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We are used to hearing or saying these words ourselves when our Heavenly Father asks us the question: Are you willing? However in Matthew chapter 8, it is Messiah who says I am willing in answer to the mans question who was afflicted with tzara’at/leprosy.
There are some interesting insights we can glean from these verses in Matthews gospel that we may not have seen before, or may have overlooked; simply because we think we know the story and our understanding of Hebrew and Judaism is limited.
Starting in verse 2, the man knelt down. This is a sign of submission and worship, a humbling of self and not caring what the accompanying crowds thought. The first of the 10 sayings (10 commandments ) in the Torah, commands that you shall have no other gods before Me or bow down to them. This may be his desperation to be cleansed and returned to the community overcoming fear of consequences of what would appear to others to be bowing down to someone other than YHVH of Israel. Or it may have been that he was witness to many miracles and knowing Torah prophecies, believed in his heart Yeshua/Jesus was the promised Messiah.
By the first century Judaism had developed a list of major signs that the true Messiah could be expected to give as proof of His identity, 16:1-4; which is what the Pharisees were asking for in 16… Healing leprosy was one of them and another was the casting out of deaf, dumb and blind demons as He did in 12:22, 23. Specifically mentioned in John 9:32 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.
Other major signs that the true Messiah could be expected to give as proof of His identity:
Lineage from David: The Messiah is expected to be a descendant of King David.
Restoration of Israel: The Messiah will gather and restore the Jewish people to their homeland.
Peace and Justice: The Messiah will establish a reign of peace and justice, ending conflict and oppression.
Miraculous Signs: The Messiah will perform miracles, including healing the sick and raising the dead.
Knowledge of God: The Messiah will have a deep understanding of God’s will and teach it to the people.
Universal Recognition: The Messiah will be recognized and accepted by all nations as a leader and savior.
The diverse communities of first-century Judaism had a variety of messianic expectations and hopes. The priestly led community at Qumran, for example, anticipated two anointed figures,
a royal messiah from the line of David
and a priestly one from the line of Aaron (1QS 9:11).
Other groups, like the Sadducees, had little to no interest in a coming Messiah, content as they were with the political status quo and their own (priestly) leadership. Despite this diversity, there is good evidence for a strong and persistent expectation for the coming of a king from the line of David, who would free the nation, crush Israel’s enemies, and establish a kingdom of righteousness and justice centered in Jerusalem. When Peter says, “You are the Messiah,” it is likely that he has this expectation in mind.
A second statement from the man was his statement of faith in 8:2, you can make me clean. His question was… if He was willing not that He was not able to do what he was asking!
in Hebrew clean is the word tahor which means to be clean not only from the skin disease of leprosy, but also ritually clean according to the Torah; where the person no longer must be separated from the community.
The adjective טָהוֹר tahor, describes that which is entirely free from defilement, whether ceremonial, physical, moral, or spiritual. Strongs 2889
From the outset of Israel’s covenant life, clean defined the way to properly approach the true Holy God. “You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean” Leviticus 10:10.
This was ceremonial purity under the Law and the priestly legislation teaches that purity is not an option but is essential for covenant relationship. Failure to preserve this cleanness, whether through contact with death, disease, or moral offense; resulted in exclusion from worship until cleansing procedures were completed.
Yeshua/Jesus response was immediate and He answered his question…. I am willing. And then He spoke the result. Be cleansed. Speaking of Himself as I Am, in Hebrew Anochi/anoki, which is how our Heavenly Father declares Who He is. His serious self-revelation אָנֹכִי gives the personal pronoun I with added emphasis of self-assertion. Ex 3:14
He says in verse 4 ‘Tell no one.’ This seems like a strange thing to say and yet it was no doubt because at that time, He didn’t want to make known publicly the fact that He was the Messiah. The people were looking for a Messiah Who would liberate Israel from Roman oppression and rule Israel in glory; they were not looking for a Messiah Who would die a criminals death. This request of Yeshua/Jesus wasn’t honored because the people were too excited and couldn’t keep quiet about what was happening.
In the rest of verse 4, He tells the man that in order to bear testimony to the people, he was to go and let the cohen/priest examine him and secondly he was to offer the sacrifice that Moshe/Moses commanded. So the cleansing/healing itself was a witness to the crowds and furthermore He was saying do what the Torah commands after recovery from such a skin disease. Lev. 14:1-32. This was both a witness to the Priest and most importantly a clear reference that He had not come to do away with Torah commands but to fulfill them, to complete them and follow them as they were supposed to be followed; and was another indication that He was the awaited Messiah. He did not violate any of the Torah commands and directions for living a life before the Lord.
7 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Matthew 5:17-20.
Yeshua/Jesus summarized His relationship to the Old Testament/TaNaKH.
Clearly, He came to fulfill the law and the prophets, not to destroy them. He taught and obeyed the law, and His death satisfied the ceremonial laws.
Yesua/Jesus’ purpose was not to abrogate or change the Word, neither to dissolve it, nor make it no longer valid or applicable to our lives.
The predictions of the Prophets concerning the Messiah would be realized in Yeshua/Jesus; the Holy standard of the Torah Law would be perfectly upheld by Messiah, the strict requirements personally obeyed, and the ceremonial observances finally and fully satisfied.
The Prophets words will be fulfilled; the Torah Law or instructions for life, will continue to accomplish the purpose for which it was given. Isaiah 55:10–11.
Heaven and earth will pass away but My words will never pass away.
Next, consider what Messiah did do. He said that He came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets. In other words, His purpose was to establish the Word,
to embody it, and
to fully accomplish all that was written.
Christ is the culmination of the law. Romans 10:4.
Yeshua haMashiach/Jesus Christ fulfilled the Prophets in that, in His first coming alone, He fulfilled hundreds of prophecies concerning Himself. Examples at: Matthew 1:22; 13:35; John 19:36; Luke 24:44.
Messiah fulfilled the Torah Law in at least two ways:
as a teacher and as a doer.
He taught people to correctly obey the Torah Law originally given to Moses by the Father and not all the added oral laws of the Pharisees do’s and don’ts . Matthew 22:35–40; Mark 1:44, and He obeyed the Torah Law Himself, John 8:46; 1 Peter 2:22.
In living a perfect life, Messiah fulfilled the moral laws; in His sacrificial death, He fulfilled the ceremonial laws. Messiah came not to destroy the Torah system but to build upon it. He came to complete the already established Covenant and add onto it what we term as the ‘New’. This new is specifically that because of His sacrificial death and shed blood, no more physical animal sacrifice was needed to pay the price for sin.
He made it very clear in Matthew 15:1-9.
So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word[b] of God. 7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. Thus you nullify the word of God.
This phrase highlights the tension between human traditions and divine commandments. The word of God refers to the Scriptures, which were considered the ultimate authority. The religious leaders of Messiah’s time often lifted up their traditions to a level that was above and overshadowed the Scriptures. This echoes Isaiah 29:13, where YHVH criticizes those who honor Him with their lips while their hearts are far from Him. The nullification implies a deliberate undermining of the Father’s authority, which is a serious charge against the religious leaders of the day.
by the tradition you have handed down.
The tradition, refers to the oral laws and customs developed by the Pharisees and scribes, which were meant to interpret and apply the written Law of Moses. These traditions, known as the “Oral Torah,” were eventually codified in the Mishnah. The phrase “handed down” suggests a generational transmission, indicating that these practices were deeply entrenched. This reflects a broader cultural context where oral tradition was a primary means of preserving and transmitting religious teachings. Messiah criticizes these traditions for overshadowing the true intent of His Father’s commandments.
And you do so in many such matters.
This indicates that the issue at hand was not isolated but part of a broader pattern of behavior. The religious leaders were consistently prioritizing their traditions over YHVH’s commands. This critique is not limited to the specific example of Corban which was mentioned earlier in the same chapter, but extends to various aspects of religious life. It underscores a recurring theme in Messiahs ministry:
the call to return to the heart of Torah law,
which is love and justice,
rather than mere ritual compliance.
This critique aligns with other scriptural passages where Messiah challenges the Pharisees, such as Matthew 15:8,9 and 23, where He condemns their hypocrisy and legalism.
This is so very important as there are many teachings that say now that we are under grace and the previous covenants from the Torah do not apply to all believers. This would mean that the instructions given to the children of Israel in the form of the 10 sayings/commandments are null and void, so therefore people can steal, murder, commit adultery, have idols and worship other gods and all the things we are required not to do.
This is like our idiom of throwing the baby out with the bathwater! People who want to believe we have a free ticket to heaven without the commitment and obedience to the Fathers Word, saying God is love, He understands my heart, and there’s grace for everything; simply want to live life on their own terms. The boundaries of living a morally observant Word based life, are there for our protection because He loves us.
Messiah is willing… the question is, are we willing to truly follow Him in the Way? Because if we are, then He will not only make us clean but He will make us whole.
Shalom shalom
‘Mishpachah’
‘Family/Tribe’
משפחה
Mish-pa-KHa,
friends, visitors and every reader…
Please don’t leave this page before making certain you are His
and are truly born again from above.
Know of a certainty that Jesus/Yeshua is
your Redeemer, Savior, Lord
and soon returning King
and that you have a personal relationship with Him.
You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.
It’s all about Life and Relationship, not Religion.
NOT SURE? YOU CAN BE..
SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry.
I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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We usually think of Ephesians 6:18 as the text that speaks of the full armor of God. It is a very well known scripture and many teachings and sermons have been shared about it. However in reading or quoting it we say a word in verse 18 and may not have seen the fullness of it.
Here we see the perseverance of the saints in that as well as connected to prayer, it speaks of having done all to stand. Verse 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
The word perseverance in Greek is: proskarterésis:
Perseverance, steadfastness, devotion
Original Word: προσκαρτέρησις
Strongs #4343 proskartérēsis – strong perseverance steadfastness, which prevails byinteracting with God (used only in Eph 6:18) from G4342 (προσκαρτερέω – continually devoting themselves
Standing firm takes persistence and perseverance requires saintly determination to continue on in dedication, when all the forces of hell are arrayed against the soul; it is why it is included in the verses about protective armor. Perseverance is a defensive weapon against the onslaught of the enemy. It defies all human logic and that’s the point, it is not based on human logic or common sense, its based on the promises of our Heavenly Father.
Perseverance is to the human spirit what the rudder is to a ship.
The picture of the ship and its rudder is a well-known one and the relative size of it compared to the volume of the ship; it is amazing that something so small can cause the direction of something so much larger. The reference in James to the tongue and our words also uses the same picture. For believers the rudder of the spirit in godly perseverance, will steer the saint straight ahead in spite of the contrary wind continually buffeting and challenging the desired course to the goal. The unstable man referred to in James is blown about and receives nothing.
Without perseverance even the one with the most sincere motives will fail. There are other words we can use to describe perseverance such as: not giving up, patience, long suffering, determination, grit, insistence, resolution, resolve, diligence, drive, purpose, determination, devotion, tirelessness, endurance, steadfastness and firmness.
We must have this perseverance. It is a fruit of our Heavenly Fathers indwelling Holy Spirit evident in our life and actions. Patience, or longsuffering, is the ability to endure difficult circumstances and the shortcomings of others without becoming impatient, angry or upset. The Greek word found in Galatians 5:22 is makrothumia. It means, “Patience, long-suffering.”
It is not fleshly zeal or an outward show for aesthetic appeal, its not a surface façade or a mask put on to look the part but an inward, stalwart, deep rooted patience of the spirit and soul, that for the most part stays silent and steadfast, focused and immovable. It’s a holy determination pressing on in defiance of all odds, completely trusting in the Lord and His timing and provision for us. Our faith grows as we wait on Him, and the arm of the flesh, the emotions and feelings that are tied to the soul are restrained to wait on the Lord. This is the patient perseverance, the not giving up or giving in to fixing it ourselves, or using another ungodly avenue to save us having to wait any longer!
These times of waiting are times when our Father is working in us and building our faith and trust in Him so that we are absolutely assured that He will answer us in His way and time. This is the greater part of spiritual warfare – having done all to stand and a sign of spiritual maturity.
The thoughts and suggestions to move ahead of the Lords plans, purposes and timing are in the flesh of our minds; those imaginations that are inspired by unclean and ungodly spirits whispering to go ahead, just do it, why wait when you can fix it yourself, you’re too busy to wait it needs fixing now. That arm of the flesh will get us out of sync. with the workings of His Spirit in and through us which is why we are told to take those thoughts captive in 2 Corinthians 10:5. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Faith is built by trusting and waiting. It’s not what our impatient flesh wants to hear but we are to be founded and grounded on the Rock that is the immovable foundation, which is the unchangeable location for a secure soul and the hope of a victorious outcome, knowing that His will plans and purposes have been achieved. Matthew 28:20: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
The Powerful Protection In The Promise Of His Presence began in Exodus 33:14 and has never changed. We are to be assured that He will never leave us nor forsake us and to realize He knew what we would need before we did and before we even ask concerning it. His presence is with us always, this is His promise; and therein lies the protection, the safety for our peace, knowing that He knows the end from the beginning and the best outcome for every situation we may find ourselves in.
This protection is powerful because it is all encompassing and is reflected from the many promises in the Torah/Tenach. Psalms 91 and 23 being the most well known.
Hebrews 11:6 tells us that we cannot please the Father without faith and faith takes patience and perseverance.
Perseverance is as the rope that spiritually ties the soul to the door post of heaven. It’s the thing we need in order to fulfill our call, to run our race and endure to the end. Messiah said in Matthew 10:22, 24:13 and Mark 13:13 He who endures to the end shall be saved. That is the determined length of our days, those which are allotted for each individual. The race is not to the swift or the strong in themselves, but to those who endure and trust in the Lord to make up for what they lack. Trying to make our own answers to prayer happen before our Fathers timing often results in more confusion and frustration.
If you are still waiting on an answer, don’t give up!
Be encouraged….
He has heard you and will answer in His perfect time and often we don’t appreciate the timing until we look back on the situation. Just continue to stand fast on His promises and persevere in faith, believing He can do exceedingly abundantly above all we think or imagine.
Revelation 3:10 has a wonderful promise for us and interestingly here, Messiah calls perseverance His command! So it seems it’s not really an option, or one we can avoid or get around, we are called and commanded to persevere which sheds a new light on this verse we began with in Ephesians. There really is powerful protection in the promise of His presence.
Shalom shalom
‘Mishpachah’
‘Family/Tribe’
משפחה
Mish-pa-KHa,
friends, visitors and every reader…
Please don’t leave this page before making certain you are His
and are truly born again from above.
Know of a certainty that Jesus/Yeshua is
your Redeemer, Savior, Lord
and soon returning King
and that you have a personal relationship with Him.
You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.
It’s all about Life and Relationship, not Religion.
NOT SURE? YOU CAN BE..
SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry.
I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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For those who follow our Heavenly Fathers cycle of life/chaim reflected in the annual moedim, the Appointed Times of the Lord; we are in the weeks celebrations of Sukkot.
Sh’mot 23:16 7th month – 15th day through 21st day (7 days). Vayik’ra 23:33-36, 39, 40-43.
Although covered in previous posts, all of which are available on home page; here is a brief summary of this moed for new readers.
The moadiym/ the Appointed Times of The Lord, are times to remember prophetic declarations of His Word and His promises to His children. They offer a unique opportunity for us to be discipled by His Spirit, as we walk in the ways of HIs Son Yeshua ha Mashiach toward our full potential and usefulness for the Father. It is a time for all believers in Messiah to draw closer to Him and to become more effective, victorious disciples for Yeshua/Jesus.
This last great appointed time of Israels annual calendar is Chag haSukot – feast of tabernacles. It is also called Chag haAsif – feast of the Ingathering, because it is positioned at the end of the year, when all the fruit of our labor is gathered in from the final harvest.
Like the Feast of Matzah/unleavened bread celebrated in the spring at Passover/Pesach, Sukot, sometimes spelled Sukkot, lasts for 7 days and is a time for great celebration. However, unlike the feast of Matzah/unleavened bread, only the first day of Sukot is a holy convocation. In Judaism the 7th day of sukkot came to be known as Hoshanna Rabba and was celebrated with a huge water libation ceremony to plead for abundant rain over the next season.
This is also the day when Jesus/Yeshua being in attendance at this ceremony, cried out . On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, lethim come to Me and drink. John 7:37
On this first day of Sukot, Israel is commanded to do no work and to rest. Sukot begins just 5 days after Yom haKippuriym/Yom Kippur, on the 15th day of the 7th Hebrew month Tishrei and lasts until the 21st day.
The main feature of sukkot is of course the sukkah or booth or tabernacle which is to be constructed from the various trees and flora surrounding Jesusalem.
“You shall dwell in booths (sukkot) for seven days. All native Israelites shall dwell in booths.” – Vayikra /Leviticus 23:42.
The purpose of the sukkah is to remind us that Adonai caused the people of Israel to live in sukkot (tents/temporary dwellings) when He brought them out of Egypt and they travelled through the wilderness. This experience helps us understand and appreciate the spiritual themes of our Heavenly Fathers protection, deliverance and provision. The temporary and minimal nature of the structure itself should also remind us of our own physical condition. Our bodies have weaknesses, vulnerabilities and are finite. They have an expiration date! And as long as we inhabit these earthly dwellings/sukkah it is a timely reminder that we are indeed passing through. This earth is not our permanent home, we are spiritual beings, we, the real us, are not our bodies; they are the temporary dwellings provided for us while we are on earth fulfilling the Fathers plan for us and one day we will leave them behind!
The sukkah is a symbol of how our Father cares for us protecting us from both physical and spiritual elements, that are constantly arrayed against us. At the time of the final ingathering we are to celebrate with great joy that He has delivered us, watched over us, and will soon be taking us to dwell permanently in the sukkah of His presence that will last forever.
In 2 Peter 1:10-14, Peter is encouraging us to be doing the word as much as we are knowing it. He is stirring us up, reminding us that we can know how to live a life for Messiah and we can be convinced of the truth; but if we are not diligent to make our calling and election/selection sure/firm, it will be as if we have forgotten everything we ever knew.
Time is short and soon we will be all laying aside our earthly dwellings. Knowing the truth is not enough, we have to remember it and use it by applying it while we still can. The feast of ingathering will soon come to and end and this sukkah in which we abide will not last or stand forever either. It is important that while we live in our earthly dwellings that we diligently secure our calling and election. We can do this by acting on the things we do know, because that truth is what will bring in a harvest of righteousness. As Peter says: Therefore I will not be careless to remind you always concerning these things for by doing these things you will never stumble.
This week ends with Simchat Torah, a time to express our love for our Heavenly Fathers Words of Life and for the Word Who became flesh and tabernacled among us for a short season. This He will fulfill completely when he returns to reign. There is a lesson for us that first we must submit ourselves to the discipline of studying the scriptures. As Messiah said in John 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.
And in Matthew 5:18 He said:
For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.
Messiah considered all of the Torah and TeNaKH to be important so we can rejoice in the knowledge and comfort they provide us. In other words there is no d’rash without p’shat, meaning: there is no application without the study of the scripture texts. Then after we have studied His word, we are given the gift of great joy, that of of knowing the truth of His Words. John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Ps 33:4 for the word of the Lord is right His every deed is faithful.
Enjoy the rest of the days of this moed and above all rejoice that our names are
written in the Lambs Book of Life.
Shalom shalom
‘Mishpachah’
‘Family/Tribe’
משפחה
Mish-pa-KHa,
friends, visitors and every reader…
Please don’t leave this page before making certain you are His
and are truly born again from above.
Know of a certainty that Jesus/Yeshua is
your Redeemer, Savior, Lord
and soon returning King
and that you have a personal relationship with Him.
You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.
It’s all about Life and Relationship, not Religion.
NOT SURE? YOU CAN BE..
SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry.
I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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It is usually referring to a specific location, somewhere we can physically go to.
In Hebrew the words are:
מקום Makom and מיקום Mikum.
Both can be translated to “place” or “location” in English, but they are used in different contexts.
The word in Strongs #4725:
מקום makom is more for a location whereas
מיקום Mikum is used “to place” or “to position” something.
In both languages it’s also the word we use when we say: we are laying a place at the table for a meal. Other uses for the word place, are when we position items, like placing cushions or pillows on a bed, sofa/couch; or where we would place a garden shed or build a structure. These are all physical things of the natural realm; however there are spiritual places too.
In Mark 9:2, Matthew 17:2 and Luke 9:29 when Messiah took His disciples up to a high mountain, it was a place of revealed glory. It was where Messiah was transfigured before them in a manner they had not experienced before. They were exposed to the shekinah as Yeshua/Jesus was exalted and spoke with two famous figures who had lived long ago. They were understandably fearful and yet they marveled at the privilege of seeing things in the spiritual realm from our Heavenly Fathers perspective.
There have been times in all our lives where we have seen things from that same place, but just like Peter, James and John, we are never allowed to stay there and camp out in those mountain top experiences. The true test of our spiritual life is in exhibiting the power to come down from the mountain. If we only have power to ascend then something is wrong because although it’s wonderful to be up on that mountain in His presence; we are only brought there so that we can be spiritually energized and empowered to later go down and minister to the spiritually oppressed people in the valley of everyday life. This is very clear if we read verses 14-18.
The height of the mountain top is measured by the boring drudgery of the valley but it’s there we have to live for His glory. In the place of challenge, when we go through those times of embarrassment, dishonor and shame that our true worth is revealed. Most of us can accomplish things if we are full of the mountain top experience; but we are called to walk where we live, in the ordinary day to day level of life, depending on our personal relationship with Him. It is the quality and depth of that relationship that is revealed during these experiences, showing us the areas of our character that need adjustment.
Peter wanted to stay longer on the mountain but Yeshua/Jesus took them down to the valley, where the true meaning of their experience was explained. Vs9: 5-6 14-23.
We are not to live on the mountain top or to prolong other similar experiences, these are moments of inspiration to encourage and strengthen our faith. We are made for the ordinary places in life and that’s where we have to prove our stamina, endurance and faithfulness; yet our spiritual selfishness wants these mountain top moments on a consistent level. We think we would live a more holy life if only we could remain in His glory on the mountain top. These moments are by their very nature, out of the ordinary, and have their purpose and meaning; but we must avoid our spiritual selfishness in wanting them all the time.
The mountain top is not meant to teach us anything, it’s meant to make us something, to mature us by forming in us the character of Messiah. (Galatians 4:19). Many times we think everything is a teaching point and we are not to always measure spiritual matters that way; because this place on the mountain top is a rare and unique moment and is meant for something in our Fathers’ purpose.
In this passage of scripture, immediately afterwards the power of the Lord was channeled out through Him to set a captive free. In Luke 9:38-42 we read:
Suddenly a man in the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg You to look at my son, for he is my only child. A spirit keeps seizing him, and he screams abruptly. It throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It keeps mauling him and rarely departs from him. I begged Your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable.”
He had received power to heal and restore, both physically and spiritually. He told His Disciples/talmidim, that spiritual preparedness by prayer and fasting is essential.
When we are on that place on the mountain, we learn Who Messiah really is and what our Heavenly Father is capable of. At that moment, in that place, our faith soars high like the mountain and we can believe for anything and everything, but what about down in the valley when we are faced with everyday life and its problems, tests and trails?
There is a well known verse in Isaiah 60:1 that not only applies to us but is a great encouragement for our walk through the valley and to set the captives free.
Isaiah 60:1: “Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon thee.”
arise, shine – qumi ‘ori קומי אורי
is telling us more than to just wake up.
In Hebrew/Aramaic the word arise is kumi/cumi,
which has a very broad range of meanings.
kumi generally has the idea of:
arising and being restored.
There are places where we read this same word one is in
Mark 5:41, Jesus speaks in Aramaic as he resurrects a young girl: Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” …and be restored.
Another is in John 5:1-16 When Messiah healed the lame man at the pool of Bethesda, He most likely used the identical word in Aramaic in His command to be healed.
“Arise, (and be restored) pick up your mat, and walk” John 5:8.
Messiah had the power to heal and restore, both physically and spiritually and it is available to us today.
As we walk through the dark valley that David speaks of in Psalm 23, we all receive the same command,
kumi – arise and be restored.
When we feel beaten down, oppressed, tired and worn out, His command to us is to: arise and be restored.
As well as arise and be restored we are also to shine.
In Hebrew shine is the word ’or
which is the word for light.
The Hebrew verb אוֹר (ʾōr), meaning:
“ to shine,” “ to give light,” or “ to illuminate,”
and is often used for glory /shekinah; and a grammatically correct translation here is enlightened.
1 John1:5 tells us God is light and the fact that Messiah, Who is the light of the world, has come. This is what we are
enlightened
about, that will cause us
to arise and be restored.
When the light – or, the Messiah, comes into our lives it means that our restoration is already here and if we are oppressed in that dark valley, we need to be enlightened to that fact. He has come to bring light to that valley which is dark only because our eyes need to see and focus on Yeshua/Jesus. Even though we may still be in the valley, He will lighten our way ahead out of that place and will restore our strength to pass through and continue on beyond that valley.
The last part of the verse tells us that:
The glory of the Lord has risen on you.
Here the word for risen is zarach, which has a common use for example, with the rising of the sun.
The compassion and loving-kindness of our Heavenly Father is expressed in zarach and gives a picture of looking to the direction of the rising son/sun while walking through that dark valley; because our Heavenly Father’s loving-kindness and compassion are rising to bring the needed warmth and comfort for our journey.
Many times as we are walking through life’s many dark valleys, places which give us feelings of hopelessness, abandonment, loneliness, loss of direction and meaning assault our minds and try to crush our faith.
It is at these moments in this place of testing and trial that we are to remember Isaiah’s words; that the coming of Messiah, brings us enlightenment.
We are to hear that He is saying: Arise and be restored; because without any doubt,
He will impart to us the strength we need,
He will be the light on our path and the lamp to our feet.
Consider the Hebrew letters and ancient word picture of the word for light. See chart below.
Recall from previous posts that each pictograph reveals the original function of the word and that similar to every translation, there are several words to choose from. So it’s always possible to alter a meaning to support an individuals personal opinion. Because of this tendency, we must examine each word picture, in its original culture and context for the most accurate understanding.
The first and most well known use of light/oor/’or is in the very first chapter of Beresheet/Genesis.
And God – אֱלהִים Elohim said, “Let there be Light – אוֹר Oor,” and there was Light – אוֹר – Oor) Genesis 1:3
The original Hebrew word אוֹר, pronounced Or with a Hebrew letter Resh, shows us a word picture of its function, meaning what Light does:
Alef א = Ox Head, Strong, Power, Master, Teacher, Leader, Elohim
Vav וֹ = Nail, Tent Peg, Hook, to Attach, Secure, Establish, (Adding the. letter resh/reysh)
Resh ר = Head, Person, Highest, Top, Chief, Beginning
This could then be read as:
Strength – Established – by the Highest
Yeshua/Jesus, the Living Word of YHVH, will walk through that place, that valley, with us, His banner over us, covering us with His victory, loving-kindness and compassion.
(Song Sol 2:4 and also Jehoveh Nissi – The phrase “the Lord is my banner” comes from Exodus 17:15)
As David said in
Psalm 23 concludes with the promise that for those walking in that place, in harmony with our Heavenly Father, “Surely goodness and mercy/loving-kindness shall follow me all the days of my life.”
The Messiah is here in wherever the place is that we are right now. We do not have to be alone passing through any valley in darkness for He is the or/Light, He will walk with us as He places His hand and His presence upon us.
Surely we will find Him when we seek Him in the secret place of Psalm 91, which is not so secret that we cannot find it
Shalom shalom
‘Mishpachah’
‘Family/Tribe’
משפחה
Mish-pa-KHa,
friends, visitors and every reader…
Please don’t leave this page before making certain you are His
and are truly born again from above.
Know of a certainty that Jesus/Yeshua is
your Redeemer, Savior, Lord
and soon returning King
and that you have a personal relationship with Him.
You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.
It’s all about Life and Relationship, not Religion.
NOT SURE? YOU CAN BE..
SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry.
I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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