Why Did Amos Mention Bethel & Gilgal?

What is the significance of the place names

Bethel and Gilgal

that Amos speaks of in chapter 4:4?

Amos lists a lot of place names in his book and it was for a very specific reason.

 

Every name of a nation or town/city in the Bible, has some very significant meaning.

In verse 4 Amos mentions Bethel and Gilgal.

Amos 4:4
HEB: בֹּ֤אוּ בֵֽית־ אֵל֙ וּפִשְׁע֔וּ הַגִּלְגָּ֖ל
NAS: Enter Bethel and transgress; Gilgal
KJV: Come to Bethel, and transgress; Gilgal
INT: Enter Bethel and transgress Gilgal

 

Bethel in Hebrew אֵֽל

means:

House of God

Beth = house and El = God

Strongs 1008 Betheel: “house of God,”

a city in Ephraim, also a place in S. Judah

Original Word: בֵּית־אֵל
Transliteration: Betheel
Phonetic Spelling: (bayth-ale’)
Definition: “house of God”

 

Bethel was located about 11 miles north of Jerusalem near Ai. It was a major trading center, Bethel stood at a crossroads, with its north-south road passing through the central hill country from Hebron in the south to Shechem in the north, and its main east-west route leading from Jericho to the Mediterranean Sea.

Only Jerusalem is mentioned more frequently than Bethel in the Old Testament.

Bethel is first mentioned in the Bible in connection with Abram, who built an altar to God there: “From there [Abram] went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD” Genesis 12:8. After visiting Egypt, Abraham returned to Bethel and offered a sacrifice to God Genesis 13:3–4.

Originally named Luz Genesis 28:19; Judges 1:23, the city was renamed Bethel by Jacob after the patriarch experienced a remarkable dream there. While traveling from Beersheba to Haran to escape his brother Esau, Jacob stopped for the night in Luz. As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway or ladder that stretched up from earth to heaven. The angels were climbing up and down the ladder as God stood at the top Genesis 28:10–13. The Lord spoke and revealed Himself to Jacob as the God of his fathers. When Jacob awoke, he declared, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven” Genesis 28:17. Then Jacob set up a sacred pillar, named the place Bethel verses 18–19, and consecrated the site as a place to worship God verse 21.

Many years later, Jacob returned to Bethel, built an altar to God there, and called the place El-Bethel, which means “God of Bethel.

Bethel remained one of the main worship centers of Israel.

The ark of the covenant was kept at Bethel for a time, and the people often went there to seek God during times of trouble. Judges 20:18–28.

The Bible says Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, was buried under an oak tree near Bethel, Genesis 35:8; and the better-known Deborah, judge of Israel, held court at a site between Ramah and Bethel. Judges 4:5.

During the time of the divided kingdoms, King Jeroboam of Israel established two temples for the northern kingdom, one at Bethel and the other at Dan. In these temples, he set up golden calves.       1 Kings 12:26–33.

The Lord God often sent prophets to preach at Bethel.

1 Kings 13:1–10.

Many of these prophets pronounced judgment and condemnation on Bethel as a center of idolatry.

Amos 3:14; 5:5–6; Hosea 10:15.

On Elijah’s last day of ministry on earth, he and Elisha encountered a company of prophets at Bethel. These prophets confirmed Elijah’s soon departure:

Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Stay here; the LORD has sent me to Bethel.’ But Elisha said, ‘As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.’ So they went down to Bethel. The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, ‘Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?’ ‘Yes, I know,’ Elisha replied, ‘so be quiet’” 2 Kings 2:2–3).

Elisha refused to leave Elijah. He was committed to receiving the older prophet’s mantle and did not want to miss the blessing.

Gilgal in Hebrew is: גִּלְגָּל,

also known as

Galgala or

Galgalatokai of the 12 Stones

Original Word: גִּלְגָּל
Transliteration: Gilgal
Phonetic Spelling: ghil-gawl’
Definition: circle (of stones)

Greek: Γαλαγα or

Γαλγαλατοκαι Δωδεκαλίθων, Dōdekalithōn,

The Gilgal near Jericho is the Gilgal most frequently mentioned in Scripture.

According to Joshua 4:19

after he and the Israelites crossed the river,

Gilgal

was the first place that the Israelites camped in the Holy Land.

Joshua 4:19
The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, on the east border of Jericho.

It was here 12 memorial stones taken from the bed of the river, were set up by Joshua, after the miraculous crossing of the Jordan.

One stone to represent each of the twelve tribes.

When the entire nation had finished crossing over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, “Pick twelve men from the people, one man per tribe. Command them, ‘Pick up twelve stones from right here in the middle of the Jordan, where the feet of the priests had been firmly planted. Bring them across with you and put them down in the camp where you are staying tonight.’” Joshua 4:1-3

Joshua 4:19
The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, on the east border of Jericho.

Joshua 4:20
Joshua set up those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, in Gilgal.

Joshua 5:9
Yahweh said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you.” Therefore the name of that place was called Gilgal, to this day.

Joshua 5:10
The children of Israel encamped in Gilgal. They kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at evening in the plains of Jericho. 

 

Gilgal means:

circle, rolling together or

uniting with God. 

Where Gilgal means ‘a rolling’; it is indicating that something is rolled off you which actually oppressed you. We need not let our past failures hang over us, we need to let the past go and move forward into the future.

Both of the names express the picture of a place of worship, a memorial place where Gods presence was; and a place to praise Him.

In that time when Amos was called by the Lord God to prophesy His message to the Israelites, both of these places were locations where people travelled to experience the presence of God. From historical references it would seem that these were equal to the venues for convention/conference centers or places for retreats today.

Bethel and Gilgal were popular destinations as a gathering place for good teaching, prophesies and miracle services/meetings and 1000’s of people travelled there from miles away, to join in worship to God and to have a time of fellowship.

Why did Amos focus on Bethel and Gilgal? What was wrong with these places?

What did Amos mean to come to Bethel and transgress/sin and Gilgal multiply your transgressions/sins?

The word transgress is Pasha

which means: to Rebel or offend.

Strongs 6586 – pasha: to rebel, transgress

Original Word: פָשַׁע
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: pasha
Phonetic Spelling: paw-shah’
Definition: to rebel, transgress

This transgression is an offense in the speaking of divine power and spiritual insight.

Amos then says go to gilgal and multiply your transgressions.

A word for multiply is ravah – רָוָה

This is the idea of: abundance, increasing or making great, to be saturated, drink one’s fill – but interestingly, in its semitic root, it has the idea of wearing something around your neck as a necklace as a symbol of pride.

These days many gang leaders and popular worldly music stars and celebrities often wear thick, heavy, gold or silver chains around their necks. Pridefully displaying the popularity, wealth and social standing they have achieved.

In Amos day what was taking place at Bethel and Gilgal turned into what we would call a ‘spiritual county fair’ or ‘amusement theme park’. It had become a place where all the prophets, rabbis/teachers gathered together with the, ‘teacher-prophet wannabees,’ all displaying their assumed spirituality and giftings for everyone to admire. It had become a place to show off how spiritually mature one was, replete with spiritual charisma and ‘anointings’ designed to impress others and to give astounding testimonies to back up their claims. This became an opportunity for people to try and ‘out-do’ one another as spiritual giants; and by this, it became a place where people wore their spiritual pride like a necklace for all to see and admire. They had descended into idolatry and spiritual adultery and another aspect of this idolatry showed in the early mornings where sacrifices could be seen by everyone and the unnecessary tithes that were offered were publicly displayed.

The bitter ironic words the prophet uses seemingly calling Israel to the calf-worship of Bethel, and to the similar rites of illegitimate Jehovah-worship at Gilgal are clear in these verses. Both of these locations were full of sacred associations and Holy encounters with the Most High God.  In the english version of the scripture the words for “three years” read every three days. The Torah/law only required a tithe every third year (Deuteronomy 26:12); but here Amos is admonishing the people, pointing out the irony in their overwhelming generosity to the priests and false sanctuaries; and because of the translation, the sarcastic force of the passage is diminished.

Amos was not condemning the places themselves, but rather what was happening in those locations.

It was about people who spent so much time and energy trying to have ‘a new thrill’ or ‘experience’ or ‘a new revelation’, that they devoted little to no time in seeking after Gods heart. He was making a point to remind them that in times past, these two cities were known as being places where Gods’ Holy presence was. However, in the days when Amos was called to prophesy, many of the people who made the pilgrimage to both places had a personal motive and agenda, wanting to promote themselves by drawing attention away from the One True God. This was what Amos was required to speak out about, a call to repent from spiritual idolatry, false worship, faithlessness and adultery.

May we all check ourselves carefully, and identify the real reason we are attending conferences and retreats the next time we are planning to visit a Bethel or a Gilgal. Let’s be sure that our motive is to seek our Heavenly Fathers face, and not the popular speaker; but to be in His presence seeking His heart. We need to be drawing near to the altars of repentance, humility and selfless service, not man made altars with false idols and other gods of self aggrandizement. Let’s make sure we are not doing what Amos called going to Bethel and transgressing or going to Gilgal and wearing displaying those sins around our necks.

 

Shalom aleikhem

chaverim and mishpachah!

Peace to friends and family.

 

Shavua Tov, Have a blessed week.

Make certain Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him.

It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.

You are very precious in His sight.

Not sure ..you can be…

SIMPLY SAY THE FOLLOWING MEANING IT FROM YOUR HEART..don’t delay one more minute,

SAY IT 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.

Patience –A Pillar Of Our Faith

One who truly believes is not in a hurry.

Faith and patience are inseparable in our walk by the Spirit of our Heavenly Father.

If you don’t have patience

then you will not operate out of a place of faith.

Let patience have her perfect work.

Patience is an under-girder, a supporter,

patience and perseverance are pillars.

it’s a support while we wait

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. Wait psalm 27:14 & 25:3,21 Waiting in this context does not mean that we sit back fold our arms and do nothing. It is not an idle posture. We are to continue with ‘our Fathers’ business’ being a doer of His Word. But concerning the thing we are waiting on we must allow His plan to unfold and not on our timetable.

This is the test of faith in Him.

Impatient and faithless people won’t wait on Our Heavenly Fathers’ timing but push forward their agenda and plan by utilizing the worlds ways. Doing things in the same way non believers do is being part of the world and its systems. We are depending on the systems set in place by the prince of this world and not of our Heavenly Fathers ways. It speaks of not trusting Him to do it His way and in His timing and we know better. Because we are impatient we rebel and resemble a spoilt child and do it our own way with natural wisdom citing common sense.

James 3:15 says this This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.

And it has its roots in the previous verse But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.

Douay-Rheims Bible
But if you have bitter zeal, and there be contentions in your hearts; glory not, and be not liars against the truth.

And the outworking evidence is in verse 16

Berean Study Bible
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.

It is based in self and what self wants, not what God wants. He does not need our help to fulfill the plans He has for us and thinking we know better than God is self elevation above Him…we must guard against these actions as it leads from faith to foolishness and presumption and we will end up in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people doing the wrong thing.

Didn’t Messiah speak of this in reply to Peter

when He said?

Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on things of God, but on things of man.

But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Mark 8:33.

Jesus/Yeshua warned us that offenses must come… it’s how we deal with those offenses, those stumbling blocks.

The Greek word is skandalon where our word scandal originates.

We are to set our minds on the things of

Adonai Eloheinu Melek HaOlam.

The Lord our God The king of the universe.

Avinu Makeinu – our Father, our King.

Definitions of

Faith: Believing what God has said and stepping out and acting on it

Foolishness: To lack good sense or judgment; to act foolishly with stupidity

Presumption: Behavior that is perceived to be arrogant, disrespectful, and transgressing the limits of what is permitted or appropriate.

To many believers, an abundant life means peace, wealth/financial prosperity and physical happiness – This is presumption. They presume nothing will go wrong with their lives. Paul’s experience says differently..

We have been told and heard sermons and messages telling us: If everything works for our good, then just do your own thing because it’ll work out alright – this is foolishness. Those with this thinking and mind set/philosophy have not read the rest of the scripture verse.

Any action which is not done in obedience is a fall into sin, and any act of disobedience is rebellion.

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. 1Samuel 15:23

Witchcraft always avoids obedience to His spirit of Holiness and by this it rejects the Lordship of Messiah.

This should make us examine our ways our decisions our attitudes and cause us to purge ourselves from the remnants of the old man and how we always conducted our lives because

How does doing things the worlds way make us any different from heathen non believers?

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Matt 7:9-11

If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? …Luke 11:11-13

Presumption and foolishness are two very big counterfeits to genuine Biblical faith. We must be on guard because the enemy wants to steal our faith by deceiving us with these counterfeits to real faith.

He wants to deceive believers into living by a presumptuous life. Numbers 14:39-45

Foolishness, and in most cases, it is Presumption. 

Men and women who think themselves wise will often in their own conceit presume things that bring ruin. Presumption is born of pride. 

 Concerning our lives and our service to God, many religious leaders in their arrogance have presumed things about God which may or not be true. If they like something, they presume God likes it too.

King James Version. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, 

James 1:4-8 But let patience have her perfect work – 

Let it be fairly developed;

let it produce its appropriate effects without being hindered.

Let it not be obstructed in its work on the soul by murmurings, complaining, or rebellion.

Those who implement worldly methods to achieve their goals may have success initially, but the end does not justify the means and there are consequences to all actions and decisions.

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. Ps 27:14

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

is quoted in Romans 9:33

 As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”

Matthew 21:42
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

Stone in hebrew

יָחִֽישׁ   לֹ֥א

yā·ḥîš  

will act hastily not

One who truly believes is not in a hurry.

Romans 10:11 New King James Version
For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

King James Bible
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

and

1Peter 2:6

Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

New King James Version
Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”

The last sentence of verse 16

he that believeth shall not make haste –

is often translated similar to the Greek rendering –

and the one who believes upon Him will not be put to shame.

The NIV version has the one who trusts will never be dismayed.

The Hebrew is stronger and deeper than that it means:

the one who believes will not make haste.

The word translated

“one who believes’ or ‘one who trusts’

is ma’amin,

which has a root meaning that speaks of:

both training and loyalty or faithfulness.

Ma’amin. [m., pl. “ma’aminim”]; one who believes;

Ma’amin מַאֲמִין

Ma’amin Meshichi

(ma-a-MEEM me-shee-KHEE)

n. [מַאֲמִין מְשִׁיחִי]

A messianic believer; a messianic Jew; a person who is trusting that Yeshua is the promised Messiah and Savior of Israel and even the entire world.

The plural of this is ma’aminim meshichim. (ma-a-REEV) n.

In Hebrew, the word

amin

was first used as an adjective meaning “

correct” and “true”

אמין –

(authentic, true; reliable, trustworthy )

but in the Book of Isaiah it was used as a noun.

Ani ma’amin, im kol zeh. I believe. With complete faith.

ANI MA’AMIN (Heb. אֲנִי מַאֲמִין; “I believe”)

Another example of its use in the following:

Ani ma’amin
b’e munah sh’leimah
b’viat ha mashiach,
veaf al pi sh’yitmameah, im kol zeh achakeh lo
behol yom sheyavo.

אֲנִי מַאֲמִין בֶּאֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה בְּבִיאַת הַמָּשִֽׁיחַ, וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁיִּתְמַהְמֵֽהַּ, עִם כָּל זֶה אֲחַכֶּה לּוֹ בְּכָל יוֹם שֶׁיָּבוֹא.

Translation:

I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah, and, though he tarry, I will wait daily for his coming.

The 2 words translated:

not make haste or dismayed

are more difficult but refer to

something not done quickly.

In the 12th century Rabbi Ibn Ezra wrote

“He the faithful one will remain steadfast in his faith however long realization may be delayed.”

Each of us must understand that delay is not denial and that when the Lord has given us a vision for ministry, or other things, that the timing is His, not ours, and we need to hold strong in faith while He brings all things in His timing.

If we know a thing an outcome or answer then we do not need faith, we know!

This is how faith grows and is stretched like a muscle!

If we get ahead of His timing, the ministry, or whatever we are waiting on, becomes our ministry, not His. That ministry or whatever we are waiting on, may have financial success but will not have spiritual success. When He gives any of us the vision for a ministry there may be years of preparation before we are to begin.

What seems to be a delay may be something the Lord is doing in us, Paul wrote in

Phil. 4:11-13 Not that I am talking… 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to [a]be abased, and I know how to [b]abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through [c]Christ who strengthens me.

Psalm 105:17-19 He sent a man ..

He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:

Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:

Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.

We are to keep fighting the fight of faith against the flesh.

This Psalm refers to the time Joseph spent in slavery and in prison. The word translated

purified

comes from a root which means

to refine, purify, test, or burn.

The time spent waiting for the Lords timing has a purpose, whether to purify the minister, or prepare other elements.

We need to be like Paul, content in the season of lack. The lack can be money as Paul wrote about it or it may be in ministry. Each of us has a ministry, with or without ordination, that is the ministry of reconciliation; pointing people who are lost in sin to a forgiving Savior Who can reunite them with their Heavenly Father.

2 Cor. 5:11-21

How can we do that?

We can because the scripture says freely we have received freely give.  We are to share what we know, that which Messiah has done fro us, and that He is no respecter of persons.

It is important to be obedient, to wait contentedly, to keep the faith and grow spiritually while He works His will in us.

Have we prayed and prayed and waited and waited and still see no evidence of an answer?

Are we tired of seeing no movement are we at the point of giving up?

Then perhaps we haven’t waited in the right way?

The way which removes us from the right place, that is, the place where the Lord can meet us.

Wait for it patiently

Habakkuk 2:3  it will surely come.

Patience eliminates worry and anxiety which is based in fear.

Fear that what we want will not happen or come to pass for us in the way and time we want it.

This is the difference between total submission to the will of god and His plans for us and what we personally want God to do for us. There is no anxiety or worry if we accept His outcome and timing and trust His plan and purpose; for we only see in the short term and He sees the whole plan with everything and everybody involved.

Rom. 8:28.

Wait for it patiently – patience eliminates worry.

The Lord said He would come and His promise is equal to His presence. Without patience our trust is not faith. The patient waiting in a surrendered life is the evidence of faith that we trust that His plan is perfect. Patience undergirds faith, it supports like a pillar or girder the structure of our mindset; which should be conformed to His Word by having been renewed by it.

Fear, worry, doubt, anxiety, impatience are all outward evidence of no internal submission, which is characterized as a lack of faith. There is no real and lasting natural solution to a spiritual problem when the roots are out of harmony with the Lord of all creation.

It’s our faith that pleases our Heavenly Father. Hebrews 11:6

It’s impossible to please Him without it, and with patience we can wait on Him; and be that one, whose trust reveals our deep love for a Heavenly Father, Who will never fail or forsake us.

Shalom aleikhem

chaverim and mishpachah!

Peace to friends and family.

 

Shavua Tov, Have a blessed week.

Make certain Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him.

It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.

You are very precious in His sight.

Not sure ..you can be…

SIMPLY SAY THE FOLLOWING MEANING IT FROM YOUR HEART..don’t delay one more minute,

SAY IT 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.

 

Is Temptation An Experiment?

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

This is a very familiar scripture to us as it is part of what we call the Lords Prayer in Matthew 6.;13

  1. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

What does the Greek and Hebrew say for the word temptation?

Strong’s Greek: 3986. πειρασμός (peirasmos) — an experiment …

peirasmos: an experiment,

a trial, temptation.

πειρασμὸς (peirasmos)
Noun – Nominative Masculine Singular

From peirazo; a putting to proof (of good), experience (of evil), solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity.

Original Word: πειρασμός, οῦ, ὁ.

Transliteration: peirasmos.

 Phonetic Spelling: pi-ras-mos’

Peirazo: to try or prove

peirasmos: a trial, proof

 

  1. w’al-t’bi’enu lidey nisayon ki ‘im-t’chal’tsenu min-hara`

(ki l’ak hamam’lakah w’hag’burah w’hatiph’ereth l’`ol’mey `olamim ‘Amen).

Matt 6:13 “And do not bring us into the hands of temptation,

but rescue us from what is evil.

{For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the majesty, forever and ever. Amen.}”

In Aramaic as well as Hebrew there are several words for temptation: 

Nasah, nisa or nesa נסא    

with the Hebrew letters: Nun Samek Aleph

and bacan.

All the above mean:

to test

however,

bacan means: to test for qualification

and

nasah means: to test one’s limits or abilities.

 Nacah: to prove, try, tempt.

Another word for temptation is

Strong’s Hebrew: 4531.

מַסָּה (maccah) — temptation

Transliteration: maccah.

Phonetic Spelling: mas-saw’

Definition: despair. a trial, temptation;

Temptation is pronounced: tem-ta’-shun and in the Biblical sense is: a situation in which an individual experiences a challenge; and has to choose between fidelity/faithfulness and infidelity/unfaithfulness, in our obligations and obedience toward our Heavenly Father.

When the King James Version of the Bible was translated in 1611, the word temptation meant all of the above, however today the word has narrowed in meaning and modern translations use words such as testing, proving, trying.

What exactly is temptation?

What does the Word of God tell us?

Here are some scripture references.

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matt 26:41

4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[ a] by the devil.  Matt 4:1-11

And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil.  Luke 4:1-13

When Jesus/Yeshua was tempted, tested and tried, He was led by the Fathers Holy Spirit and it was to prove Him worthy and able. Applying the meanings above it was, to test for qualification; to test one’s limits or abilities, and for Him to understand what it means to be under that type of pressure in a flesh body so that He can help us to overcome.

Heb. 2:18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Looking at nesa the Aramaic word for temptation it is the same in terms of language to the Hebrew word nasah, which does not mean temptation, it means to test; and in the English language, we have just one word test.  In Hebrew, it’s used as:

a word of determination,

as a way to see if something or someone can qualify

or attain a certain standard for usefulness.

The word is also used to:

determine the limits of something or someone.

In Aramaic as well as the Hebrew language there are two words 

nasah and bacan.

Both mean to test, but bacan is: to test for qualification and nasah is used to test one’s limits or abilities. 

In this sense, the enemy was not tempting Messiah but he was testing Him.  

He was giving Messiah the same chance that he gives to all of us. The opportunity to exercise our free will in choosing between the flesh or the spirit.  

Jesus/Yeshuas temptations were indeed offered to Him as a short cut to His goal and He fasted for 40 days to keep His flesh life under the control of His Spirit; and He overcame them with the Word of God., with Scripture from the Bible.

His goal was to die as the perfect sacrifice for all sin and to reveal to the world Who He was, and to save humanity from eternal separation from our Heavenly Father.

The first opportunity was to try out, to test the physical desires.  

He was tempted to turn stones into bread when he was hungry to satisfy flesh needs, but He did not.

Our Heavenly Father God is a life giving Spirit (John4:24); and does not have a human body, so before this event, He could not know exactly what it was like to go hungry and be faced with the test/temptation, choice of eating bread to fulfill His fleshly desires. Jesus/Yeshua chose to satisfy His hunger on the Words of God, and to feed His Spirit and not His fleshly body. He fully understands our struggle between feeding the body over the spirit. 

Then the enemy launched a temptation against Yeshua/Jesus’ free will, this appeal was to Messiah’s soul, which wanted to be recognized and accepted. People could not believe that Yeshua/Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah, yet the enemy had a plan and it would be easy to prove it to everyone. The devil challenged Him by tempting Him to throw Himself down from the pinnacle of the Temple right in front of the High Priest, the Pharisees and religious leaders of the people, which would prove to them He was Messiah. A miracle in front of them and all the other witnesses and when the angels came to His rescue there would be no doubt in anyone’s mind as to His Deity.  But Yeshua/Jesus said You shall not nesa – test the limits of God. 

Finally, the enemy appealed to both the soul and the body of Messiah by offering to bypass the crucifixion, rejection, torture and all the other things he had to endure for our salvation. Messiah was tested by being tempted to yield to a shortcut, and to receive all the kingdoms of the world and every person in them and become king of all without having to die; but He would have had to give in to the adversary and bow in worship to him.

As with any compromise there is always a consequence to our choices, decisions and actions.

Messiah came to die, it was His purpose and goal and there was no quick fix, no alternate way to fulfill the will of His Father. All tests, trials, griefs and disciplines are outweighed by the blessings that follow in the wake of our victory.

He came to destroy the works of the devil which began in Gan Eden. He was the last Adam and like the temptations recorded in Genesis the same 3 areas were leveled at Messiah just as they were in the beginning; only this time, Messiah, the last Adam overcame them and was victorious.

The enemy was willing to let us all go if Messiah would just worship him.  

The word worship in Aramaic here is seged which literally means:

to give recognition, honor, and attention to something or someone.

Lucifer was once the light bearer of God in the heavenlies and then he fell and this task of being a light in the darkness and carrying the light of the Gospel of His Kingdom, was passed on to us.  All Messiah had to do was give in to the enemy and His body and soul could have avoided the cross.  Is it possible that as the adversary ‘spoke’ to Him, His body and soul pressed Him to’ just do it.,’ or it would not have been a real temptation? However, the Spirit of God in Messiah knew that man would still be doomed and again the Spirit overcame the desires of the body.

The result is that Yeshua/Jesus knows what our battle between the flesh and spirit is like.  He knows how hard it is for us sometimes to follow our spirit, because He himself had His body and soul nesa, tested to the limits. 

It is the same for us, each day the desires of the body and soul are being tried to the limits.  Each day the enemy offers our body and soul with opportunities, the lust of the flesh, that are opposed to our spirit which is joined with the spirit of our Heavenly Father God.  Do we feed the desires of our souls with movies, internet sites, activities that are opposed to the holiness of God; or do we choose the desires of our spirit over the desires of the flesh?

What we choose to feed will grow stronger.

The spirit has no objection to eating, but it does to some things we eat that are harmful to us. It has no objection to an occasional movie but it does object to movies that arouse the desires of lust, fornication, violence, jealousy, hate and murder.  Every day the enemy nesa’s us to choose the flesh over the spirit.

 Because Yeshua/Jesus experienced our humanity, our suffering, and our temptation, tests and trials, He overcame them and is worthy to be our High Priest and the perfect sacrifice for our sins John 4:6-8

James 1:13-18. 13 

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.

We are taught not to think of the temptation in which, lust meets opportunity, as that into which we are led by God. James 1:13-14.

Lusts or desires of the flesh, are the carnal, physical, bodily wants, which go above and beyond the basic needs to sustain life. Our Heavenly Father provides for and meets our needs, not our ungodly wants. Unbridled lust/desires could be summed up as the appetites of unclean and addictive spirits manifesting in and through peoples physical bodies, where the natural flesh life not submitted to the indwelling Holy spirit and controlled by the life of Messiah in us.

James 1:12-16. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Luke 22:40. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”

Matthew 6:13. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Tim. 2:22.

Prov. 28:13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,
but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

1 Cor. 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Paul comforts the saints with the fact that no temptation or affliction has befallen them, but what is common to human nature, and that God is faithful to provide a way of escape and God is faithful He had called them; 1 Corinthians 1:9, and since he knew “how to deliver the godly out of temptations” 2 Peter 2:9, he would surely keep His side of the covenant, and, if they did their parts, He would establish and keep them from evil, 2 Thessalonians 3:3. He also promised that the way of deliverance will be ready, simultaneously with the temptation. A way to escape; rather, the way to escape. The way to escape is different in different temptations, but for each temptation God would provide the special means of escaping it, meaning we would not give in to it and therefore avoid sinning. However it is still our choice, to take the way out that is offered or not.

1 Cor. 10:15

An individuals innermost nature, what a person possesses in the inner spiritual part of his/her being, usually determines what they are tempted by externally.

As we are all different, he temptation fits the nature of the person being tempted and reveals the possibilities and weaknesses of that inner nature. In truth, each person actually determines or sets the level of his/her own temptation because temptation will come in agreement with the level of their controlling inner nature. What is a temptation to one person may not be a temptation to another.

Temptation comes as a thought, a suggestion, often as a quick option, a possible shortcut to reaching a personal goal; it does not usually point us towards what is obviously evil, but to what we initially believe and understand to be good.

This temptation is something that can confuse us at first and we aren’t sure whether it’s right or wrong, and we sway between telling ourselves ‘its ok’ and ‘I shouldn’t give in’ finally convincing ourselves and by justifying and defending our actions. At this point we yield to it and make lust a god, an idol, and the temptation itself becomes the proof that our own fear was the only thing that stopped us from giving in and falling into sin earlier.

We struggle and suffer from temptation of the fleshly desires and lusts, simply because we have resisted and refused to allow our Heavenly Fathers Holy Spirit to lead us to a higher level, where we will face temptations of another kind.

Hebrews 2:18 Hebrews 4:15 – 16. Each man is tempted when he is going or led away by his own lust, it comes from within us, its’ sources are in us from mind sets, culture, learned behavior and developed habits, both internally as well as externally.

Uncontrollable lust is the expression of unclean spirits manifesting in human flesh through our souls, a combination of our minds thoughts, our will and our feelings or emotions, which pervert by excess, the natural inclinations in our physical bodies.

Until we are born from above, until the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit of the Living God causes our spirit to become alive from being dead in sin; the only kind of temptation we know or comprehend is mentioned in James 1:14 where each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires lusts.

Through the regenerating power of His Spirit of Holiness into our spirit, we can overcome those fleshly lusts, be set free from any unclean spirits and as Messiah did in Luke 4:14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. After He had the victory over His flesh, He began His public ministry full of the Holy Spirit. This is the pattern for us also, then we too will face temptations of another kind because we have been lifted and exposed to another realm. In the realm of the spirit we will face similar temptations to that which Messiah experienced during His life, however He has equipped us and is with us, to deal with whatever we face.

The things that Jesus/Yeshua went through have little to do with unbelievers, they are not of the natural realm; nor were they overcome by natural means.

Until we all become family, united together with Messiah, as children of the Most High; they mean nothing to us other than lifes’ challenges which are dealt with the same way as people in the world deal with them. Those that Messiah experienced were far more, because they were temptations of God as man.

The Son of God, Messiah, is formed in us through regeneration and in our physical life, Galatians 4:19, we have the same situation that He had while here, which is the life of the Son of God in us. It is no longer I that live but Messiah Who lives in and through me.

Satan doesn’t test and tempt us just to make us sin and do wrong things, but in order to make us, and cause us, to lose what our Heavenly Father has imparted to us through the regenerating, born from above by His Spirit experience.

He wants to destroy the possibility of us being of value to our Heavenly Father and His Kingdom.

He doesn’t come on the premise of tempting us to sin, but on the premise of shifting our point of view that its not really sin; and only our Heavenly Fathers Spirit can identify this as the enemies lies and deception.

Temptation is a test by a power outside of ourselves which is not natural to humans and  It is focused on that which is held in the inner spiritual part of our being.

This is what happened to Jesus/Yeshua, when after His immersion in John 1:29 and by accepting His mission of being the One Who takes away the sin of the world, He was led by the Fathers Holy Spirit into the wilderness Matthew 4:1, and into the testing devices of the enemy, which we looked at earlier in the post.

He didn’t become weary or exhausted to the point of giving in to the pressure, He went through the temptation without sin and He retained all the elements of His spiritual nature intact.

So being tempted is not sin

Luke 22:28,

a fact which gives all of us much relief.

Temptation always begins with a thought and is followed by a decision, a choice; which is where we must stop and take every thought captive bringing it into obedience to Messiah.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Cor.10:5.

Jesus/Yeshua is with us through our temptations but are we going on with Him through His temptations? What does that mean? Many of us turn back from going on with Messiah from the very moment we have an experience of what He can do. When our Father changes our circumstances, pay attention and see whether we are choosing to go on with Messiah or will we align with the world, the flesh and the devil? We wear His identity, CHRISTians, but are we going forward with Him?

When tough and challenging times come, who or where do we run to first; and who do we go to for help? What alternate solutions and other sources of help do we seek for the answers to our problems? Are we looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, or a quick fix from a worldly source? In John 6:66 even some of the disciples went back and walked with Him no more.

Jesus/Yeshua was tempted continually throughout His life here on earth and the temptations will continue throughout the life of the Son of God in us. Are we going on with Messiah in the life we are living right now or are we going back?

It’s all about endurance and not giving into the flesh life or to what we see in this natural realm of earth and the world around us. We have the idea that we ought to protect and shield ourselves from some of the things that our Heavenly Father is allowing and brings around us. Do we think we know better than Him? If we truly believe that He knows and is in control of everything and that it’s He who allows and determines our circumstances and whatever they may be; we must see that we face them while continually abiding with Him in and through His temptations.

We need to begin to see that they are His temptations, not as temptations to us, but rather temptations to the Life of the Son of God in us; Messiah/Christ in us, His life, His mind, His thinking, His power, His honor, is at stake in our physical lives, our bodies.

Are we remaining faithful to the Son of God in every thing that attacks His life in us? Are we applying His word to our life and situation? Are we acting in faith that His promises are true, and are we waiting on Him to fulfill His promises? Are we being still and know He is God, or are we spending time looking for a quick fix and an alternate solution so that we can make things happen in our timing?

Are we going on with Messiah or are we turning back to the worlds ways?

The prince of this world has many ways to offer us and there’s only one Way for the true, faithful disciple. It’s the narrow way, it’s uphill, there’s only room for 1 to walk beside us, one to be yadiyad/ hand in hand with Messiah. This Way goes through the valley of the shadow of death and through Gethsemane, then through the city gate and on outside the camp. Hebrews 13:13.

The Way is lonely and goes on until sometimes there is no longer only the voice of the shepherd calling us to Follow Me but just an echo. Matthew 4:19. Where is our faith? Is it placed in Him, His word or elsewhere? When the answer doesn’t come according to our timeline and our preferred way, do we wait and allow our patience to work with our faith and trust by the Spirit, or do we look for a solution solely with the arm of the flesh?

Does the end justify the means, the compromise; and if we yield to alternatives now, how will we stand in faith if the only option to alternatives means taking the mark and denying the Lord we say we love and serve? And how can we counsel others to stand in faith if we do not?

Be encouraged and remember:

Temptation is NOT sin for Messiah was tempted yet He did not sin.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. Hebrews 4:15

However, we must be on guard that we do not succumb to the desires of the flesh. We must do our part.

How? Jesus/Yeshua told His disciples to

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matt 26:41 This answer is true for each one of us and we must watch and be on guard because that how the enemy sneaks in. The Greek word for temptation that has one meaning of experiment, we could say that as the enemy of our souls experiments on them, maybe our reaction by the power of our Heavenly Fathers Holy Spirit, will simply blow up his experiment in his face and our victory is complete in Messiah.

Hebrews 2:18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted he is able to help those who are being tempted. And these tests and trials will not overtake us when we place our lives in His hands and trust Him to bring us through every time.

 James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he must flee.

Use the same solution that Messiah did to counteract the ememy’s schemes; speak the Word od God, find relevant verses in the scriptures..and declare boldly it is written …..I am an overcomer seated in heavenly places with Messiah and His sacrificial blood has been applied to my life, I am redeemed, sanctified and set apart for His will plan and purposes, I am His child, who has been made righteousness and my life is hid with God in Christ.

Shalom aleikhem

chaverim and mishpachah!

Peace to friends and family.

Shavua Tov, Have a blessed week.

Make certain Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him.

It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.

You are very precious in His sight.

Not sure ..you can be…

SIMPLY SAY THE FOLLOWING MEANING IT FROM YOUR HEART..don’t delay one more minute,

SAY IT 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.

YEA

Isaiah 41:10, 

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Yea.

It’s a word we read but we may not stop to consider what it really means in the context of the sentence. On first glance, we may assume it is just a KJV, older word used in the modern English language for yes.

The word

yea

in Hebrew is

אַף־

’ap̄-

Pronounced: af

Strongs: 637

In modern English we would say,

But, better yet…”

ap – yea – better yet.

Think of other verses that have the word yea in them,

and insert

But better yet….

For example Psalm 23

Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

But better yet….

though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

It is a great encouragement to us but better yet means,

it is more to us than we thought at first.

We need this encouragement because n this world we will have tribulation:

In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, John 16:33

 

These are words from Messiah, Himself, not only to those with Him at the time He said them; but to all His followers down through the ages.. With the warning comes hope and comfort, because He says

I will be with you even to the end of the age. Matt.28:20

Isaiah encourages us with this promise in chapter 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

And this promise is still in effect and true to us today.

We will all experience times of testing and trial, Peter tells us to think it not strange Beloved, concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 1Peter 4:12-13

We are told that, far from being strange and surprising in God’s plan, these fiery trials are “necessary.”

Instead he urges them to be sober and to pray, 1 Peter 4:7; and to help one another through the trials. 1 Peter 4:8–11.

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith — more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire— may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

In Acts 14:22 we are reminded that tests and trials are necessary. “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God”

This is a godly “must.It’s the same word and the same concept as Peter says in

The fiery ordeal that is coming upon us to test us is not strange. 

Why is it necessary? Its the question many ask, why do believers/christians suffer?

The answer is because it’s God’s refining judgment in our lives, working maturity in trust towards our Father, so that our faith may result in our Heavenly Father receiving praise, glory and honor. Whatever trials come our way, we should not be surprised, simply place our spirit/souls and bodies in the hands of our faithful Creator, and don’t be ashamed of Messiah and His gospel of the Kingdom,. Rejoice in hope, and fill our lives by planting good seeds, while walking obediently in His will and His ways.

The trials and testings of our faith reveal to us, where we are in our faith walk with the Lord. He already knows where we are.

Many of us will never experience true hardship or enduring circumstances that are unthinkable in a modern western society. Books like the Insanity of God and Fox’s book of Martyrs among countless others, reveal a faith in God beyond what many believers will ever have to show. And yet, we will all experience situations where we will be required to rely on our faith and trust implicitly in our Savior.

This is why there are so many verses of encouragement and promises of protection, assuring us that He is with us through every trial we face whatever they may be.

In Isaiah 41:10 for that is exactly what this verse is saying.  When we face a real threat, God is telling us not to fear. Many times when we read the word fear, it is in reference to the fear of the Lord not as in terror or being afraid, but having reverential respect for Who God is.

In this verse the word for fear used here is a fear is for one’s own personal safety.  The reason we need not fear is because God is with us – Emanuel. 

He continues, saying, “Be not dismayed.”

In Hebrew, the word dismayed here is

 tisheta

which has a Semitic root meaning

to be blind.

Be dismayed –

תִּשְׁתָּ֖ע   tista

tisheta – tsht – tet sheen tet תִּשְׁתָּ֖

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance 8159

depart, be dim, be dismayed, look away, regard, have respect, spare, turn

A primitive root; to gaze at or about (properly, for help); by implication, to inspect, consider, compassionate, be nonplussed (as looking around in amazement) or bewildered -blind to- depart, be dim, be dismayed, look (away), regard, have respect, spare, turn.

 

If a person is really terrified, that fear causes an irrational reaction, and they are blind to what is actually happening, as their imagination runs wild about what is about to occur.

Here our Heavenly Father is reassuring us saying

“I am with you.”

In those days there were many gods being worshipped and demanding all kinds of sacrifices for favors, but not one of them was promising,

I am already with you

as Our Heavenly Father was.

In the next verse He says that

He will strengthen us.  

The word 

strengthen

in Hebrew is 

‘amas 

which from its Semitic root carries the idea of 

imparting courage.

Also spelled immatz

אִמַּצְתִּ֙יךָ֙ 553   אִמַּצְ

’im·maṣ·tî·ḵā

He promises that:

We will receive courage at the moment we need it.

The next word is the word 

yea.

As already noted, in Hebrew

אַף

this word is

‘ap  or aph

In all the various Semitic languages, Ap is a common word and in the old Testament it is rendered as:

even, indeed, surely, how then, how much more, and also;

and in its Semitic root we saw how it has the idea of:

how much more.

and in today’s language we would say something similar to:

But, better yet.

 

We could read it as our Father is telling us that

not only will

He give us courage but better yet,

He will help us.

עֲזַרְתִּ֔יךָ

In Hebrew there is an interesting meaning for the word

help.

It’s the word

azaretika 

עֲזַרְתִּ֔יךָ

   5826 עֲזַרְ

Phonetic Spelling:

aw-zar’

Definition: to help, succor

עָזַר ʻâzar, aw-zar’;

a primitive root; to surround, i.e. protect or aid:—help, succour.

‘ă·zar·tî·ḵā,

In the Old Testament it is rendered as :

even, indeed, surely, how then, how much more, and also. 

Its Semitic root however, has the idea of

how much more. 

From the root word 5826 

‘azar 

and gives the concept of:

protection

with the idea of

supporting us and assisting us in the battle

not as in a controlling person who completely takes over.

In other words we still need to participate in the fight, but He is telling us, not to worry He has got our back.

Isaiah 52:12 For you will not leave in a hurry nor flee in …

For the LORD will go ahead of you; yes, the God of Israel will protect you from behind.

2 For you shall not go out with haste, Nor go by flight; For the Lord will go before you, And the God of Israel will be your rear guard

God is our rearguard

and for those in the military,

Our Heavenly Father has our 6!

Fir more click link below:

https://www.minimannamoments.com/in-times-of-need-and-during-days-of-uncertainty-whos-got-our-vav/

There’s one more word that has

better yet  -‘ap – אַף

before it,

and that is:

God will not only give us courage to enter this fight, but better yet, He has our backs/our six;

but even better than all of the previous promises,

He is upholding us.

The Hebrew 8851 word for 

upholding is tamar

I will uphold you

te·maḵ·tî·ḵā  – תְּמַכְתִּ֖יךָ

This word in its root form means:

to take hold, hold fast,

or glue oneself to something. 

Think of this, and visualize that our loving Heavenly Father not only gives us courage and protects our backs, but He will glue Himself to us, literally sticking with us!

Our confident assurance is that Father God is not only watching our back, but most importantly His presence is glued to us.

The more we stare at an overwhelming situation, our confidence in our reasoning quickly fades, However as we turn from it towards our Savior, it is quickly replaced by confidence in our Heavenly Father Who loves us.

Even if we don’t yet feel that we have all this courage and support, God promises that it will be there when we need it. Isaiah 41:10 assures us of that. He will never be caught off guard because in Psalms 121:4: we are assured “Behold, he that keepth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.”

Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

Do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong’s 408: Not

fear,
תִּירָא֙ (tî·rā)
Verb – Qal – Imperfect – second person masculine singular
Strong’s 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

for
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong’s 3588: A relative conjunction

I
אָ֔נִי (’ā·nî)
Pronoun – first person common singular
Strong’s 589: I

am with you;
עִמְּךָ־ (‘im·mə·ḵā-)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong’s 5973: With, equally with

do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong’s 408: Not

be afraid,
תִּשְׁתָּ֖ע (tiš·tā‘)
Verb – Qal – Imperfect – second person masculine singular
Strong’s 8159: To gaze at, about, to inspect, consider, compassionate, be nonplussed, bewildered

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong’s 3588: A relative conjunction

I
אֲנִ֣י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun – first person common singular
Strong’s 589: I

am your God.
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)
Noun – masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong’s 430: gods — the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

I will strengthen you;
אִמַּצְתִּ֙יךָ֙ (’im·maṣ·tî·ḵā)
Verb – Piel – Perfect – first person common singular | second person masculine singular
Strong’s 553: To be stout, strong, bold, alert

I will surely help you;
עֲזַרְתִּ֔יךָ (‘ă·zar·tî·ḵā)
Verb – Qal – Perfect – first person common singular | second person masculine singular
Strong’s 5826: To surround, protect, aid

I will uphold you
תְּמַכְתִּ֖יךָ (tə·maḵ·tî·ḵā)
Verb – Qal – Perfect – first person common singular | second person masculine singular
Strong’s 8551: To sustain, to obtain, keep fast, to help, follow close

with My right hand
בִּימִ֥ין (bî·mîn)
Preposition-b | Noun – feminine singular construct
Strong’s 3225: The right hand, side, the south

of righteousness.
צִדְקִֽי׃ (ṣiḏ·qî)
Noun – masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong’s 6664: The right, equity, prosperity

History records that King Solomon had twenty armed bodyguards, elite warriors guarding him every night as he slept. We have a security greater than any king or president, we have the God of all creation keeping watch over us.

Psalms 121:4: Behold, he that keepth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.

He is a body guard who does not slumber or sleeps. He is on duty every moment of each day 24/7.  Our Heavenly bodyguard does not slumber and he also does not sleep.

In Hebrew sleep – ישן   

Yod Shin Nun  

yashan  

Our Father God does not live in time like we do. He created time for us while we are in the earth. It is almost impossible for us to understand it from this physical realms’ perspective. He is not only with us every moment of every day, but we also have the added assurance that He never slumbers nor sleeps.

Why does it say both slumber and sleep?

The word sleep in Hebrew is yashan.  It means: to sleep, but is can also mean: to grow old.  The creator of the universe will never grow old. Obviously It is impossible to outlive God.  He is there with us never growing too old or feeble to help us or encourage us.

Slumber in Hebrew is num 

which means; a half sleep that is to get drowsy or have a tendency to doze off. We hear of many kinds of accidents which happen not because the operator or driver fell asleep; but because they were drowsy and not paying attention. Our Heavenly Father has His full attention on us both night and day, He will never sleep nor will His attention be diverted by drowsiness or slumber.

The word keepth in Hebrew is shamar

which means:

to be a body guard, one who watches over to protect

As our body guard, He is unlike other body guards who need to sleep because God needs no sleep and He watches over us 24/7.

Are sleep and slumber the same thing?

Not if we understand it in the sense that, there may be a guard who is self-disciplined enough to not slumber, but obviously however self disciplined he, is he is going to have to sleep some time; the body cannot function properly without the sleep that God designed our bodies to need.  Here we are assured that our Heavenly Father does not slumber and neither does He sleep.

The Hebrew word yashan – sleep, is spelled 

Yod – Shin – Nun

The letters of the word many give us some insight, teaching us more than what we think of when we think of sleep; and it helps us to understand what the people in David’s day thought when they heard that God does not yashan or sleep.

The first letter to

ישן

yeshan – sleep

is the

Yod which teaches us:

to be careful not to be so focused on future events that we miss what is happening in the present.  When it is written, the letter Yod is hanging in the air and has no connection to the ground.   The fact that God never sleeps means, he has His attention focused on the now moment. Whatever we are going through in that very moment He is there focused and fully aware of it.

In yashan

The second letter is the Shin.  The Shin represents:  The fiery passion of God, His deep love for us is always available, He is never too tired or sick to give us His attention.  He is ready to share His passion with us whenever we are ready, making Himself available to us any moment, not when He just feels like it, and we have to wait for Him to wake up.

 Nun is the last letter which reveals that our Heavenly Father will never be distracted nor will he let his attention be diverted because he needs to sleep. He is attentive to us all day and all night.

From this we can take great comfort when He says that He will stand guard over us and never sleep it means that He will watch and protection is for every moment in our lives until we see Him face to face.  He is watching over us right now, no matter what we are going through.   Because He does not sleep means, His watches carefully over us and makes his passions available to us at any time, and He is never too tired to pour out His love on us. Finally we must accept the fact that He does not sleep means, that there is nothing to divert His attention away from us.

By declaring that He is watching over us and never slumbers or sleeps, He is telling us that there are no holes or gaps in His protective covering. There is no better place of security than to put ourselves under His care.

Every reader, be comforted and encouraged, whatever is going on in the world around us….Remember…

Yea- ap – how much more

is He with us /Emanuel, through every test and fiery trial because,

as the word keepth / shamar / means to be a body guard 24/7 One who always has our back and because he never slumbers /num  nor sleeps/yashan. Do not fear and do not be afraid for the tests and trials.. He has overcome the world. John 16:33

but

Better

Yet…

..YEA

Shalom aleikhem

chaverim and mishpachah!

Peace to friends and family. 

Shavua Tov, Have a blessed week.

Make certain Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him.

It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.

You are very precious in His sight.

Not sure ..you can be…

SIMPLY SAY THE FOLLOWING MEANING IT FROM YOUR HEART..don’t delay one more minute,

SAY IT 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.