Author: 1gratefulheart

Who Are They?

Who Are They? 

Many conversations include this reference. ‘

They’ said this, or ‘they’ did that… etc.

We are usually referring to individuals or a group of people who are not present or to whom we are assigning blame or responsibility for actions and decisions which result in circumstances that relate to our situation. Sometimes we don’t specifically know who ‘They’ are. 

In Luke 12 Yeshua spoke a parable which included  a reference

13A man from that crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14But Yeshua said to him, “Man, who has set me as a judge and a divider over you?” 15And he said to his disciples, “Beware of all greed, because life is not in the abundance of riches.” 16And he told a parable to them: “A certain rich man’s land brought him many crops.” 17“And he thought to himself and said, ‘What shall I do, for there is no place for me to gather my crops?’ “ 18“And he said, ‘I shall do this: I shall pull down my barns, and I shall build and enlarge them, and I shall gather all my produce and my goods.’ “19“And I shall say to my soul, ‘My soul, you have many goods laid up for many years, be contented, eat, drink and be merry.’ “ 20“Then God said to him, ‘Fool, in this night your soul will be required from you, and whose will these things be which you have prepared?’ “ 21“Thus is whoever lays down a treasure for himself and is not rich in God.” Primarily Yeshua/Jesus was warning the listeners about the temptations of greed. We assume the requiring of the mans soul was that he died.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“Then God said to him, ‘Fool, in this night your soul will be required from you, and whose will these things be which you have prepared?’ “

Mace New Testament
but God said to him, thou fool, this night shall thy soul be required of thee: who then shall enjoy what thou hast provided?

Worrell New Testament
But God said to him, ‘Senseless one! this night they require your soul of you; and the things you prepared, whose shall they be?’

Lamsa Bible
But God said to him, O you shortsighted, this very night your life will be demanded of you; and these things which you have prepared, to whom will they he left?

The word in Aramaic was from a semetic root word which means

to seek satisfaction or to avenge,

so did he die by their hand? Who are they in these verses?

this night they require your soul and

the things you prepared, whose shall they be?

To give a little more understanding of this question we have to look at the culture and customs practiced in the ancient Middle East.

Reading in Leviticus 25 and specifically verse 11 In this Year of Jubilee everyone is to return to their own property.

Hebrews did not own property in the sense that we understand it today. Instead every year by a type of lottery, land was given out to individuals and families.

Families or an individual had a good chance of reaping a good harvest and even one that produced in abundance, if they drew a lot that was good ground.

A harvest would be sparse and obviously not so plentiful, if the lot given was poor or rocky ground; and there was a real chance of starvation. There were no supermarkets to go and get supplies from. This type of ‘lottery’ made sure that everyone had an equal chance and no one got the best ground every year and got richer, nor did they continually receive the poor ground and get progressively poorer and starve to death; hence the system of Jubilee instigated by our Heavenly Father.

Interestingly today, we still refer to a piece or portion of property as a lot.

Another idiom we use is when we are speaking of a person’s ‘lot in life’, particularly if we are referring to someone who has had an easy life, or someone who has gone through many hard times.

In the ancient Biblical times, those who had drawn a lot with poor soil, were often dependent upon a neighbor who had been blessed with a good lot. These neighbors were willing and able to help them by sharing their crops until the next years’ drawing, and probably because the next year, the one with the good lot may very easily be assigned a poor lot and would have to look to his neighbor for help.

Being a good neighbor is a reflection of our Heavenly Father’s love and grace in our lives. These parables should inspire us to be better friends, family members, and help others less fortunate in our community.

Here we are reminded of the verses in Proverbs 3:28  Do not say to your neighbor, Go, and come again; and tomorrow I will give it—when you have it with you. and

Provers 27:10 Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.

Also Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Matthew 25:35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me… we do all these things as unto the Lord Himself.

Acts 20:35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

Hebrews 13:16. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others…

In this story, the man Messiah is describing obviously had been blessed with a good lot, but instead of offering all his extra harvest to those in need who had received the poor lot; he decided to be greedy and keep it for himself. This could have been out of fear, in case the next year he drew a poor lot, or fearful that there was a water shortage; and he may have worried that even if he received a good lot, it wouldn’t yield a good harvest. Obviously we understand from these thoughts the man was not trusting the Lord either.

It would seem that the, they, in this story would be the people who had not been able to raise a healthy crop and therefore had no harvest; which meant they were starving and who would probably kill this neighbor for his food if he wasn’t willing to share.  They would require his soul, as in seeking satisfaction or avenging themselves because of his greed and reluctance to share his blessings. Messiah was teaching an important point after the young man in the previous verse had wanted his part of an inheritance from his brother.  It is truly more blessed to give than to receive and  better to live as a community, helping one another, than to not share your good harvest of many blessings.

These days our lives are the good ground, and by His work in us we are suitable for producing a harvest. As we feed on the Word of God, we become more fertile soil that is prepared to receive a new implantation, and we will yield much fruit and in turn a harvest for the kingdom of our Heavenly Father.

Spiritually, beneath the surface, our roots are stretching deep into the soil, His Word and this ensures a strong foundation making sure we are able to withstand the tests and trials of life’s storms.

We can persevere and produce much fruit; and out of this harvest we give to those who drew a lot that did not produce this season.

As we plant the seed from our yield into others lives, we will not be subject to ‘them’, those individuals who are requiring or seeking to avenge or seek satisfaction from our souls because we are being stingy, greedy and reluctant to share our blessings with others.

Shalom, shalom mishpachah/family

and cheverim/friends!

It’s all about Life and Relationship,

NOT Religion.

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

NOT SURE?

YOU CAN BE..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua 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/Yeshua 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/Yeshua 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/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen

Be Strong And Of Good Courage

In Joshua 1:9, he was told to be strong and of good courage this is a message for us today as we are hearing of wars and rumors of wars. Matthew 24.

Is war really looming and if it is, in times of such trouble and uncertainty where do we instinctively turn?

Do we sit and listen to the news reports of the secular media or do we turn our eyes upon Messiah and read the good news of His provision, protection and ultimate victory?

Are we in the last hours of the world as we know it?

If we are waiting for ‘the great tribulation’ to begin and it will be a wait in vain because we were born into times of great tribulation. There is no word ‘the’ before ‘great tribulation.’ Tribulation is not a specific season for just certain years; tribulation is hard times, tests and trials of day to day life, which every person goes through at one time or another. For those who don’t know our Heavenly Father, Messiah Yeshua and His Holy Spirit, there is little to no hope. Believers who have a personal relationship with Messiah Yeshua and our Heavenly Father, have developed faith, total trust in His Word and the promises it contains.

Extended grace is being offered to all who have ears to hear and today is the day of salvation. We must not harden our hearts or think a war will not affect us, but instead prepare our hearts and lives to be acceptable before a Holy God. We are to be praying for all leaders, global and local, for wisdom and for the will of the Father to be done. Many think they will not have to endure some of the things written in His Word, however, Yeshua/Jesus said in this world you will have tribulation. Others think they will be raptured out of it. There are many people ‘raptured/caught away’ everyday, passing from this earthly life into the heavenly realms, they have run their race and finished their course. If we are still here there is a purpose, something we have yet to do for the Lord or unresolved issues in our own life. We have today to repent, to get right with the Lord and to be obedient completing the tasks He has given us. Be alert, watch, be ready.

We are only promised today, and whether war breaks out or not, whether it comes to our doorstep or not, we are to pray for those in the line of fire and those who will be innocently caught up in the violence of the conflicts.

The Torah portion 16, in Ex. 13:17-17:16 includes instructions for the children of Israel to be obedient. If we love Him we will be obedient, John 14:15 and Matt 7:21.

In this portion, there are references to names of Yhwh, which speak of His attributes revealing to us Who He is.

One is Yehoveh Ropheka/Rophe. Ex 15:26,27.

Yeshua/Jesus is the living water of life and in Ex 15:26-27 IF we will be obedient, verse 26 I am Yahweh who heals you. This scripture reveals that obedience brings health. Isaiah prophesied about Messiah that by His stripes we are healed.

We also see his provision in food /manna. Ex 16:13-18. Yeshua/Jesus is our daily bread/provision. There is also protection day and night, cloud and fire. There is protection against attacks of the enemy, recorded when Amalek fought with Israel in Rephidim. Ex 17:8-13, This is the attribute of our Heavenly Father as Yehoveh nissi -Yahweh is my banner. Ex 17:14-16.

So what does this mean for us?

When we fix our eyes on the Messiah the agent of our salvation, and if we are obedient to His commandments, which is conditional; He promises to:

protect us day and night against our enemies,

to provide sustenance by feeding us daily and providing sweet water to drink.

He will keep us healthy and none of the diseases in the world/Egypt will come on us.

When war breaks out, all daily life is interrupted. Supply lines are disrupted, infrastructure is compromised very similar to aftermath of hurricanes, storms and natural disasters like earthquakes. There is a lack of water, food, medical supplies and assistance as well as basic life supporting systems, inevitably followed by disease and high mortality rate. This is why we must be ready spiritually as well as mentally and physically. Knowing the scriptures and His promises to HIs children will give us the confidence and ability to trust Him for all our needs; and to remember that no one is tested above what they can handle.

All these promises are echoed in Psalm 91 which is a wonderful Psalm to memorize as well as Psalm 23. Messiah warned us of the things we would see and endure but we are not to be troubled or fearful because everything is in His hands and He will never leave us nor forsake us. Don’t be alarmed by reports that are designed to strike fear into the hearts of men, instead be prepared both spiritually and physically so we can help others in times of stress and need. We are to be light, life, hope in the face of adversity and carriers of the true shalom, the peace that passes understanding. With even a small amount of research it is obvious that all around us things are changing and we are here to see them. The stage is being set for the man of sin to be revealed, as well as the truth concerning many things hidden from our sight for thousands of years. World policies are being put in place and the earth itself is groaning and responding physically to the events unfolding before our very eyes. Changing weather patterns due to the influence of cosmic events in our solar system, are causing an increase in signs in the sun, moon and stars; which will continue to escalate in frequency as the end of this age is reached. Meanwhile the wheat and the tares are being separated and choices of an eternal nature are being made as everything that can be shaken is being shaken. As believers and disciples of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus, we are to stand fast in the salvation of our Messiah and Lord, and the Knowledge that He is in control of everything and will bring us through whatever we will face. Beloved, don’t let events shake you off the foundation of your faith, cling to the Rock and look up where our salvation and help comes from, because soon and very soon one way or another, we are going to see the King of Kings in all His Glory.

Shalom, shalom mishpachah/family

and cheverim/friends!

It’s all about Life and Relationship,

NOT Religion.

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

NOT SURE?

YOU CAN BE..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua 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/Yeshua 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/Yeshua 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/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen

Why Was Cains Offering Rejected?

Why did the Lord God have no respect for Cain’s offering?

Many have wondered why our Heavenly Father rejected the offering Cain/Kayin brought; and what is meant by a fallen countenance and sin crouching at the door.

If we look at the original text in Hebrew there are some insights that may help with these questions.

She gave birth again, this time to his brother Abel. Abel became a shepherd, while Cain was a worker of the soil.
Vatosef laledet et-achiv et-Havel vayehi-Hevel ro’eh tson veKayin hayah oved adamah.

וַתֹּ֣סֶף לָלֶ֔דֶת אֶת־אָחִ֖יו אֶת־הָ֑בֶל וַֽיְהִי־הֶ֙בֶל֙ רֹ֣עֵה צֹ֔אן וְקַ֕יִן הָיָ֖ה עֹבֵ֥ד אֲדָמָֽה׃

Cain brought some of his crops as an offering to God.
Vayehi mikets yamim vayave Kayin miperi ha’adamah minchah l’Adonay.

וַֽיְהִ֖י מִקֵּ֣ץ יָמִ֑ים וַיָּבֵ֨א קַ֜יִן מִפְּרִ֧י הָֽאֲדָמָ֛ה מִנְחָ֖ה לַֽיהוָֽה׃

Abel also offered some of the firstborn of his flock, from the fattest ones. God paid heed to Abel and his offering,
VeHevel hevi gam-hu mibechorot tsono umechelvehen vayisha Adonay el-Hevel ve’el-minchato.

וְהֶ֨בֶל הֵבִ֥יא גַם־ה֛וּא מִבְּכֹר֥וֹת צֹאנ֖וֹ וּמֵֽחֶלְבֵהֶ֑ן וַיִּ֣שַׁע יְהוָ֔ה אֶל־הֶ֖בֶל וְאֶל־מִנְחָתֽוֹ׃

but to Cain and his offering, He paid no heed. Cain became very furious and depressed.
Ve’el-Kayin ve’el-minchato lo sha’ah vayichar le-Kayin me’od vayiplu panav.

וְאֶל־קַ֥יִן וְאֶל־מִנְחָת֖וֹ לֹ֣א שָׁעָ֑ה וַיִּ֤חַר לְקַ֙יִן֙ מְאֹ֔ד וַֽיִּפְּל֖וּ פָּנָֽיו׃

God said to Cain, ‘Why are you so furious? Why are you depressed?
Vayomer Adonay el-Kayin lamah charah lach velamah nafelu fanecha.

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל־קָ֑יִן לָ֚מָּה חָ֣רָה לָ֔ךְ וְלָ֖מָּה נָפְל֥וּ פָנֶֽיךָ

If you do good, will there not be special privilege? And if you do not do good, sin is crouching at the door. It lusts after you, but you can dominate it.’
Halo im-teytiv se’et ve’im lo teytiv lapetach chatat rovets ve’elecha teshukato ve’atah timshol-bo.

הֲל֤וֹא אִם־תֵּיטִיב֙ שְׂאֵ֔ת וְאִם֙ לֹ֣א תֵיטִ֔יב לַפֶּ֖תַח חַטָּ֣את רֹבֵ֑ץ וְאֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ תְּשׁ֣וּקָת֔וֹ וְאַתָּ֖ה תִּמְשָׁל־בּֽוֹ׃

Genesis 4

First in reading Genesis/B’resheet 4 we know that because of the disobedience of Adams sin the earth became cursed, so

Cain was offering something that was cursed by the Lord God

and the verse says he had no respect as the produce, (fruit and vegetables), that he himself had helped to grow in the cursed earth.

Whereas Abel tended the animals created by the Lord which were not cursed and not made or produced by anything Abel did himself. He was a shepherd looking after what was created by, and belonged to, the Lord.

Abel took no pride in his offering as he had not had anything to do with its creation, Cain was proud of what he had grown and thought it worthy of an offering to the Lord. Cain and his offering were rejected and he was being disrespectful to the Lord.

But why?

Was it because it was the work of his own hands?

Was it because it was not a living sacrifice?

Once produce is picked it is severed, effectively cut off from its nutrition, its source of life, so it is in fact dead; and produce does not have blood and so, no life in the blood?

Then the Lord God told Cain that if he did well or good he would be accepted.

He also warned him that if he did not do good.…

sin is crouching/ lies at the door.

Lapathach chata’th robets/rabats (strongs #7257)

  ל פתח  חתאת  רבצ  

Lamed pei tav cheth / cheth teth aleph tav / resh bet sade

If you do good, will there not be special privilege? And if you do not do good, sin is crouching at the door. It lusts after you, but you can dominate it.’


Halo im-teytiv se’et ve’im lo teytiv lapetach chatat rovets ve’elecha teshukato ve’atah timshol-bo.

הֲל֤וֹא אִם־תֵּיטִיב֙ שְׂאֵ֔ת וְאִם֙ לֹ֣א תֵיטִ֔יב לַפֶּ֖תַח חַטָּ֣את רֹבֵ֑ץ וְאֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ תְּשׁ֣וּקָת֔וֹ וְאַתָּ֖ה תִּמְשָׁל־בּֽוֹ׃

How did they know if they were doing well or not without any law, Torah or a Bible?

The Hebrew word for well is tov (strongs#2895)

which means: to be in harmony with God.

Cain offered something that was cursed by the Lord God and therefore was not tov – in harmony with Him. Was the tov or in harmony with Him, simple obedience to what and how they were to approach a Holy God? We are not told if they had been shown how to bring a sacrifice or not, but the question remains how did Abel know to bring a lamb? This suggests there was some knowledge about respect, offerings and holiness towards the Lord.

In the same passage, our Heavenly Father warns that if we don’t do what is tov – in harmony with Him – then sin lies at the door.

The Hebrew word sin here, is chatak or chatat, which means: unintentional mistakes or sins. (Strongs# 2403)

Unintentional Sin – Chatah – Chet, Teth Aleph Hei Chata חָטָא  khaw-taw’

It’s possible the act of offering fruit and vegetables that he had grown, may not necessarily have been a sin, but at most it was an unintentional mistake. Still it was not tov/good/in harmony with God.

They were born in sin and the Hebrew understanding of the tendency to good or evil is known as the good or evil inclination within every human.

When Cain killed Abel it may have been unintentional, what we would call manslaughter rather than murder/homicide. He may not have understood physical death and its consequences, as nothing in his experience at that time may have prepared him for death of the physical human body. The idea of not doing what is in harmony with God means then, that chatat/chatak – unintentional sin is lying at the door, and it may have more meaning than just a metaphor. The bottom line is obedience, this is the foundation of faith and trust; Adam and Eve failed in this area and it would seem so did Cain, and disobedience is at the root of the rejection. However we are not just looking at the physical picture but more importantly the spiritual picture.

Looking a little further into the passage in Hebrew, the word for door has the preposition lamed before it, which is often rendered as: to, for or unto with the definite article the. So this indicates it is a specific or definite door, and this word used here for door comes from the root word patach which refers to not only just a door – but a portal.

Lapetach וְאִם֙ לֹ֣א Strongs#6607

Portal – Pathach – פֶּ֖תַח Pei Taw Cheth 

A portal is more than just a doorway to another room, it’s more of an entrance to something entirely different. How did Cain and Abel know their sacrifices were accepted by God as there is no clear reference to it or that they should offer sacrifices at all? Here the Hebrew language may help us to see that they were opening a portal to the presence of our Heavenly Father, because of the fall through Adam and Eve the constant presence of God was not there any more. Sin had entered the garden/world and as was later shown, man had to learn that sin and sinful flesh can’t be in the same space with the presence of a Holy God; and only through blood sacrifice from an innocent victim, paying blood for blood – life for life, the life in the blood – can man approach Him. Was this taught to Adam and Eve who taught it to Abel and Cain? Recall the Lord God made garments of skin for them, so an animal had to have been killed to provide the skin? This may have been the way they knew, however we are not told precisely. It may have been whenever they desired the presence of our Heavenly Father they knew it was time to offer a sacrifice. If the sacrifice, (type of Messiah), was accepted, then the patach-portal, opening into the spirit realm and presence of God would open?

The reason for humanity in the first place was that our Heavenly Father wanted a family, He wanted children, and the relationship that family inspires; the fellowship and communion of spending time together with those we love. When this was broken, as a loving Father, He put in place a way for that to be eventually repaired through Messiah; but in the interim revealed the temporary covering of sin through specific sacrificial animal blood. It’s all in the way to approach a Holy God.

When Cains offering wasn’t accepted, his countenance fell. Maybe because he thought he knew better, or didn’t care to follow what God required – disobedience and a heart of rebellion, rejecting the way of salvation?

In verse 6 the word countenance in Hebrew (strongs#6440)  is pani, which means: presence. His presence was fallen – in verse 7 The Lord God says If he does what is in harmony he will be accepted. (obedience again).

The Hebrew word for accepted is seeth, (strongs#7613) and also means: to be lifted up, elation and cheerfulness. It would seem to indicate that the offerings were made so their presence would be lifted up to Gods presence and experience the lifting up and lightness in the spirit? Something that we feel when we worship our Heavenly Father.

Is it possible Cains countenance fell because he didn’t feel the presence and fellowship with God that he should have following his offering?

When Cain offered something that was cursed / out of harmony with the Father, he couldn’t be in the Fathers presence, so he was rejected, and his presence, his countenance fell downwards instead of upwards to meet the presence of the Father. When Cain didn’t feel the presence of God in giving his offering, he was wroth. The Hebrew word for wroth is charah.

but to Cain and his offering, He paid no heed. Cain became very furious and depressed. wroth
Ve’el-Kayin ve’el-minchato lo sha’ah vayichar le-Kayin me’od vayiplu panav.

God said to Cain, ‘Why are you so furious? Why are you depressed/wroth?
Vayomer Adonay el-Kayin lamah charah lach velamah nafelu fanecha.

Charah (strongs# 2734) means: to be hot, and it doesn’t have to be rendered as anger. Most times when we feel sorrow as in the hurt, the pain of rejection we can feel hot.

If we look at the Hebrew words, could it be that our Heavenly Father explained to Cain that even though he didn’t intentionally make a mistake, or sin, or do something out of harmony with Him; it still blocked the entrance/ the way into/ the portal through which His presence and fellowship with God was available?

Cain gave into jealousy and blamed his brothers relationship with the Lord God. Jealousy turned to hate, his hate led to murder and it started with rejection.

In many ways the same happens with thought life, when circumstances and peoples’ words and actions can lead to rejection, jealousy/blame, then hate leading to murder. Messiah Yeshua/Jesus said murder is also committed through and by our words! Matthew 5:22.  Maybe if we don’t feel our Heavenly Father’s presence any more we may be blaming someone else, when really sin is laying/crouching at our door.

There are some who say ‘Well, I don’t go to that church anymore, I just don’t feel God’s presence in that church.’

Have we ever considered that maybe we are like Kayin/Cain, that we are blaming someone else, like the church, when it is really sin lying at our door? Is this the way of Cain that we are warned not to take in Jude 1:11? It’s all about faith and heart motivation, our Father looks at and knows our innermost attitudes.

Yeshua/Jesus said that He is now our door-our dalet. He is the way into the presence of our Heavenly Father, no one comes to the Father but by Me. He is the sacrificial lamb whose sinless blood opened the portal, the specific door, the only door, the way, to life and truth. The patach the portal into the presence of the Father – not of this world but for our born again from above spirits. He doesn’t see our sin how ever unintentional it was; He sees Jesus/Yeshua’s blood and we are accepted into His presence; and we don’t need to bring a physical sacrifice, of either of the works of our own hands in produce, or an animal or bird, or anything else because He paid the price in full.

Shalom, shalom mishpachah/family

and cheverim/friends!

It’s all about Life and Relationship,

NOT Religion.

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

NOT SURE?

YOU CAN BE..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua 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/Yeshua 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/Yeshua 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/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen.

This PC Is Not A Personal Computer

The letters PC are the abbreviation for Personal Computer but it is also recently became the abbreviation for the words ‘Politically Correct’. Someone who is being ‘politically correct’, believes that language and actions that could be offensive to others, especially those relating to sex, gender, and race, should be avoided.

In a word, it is compromise of free speech, so as not to cause hurt feelings of the carnal flesh.

But what is correct?

What is right?

Has being ‘Politically Correct’ as far as the worlds standards are concerned, caused Ichabod in the Body of Messiah?

The term Ichabod is found in two places in the Bible,

1 Samuel 4:21 and 14:3.

Ichabod was a person, he was the son of Phinehas and the grandson of Eli, the priest of the Lord in Shiloh.

Then she named the child Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel!”or “Where is the glory?” because the ark of God had been captured by the Philistines and because of her father-in-law and her husband. 1 Sam. 4:21 for she said, “Israel’s glory is gone.”

Strongs # 350 I-kabod: Ichabod

Original Word: אִי־כָבוֹד
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Iy-kabowd
Pronunciation: ee-kah-BOHD
Phonetic Spelling: (ee-kaw-bode’)
KJV: I-chabod
NASB: Ichabod, Ichabod’s
Word Origin: [from H336 (אִי – Island)

and H3519 (כָּבוֹד כָּבוֹד – Glory)]

1. (there is) no glory, i.e. inglorious
2. Ikabod, a son of Phineas

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance

I-chabod

From ‘iy and kabowd; (there is) no glory,

i.e. Inglorious; Ikabod, a son of Phineas — I-chabod.

 

The name Ichabod is framed as a lament, an anguished cry that the visible, covenantal shekinah glory of the LORD has withdrawn.

It signals crisis:

divine honor eclipsed,

spiritual vitality drained,

and national destiny imperiled.

Whenever the name surfaces, it functions as a divine signpost, warning of the consequences of unfaithfulness and the urgency of restored worship.

This is very serious, especially if any of these attributes are reflected in the Body of Messiah today.

In 1 Samuel 4 we read that the historical setting was the turbulent transition from the period of the judges to the rise of kingship in Israel. Eli’s priestly house had grown negligent and corrupt, and Israel attempted to use the Ark like a ‘good luck charm’ in battle against the Philistines. The defeat at Ebenezer, the death of Eli’s sons, and the capture of the Ark of the Covenant preceded a nationwide shock. It was Phinehas’ widowed wife who memorialized that moment into her son’s identity as she died while giving birth to him.

About forty years later, Ichabod’s brother Ahitub served as high priest, and Ichabod himself is remembered only in the genealogical scripture of 1 Samuel 14:3. The fact that there is a reference to him, is a reminder that the events which occurred at the time of his birth had not been quickly repaired; the nation was still having to deal with the consequences of their previous failures.

1 Samuel 4:21 highlights birth in the midst of tragedy;

the name Ichabod embodies

the dread of the nation realizing that God’s favor and presence had left.

1 Samuel 14:3 is a genealogical anchor, the mention of it, preserves the memory of the prior crisis, even as new challenges arise under Saul’s reign.

There were also spiritual implications connected to these events: First, regarding the Holiness of God’s Presence. The capture of the Ark of the Covenant reveals that religious objects cannot take the place of sincere obedience. The glory of the Lord will not and cannot be manipulated.

Secondly, there is the need for Covenant accountability because the entire covenant community was put in danger due to leadership failures in the priesthood; that collective responsibility is encapsulated in the name Ichabod.

Thirdly, although “the glory has departed,” the account moves toward restoration. In 1 Samuel 6–7, we read of the return of the Ark, Samuel and his prophetic ministry, and finally David’s desire to build a house for the LORD.

There is hope beyond judgement and the heart-rending cry of Ichabod is not our Heavenly Father’s last word. 

Ezekiel 10 depicts another departure of glory from a defiled sanctuary, linking priestly corruption with national exile. However, Ezekiel 43 and Haggai 2:7–9 anticipate a future, and a greater in-dwelling of glory. These prophetic images come together in John 1:14 when “The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. We have seen His glory…” The Messiah Who came in the flesh, reversed the Ichabod of the past, by bringing our Heavenly Father’s glorious presence to sinners in grace and truth.
Finally in Revelation 21:3–23 Johns’ vision describes the future where “the glory of God illuminates” the heavenly city and Ichabod will never happen again.

There are always lessons for us today, things we can apply to our lives from the accounts we read, and self-examination is a must. Congregations and local assemblies must guard against a showy outward posture, while inward holiness is being neglected. Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof. Pastors and all those in leadership roles have a solemn and serious responsibility to be models of reverence and integrity; the warning from Ichabod is that an entire fellowship can suffer, if they fail in their god-given roles and duties.

When Israel’s sin obscured the Father’s manifested glory, Ichabod was the result proving that we should never presume on His divine presence. The name Ichabod, as both a caution and a catalyst echoes consistently through Scripture, highlighting the horrible reality of life without the presence of the Father’s glory, while directing our focus to the promised return in the Messiah. The heartfelt cry “Where is the glory?” is answered at the cross and empty tomb, where the Glory of our Heavenly Father radiates from the face of Messiah Jesus Christ/Yeshua haMashiach and will never depart from His redeemed people.

What is righteousness? As disciples we are to boldly proclaim the good news of righteousness and it seems to be one of the most difficult things for us to do, not because we don’t want to, but because we don’t actually know the good news of righteousness; and instead of telling His truth we end up expressing our own opinions.

David said he had proclaimed the good news of righteousness in the assembly Ps. 40:8-10. He was human like us, a mortal man and subject to temptations and sin. So how did he know what is right? He writes that he didn’t conceal Gods kindness and truth, but how did he know that what he ‘revealed’ was the truth and kindness of God? We looked at David having a heart after God last post, and the key to his life was that in his innermost being, his spirit, he delighted in doing Gods’ pleasure and Gods’ Word was in his innermost heart. Sometimes our outward actions in the flesh, are not reflecting the innermost being of our spirit and what we really think and believe. To our minds, truth is relative, and an elusive concept which has formed from our own experiences; and is the reason why we must renew our minds with His Word.

Even scripturally based ideas can turn into what we consider ‘truth’ as an individual. This is why it’s difficult to find agreement within Christian groups/denominations, because we interpret Gods’ truth through our own filters of experience; and this puts us at a distance from other believers.

The Word of God is absolute Truth, it’s our primary and only source of authority. Anything outside, underneath, on top, or beside scripture, is not truth. Words in books, even if they are from famous individuals, are just peoples ideas, and we need to ask the hard question; are we willing to obey the word of God without first sifting it through our experiences thoughts and opinions? Will we delight only in His pleasure, hiding not His kindness and truth; even when the pressures of the worlds opinions and societies standards of being politically correct have compromised Gods Truth?

Alternate lifestyles have become more than blurred, they are now in plain view, with blatant disregard for the Biblical guidelines and directions given in scripture  for living a godly life. These options and choices have crept into so called Christian assemblies and within certain denominations, and they claim to be truth. Anything contrary to the words of our Heavenly Father, His Messiah Jesus/Yeshua and His Holy Spirit, is not truth.

The continual eating away of false doctrine and outright apostasy in backslidden attitudes and compromised behavior, has led to Ichabod, the glory has departed from many. The presence of our Fathers Holy Spirit is no longer evident and has been replaced by another spirit, which is anti messiah, anti the truth of the Word of God.

Being politically correct and not wanting to hurt the feelings of certain groups has led to a watering down of the truth and with it the loss of any voice of authority. This has lead to no visible signs, wonders and miracles which are supposed to follow them that believe after they preach the gospel. When we don’t preach truth, Gods Truth, there is no manifested presence; just fleshly, carnal, religious acts, trapped in doctrinal bondage. Let’s be those bold as lions believers, disciples who are not afraid of men’s opinions and who obey our Heavenly Father and the truth of His Word; be doers of His Word, just as the first disciples were. We are the righteousness of God in Christ, our righteousness is of Him; and we are in right standing before Him when the blood of Messiah covers us and we are filled with His spirit. When all is said and done…. only our Heavenly Father is right. Let’s not be among those who allow political correctness to cause Ichabod from our lives, our personal sanctuaries and our congregations.

Shalom, shalom mishpachah/family

and cheverim/friends!

It’s all about Life and Relationship,

NOT Religion.

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

NOT SURE?

YOU CAN BE..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua 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/Yeshua 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/Yeshua 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/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen.