that God had to slay His people before they returned and sought for Him (v. 34). It is a very sad statement about a people who were easily overturned and beset by their own sin, doubt and desires. As we saw above, it only took a month for Israel to forget the miraculous deliverance of God. I think that sometimes it only takes a day, or even an hour to forget. The big picture of God's warfare plan is so important, that spiritual enemies, and even our own flesh do everything possible to knock the people of God off of their prophetic track. If we are to get through some of these severe tests and trials, and the challenges being faced today, we will have to keep "the big picture" in mind. May we remain the prophetic people that God has called us to be in warfare in Christ, undeterred by the challenges and difficulties in front of us. Our Father uses us in warfare. If you would like to be joined to Christ and His victory over all things, you can pray: "Dear Lord Jesus, I come to You knowing that You are my strength and my salvation. I believe that You died for me, and rose from the dead, conquering the grave for Me. I place my trust in You, that you will never leave me nor forsake me. You have forgiven me when I have failed, when I have sinned. Your Holy Spirit fills me and inspires me to sing a song of Your greatness and victory over all my enemies. Teach me to be satisfied, for Your strength overcomes my weaknesses. I give You thanks. Amen."

Lambs

Although Passover is still a few months away, the Sabbath readings from both the Torah and haftarah for this week deal with the LORD's Passover. I found that these readings about the Passover were very pertinent for today, and the times ahead. It was a message about lambs and leaders. A tyrannical Pharaoh is defeated by the power and grace of a lamb. Death has no power over the blood of a lamb. Households are redeemed in each generation since the first Passover by the sign of the lamb, as we will see. All of these singularly remarkable characteristics of Passover are fulfilled by a Person, Jesus, the Lamb of God, for those who receive Him. Because of these things, for us who believe Christ, Passover is not restricted to a certain day, but should live continually in our spirits. As the account begins in this week's reading, Pharaoh had agreed to only release the men of Israel to go and worship the LORD, but not the women and children (Ex. 10:7-11). Therefore the last three plagues, locusts, darkness, and finally, the death of the first born, were released upon Egypt. Up until this point, the territory where the Hebrews lived, Goshen (meaning "drawing near"), did not experience any of the judgments that fell upon Egypt. However, this would not protect them from the last plague, death. Before the final plague, God's people were instructed by Moses to choose a young spotless lamb, and keep it for four days, and then kill and eat it. The blood of the lamb was to be applied to the doorposts and lintels of their houses to protect them from the plague of death that would be sent by the LORD upon Egypt to kill all of the first born of the land (Ex. 12:1-12). Of the blood of the lamb, the LORD said, "Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the lsnd of Egypt." (v. 13). The Passover ministered to each household. Passover was an intimate and individual experience within a family unit, rather than a national experience, or a Jewish group experience. As we know, the children of Israel were spared from the last plague of death, and released from slavery reluctantly by Pharaoh. This miraculous event of Passover was to be observed and taught to future generations of Israel: "So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance."(v. 14). This is the first feast of the LORD that was given to Israel. It was given before the other feasts were revealed to Moses. What makes this feast of Passover so important that it should be the first given of all of the feasts? Passover is a prophetic picture of the Savior sacrificed, the Lamb of God, Jesus, whom Paul called "our Passover" (1 Cor. 5:7). The LORD will repeatedly tell Israel to keep the Passover in order to teach their children about the time when the LORD brought His people out of "the house of bondage" (bayith ebed-dwelling of slavery) (Ex. 13:3). Bondage has a dwelling, and you don't want to live there! The Passover is also to be kept on the hand and between the eyes: "And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, "This is done because of what the LORD did for me when I came up from Egypt. It shall be as a sign to you on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the LORD's law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand the LORD has brought you out of Egypt." (Ex. 13:8-9). Here in this verse, the Passover, although we think of it pertaining to a whole people, is really a personal testimony to one's children: "...what the LORD did for me...". The purpose of this personal testimony of the lamb is for the redemption of our children: "...And all the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem." (v. 13). Secondly, while we are familiar with the Hebrews wearing the law on their arms and foreheads in items called phylacteries, here, the LORD instructs them to do so specifically regarding the Passover event. The Passover, when it was continued to be practiced in Israel was to be a repeating work of redemption for their firstborn: "Consecrate to me all the firstborn; whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; It is Mine...So it shall be when your son asks you in time to come, saying, "What is this?" that you shall say to him, "By strength of hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." (Ex. 13:2, 14). Now is a good time to mention the title of the assigned Torah/haftarah readings for this Sabbath. The title is "Bo". It means "Enter!", spoken as a command. Goshen was a place to "draw near" God by its meaning, but by the Passover, Israel was to "Enter!". The Passover didn't keep death "out", as we tend to think, but allowed us "to enter in" to a dwelling in God where death has no place. We believers in Christ are also commanded to boldly enter in: "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus...let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." (Heb. 10:19-22). We can see the importance that the LORD placed upon the Passover for His people, and the corresponding sacrifice of the Lamb of God for believers in Christ, who is the fulfillment of the Passover. However, something strange happened, and it was pinpointed to a specific time in Israel. Josiah was a great and godly king of Judah. The haftarah Sabbath reading in 2 Chron. 35, tells us how Josiah revived the Passover in Israel. It was a very joyous occasion. Then this shocking statement is made: "There had been no Passover kept in Israel like that since the days of Samuel the prophet; and none of the kings of Israel had kept such a Passover as Josiah kept, with the priests and the Levites, all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah this Passover was kept." (2 Chron. 35:18-19). Not kept like this since Samuel's time? The kings didn't keep the Passover in this manner? Hezekiah did try to keep the Passover as a nation, but most of the people of the Northern Kingdom laughed at him, and refused to come. The Passover ended up being held in the wrong month because "..a sufficient number of priests had not consecrated themselves, nor had the people gathered together at Jerusalem...there were many in the assembly who had not sanctified themselves...yet they ate the Passover contrary to what was written..." (2 Chron 30:3, 17-18). Because of not keeping the Passover in the manner that was required, Hezekiah had to pray to the LORD to cover the people with the yearly atonement provision for all who came seeking Him that Passover, even though they didn't keep the Passover as it should have been kept. Passover isn't a ritual to be declared by a king. It is a work of deliverance in the heart of each person. There is no mention of Passover in scripture from the Book of Joshua until the chapters in 2 Chronicles about Hezekiah, and then Josiah. The verses above, pinpoint the time of Samuel. At the time of Samuel, Israel demanded kings. Although the LORD had warned them against it, the people placed their trust in their kings. They sang songs of Saul's thousands, and David's ten thousands, referring to the enemies defeated by their kings. They no longer trusted in the LORD's ability to lead them out. We can see that when your eyes are on the king, they aren't on the Lamb. Even the godly King Josiah, immediately following His revival of the Passover, disobeyed the Word of the LORD, and entered into battle with a king (Necho) who was not at war with him. Pharaoh Necho tried to warn Josiah off, but Josiah refused to listen. Judah needlessly lost a good king that day (2 Chron. 35:20-24). King Josiah ordered and provided for a great national Passover, but personally he took his eyes off the Lsmb. This week's readings made me think of the times in which we live. Our attention has been stolen by political leaders, movements, upheavals. We are incorrectly looking to our "kings" for moral, spiritual and natural solutions and vindication. The Church breaks into zealous political arguments and divisions over who should be our "king", or political leader. Kings or leaders come and go. They may be good or bad, godly or ungodly, meaning well or ill, but deliverance comes from the LORD. God's people today are tempted, as was Israel, to set their trust in their "king". Israel had many kings, but by the time of Hezekiah, they couldn't even prepare a Passover. They had gained a kingdom of successive earthly kings, but they had lost their Lamb. There is a song called "Watch the Lamb", by Ray Boltz. It is about a father who brings his two little sons, and their sacrificial lamb to Jerusalem for the Passover. On the course of their journey, the father tells his sons what the Passover in Jerusalem will be like, and repeatedly instructs them to "watch the lamb" so it doesn't get away in the crowds. As they enter Jerusalem, the father and sons stumble upon a terrifying scene of crucifixion. The sons fearfully ask their father about what is happening. As they see and experience what plays out before them, the father turns his sons to Jesus on the cross, and again tells them, "Watch the Lamb". It is a time for us also to "watch the Lamb". Kings may have a role to play in the course of God's will, but our focus is not to be on them, but on the LORD who delivers us out of the house of bondage, and provides the way for us to "enter" into His house of salvation, redemption, and liberty. May the LORD keep the redemption of the Passover in our hearts, and may we faithfully pass it along to our children. Our Father has commanded us to "Enter!". If you would like to receive Jesus as your Passover Lamb, who delivers you out of the house of bondage, and into the house of life and liberty, you can pray: "Lord Jesus, I believe that you died to save and deliver me, and that You rose from the dead, so that I can live. You have made the way for me to enter into the kingdom of God. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit to teach me, and lead me. You have made Your Passover deliverance personal to me and to my household. I believe that You have heard and received my prayer today, asked in Your precious Name. Amen."

2Realms

Dickens wrote "A Tale of Two Cities", but this is a tale of two realms. On the surface, this tale involved a showdown between two men. One was a powerful king, and the other was an exiled shepherd. The king was backed by a powerful army. The shepherd seemingly came to the showdown with only his shepherd's rod. However, these two men represented a confrontation between two spiritual realms. The king was Pharaoh of Egypt, and the shepherd was Moses, a Hebrew who had been raised in the household of a previous Pharaoh. Jewish commentaries on this Sabbath's reading offer some traditional insights that are very interesting. They say that Pharaoh was not only a king, but "a master of the lower spiritual world". In Hebrew, this lower world is called "Yetzirah". This lower world was the realm of the psyche, angels (demons) and souls. We know that Pharaoh had powerful magicians who served him in his palace. Magic and occultism played a strong role in the political power of Egypt. One Pharaoh, Ramses III, was plotted against within the palace using weapons of the occult. The plot was exposed before it could be proven successful or unsuccessful. The occult played an important role in daily Egyptian life as well. The Egyptians also relied upon magic and occultic practices to bring life after death, and for this purpose, the priests used magic from "The Book of the Dead". We can understand now why Moses was reluctant to go before Pharaoh, as the LORD had told him to do. Moses was very familiar with the dark ways of Egypt and its Pharaoh. Moses, though, came in the Name of the One who authored the "Lamb's Book of Life". In this Name, again according to Jewish commentary, Moses came from, and had access to, the "upper spiritual world". This realm is called "Beriah" in Hebrew. It is the realm of Creation, and the Throne of God. The appointed Sabbath portion for this week involves this showdown between Pharaoh and Moses, and the realms they represented, and is titled, "and I appeared" or Va-eirah in Hebrew. In our previous Sabbath portion, God had told Moses His Name was "I AM WHO I AM". We write this name using the English letters YHWH, pronounced Yahway. The Hebrew letters of this Name are yod, hey, vaw, heh, and it looks like this: יְהֹוָה. Each Hebrew letter has its own meaning, and the translation of the letters would be "Behold the hand, Behold the nail". Can you see why this name is so special? One of this week's Sabbath portions begins in Exodus 6. In this reading, we can clearly see the role that the Name "LORD", YHWH, has in the story of Moses and Pharaoh. This is what the LORD said to Moses. "Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh. For with a strong hand he will let them (the children of Israel) go and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land. And God spoke to Moses and said to him: I am the LORD (YHWH). I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty (see also Isa. 9:6), but by My name LORD (YHWH) I was not known to them." (Ex. 6:1-3). Up until this point, the Name YHWH had not been revealed to Israel, but as Moses was charged with confronting Pharaoh, he was sent before him in this Name of the LORD. Again in v. 6-8, God says to Moses, "Therefore say to the children of Israel: I am the LORD; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians...I am the LORD." We are familiar with the contest of power that occurred between Moses and Pharaoh that followed, and the increasing severity of the plagues or judgments that God brought to Egypt. We also remember that Pharaoh's magicians tried to replicate the signs that Moses performed in the Name of the LORD. Pharaoh took confidence in the fact that the magic of Egypt seemed to be equal to the wonders that Moses did in that Name. When Moses lifted his rod and struck the waters of the river, and they became blood, "Then the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments; and Pharaoh's heart grew hard, and he did not heed...as the LORD had said. And Pharaoh turned and went into his house. Neither was his heart moved by this." (Ex. 7:20-23). Pharaoh was solely moved by power, and he felt that the occultic powers of Egypt would stand up to this God of the Hebrews named YHWH. He was wrong, as we know. As we saw earlier, the Name YHWH, or LORD, never before revealed to Israel up to this point, carries the image of the crucified Christ. It is the Name of the upper spiritual world, Beriah, and includes Creation (Jn. 1:1-3), and the Throne of God. Jesus told us of the power connected to the Name that carries His image, It is the Name of His sacrifice that gives us access to the Throne of God: "And whatever you ask in My (Jesus') name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." (Jn. 14:13-14). And, "... in that day, you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name, Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." (Jn. 16:23). The Name has superiority over all, including that "lower spiritual world": "And being found in appearance as a man, He (Jesus) 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, 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. 2:8-11). This Name is not just a name to be used as some sort of talisman. This name represents a Person, who in obedience to His Father, sacrificed all to bring salvation to man. This sacrifice is the power and honor of the Name. Through the Name that carries the image of Christ, YHWH, Moses was able to exhibit the power and authority from the Throne of God before Pharaoh: "So the LORD said to Moses: See I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and Aaron, your brother, shall be your prophet." (Ex. 7:1). Moses was a great servant of God, but it was the Name above all other names that made him as God to Pharaoh. You may say that Jesus wasn't crucified before Moses' time, so how could He be the Person of the Name, but He was. The crucified Christ was before Moses. He was before Abraham (Jn. 8:58). He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world! (Rev. 13:8). Did Pharaoh bow his knee to the Name, as the verses in Philippians said all would do? He did, at least for a moment: "And Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, I have sinned this time. The LORD is righteous, and my people and I are wicked." (Ex. 9:27). Once the plague was lifted by Moses, however, Pharaoh went back to his hardened ways, but he was forced eventually to let the Hebrews go out of slavery. This lesson from the Sabbath readings for this week, and the revelation of the New Testament scriptures regarding the Name of Jesus, are very important to us today, especially as times grow more trying. Not only do we need a greater understanding of the Name in our daily walk now, but there is a prophetic importance to this understanding. In the end times, there will be another showdown between the two realms. There will come the son of perdition, or the Beast, and his false prophet who serves him, and his demonic religion, called Babylon. Like Pharaoh, they will rely for their power on the "lower spiritual world" (Rev. 13:2, 12-15, Rev. 19:20). With this demonic power, they will conquer the nations of the earth, and persecute the people of faith. Like Pharaoh, they will not win in the showdown, but the wisdom of the people who know their God will play a vital role in those coming times (Dan. 11:32-33, 12:3). Part of knowing our God is in the understanding of His Name, the LORD. May the LORD give us wisdom and understandng in the knowledge of His Name, and its direct relationship with Creation and the Throne of God. Our Father has revealed the mighty Name of His Son for us. If you would like to experience Jesus as Savior, Deliverer, and Redeemer, and LORD, you can pray: "LORD, Jesus, God has given You the Name that is above all names. I believe that You died for my sins, and rose from the dead. I believe that You rule with all authority. You have been given the authority to forgive my sins. Help me to walk in your righteousness through Your Holy Spirit. You only deliver me from the slavery and hard bondage of sin that held me in darkness. I believe that You have heard and answered my prayer to You this day, prayed in Your holy Name. Amen."